National Defense articles from August 2008

National Defense archives from August 2008

Global warming, security and energy: a relevant intersection.(PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE)
August 1, 2008... This month's issue of National Defense covers a hot topic--global warming and its relation to our security. Of great relevance to this debate is a Center for Naval Analysis study that was directed last year by former deputy undersecretary...

Response to attacks.(READER'S FORUM: VIEWS ... COMMENTS ... SUGGESTIONS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... I enjoyed your article "Nation Has Few WMD Response Teams in Place," (June 2008). I agree the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force is a capable unit. I believe however you have overlooked some national assets which will be of use to the...

Education in the U.S.(READER'S FORUM: VIEWS ... COMMENTS ... SUGGESTIONS)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... Too often, Americans overlook the obvious as well as rely on "solutions" that shouldn't be expected to yield desired results. As professor Gropman points out in "Waning Education Standards Threaten U.S. Competitiveness," (June 2008), the No...

Energy policy needed ASAP, don't call it Manhattan Project.(DEFENSE WATCH)
August 1, 2008... Washington surely loves a Manhattan Project. Calls for Manhattan Projects have almost become mandatory, especially in response to tough problems that nobody seems to know how to fix. After U.S. troops in Iraq became targets of roadside...

Deadly bugs: biological attacks on the horizon, warns expert.(WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The public is dangerously oblivious to the hazards of "biological" terrorism and the nation lacks mechanisms to cope with future attacks, says Richard Danzig, former Navy secretary and senior national security...

MRAP trucks' glass debris is hazardous to troops.(WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY)
August 1, 2008... The heavily armored trucks that U.S. troops drive in Iraq save lives and limbs every day, according to military officials. But they can cause long-term health problems, according to the Marine Corps Center for Lessons Learned. In a safety alert...

Report: military should help fight gangsters.(WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY)
August 1, 2008... The counterinsurgency skills that U.S. troops have gained in Iraq should be applied in the nation's domestic war against criminal gangs, concluded a group of military and civilian law enforcement officials at an Oracle Corp. conference. ...

Drink the Kool-Aid, save the environment.(WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... At military mess halls in Iraq, trash is also energy treasure. Army scientists have found a relatively easy way to make ethanol out of sugar. Under the project, called, "Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery," engineers take high carbohydrate...

Washington pulse: news from inside the beltway.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... "In the long run, I'm anxious to understand our dependence on contractors." Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, responding to a soldier's question at Fort Lewis, Wash., about why security contractors in war zones,...

Terrorism at home: domestic counter-IED office poised for expansion.(SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS)(improvised explosive device)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] An understaffed and poorly funded Department of Homeland Security office dedicated to fighting improvised explosive devices will receive a substantial budget increase and expanded duties if proposed legislation...

Cargo screening mandate to come with high price tag.(SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS)
August 1, 2008... A program created to scan 100 percent of all shipping containers for radiation threats before leaving foreign seaports cost more than $60 million at three of its seven pilot locations. But that's a miniscule number of ports compared to what...

Senators call for emergency cell phone alert system.(SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With the increased availability of cell phones, email and PDAs, lawmakers have criticized the Department of Homeland Security for not keeping the current emergency response system in pace with the times. ...

Biodefense dollars not going where needed, experts warn.(SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS)
August 1, 2008... Although federal biodefense spending may balloon to $57 billion in 2009, the majority of this funding is failing to reach hospitals and researchers, experts said at a recent Capitol Hill briefing. "Frankly, if I was a card-carrying...

Harnessing the sun's energy through transparent photovoltaics.(INSIDE SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY)
August 1, 2008... TSUKUBA, Japan -- Researchers here have developed a small transparent solar cell prototype that may' one day capture sunlight streaming in through a window and produce enough electricity to power homes and office buildings. The coin-size...

Alternative fuels: taking a second look at ammonia.(VIEWPOINT)
August 1, 2008... The search for alternative transportation fuels has become a major national challenge. One substitute fuel that could help reduce the nation's dependence on petroleum is anhydrous ammonia, which is widely used as a fertilizer. Due to its...

What's next? Future Combat Systems accelerated, one more time.(ANALYSIS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Watchers of the Army's largest ever high-tech weapons project, the Future Combat Systems, may have experienced a classic case of deja vu last month--when the service announced its latest plan to rush FCS technologies...

Coast Guard takes troubled new cutter on grand tour.(IN FOCUS: DEFENSE AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS)
August 1, 2008... BALTIMORE -- The month of June marked the coming out party for the Coast Guard's shiny new' national security cutter--the Bertholf Making its way north up the eastern seaboard, the flagship vessel of the much maligned Integrated Deepwater...

Loose wires: U.S. at risk of losing global lead in information technology.(ICAF Industry Study)
August 1, 2008... The United States leads the world in information and communications technologies, but the nation must overcome several near-term challenges if" it hopes to retain its global leadership, according to a recent study by the Industrial College of...

Fighting from afar: predator ground stations need redesign, say pilots.(Drones in Combat)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The mobilization here shows no signs of slowing down. The demands for aerial surveillance in Iraq and Afghanistan grow by the day, and that means more Predators and pilots are needed....

Reaper drones accomplishing traditional fighter jet missions.(Drones in Combat)
August 1, 2008... CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Since they were first deployed as reconnaissance and attack aircraft, the Predators have been credited with helping to change the tide in counterinsurgency operations. Now, the Air Force is struggling to keep...

Cultures collide: drones in the military: infatuation or true love?(Drones in Combat)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Enjoying much notoriety and acclaim, unpiloted aircraft can expect to remain a growth industry for years to come. But the military services have yet to come to grips with how unmanned aircraft fit into their...

Civilian drones have yet to pass weather test.(Drones in Combat)
August 1, 2008... Researchers at the Army's White Sands Missile Range in Arizona are developing weather forecasting software to help unmanned aerial vehicles fly in a variety of climates. Their research would provide important data to government and...

Warming planet, heated debate: climate change fears spill over to the defense community.(Energy and Security)(Cover story)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Climate change is a threat to the nation's security. Politicians and environmentalists who want to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions pumped into the atmosphere are using this argument to woo...

Coast Guard unprepared for climate change in Arctic.(Energy and Security)
August 1, 2008... The situation in the Arctic has all the makings of a Tom Clancy novel. Russia is aggressively pushing its claims there, national boundaries are still unknown and rapidly melting ice has opened previously frozen shipping lanes. In the...

Oil wars and climate woes: two sides of the same coin.(Energy and Security)
August 1, 2008... If rising waters and violent storms whipped into oblivion a key U.S. military base on the island of Diego Garcia, would such a catastrophe qualify as a national security crisis or as a climate change scourge? These what-if scenarios help...

Oil is out; is nuclear in?(Energy and Security)
August 1, 2008... Put yourself in an imaginary time machine and set the dial to around the year 2040. The exorbitant price of oil, now at $500 a barrel, has pushed a good chunk of the globe toward nuclear power. If the world is on the cusp of such an era,...

Going green: energy conservation is no barrier to Japan's economic ambitions.(Energy and Security)
August 1, 2008... TOKYO -- Every spring, fierce winds kick up the Gobi Desert's dust and blow east through China, where the dirt blends with pollutants from the growing numbers of factories. The resulting mixture travels across the Sea of Japan and hangs over...

Hydrogen fuel cells to power homes, vehicles in Japan.(Energy and Security)
August 1, 2008... YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Consumers here soon will be able to generate electricity and hot water for their homes and power their vehicles by using hydrogen. Next year, companies including Panasonic, Toshiba and Toyota will begin selling...

Clarity in brownout now possible for combat pilots.(Safe Landing)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Flying a military helicopter in brownout conditions is no easy job. Two technology companies have joined forces to produce a system that offers pilots a clear picture of their surroundings while also acquiring critical information such as...

Gloom of night is no problem for this flashlight.(TECH TALK: A TIP-SHEET ON THE LATEST GADGETS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... A company in Grants Pass, Ore., is offering the public what could be the world's ultimate flashlight. Originally produced for law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders, AE Xenide's High Intensity Discharge Personal...

Light, durable computers debut.(TECH TALK: A TIP-SHEET ON THE LATEST GADGETS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Military, government and commercial computer users on the go or in unforgiving industrial settings are the intended customers of a fully ruggedized line of laptop and notebooks that are encased in die cast magnesium...

Army prepares to field smarter artillery round.(TECH TALK: A TIP-SHEET ON THE LATEST GADGETS)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A precision 120-mm munition for the Army's Future Combat Systems mounted combat system is moving closer to fruition. The mid-range munition, or MRM, is a chemical-energy warhead with a dual mode semi-active laser...

New radar spots rockets in 360 degrees.(TECH TALK: A TIP-SHEET ON THE LATEST GADGETS)
August 1, 2008... An updated and vastly improved radar that can track enemy rocket, artillery and mortar fire in a full 360 degree panorama recently underwent successful testing at the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The prototype was designed by...

Revised rules for battlefield contractors.(Ethics Corner)
August 1, 2008... The expansion of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act of 2000 (MEJA) and the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) has complicated the legal environment for U.S. contractors co-located with military forces abroad. Contractor...

NDIA calendar: upcoming exhibits, shows and events.(National Defense Industrial Association)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... AUGUST 06 C4ISR Breakfast Arlington, VA ndia.org/meetings/892F 6-7 Missile Defense Agency Small Business Innovation Research Industry Day National Harbor, MD ndia.org/meetings/8160 11-14 Tennessee Valley Chapter...

2008 Mega directory: Defense Department acquisition directory.(Directory)
August 1, 2008... The 2008 edition of National Defense Magazine's directory of military acquisition agencies and programs provides a comprehensive guide to the complex world of Pentagon procurement organizations. It begins with the top leadership of the...

NDIA leadership.(2008 Mega Directory)
August 1, 2008... BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jimmie V. Adams, L-3 Communications Corporation Joseph Bravman, OMNISAT Kelly Brown, EMSolutions (AFEI Chair) Dale W. Church, Esq., Ventures & Solutions, LLC William Dalecky, Pratt & Whitney (PSA Chair)...

2008 Mega directory: index capabilities.(Access Control-Logistics Support/Management)
August 1, 2008... Access Control 3M Accenture Advantor Systems Corporation AMERICAN SYSTEMS Analytical Graphics Inc. ARINC Assurance Technology Corporation AUTOCLEAR Battelle Memorial Institute Bechtel National Inc....

2008 Mega directory: index of capabilities.(Low Observables-Women Owned)
August 1, 2008... Low Observables ADI Technologies Inc. Alliant Techsystems Inc. BAE Systems Battelle Memorial Institute Black Ram Engineering Services The Boeing Company Concurrent Technologies Corporation DCS Corporation...

2008 Mega directory: defense industry.(1stPower, a division of Energy Technologies Inc.-Knowledge Based Systems Inc.)(Directory)
August 1, 2008... 1stPower, a division of Energy Technologies Inc. Rugged Power Global Solutions 219 Park Ave. E. Mansfield, OH 44902-1845 (419) 522-4444 (phone) Home Page: www.1stpower.com P D Madden General Manager ...

2008 Mega directory: defense industry.(Kokatat Inc.-Zodiac of North America)(Directory)
August 1, 2008... Kokatat Inc. 5350 Ericson Way Arcata, CA 95521-9277 (707) 822-7621 (phone) Home Page: www.kokatat.com Biological Defense; Chemical Defense; Military Clothing; Prototyping; Special Operations Small Business Kolene...

A word from NDIA's Vice President of Operations.(2008 MEGA DIRECTORY)
August 1, 2008... Dear NDIA Members: To those of you who have generously contributed your time and talent to serve in Divisions, Industrial Committees, Chapters and Affiliates to advance NDIA's Advocate-Promote & Provide mission, or who have participated in...

NDIA schedule of events.(2008 Mega Directory)(National Defense Industrial Association)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... AUGUST 6 C4ISR Breakfast Arlington, VA www.ndia.org/meetings/892F 6-7 Missile Defense Agency Small Business Innovation Research Industry Day National Harbor, MD www.ndia.org/meetings/8160 12-13 ...

NDIA points of contact.(2008 Mega Directory)(National Defense Industrial Association)(Directory)
August 1, 2008... For further information regarding NDIA technical symposia and policy meetings, key professional staff contacts are: Maj. Gen. Barry Bates, USA (Ret.), Vice President of Operations. General Bates brings more than 32 years of experience in a...

NDIA defense exhibit guide.(2008 Mega Directory)(National Defense Industrial Association)(Brief article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... 2008 2008 Naval Science & Technology Partaerehlp Conference AUG 12-14, WASHINGTON, DC Exhibit POC: Carris Britton, 703-247-2573 Meeting POC: Kimberly Williams, 703-247-2578 Land & Maritime Supply Chains Business Conference...

NDIA committees & divisions.(2008 Mega Directory)(National Defense Industrial Association)
August 1, 2008... ARMAMENTS DIVISION Chair David E. Broden Broden Resource Solutions [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mission: The division's mission is to provide a forum for industry, government and the military services to address issues which...

Government policy.(2008 Mega Directory)
August 1, 2008... The following divisions are overseen by NDIA's Vice President for Government Policy, Peter M. Steffes. Government Policy Advisory Division The Government Policy Advisory Division is responsible for developing and implementing the...

NDIA Chapter locations.(2008 Mega Directory)
August 1, 2008... CHAPTERS OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS ABERDDEN PROVING GROUP CHAPTER (Central Maryland) Chartered 16 August 1944 Website: http://www.ndiaapg.org/ President Patrick A. Endres, Jacobs Engineering, Bel Air, Md. Secretary John...

Affiliates.(2008 Mega Directory)(Directory)
August 1, 2008... ASSOCIATION FOR ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION. People--Process--Technology--Information Corporations, universities, government agencies and individuals join AFEI to: * Network with government and industry. * Shape requirements,...

Women in Defense.(2008 Mega Directory)
August 1, 2008... WOMEN IN DEFENSE, A NATIONAL SECURITY ORGANIZATION Cultivating and supporting the advancement and recognition of women in all aspects of national security is the mission of Women In Defense, A National Security Organization (WID). The...