National Defense articles from November 2006

National Defense archives from November 2006

Defense leading the way in energy savings.(PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE)
November 1, 2006... OUR ENORMOUS national appetite for energy at last has emerged as a national security issue. The Pentagon, fortunately, is now assuming a leadership role in areas spanning energy-saving technologies and alternative fuels. While the Defense...

Corporate fraud on the rise, study says.(Washington PULSE)
November 1, 2006... Incidents of procurement fraud in Afghanistan, Iraq and the reconstruction following Hurricane Katrina suggest that the threat of misconduct by government contractors is growing, according to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report, titled...

Pentagon alone can't fix dependency on foreign oil.(Washington PULSE)
November 1, 2006... Despite highly publicized efforts by the Pentagon to showcase its energy-saving technologies and efforts to cut back on fossil fuel consumption, it is not likely to become a pivotal force in reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil. The Pentagon...

Protecting information requires common sense.(Washington PULSE)
November 1, 2006... Developers of military information systems face a daunting dilemma. They are told to design networks for easy sharing of information among services and foreign allies, but they also have to protect the network as if it were Fort Knox. "I...

Leading edge bomber now a museum showpiece.(Washington PULSE)
November 1, 2006... An avant-garde unmanned combat aircraft that just two years ago was seen as the future of the Air Force has been relegated to a museum display. Boeing, the manufacturer of the X-45A unmanned combat air vehicle, announced that one of the two...

Unprepared for the worst: feds lagging in most disaster scenarios, McHale says.(SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs)
November 1, 2006... The federal government has identified 15 homeland disaster scenarios for which it must prepare. They include everything from major earthquakes to terrorists using weapons of mass destruction, But making lists does not equate to...

Experts fear prisons will foment radicalism.(SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs)
November 1, 2006... TRACKING POTENTIAL TERRORISTS is a difficult proposition, even in the highly controlled environment of U.S. penitentiaries, according to a report on extreme ideologies among inmates. "Out of the Shadows: Getting Ahead of Prisoner...

Help wanted: nuclear detection experts.(SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs)
November 1, 2006... AS IS THE CASE IN MANY fields in the homeland security and defense industry, the nuclear material detection world has an acute shortage of research scientists. The Department of Homeland Security's Domestic Nuclear Detection Office is...

Wikipedia for Intel officers proves useful.(SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs)
November 1, 2006... Members of the intelligence community have been using the popular Wikipedia software to create their own secure information sharing forums, according to a senior intelligence official. Wikipedia is a popular Web site that allows users to...

Guard to help military industries in risk assessments.(SECURITY BEAT: Homeland Defense Briefs)
November 1, 2006... The National Guard stood up six teams this year to assist the defense industry in assessing its critical infrastructure needs. The purpose is to seek out single points of failure that could shut down manufacturing in the event of a natural...

Industry fortune tellers see a mix of boom and bust.(DEFENSE WATCH)
November 1, 2006... FOR THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY, depending on whom you talk to, these are the best of times, and the worst of times. Soaring profits, thriving military spending and a healthy aerospace global market offer undeniable evidence that the nation's...

Logistics problems: equipment shortages undermine Iraqi forces.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2006... BASRA, Iraq -- After three years of training by coalition advisors, Iraqi forces in southern Iraq are capable of planning and commanding operations. But their logistics systems remain deeply flawed, and the Iraqis rely on British and U.S....

Air Force drawdown stems cuts in procurement, for now.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2006... The Air Force scored a major victory on Capitol Hill last month when its prized F-22 next-generation fighter jet was spared from the budget axe. But to secure billions of dollars for the F-22 and other big-ticket aircraft procurements, the...

Air Force to expand Pacific region surveillance, multinational training.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2006... The Air Force wants to extend the reach of its surveillance drones over the Pacific region by setting up refueling stations in several friendly countries in the area. These refueling hubs would make it easier for the Air Force to operate...

Erratum.(UPFRONT)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2006... The article "Friendly Navies Sought For Unwanted U.S. Ships," (October 2006, page 17) contained inaccurate information provided by the U.S. Navy. The three Spruance-class destroyers mentioned have not been "torn down," and are being held for...

Gen. keys: USAF should curb appetite for designer weapons.(UPFRONT)
November 1, 2006... The pursuit of the perfect precision weapon--one that can strike smack-dab into a pickup truck speeding down an alley--may have gone too far, said a senior Air Force official. Since the early days of the counter-insurgency war in iraq, the...

Special operations: Air Force struggles to expand ranks of unconventional combat specialists.(AIR FORCE)
November 1, 2006... Air Force special tactics units expect to increase their ranks during the next several years, despite difficulties in recruiting and retaining seasoned operators. According to officials, only 62 percent of currently authorized jobs are filled....

Special operators welcome small drones, but need better sensors.(AIR FORCE)
November 1, 2006... Troops from the Air Force Special Operations Command are deploying increasing numbers of unmanned aircraft. But while the technology generally is considered useful, it needs improvements, officials said. Combat controllers deployed in...

Technologies only go so far for Air Force ground operators.
November 1, 2006... Air Force combat controllers--covert troops trained to operate deep in hostile territory--have seen an avalanche of new communications and targeting systems come their way. While these digital systems are a marked improvement over the hard...

Identity crisis: Navy leaders to articulate current and future missions.(ANALYSIS)
November 1, 2006... Recent efforts by the Navy to deploy forces for ground combat and engage in other non-traditional duties are signs that the service intends to be relevant in the U.S. war on terrorism, analysts say. But the Navy also has to come to grips with...

Naval officials seek 'intellectual renaissance' in the sea services.
November 1, 2006... As they continue to ponder the value of naval forces in the nation's wars, Navy leaders want to broaden the debate by encouraging participation from all levels of command. The goal is to come up with more innovative and expedient ways to deploy...

Forcast: while more research is directed to irregular combat, war spending could deter advances in military weapons.
November 1, 2006... Not long ago, discussions about the future of defense technology were dominated by a conviction that innovations in science would continue to deliver uncontested military superiority for the U.S. military. That boundless optimism has been...

Military R&D could see decline in coming years.(Spending Projection)
November 1, 2006... * DEFENSE DEPARTMENT research and development spending is expected to level off and, then, gradually decrease through the balance of this decade. Faced with a growing need to replenish war-ravaged equipment, "the Pentagon is looking to...

Defense Dept. fails to capture available technologies.(ANALYSIS)
November 1, 2006... IN THE RACE TO SECURE THE LATEST AND GREATEST technologies from the private sector and university labs, the Pentagon often comes up short, experts contend. The fault stems, not surprisingly, from beltway politics and the Pentagon's intransigent...

R&D command seeks better coordination of research.(Army)
November 1, 2006... * ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- The Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command, established here nearly three years ago, is concentrating on improving coordination of the service's sprawling science and technology programs, said its...

Army lab channels expertise to non-traditional areas.(Chem-BioDefense)
November 1, 2006... * ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- When the United States invaded Iraq, the Army's Edgewood Chemical Biological Center began tackling a host of problems that were far removed from traditional chemical or biological defense, such as roadside...

Technology roadmap calls for no-nonsense research.(Navy)
November 1, 2006... * NAVY RESEARCHERS INSIST THAT THEY no longer live in ivory towers. Far from being disconnected from the practical concerns of deployed forces, Navy scientists are making it their business to be attuned to the demands of sailors and...

Progress at warfighting lab measured in ounces.(Marine Corps)
November 1, 2006... * QUANTICO MARINE BASE, Va. -- Brig. Gen. Randolf Alles wants everyone to know that developing meals-ready-to-eat for dogs is serious business at the Marine Corps warfighting laboratory. "Handlers have to carry dry dog food. It's heavy, and...

Research aims for 'game-changing' technologies.(Air Force)
November 1, 2006... * AIR FORCE RESEARCH IS FOCUSED ON a multitude of high technology quests, including a drive to perfect a more economical alternative to fossil fuels. Across the hoard, it is looking for ways to get more return for its investments in...

Fear of terror weapons drives tech funding.(Homeland Security)
November 1, 2006... * With the nation in the throes of the so-called "long war," it is no surprise that the bulk of the Department of Homeland Security's research dollars is going toward technologies designed to prevent terrorist attacks. It is widely...

Coast Guard research dollars flow toward new missions.
November 1, 2006... The Coast Guard's research and development center at Groton, Conn., has a small budget, but manages to keep about 100 projects in the pipeline. The lab supports traditional missions such as search and rescue, aquatic nuisance species and...

Bomb detector: multiple sensor system finds roadside IEDs.(TECH TALK)
November 1, 2006... Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan will be receiving 67 gyro-stabilized camera systems that will be mounted on joint explosive ordnance disposal rapid response vehicles. The sensors will be used to seek out roadside improvised explosive devices....

Family of robotic platforms unveiled.(TECH TALK)
November 1, 2006... Four robot platforms--ranging from 16 to 30 inches in length and 26 to 90 pounds in weight--that are designed for multiple uses by industry, the military and other users are being marketed from $499 to $899. Built by Powerhouse Inc. of...

Mask offers long term bird flu protection.(TECH TALK)
November 1, 2006... A BIRD FLU PROTECTION KIT that relies on a reusable silicone respirator is being produced by Safety Equipment America of Branford, Conn. The package also includes a fit check disk, reusable P-100 filter, identification tag and disinfection...

Gloves, knee pads used in Iraq, Afghanistan.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... KEVLAR CONSTRUCTION GLOVES and knee pads are shielding soldiers around the world. Provided by Hatch Corporation of Temecula, Calif., the products protect without compromising movement. The Operator Tactical Gloves, officials explain, boast...

Medical backpack easy to maneuver.(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... THE M-9 ASSAULT MEDICAL BACKPACK, which is three inches thick, was designed to allow medical personnel to "sit safely and comfortably on a vehicle or aircraft and to maneuver through narrow openings," according to a spokesman for Tactical &...

Commercial smartphones made secure.(TECH TALK)
November 1, 2006... Commercial, off the shelf smartphones can now be made secure by a software-based solution. Snapshield Ltd. of Tel Aviv, Israel, a subsidiary of Tadiran Communications, has marketed Snapshot to protect CDMA-based telephones. Snapshop...

Warner-Robins team offers quick armor fix.(Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A TEAM FROM WARNER-ROBBINS Air Logistics Center, Ga., has provided an improved armor solution for special operations MH-53 Pave Low helicopter crews in Iraq. When existing ballistic blankets proved unable to stop bullets from penetrating...

BROOM sweeps out contamination.(Building restoration operations optimization model)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... A software application, called building restoration operations optimization model, or BROOM, has been developed to help decision-makers clean-up contaminated buildings, subways, airports and other facilities. The tool, which was perfected...

Polycarbonate product protects iPods.(Pelican Products Inc., i1010)(Brief article)
November 1, 2006... Do you have a problem protecting your Apple Nano, iPod or Shuffle from being banged up? Pelican Products of Torrance, Calif., has a product that is crush proof and weather resistant. And, the case liner is shock absorbing. The i1010 case,...

Threat identification software receives laurels.(TECH TALK)
November 1, 2006... HazMasterG3, a decision support system that combats biological, explosive and radiological agents, has been cited by the Homeland Security Department as being a qualified anti-terrorism technology. Alluviam LLC of Castro Valley, Calif.,...

Small business division launches new breakfast series.(GOVERNMENT POLICY NOTES)
November 1, 2006... Many members of NDIA these days are taking advantage of a new outreach program sponsored by the association's Small Business Division. For the past several years, the division has held Small Business Opportunity Breakfasts, where...

How small business can speed technology development.(GOVERNMENT POLICY NOTES)
November 1, 2006... Small Businesses are recognized frequently for their important role in economic growth. In April, for example, President Bush noted that "[small businesses] have played a vital role in helping our economy add more than 5.1 million new jobs...

Blended workforce poses conflict of interest risks.(ETHICS CORNER)
November 1, 2006... Federal agency spending on contractor-provided services has grown dramatically, Services account for more than 60 percent of the dollars obligated through inter-agency contracts such as the General Services Administration schedules. In...

Technical certification program drawing record numbers.(National Defense Industrial Association)
November 1, 2006... Record-breaking numbers of professionals continue to seek certification by NDIA's Technical Information Division, according to a just released report. In 2005, 172 individuals took manager, specialist and apprentice examinations under the...

NDIA events calendar.
November 1, 2006... NOVEMBER 13-16 6th Annual CMMI Technology Conference and User Group Denver, Colo. POC: Meredith Geary @ (703) 247-9476 DECEMBER 4-8 Defense Systems Acquisition Management Course San Antonio, Texas...

Affiliate events.
November 1, 2006... NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 1 2010 Research Directions for Information Sharing Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center Washington, D.C. FEBRUARY 21-22 Warfighters Vision 2007: Winning the Global Fight...

Chapter events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2006... NOVEMBER 14-16 San Diego Chapter Naval NETWAR FORCEnet Enterprise & Industry Conference Bahia Hotel & Resort San Diego, Calif. 16 Picatinny Chapter Firepower Awards Luncheon The Skylands at Randolph Banquet ...