+43 (1) 546 26-44
www.schiebel.net

In five months of operation, the NGO Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) saved over 8,800 lives in the Mediterranean. By spotting and monitoring distressed vessels, Schiebel’s Unmanned Air System CAMCOPTER® S-100 assisted in the rescue and contributed significantly to the success of the mission.

817-234-6600
www.elbitsystems.com

Elbit Systems has developed the Skylark3, a new autonomous mini-Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), best suited for brigades and divisions in “beyond the next hill” reconnaissance, counterinsurgency and force protection missions, as well as for use in a range of civil applications, such as border and coastal security and anti-terror operations. The new system has already been selected by an undisclosed customer.

L-3 Link Simulation & Training
Arlington, TX
817-619-2000
www.Link.com

L-3 Link Simulation & Training (L-3 Link) was recently awarded a contract option from the U.S. Air Force to build 34 new Predator Mission Aircrew Training System (PMATS) simulators. The contract was awarded by the U.S. Air Force’s Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

+39 0575 26979
www.seco.com

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), an executive body of NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO), is an established scientific facility that organizes and conducts research and technology development centered on the maritime domain.

716-805-2008
www.moog.com/rwip

Moog Inc. Space and Defense Group and its defense-industry partner, DRS Technologies, recently introduced a new Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) during a live fire demonstration at Redstone Arsenal.

The objective of Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) Project MR-201002, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC) Detection System, was to integrate an untethered and unmanned underwater vehicle with a total field magnetometer for underwater munitions detection and upgrade magnetic noise compensation software to reduce interference from electrical and dynamic influences such as vehicle heading, pitch and roll.

The Army Research Laboratory Power-Line Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Modeling and Simulation (ARL-PLUMS) Software Tool allows a user to model, compute, and analyze the quasistatic electric and magnetic fields around alternating current (AC) power lines. ARL-PLUMS comes with an interactive graphical user interface (GUI), which accesses a compute engine to calculate these fields around these lines due to various ground and line geometries and load conditions. ARLPLUMS allows the user to rapidly define all significant model parameters and compute the electric and magnetic fields along a UAV path or in a cutting plane. In addition, a set of false-color plots can be created to show the time-varying nature of the fields as a movie. ARL-PLUMS also comes with an application programming interface (API) for accessing some of these features from MATLAB without using the GUI.

Hull, deck plate, and tank inspection for corrosion, deformation, and fractures is a necessary part of ship maintenance to ensure functional integrity and proper operation of the ship. These inspections are labor intensive, expensive, and often dangerous. A multi-segmented magnetic wheeled robot can assist the surveyors in these tasks.

Currently fielded EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) robots are limited in terms of both mechanical ability and autonomous capabilities when compared to the current state-of-the-art in mobile robotics. To combat this problem the Joint Service EOD Program is developing the Advanced EOD Robot System (AEODRS). AEODRS consists of three system variants that vary in size: small for dismounted operations, medium for tactical operations, and large for base/infrastructure operations. Differing from past EOD UGV development efforts, these robots will be designed under a modular architecture consisting of several capability modules that are to be developed separately.

As the number of autonomous vehicles continues to increase for both commercial and military applications, collision avoidance algorithms are of the utmost importance to successfully execute missions in dynamic environments.

Nuclear powered submarines can stay submerged for days at a time and only have to come to periscope depth (PD) for communications and minor house-keeping items. Submarines are completely reliant on satellites for communications and orders from their commanders ashore. A command and control denied environment (C2DE) is an area in which communications are jammed or degraded. There is no technology currently available that allows submarines to conduct communications in a C2DE. The only method currently available is for the submarine to navigate to unaffected waters, conduct all of its communications, and then to travel back to the C2DE, wasting valuable time and possibly compromising the submarine’s mission.

New Imaging Technologies (Verrières le Buisson, France) introduces the NSC1401, a new analog wide dynamic range InGaAs sensor series in 320x256 pixels (QVGA). The NSC1401 uses a new generation of ROIC with 320x256 pixels at 25um pitch coupled to an InGaAs retina that operates in WDR mode and global shutter. The spectral response range goes from 900nm to 1700nm. The analog front end is designed to achieve extremely low input noise and ultra-fast response time down to 200ns for applications such as active imaging. The sensor operates both in linear integration mode and in log response. The NSC1401 can operate without TEC within an ambient temperature range from -40°C to 70°C.

Quantum Composers (Bozeman, MT) has launched a new touchscreen controller for simplified control of laser systems. The all new Smart Controller is an easy to use extension for manual repair systems that may include a microscope setup and has the functionality to control the systems energy, firing mode, rate, and slit size and shape. The Smart Controller is a portable device that eliminates the need for a desktop computer to operate laser systems. An optional video module is also offered which overlays the outline of the slit shape onto standard composite or s-video signals from the system camera. This feature allows the user to clearly see where the repair area will be on the monitor before actually making cuts.

Vision Components (Ettlingen, Germany) has introduced the new VC Flash infrared area lighting for OEMs. The lighting module has been developed specifically for traffic surveillance applications. Fitted with 24 high power LEDs, it ensures optimal brightness in mobile and stationary ANPR/ALPR applications, red light enforcement, access control, and toll collection without a glare effect that could endanger drivers. VC Flash illuminates an area measuring 7.5 by 5.0 m from 20 m away. The module measures 195 x 80 x 20 mm, and operates with a central wavelength of 850 nm and a spectral width of 30 nm. Power consumption peaks at 36 W for the highest pulse duration and pulse frequency levels.

Gamma Scientific (San Diego, CA) now offers a range of light source and sensor calibration services from their ISO 17025, NVLAP accredited (NVLAP Laboratory code 200823-0) facility. Specifically, the company can provide testing of radiance, irradiance, luminance, illuminance, total flux and LM-79-08, for virtually any type of light source including incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LEDs and other types of solid state lighting, and displays for cellphones, computers, automobiles and aviation. Gamma Scientific also performs testing of heads-up display (HUD), and other cockpit displays and light sources, for compatibility with Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) in accordance with MIL-STD-3009-2001.

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, have developed an innovative unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can stay on station beneath the water until needed, then launch into the air to perform a variety of missions. The Corrosion Resistant Aerial Covert Unmanned Nautical System — or CRACUNS — is a submersible UAV that can be launched from a fixed position underwater, or from an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV). A team from APL’s Force Projection Sector worked with fabrication experts in the Research and Exploratory Development Department to create a new type of unmanned vehicle that can operate effectively in two very different arenas: air and water.

In 2004 British national Dhiren Barot was arrested for conspiring to commit a public nuisance by the use of radioactive materials, among other charges. Authorities claimed that Barot had researched the production of “dirty bombs,” and planned to detonate them in New York City, Washington DC, and other cities.

The basic small-unit fighting capability of the Army is the squad. One of its weaknesses is broad-area situational awareness, particularly in unfamiliar environments, according to Col. Phil Cheatham, deputy branch chief of the Electronics and Special Developments Branch at the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCOE), Fort Benning, Georgia. A likely solution? A nano unmanned aerial system (UAS) with reconnaissance capability called the Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS).

Lansdale Semiconductor, Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) has announced the continued availability of the ML1590/BGA military wide-band RF amplifier, National Stock Number (NSN) 5962-01-280-2203. The ML1590 is supplied in (8) lead metal cans to Standard Microcircuit Drawing (SMD) 5962-876570 integrated circuits (ICs), originally designed and built by Motorola/Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (Santa Rosa, CA) has added six millimeter-wave models to its family of FieldFox handheld analyzers. The flagship model is the industry’s first handheld combination analyzer to provide coverage to 50 GHz. Three combination-analyzer models cover 32, 44 or 50 GHz and provide spectrum analysis, vector network analysis, and cable and antenna testing in a rugged, portable unit. The three spectrum analyzer models cover the same frequency range.

Morgan Advanced Materials’ (Windsor, UK) Seals and Bearings business offers quality axial and radial seal components for applications with severe service conditions. Morgan’s components are highly thermally conductive and resist corrosion due to their rugged construction from carbon, graphite, and silicon carbon- based materials. They perform reliably under stress and can be tailored to best fit individual applications.

Richardson RFPD (Geneva, IL), Inc. announced the availability and full design support capabilities for a new receiver from M/A-COM Technology Solutions. The XR1020-QH is a 31–36 GHz receiver with a noise figure of 3 dB and 14 dB conversion gain. It integrates a low noise amplifier, image reject mixer and LO buffer amplifier within a fully-molded, lead-free, 4-millimeter, 24-lead PQFN package. The image reject mixer eliminates the need for a bandpass filter after the LNA to remove thermal noise at the image frequency. I and Q mixer outputs are provided, and an external 90° hybrid is required to select the desired sideband. The XR1020-QH is suitable for point-to-point radio, SATCOM and military applications.

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Acopian (Easton, PA) announced that the 1U Switching Regulated 720W ACDC Power Supply family is now RoHS Compliant and certified to UL Safety Standards UL 60950 (Information Technology Equipment), and UL 508 (Industrial Control Equipment). The power supplies feature single output voltages from 1V-135V, wide-adjust output voltages from 0V-5V to 0V-135V and current capabilities up to 70A. They offer 720W of output power and are available with an optional auxiliary output (to 180 watts). The Acopian power supplies accommodate the universal AC input voltage of 95 to 265 VAC, 49-420 Hz, single phase. They feature active power factor correction (PFC) of 0.99 typical at 115VAC, 60 Hz and full load to ensure operation in challenging AC environments and compliance with EN61000-3-2.

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Empower RF Systems (Inglewood, CA) has begun shipping the Model 2180 RF amplifier system covering 1 to 2.5 GHz and delivering 2 kW CW of broadband output power in a 8U, air-cooled chassis. Features include: user selectable configuration and operation in three different modes - AGC (Automatic Gain Control), ALC (Automatic Level Control) and MGC (Manual Gain Control); modern and multi-faceted Monitoring and Control (M&C) user interfaces, including a Web browser, TCP/IP Ethernet, RS-485 interface and a front panel touchscreen display (optional IEEE-488 GPIB interface available); and enhanced ruggedness using the latest in high voltage RF transistors (GaN).

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TDK Corporation (National City, CA) has introduced the 12 Ampere TDKLambda iCH series of POL (Point of Load) non-isolated DCDC converters. Accepting a wide range input of 4.5 to 14 VDC, the series can operate from either a 5 VDC or 12 VDC bus. The iCH series can provide output voltages from 0.7 to 8.5V, with efficiencies of up to 97%. A low internal power loss allows the iCH to deliver 12A output current, without forced air cooling, in ambient temperatures in excess of 70 °C.

Pixus Technologies (Waterloo, Ontario, Canada) now offers a 15U AdvancedTCA (ATCA) chassis that exceeds 400W/slot cooling capability and meets stringent NEBS requirements. The Pixus chassis leverages the original Kaparel design that used patented Ri- Cool II blowers for 275W/slot of cooling. Today’s 15U unit provides more air evacuation using the next generation of reverse impellar hot-plug cartridges. The new RiCool III blowers feature 185 CFM of airflow per fan with 71mm H20 of static pressure.

Designers of virtually all electronic warfare system applications exploit CPUs and FPGAs, each offering unique strengths and advantages for handling a wide range of tasks. This diversity arises from fundamental differences in the devices. FPGAs consist of hardware logic, registers, memories, adders, multipliers and interfaces connected together by the user to perform a specific function. CPUs consist of ALUs, instruction execution engines, cache memory, dedicated I/O and memory ports all connected in a fixed architecture, whose resources are driven by program execution.

As the aerospace industry continues to make improvements to safety, comfort and affordability of aircraft, nanomaterials are making their way into more elements of aircraft structure, electronics, glass, textiles and other components. While these materials provide tangible advantages in terms of weight, strength, speed and comfort, their effect on the humans that come into contact with them is still being studied and debated.

The aerospace industry has some of the most difficult operating conditions imaginable. Sensors of all kinds used in this industry must stand up to the environment and be able to perform under harsh conditions, fit in extremely tight spaces, and have electronics that can compensate for variable conditions in order to provide precise, repeatable results.

It is theorized that systems and equipment for an All Electric Aircraft (AEA) will be developed 20 years hence as a More-Electric Aircraft (MEA) with no bleed system, which is a concept typified by the Boeing 787, and electric powered propulsion (including electric distributed thrust or electric hybrids by gas turbine power generation), which is expected to be realized after the 2040s. In this trend, a More-Electric Engine (MEE) plays the roles shown in Table 1.