Articles by Dan Massé, Associate Technical Editor

A Canadian horticulture research center has contracted with Raytheon Co. to install a prototype microwave frost protection system at its Ontario vineyard. Tempwave™ is a Raytheon-developed system that uses low-level microwave radiant heat to prevent frost damage to crops. Microwave energy is transmitted from towers located in an orchard...

Global mobile handset shipments totaled approximately 1.15 billion in 2009, with enhanced phones and smartphones capturing approximately 81 percent of all handset shipments, according to the latest data from ABI Research. According to Industry Analyst Celia Bo, "In recent years the major technology and application trends in handset design...

Global naval forces rely on radar to defend and augment ship offensive capability, the most prevalent of which is the Aegis Combat System. The Strategy Analytics Advanced Defense Systems (ADS) service report, "Electronic Component Demand Scenarios for the Aegis Combat System," predicts that the annual market for electronics will...

The Lockheed Martin team developing the US Air Force's next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite, known as GPS III, continues to maintain schedule performance and meet or exceed key milestones in the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase of the program. To date, the team has successfully executed 26 of...

Raytheon Co. and The Boeing Co. fired the first Joint Air-to-Ground Missile during a test funded by the two companies. The weapon, fired from a ground-based rotary-wing launcher, performed a series of preprogrammed maneuvers and flew to a predesignated location, validating the flight control software and Brimstone airframe. The...

Harris Corp., an international communications and information technology company, has received a $139 M order to provide additional Falcon II ® AN/VRC-104 high-frequency (HF) tactical radio systems for the US Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle Program. The radio systems will be installed in...

"Despite ash clouds over Europe, handset shipments globally for 1Q-2010 powered ahead to 303 million, up 19 percent Year-on-Year," says Jake Saunders, VP for Forecasting at ABI Research. "This bodes well for 2010 as a whole: shipments could well reach 1.3 billion. It is also notable that 3G handset...

Harris Corp. has received a follow-on $10.7 M order from the US Navy for 23 shipboard terminals that will provide personnel onboard frigates, access to the Internet, video and other high-speed, broadband services. These capabilities will help sailors stay better connected to their families and allow them to easily...

Satellite-based communications, with their broad coverage areas, allow geographically dispersed users to exchange information quickly and efficiently. Higher bandwidth availability and networking requirements in Military Satellite Communications (MilSatCom) create new opportunities for advanced electronic components. The Strategy Analytics Advanced Defense Systems (ADS) service report, "MilSatcom Electronic Market Trends through...

Northrop Grumman Corp. technicians have begun installing the first set of hardware for a B-2 stealth bomber upgrade that will eventually allow the jet to send and receive battlefield information up to 100 times faster than its current satellite communications system. The work is being done as part of...