Whether in action or in the lab, terahertz (THz) applications present what may prove the last technological frontier of what has been called "the fifth dimension of warfare" _ the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). Defence applications utilising EMS are as old as ancient tacticians positioning troops to fight with the sun at their backs in order to dazzle the enemy _ and they're as recent as directed energy weapons like Stellar Photonics’ DAZZLER, designed to do the same.

Ground Surveillance Radar (GSR) systems can be used in a variety of tactical battlefield applications.

The Alliance is working on new solutions for countering IEDs in Afghanistan. Gianluca Cazzaniga interviewed Franco Fiore, C-IED Principal Scientist at the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A).

Satellite Communications, whether it be Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) or Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) can reach places that simply cannot be reached by terrestrial communications, be it on land, sea or air and whether that is due to the absence of physical connectivity or because there is no network in existence in the theatre of operations, and irrespective of whether that be in a peacekeeping operation in the developed world or a war zone.

How does one "train on a budget"? This article is looking at at overall programmes and costs of weapon systems, including its training aids, logistic support and so forth.

The annual I/ITSEC is the largest annual Modelling, Simulation and Training (MS&T) event in the world. Despite the recession it was comparable in size to those held in previous years and attracted more attendees than before. With additional notes by Dennis-P. Merklinghaus

Stephen Barnard, Publisher of MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, spoke with Gaël Ramaen, European Marketing Development Manager, Antycip Simulation, during the DWT Training & Simulation Symposium in Bad Godesberg.

Irregular warfare (IW) is a concept highlighted in contemporary military thinking, but it encompasses a perspective that has long been the core of America’s Special Operations Forces (SOF).

Reliable and continuous logistic support to ground forces deployed overseas has always been a fundamental issue, and under some circumstances a nightmare, for military planners. In addition to scheduled re-supply activities by ground and sea lanes, there often is a requirement for the urgent delivery of essential material or reinforcements, while certain locations might be difficult, impossible or too dangerous to reach by roads. Aerial resupply, although by far more expensive than all other forms of logistic support and in the past mostly performed but under the pressure of extreme urgency, has thus increasingly become a more common procedure. This applies to both strategic deployments and shorter-range tactical assault and resupply.

In no other place are the close bonds between the aerospace industry and the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) so impressively apparent as at the ILA Berlin Air Show. When the world’s oldest aviation fair opens its doors once more in the week from 8-13 June 2010, the Bundeswehr will once more be the single biggest exhibitor.

With the creation of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (January 2006), and most particularly the Navy Irregular Warfare Office (July 2008), the US Navy demonstrated its intention to take the task of counter insurgency (COIN) very seriously. However, non-traditional warfare needs non-traditional equipment. A process is thus underway to develop and procure lightweight, agile and small equipment, sometimes very different from traditional naval materiel.

Securing national interests with top-secure communication systems. To remain sovereign and competitive, governments throughout the world increasingly have to rely on ICT systems and their associated communication networks like the Internet. These networks have become indispensable for all kinds of governmental organizations, as it helps to deliver services and conduct daily operations flexibly and efficiently. Operating in cyberspace, however, exposes governmental communication and stored data to serious security risks. Especially the last decade is replete with stories of cyber attacks by sources that were unidentifiable, but clearly malicious in intend. While past attacks were mostly designed to destroy data, today's focus is set on silently stealing data for profit without doing noticeable damage that would alert a user. If such attacks aim at governmental communications, banking and finance institutes, or electrical grids this can be extremely dangerous.

The sixth international exhibition on land and naval defence systems (DefExpo) was held in New Delhi 15-18 February 2010. Over 650 companies from about 35 countries (as against 447 exhibitors from 29 countries in the previous event in 2008) displayed their products for over 126,000 visitors and 38 official delegations, including 14 at Minister Level. The exhibition area has almost doubled up from 17,200m² in 2008 to 30,100m²in 2010.

The four-day event was the largest ever defence exposition in Asia, and showcased India’s emergence as both an attractive destination for investment in the defence sector, while providing a platform for alliances and joint ventures in the Indian defence industry.

In long marriages, partners sometimes start to take each other for granted. We should never let that happen in the Transatlantic relationship. Europe and North America have an enduring, strong foundation of shared values, a shared commitment to democracy, and the willingness to stand together when times are tough. In a nutshell, we have basically very little that divides us and very much to cooperate on.