National Defense articles from November 2004

National Defense archives from November 2004

Industry responds to new security environment.(President's Perspective)
November 1, 2004... The sweeping changes seen in the military and national security posture of the United States in recent years will have far-reaching implications, particularly for those in the business of defense. Since the 9/11 attacks, we have seen the...

Future army.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Noted with interest your feature article on the Future Combat Systems. (National Defense, October 2004). Many of us who are interested in future ground programs continue to be puzzled that the half of the debate seems to be consistently...

Homeland security.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Enjoyed your article about new technologies for bomb detection. (National Defense, September 2004) One rather serious omission perhaps is the Implant Sciences "Quantum Sniffer." This portable detector is already in the field, and they are...

Industry globalization.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... In reference to President's Perspective, September 2004, it is a pleasure to see someone prominent speaking out about the positive aspects of globalization, instead of calling for protectionism. I have made globalization my current area of...

Civilians also need 'joint' training.(Washington Pulse)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Like their military counterparts, top civilian leaders in the national security arena should be required to serve across multiple agencies in order to get promoted, proposed Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....

Navy will push to keep 12 aircraft carriers.(Washington Pulse)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Despite rumblings about the Navy possibly downsizing its fleet of aircraft carriers, no cutbacks to carrier strike groups are expected in next year's budget, said "vice Rear Adm. (Sel.) Mark Fitzgerald, the Navy's acting director of warfare...

What's on the Air Force chief's mind.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... When the chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. John Jumper, was asked at a recent conference what worries him the most these days, most people in the audience--predominantly defense industry types--were expecting him to cite budget woes...

Army ponders spending priorities.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... An Army program to ramp up production of body armor and other essential equipment for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan so far has run up a $5 billion bill, which will be enough to equip 840,000 soldiers by the end of 2007. The project, called...

Local responders linked with Coast Guard units.(Security beat: homeland defense briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Integrating the abilities of the Coast Guard with local first responders has become a priority for maritime security, officials told a congressional subcommittee. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Larry Hereth told lawmakers that there has been "a...

Russian horror highlights U.S. school security.(Security beat: homeland defense briefs)
November 1, 2004... In the wake of the deadly hostage taking in Beslan, Russia, many U.S. officials are reexamining school security precautions and providing direction to worried school officials and parents. The Education Department has issued the newest...

Public would ignore authorities in terror event.(Security beat: homeland defense briefs)
November 1, 2004... A newly released report from the New York Academy of Medicine found that the public may be impossible to control in the wake of a terror attack. "Redefining Readiness: Terrorism Planning Through the Eyes of the Public" warned that mistrust of...

Fort Detrick begins bio-defense additions.(Security beat: homeland defense briefs)
November 1, 2004... The first step in creating a national bio-defense "campus" for civilian and military researchers is underway at Fort Detrick, Md. The National institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is part of the National Institutes...

Contracts awarded for passenger jet missile defense.(Security beat: homeland defense briefs)
November 1, 2004... The Department of Homeland Security awarded contracts for two antimissile systems for passenger planes and is scheduling a 24-month test to determine if the systems are feasible. BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman Corp. each won a $45 million...

In search of better ways to provide for soldiers.(Defense Watch)
November 1, 2004... What does a soldier have to do to fix his helmet? The question is simple enough, but answering it, regrettably, requires one to probe the tortuous ways of military logistics. The Pentagon spends $80 billion a year on logistics, and yet...

U.S. Central Command Naval chief foresees more volatility in the region.(Upfront)
November 1, 2004... While naval forces under U.S. Central Command remain primarily focused on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanders are concerned about emerging threats that could further destabilize the Middle East. They also worry about maintaining...

WMD defense lacks unified command-control structure.(weapons of mass destruction)
November 1, 2004... The Defense Department has assigned to multiple units the job of protecting the United States against attacks by weapons of mass destruction. These agencies, however, lack a central command and control structure, said Maj. Gen. John C....

Navy wraps up review of air-to-ground targeting systems deployed on fighter jets.(Upfront)
November 1, 2004... A review of three air-to-ground targeting systems designed for Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps fighter jets is expected to leave current programs intact, sources said. The Navy's top acquisition official, Assistant Secretary John Young,...

New howitzer breaks the artillery mold.(Upfront)
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Marine Corps expects to begin operating a new 155mm towed howitzer next spring. The M777E1, made by BAE Systems, was selected in 1997 to replace the existing inventories of M198 155mm towed howitzers both in the Marine Corps and the...

High demand for infrared technology on battlefield.(Upfront)
November 1, 2004... Advances in manufacturing technology are allowing a new generation of infrared imaging devices to reach the battlefield in record numbers, according to military and industry sources. Lighter materials and improved optics also have been...

Air Force prepared to defend space-based radar in 2006 budget.(Upfront)
November 1, 2004... Supporters of the Pentagon's efforts to deploy a network of surveillance satellites are working to mend fences with critics on Capitol Hill and to restore the credibility of the project after it took a beating in last year's budget. "We...

Army initiates study to measure value of precision-guided weapons.(Upfront)
November 1, 2004... The soaring prices of precision-guided munitions have spawned yet another round of debates in the Army on the role these weapons will play on future battlefields and whether they are worth the cost. While the Army continues to fund a...

Errata.(Upfront)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... In the story "Abrams Tank Still Far From Retirement," (October 2004, p. 40) the last name of Col. Dennis Szydloski's was spelled incorrectly. The story "Special Operations Forces Pursue Technologies In the Urban Fight," (September 2004, p....

Fill'er up: guard refueling mission proves a bit too exciting.
November 1, 2004... The capabilities and limitations of aerial refueling tankers have been the source of heated debate in Washington, D.C., for the past year. To see what really goes on in the day-to-day life of the tanker fleet, a National Defense reporter...

Maritime security: Coast Guard expands joint anti-terrorism training.
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Coast Guard is preparing to break ground this month on a new $33 million facility that will significantly improve its ability to train military personnel in maritime security tactics. The training site is located on the waterfront...

Iraq reconstruction: U.S. takes step back, revisits rebuilding plans.
November 1, 2004... To recover from serious setbacks in its reconstruction plans for Iraq--caused by growing violence and slow infusion of assistance money--the United States will need a more flexible strategy, officials in Washington acknowledged. Widespread...

Fighting close from the air: urban fighting in Iraq spurs new thinking in strike aviation.
November 1, 2004... Unconventional tactics have become standard procedure for U.S. naval aviators who are supporting ground troops in the fight against insurgents in Iraq. The conflict has forced pilots to think differently, but commanders insist that the...

Should unmanned combat aircraft be piloted only by fighter pilots?(Aviation)
November 1, 2004... As more unpiloted aircraft continue to populate the battlefield, a debate is brewing within the Defense Department as to whether these vehicles should be operated only by certified pilots. The U.S. Air Force so far has been adamant about...

'Sea bases' will be a growth industry, predicts expert.
November 1, 2004... The relevance of the U.S. Navy in future military conflicts will be pegged to its ability to provide adequate "sea bases" for ground troops and tactical aircraft. This "assured access" will be an essential component of U.S. military strategy,...

Although combat proven, Global Hawk has yet to pass key tests.(Global Hawk reconnaissance unmanned aircraft)
November 1, 2004... In an upcoming evaluation of the U.S. Air Force Global Hawk reconnaissance unmanned aircraft, testers will determine whether a military system that already has seen extensive combat can pass the rigorous tests the Defense Department, by law,...

Services sign off on common procedures for close-air support.(Aviation)
November 1, 2004... In an effort to reduce the risk of friendly fire and make close-air support more I helpful to ground troops, U.S. military aviators from all branches of the armed forces are now required to follow common guidelines. The U.S. military...

Search and rescue: Pentagon seeks joint doctrine, training for personnel recovery.
November 1, 2004... Despite accounting for each and every missing soldier in the Iraq war--a first in U.S. military history--the combat search and rescue community is stretched thin and grappling with gaps ranging from policy to training. Officials said that...

GPS system locates downed pilots, speeds up recovery.(Global Personnel Recovery System)
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Joint Forces Command is preparing to hand off to the services technology that would enable them to speedily locate and rescue combat personnel. The Global Personnel Recovery System is the only surviving element of the advanced...

Race is on to replace Air Force search and rescue helicopter.(Search And Rescue)
November 1, 2004... Manuevering already has begun in a competition for a lucrative contract for new Air Force personnel recovery vehicle," built to rescue downed aircrews and others who find themselves isolated on the battlefield. As it prepares to seleCt a...

Allies essential in personnel recovery.(Search And Rescue)
November 1, 2004... While Pentagon officials acknowledge that it is critical to work with coalition partners and allies to rescue and recover isolated troops in combat, the facts Indicate feeble movement in that direction. The impediment lies in the United...

Pentagon still undecided on policies to protect contractors.(Search And Rescue)
November 1, 2004... As contractors increasingly fall in the cross hairs of insurgents in Iraq, the Defuse Department is struggling to figure out how to account for them, provide for their security and, if necessary, rescue them. "It is something that we are...

Show of force: National Guard enjoys more political sway.
November 1, 2004... As the National Guard's use and reputation grows, its political clout is likewise increasing. Once an afterthought in terms of funding, training and resources, the Guard now is pushing Congress and the White House to adopt an ambitious agenda....

Pit-stop smarts: NASCAR windshield laminates gaining military following.(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... Taking a page from NASCAR's hook on windshield maintenance, Army helicopters are receiving new coatings designed to reduce damage from rocks and debris. The coatings are made of Mylar, a polyester film first created in the 1950's, and...

Humvee shielding effort fails to make grade.(Pit-Stop Smarts)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Technology transfers from the private sector to military use do not always go smoothly. Such is the case with applying peel-away overlays used on NASCAR windshields to Humvees. In May, the Army's Tank-Automotive Armaments Command (TACOM)...

Army revives anti-missile system with novel maintenance approach.(Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system)
November 1, 2004... After seeing more failures than successes in its dozen years of development, a newly redesigned and renamed missile defense program now is racing toward its first flight tests. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system--formerly known...

Carrier flight decks will have 'pit stops' for Navy fighter jets.(Pit-Stop Smarts)
November 1, 2004... A new aircraft carrier that is scheduled to enter service during the next decade will offer a radically different approach to servicing and prepping fighter jets. The payoff will be a dramatic increase in the number of warplanes available...

Marines recruit skydiving machines for combat duty.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Marine Corps has acquired steerable parachutes that can be deployed from two miles in the air and place their cargo within less than 200 meters of their intended target. Called the Sherpa, the global positioning system-guided parachutes can...

Giant airship slated for Iraq mission.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Army is planning on using what is described as the world's largest unmanned airship to support ground forces in Iraq. The airship, 122 feet long and 37 feet wide, was designed for Army surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It...

New sensor protects building walls and roofs.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The E3i sensor, an interior microphonic cable sensor, has been designed to detect attempts to penetrate the walls and roofs of buildings. A refinement of technology developed by Senstar-Stellar of Fremont, Calif., the sensor cable when mounted...

Safety, health agency approves new gas mask.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has for the first time certified a gas mask that offers protection from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents. The full face-piece air-purifying respirator is made by...

Troops can have a cool drink in chem-bio attack.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A portable reservoir hydration system that can be used during chemical and biological weapon attacks recently entered the marketplace. Designed for use by military forces, first responders and law enforcement personnel, CBR 4.0 has been...

Association unveils new ethics code for industry.(News)
November 1, 2004... NDIA's Ethics Committee has developed a benchmark statement of industry ethics for companies to incorporate into their day-to-day business. If the positive consequences of "doing the right thing" are not motivation enough, the negative effects...

National Defense Industry Association statement of defense industry ethics.(News)
November 1, 2004... Preamble NDIA Member Companies should adhere to the highest ethical standards and seek to place the defense industry at the forefront of business ethics in America. At a minimum, NDIA members must adhere to applicable laws and regulations...

WID pushes growth of women and minority-owned small business.(Women In Defense)
November 1, 2004... More than 60 people attended an informational breakfast hosted by Women In Defense as part of a recent NDIA Small Business Conference in San Diego. The purpose was to assist women engaged in small businesses and to plan a Women In Defense...

NDIA leadership.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NDIA Chairman of the Board Thomas M. Culligan Executive Vice President for Business Development Raytheon NDIA Vice Chairman of the Board Tofie M. Owen Jr. Senior Vice President for Corporate Development, SAIC ...

NDIA events calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... NOVEMBER 2004 14-17 Insensitive Munitions & Energetic Materials Symposium San Francisco, Calif. POC: Christina Buck @ (703) 247-9478 15-19 CMMI Technology Conference & User Group Denver, Colo. POC:...

Future army.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Noted with interest your feature article on the Future Combat Systems. (National Defense, October 2004). Many of us who are interested in future ground programs continue to be puzzled that the half of the debate seems to be consistently...

Civilians also need 'joint' training.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Like their military counterparts, top civilian leaders in the national security arena should be required to serve across multiple agencies in order to get promoted, proposed Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff....

Navy will push to keep 12 aircraft carriers.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Despite rumblings about the Navy possibly downsizing its fleet of aircraft carriers, no cutbacks to carrier strike groups are expected in next year's budget, said Vice Rear Adm. (Sel.) Mark Fitzgerald, the Navy's acting director of warfare...

What's on the air force chief's mind.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... When the chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, Gen. John Jumper, was asked at a recent conference what worries him the most these days, most people in the audience--predominantly defense industry types--were expecting him to cite budget woes...

Army ponders spending priorities.(Washington Pulse)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... An Army program to ramp up production of body armor and other essential equipment for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan so far has run up a $5 billion bill, which will be enough to equip 840,000 soldiers by the end of 2007. The project, called...

Local responders linked with coast guard units.(Security beat: Homeland Defense briefs)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Integrating the abilities of the Coast Guard with local first responders has become a priority for maritime security, officials told a congressional subcommittee. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Larry Hereth told lawmakers that there has been "a...

Russian horror highlights U.S. school security.(Security beat: Homeland Defense briefs)
November 1, 2004... In the wake of the deadly hostage taking in Beslan, Russia, many U.S. officials are reexamining school security precautions and providing direction to worried school officials and parents. The Education Department has issued the newest...

Fort Detrick begins big-defense additions.
November 1, 2004... The first step in creating a national big-defense "campus" for civilian and military researchers is underway at Fort Detrick, Md. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is part of the National Institutes...

U.S. Central Command naval chief foresees more volatility in the region.(Up Front)
November 1, 2004... While naval forces under U.S. Central Command remain primarily focused on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanders are concerned about emerging threats that could further destabilize the Middle East. They also worry about maintaining...

WMD defense lacks unified command-control structure.
November 1, 2004... The Defense Department has assigned to multiple units the job of protecting the United States against attacks by weapons of mass destruction. These agencies, however, lack a central command and control structure, said Maj. Gen. John C....

New Howitzer breaks the artillery mold.(Up Front)
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Marine Corps expects to begin operating a new 155mm towed howitzer next spring. The M777E1, made by BAE Systems, was selected in 1997 to replace the existing inventories of M198 155mm towed howitzers both in the Marine Corps and the...

High demand for infrared technology on battlefield.(Up Front)
November 1, 2004... Advances in manufacturing technology are allowing a new generation of infrared imaging devices to reach the battlefield in record numbers, according to military and industry sources. Lighter materials and improved optics also have been...

Errata.(Up Front)(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... In the story "Abrams Tank Still Far From Retirement," (October 2004, p. 40) the last name of Col. Dennis Szydloski's was spelled incorrectly. The story "Special Operations Forces Pursue Technologies In the Urban Fight," (September 2004 p....

'Sea bases' will be a growth industry, predicts expert.
November 1, 2004... The relevance of the U.S. Navy in future military conflicts will be pegged to its ability to provide adequate "sea bases" fur ground troops and tactical aircraft. This "assured access" will be an essential component of U.S. military strategy,...

Search and rescue: Pentagon seeks joint doctrine, training for Personnel Recovery.
November 1, 2004... Despite accounting for each and every missing soldier in the Iraq war--a first in U.S. military history--the combat search and rescue community is stretched thin and grappling with gaps raging from policy to training. Officials said that...

Race is on to replace Air Force search and rescue helicopter.(Search and Rescue)
November 1, 2004... Maneuvering already has begin in a competition for a lucrative contract for a new Air Force "personnel recovery vehicle," built to rescue downed aircrews and others who find themselves isolated on the battlefield. As it prepares to select...

Allies essential in personnel recovery.(Search And Rescue)
November 1, 2004... While Pentagon officials acknowledge that it is critical to work with coalition partners and allies to rescue and recover isolated troops in combat, the facts indicate feeble movement in that direction. The impediment lies in the United...

Show of force: National Guard enjoys more political sway.
November 1, 2004... As the National Guard's use and reputation grows, its political clout is likewise increasing. Once an afterthought in terms of funding, training and resources, the Guard now is pushing Congress and White House to adopt an ambitious agenda. ...

Pit-stop smarts: NASCAR windshield laminates gaining military following.(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... Taking a page from NASCAR's hook on windshield maintenance, Army helicopters are receiving new coatings designed to reduce damage from rocks and debris. The coatings are made of Mylar, a polyester film first created in the 1950's, and...

Humvee shielding effort fails to make grade.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Technology transfers from the private sector to military use do not always go smoothly. Such is the case with applying peel-away overlays used on NASCAR windshields to Humvees. In May, the Army's Tank-Automotive Armaments Command (TACOM)...

Carrier flight decks will have 'pit stops' for Navy fighter jets.(Pit-Stop Smarts)
November 1, 2004... A new aircraft carrier that is scheduled to enter service during the next decade will offer a radically different approach to servicing and prepping fighter jets. The payoff will be a dramatic increase in the number of warplanes available...

Marines: recruit skydiving machines for combat duty.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Marine Corps has acquired steerable parachutes that can be deployed from two miles in the air and place their cargo within less than 200 meters of their intended target. Called the Sherpa, the global positioning system-guided parachutes can...

Giant Airship slated for Iraq mission.(Tech Talk)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The U.S. Army is planning on using what is described as the world's largest unmanned airship to support ground forces in Iraq. The airship, 122 feet long and 37 feet wide, was designed for Army surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It...

Association unveils new ethics code for industry.(National Defense Industrial Association)
November 1, 2004... NDIA's Ethics Committee has developed a benchmark statement of industry ethics for companies to incorporate into their day-to-day business. If the positive consequences of "doing the right thing" are not motivation enough, the negative effects...

WID pushes growth of women and minority-owned small business.(Women In Defense)
November 1, 2004... More than 60 people attended an informational breakfast hosted by Women In Defense as part of a recent NDIA Small Business Conference in San Diego. The purpose was to assist women engaged in small businesses and to plan a Women In Defense...

NDIA events calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... NOVEMBER 2004 14-17 Insensitive Munitions & Energetic Materials Symposium San Francisco, Calif. POC: Christina Buck @ (703) 247-9478 15-19 CMMI Technology Conference & User Group Denver, Colo. POC: Phyllis...