Precision Guidance
Losing the space race ex post facto
April 26, 2012 11:27 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe United States is conceding the space race...43 years after winning it. The Space Shuttle's ignominious retirement closes the door on an engineering marvel and an American institution. And the public didn’t bat an eyelash. How did we get to this point? How did space travel become blasé?
Congress Opens Market for Commercial Unmanned Aircraft Systems
February 22, 2012 11:52 am | by Paul Dempsey, Senior Correspondent, Footwasher Media | Articles | CommentsBuried deep in this month’s controversial Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding bill, passed by the Senate in an unusually bipartisan 75-20 vote were provisions to boost commercial potential for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Assuming President Obama’s signature, the four-year $63B budget bill mandates the FAA to
Army developing self-aware, decision-making network
November 18, 2011 8:39 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe U.S. Army is developing a “self-aware, decision-making network” that will ultimately reduce human decision-making requirements and increase network performance.
Soldiers test network, shape future of Army
November 17, 2011 5:07 am | by Lt. Col. Deanna Bague, Fort Bliss Public Affairs Office | Blogs | CommentsThe Army has committed 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, to evaluate new technologies and network capabilities that are shaping the Army's evolving tactical network.
ECN’s Tale of Two Veterans
November 10, 2011 12:27 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe military deserves our eternal gratitude, and this Veterans Day, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for their immeasurable sacrifices...for their blood, sweat, and tears shed in defense of this great nation of ours.
In The Beginning: Sealevel Celebrates 25 Years
August 26, 2011 6:13 am | by Susan O'Hanlan, Sealevel Systems, Inc., www.sealevel.com | Blogs | CommentsSealevel Systems, Inc., proudly celebrated 25 years of innovative, reliable hardware and software products to enable computer connectivity and control.
3-D Holographic Technology Provides Detailed Human Intelligence
July 26, 2011 9:56 am | by By T'Jae Gibson, US Army (www.army.mil) | News | CommentsImagine going from looking at the outside of a building, to seeing the internal workings of its electrical system simply by walking around a display case. The sophistication of 3-D holographic technology allows just that.
Retirement of Shuttle Leaves Void in Manned Space Program
July 7, 2011 11:20 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Articles | CommentsAfter Atlantis’ two-week mission, NASA will retire the Space Shuttle. Between the Shuttle’s retirement and the completion of the International Space Station in 2020, the U.S. faces a nine-year gap during which we’ll lack the ability to independently ferry astronauts into space.
Fake parts in U.S. military
June 21, 2011 12:44 pm | Videos | CommentsA new study shows nearly 40% of the U.S. military's supply chain is made up of counterfeit parts.
Japan Announces Domestic Stealth Fighter
March 8, 2011 12:18 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsResponding to regional threats and the United States’ refusal to share F-22 technology, Japan is developing its own stealth fighter. The “land of the rising sun” intends to fly its first stealth fighter prototype by 2014.
Unmanned Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS-D First Flight
February 7, 2011 3:23 am | Videos | CommentsA Northrop Grumman video of the Feb 4 first flight of the US Navy's X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrator from Edwrads AFB, Calif.
Army to Deploy “Revolutionary” Smart Weapon
February 3, 2011 9:23 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe U.S. Army is set to deploy a “revolutionary” airburst grenade launcher, said to be the first small arms “smart” weapon. Described as a “game changer,” the XM25 Counter Defilade Target Engagement System (CDTE) could fundamentally transform squad and platoon tactics.
Al-Qaida Leader: Drone Strikes Costing Fighters, Territory
January 27, 2011 8:52 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsIn a rare admission of defeat, an Al-Qaida leader in Pakistan conceded that drones are costing fighters and denying the terror network safe havens. This speaks to the continued success of the “drone war”, and will undoubtedly spur proponents of the F-35.
Chinese Fifth-gen Fighter Shatters U.S. Illusions
January 11, 2011 9:56 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsChina held the first test flight of its fifth-generation J-20 fighter today. Lifting off at 12:50:08 local time (04:50:08 GMT), the Chengdu J-20 recorded a flight time of about 18 minutes. This can’t be overstated—the J-20 could seriously alter the balance of power in the Pacific.
Navy Launches First Aircraft using Electromagnetic System
December 23, 2010 5:57 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe Navy made history on December 18 when it launched its first rollercoaster, er, aircraft, using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) technology. The F/A-18 Super Hornet, piloted by Lt. Daniel Radocaj, was launched from Naval Air Systems Command, Lakehurst, N.J.
Air Force Wants Tougher, ''More Survivable'' Drones
November 8, 2010 4:27 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe U.S. military wants its next-generation RPVs to be more survivable in “contested airspace.” At a breakfast with reporters in DC, Lt. Gen. Philip Breedlove (the Air Force’s chief of operations, plans and requirements) noted the MQ-9 Reaper’s shortcomings, and stressed the need for tougher, more durable RPVs.
Lockheed Martin showcases Incredible “HULC”
November 1, 2010 5:46 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsAt the recent Association of the U.S. Army conference in D.C., Lockheed Martin showcased its Human Universal Load Carrier (HULC), the defense giant’s answer to Raytheon’s XOS-2 exoskeleton (the “Real Iron Man Suit”). That’s right: it’s HULC vs. Iron Man.
Canada gets cold feet over F-35
October 19, 2010 9:53 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsA report released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calls Canada’s planned procurement of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter “fundamentally flawed.” According to the CCPA, “Canada does not need the F-35, either for North American/domestic roles or for expeditionary roles.”
Raytheon Unveils Wearable Exoskeleton Suit
September 28, 2010 12:20 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsCoinciding with the release of Iron Man 2 on Blu-Ray/DVD, Raytheon unveiled a real-life wearable robotic suit. The second-generation exoskeleton (XOS 2) purportedly is lighter, faster and stronger than its predecessor, yet it uses 50 percent less power.
“Grey Eagle” UAS to Deploy to Afghanistan
September 8, 2010 7:58 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsWeaponized versions of the MQ-1C “Grey Eagle” Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) will begin deploying to Afghanistan in the fall. Formerly known as the Sky Warrior, Grey Eagle is the Army’s answer to the Predator. In recent tests at the National Training Center, the Grey Eagle’s on-board laser designator performed flawlessly.
Drones to be equipped with HD cameras?
August 30, 2010 7:17 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe Consumer Electronics industry is already discussing glasses-free 3D televisions. But for Airmen monitoring drone feeds, they’re forced to stare at grainy, SD video. Yet according to a piece in the Air Force Times, the times they are a-changin’—the military may soon have HD cameras on drones.
Lockheed Martin Receives “Contract Modification” for F-22
August 25, 2010 6:13 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsLockheed Martin announced that it had received a $111.4 million contract modification from the U.S. Air Force for the 2010 Follow-On Agile Sustainment for the Raptor (FASTeR) sustainment contract. FASTeR entails support for the F-22 fleet...
Israel approves purchase of F-35
August 16, 2010 7:27 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsAs reported by Defense Talk, Israel has agreed to purchase 20 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters in a deal worth an estimated 2.75 billion dollars. At $96 million a piece, this would be the most expensive weapons deal ever signed by Israel.
Airmen enhance F-15E capabilities with helmet-mounted cueing system
August 13, 2010 9:11 am | by Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore, 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs | Blogs | CommentsThe concept is like something out of a movie -- the ability to find a target from a jet cockpit with the naked eye and lock onto it simply by fixing your gaze upon it. This science fiction concept has become a reality at the 336th Fighter Squadron.
Air Force experiments with ''gesture recognition'' technology
July 29, 2010 10:09 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsWired has a piece discussing the Air Force Research Laboratory’s experiments with motion sense technology. Using a device similar to Nintendo’s “Power Glove”, the folks over at Wright Patterson AFB feel that “gesture recognition” can help fly planes.
