Robotics
US Army to continue relationship with drone manufacturer Skydio
The U.S. Army announced that it will continue its relationship with Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer. Specifically, the Army will continue with the Skydio X2D SRR system to complete the remaining integration and documentation requirements within the Other Transaction Agreement... Read More »
Lockheed selects firm to aid UK Pathfinder Launch project
Lockheed Martin officials said the aerospace company has contracted with ABL Space Systems to supply a rocket and associated launch services for Lockheed Martin's first UK vertical satellite launch. The UK Pathfinder Launch is slated to be the first vertical small satellite launch from UK soil... Read More »
BAE Systems secures Navy rapid response pact
The Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $4 million rapid response contract to conduct a quick-turnaround demonstration of a P-8A Poseidon radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) system. “The ability to meet this unprecedented response time underscores our agility, focus on meeting customer needs, and... Read More »
Artificial intelligence measure included in must-pass government funding deal
A group of lawmakers recently touted the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government Act, which was included in the must-pass government funding deal and set to become law. Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Rob Portman (R-OH), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) said the... Read More »
DHS funds target wireless device intrusions
Bastille Networks has secured a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) pact to address unwanted wireless device intrusions. Through the Phase 5 Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), the Atlanta, Georgia-based... Read More »
Bill to ban Chinese drones still alive in Congress
Congress backed away from restrictions on drone purchases from Chinese manufacturers in the final push to approve the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), but there is still concern on Capitol Hill that measures must be taken to close a potential espionage peephole that could be built... Read More »
Sen. Peters urges Trump administration to take action against foreign actors seeking to steal COVID-19 research
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) criticized the Trump administration for what he calls its lack of action against foreign adversaries, including Russia, China, and North Korea, that have launched cyber-attacks against American hospitals and research institutions in an attempt to steal information... Read More »
Successful missile defense exercise highlighted
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) said the recent successful execution of a missile defense exercise serves as a milestone for the Aegis BMD SM-3 Block IIA program. Navy sailors aboard the USS John Finn (DDG-113), an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System-equipped destroyer, intercepted and... Read More »
Sandia National Laboratories virtual methods aid B61-12 flight test
Air Force officials recently commended the role Sandia National Laboratories played in providing virtual means that aided a critical B61-12 Life Extension Program test flight aboard the F-35A Lightning II jet fighter. Under the National Nuclear Security Administration's guidance, the test was... Read More »
BAE Systems building military GPS production facility
BAE Systems is slated to build a facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, utilizing an investment of more than $100 million to support its military GPS products line. The effort is in conjunction with the company's newly acquired Navigation & Sensor Systems business. The effort would unite local design... Read More »
Army, Northrop Grumman deploy enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station capabilities
Army and Northrop Grumman personnel said the recent deployment of enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capabilities in South Korea enables early warning of missile attacks and other events. “This is a tremendous milestone in our decades-long mission of delivering missile warning and... Read More »
DARPA details RACER initiative
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) personnel are espousing the benefits of the department’s DARPA’s Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program. Authorities said RACER seeks to ensure algorithms are not the limiting part of the system and... Read More »KBR completes Centauri acquisition
The professional services firm KBR, Inc. has completed the acquisition of independent provider of space, directed energy, and advanced technology solutions Centauri, LLC from Arlington Capital Partners. The acquisition expands KBR's military space and intelligence business, as well as the... Read More »
Northrop Grumman Corporation touts successful IBCS test
Northrop Grumman Corporation officials said an Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) flight test resulted in the Army intercepting a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) and a cruise missile target. “These two back-to-back successful test events are a testament to the commitment and partnership... Read More »
Agencies issue UAS detection, mitigation advisory
Four federal agencies have issued an advisory guidance document to aid non-federal public and private entities in understanding federal laws and regulations addressing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations threats. The Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),... Read More »
Marine Corps System Command uses virtual training to support Marines
The Marine Corps Systems Command’s mission to support Marines continues, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. With travel restrictions in place, MCSC began conducting online training to teach marines how to use new gear. This online training, called Virtual NET, is designed to replicates a live... Read More »
NIH creates AI-based effort to fuel early detection and treatment efforts for COVID-19
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Medical Imaging and Data Resource Center (MIDRC) this week, beginning a new effort to fight the COVID-19 pandemic through a mix of artificial intelligence-created tools and medical imaging. MIDRC is a collaboration of multiple institutions,... Read More »
DoD selects Northrop Grumman for Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System
The Department of Defense (DOD) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system for future Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) procurements. “Our FAAD C2 has been saving lives at Forward Operating Bases and locations around... Read More »
FLIR Systems secures $20M Army contract to deliver Black Hornet 3
Industrial technology firm FLIR Systems has secured a $20.6 million Army contract to deliver Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems in support of surveillance capabilities. “Black Hornet has proven to be a game-changing technology – a small package that can deliver a big edge on the... Read More »
Science and Technology Directorate seeks participants for GPS vulnerabilities event
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is seeking participants for its third 2020 GPS Testing for Critical Infrastructure (GET-CI) event later this year. “Accurate and precise position, navigation and timing (PNT) information is vital to the... Read More »
Department of Defense adopts artificial intelligence principles
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recently adopted ethical principles for the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which will apply to both combat and noncombat functions. The principles were based on Defense Innovation Board recommendations. The board consulted with AI experts and... Read More »
DARPA demonstrates autonomous vehicles used to conduct raids
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET) program recently demonstrated the use of autonomous air and ground vehicles to raid an urban area. During the demonstration, the autonomous vehicles were deployed to conduct the DARPA-designed... Read More »
Sheriffs association takes first steps toward template for law enforcement use of drones
With drones becoming more incorporated into modern life, the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) is getting in on the action and has created a working group to create a template governing law enforcement use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) nationwide. The need for such a template has... Read More »
DARPA gives 17 teams a chance to compete to change subterranean warfare
DARPA’s Subterranean Challenge Urban Circuit is looking to change the nature of subterranean warfare, and as of last week, 17 teams have qualified to demonstrate breakthroughs and solutions to existing problems. Operating underground is, by its nature, highly challenging for humans. Both... Read More »
Motorola awarded $23.8M contract from Department of Defense
Motorola Solutions was awarded a $23.8 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to sustain the U.S. Navy’s enterprise land mobile radio (LMR) system. The LMR system is used to coordinate the deployment of the first responder community at Navy bases. The LMR system connects Navy... Read More »
FLIR secures Army heavyweight robot contract
The U.S. Army has earmarked a five-year contract worth up to $109 million for FLIR Systems to provide 350 Kobra robots for the Common Robotic System-Heavy (CRS-H) program. “We are pleased to be selected for the U.S. Army’s CRS-H program and deliver lifesaving robotic technology to our... Read More »
Raytheon introduces new soldier training simulator
Defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions firm Raytheon introduced its Synthetic Training Environment Soldier Virtual Trainer (STE SVT) at I/ITSEC, the world's largest modeling, simulation, and training event. The technology uses real and virtual weapons to train dismounted... Read More »
Department of Interior to stop using Chinese-made drones
The Department of Interior recently decided to halt the use of non-essential Chinese-made drones or drones made from Chinese components pending a review of the program. The exception would be drones used for emergency purposes. All of the department’s 810 drones have Chinese hardware, and... Read More »
Marines execute Island Marauder initiative
Marine Corps personnel recently joined subject matter experts in executing Island Marauder, an annual technology demonstration involving the integration of current and future technology in a realistic combat environment. Marine Corps Base Hawaii served as the site of the endeavor, which... Read More »
Energy Department creates new AI research center
The U.S. Department of Energy recently created a new research center to advance the study and development of artificial intelligence (AI). Scientists from the DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and the Georgia Institute of Technology will staff the new... Read More »
DARPA seeks advancements in urban autonomous swarm tactics, technologies to enhance physical testbeds
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced intentions to enhance collective autonomous systems in a way that will support urban troop offensives, and to that end, are seeking proposals for operational swarm tactics and new technologies to integrate into these swarms. It is... Read More »
Tactical mission kit garnering trial success
Lockheed Martin officials said flight tests of the firm’s Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter have determined the aircraft’s new tactical mission kit operates as designed, ensuring seamless transitioning to evaluation. “This tactical mission kit leverages the knowledge we’ve gained... Read More »
Air Force unveils artificial intelligence strategy
Air Force officials said the recent release of the branch’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy emphasizes the importance of artificial intelligence capabilities to 21st-century missions. “The Air Force is charged to provide the nation with Air and Space Superiority, Global Strike, Rapid Global... Read More »
DHS awards $200K to San Diego aerosystems company for final testing of sUAS proficiency
Planck Aerosystems, Inc. has secured a $200,000 Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) award to test its small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) in operational settings. The award is part of S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) in partnership with... Read More »