Sequestration, defense reform and cost constraints are driving a new paradigm in the defense industry, where leveraging existing technologies is no longer optional, but required. This is especially true as we migrate from VME to VPX-based embedded computing.

An optical detector technology from Cal Sensors detects muzzle flash from over 100 meters away. Operating at the speed of light, optical flash detection systems provide an almost instantaneous response to a gunfire event. The realtime detection capabilities give the targets the critical seconds needed to duck and apply counter-measures.

The U.S. Air Force has selected Cambium Networks’ pointto- point (PTP) 45600 High Capacity Line-of-Sight (HCLOS) radio for its Theater Deployable Communications program of record (TDC PMO). Supported by General Dynamics, TDC PMO will replace its legacy Radio Frequency Module (RFM) backhaul radio with Cambium’s PTP 45600 HCLOS technology, providing secure voice, video, and data functions for both deployable warfighters and first response missions.

Harper International has been selected by U.S. Demil, LLC (USD) for the design of a continuous, indirect Rotary Thermal Treatment Unit (TTU). The equipment will support US Department of Defense efforts directed at reducing and recycling large stockpiles of excess, obsolete, and unserviceable munitions for safety and environmental purposes.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are critical to today’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, supplying valuable aerial imagery to ground forces. Small UAV systems are a highly flexible ISR solution since they can be quickly deployed with minimal infrastructure and manpower. Unfor tunately, their performance is hindered by limited bandwidth communication links and the stringent size, weight, and power (SWAP) constraints of small UAVs, which make onboard real-time processing of imagery impossible. As a result, a potential game-changing combination of high-resolution cameras and small UAVs has not yet been realized.

For C programmers working on safety- critical applications, following restrictions and guidelines to ensure safe-coding practices can be painful. Features of the language designed to make your work easier, more efficient, or provide work-arounds for obstacles are often just the features that the guidelines disallow. However, whether for avionics or in the midst of battle, a problem with the software is the last thing needed. The risks prohibit taking chances.

The recent tragic events at the Boston Marathon illustrate the growing and critical need for the detection of person-borne improvised explosive devices (PBIEDS). Such systems, in fact, are currently under development under the guidance and supervision of the Department of Homeland Security. These sophisticated next-generation radar systems are being designed to detect bombers at long distances, in crowded areas, and even at non-fixed locations.