• OMG helps UAVs see as human pilots do

    Northrop Grumman tests Oxford Metrics Group’s software which make UAVs “see” things the way a human pilot would

  • New compression technique makes VoIP vulnerable to eavesdropping

    New VoIP compression technique, called variable bit rate compression, produces different size packets of data for different sounds; simply measuring the size of packets — without even decoding them — can identify whole words and phrases with a high rate of accuracy

  • Plasma-propelled flying saucer

    University of Florida researcher designs a plasma-propelled flying saucer — the patent application calls it “wingless electromagnetic air vehicle” — which may be used for surveillance purposes; vehicle powered by magnetohydrodynamics — the force created when a current or a magnetic field is passed through a conducting fluid

  • Airlines may be forced to fit antiterror cameras in seats

    The EU moves across a broad front to increase air travel safety; airlines will be forced to install spy-in-the-cabin cameras and increase the use of biometrics technology for passenger identification

  • Worry: VoIP especially suitable for conveying hidden messages

    Steganography involves concealing messages within digitally transmitted images or sound files; VoIP systems tolerate packet loss and have built-in redundancy, and are thus especially suitable for conveying hidden messages; law enforcement officials have expressed frustration about the difficulty of deciphering VoIP messages made by suspected terrorists using Skype

  • Phase II for AV's nano aircraft

    Tiny UAV — 7.5 cm wing span, 10 grams in weight — to be used by military, law enforcement to gather information outdoors and indoors

  • In-flight surveillance could foil terrorists in the sky

    Big Brother comes to the skies: EU-funded aviation security system uses a camera in every passenger’s seat, with six wide-angle cameras to survey the aisles; software on the computer to which the cameras are connected detects suspicious behavior of passengers — from air rage to terrorist intent

  • Surveillance systems for Singapore

    The Port of Singapore is the world’s largest container transshipment hub, handling around 27 million containers last year; U.K. CCTV company wins large contract to secure the port

  • Pentagon wants laser attack warnings for satellites

    The U.S. economy and military capabilities are dependent on satellites for communication and information gathering; growing anti-satellite warfare capabilities — for example, by China — lead Pentagon to seek a measure of protection for space-based assets

  • Australia to use UAVs to bolster border security

    Australia’s customs agency has been testing an Israeli-made UAV in efforts to enhance the security of the country’s borders

  • Boeing Hummingbird breaks heavy UAV endurance record

    Boeing’s unmanned rotorcraft breaks endurance record: it flies for nearly 19 hours, carrying a 300-pound internal payload at altitudes up to 15,000 feet, and landing with more than 90 minutes worth of fuel in reserve

  • Chinese spy network steals U.S. UAV secrets

    Chinese intelligence service plants a spy at the University of Tennessee - he was masquerading as a graduate research assistant - and recruit a retired professor and a local company to steal advanced UAV designs

  • U.K. to store all phone calls and e-mails

    The U.K. Home Office plans to create a massive database to store every person’s e-mails, phone calls, text messages, and Internet use; police and security services would only be granted access to the information after seeking permission from the courts

  • Flying saucers, tiny helicopters compete in British war game

    The U.K. Ministry of defense held its first Grand Challenge technology competition last week; six finalists receive $600,000 each to develop their concepts into machines; finalists will meet for mock battle in August

  • China sets to limit Internet access to Olympic visitors

    Senator Sam Brownback charges that China has instructed U.S.-owned hotels in China to filter their guests’ Internet connections before the Olympic Games start in August; some question Brownback’s assertion — saying that Internet access in China is already filtered at the ISP level