University College London (UCL) researchers are investigating passive radar technologies that can see through walls using WiFi radio waves. The novel research required a real-time, passive (non-cooperative) wireless target detection demonstration system capable of tracking moving bodies through walls and obstacles. Much like traditional radar systems, the approach still relies on detecting the Doppler shifts in radio waves as they reflect off moving objects. However, unlike traditional radar systems that actively transmit radio waves, the passive system relies on the existing WiFi signals that already swamp our airwaves. The complete lack of spectrum occupation and power emission ensures the radar is undetectable, making it ideal for military or security surveillance in urban settings.

The threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to human life is grave, and countering this threat is a high priority for force protection during military operations. Remote, standoff detection of in-place IEDs would be a significant step forward in mitigating the threat posed by these weapons.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) pose a significant threat to military ground vehicles and soldiers in the field. Full-system end-to-end models, as well as Reduced Order Modeling and Simulation (M&S) methodologies, are extensively used for the development of blast-worthy ground vehicles.

High-fidelity simulation tools are used as an acceptable surrogate for real-world tests. These tools accelerate development and reduce cost, while informing weapons development and systems survivability for defense and homeland security applications. As weapons grew in complexity, analytical methods became insufficient and high-fidelity computational methods became necessary.

Toho Tenax Co., Ltd. announced Nov. 6 that it has developed a new prepreg — a carbon-fiber sheet pre-impregnated with matrix resin — that offers super-high-heat and -oxidation resistance suited to aircraft and automotive engine compartments.

Sikorsky Aircraft unveiled in early October the first of two S-97 Raider lightweight tactical helicopter prototypes. In 2015 Sikorsky plans to offer the S-97 as a replacement for the U.S. Army’s OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter fleet.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics
Lynwood, WA
425-743-8321
www.craneae.com

Crane Aerospace & Electronics, Power Solutions, will be supplying flight critical power electronics for the new COMAC C919 family of narrow body aircraft being built in China. COMAC is an acronym for the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. It is a short-medium range commercial trunk liner that will feature a substantial amount of indigenous intellectual property. Its all-economy class layout entails 168 seats, and the hybrid class layout will feature 156 seats. The basic version is designed to cover a range of 4,075 km, while the enhanced version can stretch to 5,555 km. Its economic life is designed to be 90,000 flying hours, or 30 calendar years.

Minelab Electronics
Torrensville, Australia
61-8-8238-0888
www.minelab.com

NIITEK
Dulles, VA
703-661-0283
www.niitek.com

Minelab Electronics, an Australian company known for its metal detectors, has partnered with NIITEK, a Dulles, VA-based developer of ground-penetrating radar, to produce a mine-sweeping device that detects both metal and shapes in the ground. Together they have won a contract to supply a mounted mine detection system for US Husky Detection System (HMDS) military vehicles.

ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK
Winfrith Newburgh, Dorchester, UK
+44-1305-212400
www.uk.atlas-elektronik.com

SIGNALIS SAS
Bezons, France
+33-1-39-96-44-44
www.signalis.com

Effective surveillance of coastal border areas requires the use of very sensitive and advanced radar systems and processing software. SIGNALIS and ATLAS ELEKTRONIK have jointly developed an interface for Cerberus Mod 2 Diver Detection Sonar (DDS), providing a fully integrated underwater surveillance and security system.

Model A3P-68N-3 from G.T. Microwave (Randolph, NJ) is a digitally controlled PIN diode attenuator that operates from 6.0-18.0 GHz. It is capable of 32 dB range in 0.125 monotonic dB steps with a supply voltage of +/-12 to +/- 15 VDC @ +/- 100 mA. The attenuation flatness is +/- 2.0 dB and the operating temperature range of 0 to +50°C with a coefficient of +/- 0.03 degrees. With a maximum V.S.W.R. of 1.9:1 and an insertion loss less than 3.25 dB. This device operates with a handling power of +13 dBm CW, 1.0 Watt max; via 8 BITs of TTL compatible binary logic and a switching speed less than 1.0 μSec max. The package size is 2.00 × 2.50 × 0.75 inch.