Aerospace

AUSA 2021: High Tech, Big Tech

One of the most impressive things about a trade show like AUSA 2021 is not just the tech on display, but the size of the tech on display.

Lockheed Martin Opens Intelligent, Advanced Hypersonic Strike Production Facility

Lockheed Martin is adding to its manufacturing capabilities portfolio with the grand opening of a new production facility in Courtland, Alabama, focused on...

Riveting Technology Enables Lightweight Magnesium Fasteners for Fuel Efficiency

If Rosie the Riveter had access to a new riveting technology, the erstwhile character of WWII fame could have worked faster and made lighter products. Today,...

Developing Multifunctional Composite Materials for Aerospace Applications

Materials for aerospace applications face many challenges. The structure of an aircraft must be light yet strong. Structural components such as the wings or...

AUSA Comes Back Strong — Army Strong

After skipping a year in 2020 due to COVID, AUSA 2021 returned to Washington, DC and came back strong. Army strong some might say.

Kauai Test Facility Launches Its Largest Missile

The largest missile ever to launch from Sandia’s Kauai Test Facility in Hawaii has shown the storied test range is still growing to meet the testing needs of advanced weapons systems....

DOD Taking Measures to Protect Nuclear Weapons and Space Assets

The Defense Department relies on nuclear-armed bombers, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as space-based sensors, to provide a strategic deterrence...

3D-Printed Catalysts Propel Hypersonic Flight

Ultra-efficient 3D printed catalysts could help solve the challenge of overheating in hypersonic aircraft and offer a revolutionary solution to thermal management across countless...

NASA Transfers Air Traffic Tool to FAA

As part of an effort aimed at making aviation more sustainable, NASA has transferred an air traffic management tool to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for nationwide implementation. The...

Ground Control System

Built around three core elements – software, hardware, and antennas – Crysalis was designed to simplify the operation of robotic systems.

Minehunting System

A towed sonar array from Abaco Systems uses multiple sensors to identify and detect mine-like objects.

Coastal Lidar and Radar Imaging System (CLARIS) Lidar Data Report

The Army analyzed shoreline change, dune volume, beach volume, beach slope, and cumulative elevation change along the northern Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Solar-Powered Satellite Hardware in Orbit

The Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module is the first orbital experiment designed to convert sunlight for microwave power transmission for solar power satellites.

Loitering Munitions Systems

The Hero-30 Loitering Munition System incorporates a high level of precision attack and abort capabilities.

Metal 3D Printer

“The mission is to develop a large-scale tool capable of producing single, jointless combat vehicle hulls at a near net size of 30 feet × 20 feet × 12 feet in size,” said Larry Holmes from ASTRO America.

An Automated System for Multi-Physics Modeling

See how domain-specific tools easily translate scientific thinking into high-performance code.

3D Data Acquisition Platform for Human Activity Understanding

A computational approach for action prediction can extend to machines and also promote further research in human prediction and intention sensing.

Satellite Paves the Way for Improved Storm Tracking

Microwave radiometers on current satellites are about the size of a washing machine. On TROPICS’ small satellites, the radiometers are about the size of a coffee mug.

Development and Testing of a New Version of MBUD for Cued Classification of Marine UXO

MBUD has a new data acquisition system and incorporates technical modifications to eliminate the noise encountered in seawater.

Impact of Satellite Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance on Modern Naval Operations

Army research is determining if afloat availability of satellite ISR has fundamentally changed naval operations.

Remanufacturing Reimagined: How Selective Electroplating Extends Service Life and Reduces the Cost of Aerospace Components

Selective brush plating has dramatically evolved from its origins of touching up existing plating jobs.

Additive Manufacturing

Marotta’s patented approach starts with a 3D CAD model of choice that can meet varying ranges of end application specifications.

Developing Object Detection Systems for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Truly autonomous UAVs will require computer vision and navigation, cooperation between autonomous vehicles, and explainable and robust AI.

New Products: October 2021 Aerospace & Defense Technology

Data recorders, conduction-cooled chassis, robot chargers, and more.

Military Aircraft Systems Technology

Bell Textron Inc. has unveiled design concepts that incorporate Bell’s High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) technology.

Taking the Tactical Cloud with You Small Form Factor, Modular Data Centers at the Edge of the Battlefield

The US Army, Air Force, and Navy are actively looking to new programs such as Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) to ensure warfighters have maximum situational awareness.

Fabrication and Testing of High-Speed Single-Rotor and Compound-Rotor Systems

The X2 Technology Demonstrator recently achieved a level flight speed over 250 knots, proving the basic concept of the coaxial compound configuration.

Wing Configuration Could Reduce Fuel Consumption

NASA’s trans-sonic truss-braced wing (TTBW) reduces drag during flight, which in turn reduces fuel consumption by up to 10 percent. This concept is part of an ongoing initiative by...

Air Force Develops Morphing Aileron for Aircraft Wing

Researchers from the Air Force Research Laboratory developed and demonstrated additively manufactured, multi-material conformal control surfaces for aircraft wings. The technology...