By David Crane defrev at gmail dot com August 29, 2008 Textron Defense Systems (TDS), is actively marketing their Urban-Unattended Ground Sensors (U-UGS) as a core Future Combat Systems (FCS) wireless technology/hardware platform that will watch infantry warfighters’ backs as they maneuver inside the urban battlespace. According to the Textron literature, the U-UGS system of networked, wireless unmanned ground sensors …

By David Crane defrev at gmail dot com Speaking of sub-Hellfire-yield laser-guided missiles, Thales UK Air Systems Division (ASD) has introduced a new low-cost, lightweight multi-role missile called, appropirately enough, the Lightweight Multirole Missile (a.k.a. Lightweight Multi-role Missile)–or LMM for short–as a follow-on to the Starstreak Self-Propelled High-Velocity Missile (SP HVM) a.k.a. Starstreak Multi-role Missile (surface-to-air/surface-to-surface missile) and Starburst surface-to-air …

The following is a Robotic FX press release: Robotic FX, Inc. Awarded Contract for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to be Used for Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Detection and Identification ALSIP, IL, September 14, 2007 — Robotic FX, Inc., has been awarded a $279.9 million contract to manufacture its Negotiator Tactical Manipulator Robot, issued by the U.S. Army. The contract is …

by David Crane defrev at gmail.com This article may be modified/updated with new information in the coming days, so readers might want to check back in (to this article) over the next week. August 15, 2007 In late February 2006, DefenseReview broke the story on a developmental (but functional) prototype remote-controlled armed/weaponized semi-autonomous/fully-autonomous unmanned mini-helicopter called the AutoCopter Gunship, which …

The following is a Robotic FX, Inc. press release that has been slightly edited for content by DefenseReview: Worth, IL – (June 6, 2007) Robotic FX, Inc. has announced the release of the latest Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot (NTSR) accessory, a 6-Axis robotic arm (transforming the NTSR into the Negotiator Tactical Manipulator Robot a.k.a. NTMR). “This [6-Axis] arm will revolutionize …

The following is a Robotic FX, Inc. press release: Worth, IL – (March, 2 2007) Robotic FX, Inc. has announced successful testing of the latest COFDM equipped Negotiator Tactical Surveillance Robot. COFDM is a modulation scheme that divides a single digital signal across 1,000 or more signal carriers simultaneously. The signals are sent at right angles to each other (hence, …

The following is an TEA press release on the Invisio Bone Mic tactical communications headset / earpiece: A report from Baghdad on Invisio Bone Mic Headset: I live and work in the "Red Zone" of Baghdad, Iraq on a high threat protective security detail. I began searching for a new headset after a last minute change to our mission made …

by David Crane david at defensereview.com By now, everyone who hasn’t been living under a rock in the middle of the Sahara desert (or similar-type isolated location) has heard about China’s supposedly successful anti-satellite shoot-to-kill missile test that has the West, including the U.S., "up in arms" (excuse the pun) about the safety of our military and civilian communications and …

The following is a Television Equipment Associates (TEA) press release on the Invisio Bone Mic Tactical Headset: Television Equipment Associates (TEA) are specialists in headsets and team radios for US Special Forces, law enforcement SWAT, surveillance and rescue applications. These products are technologically advanced and are designed and manufactured for optimum reliability and durability. Our headsets can be supplied for …

The following is a Boeing press release: ST. LOUIS, Oct. 13, 2006 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has begun flight testing for the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program and has generated "first light" of ATL’s high-energy chemical laser in ground tests, achieving two key milestones in the laser gunship development effort. During the "low-power" …