Qualcomm Inc. (Nasdaq: QCOM) is the latest company to feel the lure of a possible U.S. "homeland defense" contract. The firm is demonstrating technology that allows wireless data alerts to be sent to truck drivers on the road.

The CDMA maven is going after a slice of the billions that are potentially on offer as the U.S. government lays out new internal security measures over the next few years. Qualcomm is demonstrating its Omnitracs wireless vehicle communications system in San Diego today. "The Company's Technology Truck [Ed. note: 18-Wheeler, natch!] will be used to demonstrate how wireless voice and data solutions are keeping the roads safe by providing the capability to monitor the transport of hazardous materials and valuable cargo," Qualcomm said, in a statement.

There are likely to be many more homeland defense-oriented wireless technology announcements as it becomes clearer exactly how the U.S. government plans to spend its internal security budget. Flarion Technologies got an early start this week with the announcement of a partnership with Northrop Grumman (see Flarion Seeks Defense Contract).

— Dan Jones, Senior Editor, Unstrung
http://www.unstrung.com