That may look like a
Motorola Atrix, but it’s actually something known as the GhostRider — a new encryption device that could go a long way toward securing the
Army’s smartphones. Developed by defense company ITT, this revamped handset would allow military personnel to transmit secure text messages and phone calls over the Army’s network, even if they’re out on the battlefield. All they’d have to do is place their personal phones next to the GhostRider, tap and hold its touchscreen to activate the security features and begin texting away. When another GhostRider user receives an SMS, he or she would have to enter a pass code before reading it. The phone’s security mechanisms, meanwhile, have been certified by the cryptographers at the NSA, which would certainly help justify its $1,500 price tag. The handset’s display, meanwhile, looks awfully similar to the Army’s Nett Warrior platform — an Android-based OS that features a host of mapping functions designed explicitly for war zones. Officials unveiled the latest incarnation of Nett Warrior at the recent Association of the US Army gala in DC, though the platform’s creators are still looking for the appropriate commercial device to host it — unless, of course, GhostRider’s software replaces it altogether. “We think Nett Warrior should be something like this,” ITT vice president Richard Takahashi told
Wired. “This can be the smart device.” March past the break for more information, in ITT’s jargon-laced PR.
Continue reading ITT unveils GhostRider encryption device capable of securing US Army smartphones
ITT unveils GhostRider encryption device capable of securing US Army smartphones originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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It’s a year since Lockheed Martin won the contract to provide an unmanned cargo delivery system to the US military and now its first K-MAX helicopter is just about ready for duty. The 6,000-pound RC chopper is scheduled to journey to the manifold fronts of Afghanistan next month, where it’ll get busy ferrying its own bodyweight in ammo and supplies to needy anthills up to 200km away. And, if things get too sticky for laptop flying, there’s always room for a brave soul to jump in there and grab the controls. You’ll find a fresh demo video after the break, plus we’ve also stuck in that fancy clip from last year to rotor your memory.
Continue reading K-MAX unmanned chopper delivers Air Force salute to Afghan danger (video)
K-MAX unmanned chopper delivers Air Force salute to Afghan danger (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Because dirigibles were such a great idea the first, completely non-disastrous time around, Lockheed Martin and the US Army have teamed up to bring the quaint technology back into our hyper-modern era. The lighter-than-air vehicle got a new lease on unmanned flight life when it launched yesterday from its base in Akron, Ohio. The High Altitude Long Endurance-Demonstrator (HALE-D for short) reached 32,000 ft during its maiden voyage before technical difficulties cut the test short, forcing an emergency landing in the deep woods of southwestern Pennsylvania. Despite the flight-aborting hiccup, the global security company is all smiles, citing the successful demonstration of “communications links, [the] unique propulsion system, solar array electricity generation [and] remote piloting communications.” Future real-world versions of HALE-D could serve as a military “telecommunications relay system” over foreign terrain — like Afghanistan — where radio signals can’t penetrate. The Defense Department contractor is currently retrieving the airship from its foresty crash pad, but you can bet some locals already called this close encounter in to the local papers. Skip past the break for Archer’s take on our government’s latest airborne effort.
Continue reading Lockheed Martin’s HALE-D airship learns to fly, makes a crash landing
Lockheed Martin’s HALE-D airship learns to fly, makes a crash landing originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The US Army is calling upon Android app developers to help make military life a little less stressful — and, perhaps, a lot safer. Under a new Army framework known as the Mobile/Handheld Computing Environment (CE), third-party developers will be able to create and submit tactical Android apps, using the military’s CE Product Developer’s Kit. The framework, originally prototyped by the folks over at MITRE, represents the latest phase in the Army’s ongoing campaign to incorporate smartphone technology on the battlefield. Any app operating under the CE system will be interoperable across all command systems, and, as you’d expect, will be tightly secured. The kit won’t be released to developers until July, but the Army has already begun tinkering with its baseline suite of Mission Command apps, which includes tools designed to facilitate mapping, blue force tracking, and Tactical Ground Reporting. On the hardware side of the equation, the Army is planning to deploy a new handheld known as the Joint Battle Command-Platform, or JBC-P. The two-pound JBC-P is essentially a military-friendly smartphone designed to run on a variety of existing radio networks, while supporting the full suite of forthcoming apps. The JBC-P will be tested this October, and will likely be issued on a wider basis in 2013.
US Army developing Android-based smartphone framework and apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Given, it might make you look like the love child of Robocop and a cartoon kitten, but SA Photonics’ High Resolution Night Vision System (HRNVS) could mean smoother night flights for the US military. The light weight head mounted display couples high resolution imagery and an impressive 82.5 degree field of vision — previous devices offered a range of only 40 degrees. What’s more, it provides clearer peripheral vision, virtually non-existent halo effects, digital image enhancement, and night vision recording. The headset was designed in collaboration with the US Army and the Air Force Research Laboratory, which means these robo Sanrio helmets might actually get some play. Full PR after the break.
Continue reading SA Photonics high-res digital night vision system makes you look like Hello Kitty’s cyborg cousin
SA Photonics high-res digital night vision system makes you look like Hello Kitty’s cyborg cousin originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Earlier this year, DARPA put out RFIs with an eye on
developing military apps and an app store for iOS and Android, and now the US Army’s Connecting Soldiers to Digital Applications (CSDA) program will put handsets, network equipment, and other equipment including tablets, e-readers, and pico projectors into the hands of the First Army Brigade this February. Additionally, the Army plans to start issuing Common Access Card (the ID cards used to log on to DoD computers and networks) readers for the iPhone in January and for Android in April. According to Rickey Smith of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, “We’re not wedded to a specific piece of hardware. We are open to using Palm Trios, the Android, iPhone or whatever else is out there.” But we must admit — we are encouraged that this time around you haven’t mentioned
Celio’s REDFLY.
US Army Connecting Soldiers to Digital Applications programs putting smartphones in soldiers’ hands this February originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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