Emerging Tech

Lithium ion battery short circuited in first 787 Dreamliner fire

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating problems with the grounded Boeing fleet.

Digital Government

Military could redefine global-strike weapons

Result could be to expand the kinds of conventional arms available to hit targets on short notice virtually anywhere around the world.

Ideas

Dials versus digits

The technology generation gap is nothing new.

Digital Government

Can feds look to private sector for innovation inspiration?

Think-tank panel explores the problems and potential of bringing industry models to government.

Digital Government

Napolitano suggests DHS will never meet cargo scanning mandate

Last spring, Homeland Security chief told lawmakers it would cost $16 billion to deploy screening technology at all the international seaports that send cargo to the United States.

Digital Government

Microsoft Office deal opens to most at Defense

Employees can buy the software suite for their home computers for $9.95.

Modernization

Data center savings hard to track

While the effort to consolidate data centers is proceeding with some success, significant challenges are impeding progress.

People

Transportation's acquisition workforce at risk

Poor documentation on attrition and other management lapses strain resources in the Transportation Department's component agencies, audit finds.

Emerging Tech

These government apps are on the drawing board

New mobile tools are under consideration at the National Archives and elsewhere.

Modernization

NASA’s space weather app has great images but lags on engagement

The agency could do more to publicize major space events and appeal to kids, our reviewers say.

Modernization

NASA’s Satellite Insight gaming app isn’t educational or fun

The game doesn’t teach users much and it can’t compete with Bejeweled and Tetris.

Emerging Tech

Homeland Security looks to fast-track technology development

Officials ask inventors whether ‘rapid prototyping’ over a two-year schedule could work for border security and other innovations.

Modernization

DHS's Margie Graves puts agile first

A software-development technique that forgoes the rigors of conventional processes in favor of nimbleness is gaining increased popularity in government.

Acquisition

Are procurement contests entering the IT mainstream?

Steve Kelman is hopeful that the VA's unusual choice to host a competition for an IT system will break new ground.

Modernization

Google wants to own the airwaves, now

The search company is asking the FCC for a license to create an experimental radio service.

Cybersecurity

Inside the eastern European cybercrime network that brought down NASA

Federal authorities charged three men with building and disseminating a virus that crippled NASA computers.

Digital Government

You say Pakistanis all hate the drone war? Prove it

According to the latest Pew research, only a slim majority of them are aware it even exists.

Ideas

Recovery Act money for smart grid was mismanaged, IG says

Audit finds $12.3 million in questionable costs.

Emerging Tech

We the People petitioners typically wait three months for a reply

The White House’s response time to appeals from citizens varies widely.