InformationWeek Stories by John Foley

InformationWeek Stories by John Foleyhttp://www.informationweek.comInformationWeeken-usCopyright 2012, UBM LLC.2013-01-03T09:06:00ZMilitary Drones Present And Future: Visual TourThe Pentagon's growing fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles ranges from hand-launched machines to the Air Force's experimental X-37B space plane. http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-drones-present-and-future-visua/240144476?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsA Jan. 2 drone strike against a Taliban leader in Pakistan near the Afghan border illustrates the expanded role that unmanned aerial vehicles are playing in U.S. military operations. Militant leader Mullah Nazir and several Taliban fighters were killed by the attack, which involved at least two missiles, according to reports. The Department of Defense and U.S. intelligence agencies are increasingly using UAVs for everything from battlefield surveillance to remote-controlled strikes against terrorists. Such strikes have also been blamed for civilian casualties in their pursuit of enemy targets. And drones aren't limited to overseas operations. Military flights are increasingly taking place over U.S. skies, raising privacy and public safety issues, according to a new <a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/12/newly-released-drone-records-reveal-extensive-military-flights-us" target="_blank">report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation</a>. When one of the Air Force's MQ-9 Reapers, described as "hunter, killer" drones, crashed in Nevada last month, a spokesman expressed relief that no one was hurt. The Army and the Air Force are developing <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">"sense-and-avoid" systems</a> that will let military UAVs share U.S. airspace with commercial and private planes by automating how they maneuver. One such system will use cooperative sensors that work with the Traffic Collision Avoidance System used in civil aviation and with the FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system. Another is an optical system that looks for other aircraft and provides tracking information to a computer on the UAV. The Navy plans to begin deploying UAVs on aircraft carriers. The U.S. Navy last month lifted a Northrop Grumman drone, the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System, onto the USS Harry S. Truman. The X-47B is capable of flying preprogrammed missions, then returning to the carrier for landing. Its initial application will be refueling other aircraft while in flight, but the X-47B can also carry and fire weapons. Other countries are developing or buying their own UAVs. Britain's Royal Navy recently tested a drone that could potentially be used from its ships, according to The Guardian. There's always the risk that a U.S. drone will fall into the wrong hands. A few weeks ago, Iran claimed to have captured a U.S. Navy drone that had entered its airspace. Navy officials denied that it was theirs. Military drones range from lightweight flying machines that can be launched by hand, to the Air Force's 11,000 pound X-37B, which is about one-quarter the size of NASA's space shuttle. The X-37B, pictured above, took off on an Earth-orbiting mission on Dec. 11, a secretive project that will test the feasibility of long-duration military space flights. The "reusable space plane" was launched from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on an Atlas V rocket by the Air Force's Rapid Capabilities Office, which develops combat support and weapons systems. The X-37B is dwarfed by the rocket and fairing used to lift it into space. From top to bottom, the whole system is 196 feet long. The X-37B itself is 29 feet long and 10 feet high. The Pentagon has used UAVs for more than 50 years. Some, like General Atomics' Predator, have established their utility through years of service, but new designs, such as UAVs equipped with laser weapons, keep pushing the boundaries on what drones can do. Following is our guide to U.S. military drones in their many shapes and sizes. Image credit: Air ForceAn armed MQ-9 Reaper, successor to the Predator and made by General Atomics, is pictured here taxiing down a runway in Afghanistan. The Reaper's guided bombs have been used against improvised explosive devices located in the roadway. 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Air Force and Navy officials have discussed joint training with the Northrop Grumman-made RQ-4. 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Notice the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles attached to the wings. The MQ-1 is providing armed reconnaissance against so-called "perishable targets" in the area. Image credit: Air Force RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>The tail-less X-47B is a strike fighter-sized unmanned aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman under the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Carrier Demonstration program. The Navy plans to use the X-47B to demonstrate the first carrier-based launches and returns of an autonomous, unmanned aircraft. The tests could help set the stage for development of a permanent, carrier-based fleet of unmanned aircraft. 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Truman, the first aircraft carrier to host the testing of an unmanned aircraft. With a 62-ft wingspan, the X-47B can fly at 40,000 ft. 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The Marines used the drones in Iraq to compile real-time images of the battlefield. They can be used individually or in groups to "loiter" over trouble spots and provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Equipped with an infrared camera, the ScanEagle is capable of flying at an elevation of 16,000 feet. 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The UAV flew to 7,500 feet and reached a speed of 178 knots. It's designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; autonomous air refueling of other aircraft; electronic attack; and other strikes against enemy targets. 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With its 150-foot wingspan, the UAV climbed to just over 4,000 feet at a speed of 62 knots. Phantom Eye's environmentally friendly propulsion system (its "exhaust" is water) will let it stay aloft 10 miles high for up to four days. But watch out below: Upon landing, the vehicle's landing gear dug into the lake bed and was damaged. 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An advanced flight control system operates the Excalibur with a high degree of autonomy, so ground-based operators can focus on finding targets instead of flying. The aircraft is designed to carry Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and other weapons. Its design allows for vertical takeoffs and landings. 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It's able to fly for five days with a half-ton payload at 20,000 feet. 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Manufactured by AAI, the aircraft extends visibility as far as 125 kilometers from a tactical operations center. Its capabilities include providing targeting data for precision weapons. 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The MQ-8B Fire Scout has the ability to autonomously take off and land on warships and landing zones. The unmanned helicopter flies at 20,000 feet. 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This training center at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla., provides flight simulators and maintenance and classroom instruction. Image credit: Stephen Potter RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>K-Max, another unmanned helicopter, is based on a conventional helicopter design. Used by the Marines since 2007, primarily for hauling cargo, it can lift and deliver three tons of equipment when cruising at low altitude and more than two tons at 15,000 feet. Image credit: Lockheed Martin RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>The Multi-Use Technology Testbed, a.k.a. Mutt, is a small, unmanned aircraft developed by the Air Force Research Lab to test technologies for use in new kinds of lightweight, flexible aircraft. It's one of the Air Force's so-called X planes, this one designated the X-56A. The 7.5-foot-long aircraft has a 28-foot wingspan and is being built by Lockheed Martin. Image credit: Air Force Research Lab/Lockheed Martin RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>The easy-to-assemble Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) is a modular system that can be set up and airborne within 10 minutes. Pictured here is the T-Hawk, manufactured by Honeywell, designed for use in support of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and with real-time video capture for "hover and stare" situations. Image credit: Navy RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>What could possibly be smaller than the Micro Air Vehicle? This little drone, a Nano Air Vehicle (NAV), is an extremely small, ultra lightweight flying machine that can be used for both indoor and outdoor military missions. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is exploring flapping wing and other configurations that are maneuverable, but surreptitious. Design features include high lift-to-drag airfoils and efficient propulsion and power systems. Image credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>If you've ever thrown a paper airplane, you have a general idea of how to get the Puma AE (All Environment) into the air. It's small, simple and rugged, and it can land on the ground or water. Designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting, the Puma is equipped with both an electro-optical camera and an infrared camera. Image credit: Aerovironment RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>Boeing is developing a reusable booster system demonstration vehicle called the RBS Pathfinder. So far, the experimental vehicle is only a concept, as depicted in this artist's rendering. Plans call for the RBS Pathfinder to be able to autonomously return after upper-stage separation and land on a runway near the launch site using a technique called "rocket back," which manages the booster's energy and flight path. Image credit: Boeing RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>The High Altitude Airship is a next-generation military blimp. Lockheed Martin describes it as an untethered, unmanned lighter-than-air vehicle that operates above the jet stream in a geostationary position. Its potential functions include surveillance, telecommunications relay and weather observance. Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army launched this prototype in July 2011, demonstrating its communications capabilities, solar array electricity generation, and remote piloting and control. Image Credit: Lockheed Martin RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a>The Persistent Threat Detection System is battle tested. Equipped with multi-purpose sensors for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications, the PTDS has been used in support of military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Its components include an aerostat, tether, mooring platform, mission payloads and power generators. Image credit: Lockheed Martin RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/drones-to-fly-us-skies-in-dod-plans/240003594">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/air-force-drone-controllers-embrace-linu/232400275">Air Force Drone Controllers Embrace Linux, But Why?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/iran-hacked-gps-signals-to-capture-us-dr/232300666">Iran Hacked GPS Signals To Capture U.S. Drone </a> 2012-12-12T13:10:00ZTech And The City: New York's FutureU.S. cities stand to benefit in important ways from well-planned technology implementations, according to our survey. The possibilities include better quality of life for city residents.http://www.informationweek.com/government/state-local/tech-and-the-city-new-yorks-future/240144280?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsHow could better IT planning and implementation help New York and other cities of the future? Check out this snapshot of the results of our survey of 198 IT pros in municipal government. <center><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/news/2012/12/future_city_infographic_final.jpg" width="600" height="1798" alt="Future Cities Infographic" title="Future Cities Infographic" /></center> New Yorkers are living three years longer than they did a decade ago, Mayor Michael Bloomberg revealed Tuesday. Going forward, New Yorkers could enjoy better quality of life as well, if City Hall pursues technology policies geared to urban transformation. That's one conclusion to be drawn from a new survey by InformationWeek on "future cities," the technology-enabled urban centers of tomorrow. The survey, completed in October by 198 IT pros in municipal government, gauged the potential benefits of effective IT planning and implementation by city governments. Thirty-six percent of survey respondents cited "better quality of life" as a potential outcome of such initiatives. New York serves as good example of the challenges faced in future cities planning. The city's subways, roads, water system, and other infrastructure are more than a century old in places, and some communications networks and systems go back to the early days of the Bell Telephone system. The Bloomberg administration has been investing in a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/state-local/new-york-as-it-center-of-the-world/228000035">gradual transformation</a> of those old systems. The city has introduced new public services, including Wi-Fi in subways and parks and, recently, a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/state-local/nyc-microsoft-team-on-huge-surveillance/240005189">citywide surveillance system</a> for crime prevention and security. Last week, city officials launched a competition to "reinvent the payphone," an icon of city life that has been rendered obsolete by the smartphone. They're calling on urban designers, technologists and policy experts to come up with ideas to transform the payphone into a modern, services-oriented communications hub. While slightly more than half of respondents to the InformationWeek survey report some progress with their Future Cities efforts, hospitals and other healthcare systems are not at the top of their priority lists. Only 11% say hospitals are an area of initial focus. The top three areas of Future Cities activity are government operations, public safety and communications infrastructure. New York officials attributed the increase in life expectancy (to 80.9 years) for city residents to programs aimed at smoking prevention and HIV testing. "These statistics show that New York City is increasingly a healthy place in which to live, work and raise a family," said Health Commissioner Thomas Farley. Effective municipal IT investment and implementation have the potential to benefit the public and local businesses in New York and other cities in a variety of ways. They include more efficient public services, cited by 66% of survey respondents, and improved municipal infrastructure, mentioned by 44%. There are also these hopeful outcomes: 14% of survey respondents see improved traffic flow as a potential benefit, and 13% envision a lower crime rate. The infographic above shows some of the highlights from InformationWeek's Future Cities Survey. For more of our results, see <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/state-local/future-cities-it-priorities-for-urban-tr/240142684">Future Cities: IT Priorities For Urban Transformation</a>. City leaders and planners, business executives and municipal technologists can also join our new online community, <a href="http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/">UBM Future Cities</a>, to share ideas and strategies. 2012-11-30T16:35:00ZFeds Pull Plug On 'One Stop' Cloud PortalThe General Services Administration plans to decommission Uncle Sam's Apps.gov site, which was supposed to make it easy for agencies to acquire software as a service.http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/feds-pull-plug-on-one-stop-cloud-portal/240143021?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsThe federal government's Apps.gov cloud-services portal, launched three years ago by former federal CIO Vivek Kundra, is being decommissioned. The General Services Administration, which manages Apps.gov, notified cloud service providers of the pending shut down by email on Nov. 29. The plug will be pulled on the site Dec. 1. GSA didn't give a reason for the decision in its email notice. Dozens of technology companies offer personal productivity and business applications on Apps.gov, and about 20 vendors, including Amazon, AT&T, Dell and Microsoft, have been approved to offer infrastructure as a service through the site. Federal agencies will still be able to acquire software as a service and other cloud offerings through Schedule 70 and other GSA-managed procurement options. Apps.gov was introduced as a "one stop shop for cloud services" by Kundra in September 2009. The idea was to make it easy for federal agencies "to quickly browse and purchase cloud-based IT services," Kundra wrote in a <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Streaming-at-100-In-the-Cloud/">blog post at the time</a>. The former federal CIO left his White House position in June 2011 to accept a fellowship with Harvard University, then took an executive position with Salesforce.com in January of this year. Government agencies didn't flock to Apps.gov as envisioned. Instead, many used the site to shop for SaaS and other cloud services, then issued RFPs that were tailored to their requirements or added cloud services to existing contracts. "Apps.gov was a great concept that suffered from poor execution," says Michael Biddick, CEO of Fusion PPT, a tech consultancy and systems integrator that works with government customers. "Instead of a true service catalog, Apps.gov devolved into a mashup of disparate and sometimes random services that never received high adoption levels." More recently, GSA has been exploring the concept how a "cloud broker" might work in federal IT environments. A combination of technology and services, cloud brokers make it possible to acquire and switch among different cloud services, based on resource requirements, pricing, or other variables. Biddick says there are "serious questions" about this GSA strategy, as well. "A storefront is a critical element of the cloud broker, but GSA seems to be heading down the path of injecting a system integrator in a business role that will only add costs and remove many of the benefits driving the adoption of cloud computing," Biddick says. Some of the software available on Apps.gov was surprisingly expensive, which could be another reason it failed. Shortly after the site launched, dozens of <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/uncle-sams-24-million-cloud-app/229204207">ERP modules</a> were priced at more than $1 million, including one that exceeded $24 million. Google's <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/the-million-dollar-google-maps-api/229204397">Maps API</a> was also in the $1 million range.2012-11-30T13:03:00ZNASA Mars Mission: No Little Green Men -- YetNASA debunks rumors of new evidence of life on Mars, but its Curiosity rover continues to make many smaller discoveries. Some of NASA's latest images raise interesting questions.http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-mars-mission-no-little-green-men-/240142965?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsNASA isn't ready to announce the discovery of life on Mars. At least, not yet. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managing the Mars Science Lab mission, tried to dampen ongoing speculation about "major new findings" from the Curiosity rover. The space agency said on Thursday that rumors about a pending announcement of historic significance are incorrect. Instead, JPL plans to provide a public update on Dec. 3 on the first soil samples taken by the rover's instruments in the search for organic compounds. "At this point in the mission, the instruments on the rover have not detected any definitive evidence of Martian organics," JPL said in a written statement. But NASA doesn't want to quash all hope for a breakthrough in its mission to discover signs of life on Mars. The mission has already uncovered an ancient riverbed, and "there is every expectation for remarkable discoveries still to come," the agency said. A minor frenzy was set off on Nov. 20 when a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">JPL scientist was quoted</a> as saying that Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars suite of instruments had uncovered data of such significance that it was "one for the history books." [ For a guide to Curiosity's instruments, see <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978 ">"11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars"</a> ] Since Curiosity landed on Mars in early August, NASA has released scientific findings regularly as the six-wheeled rover rolls along the surface. Among the reports so far: changes in radiation on Mars are linked to daily atmospheric changes; little to no methane gas has been detected; and there's been a loss of atmosphere. Earlier this week, NASA shared insights on a dust storm on Mars, which it has been monitoring from above using the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and on the ground using Curiosity’s Rover Environmental Monitoring Station. Researchers expect those dual observation methods to provide new information about why some dust storms on Mars grow larger than others. In this case, the regional dusk storm is weakening, according to NASA. In addition to capturing soil and atmospheric samples, Curiosity is generating thousands of images of its journey. They range from mundane pictures of the planet's rock-strewn surface to a self-documentary of the six-wheeled rover and its instruments at work. Pictured above is a composite image, comprised of 55 high-res images, that NASA describes as a "self portrait" of Curiosity. Close observation reveals scoop marks in the sand where the rover's robotic arm took samples. Some of NASA's images provide new information about Mars, while others raise questions. As the world waits and watches for further discoveries from Curiosity, these pictures in this slideshow show the scientific process at work. Image credit: NASACuriosity's robotic arm dug up five scoops of dirt, creating the "bite marks" that are visible in this image. The first scoop was collected on Oct. 7 and the last one two days later. The first two samples were used to "scrub" the inside of the chambers of the robotic arm's sample-handling mechanism, while the remaining scoops were analyzed by the rover's Chemistry and Mineralogy instrument. There had been some speculation that these soil samples had resulted in a discovery of great scientific significance, but NASA says the rumors are false. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a>Curiosity's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument was at the center of speculation about a breakthrough "for the history books." This picture shows SAM, which is about the size of a microwave oven, as it being assembled at Goddard Space Flight Center. The system includes a tunable laser spectrometer (lower left), a quadrupole mass spectrometer (upper right), and gas chromatograph (lower right). Inlet tubes take in soil samples and powdered rock for analysis. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a>This image, taken by the rover's Mars Hand Lens Imager camera, shows a mysterious "bright particle" in the Martian soil. The bright particle, and others similar to it, "prompted concern," according to NASA. At first, mission scientists thought the particle might be a shred of debris from the spacecraft, but they determined it and others were native to Mars. But NASA hasn't really explained just what the material is or what accounts for its light color. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a> This shred of debris, about half an inch long, was found by the rover on the surface of Mars. The Curiosity team determined it was left behind by the spacecraft "possibly from the events of landing on Mars." But it's still unclear just where this fragment, which resembles a torn piece of plastic, originated. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a> This rock, dubbed "Jake Matijevic" by the Curiosity team, has been a subject of great interest to NASA. Curiosity used several instruments to poke and prod the rock. The red dots show where the rover's ChemCam zapped Jake with a laser, while purple circles highlight points of focus for the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer. The black and white circles indicate where ChemCam looked for pits produced by the laser. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a>Curiosity has found evidence of an ancient, flowing stream in several places, including this rock outcropping. The exposed bedrock is comprised of fragments that are cemented together. Scientists theorize that the bedrock was broken up at some point in the past, possibly by falling meteorites. The rounded shape of the gravel indicates it was transported by water and, because of its size, not by wind. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a>Here's another outcrop, this one called Link, composed of small, rounded rocks that have been cemented together. According to NASA, water transport is the only process capable of producing the rounded shape of rocks of this size. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a> NASA scientists were "surprised" by just how close the similarities are between Mount Sharp, pictured here, and the Grand Canyon. The lower parts of Mount Sharp, which is Curiosity's eventual destination, are composed of rock strata about the same thickness as that of the Grand Canyon. And both have buttes and mesas. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a> Curiosity's famous "seven minutes of terror" landing included a rocket-powered descent that used a so-called sky crane. After setting the rover down, the sky crane flew off and fell to the surface. The blue splat in this image (the color has been enhanced) shows what are believed to be multiple impacts from the crash. Smaller dark spots, some distance from the main site, may be secondary impacts from debris that tumbled outward. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a> One little known fact about Curiosity is that the tread marks on the rover's wheels leave an imprint in Morse code that spells out "JPL" for Jet Propulsion Lab, which is mission central for the Mars project. The holes in the wheels leave tracks that help the SUV-like vehicle drive more accurately. Curiosity navigates using visual odometry software that measures terrain features to calculate distances as it goes from one location to another. Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a>This panoramic picture is best viewed on a wide-screen computer monitor. Taken by Curiosity's Mastcam, the view is looking eastward to an area called Point Lake. The rover rolled toward Point Lake after taking the component images used to create this mosaic. The image, like some others from the mission, has been white balanced to show what the scene would look like under the lighting conditions familiar to us on Earth. <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/708773main_PIA16453_sol64_from_Rocknest_WB.jpg" target="_blank">Link to Full Panorama</a> Credit: NASA Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/information-management/mars-mystery-heres-what-we-know/240142491">Mars Mystery: Here's What We Know</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/attacks/stolen-nasa-laptop-had-unencrypted-emplo/240142160">Stolen NASA Laptop Had Unencrypted Employee Data</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/nasas-it-future-robot-telework-3-d-print/240134995">NASA's IT Future: Robot Telework, 3-D Printing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/enterprise-architecture/fastest-supercomputer-list-topped-by-tit/240134978">Fastest Supercomputer List Topped By Titan</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/rim-blackberry-10-gets-government-securi/240062640">RIM BlackBerry 10 Gets Government Security Clearance</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/spy-tech-10-cia-backed-investments/240142519">Spy Tech: 10 CIA-Backed Investments</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/11-cool-tools-nasa-curiosity-brought-to/240008978">11 Cool Tools NASA Curiosity Brought To Mars</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/14-amazing-darpa-technologies-on-tap/240008013">14 Amazing DARPA Technologies On Tap</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">Top 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal-in-2012/240006553">20 Great Ideas To Steal</a> 2012-11-28T12:46:00ZFuture Cities: IT Priorities For Urban TransformationCity planners and their IT teams are setting big goals -- and facing big challenges -- in the development of tech-enabled "Future Cities," our survey results show.http://www.informationweek.com/government/state-local/future-cities-it-priorities-for-urban-tr/240142684?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/software/enterprise-applications/ibm-smarter-cities-challenge-10-towns-ra/240142572"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/913/01_Smarter_Cities_tn.jpg" alt="IBM Smarter Cities Challenge: 10 Towns Raise Tech IQs" title="IBM Smarter Cities Challenge: 10 Towns Raise Tech IQs" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">IBM Smarter Cities Challenge: 10 Towns Raise Tech IQs</div>(click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>  The global population recently passed 7 billion, and more of us are cramming into the world's cities, putting more pressure on municipal infrastructures and services. This changing demographic presents a civic management challenge of unprecedented scope and complexity, one that requires innovative technologies and well-conceived implementations to succeed. I live in the New York metro area, where local officials are rethinking everything from building codes to public transportation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. But we didn't need the storm of the century to tell us that the systems and networks used for municipal operations need our attention. Technologies woven into buildings, highways, rail systems, electricity grids, water treatment plants, school systems and hospitals are in need of upgrade and investment, here and in many other cities across the country. At InformationWeek's parent company, UBM, we refer to these burgeoning population centers, characterized not just by their size but the sophistication of their infrastructures, as "Future Cities." InformationWeek has just completed a survey that reveals much about where U.S. cities are in their IT planning and implementation, which technologies are expected to make the greatest impact and how businesses stand to benefit. InformationWeek's Future Cities Survey, completed in October by 198 municipal IT pros, reveals that most are still in the early stages of these efforts. Only 7% of survey respondents describe their city strategies as progressive and well conceived. More than five times that many, 38%, describe those strategies as poor or nonexistent. Half say their cities are somewhere in-between -- well planned in some areas but not others. [ The feds also have IT work to do. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/5-items-should-top-obamas-technology-age/240062556?itc=edit_in_body_cross">5 Items Should Top Obama's Technology Agenda</a>. ] As a starting point, metropolitan IT teams are looking to make government run more smoothly. The most-mentioned area of initial focus, cited by 39% of survey respondents, is government operations. That includes the systems and applications used for the business of government, such as 311 and other IT-enabled public services. Other areas of Future Cities activity are public safety and crime prevention (30%), communications infrastructure (28%) and transportation systems (26%). New York City's recently unveiled <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">Domain Awareness System</a>, co-developed with Microsoft and to be marketed to other cities, incorporates aspects of all three areas in a citywide surveillance platform -- to the chagrin of privacy watchdogs. The most sought-after benefits of city IT planning and implementation are more efficient delivery of public services (66%), improved infrastructure (44%) and lower costs (44%). That's the low-hanging fruit. More intriguing is that 36% of respondents to our survey see Future Cities technology investments improving quality of life for citizens. For example, the city of Santa Monica, Calif., has deployed a real-time traffic management system to ease congestion and open and close parking spaces as necessary. Commuters there spend fewer hours staring at brake lights. (We recently recognized Santa Monica as a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/top-15-government-it-innovators-for-2012/240006582">government innovator</a> for its traffic management initiative.) Which technologies have the greatest potential to improve municipal operations? Mobility and bandwidth top the list of our survey respondents. Mobile devices and apps were rated as having very high or extremely high potential by 71% of respondents, followed closely by broadband networks (70%) and wireless services (62%). Many cities are already taking steps to accommodate smartphone-carrying citizens and visitors. San Francisco has created a device-agnostic framework that it uses to develop mobile apps for city services and information, and New York is converting old payphone booths into touchscreen kiosks that double as Wi-Fi hotspots. Municipal IT pros also see potential in information and automation systems for transportation (63% of survey respondents designated them as having very high or extremely high potential) and in cameras and other public safety devices (58%). Other technologies respondents rated highly are virtualization, water management and conservation systems, energy-efficient buildings, and smart meters and other monitoring devices. The biggest obstacle to moving ahead, by far, is finding the money to pay for it. Cash-strapped local governments don't have the revenue to invest in nice-to-haves like predictive analytics for crime prevention or sensor networks for water management. Eighty-eight percent of survey respondents point to limited funding as a top challenge to Future Cities initiatives. Municipal CIOs will have to make a strong business case to get projects funded. Other challenges respondents identified include political leadership (cited by 35%), bureaucracy (34%) and outdated IT infrastructure (27%). Mayors and other city officials need help from the private sector to move ahead. When we asked who should lead Future Cities efforts, the vast majority of respondents (66%) cited public-private collaboration. The most promising areas for working together are improving K-12 education (identified as very important or extremely important by 57%), expanding access to wireless and broadband networks (57%) and ensuring the cybersecurity of critical infrastructure (54%). Businesses have a stake in the outcome of these and other Future Cities projects. The most frequently cited business benefit, mentioned by 69% of survey respondents, is access to improved municipal infrastructure and services. Other potential benefits include lower business costs (cited by 45%) and making companies more competitive (38%). Citizens must be involved as well, and social media is seen as the best way to facilitate their input. While social media ranked dead last in our list of 17 technologies that could improve municipal operations, 60% of respondents say the Web and social media are a prime way for the public to participate in Future Cities activities, and 53% cite crowdsourcing technologies. The high marks given to public-private partnerships and man-on-the-street brainstorming suggest that municipal IT pros understand that Future Cities programs have their best chance at success when all stakeholders are involved. To facilitate that discussion, we launched a new online community, <a href="http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/">UBM's Future Cities</a>, in October. It's a place where city leaders and planners, business executives and municipal technologists can bounce ideas off one another. For example, the site just posted a <a href="http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/video.asp?section_id=214&doc_id=523894">conversation with Manny Diaz</a>, president of the U.S. Council of Mayors and the former mayor of Miami, on the ongoing transformation of Miami from a "laughing stock" into a model city. More of those conversations must take place in cities around the world, and I plan to join them. Because there's no place like home -- a place I share with 20 million others, and growing.2012-11-07T15:22:00ZDigital Revolution's Winners And LosersWorkers with in-demand digital skills benefit most as computers increasingly take over everyday tasks. In this InformationWeek 500 video, MIT's Erik Brynjolfsson discusses how this trend could affect your enterprise.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240062587?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsHighly skilled workers and tech-savvy business superstars stand to thrive in the digital economy, while those lacking high-tech skills risk falling further behind. That's the theory of Erik Brynjolfsson, director of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Digital Business and author of "Race Against The Machine," which lays out the implications of those trends for workers and businesses. Speaking at the <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/conference">InformationWeek 500 conference</a> in September, Brynjolfsson said the average worker is worse off today than 10 years ago -- as reflected in the lack of growth of median income -- despite increases in business productivity and personal wealth. While gross domestic product and average income have risen, not all workers have benefited, Brynjolfsson said. He called the situation "the great paradox of our generation." "Digital technologies have potential for great benefits, but there's no economic law that says everyone's going to share equally," he said. "There are going to be winners, and there are going to be losers." Brynjolfsson expects the trends behind this digital revolution to continue: "The next 10 years are going to be even more disruptive." The same forces that threaten the livelihood of low-skilled workers make it a good time to be an entrepreneur, Brynjolfsson said. Longer term, the educational system must change in ways that give students the new skills they need to participate in the global economy. In the video below, Brynjolfsson discusses these and other trends.  <div style="display:none"> Informationweek.com run-of-site player, used to publish article embedded videos via DCT. The same ads will be served on this player regardless of embed location. </div>  <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js"></script <http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js> <object id="myExperience1878632343001" class="BrightcoveExperience"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /> <param name="width" value="480" /> <param name="height" value="270" /> <param name="playerID" value="1223625539001" /> <param name="playerKey" value="AQ~~,AAAAAF14eAc~,GZC-YoxXnehVitUBmX0u2QYfPEVvZG_k" /> <param name="isVid" value="true" /> <param name="isUI" value="true" /> <param name="dynamicStreaming" value="true" /> <param name="@videoPlayer" value="1878632343001" /> </object>  <script type="text/javascript">brightcove.createExperiences();</script>  InformationWeek is conducting our annual Outlook Survey to explore how IT leaders are planning their priorities and budgets for 2013. The results of the survey will appear in an upcoming issue as well as in an in-depth report. Take our <a href="http://informationweek.Outlook2013.sgizmo.com/s3/">InformationWeek 2013 Outlook Survey</a> now and enter to win one Samsung Series 5 Chromebook. Survey ends Nov. 19. 2012-10-26T11:10:00ZHow The Feds Drive Cloud InnovationNASA, the Department of Defense, and other federal agencies are shifting toward more strategic and complex cloud applications, as they try to drive down costs amid flat IT budgets.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240010563?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/iw500-15-top-government-tech-innovators/240006582"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/861/01_Intro_tn.jpg" alt="IW500: 15 Top Government Tech Innovators" title="IW500: 15 Top Government Tech Innovators" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">IW500: 15 Top Government Tech Innovators</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>  The coolest cloud computing application in the world -- and in our solar system -- comes from NASA. The space agency is using commercial cloud services to process the digital images being transmitted to Earth from the Curiosity rover as it searches for signs of life on Mars. Those images, taken by 17 cameras mounted to the six-wheel, SUV-like rover, are an incredible scientific trove, <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/nasa-mars-mission-fueled-by-amazon-web-s/240005286">stored and managed by Amazon Web Services</a>. The most recent images show the rover's robotic arm taking the first scoops of Martian soil for analysis. NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab is using a variety of Amazon services -- EC2, S3, SimpleDB, Route 53, CloudFront, Relational Database Service, Simple Workflow, CloudFormation, Elastic Load Balancing--to make this happen. And the images are available not just to NASA scientists, but to you and me as well. "The public gets access as soon as we have access," says Khawaja Shams, manager of data services at JPL. [ Federal agencies are adopting the cloud in droves, but challenges remain. Read more at <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/federal-agencies-build-a-business-case-f/240008518?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Federal Agencies Build A Business Case For The Cloud</a>. ] Shams was a featured speaker at InformationWeek Government's <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/govcloud2012/">GovCloud 2012 conference</a> in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17, where tech leaders from a dozen federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, and the Defense Information Systems Agency, gave updates on their cloud initiatives. Federal agencies spent much of last year deploying their first cloud apps -- typically website hosting and email-as-a-service -- in compliance with the Office of Management and Budget's "Cloud First" policy. Now, with the June 2012 deadline for those first apps passed, many agencies are moving ahead with cloud projects that are more strategic and complex. The next step for some agencies is to develop an infrastructure-as-a-service offering for internal use along the lines of Amazon's EC2. DISA plans to begin pilot testing an IaaS capability at its Defense Enterprise Computing Center in Ogden, Utah, in the spring, then roll out that capability to its other computing centers, DISA CTO Dave Mihelcic said at GovCloud. DISA is the Department of Defense's designated "cloud services broker." The cloud broker -- part process, part technology -- is also new in government, and DISA and the General Services Administration have both issued requests for information on how to do it. The idea is to make it fast and easy for agencies to switch among cloud services from different providers. GSA refers to it as a "next-generation cloud acquisition model" and has already talked to six agencies about how they might use it. "The concept of the broker is to maximize flexibility. That's a powerful option for us," says Keith Trippie, Homeland Security's director of enterprise system development. Trippie's rule of thumb is that cloud computing is 8% to 10% less expensive than conventional IT systems. Homeland Security offers a dozen cloud services to its component organizations, including email-as-a-service to 100,000 users. At that scale, the savings can add up quickly. "The more users that come into this model, the less we all pay," he said. (But agency CIOs better be able to demonstrate cloud-related savings on an ongoing basis, as GSA's inspector general has made clear. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/expect-to-save-millions-in-the-cloud-pro/240008984">"Expect To Save Millions In The Cloud? Prove It."</a>) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration got started in the cloud <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/google-apps-conversion-smooth-sailing-fo/232301304">by rolling out Google Apps for Government</a> to 25,000 employees. NOAA CIO Joe Klimavicz shared lessons learned from the Google migration: Federal IT managers must scrutinize their agencies' service-level agreements, and IT support staff must get early access to cloud apps to gain experience, he said. And don't assume that the government and commercial versions of Google Apps are the same -- they're not. NOAA learned that the hard way when some of its earliest Google Apps users, employees who started with the commercial version, made the switch, only to learn that not all of the features were available in the government version. Like other government agencies, NOAA is now looking beyond email. The next steps are to get IT help desk and mobile device management capabilities from the cloud. Some of the most sensitive cloud initiatives in government, with implications for national security, are happening in the Intelligence Community (IC). Patrick Dowd, the National Security Agency's chief technical officer and chief architect, described three environments in development: a data cloud, for information sharing; a utility cloud, for providing IT resources on demand; and a secure, distributed storage cloud. NSA and the CIA are developing cloud capabilities that will be made available to other U.S. intelligence agencies as part of a cross-agency IT strategy managed by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In-Q-Tel, the venture investment organization for the IC, has invested in a number of cloud technologies in recent months, including Cloudant (a provider of cloud database services), Huddle (cloud-based content management and collaboration), and Adaptive Computing (cloud operating system). In-Q-Tel's growing portfolio indicates that intelligence agencies will be adopting cloud technologies well beyond those from the CIA and NSA. In fact, there's so much activity that it's difficult to keep up with it all. RFPs, RFIs, and other cloud solicitations are being posted at a rate of about one per day on <a href="https://www.fbo.gov/">FedBizOpps.gov</a>. In the past few weeks, DISA, the Department of Interior, the FCC, and GSA have all posted documents for cloud-service acquisitions. Some exciting cloud apps are in the pipeline. The Army is investing in portable, private-cloud containers that can be used on the battlefield. NOAA is looking to store geospatial data in the cloud. And my favorite: NASA's Shams talks of "earth-orbiting cloud computing centers." The Office of Management and Budget's goal is to move 25% of the $80 billion federal IT budget -- or $20 billion worth of IT capabilities -- to the cloud, though it hasn't specified a timeframe for getting there. There are many pitfalls as Uncle Sam races in this direction. As mentioned, GSA got dinged by its inspector general for not staying up to date on its cost analysis. And Amazon's northern Virginia data center, the same one used by many federal agencies, suffered a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/cloud-computing/infrastructure/amazon-outage-multiple-zones-a-smart-str/240009598">mid-day outage</a> on Oct. 22 that affected customers for hours. Neither cost savings nor availability can be taken for granted. Agency CIOs know the risks, but they can hardly stop now. The federal IT budget remains flat, and scratch-pad analysis says they can save 10% or more in the cloud. The business case, where it holds up, is impossible to ignore. More than half of federal agencies are saving money with cloud computing, but security, compatibility, and skills present huge problems, according to our survey. Also in the <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/100812gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Cloud Business Case</a> issue of InformationWeek Government: President Obama's record on IT strategy is long on vision but short on results. (Free registration required.)2012-10-12T12:15:00ZExpect To Save Millions In The Cloud? Prove ItTop government IT officials will discuss their plans to implement cloud computing and save money at the GovCloud 2012 conference in Washington.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240008984?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/leadership/iw500-15-top-government-tech-innovators/240006582"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/861/01_Intro_tn.jpg" alt="IW500: 15 Top Government Tech Innovators" title="IW500: 15 Top Government Tech Innovators" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">IW500: 15 Top Government Tech Innovators</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>  The General Services Administration, in justifying its decision two years ago to adopt Google's cloud services for email and collaboration, projected it would save $15 million over five years. Now, an internal audit has found that evidence of those anticipated savings is lacking. GSA's inspector general recently released the results of its audit of the agency's transition from Lotus Notes to Google Apps for 17,000 employees. Unisys is the lead contractor on that part of the project. In a related move, GSA awarded a five-year contract to Salesforce.com to use its Force.com service to support the Notes migration. GSA's undertaking is significant because it's one of Uncle Sam's first big steps into the cloud. The agency became the first "to move its entire staff to a single cloud-based email system," according to the inspector general. The audit, conducted from May to August, reached three findings: Some of GSA's projected cost savings couldn't be verified. Performance measures were unclear or otherwise lacking. And GSA hadn't done an inventory of the applications being moved to the cloud. As a result, the inspector general was "unable to verify whether adequate progress is being made toward the projected savings goals." [ As government agencies embrace the cloud, who is winning the business? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/amazons-share-of-government-cloud-comput/240008848?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Amazon's Share Of Government Cloud Computing 'Accelerating'</a>. ] We saw this coming. In April 2010, a month before the GSA made its decision to move email to the cloud, I wrote a column titled, <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/claims-of-government-cloud-savings-dont/224202488 ">"Claims Of Government Cloud Savings Don't Add Up"</a>. The premise was that, despite a general perception that the cloud is cheaper than traditional IT, the evidence was "fuzzy." GSA's inspector general has reached the same conclusion. The GSA, in its defense, issued a statement reiterating that it has saved $2.9 million to date on the Google cloud migration, including $1.8 million in software licensing and almost $1 million more on hardware, services, and support. "We stand by our early estimate to save at least $15 million over five years," the GSA said. Going forward, the GSA promises to do a better job of tracking the performance of its cloud initiative. The inspector general recommended that the agency provide an updated cost-savings analysis and develop a comprehensive performance management program. "We agree with the findings and recommendations," GSA CIO Casey Coleman wrote in response to the report. GSA's experience is a reminder of the importance of business planning and project management every step of the way with cloud computing. Contrary to conventional wisdom, there's no guarantee that the cloud will be cheaper than old school IT. In fact, InformationWeek Government's Federal Cloud Computing Survey, conducted last month, found that only 28% of respondents who are currently using or assessing cloud services determined that they stand to realize considerable savings. More than a third hadn't done the cost analysis. I talked to a government technologist this week who said too many agencies are unable to do apples-to-apples cost comparisons between their physical IT assets and cloud alternatives. "I don't find a lot of people who know how much things cost," he said. More government IT teams need to develop a business case for cloud computing. When we asked about that in our Federal Cloud Computing Survey, more cloud users and those assessing cloud services said they planned to develop a business case (49%) than had actually done it (35%). For more from the survey, see <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/cloud-saas/federal-agencies-build-a-business-case-f/240008518 ">"Federal Agencies Build A Business Case For The Cloud."</a> What are other government agencies doing to plan and manage their cloud projects? We will explore that question at <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/govcloud2012/home">GovCloud 2012</a>, a day-long conference in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17 that will feature cloud implementers from across federal government. Keynote speakers will include Joe Klimavicz, CIO of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Keith Trippie, executive director of enterprise system development for Homeland Security, Dave Mihelcic, CTO of the Defense Information Systems Agency, and Khawaja Shams, manager for data services with NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab. Government IT pros involved in cloud planning and implementation should join us at GovCloud 2012. InformationWeek Government will present and discuss our Federal Cloud Computing Survey findings there, too. It's been nearly two years since the Office of Management and Budget introduced its "cloud first" policy, and federal IT pros are still learning how to craft a cloud business case that holds up to scrutiny. GSA was forced to go back to the drawing board--others should learn from that. It's not enough to cost justify the decision to "go cloud" just at the start; performance must be tracked and validated once you make the move.2012-10-08T08:00:00ZObama's IT Transformation Is A Work In ProgressThe president's record on IT strategy is long on vision but short on results.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240008500?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors  <div id="inlineGreenPromoTop"> <div class="greenBand"></div> <div class="inlineGreenPromoContent"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/100812gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe_os"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/government/015/smallcov.jpg" alt="InformationWeek Government - October 8, 2012" title="InformationWeek Government - October 8, 2012" align="left" class="greenIssueImage" /></a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/100812gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe_os"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/graphics_library/misc/Green_leaf_88x88.jpg" alt="InformationWeek Green" title="InformationWeek Green" align="right" class="greenLeaf" /></a> <div class="greenPromoText"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/100812gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe_os">Download the entire October 2012 issue of InformationWeek Government</a>, distributed in an all-digital format as part of our Green Initiative (Registration required.) </div> </div> <div class="greenBand"></div> </div>    Shortly after President Obama took office, he appointed the country's first federal CTO and federal CIO and promised to use "the power of technology" to improve government operations. Has he? As the 2012 presidential campaign heads into its final weeks, Obama's performance as an IT strategist shouldn't be ignored. It's a record--much like his presidency at large--that's long on vision but short on results. On his first full day in office in January 2009, Obama issued a memo calling on the heads of federal agencies to "harness new technologies" to make government data more widely available. Since then, agencies have released more than 378,000 data sets, resulting in hundreds of new applications. But there are already signs that public interest is waning. Downloads of federal data on Data.gov have trailed off, from 76,000 in September 2011 to 50,000 in August 2012. And a developer "community" created to spur activity around open data is more like a ghost town. The community's blog and online forum are inactive. In Obama's first year, the appointments of Aneesh Chopra as federal CTO and Vivek Kundra as federal CIO met with wide approval. InformationWeek named Kundra our Chief of the Year in 2009, based on his vision for closing the government's tech gap by adopting new technologies. Kundra's sweeping 25-point IT reform plan aimed to make government more agile by breaking IT projects into more manageable pieces. But neither Kundra, who took a high-paying job at Salesforce.com, nor Chopra, who is running for office in Virginia, stuck around long enough to see the job through. Leadership discontinuity has been a long-standing problem in federal IT, and Obama's hand-picked choices proved to be no exception. New Ideas The new federal CIO, Steven VanRoekel, and federal CTO, Todd Park, have stepped in with smart ideas of their own. The new Shared Services Strategy seeks to leverage shared resources and purchasing power across agencies, while the Digital Government Strategy outlines a single approach to creating content for the Web and mobile devices. But it remains to be seen just how aggressively agencies will act on those and other White House initiatives--Cloud First, TechStat, PortfolioStat, FedRAMP, and data center consolidation. The administration gets credit for holding the line on federal IT spending. At $79 billion, the federal IT budget for fiscal 2013 is about the same as it was four years ago. That flat line is significant because federal IT spending had been rising 7% annually. The difference between what Uncle Sam would have spent had that rate continued and what it did spend is $24 billion. The Obama team thinks its IT strategy is on the right track. In Silicon Valley last month, VanRoekel said the feds are in the process of transforming IT from a cost center to "a strategic asset." The next day, at the InformationWeek 500 Conference, where he accepted our Government Innovators Award for OMB's Shared Services Strategy, VanRoekel told me he's been traveling with Obama to brief business leaders on the work at hand. They have a good story to tell--as far as it goes. But the transformation of federal IT, which is still plagued by inefficiencies and outdated technologies, is anything but complete. We'd love to hear what you think--is federal IT headed in the right direction? Please drop me a note at the address below.2012-09-12T00:01:00ZTop 15 Government IT Innovators For 2012From mobile apps to testbeds on wheels, creative thinkers at government agencies are finding ways to better serve the public.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240006582?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsIn government IT, "doing more with innovation" is the big opportunity. Beyond just cost cutting, government tech teams are coming up with creative ways to offer new and improved services to their internal users and to the public. For the fourth year in a row, InformationWeek Government set out to identify the top technology innovators at all levels of U.S. government--federal, state, and local. The 15 profiled here were chosen by our editors as InformationWeek's 2012 Government Innovators. Their fresh approaches take many forms, from mobile applications that put government information into the hands of on-the-go citizens to new cloud services. For example, technology deployed by the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) organization is hastening the screening process for pedestrians entering the U.S. from Mexico. The lanes that guide people through the process have gates with interactive screens that provide instructions in English and Spanish, document readers, and biometric fingerprint scanners. The system, which prepares pedestrians in advance of interacting with a CBP officer, offers several advantages. Officers are ready with information on pedestrians before engaging with them, and they can take action if someone is deemed a threat. Mobile officers with handheld devices can scan travel documents and run database queries to further expedite processing. The system has cut processing time by up to 34%, the CBP says. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center>If doctors, researchers, and pharmaceutical companies have access to business intelligence capabilities, shouldn't patients, too? Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, part of the Department of Veterans Affairs, has developed a decision-support tool that lets patients search clinical outcome information based on the experiences of other people with similar medical conditions who live in the same area. The tool, called "outcomes-based prescribing," is based on model data from the Veterans Affairs electronic health records system. A crowdsourcing component lets patients get feedback on treatment outcomes from other patients. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>Following the release of sensitive documents on the WikiLeaks site, the State Department might have clamped down on diplomatic discourse. Instead, the agency got smarter about how it collaborates and shares information, introducing new capabilities under the banner of "e-diplomacy." The agency's latest internal service is called Corridor, which it describes as a mix of Facebook and LinkedIn. The professional networking service lets State Department employees publish their credentials and find colleagues with common interests. Other behind-the-firewall capabilities in State's e-diplomacy program include Diplopedia, an enterprise wiki, and Communities@State, for blogging and online communities. Next, the department's Bureau of Information Resources Management is looking to develop a dashboard that will tie together its collaboration tools with internal and external information sources and enable comments and dialogue. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>At Goddard Space Flight Center, innovation rolled in on 18 wheels. The space center has developed a cloud environment inside a 40-foot shipping container that it's using as a testbed for virtualization, storage, and networking in support of its research. NASA Goddard is learning valuable lessons about how to use and manage cloud services and developing best practices that can be applied more broadly. It has evaluated the open source cloud stacks OpenNebula, OpenStack, and Eucalyptus, and experimented with "cloud brokers," which are used to switch among cloud services. In a study earlier this year, NASA Goddard's IT team determined that open source cloud platforms are ready to support the on-demand provisioning of virtual machines and, in some cases, high-performance computing. But they also found that cloud "elasticity" needs further development and that more experts are needed to optimize and operate cloud infrastructure. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>For years, server virtualization in Uncle Sam's data centers has been notoriously low. The Marine Corps has proved that such inefficiency doesn't have to be the status quo. The Marines have eliminated 24 of 35 data centers and centralized enterprise IT services in one facility, which now runs at an impressive 75% virtualization level. The benefits include millions of dollars in savings over five years and better visibility into, and control over, its IT infrastructure. The Marine Corps is the first Department of Defense organization to insource IT operations on such a scale. The centralization and optimization strategy has improved information sharing and increased tactical agility. Nothing could be more important when you consider that the IT environment supports Marines deployed around the world. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> Advanced research can't exist on high-performance computing alone. It needs big bandwidth, too. The Department of Energy's Advanced Networking Initiative (ANI), operated under the auspices of the Energy Sciences Network, or ESnet, will bring 100-Gbps networking to more than 40 national laboratories and research centers. ANI went into operation last fall as a prototype, connecting supercomputer centers in California, Illinois, and Tennessee, and extending to gateways that serve hundreds of research networks. The plan calls for ANI to become the next-generation national research network, ESnet5. How do scientists plan to use 10 times the bandwidth they're used to? One demo involved simulating the creation of the universe, as seen above. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>Embracing the new generation of mobile devices and applications is one of the biggest opportunities in government. NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab was one of the first organizations to come up with a modern mobile strategy that served two key constituencies: its employees and the public. It started with the iPhone. JPL prototyped iPhones for internal use, tested them, and worked with Apple to meet its requirements. That work paved the way for internal adoption of iPads and Android devices. As those devices proliferated, JPL's mobile app team established an internal app portal, while making other mobile apps available for public consumption in the iTunes store, Android Market, and Windows Azure Marketplace. JPL's Space Images app alone has been downloaded nearly 1 million times. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>This is the year that the Internal Revenue Service, after more than 50 years of processing tax returns on a weekly schedule, began processing them daily. The agency's Customer Account Data Engine 2 (CADE 2) system began operating in January, just in time for the 2012 tax-filing season. By early April, CADE 2 had processed more than 1.8 billion transactions and issued 83 million refunds totaling $229 billion. At the core of the system is a relational database that balanced "to the penny" with the agency's master file. The IRS acted as its own system integrator on the four-year project. Taxpayers now receive refunds faster. And taxpayer information is updated more quickly, which translates into better customer service, including the handling of potential identity theft. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) and U.S. intelligence agencies have started work on an enterprise IT strategy that promises vastly improved capabilities at significantly lower costs. The five-year plan aims to replace IT silos with centrally managed platforms and services in areas such as desktops, servers, storage, and networks. Rather than outsource the work to a government contractor, ODNI has asked five intelligence agencies--the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, National Reconnaissance Office, and National Security Agency--to function as service providers to the 17 organizations that make up the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC). The strategy will use data tagging for fine-grained information access and cloud computing for more efficient data processing and storage. If IT centralization works as planned, the IC could shave 25% from its IT budget. Credit: ODNI <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>The White House's IT Shared Services Strategy, introduced by federal CIO Steven VanRoekel in May, seeks to reduce duplicative IT systems and services by consolidating on shared platforms. The strategy is simple in concept but far-reaching in its implications. Under the plan, the Federal CIO Council will create an online catalog of IT services that are approved for sharing across agencies. The services will be established by organizations designated as "managing partners," which are also responsible for maintaining contracts with agencies that consume the services. OMB wants federal IT teams to think "shared first" for new requirements. With its heavy emphasis on commodity technologies, the Shared Services Strategy's innovations are more latent than realized. But a key goal is to free up funding for areas of government "where innovation is needed." If the strategy works, innovation should flourish. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>The San Diego County Sheriff's Department has a lot of ground to cover--4,200 square miles, to be precise. Until recently, gathering data to support its far-flung operations happened piecemeal. Earlier this year, it rolled out a data integration platform, called SDFusion, that pulls in data from a dozen databases, including FBI and Department of Motor Vehicles records, arrest warrants, and restraining orders. The system, based on Microsoft's BizTalk Server, provides data on any person who has had contact with the department and also draws on public records. A mobile version of SDFusion extends those capabilities to data terminals in officers' cars, as well as to their smartphones and tablets. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>The city of Chicago's open government initiatives are notable in their own right, but even more so when combined with the efforts of county and state government. Chicago, Cook County, and the state of Illinois are collaborating on a website that serves as a one-stop shop for government data from the region. The site, at <a href="https://www.metrochicagodata.org">metrochicagodata.org</a>, hosts more than 1,200 data sets in categories such as public safety, health, education, transportation, taxes, and property. Some of the most popular data sets on the site, which is hosted by Socrata, include the names and salaries of city employees in Chicago, a map of crimes in the city, and a guide to police stations. Last fall, the three governments (along with the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, Motorola, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) held a contest, called Apps for Metro Chicago, to encourage developers to build apps that incorporate the data. The contest resulted in more than 50 new mobile and Web apps, including one that lets people rent out their parking spaces and another that locates recycling locations. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>It was inevitable that the open government phenomenon and the mobile device boom would converge, and San Francisco shows how that combination can lead to better public engagement. The city is making government information and services available, streaming audio and video of legislative meetings, and extending its social media presence to the city's on-the-go citizenry. It has created a framework for developing mobile apps that's device-agnostic--not surprising as both iOS developer Apple and Android developer Google are based in the area. The city has also established a device-neutral mobile center on its website, at <a href="http://www6.sfgov.org/index.aspx?page=168">sfgov.org/mobile</a>. The mobile technologies provide fast and easy access to municipal services such as a 311 customer service center at relatively low cost, according to city officials. They say the initiative is the first in a series that will "redefine" how people interact with local government. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>With 500,000 citizens, and their cars, squeezed within city boundaries of only 8 square miles, Santa Monica is taking steps to avoid a daily traffic snarl. The city has deployed an Advanced Traffic Management System, including traffic signal controllers and cameras, to remotely monitor and manage traffic in real time. Ambulances and other public safety vehicles, equipped with transponders, automatically trigger green lights as they rush along major throughways. Buses will get those privileges next, to help them stay on schedule. The city's parking lots are monitored, and opened or closed as necessary, while electronic signs show drivers the number of available spaces. A website, at <a href="http://www.smgov.net/departments/transportation/parking.aspx">parkingspacenow.smgov.net</a>, shows parking availability at local lots. Wi-Fi-equipped parking meters accept payments from credit cards and cellphones. And if drivers get a parking ticket, those can be paid via mobile device, too. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>New York City agencies are getting improved IT security at lower cost in the form of a municipal "security cloud" that brings much-needed capabilities and increased threat awareness. The city's Department of IT and Telecommunications struck a five-year enterprise license agreement with McAfee that goes beyond antivirus and firewall protection to include encryption, application white-listing, vulnerability management, change control, and mobile device management, implemented in the city's data centers, like the one pictured above. The deal will save the city an estimated $18 million compared with its previous costs. McAfee already manages security services for workstations and servers at 50 city agencies, giving the department, for the first time, visibility into the security status of most city agencies and access to threat analysis capabilities. <center><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/1343/1343_500_return_to_homepage.gif" width="299" height="45" hspace="0" vspace="0" alt="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" title="Go to the 2012 InformationWeek 500 homepage" border="0"/></a></center> RECOMMENDED READING <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/1343">Complete IW 500 coverage and resources</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/500/12/results">IW 500: Innovators and Rulebreakers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/leadership/iw-500-10-healthcare-it-innovators/240006527">Top 10 Healthcare IT Innovators For 2012</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/global-cio/interviews/20-great-ideas-to-steal/240006553">IW 500: 20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2012)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/global-cio/interviews/231600980">20 Innovative IT Ideas To Steal (2011)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/infrastructure/reviews/informationweek-500-20-great-ideas-to-st/227400099">20 Great Ideas To Steal (2010)</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/android-smartphones-to-power-nasa-satell/240006302">Android Smartphones To Power NASA Satellites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/usda-expands-mobile-efforts/240006238">USDA Expands Mobile Efforts</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/darpa-seeks-plan-x-cyber-warfare-tools/240006066">DARPA Seeks 'Plan X' Cyber Warfare Tools</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/security/privacy/nypd-microsoft-push-big-data-policing-in/240005838">NYPD, Microsoft Push Big Data Policing Into Spotlight</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/nasa-curiosity-visual-tour-mars-revealed/240005315">NASA Curiosity Visual Tour: Mars, Revealed</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/mobile/10-handy-mobile-apps-from-uncle-sam/240002124">10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/military-transformers-20-innovative-defe/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/security/us-military-robots-of-the-future-visual/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>2012-08-03T08:40:00ZFBI's Sentinel Project: 5 Lessons LearnedAgency used agile development and private sector know-how to finish its long-delayed digital case management system. http://www.informationweek.com/news/240004888?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors<div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602698"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/760/01_RedCross_001_tn.jpg" alt="American Red Cross Social Media Command Center" title="American Red Cross Social Media Command Center" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">American Red Cross Social Media Command Center</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>After six years of development, the FBI says its next-gen digital case management system, Sentinel, is finally up and running. FBI agents can now use the system to manage records electronically, with document templates, drop-down menus, and many other PC-like features. Sentinel had been a case study in federal IT projects gone awry--missed deadlines, budget overruns, feature shortcomings, and a benchmark test last October that pooped out. The FBI Inspector General, in a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/227900490">2010 report on Sentinel</a>, cited "significant issues and concerns." FBI director Robert Mueller faced <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/224400547">a grilling from Congress</a> on how, when, and at what cost this all-important project would be completed. Keep in mind that Sentinel has roots in an earlier IT project failure, the so-called <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/192500844">Virtual Case File system</a>. The agency pulled the plug on that effort in 2005 after pouring $170 million into it. So this week's announcement that Sentinel, as of July 1, became available to all FBI employees is a major achievement. Mueller, in a written statement, called it "an important step forward" for the FBI. Whether the system will work as advertised and be accepted by the agency's rank and file remains to be seen. I've been following the Sentinel project closely for the past few years. Here are five takeaways. 1. Private sector expertise is valuable. The first step in Sentinel's turnaround was the recruitment of a private sector IT executive, Chad Fulgham, to oversee it. Mueller brought in Fulgham, a former senior VP of IT with brokerage firm Lehman Bros., as CIO in December 2008. Mueller said Fulgham's business experience would "fit well" with the FBI's needs. It wasn't long before <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/229204017">Fulgham hired Jeff Johnson</a>, also a former Lehman Bros. technologist, who is now the FBI's CTO. (Fulgham left the FBI in April 2012. More on that below.) 2. Agile development gets things done. The next big shift in strategy was Fulgham's decision in September 2010 to <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/227400495">wrest control of the project</a> from prime contractor Lockheed Martin and use agile development to accelerate software deliverables. The thinking was that a hands-on, incremental approach would be faster because functionality would be developed, and adjustments made, in two-week "sprints." The FBI missed its target date for finishing that work--September 2011--but it credits the agile methodology with ultimately getting the job done. 3. Commercial software plays an important role. Sentinel is based in part on commercial software, a fact that's often overlooked because of all the custom coding and systems integration involved. Under the hood are EMC's Documentum document management software, Oracle databases, IBM's WebSphere middleware, Microsoft's SharePoint, and Entrust's PKI technology. Critics who say that Sentinel would have gone more smoothly if only it had been based on off-the-shelf software seem unaware that, in fact, it is. 4. Agile development is cheaper, too. Sentinel came in under its $451 million budget. The caveat is that the FBI's original cost estimate for Sentinel was $425 million, but that was before Fulgham and Johnson took over, and they stayed within the budget they were given. The Inspector General might quibble with how the FBI accounts for the total project cost, having pointed out in the past that its tally didn't reflect the agency's staff costs. But the FBI wasn't forced to go to Congress with its hand out. Agile development wasn't only faster, but also cheaper. 5. Don't deploy new software on old hardware. The FBI learned that lesson the hard way in October when the system, during a four-hour test involving 743 users, suffered <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232301261">two outages</a>. The agency made the mistake of running the test on legacy hardware, which it was forced to upgrade prior to a broader rollout. That caused a delay just as the IT team was approaching the finish line. Johnson offered the first public demonstration of Sentinel this week at FBI headquarters. (Here's <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232800018">my review of the system</a> from a demo I was given a few months earlier.) Fulgham wasn't around to participate in the unveiling. He left the FBI this spring to take a job with Lockheed Martin--yes, the same company he elbowed aside in 2010 when choosing the agile development path. In his new role, Fulgham is a VP with Lockheed Martin's information systems and global solutions division, where he works with U.S. and international defense agencies. In a phone call this week, Fulgham said he knew he would take heat for going to work for the same company that, as the FBI's CIO, he forced into a backup role on Sentinel. But he insists that Lockheed continued to be a key partner on the project, as well as on other FBI initiatives, such as its Next Generation Identification system. Sentinel is "arguably the most important application at the FBI," and agile development turned out to be the right way to complete it, Fulgham told me this week. There's a lot of talk about how federal agencies can benefit from the best IT practices of the private sector. Sentinel's turnaround is the latest chapter in that play book. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-07-27T13:46:00ZStrike Back At Hackers? Get A LawyerDon't risk legal troubles. Get advice before taking the offensive against cybercriminals, military security expert says at Black Hat.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240004510?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsAs security pros in business and government shore up their cyber defenses and contemplate striking back at hackers, they may find themselves on uncertain legal ground. To avoid costly mistakes, it's important to get legal advice before taking action. That was the message from Robert Clark, an operations lawyer with the U.S. Army Cyber Command, in an address titled "Legal Aspects of Cyberspace Operations," on Thursday at the Black Hat conference in Las Vegas. "Get a good lawyer. Get them involved early and often. They can be a valued team member," Clark said in an interview with InformationWeek after his presentation. A key theme at Black Hat was the trend toward incorporating an offensive component into cybersecurity strategies, what Clark referred to as "hack back." But the use of security "beacons," disinformation, and other offensive techniques may have legal implications, he said. Clark said he was speaking in his personal capacity as a legal expert and not as a government official. [ Consider these <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/global-cio/interviews/240004473?itc=edit_in_body_cross">5 Black Hat Security Lessons For CIOs</a>. ] The role of the lawyer is to ask detailed questions about what steps security teams want to take "so the people who make the decision are fully informed of the risks," Clark said. Earlier in the week at Black Hat, former FBI cybersecurity expert Shawn Henry, now president of CrowdStrike Services, said <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/management/240004371">proactive cybersecurity strategies</a> include creating a "hostile environment" for would-be hackers and even causing them "pain." He pointed to the use of corrupt packets and disinformation as potential ways of doing that. Clark said there's a "large area to be explored" when it comes to new techniques for defending an organization's information and IT assets. The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986, which specifies a range of computer-access offenses, sets legal parameters that continue to apply. "No lawyer's going to say, 'violate the law,'" said Clark. Operations lawyers can and should help IT security teams finds ways to accomplish their objectives within the boundaries of the law. "No lawyer should say, 'you can't do that,'" said Clark. "They should say, 'if we do it this way,'" then the strategy is legally viable. Computer security basics continue to be important. Clark said operations lawyers must assess the steps taken prior to engaging in more proactive defenses, such as "air gapping" sensitive information, so that it's harder to access electronically, and encrypting data at rest.2012-07-26T14:20:00ZFAA's New Flight Control System Has Security Holes: ResearcherAt the Black Hat conference, a computer scientist demonstrates how 'fake airplanes' can be inserted into FAA's upcoming air traffic control system.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240004424?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/818/Slide-1-opening-image-38launch_tn.jpg" alt="Mission Intelligence: NRO's Newest Spy Satellites" title="Mission Intelligence: NRO's Newest Spy Satellites" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">Mission Intelligence: NRO's Newest Spy Satellites</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow) </div> A key component of the FAA's emerging "Next Gen" air traffic control system is fundamentally insecure and ripe for manipulation and attack, security researcher Andrei Costin said in a presentation Wednesday at Black Hat 2012 in Las Vegas. Costin, a computer scientist and graduate student at Eurecom, outlined a series of issues related to the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, which is being installed as a replacement to the decades-old ground radar system used to guide airplanes through the sky and on the ground at airports. Among the threats to ADS-B is that the system lacks a capability for message authentication. "Any attacker can pretend to be an aircraft" by injecting a message into the system, Costin said. There's also no mechanism in ADS-B for encrypting messages, so messages related to air traffic--including the ability to identify aircraft, their location, and altitude--can be read by virtually anyone, Costin said. He displayed an air traffic screen capture, taken this year, which ostensibly showed the in-flight location of Air Force One, the Boeing 747 used to transport President Obama. [ Read about the Department of Defenses' plan to let unmanned aircraft share air space with commercial and private planes: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240003594?itc=edit_in_body_cross">Drones To Fly U.S. Skies, In DOD Plans</a>. ] If the aircraft was in fact Air Force One, the easy availability of that information would have national security implications. "It's a very high-profile target," said Costin. On the other hand, it's possible that the aircraft represented in the screen capture wasn't Air Force One, but another plane identified within ADS-B using Air Force One's registration code. "If the data is false, somebody is spoofing the system," said Costin. Costin did not provide evidence of any known attacks on ADS-B. Rather, he presented a theoretical scenario in which someone injected the system with data on "fake planes," forcing the air traffic control system to adjust to aircraft that weren't actually in flight. He characterized such an attack at scale--with one million fake planes, for example—as comparable to a denial-of-service attack on the air traffic control system. Air traffic controllers might be forced to block off air space while they sorted out the mess, he said. Costin demonstrated how an attack on ADS-B could be mounted using inexpensive software-defined radios. He took airplane data that was publicly available from the system, modified the data, and "replayed" the data back to a commercial receiver. "The possibility of injecting fake airplanes is quite easy, just by taking a real message and crafting it to your needs," he said. There are also privacy issues, because data on private planes can be culled from ADS-B as well. By matching that data with aircraft registration databases, Costin explained, it would be possible to track non-commercial aircraft from city to city. In a whitepaper accompanying his presentation, Costin wrote that the types of potential attacks on ADS-B range from passive attacks such as eavesdropping to active attacks, including message jamming and injections of the type he demonstrated. In addition to the lack of encryption in ADS-B, the whitepaper identifies the following security weaknesses: no use of entity authentication as a way of protecting against message injection, or of message signatures to deter tampering; no challenge-response mechanisms to protect against replay attacks; and lack of "ephemeral identifiers" for privacy protection. Questions over the security of the ADS-B system aren't new. Aviation experts have warned of vulnerabilities in the past, but the FAA has been reluctant to discuss them. In response to InformationWeek, the FAA, in a prepared statement, said it has "a thorough process in place" to identify possible risks to ADS-B, such as intentional jamming, and that it has taken steps to mitigate risks uncovered as part of an ADS-B security action plan. The agency declined to identify the risks it has identified or addressed, calling them "security-sensitive." "The agency conducts ongoing assessments of ADS-B signal vulnerabilities," according to the statement. The FAA said the contract for the ADS-B ground station network requires ongoing independent validation of the accuracy and reliability of ADS-B and aircraft avionics signals. As a backup to ADS-B, the FAA plans to maintain about half of the current network of secondary radars "in the unlikely event it is needed." Security information and event monitoring technology has been available for years, but the information can be hard to mine. In our <a href="http://www.darkreading.com/SecurityMonitoring/util/5502/download.html?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe">SIEM Success</a> report, we provide a step-by-step guide to make the most of your SIEM system. (Free registration required.) 2012-07-12T14:44:00ZHow Not To Plan A Data CenterThe National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency built a bigger data center than it needed. Now the potential federal IT boondoggle is being turned into a storage center for data generated by remote sensors and cloud computing.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240003529?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/enterprise-architecture/231903162"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/691/01_slide_1_175.jpg" alt="Federal Data Center Consolidation Makes Progres " title="Federal Data Center Consolidation Makes Progress" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">Federal Data Center Consolidation Makes Progress </div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>  An entire floor at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's new Technology Center has sat vacant for the past three years, the result of poor planning and communications and the challenge of forecasting an intelligence agency’s data storage needs. The project is getting rebooted with $54.6 million in defense funding, but it's anyone’s guess how it will end up. The saga of NGA's Technology Center, located at Fort Belvoir, Va., is the subject of a <a href="http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-12-770R">Government Accountability Office report</a> tied to the Pentagon’s ongoing Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts. As part of that consolidation, the NGA in 2006 began constructing several new buildings--its "Campus East," including a sprawling, 2.4 million-square-foot headquarters and the four-story, $155 million Technology Center. The tech center blueprints originally called for 108,000 square feet of data center space, split between the third and fourth floors of the building. Within 12 months, that space requirement was cut in half, to 55,000 square feet, taking into account (belatedly) the efficiencies of consolidating systems on more densely configured servers. The idea was to establish 22,000 square feet of data center space on the fourth floor, and do the same on the third floor. [ How efficiently are the feds managing IT investments? Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737?itc=edit_in_body_cross">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> ] Construction started in October 2007, but within a few months the IT contractor on the job, General Dynamics, determined that the third floor wouldn’t be needed to accommodate the sought-after 10 petabytes of storage capacity. General Dynamics explained that advances in server and storage technology made it possible to squeeze data into a smaller footprint. With construction already underway, however, it was too late to omit an entire floor, and the facility was completed as planned in 2009. An NGA photo (below) taken in January of this year shows the squeaky clean space without a server rack or storage appliance in sight. The project has been plagued with problems from the start. The NGA originally determined that it would need 8 petabytes of storage, and then revised that estimate to 10 petabytes. The agency has since upped its requirement to "hundreds of petabytes" over 10 years, which is the business case for the $54.6 million in funding that will now go toward outfitting the third-floor with raised floors, power, cooling, and lighting. The Army Corps of Engineers has issued a <a href="https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4a0cdd01f4c3838314452420d05f1455&tab=core&_cview=0">request for proposals</a> for that work. Along the way, the Department of Defense's right hand didn’t know what its left hand was doing, according to the GAO report. When the NGA, whose intelligence work is used by the U.S. military, determined that it no longer needed the third floor of the Technology Center, it failed to notify the U.S. Army, the official project manager. The Secretary of Defense and Congress were left out of the loop, too. The project's shoddy documentation didn't help. DOD departments must provide a "Form 1391" in support of construction work, but the NGA didn't mention the Technology Center in its February 2006 filing for the Fort Belvoir campus, according to the GAO report. That part of the project was still in the "conceptual design phase," the agency later explained. The origins of the project go back to 2005, when the NGA set out to build its Campus East to serve as a new home for 8,500 employees, as its other offices were being closed. Each year, the NGA drafted a business plan for the project, but it failed to make any mention of its decision to mothball the third floor of the tech center. It wasn’t until last year that officials with the Army's BRAC office, on a tour of the campus complex, realized that office space the size of a football field was empty. <center><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/1338/ngapic.jpg" width="590" height="411" alt="source: NGA" hspace="0" vspace="0" border="0" style="margin-bottom:7px;" /> </center> The Army should have—and could have--been a more hands-on project manager, but Army officials assumed that the DOD's Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment was reviewing and approving all changes in scope. For its part, the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment thought the Army was monitoring those things. The silver lining in this debacle is that the NGA stood to save up to $37.2 million by not finishing the third floor. But any such savings were gobbled up by cost overruns elsewhere in the campus project. The BRAC Commission had pegged the NGA's consolidation and relocation costs at $1.1 billion over six years. The actual costs came in at more than $2.5 billion. But all is not lost. What was on the verge of becoming yet another federal IT boondoggle now looks like a brilliant strategic plan. An internal study by the NGA, conducted from 2008 to 2010, identified a long-term need for hundreds of petabytes of data storage. Half of that capacity will be for the agency's internal needs, including its use of intelligence-collecting sensors in space and on the ground, and by a shift to cloud computing. The other half will be generated by other intelligence agencies, under a plan by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to share IT resources. The third floor of the NGA's Technology Center is the perfect solution. Not only will it give the agency data storage headroom through 2020, but it will also let the NGA take back some of the IT workload now handled by a leased "interim transition capability" facility. The original contract for that facility was due to expire in fiscal 2013. But the agency, facing the prospect of growing data volumes with no place to put them, recently extended the contact another five years. "The decision to build out the third floor of the tech center is an outgrowth of the vast increase in data handling, storage and dissemination capabilities that the agency needs to effectively support the workforce and our geospatial intelligence mission partners," an NGA spokesman said in response to my questions about the data center restart. <a href="http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2012/budget_justification/pdfs/07_Military_Construction/11-National_Geospatial_Intelligence_Agency.pdf">Documents on the Defense Comptroller's website</a> show that the NGA was also looking to invest $9.3 million in its other primary data center, located in Arnold, Mo. That funding will go into power and cooling upgrades that are projected to support a 35% increase in data storage. There are two big lessons here, aside from the obvious need for federal agencies to do a better job of project management. One is that pristine data center space can almost always be put to good use--if not now, then later. The second, related lesson: When estimating data storage requirements, take your first estimate and multiply by 10. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-07-03T17:51:00ZResearch: IT Pro Ranking: Midrange Storage Arrayshttp://reports.informationweek.com/abstract/24/8814/Storage-Server/research-it-pro-ranking-midrange-storage-arrays.html?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors2012-06-29T08:37:00ZDrones Fail 'Perch And Stare' ContestDARPA competition to develop unmanned aerial vehicles capable of landing and relaying real-time surveillance video ends without a winner.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002938?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors<div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/795/06_Transformer_full.jpg" alt="Defense Tech: 20 War-Fighting Innovations" title="Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies" class="img175"/></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow) </div> A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contest to develop a small spy drone capable of performing a series of maneuvers, including landing briefly to capture surveillance video, has concluded without a winner. DARPA says the $100,000 prize will not be awarded. DARPA launched the competition to create a portable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for intelligence gathering a year ago. The goal was to develop a "military-relevant, backpack-portable UAV" capable of vertical take-off, flying out of sight, landing, capturing video, and returning. More than 140 teams entered the contest, called UAVForge, but none of them successfully completed the required maneuvers. "While some teams were able to reach the observation area, none were able to land on a structure and complete the mission," <a href="http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2012/06/28.aspx">DARPA said</a> in a statement announcing the results. DARPA established a website, <a href="http://www.uavforge.net/uavhtml/">UAVForge.net</a>, to encourage and support crowd-sourcing of ideas during the competition. The entries were narrowed to nine teams of finalists, which participated in a "fly off" at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The course required the UAV to fly below 1,000 feet, maneuver around obstacles, land on or hover above a physical structure, and visually track moving objects in real time. [ Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-architecture/232301012?itc=edit_in_body_cross">NASA Sees Drones Flying In U.S. Airspace</a>. ] Details on the performance of each finalist, and the cost to build it, are available on the competition website. An entry dubbed "Halo," which received the highest score, was also the most expensive to build, at $9,487. DARPA has been working to develop its own "perch and stare" UAVs, which would perform essentially the same tasks as those in the UAVForge contest, as part its Shrike program. The research agency is also developing smaller, "nano" air vehicles that weigh less than 20 grams. One experimental design, disguised as a hummingbird, aims to fly indoors for use in urban warfare. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-06-27T16:22:00ZNASA Cranks Up Its Rocket ScienceCommercial space industry tests rockets, books flights, and builds spaceports in anticipation of playing a bigger role in the U.S. space program.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002848?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors<div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/694/03_LRO2_tn.jpg" alt="NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space" title="NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>NASA and its aerospace partners are setting the stage for the next space missions through a series of rocket tests and other advances to spacecraft launch systems. The space agency announced this week that a rocket thruster developed for Boeing's Commercial Space Transportation spacecraft, the CST-100, had successfully completed testing at the White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico. The tests evaluated the thruster's performance in extreme heat and made sure that its valves worked properly. The CST-100 will comprise a crew module and a detachable service module. When fully configured, the spacecraft will be equipped with two dozen of the thrusters, manufactured by Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne, to be used for launch, in-space maneuvering, and reentry to Earth's atmosphere. Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, this week posted a video showing its Merlin 1D engine firing smoothly for 185 seconds, the "full mission duration" of its planned use. An earlier version of the Merlin has powered three flights of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, including <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">a round trip to the ISS</a> in May, the first time a commercial spacecraft made that cargo-carrying trip. [ NASA is making it easier for the private sector to license its technology. Read more: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/240002570?itc=edit_in_body_cross">NASA Unveils Technology Transfer Portal</a>. ] The Merlin 1D will be manufactured in a more efficient way, with increased use of robotics and fewer parts, according to SpaceX. Plans call for it to be used in a Falcon 9 flight next year. In another development, the "core stage" of NASA's next-generation Space Launch System passed a technical review last week. "Now that we have completed this review, we go from requirements to real blueprint," said Tony Lavoie, manager of the SLS Stages Element at Marshall Space Flight Center. The core stage--more than 200 feet tall and 27.5 feet in diameter--is the heart of the launch vehicle, according to NASA. The SLS, manufactured by Boeing, will hoist NASA's Orion spacecraft and other payloads into low-Earth orbit and beyond. The space agency envisions the SLS being used in support of missions to asteroids, Lagrange points, the moon, and Mars. Its first test flight is scheduled for 2017. Also this week, NASA extended an existing contract with Orbital Sciences to include its Antares launch vehicle for future missions. Under NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services program, Orbital Sciences is scheduled to conduct two demonstration launches this year, after which it will begin providing resupply missions to the ISS. With the conclusion of the Space Shuttle program, NASA is now depending on commercial partners like SpaceX and Orbital Sciences to deliver cargo and, beginning in 2017, crews to the ISS. In testimony to Congress this month, the Government Accountability Office said there's been a steady buildup of research and development as the commercial space industry takes on a broader role, including carrying fee-paying passengers into orbit. "The number of commercial space launches is anticipated to increase in the years ahead as NASA begins procuring commercial cargo transportation services to the ISS and private industry continues developing vehicles for space tourism flights," according to GAO. Virgin Galactic's waiting list of prepaid passengers now stands at 500, and 16 spaceports are planned or in development around the country to support the commercial space industry. The forthcoming SLS rocket will use repurposed Space Shuttle engines for its first few flights. NASA has 16 of the RS-25 engines available for use. Not all of NASA's rockets are packed with liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, or other combustibles. When the retired Space Shuttle Atlantis goes on display at the Kennedy Space Center in July, it will be equipped with three newly installed "replica" engines. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-06-25T09:32:00Z10 Developments Show Government Cloud MaturingEmerging trends such as FedRAMP, community clouds, and single-source contracts point to the start of phase two for cloud computing in federal government.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002578?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240002424"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/818/Slide-1-opening-image-38launch_tn.jpg" alt="Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images" title="Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">Secret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning Images</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow) </div>  Federal agencies are moving beyond their phase one cloud computing initiatives. They're testing and revising different cloud models, types of contracts, and security approaches, among other standard practices. The Office of Management and Budget lit a fire under federal agencies and departments 18 months ago with its <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/cloud-saas/232300301 http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/cloud-saas/232300301">"cloud first" policy</a>. With fed organizations already forced to close hundreds of data centers under the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative, they had little choice. Much has happened in the past few weeks that points to the 2.0 phase of federal clouds. Following are 10 recent developments with long-term implications. 1. <a href="http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/102371">FedRAMP</a>, a federal program to certify cloud security, opened for business. Agencies can now piggyback on the work done by other agencies to ensure that cloud services comply with more than two dozen laws, regulations, and standards that apply to them, including the all-important Federal Information Security Management Act. 2. Agencies have begun pursuing single-source, no-bid cloud contacts. For example, the Naval Supply Systems Command plans to use Amazon Web Services to store and distribute digital photography and video because, it says, Amazon provides the required capabilities in a single, integrated package that's more reliable and less vulnerable to attack than other cloud services. In a notice on its plan, the Navy says Amazon is "the only known source" to meet its requirements. 3. Agencies are using the cloud to secure the cloud. Security, of course, is the No. 1 concern about cloud computing, so it's remarkable that agencies are defying conventional wisdom in this way. The Naval War College plans to award a contract (a single-source contract, in fact) to Cloudlock, a software-as-a-service vendor, to secure its implementation of Google Drive, Docs, and other apps. [ The feds want to shift 25% of the government's $80 billion in annual IT spending to cloud computing. Read how they plan to do it in <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/cloud-saas/229401705?itc=edit_in_body_cross"> Cloud Computing's Tipping Point</a>. ] 4. Enterprise-wide "foundation" cloud services are emerging. The Department of Interior this month issued <a href="https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=a6c194b6f4b550970d03c699a8f02304&tab=core&_cview=0">an RFP</a> that goes well beyond the email-as-a-service RFPs that have been the cloud entry point for many agencies. Interior is shopping for storage, secure file transfer, virtual machines, database and Web hosting, a development and test environment, and SAP application hosting--all from the cloud. 5. Intelligence agencies plan to begin tapping into the public cloud. Speaking at InformationWeek's <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/government/2012forum">Government IT Leadership Forum</a> in May, Al Tarasiuk, the CIO of the U.S. Intelligence Community, said the IC has developed "an architecture where we're going to bring some commercial cloud capabilities inside our fence lines." This is notable for two reasons--first, that intelligence agencies have reached a level of trust in the public cloud, and second, that IT architecture is enabling yet another way to tap into the cloud. 6. The cloud is promising leap-ahead IT capabilities to agencies that are far behind the pack. The Department of Labor's email system, used by 22,000 employees, is Microsoft Exchange 2003. The agency is <a href="https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=c58083d364203b86bc20ae5a2c52404c&tab=core&_cview=1">looking to the cloud</a> to bring it into the modern age, not just for email, but also for collaboration services, archiving, e-discovery, and single sign-on, while supporting a wider variety of mobile devices. 7. The community cloud, once a concept, is becoming a reality. A year ago, Los Alamos National Lab began offering infrastructure-as-a-service from its data center. Building on that work, the lab has teamed with the National Nuclear Security Administration <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/cloud-saas/240000076">to develop a community cloud</a> that will be more widely available within the Department of Energy. That service model is made possible by an internally developed cloud services broker, and plans call for tying in commercial cloud services, which would create one of government's first hybrid, community clouds. 8. The cloud is saving energy. In theory, cloud services are more efficient than do-it-yourself data centers, and <a href="http://static.googleusercontent.com/external_content/untrusted_dlcp/www.google.com/en/us/green/pdf/google-apps.pdf">a new report from Google</a> on the General Services Administration's use of Google Apps provides some proof of that. According to Google, GSA's per-user energy consumption dropped 89%, from 175 kWh/user to 20 kWh/user. That's largely explained by the fact that the number of email servers operated by GSA dropped 82%, from 324 to 61. Of course, that consolidation is a benefit in its own right. 9. <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/cloud-computing/infrastructure/240002117">NASA stopped contributing</a> to the development of OpenStack, the open source cloud project, and began using Amazon Web Services. This development is surprising given NASA's early involvement in OpenStack, which is partly based on NASA's Nebula cloud code. Sensing a business opportunity, two former NASA technologists launched competing <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/cloud-saas/231602457">cloud startups</a> based on OpenStack. We can only hope that NASA finds another way to capitalize on its own innovation. 10. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a <a href="http://www.nist.gov/customcf/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=911075">guide to cloud computing</a>. The 81-page guide provides an overview of clouds models (private, public, hybrid, community); discusses the benefits of and concerns about software-as-a-service, infrastructure-as-a-service, and platform-as-a-service; and offers advice on management, governance, and security. NIST says the guide is written in "plain language" for CIOs and other IT execs. That alone makes NIST's publication an important new development. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-06-20T15:40:00ZSecret Spy Satellite Takes Off: Stunning ImagesThe National Reconnaissance Office provides satellite imagery for intelligence operations and national defense. Here's a look at the agency's most recent rocket launches.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002424?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsThe U.S. government's newest spy satellite launched Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Fla., the second of four launches planned this year by the National Reconnaissance Office. NRO called the launch "flawless." The NRO, which serves the Department of Defense and the U.S. Intelligence Community, hasn't actually acknowledged that a satellite is on board the Atlas V rocket, built by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The partners refer only to the mission's "national security payload." The launch of NROL-38 (the current mission number) had been scheduled for June 16 but was scrubbed at the launch pad when a problem with the rocket's environment control system duct was discovered. The rescheduled launch, pictured here, went without a hitch at 8:28 a.m. at Cape Canaveral. On April 3, the NRO launched another intelligence payload aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Two more missions are slated for the next six weeks. Last year, the NRO funded six launches. The NRO provides satellite imagery to the DOD and U.S. intelligence agencies, as well as to the departments of State and Justice and other civilian agencies. According to Congressional testimony in March by Betty Sapp, principal deputy director of the NRO, the agency last year provided intelligence that aided in the killing or capture of "high-value targets" in more than a dozen operations and supported counterterrorism and anti-piracy efforts, among other scenarios. Its images are also used by scientists to study the environment, oil spills, and natural disasters. The agency's next mission, NROL-15, is designed to carry a bigger payload than NROL-38. It will be hoisted by a Delta IV rocket, which United Launch Alliance co-developed with the Air Force, in a "heavy configuration" for payloads of up to 25 tons. NROL-15 is scheduled to launch June 28 from Cape Canaveral. United Launch Alliance, formed in 2005, provides rockets and launch services to other government customers, as well. Over the past 12 months, it has sent rockets aloft for the Air Force, Navy, and NASA. The Lockheed-Boeing partnership is getting into the commercial space transportation business as well. In April, it announced the formation of a Human Launch Services Organization, which has a mandate of carrying astronauts into low-Earth orbit and deeper into space. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the NRO, and details of the agency's secretive operations have gradually emerged. Last week, the agency released a previously <a href="http://www.nro.gov/foia/docs/History%20of%20Poppy.PDF" target="_blank">top secret report</a> on the nineteen-year history of its earliest satellite system, the so-called Poppy system. That program concluded in 1977. Photo credit: United Launch AllianceThe NROL-38 fairing, 4 meters in diameter, is prepared for attachment to the Atlas V at Cape Canaveral's space launch complex. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> The NROL-38 fairing is hoisted to the Atlas V rocket with a pulley and cables. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> NRO missions typically have a unique logo. The NROL-38 launch vehicle features a distinctive three-headed dragon "tattoo." Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a>The assembled NROL-38 rocket begins its journey to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral's space launch complex. RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> The NROL-38 launch vehicle is inscribed with the Latin phrase "Non Morieris Bello," which translates roughly into "You will not die by war." Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> Workers attend to the NROL-38 system as it is rolled to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> The NROL-25 payload is prepared for attachment to a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket at Vandenberg's space launch complex prior to its launch on April 3, 2012. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a>The NROL-25 payload is rolled into the space launch complex building for preparation and final assembly with the United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> The NROL-25 launch vehicle and its undisclosed payload are in the final stages of preparation at Vandenberg's space launch complex. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a>NRO mission NROL-25 takes off on April 3, 2012, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> Flowers at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California provide a stark contrast as NROL-25's rocket lights up the launch pad. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a>Mission NROR-49 takes off from Vandenberg Air Force Base in January 2011. The United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy, with its added boosters, is designed to carry payloads of up to 25 tons. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> The NROL-34 payload fairing is about to be joined to its Atlas V booster in advance of launch at Vandenberg Air Force Base in April 2011. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a>The night-time launch, in April 2011, of an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, in support of the National Reconnaissance Office's NROL-34 mission. Credit: United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-apps/232602171">DARPA Seeks Satellite Programs That Stick</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/security/232602530">DOD Proposes Disposable Satellites To Aid Soldiers</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">With SpaceX In Flight, What's Next For NASA</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240002238">NASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space Travel</a>2012-06-18T15:36:00ZNASA, FAA Collaborate On Commercial Space TravelSpace agency increasingly turns to private sector partners for services, so feds seek to ensure safety and minimize overlapping efforts with a new cross-agency agreement.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002238?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/753/01_BluemarbleWest_tn.jpg" alt="NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Imagery" title="NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Imagery" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Imagery</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow)</div>  NASA and the FAA on Monday announced plans to work together on standards for commercial space travel, an attempt to avoid conflict and duplication of effort as private sector companies increasingly transport astronauts into low-Earth orbit and to the International Space Station. The agencies reached a memorandum of understanding (MOU) based on their common, "interdependent" interests in ensuring that commercial space flights to the ISS are safe and effective. They agreed to share data and information in support of those goals. The agreement follows last month's launch and return of <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240000840">Space Exploration Technologies' Dragon</a> to the ISS, the first commercial spacecraft to make that roundtrip. A second SpaceX flight to the ISS is scheduled for August, to be followed by a test flight of Orbital Sciences' Antares rocket later this year. NASA has turned to the private sector to provide transportation services to the ISS, following the retirement of the Space Shuttle program in 2011 after 135 missions over 30 years. More than 60 companies are partners and suppliers to NASA's Commercial Crew Program. [ Government efforts in space are always changing. Read <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001782?itc=edit_in_body_cross">NASA Cancels GEMS, Readies NuSTAR Telescope</a>. ] The FAA is responsible for regulating U.S. companies involved in commercial space transportation, and it has licensed 207 commercial launches since 2004. Last month, <a href="http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/faa-launch-permit-gives-virgin-galactics-space-vehicles-the-green-light-for-powered-flight/">Virgin Galactic announced</a> that the FAA had issued an experimental launch permit to Scaled Composites for its suborbital spacecraft, SpaceshipTwo, and carrier aircraft, WhiteKnightTwo. In the spring, Virgin Galactic announced that it signed its 500th future passenger, actor Ashton Kutcher. A <a href="http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/NGSO-GSO_Draft_for_printing.pdf">report on the commercial space market</a>, published recently by the FAA's Commercial Space Transportation office and the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, forecasts an average of 29.1 commercial launches annually over the next 10 years, with just over half of those being for geosynchronous orbit satellites. An FAA commercial space license is required for any launch or reentry within the United States, or operations conducted by U.S. companies outside of the U.S. The agency reviews applications for public safety, environmental impact, payload, national security or foreign policy issues, and insurance. The FAA also issues experimental permits for space flight research and development. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-06-15T17:00:00ZPentagon Outlines Mobile Device PlanThe Department of Defense releases a formal strategy that outlines its goals, challenges, and next steps in adopting commercial mobile devices and mobile applications.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002173?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/795/06_Transformer_full.jpg" alt="Defense Tech: 20 War-Fighting Innovations" title="Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies" class="img175"/></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow) </div>  The Department of Defense on Friday released its first formal mobile device strategy, laying the groundwork for broader adoption of commercial smartphones and tablets across the military branches and for an enterprise-wide approach to mobile applications. The Pentagon seeks improvements in three broad areas--wireless infrastructure, mobile devices, and mobile apps, said DOD CIO Teri Takai in a statement introducing the <a href="http://www.defense.gov/news/dodmobilitystrategy.pdf">mobile device strategy</a>. "As today's DoD personnel become increasingly mobile, a wide variety of devices offers unprecedented opportunities to advance the operational effectiveness of the DoD workforce," she said. The strategy says that commercial mobile devices account for a majority of the products in use and being testing across the military, but it does not identify specific devices or mobile operating systems for department-wide adoption. More than 250,000 commercial mobile devices, including "several thousand" Apple iOS and Android devices, are in use by the military, according to the DOD. [ InformationWeek's John Foley says Uncle Sam needs a better IT budget dashboard. See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> ] Security and "timely deployment" are key issues as the Air Force, Army, Marines, and Navy make increased use of commercial mobile devices, according to the 7-page strategy document. The Pentagon seeks to develop mobile device policies and standards to address those and other issues, including the use of personal devices at work and, conversely, of DOD-issued devices outside of work. The DOD is looking to establish a mobile device management service to optimize maintenance of the growing number of devices. The service would provide device registration, policy enforcement, "over the air" software distribution, and license management. The Pentagon must develop acquisition and approval processes that are able to keep up with the pace of development in the mobile device market. Takai, <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/enterprise-architecture/240000112">speaking last month at InformationWeek’s Government IT Leadership Forum</a>, said the goal is to approve specific models for adoption within 90 days. The military must develop an IT infrastructure capable of supporting millions of mobile devices and hundreds of applications. The strategy highlights the need for policies and processes in support of spectrum management and expanded wireless infrastructure, including both Wi-Fi and 4G cellular. The Army and other service branches are developing a growing portfolio of mobile applications. The new strategy calls for a common development framework and a certification process to ensure that new mobile apps are interoperable and in compliance with DOD requirements. Centralized hosting and distribution of mobile apps are part of the plan, too. The Office of Management and Budget demands that federal agencies tap into a more efficient IT delivery model. The new <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Shared Services Mandate</a> issue of InformationWeek Government explains how they're doing it. Also in this issue: Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. (Free registration required.) 2012-06-15T11:01:00Z10 Handy Mobile Apps From Uncle SamTake a look at federal agencies' newest iPhone, Android, and mobile applications, ranging from a Smokey Bear wildfire-tracking app to an app that advises you how long it will take to clear customs at the airport.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240002124?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsUncle Sam is getting hip to mobile devices. More than 100 mobile applications are now available from the federal government, a number that will keep growing as agencies respond to a recent White House initiative requiring them to make their services available for mobile use. The federal Digital Government Strategy, introduced in May by the Office of Management and Budget, gives each federal agency an end-of-year deadline for delivering two "customer-facing services" to mobile devices. The goal is to serve the public "anytime, anywhere, on the device of their choice," said federal CIO Steven VanRoekel in a <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/05/23/roadmap-digital-government">blog post</a> on the Digital Government Strategy. Many federal agencies were already moving in this direction. More than 100 mobile apps are available for public consumption through <a href="http://apps.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a>, in categories such as health and fitness, education, and travel. Dozens of others are available to federal employees through portals such as the <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232602904">Army's Software Marketplace.</a> The feds recently released six more mobile apps, including the Forest Service's Smokey Bear app (pictured above), which provides advice on how to build and extinguish campfires and a real-time map of wildfires around the country. It's available as a website optimized for mobile devices, and as a download for iPhones and Androids. The Digital Government Strategy aims to make content available through Web APIs and "on any device." Most of the apps on USA.gov are available for one or two--if not all--of the popular devices: iPhones, iPads, Androids, and BlackBerrys. Agencies must decide whether to build mobile apps with their own internal resources, to contract development to a third party, or to leave the work to entrepreneurs and volunteers. Just last week, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences issued a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001638">request for information</a> seeking help in the design and development of iPhone and iPad apps. InformationWeek has been following the emergence of "mobile government" closely. In June 2011, we profiled <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 cool mobile apps</a> from federal agencies, and in December we highlighted <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/232300178">10 iPad apps.</a> Here, we feature 10 of the government's newest mobile apps, most of which are available on USA.gov. Ranging from the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list to child safety tips, they reflect the varied nature of agency missions and the diversity of their constituencies.The FBI's popular Ten Most Wanted list is one of the resources now available through a <a href="http://m.fbi.gov/#index.html">mobile version of FBI.gov</a>. The smartphone-friendly site provides much of the content from FBI.gov, though some areas, including FBIJobs.gov and the Vault (a document archive), haven't been optimized for mobile devices. Users can switch between the full and mobile versions of FBI.gov as necessary. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>The FBI in June released an updated version of its Child ID app, originally introduced in August 2011. Available for both iPhones and Androids, the app lets parents carry pictures and vital information such as weight and height about their children in case of emergency. It provides tips on how to keep children safe and what to do if they go missing, with fast access to law enforcement authorities via email and phone. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>The Department of Energy's Science.gov site searches scientific information from more than 50 databases and 2,100 government-affiliated websites. On-the-go science buffs can now access that data trove via a <a href="http://m.science.gov/scigovmobile/">mobile version of the website</a> or a downloadable Android app. Users can get Wikipedia and EurekAlert results related to their searches. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>The National Cancer Institute has launched a <a href="http://m.cancer.gov/">mobile version of Cancer.gov</a> that provides a dictionary of terms, and news and information on cancer types, diagnoses, treatments, and how to treat side effects. The site offers questions that patients should ask doctors and an 800 number for an NCI information line. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>The Smithsonian Institution's Access American Stories app, for the iPhone, is a mobile companion for visitors to the American Stories exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Intended for the visually impaired, the app provides audio descriptions of 100 historical objects on display. Visitors are invited to describe their own experiences, respond to comments left by others, and vote for their favorite displays. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>U.S. Customs and Border Protection's aptly named <a href="http://apps.cbp.gov/awt/">Airport Wait Times</a> mobile site provides the wait times--the estimated time from landing until passengers are screened by Customs agents--for arriving flights at 23 international airports. The calculated wait times reflect data from the past 12 months, based on time of year, airport, and terminal. CBP points out, however, that wait times don't include getting your bags or exiting the airport. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Policy and Development Research has developed a <a href="http://m.huduser.org/edge/">mobile version of The Edge</a>, an online magazine with news and information on housing and community development issues and regulations. Recent topics covered include affordable housing, rebuilding communities after a disaster, and energy efficiency rules for buildings in California. It's also available as an Android app. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>Want to work for the IRS? The tax-collection agency has created a <a href="http://m.jobs.irs.gov/"> mobile version of its jobs listing site</a>. "Use your talents to serve the American public and fund its future," the agency touts in its description of the app. But wait, aren't taxpayers already paying that tab? Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>The National Archives and Records Administration's <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/app/id513465174">DocsTeach app</a> for the iPad incorporates documents of historical significance. Teachers can use the related website, <a href=http://docsteach.org/>DocsTeach.org</a>, to create activities for their iPad-equipped students. They might use, for example, the U.S. Constitution or Thomas Edison's patent filing for the light bulb. Users can zoom in and inspect the documents. Recommended Reading <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240002097">Obama Seeks To Speed Broadband Infrastructure Deployment</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/info-management/240001954">Fed Workers Cite Barriers To Tech Adoption</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/240001737">What's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/software/info_management/240001323">Smartphone App Slices Big Data For Political Campaigns</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/240001158">TSA Buys Into iPhones, iPads</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/healthcare/mobile-wireless/240000836">Emerging Wireless Medical Technology Gets FCC Blessing</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 50 Years Of Earth Images</a>2012-06-11T08:00:00ZWhat's The ROI On Federal IT Spending?Uncle Sam should develop an IT savings dashboard that shows the returns on its multibillion-dollar IT investment. http://www.informationweek.com/news/240001737?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div id="inlineGreenPromoTop"> <div class="greenBand"></div> <div class="inlineGreenPromoContent"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe_os"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/government/013/smallcov.jpg" alt="InformationWeek Government - June 11, 2012" title="InformationWeek Government - June 11, 2012" align="left" class="greenIssueImage" /></a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe_os"><img src="http://twimgs.com/infoweek/graphics_library/misc/Green_leaf_88x88.jpg" alt="InformationWeek Green" title="InformationWeek Green" align="right" class="greenLeaf" /></a> <div class="greenPromoText"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/061112gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxe_os">Download the entire June 2012 issue of InformationWeek Government</a>, distributed in an all-digital format as part of our <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/green/">Green Initiative</a> (Registration required.) </div> </div> <div class="greenBand"></div> </div>    We all know how much the federal government spends on IT--$79.5 billion in fiscal 2012--but what's the return on that investment? Unfortunately, no one seems to know. The White House provides detailed breakdowns of where all of that money is going--$38.2 billion to the Department of Defense, $7.0 billion to Health and Human Services, and so on. And the Office of Management and Budget's IT Dashboard offers visibility into the status of Uncle Sam's major tech investments, including how closely they're tracking to schedules and budgets. But the IT Dashboard provides no data on savings realized or other measures of return. I asked federal CIO Steven VanRoekel about this subject during an on-stage interview at InformationWeek's Government IT Leadership Forum in Washington on May 3. VanRoekel said there are several reasons that business-like ROI calculations don't work in government. Agencies don't have sales or stock prices as points of reference, and when IT investments do lead to efficiencies and savings, they're often recirculated into other initiatives within the same agency--not dropped to the bottom line. VanRoekel is a proponent of reinvesting IT-derived savings back into new tech investments. The proposed federal IT budget for FY 2013 is $78.9 billion, a 0.7% decline from the current year. That makes four years in a row that federal IT spending has been flat. If agencies want to fund new technologies, they have no choice but to squeeze the money from existing budgets. VanRoekel calls it "cut and invest." Even with that approach, however, we don't know how much money has been cut or reinvested. We should. Run The Numbers Agency CIOs have shown they can itemize IT savings when they're asked to do so. An OMB report on the federal TechStat program, released in December, showed $931.7 million in "cost implications" associated with 295 agency-led IT project reviews. That breaks down like this: $455 million in savings from eliminated duplication; $153.9 million chalked up to improved governance; $151.5 million tied to reduced scope; $120.5 million from terminated projects; $30 million saved through accelerated delivery; and $20.8 million not spent on halted projects. The feds have created dashboards for many other measures of government performance, so why not an IT savings and ROI dashboard that provides this kind of valuable information as it relates to the entire federal IT budget? I argued in favor of a <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/policy/232300300">cost-savings dashboard</a> six months ago, and the time has now come to do something about it. Last month, OMB director Jeffrey Zients issued a memo to agency leaders instructing them to use "evidence and evaluation" in preparing their budget submissions for FY 2014. A dozen states have begun evaluating programs based on evidence of their ROI, Zients said, and he encouraged federal agencies to do the same. In fact, OMB is more likely to fund budget requests that do so, he said. Savings dashboards could also provide visibility into the hard-dollar benefits of government-wide tech initiatives such as data center consolidation, cloud computing, shared services, and mobility. And open government. When President Barack Obama issued his open government memo one day after taking office, he wrote that openness would promote "efficiency and effectiveness" in government. But even here, where transparency is the goal, we have no way of knowing if he's right.  <center> <div id="inlineReportPromo"> <div class="inlineReportPromo_headline"><a href="http://reports.informationweek.com/abstract/104/8094/Government/government-it-project-management-adopting-lightweight-methods.html?cid=pub_analyt__iwk_20120611" target="_blank" style="color:#ffffff;">Government: IT Project Management</a></div> <div class="inlineReportPromo_inner"> <center>Adopting Lightweight Methods</center> <img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/government/013/013GOV_Columnreportcover_110.jpg" class="report110" /> Our report on <a href="http://reports.informationweek.com/abstract/104/8094/Government/government-it-project-management-adopting-lightweight-methods.html?cid=pub_analyt__iwk_20120611">government IT project management</a> is free with registration. This report includes 15 pages of analysis. What you'll find: <ul class="normalUL"> <li>A rundown of new approaches to project management</li> <li>Advice on setting up a project management office</li> </ul> <center><a href="http://reports.informationweek.com/abstract/104/8094/Government/government-it-project-management-adopting-lightweight-methods.html?cid=pub_analyt__iwk_20120611D">Get This</a> And <a href="http://reports.informationweek.com/">All Our Reports</a></center> </div> </div> </center>  John Foley, editor of InformationWeek Government, can be reached at jpfoley@techweb.com. 2012-05-17T13:30:00ZRobotic Arm Holds Promise For Paralyzed SoldiersThe Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs are involved in new research that demonstrates how an advanced prosthetic arm can be controlled by the human brain.http://www.informationweek.com/news/240000574?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authors <div class="inlineStoryImage inlineStoryImageRight"> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/240000339"><img src="http://twimgs.com/informationweek/galleries/automated/795/06_Transformer_full.jpg" alt="Defense Tech: 20 War-Fighting Innovations" title="Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies" class="img175" /></a> <div class="storyImageTitle">Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies</div> (click image for larger view and for slideshow) </div>  Researchers have demonstrated that tetraplegics, people unable to use their limbs, can control a robotic arm via neuro signals conveyed by a microelectrode array implanted in the brain. The scientific advance holds promise for people who are paralyzed or otherwise seriously injured, including wounded soldiers. The results of this latest research into robotic arm control were reported in the scientific journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v485/n7398/full/nature11076.html">Nature</a>. Two study participants were able to control a prosthetic limb to reach and grasp. One used the arm to take a sip of coffee from a bottle with a straw. The report's authors are affiliated with a half dozen medical research centers, including the Department of Veterans Affairs' Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. The research was partly funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The VA and the Department of Defense are investing in the research and development of brain-controlled prosthetics because war-related amputations have reached the highest level in 10 years. Last year, 240 deployed troops lost an arm or leg, or multiple limbs, according Stars & Stripes, <a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/amputation-cases-among-troops-hit-post-9-11-high-in-2011-1.168139">citing Pentagon data</a>. Many of the injuries were the result of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. DARPA established its Revolutionizing Prosthetics program in 2006 with a goal of creating advanced mechanical arms and control systems and exploring the viability of using the brain to control the arms. Last October, DARPA reported that a volunteer who had been left paralyzed by a motorcycle accident had successfully done that. According to DARPA, some of the capabilities developed under the Revolutionizing Prosthetics program have been applied to small robotic systems used for manipulating IEDs. The DARPA program also led to the development of a robotic arm by DEKA, one of the contractors in the program. The internal control framework of the <a href="http://www.dekaresearch.com/deka_arm.shtml">DEKA arm</a> was used in the study described in the article in Nature. Last month, DEKA sought approval from the Food and Drug Administration to make its prosthetic arm commercially available. Hacktivist and cybercriminal threats concern IT teams most, our first Federal Government Cybersecurity Survey reveals. Here's how they're fighting back. Also in the new, all-digital <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/gogreen/042312gov/?k=axxe&cid=article_axxt_os">Top Federal IT Threats</a> issue of InformqtionWeek Government: Why federal efforts to cut IT costs don't go far enough, and how the State Department is enhancing security. (Free registration required.)2012-05-15T11:00:00ZMilitary Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense TechnologiesDepartment of Defense technologies under development, from brainy microchips to battlefield transformer vehicles, promise to make the U.S. military more nimble. Here's a visual tour of 20 breakthrough ideas. http://www.informationweek.com/news/240000339?cid=RSSfeed_IWK_authorsPresident Obama and defense secretary Leon Panetta announced a new defense strategy earlier this year, one that hinges on the U.S. military becoming "more agile, flexible, innovative, and technically advanced." The Pentagon intends to meet that challenge by implementing new technologies, ranging from the latest mobile devices and applications to surveillance systems and next-generation aircraft. In some cases, those will be revamped versions of long-used tools, such as a smaller, lighter "manpack" radio that the Army has begun using in Afghanistan. In other cases, they will be entirely new capabilities like the small, in-development drone nicknamed Shrike that will deliver intelligence to commanders in the field. Building on its work with directed-energy technology, the Office of Naval Research has just revealed plans to take the next step in the development of solid-state laser weapons that can be used against small boats and aerial targets. ONR will host an industry day on May 16 to discuss its plans, to be followed by a request for proposals. Much of the Department of Defense's most advanced research and development goes on at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), where work is underway on everything from a jet that shoots across the sky at Mach 20 to disaster-response robots. (See <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886?">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a>.) DARPA's not the only source of war-fighting innovations. The Naval Research Laboratory, major defense contractors, and IBM have projects underway, too. In this visual tour, we highlight 20 defense technologies that are being deployed or on the drawing board. It remains to be seen which of the in-development systems see the light of day. The prospect of deep cuts to the defense budget--as much as $460 billion during the next 10 years--could put an end to some of the work. The proposed Defense budget for fiscal year 2013 would cut R&D funding by $2.2 billion, to $69.7 billion, though DARPA's budget would be spared significant cuts. Some of the technologies in development, such as supersonic aircraft, have potential application in the commercial world. Others rewrite the rules of battleground transportation. DARPA's Transformer (TX) program seeks to bring together the utility of a ground vehicle and the navigation properties of a helicopter in a hybrid vehicle that would feature maximum flexibility of movement (as pictured, above.) Applications could include transporting troops and supplies to the battlefield quickly, medical evacuation, and more. The design calls for a vehicle capable of transporting up to four people and that can be operated by a typical soldier as well as a trained pilot. Credit: DARPA DARPA's Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) program aims to develop a miniscule "air vehicle system" that's less than 15 centimeters long and weighs less than 20 grams. One experimental design incorporates flapping wings, disguised here as a hummingbird, making it possible for the device to navigate both indoors and outdoors. DARPA expects the NAVs to push the limits of aerodynamics and maneuverability. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a> A "disposable aircraft," the CICADA Mark III is comprised simply of a printed circuit board, which minimizes wiring and makes it fast and inexpensive to assemble. (CICADA stands for Close-In Covert Autonomous Disposable Aircraft.) Resembling a toy airplane, it can accommodate light payloads, such as chemical, biological, and other signals intelligence sensors. Other electronic payloads can be incorporated by updating the circuit board and "re-winging" the aircraft. Credit: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>Impressive, isn't it? No, not the giant B-52 aircraft (a.k.a. Stratofortress), but the much smaller and faster X-51A Waverider attached to its wing. The X-51A is hydrocarbon-fueled experimental craft travels in the Mach 4.5 to 6.5 range. In a test flight last June, the X-51A was released at an altitude of 50,000 feet. In a reminder of the challenges of pushing the boundaries of science, it failed to reach full power. Future applications for hypersonic flight include space travel, reconnaissance, and commercial transportation. Credit: Bob Ferguson/Boeing RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a> When developing leading-edge defense technologies, things don't always go as planned. DARPA's experimental HTV-2 aircraft is capable of flying at Mach 20, or 20 times the speed of sound, for a few minutes at a time. However, a test of the system last August (HTV-2's second test flight) had to be cut short due to a "flight anomaly" that was most likely the result of degradation to its aero shell exterior. The HTV-2 initiative is tied to a DOD goal of being able to reach any destination in the world in less than an hour. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>Some projects promise a better life for wounded soldiers. Last September, a mechanical arm was controlled by a volunteer with tetraplegia (characterized by loss of use of the limbs and torso) via his brain signals, a breakthrough in the control of a prosthetic arm. Development of the prosthetic limb was overseen by Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Laboratory, with funding from the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Next, UPMC and Caltech researchers will conduct trials aimed at achieving brain control of advanced mechanical limbs by volunteers with spinal cord injuries in DARPA's Revolutionizing Prosthetics program. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>The U.S. military wants a faster, cheaper way to get small satellites into orbit. DARPA's Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program would do that with an aircraft designed for the job. The program aims to launch 100-pound satellites for less than $1 million per flight, and without extensive planning. ALASA would provide the capability to launch a satellite within 24 hours from a runway anywhere in the world. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>What do you get when you combine the lift of a helicopter with the thrust of a jet? Potentially, the DiscRotor Compound Helicopter. DARPA is looking to develop an aircraft that's capable of vertical take-offs and landings and forward speeds in the range of 450 miles per hour. The aircraft design accomplishes that by incorporating a mid-fuselage disc with rotor blades that can be retracted for transitioning to full fixed-wing flight. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a> Suppose you need an image or video of any place on earth, and you need it right now. That's the challenge that DARPA is addressing through Membrane Optical Imager for Real-Time Exploitation (MOIRE), a geosynchronous orbit-based system that uses a membrane optic etched with a diffractive pattern to focus light on a sensor. Think of MOIRE as a very large (60 feet across) lens in space that could be used to peer into off-limits areas or for missile defense. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>The Urban Photonic Sandtable Display employs advanced 3-D technology to create a 360-degree, 3-D holographic display for use in battle planning. A team of up to 20 planners can view the large-format, interactive display, according to DARPA. (No special 3-D glasses required.) Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>Can a computer chip mimic the human brain? That's the goal of DARPA's Systems of Neuromorphic Adaptive Plastic Scalable Electronics (SyNAPSE) program, which aims to develop systems that not only mimic the brain, but do so at biological scale. That requires development of integrated circuits that are packed with electronics and integrated communications that approximate the function of neurons and synapses. The ultimate goal is to build systems that "understand, adapt, and respond" to information, says DARPA. Potential uses include robotic systems and sensory applications. Credit: IBM RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>An unmanned surface vehicle patrolled during the Trident Warrior experiment last year, directed by U.S. Fleet Forces Command. The experimental boat can be controlled remotely or operate autonomously. Credit: U.S. Navy RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>Think of Shrike as a personal drone for the commander in the field. DARPA describes Shrike as a "perch-and-stare micro air vehicle" that provides real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It's also "man-packable," a reference to the gear that soldiers carry with them. The device's four-rotor design enables vertical take-off and landing and forward flight. Shrike is capable of high-res observation for several hours, during which it transmits data and information to a ground station. Once done, Shrike re-launches from its perch and returns home. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>The X-56A Multi-Use Technology Testbed (MUTT) is a prototype unmanned aircraft made of lightweight, flexible materials that's being developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. Its long, thin wings (28 feet across) are susceptible to vibrations, or flutter, that results from air flow and turbulence. Engineers plan to use MUTT's flight-control software to find ways to minimize flutter. That knowledge will inform the design of the proposed X-54 aircraft, which is intended to demonstrate technologies that muffle sonic booms, potentially opening the door to supersonic commercial flights over the United States. Credit: AFRL/Lockheed RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>The Navy's Mobile User Objective System satellite (MUOS-1), launched in February from Cape Canaveral, Florida, gives the U.S. military its own 3G network. The Navy provides narrowband satellite communications to the Department of Defense, and MUOS-1 uses 3G technology to provide voice, data, and video communications. The system includes four ground stations, and plans call for a constellation of four satellites and an in-orbit spare. Credit: Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>Roger that. The Army's newest handheld radio is the AN/PRC-117G, which can transmit voice, video, and data, including biometrics from the battlefield. The commercial, single-channel radio, made by Harris, is 30% smaller and 35% lighter than "manpack" radios currently in use. More than 2,300 of the devices have been shipped to Afghanistan. Credit: U.S. Army RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>The revamped Apache helicopter, the Apache Block III, incorporates 26 new technologies, including an updated communications system. The Army has depended on the Apache for more than 40 years. This new model, which will be put to work in the next year, is better able to fly in inclement weather and can communicate with and control unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. Credit: U.S. Army RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>The Army-led Joint Multi-Role program is focused on development of a next-generation helicopter with improved avionics, electronics, performance, and payload capacity. It would be capable of flying at speeds in excess of 170 knots and at distances greater than 800 kilometers, and of hovering at 6,000 feet in summer heat (95 degrees). It would be "optionally manned," or capable of at least some degree of autonomous flight. The JMR program aims to develop prototype aircraft by next year, begin tests in 2017, and field a new fleet of helicopters by 2030. Credit: U.S. Army RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>This virtual reality combat simulator trains soldiers in how to deal with improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. The environment comprises a simulated armored vehicle, complete with high-def video and sound, and replicates the conditions of hostile territory, including smoke, poor visibility, confusion, and explosions. A digital recording of the training session can be used to review team performance. Credit: U.S. Army RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>DARPA is looking to develop an "extremely high-frequency" sensor that can locate targets through clouds as effectively as infrared sensors do in clear weather. The goal of the agency's Video Synthetic Aperture Radar (ViSAR) program is to develop radar that provides high-res, full-motion video for use in engaging ground targets from an aircraft, as well as algorithms that can be used with the new technology. Some of the technical challenges involved include detection, auto focusing, and geo-location. An additional twist: the system must be able to detect moving targets, not just stationary ones. Credit: DARPA RECOMMENDED READING: <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232500442">Top 10 Open Government Websites</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/security/232900886">U.S. Military Robots Of The Future: Visual Tour</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/leadership/232200131">NASA's Next Mission: Deep Space</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/info-management/232602356">NASA's Blue Marble: 40 Years Of Earth Images</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232901668">DOD Mobile App Eases Transition To Civilian Life</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/mobile/232800037">Army Aids Wounded Warriors With Mobile App</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/government/240000047">Army Eyes Monitoring Tools To Stop Wikileaks Repeat</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/government/leadership/232901530">10 Lessons From Leading Government CIOs</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/government/mobile/231000240">14 Cool Mobile Apps From Uncle Sam</a> <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/galleries/228000312">11 Epic Technology Disasters</a>