U.S. Defense Department Envisions GIG Architecture
The architecture vision for the Global Information Grid (GIG), which details the U.S. Defense Department’s future information technology enterprise, is now available online. According to John G. Grimes, assistant secretary of defense for networks and information integration, the vision will promote unity of effort among GIG developers. The GIG architectural vision is one part of the department’s enterprise architecture; other parts include a description of the current state of the information environment and the plans and strategies to transform. Grimes says the vision for the GIG will evolve as technical advances occur.

Integrated Public Alert and Warning Capability
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Sandia National Laboratories are designing and deploying a pilot Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The system will ensure effective public communications during emergencies through a robust, multifaceted path. IPAWS is intended to transform national emergency audio-only messages into a system that sends alerts by voice, text and video to all U.S. residents, including people with disabilities and those who do not understand English. Citizens will receive alert messages through a variety of communications devices such as cell phones, e-mail and pagers. The system will include the deployment of an enhanced Web Alert and Relay Network for emergency operations staff that features collaboration tools, public access Web sites, and alert and warning notification facilities. 

Services Plan Strives for Operationally Responsive Space
Joint force leaders from across the services, various agencies and the intelligence community recently convened at Headquarters Air Force Space Command to discuss planning for operationally responsive space (ORS). The meeting’s aim was to establish and define joint processes for ORS development, integration and standardization in support of faster, more efficient utilization of space-related capabilities. Members of the ORS community are working to achieve joint accessibility and delivery of satellite resources and plan to meet again this month to test the process using a U.S. Strategic Command requirement.

“Help Desk, Please Hold”
Many computer users are probably not surprised by the results of a recent survey that showed a shortage of information technology technical support staff at hundreds of companies. Interviews with more than 1,400 chief information officers from U.S. companies with staffs of more than 100 revealed that companies’ help desk teams have, on average, 40 percent less personnel than needed. The lack of adequate numbers of technical support personnel is attributed to both a shortage of qualified professionals and companies’ growth rates.

Software Security Solutions
The U.S. Defense Department has released a report that provides a comprehensive look at efforts to improve software security assurance. Software Security Assurance: A State of the Art Report describes threats and common vulnerabilities from cybercrime, cyberterrorism and asymmetric information warfare. The report also offers resources that users can access to learn more about the principles and practices that comprise software security assurance.

Soldiers Engineer Mobile Communications Vehicle
Three U.S. Army warfighters currently serving in Iraq recently designed, constructed and deployed their own mobile off-road communications vehicle equipped with multiple radio systems for use in combat. Staff Sgt. Matthew Hancock, USA; Spc. Johnny Simmons, USA; and Spc. Ashley Hartin, USA, transformed a vehicle into the Deployable Radio Air to Ground Operational Network Vehicle (DRAGON V) and have already used it successfully in a night air assault mission southeast of Baghdad. The DRAGON V can house a 10-kilowatt generator, two long-range FM radios, a satellite radio, an unmanned aerial vehicle radio and a computer for monitoring the battlefield. In addition, it produces live video feeds to commanders.

Sailors Test Micro-UAV, Other Technologies
The U.S. Navy examined new command, control, communications, computers and intelligence-related technologies and non-lethal weapons in an operational environment during Seahawk 2007. The exercise was designed to increase interoperability and cooperation between the Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard. One technology tested was a micro-unmanned aerial vehicle with two cameras mounted underneath the wing body. The cameras provided operators with live video of the battlespace as well as high-resolution, full-color photographs.

Metal-Insulator Antenna Patent Sought
A monolithically integrated analog front end and antenna structure has been developed that will reduce costs and enhance the practicality of 60-gigahertz wireless systems. Phiar Corporation has applied for a patent for a design that will enable radios to stream multiple channels of uncompressed high-definition video content. The concept and technology allow local frequency conversion at the edge of each antenna array, simultaneously eliminating transmission line losses. As a result, designers could place antennas in optimal locations without increasing manufacturing costs. The technology will initially meet needs in the commercial electronics sector.

Maritime Security Solutions Sought
The Maritime Security Expo and Northcentral University are sponsoring a call for papers about the topic of waterborne improvised explosive devices. Papers must address how to detect and defeat the devices in a domestic law enforcement environment with limited collateral damage and risk to security forces. Those who may be interested in participating in the competition must submit a 175-word abstract to whitepapers@maritimesecurityexpo.com no later than October 15. The final paper is due November 1, and the winner will be announced November 15. Additional information is available online.


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