Northern Command Archives

A woman walks under a sign of big data analytics US software company Palantir at their stand ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on May 22, 2022. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Palantir racks up more than $100M in new Air Force contract awards to provide data-as-a-service

The work under the three contracts will support a variety of organizations across the Air and Space Forces.

Jun 16, 2023 By Jon Harper

RED SEA (May 11, 2012) Capt. Grady Banister, commanding officer of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), prepares to release a weather balloon used for retrieving upper air soundings off the fantail of the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Natasha R. Chalk/Released)

DOD takes steps to ensure its weather balloons aren’t misidentified

The launches are continuing in the wake of several recent shoot downs of unidentified “objects” flying over North America, by U.S. fighter jets launching AIM-9X air-to-air missiles.

Feb 17, 2023 By Jon Harper

An F- 22 Raptor takes flight as part of Polar Force 19-4 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 2, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Valdes Montijo)

F-22 fighter jet shoots down mysterious ‘object’ off the coast of Alaska; another downed over Canada

The object was flying at an altitude of 40,000 feet and posed a potential threat to the safety of civilian air traffic, U.S. officials said.

Feb 10, 2023 By Jon Harper Brandi Vincent

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Aaron Romo, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ONE, launches a MK18 MOD 1 unmanned underwater vehicle from a rigid-hull inflatable boat on July 10, in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Logan C. Kellums)

Navy beginning underwater drone operations to help recover debris from downed Chinese balloon

The Navy will use UUVs to help the Defense Department recover debris from China’s suspected surveillance balloon that was shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

Feb 6, 2023 By Jon Harper

A U.S. Air Force F-22 performers aerial maneuvers July 14, 2019, at the “Mission Over Malmstrom” open house event on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jacob M. Thompson)

Military brass have recommended against shooting down an alleged Chinese spy balloon flying over the US — for now

“The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic and does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground,”…

Feb 2, 2023 By Jon Harper Brandi Vincent

Northern Command testing commercial satcom capabilities in the Arctic

Two top military commanders are currently in Alaska to discuss improving commercial satellite capabilities in the Arctic.

May 5, 2022 By Jon Harper

U.S. Northern Command Commander U.S. Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck speaks during a press briefing about the completed global information dominance experiment (GIDE) 3, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., July 28, 2021. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brittany A. Chase)

Combatant commander tasked with homeland defense warns of shortage of AI capabilities

U.S. Northern Command and NORAD don’t have sufficient AI and machine learning capabilities, the dual-hatted chief of both organizations warned.

Apr 25, 2022 By Jon Harper

Department of Defense Chief Data Officer David Spirk speaks virtually to children at Mitchell Elementary in Tampa, Florida, to highlight topics such as the importance of data management; artificial intelligence; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. (DoD photo / U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jack Sanders)

DOD platform made for financial data finds battlefield use

The Advana platform was used in recent JADC2 experiments to give commanders real-time readiness and other types of data.

Jan 5, 2022 By Jackson Barnett