Author Archive
Terry Costlow
Terry Costlow is a contributing writer for Defense Systems.
Defense Systems
Mobile mashup: The military's proliferating mix of smartphones and tablets
DOD is using mobile devices in conventional and unconventional ways, which brings a lot of challenges to go with the convenience.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Chasing big data? You're going to need a bigger boat
Bandwidth is as important as algorithms as the military's wide array of sensors collects huge data sets.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
How big data is paying off for DOD
There’s no silver bullet to handling huge sets of data, but the military is finding ways to put analytics to use.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
The future of satellites: What are the options?
From reusable launch vehicles to high-throughput satellites and hosted payloads, DOD looks to meet rising demand while cutting costs.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
DOD's push for secure mobile comms leverages commercial tools
Commercial encryption, biometrics help DOD prevent eavesdropping.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Future satcom needs better modems, antennas and power
Although various technologies and techniques are being used to improve military satellite capabilities, armed forces will still need to rely on commercial capabilities.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
DOD builds foundation for future SATCOM
New communications satellite network will boost bandwidth while helping reduce terminal sizes.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
NGA apps for GEOINT facilitate mobile, tactical tools
The drive to make smart phones and tablets a viable communication tool for warfighters in the field is moving forward at a rapid pace.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Radar functions increase as developers shift to software and digital modules
A changeover to more digital components is enabling new, sophisticated techniques for radar.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
GEOINT down to the engineering level made Bin Laden raid possible
Tighter budgets and the drawdowns in Afghanistan and Iraq aren’t enough to stop the increasing desire for more satellite bandwidth.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Military reaps surveillance benefits from advances in sensor technologies
The rapid evolution of electro-optical imagers and infrared cameras is making it possible to employ them for less cost on smaller and lighter systems.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Troops finding new ways to deploy VSATs for mission success
Terminals bring a range of inputs to mobile users but size limited by power source, specifically batteries.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Budget cuts change the landscape for satcom and satellite usage
Satellite communications take on a new role as military space assets redeploy and budgets decline.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Smaller footprint for Navy data centers will bring big savings
Service plans to shutter many centers while improving performance and cutting costs.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Compact military VSATs have big impact
Military VSATs offer benefits that are fueling solid growth, but users must make tradeoffs, experts say.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Looking for a sharper image with sensors for unmanned platforms
The military's shift to high-definition sensors requires many changes.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Big data poses big challenge for military intelligence
As sensors continue to generate enormous volumes of data, DOD planners are struggling with techniques to ensure such data remains useful to warfighters.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Nothing proprietary in Navy CANES contract
The Navy's Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Service project to upgrade shipboard communications is off to a brisk start following an initial contract award in February.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Mobile user satellite launch heralds shift to comms-on-the-move
The launch of the first Mobile User Objective System satellite in February marks a major step forward for the military’s communications-on-the-move projects.
- Terry Costlow
Defense Systems
Hosted payloads and synergistic design alter military satellite landscape
The military is still striving to increase bandwidth, linking satellite and terminal design while turning to commercial suppliers for hosted payloads and more capabilities.
- Terry Costlow