North America

Xilinx to Harden Virtex-5 Microchip Series against Radiation Effects The US Air Force is funding the radiation hardening of modular integrated circuits produced by Xilinx Inc. these radiation hardened components will contribute to simpler, more robust electronic applications in missiles and spacecraft. Xilinx is expected to complete the development by 2010. The hardening process will be extensible to future FPGA...

(This item is dated January 2007, Click here for a more update version) Update: Three MRAP Producers will Share future Orders Worth $8.2 Billion The Pentagon plans to phase out its armored Humvees in Iraq and Afghanistan and send in vehicles that better withstand roadside bomb blasts, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Wednesday (May 10, 2007). The U.S. Navy evaluated nine suppliers for the...

The Air Force will deploy a small number of F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft this weekend on a long-planned training deployment to Europe, Pentagon officials announced today.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates today laid out his recommendations for the 2010 budget during a Pentagon press conference. Among the most dramatic cuts are the restructuring of the Army's Future Combat Systems program, which will terminate the Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) segment of the program, saving some $85 billion. The $26 billion Transformational Satellite (TSAT) will also be...

TerraTools rapidly constructs simulation databases, using standard mapping and aerial imagery (DoD/NGA/USGS) source data, custom Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Geographic Information System (GIS) data, and imagery, in a standard Windows environment. The system follows an automatic, parametric generation of complex visual geometry critical for MOUT. The objects exported by the system can be embedded into the supported simulation...

The B-1B Lancer is emerging as a transformational weapon system, not because of its nuclear attack capability but due to its ability to strike time-sensitive targets anywhere in the world, and engage several targets simultaneously with conventional, highly accurate weapons. The Lancer can patrol over a target area for several hours, waiting to respond to targets of opportunity, as they...

The absence of new programs provided exhibitors an opportunity to highlight improvement to existing platforms. Among the combat vehicles displayed at AUSA were the M-109 Paladin Improved Mobility (PIM) and Bradley, both included in the US Army’s Enhanced Capability Programs (ECP).

Northrop Grumman has joined the BAE Systems lead Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) team, and will become the lead authority for the integration of command and control hardware and software, computers and communications equipment, sensors and sensor suites for intelligence gathering and force protection.

The Pentagon has approved the expansion of the MRAP program to over 20,000 vehicles. The US Army plans to increase its fleet of MRAP vehicles from the previously planned 2,300 to 17,700 vehicles. The Marines's allocation will remain at 3,400 and special operations forces will receive about 300 (170 have already been ordered). This plans will virtually phase out...

DARPA awarded Northrop Grumman US$93 million for under the 3rd phase of the Tern program. The company will develop and demonstrate an innovative unmanned tail-sitting, flying-wing aircraft

Start < Page 4 of 7 > Currently available MAV are larger than DARPA's target platforms, but are already backpackable and operated by a single soldier or a team of two. It is designed to be fully autonomous – and require no special expertise or support at the operational level, at the platoon or battalion. The small drones are built to...

In two years the U.S. Army is planning to introduce a a new version of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS). Version 6.8X of the system will focus on improving and simplifying the user interface while enhancing speed and capabilities.

The U.S. Missile defense Agency (MDA) conducted a successful missile intercept test on Thursday May 10, 2012 using an advanced Standard Missile – 3 (SM-3) Block 1B missile and second generation battle management system (AEGIS BMD 4.0.1).

The US Air Force is funding the development of a new class of 45,000 lb thrust-adaptive jet engine, designed to power the future sixth generation fighter in the 2030s. Two contracts were awarded, each to complete three prototype engines in four years.