Networking Nodes Ready for Action
U.S. Army forces deploying to Iraq will use a new mobile networking technology that pushes brigade-and-above communications capabilities down to battalion-size units. The Joint Network Node (JNN) replaces the Army’s current mobile subscriber equipment. It consists of vehicles fitted with satellite communications systems, voice over Internet protocol (IP) and dynamic IP technology. Manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation (
www.generaldynamics.com), the JNN is part of an interim solution designed to evolve into the Army’s future Warfighter Information Network–Tactical system.
Green Light for Cluster Five
The Joint Tactical Radio System’s Cluster 5 program is back on track after being stopped for an investigation by the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO). The Cluster 5 program, which will provide U.S. forces with software-programmable radios for manpack, handheld and small form applications, was awarded to the General Dynamics Corporation in July. But a complaint filed by the competing team led by ITT Industries stopped work until the GAO review was completed. The GAO determined in October that General Dynamics had fairly won the $295 million contract.
U.S. Navy No Longer on the Fence
The U.S. Navy transferred control of the United States’ oldest space surveillance sensor, known as the Fence, to the U.S. Air Force’s newly created 20th Space Control Squadron Detachment 1 in October. The Fence tracks satellites and debris in orbit around the Earth. The Air Force also will take command of the Alternate Space Control Center mission, which serves as the backup computational and command and control node for the Space Control Center at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Base, Colorado. The Air Force will continue to operate the Fence in Dahlgren, Virginia.
Nanotechnology Funding List OnlineThe Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies has posted a solicitation database of federal government nanotechnology funding sources. The searchable database currently lists 906 sources from federal agencies and includes solicitation numbers, available funding amounts, application dates, current grantees and program descriptions. The list is updated monthly and can be found at
www.sandia.gov/cint or
www.lanl.gov/cint. The database is a joint project between the Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories and is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.
Sea Giraffe in the Persian Gulf
The United Arab Emirates has purchased four Sea Giraffe agile multiple beam (AMB) naval radar systems. The AMB radar can detect both aircraft and small ships as well as boats operating in heavily traveled shipping lanes. Manufactured by Ericsson Microwave Systems AB (
www.ericsson.com/microwave), the radars will be installed on a class of advanced naval corvettes being built for the Emirate’s navy.
BRAC 2005 Supports Transformation
Next year’s base realignment and closure (BRAC) initiative will focus on U.S. Defense Department transformation efforts by assessing installations’ contributions to supporting joint operations. According to department officials, multiservice cooperation in the transportation field has greatly improved the U.S. Army’s combat projection power, and the 2005 BRAC will concentrate on combining that kind of power, including joint training, at installations that are best suited to offer it. Base closures will take into account the need to maintain a military surge capability to deal with future threats. Between 1988 and 1995, 97 military bases were closed and 57 realigned. BRAC initiatives have saved the department $7 billion since 2001; however, the military still has $660 billion in property inventory. Final BRAC recommendations will be presented next spring.
Predator Gets HeavyA Predator unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been flown successfully using a heavy fuel engine (HFE). Powering the UAV using the HFE allows the aircraft to fly above 25,000 feet on jet or diesel fuel with increased horsepower and improved fuel efficiency. The engine also reduces maintenance costs, increases service life and simplifies field logistics by using a more readily available fuel source. The Predator is manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (
www.uav.com). The HFE is part of a company-funded development project to meet the U.S. Army’s goal to have all vehicles in the battlefield use a single fuel type.
Messages From HomeFamily members of U.S. troops stationed abroad can now send their relatives free video postcards. Through “Wishes From Home,” families can submit up to 10 minutes of video footage that is uploaded to a Web page assigned only to that video. Families and soldiers can access their Web page for up to six months after the video has been posted. The program allows family members to send one video to each relative serving overseas. Oasis Media Productions (
www.oasismediaproductions.com) is offering the free service, which is sponsored by corporations and anonymous donors. Information about the program is available at
www.sharedvideomoments.com.
Center Fosters Women in IT CareersThe National Science Foundation’s Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate awarded $3.25 million to establish the National Center for Women and Information Technology (
www.ncwit.org). The center, led by the University of Colorado at Boulder (
www.colorado.edu) and the
Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology (
www.anitaborg.org) is a collaborative effort among universities, industry, government and not-for-profit organizations. Researchers will study why many women avoid information technology careers; research and evaluate effective undergraduate curricula; determine ways to recruit community college graduates into four-year computer science and information technology programs; and monitor graduates and their experiences over several years. The center’s 20-year goal is to foster equal participation for women and men in information technology careers in academia and industry.
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