Technology and Innovation | Defense News

An ALE system is launched from a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter, as testing commences during Project Convergence in September 2020.

Lockheed, Northrop win US Army contract for spy gear on launched drones

Launched effects — hurtling outward from vehicles and aircraft — are meant to complement equipment soldiers already rely on to scout, target, jam and kill.

4 days ago

Raytheon, an RTX business, won a four-year, $15 million contract to increase the electronic capability of radio frequency sensors with high-power-density Gallium nitride transistors.

Ice Ice Baby: Raytheon uses diamonds to keep radars cool

"If we can relax the heat problem," a DARPA program manager said, "we can crank up the amplifier and increase the range of radar."

6 days ago

The U.S. Air Force tapped Lockheed Martin for its TPY-4 radar, pictured here in an anechoic chamber, in 2022.

Air Warfare

Lockheed will deliver advanced TPY-4 radar to Air Force for evaluation

The system features an active electronically scanned array. Its many nodules allow for multitasking and rapid repogramming.

Greek drone maker nears first surveillance drone sale to Athens

Hellenic Aerospace Industry wants to sell its surveillance and combat drones to the Greek armed forces first before pitching to international customers.

2 weeks ago

Defense contractor Sierra Nevada Corp. spent millions of dollars of its own money refining RAPCON-X, depicted here in a company video.

Sierra Nevada to supply US Army with intel-gathering jets in $554M deal

The U.S. Army is paying particular attention to what's known as deep sensing: the capacity to find, monitor, target and kill from greater distances.

3 weeks ago

U.S. Army soldiers set up an aiming circle, meant to orient the Q-53 radar, during Operation Thunder Strike in June 2020.

Lockheed seeks expanded roles for Q-53 radar including drone detection

“It’s legacy has been counter-fire,” said Lockheed Martin's David Kenneweg. “Now, we’ve got a multi-mission radar that does multiple things.”

3 weeks ago

Spanish tech center to test Eurodrone’s propulsion system

The deal marks the first step toward the platform’s eventual test flight.

3 weeks ago

Manufacturing woes could sink US sub fleet. Can 3D printing save it?

The U.S. Navy has commissioned a flurry of activities to mature metal additive manufacturing — and Danville, Virginia, is at the heart of that effort.

4 weeks ago

Leonardo, Elbit units to prototype targeting device for US Army

The U.S. Army published a request for prototype proposal for the Joint Effects Targeting System II in late 2022.

5 weeks ago

Here’s when the first T-7 trainer is to fly to Edwards Air Force Base

Mark your calendar: The U.S. Air Force plans to fly its first T-7A Red Hawk trainer halfway across the country for testing.

6 weeks ago

Boeing begins 3D-printing Apache helicopter parts

Boeing has teamed up with ASTRO America to 3D-print parts for its Apache attack helicopter as a way to potentially improve supply chains and manufacturing.

7 weeks ago

No, Rafael’s ‘Iron Beam’ laser didn’t blow up missiles over Israel

Manipulated footage pulled from the Arma 3 video game has previously been attributed to front lines in Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine.

7 weeks ago

A Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System aerostat, or JLENS, is seen at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

US Army considering aerostat overhaul as focus turns to Russia, China

“One of my priorities is to help reimagine aerostats,” said Lareina Adams, who months ago became the project manager for terrestrial sensors.

7 weeks ago

Boeing pitches more upgrades for US Army’s Apache, Chinook helicopters

Boeing is offering upgrades to its Apache and Chinook, and the two programs are leveraging each other's ideas despite their obvious differences.

8 weeks ago

The MFEW-AL system’s purpose and ability is to create a clear picture, in real time, of the electromagnetic spectrum in any given area it is flying over.

US Army’s test of Lockheed jammer highlights payload adaptability

Additional flight tests are expected in the coming months — on top of the hours MFEW-AL has already logged.

8 weeks ago

Sgt. Michael Trask calls out grid coordinates during Project Convergence 22 at Fort Irwin, California. Opposing forces were spotted using a Raven drone.

What Project Convergence will look like after bucking its yearly rhythm

Project Converge is not, according to Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, "activity for activity’s sake."

8 weeks ago

GM Defense, Anduril team up on emerging battlefield needs

Loitering munitions on an Infantry Squad Vehicle? That's the type of thing emerging from a new partnership between GM Defense and Anduril.

8 weeks ago

Victor Rivas, a cadet with the Bowie State University ROTC program, plots his points on a map during a night land navigation in Virginia on Nov. 7, 2020.

Suppressed GPS in Ukraine fuels development of US Army navigation tech

“You can see real-world, potential-adversary capabilities, and then we can put that up and measure how we’re doing on our side,” said one Army official.

8 weeks ago

Polaris maturing autonomous MRZR Alpha under prototyping effort

Polaris is pairing its MRZR Alpha with an autonomy package that would allow it to move supplies and people off-road in complex terrain.

8 weeks ago