Robotics
Northrop Grumman successfully launches ballistic missile target vehicles for Aegis test
In support of the Missile Defense Agency’s Flight Test Aegis Weapon System 32 (FTM-32), Northrop Grumman Corporation recently announced a successful launch of its ballistic missile target vehicle. Such vehicles are used to represent threats during test and verification of missile defense... Read More »
DARPA’s new REMA program rapidly progresses autonomous operations with commercial drones
Drone mission autonomy is the focus of a new DARPA program known as Rapid Experimental Missionized Autonomy (REMA), and in just 70 business days, it has made major headway. Focused on commercial drone technology, the program sought to allow these devices to autonomously continue predefined... Read More »
DHS launches artificial intelligence expert hiring push to scrutinize use of AI
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intends to hire 50 artificial intelligence experts this year as part of a unique initiative meant to create a new team focused on ensuring responsible use of AI. Dubbed a hiring sprint, the effort will yield what the DHS is calling its AI Corps.... Read More »
Raytheon to produce more than 1,500 StormBreaker smart weapons for U.S. Air Force
Under a $400 million contract awarded this week, the defense contractor Raytheon will build and supply more than 1,500 StormBreaker air-to-surface, network enabled smart weapons for the United States Air Force. Launched by air, the StormBreaker weapons can be mounted on the F-15E Strike Eagle... Read More »
DARPA’s SIGMA+ program working to detect threats to New York, New Jersey
Building on past collaboration between DARPA and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey focused on threat detection, DARPA’s SIGMA+ program is actively pursuing an automated, networked, and mobile system for continuous city-scale monitoring. This monitoring will focus on chemical,... Read More »
Senate adds amendment that would ban federal funding of drones produced in certain nations
A new amendment from U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mark Warner (D-VA) that would bar the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from providing federal funds to drones produced in certain foreign countries was added to an Appropriations Minibus package this week. This amendment (1349)... Read More »
Biden administration adds national security protections to CHIPS incentives program
Through elaboration of certain provisions, the U.S. Department of Commerce placed guardrails on the CHIPS and Science act last week, barring associated funds from expanding semiconductor manufacturing in or jointly researching with foreign countries of concern. “One of the Biden-Harris... Read More »
U.S. Special Operations Command touts Dry Combat Submersible potential
U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has declared Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin’s Dry Combat Submersible (DCS). The milestone represents a transformational capability for USSOCOM forces in Maritime and Undersea Systems. "The Dry Combat Submersible has the potential... Read More »
Raytheon, Northrop Grumman outline DARPA hypersonic weapons contract
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has detailed a follow-on contract with Raytheon and Northrop Grumman Corporation to reduce risk for future air breathing hypersonic systems. The scope of work calls for the Raytheon-led team to build and fly additional Hypersonic... Read More »
Lockheed Martin secures Army TLS-EAB program pact
Global aerospace company Lockheed Martin has been selected by the U.S. Army to address the second phase of the Terrestrial Layer System (TLS) – Echelons Above Brigade (TLS-EAB) program. “The U.S. Army’s Family of Systems concept is a proven model for developing and delivering converged... Read More »
DoD, Indiana National Guard successfully conclude first joint Technology Readiness Experimentation
This week at Camp Atterbury, Ind., the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and the Indiana National Guard successfully deployed six technologies as part of a Technology Readiness Experimentation event. This event was the first of... Read More »
Lockheed Martin secures cooperative R&D agreement with U.S. Army for space-enabled defense systems
Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lockheed Martin and the United States Army, the pair will work to develop and demonstrate defense systems that link ground-based platforms to space. On the U.S. Army’s side, efforts will be led by the Army Combat... Read More »
DARPA details High Operational Temperature Sensors program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently outlined plans to develop microelectronic sensor technologies capable of withstanding extreme temperatures through its High Operational Temperature Sensors (HOTS) program. “Many of the defense and industrial systems that rely on... Read More »
DARPA announces 2023 ERI Summit to highlight microelectronics innovation
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are espousing the benefits of the 2023 Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) Summit, noting the effort would address noteworthy microelectronics innovation advances. The theme of the event is Reinventing Domestic Microelectronics... Read More »
Lockheed Martin nets $4.79B production contract from U.S. Army for GMLRS rockets
The U.S. Army awarded a max of $4.79 billion production contract to Lockheed Martin for two full-rate production lots of GMLRS Unitary and Alternative Warhead rockets and associated equipment, along with integrated logistics support. These rockets would be used by both the U.S. Army and its... Read More »
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary to introduce firefighting robot at FDIC International
Textron Systems Corporation subsidiary Howe & Howe, Inc. will introduce its Thermite EV1 firefighting robot during the FDIC International conference on April 24-29 in Indianapolis, Ind. “Our EV1 is a powerful force multiplier for our heroes in fire response,” Howe & Howe Senior Vice... Read More »
DoD details Aerojet Rocketdyne agreement
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has detailed a $215.6 million agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne (AR) the agency maintains will bolster the solid rocket motors supply chain. DoD's Office of Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) initiated the pact to expand... Read More »
Boeing touts satellite’s enhanced battlefield communication capabilities
Aerospace company Boeing is touting the enhanced battlefield communication capabilities of its newly unveiled Protected Wideband Satellite (PWS) design. Boeing said the PWS features the company's Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P) payload hosted aboard the U.S. Space Force’s Wideband... Read More »
DHS effort to counter small UAS seeks information on kinetic mitigation measures
As part of an ongoing push to counter small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) launched a Request for Information (RFI) on kinetic mitigation technologies and solutions. “This effort is designed... Read More »
DHS S&T seeks information on drone technologies to counter small UAS swarms
Through a Request for Information (RFI) this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) signaled a search for new and emerging counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capable of defending against other small UAS (sUAS). Small UAS are... Read More »
DARPA completes third off-road unmanned vehicles test
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) personnel have completed the third test of off-road unmanned vehicles as part of its Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. The March 12-27 test runs in the Mojave Desert included the first with completely... Read More »
U.S. Army chooses joint Raytheon Technologies, Northrop Grumman team to design next-generation precision strike missile
Always looking to the future of warfare, the United States Army selected a collaborative effort by Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman Corporation to guide the development of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4. This next-generation missile will be the product of the Long... Read More »
U.S. Marines Corps touts Iron Fist exercise completion
Marine Corps personnel are espousing the benefits of the recently completed Japan-based Iron Fist exercise, which increases interoperability between several military entities. The Japan Self-Defense Force and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in the exercise. The endeavor... Read More »
DARPA workshops eye trustworthy AI exploration
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officials are touting its AI (artificial intelligence) Forward initiative, detailing workshops the agency noted seek to explore new directions for trustworthy AI. DARPA has scheduled two Summer 2023 workshops - a virtual event on June 13-16 and... Read More »
Defense firms to develop interoperable aircraft survivability solutions
Defense and aerospace companies BAE Systems and Leonardo UK have received U.S. government approval to develop interoperable aircraft survivability solutions. “This layered defense against new and advanced threats will protect aircraft and their crews in the most complex battlespaces,” BAE... Read More »
CACI International secures Army research and development agreement
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center (USASMDC-TC) has reached a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with CACI International. The five-year pact targets further development of advanced payload technologies, space sensor applications, and Positioning,... Read More »
Boeing secures Army NGATS diagnostic tool contract
Aerospace company Boeing has secured a $92 million, three-year U.S. Army award to produce additional Next Generation Automated Test System (NGATS) units. NGATS is a single, mobile diagnostic tool providing real-time testing in the field while supplying automated fault diagnosis of over 100... Read More »
Northrop Grumman eyes bolstered hypersonics manufacturing technology
Global security technology company Northrop Grumman has secured an 8.8 million Air Force contract to enhance the firm's hypersonics manufacturing technology initiatives. Authorities indicated the funding allotment is via the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Manufacturing and Industrial... Read More »
Sarcos Defense secures Army robotic solution testing contract
The Army Applications Laboratory, U.S. Army Futures Command has awarded Sarcos Defense a $1 million contract earmarked for testing a robotic solution Sarcos developed for ammunition handling and maneuvering. The Sarcos robotic ammunition handling solution utilizes a dexterous robotic arm... Read More »
Boeing High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability meets Navy operational status requirements
Boeing, an aerospace and defense company, recently announced that its High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) satisfies all Navy requirements for initial operational capability status. “The initial operational capability milestone marks the readiness of HAAWC for fleet... Read More »
Homeland Security S&T awards nearly $200,000 to startup Flux Tensor for motion-identifying algorithms
The startup Flux Tensor captured the interest of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) last week with the potential to apply motion-identifying algorithms to complex security videos and improve safety for soft targets. The department... Read More »
DHS S&T awards $198,000 award to Lauretta AI to customize anomaly detection systems for extra protection
Lauretta AI, an Arlington, Mass. startup, received $198,000 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) this week for work on a commercial artificial intelligence solution capable of making an adaptable anomaly detection system to secure soft... Read More »
Sikorsky, DARPA detail successful autonomous Black Hawk flights
Aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how uninhabited Black Hawk helicopters flying autonomously performed varied missions. The flights were executed on Oct. 12, 14, and 18 in conjunction with the... Read More »
New Q-53 radar system shows Army ability to counter drones
Thanks to development and manufacturing from Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Army was able to integrate, utilize and successfully test a rapidly deployable radar system known as Q-53 as part of counter-unmanned aerial system measures. In the deserts of Yuma, Arizona, the AN/TPQ-53 Multi-Mission Radar... Read More »