National Defense articles from December 2003

National Defense archives from December 2003

Editor's corner.(issue contents)(Editorial)
December 1, 2003... Although U.S. forces in Iraq were not attacked with chemical or biological weapons, they nonetheless prepared for the worst. Army Chemical Corps units deployed their most sophisticated detectors, and the Defense Department accelerated the...

'Access' challenges in expeditionary operations.(president's perspective)
December 1, 2003... One of the predominant themes in recent Defense Department strategic reviews and blue-ribbon panel studies has been the "access" problem that U.S. forces increasingly are expected to encounter in future military operations around the world....

DARPA concerned about its image.(Washington Pulse)(Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is stepping up its public relations efforts to communicate better to the public the nature of the work being done at the agency, said DARPA's director Anthony Tether. DARPA has lots of talented...

Can the Pentagon protect intellectual property rights?(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The military services will keep struggling with the "interoperability" of their weapon systems unless the Pentagon can figure out how to deal with the intellectual property rights of defense contractors, said Marine Lt. Gen. James Cartwright,...

Training Iraqi Army is a 'wild card'.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Contractors in charge of training the Iraqi Army are not sure what to expect from day to day, given the changing environment. The project can be best described as a "real wild card," said Don Winter, vice president of Northrop Grumman. "It...

Northcom urged to set priorities.(Security Beat)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The U.S. Northern Command needs to set priorities in its homeland security responsibilities, recommended a recent Defense Science Board study. The study, led by retired Adm. Donald Pilling and Donald Latham, suggested 15 new tasks for...

Study focuses on surviving terrorist attacks.(Security Beat)(Individual Preparedness and Response to Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear and Biological Terrorists Attacks)(Book Review)
December 1, 2003... The Rand Corporation has published a 33-page guide to preparing and responding to a chemical or biological attack. The book titled, "Individual Preparedness and Response to Chemical, Radiological, Nuclear and Biological Terrorists Attacks," is...

Maryland creates security innovation center.(Security Beat)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, in Annapolis, Md., has created a homeland security technology incubator, to help companies market their products. Seven firms have leased sites in the Chesapeake Innovation Center. The...

States need to manage first responder funding.(Security Beat)
December 1, 2003... The U.S. government must do a better job providing access to funding, equipment and training to first responders, said Connecticut Governor John Rowland. Speaking before the House Select Committee on Homeland Security, Rowland endorsed...

Boeing to test cargo security system.(Security Beat)
December 1, 2003... The Boeing Company has been selected to demonstrate its cargo container security system for Operation Safe Commerce, a Department of Homeland Security initiative aimed at protecting U.S. ports. Boeing soon will begin a 10-month trial of its...

Coast Guard 'Rescue 21' behind schedule.(Security Beat)
December 1, 2003... The Coast Guard will have to reschedule its initial operating capability for Rescue 21--the planned modernization of its search and rescue systems. The service was to begin testing the new technology in September. A new schedule currently is in...

Gloves keep shooter's fingers warm.(tech talk)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Customized gloves, developed by the Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass., for the special operations community, promise to keep shooters' hands warm, and also pass the "trigger test," said Richard Elder, an equipment specialist at the...

It is tough to hide from ID technology.(tech talk)
December 1, 2003... Finding targets in heavy foliage, behind waits or battlefield smoke will become much easier, predict Air Force researchers. Target identification technology now in development would create devices that transmit impulse electromagnetic waveforms...

'Reconnaissance' bullet can shoot pictures.(tech talk)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... The Georgia Tech Research Institute is developing a novel way for small ground units to see past obstacles. Called the "reconnaissance round," the technology would let soldiers use small artillery weapons almost like a periscope. They could...

Special ops upgrade vehicle navigation gear.(tech talk)
December 1, 2003... To more easily maneuver through sandstorms and complex urban terrain, U.S. special operations forces are equipping their vehicles with an advanced navigation system. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command in September authorized KVH...

Like piling up sandbags, only easier and faster.(tech talk)
December 1, 2003... With an eye on the growing homeland security market, a British manufacturer is offering a fortification system that is comparable to sandbags, but faster to build. The "Concertainer" was first used by the British Army in the 1991 Gulf War....

Marines get improved air-defense radar simulators.(tech talk)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... To improve their capabilities in the suppression of enemy air defenses, the Marine Corps is upgrading the ground targets used in live exercises. The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, in Quantico, Va., has fielded four production models of the...

Anti-missile program for airliners on a fast track.
December 1, 2003... Under pressure from Congress to deploy anti-missile systems rapidly on commercial airliners, the Department of Homeland Security is expected to award multiple contracts by year's end. So far, however, it is uncertain whether any of the...

Army seeks short-term payoff from Future Combat Systems.
December 1, 2003... The Army is redirecting priorities in the Future Combat Systems program, in an attempt to meet short-term needs for new technologies. This shift in emphasis means the program will be less about developing futuristic concepts and more about...

Army's blue-force tracking technology was a tough sell.
December 1, 2003... During their war preparations, U.S. soldiers initially dismissed the blue-force tracking technology--touted as one of the success stories of Operation Iraqi Freedom--as an unnecessary burden. During the buildup for OIF, soldiers were...

Unmanned aircraft adapting to army future force needs.
December 1, 2003... The combination of unmanned aerial vehicles and piloted rotorcraft can prove critical for the future force concept, according to U.S. Army officials. To that purpose, the Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate is testing technologies...

Renovation of Pentagon includes tighter security.
December 1, 2003... The Defense Department is seeking to improve security at what is already one of the most heavily protected facilities in the world, said Raymond E DuBois Jr., deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment. Terrorists...

To ease deployments, Army revamps way it runs bases.
December 1, 2003... Seeking to ease longstanding problems exacerbated by frequent troop deployments to fight the war on terrorism, the U.S. Army is reorganizing the way that it runs its military bases across the United Stares and around the world. For the...

Chem-bio defense needs common standards.
December 1, 2003... Chemical and biological defense equipment is improving, but still is suffering from the lack of technical standards across industry and government agencies. The Defense Department and the Department of Homeland Security are working closely in...

Chem-bio defense policies revisited Post-Iraq.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... The industrial base responded remarkably well to the surge in demand for chemical and biological defense equipment in Operation Iraqi Freedom. But troops in the theater encountered problems operating equipment that had not been properly...

State volunteers eyed for greater security role.
December 1, 2003... As officials in the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill seek ways to ease the pressure on over-deployed active-duty, National Guard and reserve troops, more and more eyes are falling upon littleknown, state-operated bands of volunteers that for...

Germany launches wide-ranging defense reform; cutbacks in personnel are going to be redirected to investments in technology.
December 1, 2003... The German government has until the end of this month to lay down the specifics for its 2005 defense plan, which will jumpstart a new effort to match the country's increased military commitments. Defense officials and program managers will...

Littoral Combat Ship sensors pose integration 'challenges'.
December 1, 2003... Officials in charge of developing the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship express confidence that they can deliver a first prototype by 2007. They appear less certain, however, that they can seamlessly integrate the first generation of LCS into a...

Coast Guard Deepwater program adapting to post-9/11 realities.(Integrated Deepwater System)
December 1, 2003... This summer, the Coast Guard moved into the second year of executing its comprehensive recapitalization program--the Integrated Deepwater System. Deepwater began in 1998 as a 20- to 30-year program to replace the Coast Guard's aging and...

Have some breakfast, catch up on policy.(government policy notes; Legislative Information Division breakfast meetings for National Defense Industrial Association members)
December 1, 2003... Corporate members of the National Defense Industrial Association who need to stay on top of defense-related issues should not miss the breakfast meetings of the Legislative Information Division. Meetings are held over a full breakfast at 8...

Army Acquisition Corps.(Government)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Army Maj. Gen. Joseph L. Yakovac Jr. has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and assigned as military deputy and director of the Army Acquisition Corps, within the office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition,...

David C. Nichols Jr.(Government; advanced to the rank of vice admiral)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Navy Rear Adm. David C. Nichols Jr. has been advanced to the rank of vice admiral and named commander of naval forces in the U.S. Central Command and head of the Fifth Fleet, in Bahrain. Nichols was commander of the Naval Strike and Air Warfare...

U.S. Joint Forces Command.(Government)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Army Brig. Gen. Robert W. Cone, director of the Joint Advanced Warfighting Program and Joint Lessons Learned Team, at the Institute for Defense Analysis in Suffolk, Va., has been assigned as the director, Joint Center for Lessons Learned, at...

Los Alamos National Laboratory.(Government)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... John Straw is the new deputy associate director for weapons engineering and manufacturing at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Straw, who has worked at Los Alamos for 31 years in a variety of engineering, manufacturing and...

Paul Hommert.(Government)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Also, Paul Hommert, from Sandia National Laboratories, will lead Los Alamos' Applied Physics, or X, Division. Hommert most recently was director of the Department of Defense Systems Analysis and Concepts Center, which supports Sandia's Military...

Evaporated Metal Films Corporation.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Michael J. Robertson has been named business development manager at Evaporated Metal Films Corporation, in Ithaca, N.Y. Robertson is charged with creating comprehensive programs that anticipate customer needs throughout the entire...

mGen Inc.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Jonathan Gordon is joining mGen Inc., in Foxborough, Mass., as president and chief executive officer. Gordon will focus on continued work with government and commercial markets, new business opportunities and expanding relationships with...

Markland Technologies Inc.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Markland Technologies Inc., in Ridgefield, Conn., has appointed two members to its advisory board to enhance the company's expertise in security technology and defense contracting: Retired Navy Rear Adm. Stephen Johnson and John W....

Northrop Grumman Corporation.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Northrop Grumman Corporation's board of directors, in Los Angeles, has elected Charles H. Noski as the firm's corporate vice president and chief financial officer, succeeding Richard B. Waugh Jr., who has retired.

Boeing.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Boeing has selected Joe Mills to lead the Chicago company's effort on the Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter program, part of a NASA initiative to develop nuclear power and electric propulsion technologies to revolutionize space exploration. Mills and...

DigitalNet.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... DigitalNet, of Herndon, Va., has appointed Amy M. Fadida to the position of senior vice president of business development. In her new job, Fadida will work to strengthen the company's relations with its partners.

Janos Technology Corporation.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Janos Technology Corporation, of Townshend, Vt., has selected Brett D. Rosner as its new president. Rosner will work with Janos engineers and staff to expand the company's product line and services.

Raytheon Company.(Industry)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Raytheon Company has named Pete Janke as the new lead operations officer for Raytheon Information Solutions. Janke brings more than 30 years of experience in managing information-technology services for the federal government. Prior to joining...

Women In Defense gains a Capital Chapter.(NDIA news)
December 1, 2003... Women In Defense closes the calendar year 2003 with considerable growth and success. WID now has more than 700 members and five chapters throughout the nation. WID continues to promote the professional growth of individuals, and as the...

Iowa-Illinois Chapter honors leaders.(NDIA news)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... NDIA's Iowa-Illinois Chapter honored three of the association's retired national leaders at its annual meeting. Lt. Gen. Lawrence Skibbie--along with two retired major generals, William Eicher and Paul Greenberg-received lifetime-service...

NDIA's vice president of operations, Barry Bates (right), presents an award to Santo Lombardo (center), from the U.S. Army Office of the Project Manager for Close Combat System.(NDIA news)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... NDIA's vice president of operations, Barry Bates (right), presents an award to Santo Lombardo (center), from the U.S. Army Office of the Project Manager for Close Combat System. Congratulating Lombardo is his boss, project manager James Sutton...

Affiliate events.(NDIA news)(Calendar)
December 1, 2003... APRIL 7-8 Net-Centric Operations Meeting Hilton McLean Tysons Corner McLean, Va. MAY 19-21 ICSTM '04 Conference University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pa. Contact Nicole Peterson at: (703) 247-9474 or e-mail...

Events and descriptions.(calendar)(Calendar)
December 1, 2003... DECEMBER 1-4 USSOCOM CBRN Conference & Exhibition Event #4630 Tampa, Fla. POC: Phyllis Edmonson @ (703) 247-2544 Exhibits: Dawn Harper @ (703) 247-2584 The U.S. Special Operations Command's Chemical, Biological, Radiological and...

Chapter events.(NDIA events calendar)(Calendar)
December 1, 2003... FEBRUARY 27 Greater Los Angeles Chapter West Coast Dinner Beverly Hills, Calif.. MARCH 16-17 Greater Hampton Roads Chapter JFCOM/Industry Symposium Portsmouth, Va. 30-31 Tennessee Valley Chapter Southeastern Software...