The Air Force is testing materials produced through ceramic additive manufacturing to advance their potential future use in hypersonic flight vehicles. The Air Force and its commercial partner are testing additively manufactured silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) materials that could withstand temperatures of about 3200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Several new technologies are being developed that, once combined, will give soldiers an unprecedented overview of the battlefield. Those technologies involve the marriage of micro-displays with augmented reality.

The Army's preferred method of acquiring new technologies is to use what industry is already developing for consumers, or modifying that technology for its own use, said Rupal Varshneya, an electrical engineer at CERDEC. The Army employs its scientists and research laboratories for designing needed technologies that industry is not interested in pursuing, she said. Such was the case when the Army needed a very bright, high-definition micro-display, about the size of a postage stamp.

First off, the Army approached makers of smartphones, tablets, TVs and even the gaming industry. None of them were interested in making the micro-display because they didn't foresee consumer demand or profit potential. So, the Army researchers at CERDEC went to work building displays with progressively greater capability. About eight years ago, they developed a monochrome version. Then, several years later, researchers developed a new silicone technology and manufacturing methods that enabled the micro-display to increase in brightness, making it sunlight readable.

Although the technology was being developed for dismounted soldiers, other program managers took notice. For example, the program manager responsible for Apache helicopters wanted their pilots to have them for head-mounted displays. They are not yet fielded for the Apaches, but a contract for them has already been signed. Other program managers wanted them for night vision goggles and even for weapons sights. The next step was to develop an extremely high resolution, 2048-by-2048-pixel display in full color. That advancement came to fruition recently, and some of them were on display. The next phase of development had to do with taking the improved micro-display and pairing it with augmented reality, using the Nett Warrior system. Previously, soldiers had a small radio attached to their chest. Whenever they needed to get location coordinates or other data they had to look down and lost situational awareness to their front. The micro-display attachment to the helmet allows soldiers to stay focused on what's in front of them.

The micro-display not only gives soldiers a clear view of what's ahead of them, night or day, it also can accommodate overlays such as maps and symbols showing friendly forces and enemy forces. In this way, it replaces traditional night vision goggles. Furthermore, information that's wirelessly fed into the micro-display, such as maps and symbols, can be shared among other soldiers using the device, as well as leaders in the tactical operation center. They all have the ability to share the same picture of the battlefield and can add or manipulate the symbols as needed.

Researchers are also adding micro-displays on the soldiers' weapons and feeding that display into the one attached to the soldiers' helmets via a tablet worn on the waist. That enables soldiers to get a split view of what's around them plus the target the weapon is trained on. So, if the rifle is pointed rearward and the soldier is looking forward, the image shows both views. That creates novel ways for soldiers to fire their weapons, such as shooting over a wall without being exposed.

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The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) announced the keynote speakers who will guide discussions about the benefits and future of unmanned systems at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2018, being held from April 30 to May 3 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The experts will present keynotes devoted to themes critical to the advancement and growth of unmanned systems.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is bringing this year's XPONENTIAL 2018 to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. The event, which runs from April 30 - May 3, will feature more than 200 presentations and panel discussions focused on all aspects of the unmanned vehicle and robotics market. Over 725 exhibitors representing more than 20 different industries will be showcasing their latest technology to an estimated 7,000 attendees from all over the world.

General Micro Systems
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
(800) 307-4863
www.gms4sbc.com

General Micro Systems Inc. (GMS) recently announced that the U.S. Army will exclusively deploy powerful rugged server and display systems from GMS to run the multifunction video display (MVD) software within Type II medium mine protection vehicles (MMPV). The GMS system comprises four components – two chassis and two displays. It also includes an enterprise-class, ultra-rugged, secure server with an intelligent 12-port 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet switch, a router, mass-media storage, CITV/DVR, video-over-IP, and two ultra-thin, rugged smart-panel PCs. When coupled with a video encoder, the system is a complete full motion video and control system with storage.

Charles River Analytics
Cambridge, MA
(617) 491-3474
www.cra.com

Charles River Analytics Inc., a developer of intelligent systems solutions, recently partnered with Sensics, Inc., creators of the OSVR software stack; Technology, Modeling & Simulation, and Training Consultants (TMST), who provide consulting expertise across the spectrum of live, virtual and constructive training of emerging technologies; and the Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC), which provides virtual reality exposure therapy. Together, the team designed and developed the VIRTUOSO interface for the US Army Research Laboratory. VIRTUOSO supports natural human interactions in mixed reality/virtual reality/augmented reality (MR/VR/AR) environments.

Within the aerospace industry, 2016 and onwards could be looked upon as the tipping point for direct metal printing (DMP), as the technology increasingly made the jump beyond prototyping to production parts and assemblies ready for flight.

Whether engaged in an asymmetric fight with an insurgent or a conventional battle with a “near-peer” adversary, today's battlefield presents combatants with significant challenges. Rapidly advancing technology and increased lethality of weapon systems have forced the military to develop and deliver more effective technologies to protect our air and vehicle crews. One such critical technology – laser detecting systems – is designed to detect and alert crews to laser-aided threats.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is bringing this year's XPONENTIAL 2018 to the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. The event, which runs from April 30 – May 3, will feature more than 200 presentations and panel discussions focused on all aspects of the unmanned vehicle and robotics market. Over 725 exhibitors representing more than 20 different industries will be showcasing their latest technology to an estimated 7,000 attendees from all over the world.

Arnold Defense
Arnold, MO
(636) 296-5417
www.arnolddefense.com

Arnold Defense, an international manufacturer and supplier of 2.75-inch rocket launchers, has been generating considerable interest in its new, ultra-light LWL-XII and M260 2.75-inch/70mm Weapon Systems.