Editor's corner.

• Position: Brief Article

The U.S. Army plans to spend $500 million during the next several years to modernize its soldiers' equipment. Called the Objective Force Warrior, the idea is to develop a completely integrated soldier gear and uniform system--to be rolled out by 2006, as a follow-on to the Land Warrior. The concept sounds promising, because it focuses on lightening the more than 100-pound load that soldiers take to battle today. Rather than pick individual companies to design and produce separate component, the Army will hire a "lead technology integrator" to manage the program and subcontract the different pieces. A large number of firms plan to seek work in this project. More details on our cover story can be found on page 32.

Several stories in this edition of National Defense focus on high-tech battlefield equipment. The Joint Tactical Terminal--a software programmable intelligence radio--has not fully completed development, but nevertheless was fielded to forces in Afghanistan, because they needed a capability to receive threat-data broadcasts. The JTT, designed to replace 26 existing terminals from all the services, helps commanders find and track enemy forces in the area. The complete story is on page 22.

Another piece of new technology covered in this issue is the Marine Corps' Improved Airborne Command and Control Capability, or IAC3. It is a smaller, lighter version of the Army's Airborne Command and Control System. Engineers from the Naval Research Lab, who designed the system, and Marine aviators discuss the benefits and challenges in this program, expected to begin...