The Blue Force Tracking (BFT) system — only a few years ago a wonder of battlespace technology — is in the midst of an upgrade. BFT is a building block of operational awareness. It transmits the location of friendly forces via a satellite connection. Unlike the Enhanced Position Location Reporting System, another location-tracking system, BFT doesn’t rely on terrestrial line-of-sight transmissions for connectivity.
- By David Perera
- Sep 08, 2008
When Taliban insurgents nearly overran a U.S.-run outpost, air support was urgent and necessary. Military commanders in Afghanistan responded with 2,000-pound bombs, a Hellfire missile from an unmanned air system and other munitions. They monitored the battle on live video feeds by using the Persistent Surveillance and Dissemination System of Systems.
- By David Perera
- Sep 08, 2008
If survivability is the major goal of any system designed to be carried by soldiers into combat, the Army’s Land Warrior system has demonstrated its qualifications.
- By Kevin Fogarty
- Aug 11, 2008
After decades of using aging communications equipment and ships, the Coast Guard is attempting to create a comprehensive command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) system.
- By David Perera
- Jul 07, 2008
The Army's Future Combat Systems project is changing to meet criticisms and shifting priorities, but critics doubt the changes are coming soon enough to matter.
- By Kevin Fogarty
- May 26, 2008
With mounting pressure for high-bandwidth connectivity for forces in the field, and concern about available satellite communications, a number of programs are seeking to revive an old technology — airships.
- By David Perera
- Apr 21, 2008
The changes made in the JTRS radio program have changed the game of development and procurement of communications gear — and might have provided a new model for joint systems development
- By Sean Gallagher, Larry Loeb
- Mar 24, 2008
The defense sector explores solar energy as a way to power field operations.
- By John Moore
- Feb 04, 2008