Defense Systems

Can you trust a 3D printed jet wing?

A new DARPA program looks at additive manufacturing from the inside out in order to establish reliable, repeatable processes.

Defense Systems

Device can track soldier movements without GPS

Army researchers are developing a navigation system called WINS that can locate a soldier on a map when GPS signals are unavailable.

Defense Systems

Navy awards $479M deal for joint tactical radios

The MIDS JTRS terminals allow high-speed, jam-resistant sharing of voice, data and imagery among U.S. and coalition forces.

Defense Systems

Verigames lets gamers carry some of the load of software security

DARPA launches a new round on online games after the first set proved helpful in spotting software flaws.

Defense Systems

High-power laser weapon advances to field testing

The HELLADS project, funded by DARPA and the Air Force Research Lab, is shooting for a small, lightweight laser capable of 150 kilowatts of output.

Defense Systems

Cutting-edge glasses give Marines a clear view of augmented reality

The glasses, developed by ONR, were used for the first time with the Augmented Immersive Team Trainer.

Defense Systems

Air Force gives Lockheed $735M deal for satellite support

The contract calls for continued support of three generations of satellite communications.

Defense Systems

How brainwaves could teach software to ID threats

ARL has started research into using the EEG readings of experienced soldiers to train algorithms that would in turn help future soldiers.

Defense Systems

Air Force plans to spend $4B on Global Hawk drone program

Northrop Grumman will maintain and modernize the long-range ISR aircraft over the next five years.

Defense Systems

DISA releasing heavy-duty suite for mobile classified comm

The kit will allow secure voice, video and data access to SIPRNet from any Internet connection, and will be available DOD-wide.

Defense Systems

Army pushing energy efficiency closer to the front

CERDEC demonstrates a base-camp microgrid that cuts down significantly on fuel use, water use and waster generation without compromising services.

Defense Systems

Air Force gives 20 companies a spot on $7.9B NetCents 2 contract

The businesses will compete for work in network operations and infrastructure solutions.

Defense Systems

DARPA to fast-track robotics innovations

By shortening the contracting and development process, the agency wants to engage “nontraditional performers” in rapid, low-cost development of breakthrough technologies.

Defense Systems

Nanosatellites could provide future battlefield communications

The Space and Missile Defense Command is testing small satellites that could deliver over-the-horizon voice, data and imagery.

Defense Systems

Computer translations help doctors overcome Afghan language barrier

ARL used statistical machine translation to collect more than 6,000 medical phrases in English and Dari, which eases the burden of relying on a limited number of human translators.

Defense Systems

UAS-at-sea program produces a couple of practical spinoffs

Offshoots from the DARPA/ONR Tern program could speed up launch and recovery, and boots ships' ISR and communications range.

Defense Systems

This is your brain on a computer

ARL is working on a brain-computer interface that could one day put systems under thought control.

Defense Systems

DISA approves 23 cloud providers for unclassified data

The provisional authorizations open up commercial services for data at Impact Level 2.

Defense Systems

Army avatars have the human touch

An ARL-sponsored program is using natural language processing to create virtual humans who can interact with and even counsel soldiers.

Defense Systems

Future soldiers could be part of the Internet of Things

The recent Mad Scientist Conference addressed the idea of embedding sensors into humans to help produce "sentient" data.