Tech

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded technology research contracts to eight companies under the agency's Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) program, seeking to deliver crew/vehicle survivability through means other than traditional heavy passive armor solutions. DARPA expects these capabilities will be applicable to future ground combat vehicles, improving their combat efficiency and reduce cost. “We’re exploring a...

The US Army completed a successful test of Tamir interceptor missile from the new Multi Mission Launcher (MML) developed under a US Army initiative.

The U.S. Navy has entered the final phase of development of the Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) pod that will replace the ALQ-99 that has been in use since the Vietnam War. The new electronic attack pod matches advanced electronic-attack technology that combines high-powered, agile, beam-jamming techniques with cutting-edge, solid-state electronics.

By 2018 the US Army expects to field a new command-and-control (C2) system developed to deliver a single, unambiguous view of the battlespace. The Integrated (air and missile defense) Battle Command System (IBCS) developed and built by Northrop Grumman will significantly enhance aircraft and missile tracking, and improve the ability of combatant commanders and air defenders to make critical decisions within seconds.

The US Air Force Special Operations Command is planning to use air-launched drones to enable Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) AC-130 aerial gunships and MQ-9 Reaper drones to operate in all weather conditions, particularly above the clouds.

The Marine Corps plans to buy or lease active protection systems (APS) for its M1 Abrams main battle tanks, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for combat development and integration, told members of the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on seapower April 13. that are vulnerable to proliferating anti-tank guided missiles.

The U.S. Army successfully fired a Stinger missile from its newest launch platform last week. The test was part of a demonstration of the Army's new Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept (IFPC Inc 2-I) platform's Multi-Mission Launcher (MML).

Israel’s Navy conducted a successful test firing of a new surface-surface missiles launched from a Saar 5 corvette. The new missile is assumed to be part of an indigenous surface-to-surface missile system developed for the Israeli Navy by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

A small, submersible drone developped at John Hopkins' research institute's Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) can stay submerged for months, and instantly surface and launch on command without leaving a trace.  Watch this video describing APL's Corrosion Resistant Aerial Covert Unmanned Naval System (CRACUNS). The drone is fabricated from composite materials and coatings that prevents salt water corrosion. 3D printing enables production...

Currently in its third year of full rate production, BAE Systems' APKWS rocket is the only U.S. Department of Defense fully qualified guided 2.75-inch rocket. Following the Navy and Marine Corps, the US Army has also ordered the rocket for its Apaches. Since the weapon has been cleared for export the US NAVY program has received 13 formal letters of request (LORs) from international customers expressing interest in acquiring APKWS.

A canard aircraft using 24 electrically driven rotors tucked inside its wings was selected by DARPA to demonstrate high speed and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities. The revolutionary unmanned vehicle is scheduled to begin flight tests in the 2018.