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DARPA seeks next generation hemispherical optical sensor arrays
Winning research proposal will sport a 120-degree field of view and a speed of 60 frames per second; ability to take images in the visible, near-infrared, and shortwave-infrared optical spectra is critical; organic and inorganic materials will be considered; DARPA encourages industry collaboration
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Terrorists use Google Earth to plan attacks
British troops in Iraq find satellite maps in insurgent safehouses; precise geographic coordinates inadvertently assist America’s enemies; governments continue to negotiate with Google over coverage
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ICRC delivers first responder vehicles to Michigan National Guard
Heavy-duty truck is first to incorporate IRCS’s national guard vehicle information system for interoperability and networking; flexible communications, NBS detection, and nighttime surveillance among the features of this interesting vehicle
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Israel Aircraft Industries to launch new missile-hunting UAV
With a wingspan of 110 feet, the Eitan UAV is designed for high altitide, long-haul flights; attached cameras and missiles intended to stop ballistic missiles on the launching pad; trial flights begin this week
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Bureau of Land Management to deploy UAV to Idaho
Agency hopes to use the unnamed craft to keep track of vegetation and recreational areas; monitoring land-use permits a major impetus; local libertarian object to government interference
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Hafmynd sells two GAVIA AUVs to undisclosed militaries
Icelandic firm a leader — ask Frost and Sullivan — in autonomous underwater vehicles; U.S. Navy SPAWAR just one previous customer for this disruptive technology; vehicle’s sensor flexibility a major selling point
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HISS Cyber Tracker goes solar
GPS vehicle tracking and monitoring system no longer requires a dedicated power source; improvement expands company’s access to the RV market, among others; full production expected by the end of the year
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Chicago security planners go too far
City residents draw the line on public surveillance when it is incorporated into public art; Crown Fountain installation removed; Americans remain ambivalent about public CCTV
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West Virginia city offers CCTV rebates for downtown businesses
Concerned about vandalism, city offers shopkeepers a $1,500 rebate on prenegotiated four-camera systems; unique arrangement allows police full access to the cameras and attached DVRs
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ViaLogy and Boeing develop detection system emulating bugs' eyes
The most advanced science-based companies try to emulate to vision architecture of humble insects and reptiles in order to improve precise detction applications
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SF deploys license plate scanners to fighting parking scofflaws
Onboard system is programmed to locate cars sporting five or more outstanding parking tickets; violators immediately get the boot; emerging technology finds many friends in law enforcement
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New vortex generators to help UUVs dock
Squid and octopi inspire Colorado researchers to develop a more effective design for unmanned underwater vehicles; no need to trade litheness for docking stability; enhanced craft can even parallel park
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Marines abandon Dragon Eye UAV for the Raven B
Although the Dragon Eye has seen its share of successes, high cost and inability to handle strong winds sent the Marines back to the drawing board; AeroVironment’s Raven B, already popular with the Army, looks to take up the mission at lower cost
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Northrop to supply Navy with two Fire Scout UAV helicopters
$16.2 million contract modification a good sign for this intriguing craft; based on the Schweizer Model 333 manned helicopter, Fire Scout is especially suited for reconnaissance, mine detection, and as a communications node for future warfare applications
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DRS receives $10 million DoD order for its MSTAR radar system
Low energy-consumptive MSTAR is ideally suited for perimeter security applications; company already a government favorite for its thermal weapon sights
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The long view
Data Privacy After Dobbs: Is Period Tracking Safe?
Many people think all health care information is protected under the federal privacy law, known as HIPAA. But menstrual cycle tracking apps, along with other health care technologies, like texting platforms that patients can use with doctors, are not. There haven’t been any cases where a menstrual tracking app’s data has been subpoenaed yet, but that’s probably due to the slow speed of which cases proceed through the court system.