Americas • Page 333 of 942 • The Defense Post

Aug- 2025 -

15 August

An artistic rendering depicts the Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL’s, Navigation Technology Satellite-3, or NTS-3, in simulated geosynchronous orbit. NTS-3, an experimental platform designed to demonstrate technologies to increase resiliency, robustness and reprogrammability of Position, Navigation, and Timing functionality in space, will be on display at AFRL’s “Engine to Accelerate” booths at the 2024 Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 16-18, 2024, in National Harbor, Maryland. AFRL is accelerating innovation by transforming the satellite navigation architecture to be reprogrammable both on-orbit and in the field, which enables new capabilities to support the warfighter faster through software updates. Like downloading a new app on your smartphone, this means that new satellites will not need to be launched to upgrade the signals, and that warfighters will not need to purchase and deploy new hardware to take advantage of upgraded signals. NTS-3 will mature technologies like the advanced timekeeping system that can detect and mitigate atomic clock faults without direct operator intervention. NTS-3's software-defined receiver, known as Global Navigation Satellite System Test Architecture, can receive and process new navigation signals that improve performance for U.S. forces in the presence of GPS interference or spoofing (a process by which users are sent inaccurate signals telling them that they are in the incorrect time and place). NTS-3 is anticipated to launch in late 2024. (Courtesy photo illustration)

AFRL Launches Experimental Satellite Into Orbit to Secure Navigational Edge

The US Air Force Research Laboratory has taken a major step toward securing the nation’s navigation advantage with the launch of the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket in Florida.

15 August

SAN DIEGO (March 5, 2020) – Sailors stand a simulated watch on the bridge of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Integrated Tactical Trainer (ITT)-2B at the Littoral Training Facility on Naval Base San Diego, March 5, 2020.

Rojoef Manuel

US Navy Unveils Push to ‘Weaponize’ Data and AI

The US Navy is rolling out a new strategy to “weaponize” data and AI, turning raw sensor feeds into tactics, tech tweaks, and software updates fast enough to keep pace with modern conflict.

15 August

Ethan M. Encarnacion

US Army Pulls Off ‘First-of-its-Kind’ Drone-on-Drone Takedown

The US Army has demonstrated a “first-of-its-kind” aerial strike: one drone taking down another mid-flight.

15 August

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

DARPA Builds ‘World’s Largest’ Real-Time EW Test Range for Next-Gen RF Systems

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has developed the “world’s largest” virtual radio frequency test range for electronic warfare.

15 August

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Advanced AI Systems From Johns Hopkins Could Recast How US Runs Wargames

A team at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory is supercharging its AI tools to speed up and sharpen US military wargaming.

14 August

A Standard Missile-2 Block IIIA (SM-2 Blk IIIA) interceptor is launched from the USS CARL M. LEVIN (DDG 120) off the coast of Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii, as part of Vigilant Wyvern/Flight Test Aegis Weapon System-48, a joint test of the U.S. Navy Program Executive Officer Integrated Warfare Systems and the Missile Defense Agency conducted October 25, 2023.

Inder Singh Bisht

Raytheon Wins US Navy Deal for Upgraded Standard Missile-2

The US Department of Defense has awarded Raytheon a contract for the Standard Missile-2 Block IIICU surface-to-air missile.

14 August

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Next-Gen Battlefield Tech Breaks Cover During US Military Trials at Fort Huachuca

The US military tested a range of next-gen systems, providing a rare look at technologies aimed at reshaping communication, surveillance, and troop safety on the battlefield.

14 August

Giulia Bernacchi

Divergent, Raytheon to Upgrade Naval Systems Using Digital Manufacturing

Divergent Technologies has partnered with Raytheon for naval systems engineering, utilizing the Divergent Adaptive Production System.

14 August

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Piasecki’s KARGO II Brings 1,500-Lb Lift to Autonomous VTOL Logistics

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has launched the KARGO II vertical take-off and landing logistics drone, an upgraded version of the KARGO UAV medium-lift unmanned aerial vehicle.

14 August