The Integrator

A collection of news and information specifically for the C4ISR community

Vol. 5, No.31
August 6, 2009

NATO AWACS proves interrogator interoperability at operational event

By Monica D. Morales
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Late last month, flying at an observation point 100 miles off the coast of Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., a NATO AWACS took part in six-hour combat scenarios that demonstrated interoperability between its prototype interrogator and various joint platforms that interrogate in the same mode.

During the July 21-23 multi-service, multi-national Joint Operational Test Approach Operational Assessment, a combined international E-3 AWACS team -- led by Hanscom’s 635th Electronic Systems Squadron -- had the opportunity to test the interrogator in a genuine multi-service environment. A team from the 635 ELSS, the Electronic Systems Center team responsible for test and development of the aircraft’s Mode 5-capable UPX 40 Interrogator, was among Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps participants there to test their respective interrogators and transponders.

“We were able to demonstrate interoperability with all the players in this exercise, which is one of the reasons why we participate in these JOTA events,” said Capt. Will Williams, Next Generation Identification Friend or Foe program manager. (More)

Technology convergence could prevent war, noted futurist says

Canton takes on Web 2.0, network defense

Dr. James Canton also weighed in on the great debate within the Department of Defense about the risks and benefits of Web 2.0.

“I wouldn’t embrace the entire 2.0 platform,” he said. However, it does represent a cultural shift that the defense community needs to understand and exploit, he added.

The impact of social networking and real-time interaction is huge, he notes, and there can be real value in following the Wiki model, taking advantage of “the wisdom of the crowds.” (More)

Dr. James Canton

By Chuck Paone
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The convergence of “exponentially advancing technologies” will form a “super-intelligence” so formidable that it could avert war, according to one
of the world’s leading futurists.

Dr. James Canton, CEO and Chairman of the Institute for Global Futures, a San Francisco-based think tank, is author of the book The Extreme Future and an advisor to leading companies, the military and other government agencies. He is consistently
listed among the world’s leading speakers and has presented to diverse audiences around the globe.

He will address the Air Force C2ISR Symposium, which will be held Sept. 28-30 at the MGM Grand Hotel at Foxwoods in Ledyard, Conn., joining Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz and a bevy of other government and industry speakers.

This week, in a free-wheeling, hour-long interview, he offered a sneak preview of his symposium presentation and answered various questions about the future of technology and warfare.

“The superiority of convergent technologies will prevent war,” Dr. Canton said, claiming their power would present an overwhelming deterrent to potential adversaries. While saying that the U.S. will build these super systems faster and better than other nations, he acknowledged that a new arms race is already under way.
(More)

General Dennis speaks at MAC breakfast

Brig. Gen. Dwyer Dennis, 551st Electronic Systems Wing commander, speaks to sustaining members of the Military Affairs Council prior to his presentation at the Aug. 5 MAC Breakfast held at the Doubletree Bedford Glen. The general provided the mixed government and industry audience with a wing overview, recent successes and spoke of maximizing existing legacy systems in order to bring more C2ISR flexibility to the warfighter. (Photo by Rick Berry)

642 ELSS awards major force protection contract to 3 companies

By Karen Guendel
66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

A team of professionals led by Hanscom's 642nd Electronic Systems Squadron recently ensured Air Force security forces around the world will have access to cutting edge integrated base defense systems for the next five years.

On July 24, the Air Force awarded a Force Protection Security System contract worth up to a combined $495 million. The contract was awarded to three companies: Science Application International Corp in San Diego, Calif.; L-3 Services in Chantilly, Va.; and Northrop Grumman in Herndon, Va.

The FPS2 contract, which is managed by the 642nd ELSS, will be primarily used by the Air Force to support the physical defense of installations and assets ranging in size from the smallest deployed tactical units to the largest stateside bases. But the contract can also be used by other Department of Defense agencies.

The Air Force will use the contract to procure, install and maintain electronic security equipment such as video cameras and high-tech intrusion sensors. Associated infrastructure such as fencing, lighting and communications systems may also be provided under the contract. (More)

HRA lunch features DCGS presenter

Ken Francois, of the 950th Electronic Systems Group, addresses members of the Hanscom Representatives Association at their monthly luncheon meeting Aug. 4 at the Minuteman Club. Mr. Francois provided an overview of the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System, along with the program’s plans for the future. (Photo by Rick Berry)

Army Vice Chief of Staff confirmed as MILCOM 2009 speaker
Online conference registration now available

MilCom

Taunton, Mass. – MILCOM 2009, the premier international conference on military communications has confirmed that Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, is the keynote speaker for the Oct. 21 luncheon event. The keynote address aligns with the conference’s technical program that highlights the convergence of communication technologies used by the military, government and homeland security operations.

MILCOM 2009 takes place Oct. 18-21 at the Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center in Boston Massachusetts. Conference registration is available at www.MILCOM.org.

While not an official co-sponsor, the Electronic Systems Center, at Hanscom AFB, Mass., is serving as a liaison to advise MILCOM 2009. The center, especially its 653rd Electronic Systems Wing, is providing a great deal of support to the conference, as well. (More)

Crossing into SNCO ranks

Master Sgt. A. Rachel Pfeiffer, advisor with the Eastern Recruiting Squadron, ‘crosses’ the bridge, literally and figuratively, from technical sergeant into the ranks of the senior noncommissioned officers. Nine current or soon-to-be master sergeants attended the Senior NCO induction ceremony at the Minuteman Club July 30. (Photo by Rick Berry)

Installation Acquisition Transformation revises implementation plan

Air Force officials here recently completed a comprehensive restructuring of installation acquisition within the continental United States, dubbed Installation Acquisition Transformation, and adopted a revised implementation strategy. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

WASHINGTON -- Air Force officials here recently completed a comprehensive restructuring of installation acquisition within the continental United States, dubbed Installation Acquisition Transformation, and adopted a revised implementation strategy.

The Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century high-value initiative to expand strategic sourcing and increase personnel and resource efficiency was approved in August 2007.

The original construct, introduced five regional groups to handle the bulk of installation contracting and consolidated management and oversight under Air Force Materiel Command officials. During the implementation planning, several factors caused Air Force contracting leaders to relook at the risks involved.

Lessons learned from other transformation efforts coupled with the economic downturn indicated few of the personnel needed to staff the regional groups would actually move. (More)

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in the news ...
Use of these articles does not reflect official endorsement. Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.

Director view: Gregory Garcia, Director, 754th Electronic Systems Group, USAF
-- Defense Systems Magazine
Gregory Garcia is director of the 754th Electronic Systems Group at the Maxwell Air Force Base-Gunter Annex, Ala. ...
Building an electronic fence to track space junk
-- www.popsci.com
Thousands of manmade pieces of space junk orbit the Earth, threatening astronauts and unmanned missions alike. Now the U.S. Air Force Space Command wants an electronic "space fence" that could track any orbital object larger than two inches in width.

MILSTAR reception via EHF small antenna passes USAF flight test
-- www.SatNews.com
Electronic Systems Center and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory personnel demo'd the powerful capabilities of a small antenna during a flight test conducted earlier this summer here.

Air Force contracts for defense support

-- United Press International
The U.S. Air Force has contracted Science Applications International Corp. to provide integrated defense support services at Defense Department installations.

Upgraded Thule radar operational
-- Air Force Magazine
The Air Force and Missile Defense Agency last month successfully completed the trial period of the upgraded early warning radar at Thule AB, Greenland, thereby clearing the system for operations.

editorials and opinion ...
Use of these articles does not reflect official endorsement. Reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.

The top ten military robots of all time
-- IT PRO Blogs
Robots are cool. There’s no denying this fact - but they ain’t always friendly.

command comments ...

... I believe very strongly that we allowed our thinking and our understanding of deterrence to plateau. After an arduous climb up the torturous slopes of the Cold War, I believe that we have not reached the summit of thought on deterrence, but instead I believe the climb in front of us may be even more difficult than the one behind. The plateau, in fact, is a ledge. We have paused too long on the ascent.

We have had too little fresh thinking about deterrence in the last 17 years, yet the world has marched on and marched forward at an alarming pace toward greater complexity. We see it economically, technologically, socially and militarily in ways that were unimaginable a generation ago. ...

-- Gen. Kevin Chilton, United States Strategic Command commander, at July 29, 2009 Deterrence Symposium opening

To read complete speech,
click here

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