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Cumbersome federal acquisition rules an obstacle to IT flexibility
Cumbersome acquisition rules designed for building weapons systems and computing platforms are hampering adoption of rapidly evolving information technology networks
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High-school team wins dancing robot competition
Israeli students shine at international robotics dancing competition; RobCup, the Japanese organization behind the competiton, aims to foster artificial intelligence and robotics research
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Poultry farmers protest DHS rules over propane tanks
DHS rules that propane gas is a “chemical of interest” — and, under the stipulations of the new chemical plant safety law, hundreds of thousands of U.S. poultry farmers must now register with the agency
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Bulletproof backpacks in U.S.
What’s the world coming to: Massachusetts company does brisk business in bulletproof backpacks for school-bound kids
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Robot wars are a reality, so we should develop rules to govern them
More and more, armies give power of life-and-death decisions to machines without reason or conscience; we may want to pause and reflect on this trend
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Robot pilots prove adept at refuelling tasks
Mid-air refueling is tricky, but DARPA has been testing robots that perform the mission impressively
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Directed-energy gun maker receives more money
Critics charge that Ionatron’s ray-gun idea is a “pipe dream on a fast track to zero,” but the weapon system perseveres, and receives more research money from the military
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Vestal shows hand-grenade watch
California company offers a Grenade Watch: It gives you that chic, snappy suicide-bomber look without having to undergo demanding training in Pakistan, messy explosions, and painful martyrdom
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U.S. military grapples with UAV control questions
As more and more UAVs are deployed in the theater, and as the military envisions a UAV-dependent future, the armed services are locked in a bitter fight over who will control these systems
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Behvioral observation method to help athletes, doctors
Technology used to observe and identify suspicious behavior in crowds will be used to help U.K. athletes prepare for 2012 Olympic Games; DARPA uses similar technique to help develop more human-like artifical limbs for injured soldiers
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Eye-catching new Taser sparks controversy
Taser International, not a stranger to controversy, unveils a new — and controversial — designer taser gun; some of the nation’s top police authorities are concerned that the gadgets could easily wind up in the wrong hands
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Costs of changing U.S. passport system to reach $1 billion
Congress, DHS want Amercians traveling to Western Hemisphere countries to carry passports; the administration initially figured it would cost $289 million between 2006 and 2008 to handle the increase in demand for passports; in fact, it will cost about 1 billion
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Company shows new non-lethal weapon
Intelligent Optical Systems unveils its LED Incapacitator, a non-lethal defense system for law enforcement and antiterrorism
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Elbit Systems reports second quarter 2007 results
Innovative defense contractor acquires Tadira Communication, shows 36 percent revenue growth over second quarter 2006
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Jammers increasingly used to fight IEDs
From July 2003 to July 2007, 1,565 coalition forces were killed by IEDs; by the end of 2007, the Pentagon will have funded more than 30,000 jammers for Marine and Army units; DOD has spent $1.6 billion on jamming technology for this fiscal year; opportunities for technology companies
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The long view
Encryption Breakthrough Lays Groundwork for Privacy-Preserving AI Models
In an era where data privacy concerns loom large, a new approach in artificial intelligence (AI) could reshape how sensitive information is processed. New AI framework enables secure neural network computation without sacrificing accuracy.
AI-Controlled Fighter Jets May Be Closer Than We Think — and Would Change the Face of Warfare
Could we be on the verge of an era where fighter jets take flight without pilots – and are controlled by artificial intelligence (AI)? US R Adm Michael Donnelly recently said that an upcoming combat jet could be the navy’s last one with a pilot in the cockpit.
The Potential Impact of Seabed Mining on Critical Mineral Supply Chains and Global Geopolitics
The potential emergence of a seabed mining industry has important ramifications for the diversification of critical mineral supply chains, revenues for developing nations with substantial terrestrial mining sectors, and global geopolitics.
AI and the Future of the U.S. Electric Grid
Despite its age, the U.S. electric grid remains one of the great workhorses of modern life. Whether it can maintain that performance over the next few years may determine how well the U.S. competes in an AI-driven world.
Using Liquid Air for Grid-Scale Energy Storage
New research finds liquid air energy storage could be the lowest-cost option for ensuring a continuous power supply on a future grid dominated by carbon-free but intermittent sources of electricity.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A Promising Source of Round-the-Clock Energy
With its capacity to provide 24/7 power, many are warming up to the prospect of geothermal energy. Scientists are currently working to advance human-made reservoirs in Earth’s deep subsurface to stimulate the activity that exists within natural geothermal systems.