The amphibious combat branch is working on the next generation of pilotless cargo helicopter. The thing is, it will be controlled by an iPad or similar tablet. The Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System, launched last year, is a six-year program that will provide “optionally-manned” and affordable rapid response cargo delivery. To read more, click the link after the break.
Marines want iPads for vehicles
Android more vulnerable to viruses
“Google Inc.’s Android operating system for mobile devices has had an almost sixfold increase in threats such as spyware and viruses since July, according to Juniper Networks Inc. That may increase the perception that Apple devices are safer than smartphones and tablets that run on Android, said Juniper.”
Android to win approval for military use
The popular operating system for smartphones and tablets is expected to be approved to handle Secret classification by April 2012. This has been driven in part by young and tech-savvy soldiers that are buying their own Android-powered smartphones. Cummings is on the forefront of mobile security with our SAIFE™ framework that provides easy of use, scalability, and trusted communications. Check out the full article for more.
Chandler on job-creation path
Any great company needs a place to start out. Incubators like Innovations allow for like-minded start ups to share advice on development and research. Cummings has seen great benefits from being a tenant such as shared resources and low costs. The city of Chandler has given the green light to expand the space to attract more tenants.
iPads for NGEN?
With the Navy’s Next Generation Network in the works, those in charge are looking for ways to save money. A possible move is to go from desktops to tablets for their hundreds of thousands of end users. At Cummings we are creating new possibilities for COTS devices that will revolutionize how we make those devices secure.
US Transportation department completes iPad test, eyes widespread use
After a testing of 800 iPads, the Transportation department is looking for department-wide dispersal. The department was eyeing different tablets but settled on iPad for the great amount of available applications. The problem is, iOS has yet to reach FIPS 140-2 certification and Transportation is looking for ways to up their encryption. At GEOINT 2011, Cummings Engineering demoed the Secure Sleeve technology that would allow COTS devices like the iPad to reach such certification.
GEOINT 2011
This year’s symposium truly showed the power of geospatial intelligence in decision making. The “Integrated Intelligence” theme could be seen all around as many exhibitors showed their own work on common operational pictures, speedier imagery analyses, and secure communications. We’d like to thank General Dynamics for helping us get the word out and demo our capabilities. For more information on the symposium, click the following link. Can’t wait for next year!
FBI to launch nationwide facial recognition service
When investigating a crime scene, trace evidence is everything. Fingerprints, trace evidence, and friction ridges help investigators narrow down the suspects. But when such things are absent, even video of the crime needs intense scrutiny. The FBI is working on a database of facial and iris scans as well as voice recordings. Up until now, an agent would have to know the name of the suspect before opening one of the 10 million mugshots in their Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. This amplified database would work very well with our Grass Roots Intelligence Program (GRIP) and add even more specificity.
Taking iPads into battle
Most soldiers have a lot to carry. There are radios, GPS receivers, and the heftiest of them all: maps. The possibility of military-sanctioned smartphone use has brought on a race for secure and practical applications. Our Secure Mobility Suite addresses these needs and offers a simple end user experience with powerful encryption.
OnStar Begins Spying On Customers’ GPS Location For Profit?
Nowadays, it is evident that most people don’t care about who knows where they are at any given time. We are constantly being asked to share our location be it through Facebook, our cell phone cameras, or a host of other applications. Now, those with OnStar-enabled vehicles must undergo a lengthy process just so that their location data is not shared or sold with third parties.
“OnStar’s latest T&C has some very unsettling updates to it, which include the ability to now collect your GPS location information and speed “for any purpose, at any time”. They also have apparently granted themselves the ability to sell this personal information, and other information to third parties, including law enforcement. To add insult to a slap in the face, the company insists they will continue collecting and selling this personal information even after you cancel your service, unless you specifically shut down the data connection to the vehicle after canceling. This could mean that if you buy a used car with OnStar, or even a new one that already has been activated by the dealer, your location and other information may get tracked by OnStar without your knowledge, even if you’ve never done business with OnStar.”