Boeing, DHS defend work on SBInet

Two days after Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano froze some spending on the SBInet virtual fence system at the Arizona border, Boeing and DHS officials say the system is providing needed capabilities.

DOD seeks robot that can dig into its targets

A request for information from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency brings to mind technology portrayed in the 1960s British television series the Thunderbirds, reports Graham Warwick at Aviation Week’s Ares Blog.

Boeing embarks on $139M Army combat team modernization

The Army has awarded a contract to Boeing Co. to outfit its a brigade combat team with networked gear designed to improve intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities on the battlefield.

L-3 wins $165M security award from TSA

L-3 Communications will supply the Transportation Security Administration with advanced screening technology under an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract worth $164.7 million.

SAIC completes purchase of vehicle-scanning firm

Science Applications International Corp. has completed its acquisition of Spectrum San Diego, a high-technology security firm specializing in ultra-low-dose X-ray scanning systems.

Joint Strike Fighter to get better targeting abilities

The stealth fighter plane will be fitted with new sensor technology.

QinetiQ helps Army sniff out snipers

QinetiQ North America will deliver additional sniper detection systems to U.S. troops deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq through an existing contract.

Raytheon retools sensor displays for Army helicopter pilots

Raytheon will furnish additional prototypes of sensors for a high-tech helmet system designed to give Army helicopter pilots 360-degree situational awareness under a $13 million contract.

Boeing gets one-year extension on SBInet contract

U.S. Customs and Border Protection exercised its option to extend its SBInet border surveillance contract with Boeing Co. for a year.

Lawmakers hit DHS on electronic border surveillance system

Lawmakers scolded Homeland Security Department officials for the latest round of delays on the SBInet electronic border surveillance project.

CACI sets sights on improving Army night vision technology

CACI International Inc. will assist the Army to further develop specialized infrared night vision technology under a three-year, $50 million contract.

Coast Guard acquisition in smoother waters

The Coast Guard is making progress on acquisition processes and seems to have brought Deepwater under control, but plenty of risks remain, including hiring more acquisition personnel and containing costs.

Demand for robotics fuels contract opportunities

iRobot won contracts from the Army and Navy this week for robots used on the battlefield.

Raytheon's rise in profits reflects new world order

Second-quarter earnings reports reveal defense contractors that are focused heavily on high-tech capabilities needed for fighting insurgencies are doing better than those more heavily invested in conventional warfare.

QinetiQ to design common robotic controller for Marines

QinetiQ North America will develop a single robotic controller that Marine Corps ground troops could use to operate unmanned vehicles and sensors under a $2.1 million Navy contract.

Lockheed locks in buy of Gyrocam Systems

Lockheed Martin has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gyrocam Systems LLC, a developer and supplier of gyro-stabilized optical surveillance systems for the military. The financial terms were not disclosed.

Lockheed wins follow-on contract for Apache components

Lockheed Martin Corp. will provide logistics management services for sensor and targeting components of the Army’s AH-64 Apache helicopter under a one-year, follow-on contract worth as much as $89 million.

Three to compete for air and space intelligence work

Three contractors will compete for $600 million in software support and information analysis tasks to support the National Air and Space Intelligence Center over five years, the Air Force announced July 8.

Lockheed wins ‘space fence’ concept project

Lockheed Martin Corp. is one of three contractors hired by the Air Force to design and demonstrate a concept for space fence that would detect objects orbiting the Earth.

FCS to be replaced by smaller modernization efforts

The Future Combat System did not reflect the anti-insurgency lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in an acquisition decision memorandum released June 23.