Tactical Communications

Army puts a 4G battlefield telemedicine system to the test

A real-time system that connects medics on the battlefield with surgeons at a hospital would save lives, if it can be made to work.

  • By Kathleen Hickey

What is LTE, and why is it right for a public safety network?

The details of a national public safety network have yet to be worked out, but the consensus is it will be based on the emerging Long Term Evolution standard.

  • By William Jackson

Public safety network has ‘eye-opening’ first real-world test

Police on the street and in the crowd used iPhones for encrypted voice, data and video, free of the congestion that can hamper a commercial wireless network.

  • By William Jackson

Chip encrypts Android calls, without the lag time

TrustCall system can turn almost any Android phone into a secure communication device.

  • By John Breeden II

DHS wants to 'change the game' on public safety network

Faced with a need to upgrade aging, stovepiped tactical communications networks and reduce costs, DHS is looking for a “game changing approach.”

  • By William Jackson

Army lab speeds technology to round 3 of NIE

The Army's new lab at Aberdeen Proving Ground tests and evaluates software and electronics bound for Network Integration Evaluation 12.2.

  • By Henry Kenyon

DHS R&D program has a disconnect with first responders' needs, House panel told

The department has a program to help develop technology for first responders, but matching the money with state and local agencies' requirements has proved difficult.

  • By William Jackson

Air Force wants unhackable comm, like in 'Mass Effect 3'

Researchers funded by the Air Force are exploring using "quantum memories" to secure long-range communications. Where have we seen that before?

  • By Greg Crowe

Stop agency data leakage in its tracks

PowerBroker Desktops checks for policy violations in each outgoing e-mail and prevents unwarranted data from leaving a single computer.

  • By Greg Crowe

DARPA wants high-bandwidth communications without infrastructure

The Defense Department's research arm is developing new methods to provide cell tower-grade communications to warfighters, even in remote and rugged areas.

  • By Henry Kenyon

Army's mobile comm system gains field experience before NIE

The Army's WIN-T program is using recent exercises in New Mexico to ready itself for a major evaluation this spring.

  • By Henry Kenyon

Army working to streamline networking efforts

The Army's new acquisition and evaluation process is beginning to show results as the service identifies shortcomings and rolls out new systems to troops.

  • By Henry Kenyon

DOD's move to Android started with DARPA apps program

Among the next challenges: ensuring connectivity and security in the field.

  • By Henry Kenyon

After 10 years, $356M, Justice IG wants to scuttle IWN project

An inspector general's audit report recommends ending the troubled program for building a national wireless law enforcement network in favor of newer technologies.

  • By Kathleen Hickey
Featured eBooks

TSA adopts Coast Guard's emergency alert system

AWS allows the organization to send notifications and alerts to all of its personnel and facilities via voice, text and e-mail.

  • By Henry Kenyon

Air Force wants wearable computers

The Air Force is seeking input from businesses on developing a wearable computer system.

  • By GCN Staff

DOD moves toward mobile device buys

As the department works out details on how to manage them, it is taking tentative steps toward acquiring handhelds.

  • By Henry Kenyon

Army to march with Androids, and other feds could follow

The Army's mobile device efforts are gaining momentum, and the effort could potentially reach across the entire federal government.

  • By Henry Kenyon

One for 911: NYC puts police, fire, medical calls on integrated system

All of the city's dispatchers are for the first time on the same system, which can handle up to 50,000 calls an hour.

  • By Kevin McCaney

DISA OKs secure Android mobile system for DOD

The Defense Information Systems Agency approved a mobile management system that allows DOD users of Dell smart phones to securely access critical DOD data and applications.

  • By Henry Kenyon

Army's thin-client system to keep field commanders in the loop

Command Web allows commanders to access and share information on the Army's data-rich, high-bandwidth command and control networks.

  • By Henry Kenyon