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25 Apr 24. Initial flight trials demonstrate Excalibur FTA ‘fit for purpose‘, says Leonardo. Initial flight trials of the 757 airframe that is to be converted to the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft (FTA) project to de-risk the Tempest future fighter have shown it to be “fit for purpose”, an official from Leonardo told Janes. Speaking at a UK industry showcase event for the future combat air power, including the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) of which the Tempest demonstrator is a part, Dave Morris, head of campaigns Future Combat Air – GCAP at Leonardo, said the first round of flight trials out of Ministry of Defence (MoD) Boscombe Down in southern England had gone well and that there should be no issues ahead of fitting aircraft with its Tempest mission equipment. (Source: Janes)
25 Apr 24. QinetiQ demonstrates jet-to-jet MUM-T for first time in the UK. QinetiQ has for the first time in the UK demonstrated manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) between jet aircraft. Announced by the company on 25 April, the demonstration at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Boscombe Down site in southern England saw a manned BAe 146 testbed aircraft provide inflight tasking to a modified unmanned Banshee Jet 80 target drone.
“The success of this trial demonstrates that the combination of [MUM-T] between current front-line combat aircraft and next-generation drones can be potentially achieved successfully with the existing combat air fleet, while offering the potential to increase combat capability in an affordable manner,” QinetiQ said, adding that the mission was completed not only by the live Banshee but also a number of digital Banshees within a live-virtual swarm.
For the demonstration, the Banshee was equipped with QinetiQ’s Airborne Command and Control for Swarm Interoperable Missions (ACCSIOM) technology, which, the company said, enabled the drone to communicate with the manned aircraft using the same messaging format as the standard NATO Link 16 datalink. (Source: Janes)
25 Apr 24. Airbus flies RACER high-speed helicopter. Airbus Helicopters has flown its Rapid and Cost-Efficient Rotorcraft (RACER) concept for the first time, the company announced on 25 April. The milestone took place at Airbus Helicopters’ Marignane production facility in southern France, with the maiden flight lasting for approximately 30 minutes during which the aircraft’s flight characteristics were assessed.
“This important milestone launches the flight campaign, which will take two years and will aim to progressively open the aircraft’s flight envelope and demonstrate its high-speed capabilities,” Airbus said.
First revealed at the Paris Air Show in 2017, the RACER is geared towards providing the best trade-off between speed, cost-efficiency, sustainability, and mission performance. The concept has a stated goal of a cruise speed of more than 400 km/h (250 mph). (Source: Janes)
25 Apr 24. DARPA Sponsored AI-Controlled Fighter Jet Competes in Aerial Dogfight Against Human Pilot. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) conducted a test at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where an AI-controlled X-62A VISTA aircraft—an F-16 fighter jet modified for AI testing—engaged in aerial combat against a human pilot in another F-16. This event is part of DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program, which aims to develop and demonstrate “combat autonomy” for future air engagements.
Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron, the program manager for DARPA’s ACE program, emphasized that the test’s primary goal was not to determine a winner but to validate the safe operation of AI agents in combat scenarios. Throughout the tests, which included 21 flights from December 2022 to September 2023, the AI agents managed various offensive and defensive maneuvers, showcasing their capability to adapt and execute complex actions in real-time.
Col. James Valpiani, commandant of the Air Force’s Test Pilot School, highlighted the rapid development and adaptability of AI technology during the tests. He noted that software updates could be uploaded to the aircraft just before takeoff and even during flight, marking a significant shift in how military aviation software is developed and deployed.
Despite not revealing specific outcomes of the dogfight for national security reasons, officials confirmed that the AI performed well, adapting to the dynamic environment of aerial combat. The tests also illuminated the differences between simulated training environments and real-world scenarios, identifying areas for further development in AI performance.
The ACE program’s success feeds into a broader Air Force initiative to integrate autonomous drones, known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), which will operate alongside manned fighters. This integration represents a shift towards more AI-dependent military operations, aiming to enhance decision-making speed and operational efficiency on the battlefield.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall expressed confidence in the program, planning to personally experience the AI algorithms by flying in the autonomously piloted plane later this year. This gesture underscores the significant progress and trust in the AI systems being developed under DARPA’s guidance. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
24 Apr 24. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today introduced the VPX3-6816, a Sensor Open Systems Architecture™ (SOSA) aligned 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Switch for use in next-generation rugged processing systems. The low-power and affordable rugged 3U VPX™ module is designed and optimized to deliver the low-latency, high-speed Ethernet backbone required by modern aerospace and defense sensor processing architectures and supports a rich set of multi-layer L2 switching and L3 routing features. The module supports up to thirty-three (33) Ethernet ports with any mix of 1, 10, 25, 40, 50, and 100GbE port speeds. In addition to being aligned with the Open Group SOSA Technical Standard, the VPX3-6816 is also available in configurations that support numerous existing OpenVPX™ profiles.
“Our Fabric100 family delivers a complete end-to-end solution for architecting 100Gbit SOSA aligned rugged systems,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions Division. “The low-power, low-cost 3U VPX3-6816 Ethernet switch module is the latest addition to our Fabric100 suite and provides high-speed switching with the trusted performance that today’s advanced sensor architectures demand.”
About the VPX3-6816 Ethernet Switch
With its 40/100GbE Data Plane and 10/25GbE Control Plane, the VPX3-6816 complements the previously introduced VPX3-1262 14-core 13th Gen Intel Core Hybrid processor-based SBC. The VPX3-6816 is also drop-in compatible with Curtiss-Wright’s very successful VPX3-687 40GbE switch and supports that board’s 40GbE data rates with a path for future growth to 100GbE performance.
Both the VPX3-6816 and VPX3-1262 are recent additions to Curtiss-Wright’s Fabric100 family of extremely high-performance SOSA aligned processing modules. Fabric100 brings high-performance 100 GbE and PCIe® Gen4 interconnect speeds to the new generation of deployable compute architectures. Curtiss-Wright’s Fabric100 suite is the only embedded ecosystem that delivers uncompromised, full 100 GbE performance across a comprehensive range of trusted 3U and 6U VPX form factor plug-in cards (PIC) and systems. Designed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard, the board delivers line-rate switching for demanding ISR and mission-critical processing applications. The VPX3-6816, which is available in conduction-cooled L300 ruggedization (L200 ruggedization with ESD covers), is suitable for high-reliability embedded ground, naval, airborne, and commercial/industrial applications.
The versatile, high-performance non-blocking Ethernet Switch provides up to 33 ports of backplane copper Ethernet connectivity. The VPX3-6816 provides system designers with a fully managed multi-layer Ethernet switch that offers an extensive range of network switching and routing services, including efficient multicast packet processing and flexible quality of service (QoS) prioritization supported with a powerful range of security features. On-board management software provides a powerful command line interface (CLI), SNMP, and web-based options for configuration, management, and monitoring.
24 Apr 24. Curtiss-Wright Showcases its Latest Rugged MOSA-based Solutions with Live System Solution Demonstrations at Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division announced that it will present a wide range of high-performance processing, tactical battlefield communications, networking, secure data storage and machine/human-interface technology demonstrations at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit, April 24-26, 2024, Gaylord Rockies Hotel, Denver, Colo., commonly referred to as “Quad-A”. Leveraging an unmatched legacy of flight innovation, Curtiss-Wright’s MOSA-based solutions drive digital infrastructure to meet the demanding requirements of Army rotorcraft platforms today and the emerging needs of our future forces. The live demonstrations will highlight how MOSA interoperability is driving transformational change across Army Aviation systems.
Curtiss-Wright Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit Demonstrations
Several of the Curtiss-Wright technology demonstrations at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit will highlight the powerful benefits of deploying applications via virtual machines over the network, with demos able to run on-demand on any of the featured VPX-based systems in Curtiss-Wright’s booth. The featured live demos will include:
- Safety-certifiable COTS hardware demonstration featuring Curtiss-Wright’s V3-152 Power Architecture single board computer (SBC) and V3-717 Graphics GPU module which are supported with available DO-254/DAL-A safety certification data artifacts package.
- Curtiss-Wright’s TCG HUNTR™ Tactical Data Link (TDL) Hub and Network Translator will be shown supporting TDLs, including Link 16, VMF, CESMO, Cursor-on-Target, and situational awareness. Simulation software will provide visibility into real-world links with air, sea and ground platforms on a local map. TCG HUNTR will be shown interfacing with TCG BOSS® software to present a simulation of a TDL battlefield environment working with the TCG MIDS JTRS Terminal Housing and Control Case. The HUNTR demo will feature Link 16 functionality, the hosting of a Link 16 terminal, and data forwarding via VMF.
- The HUNTR application will be shown running on VPX hardware housed in an LCR chassis, including a Curtiss-Wright VPX3-1260 single board computer (SOSA IOI profile 14.2.16) and VPX3-687 Gigabit Ethernet module (SOSA Switch profile 14.4.14). A Parvus® DuraCOR® 311 mission computer will serve as a thin client.
- As an example of the I/O flexibility of Parvus® DuraCOR® mission computers, Curtiss-Wright will show a sensor suite upgrade solution used by Top Aces, the leading global provider of advanced adversary air and joint terminal attack controller training. Top Aces’ Advanced Aggressor Mission System (AAMS) demonstration highlights the modified commercial-off-the-shelf (MCOTS) flexibility of Parvus DuraCOR mission computers, which can add additional I/O as required with little or no NRE. Paired with Top Aces’ F-16s, the only commercial 4th Gen fighter fleet in the world, as well as their advanced A-4 Skyhawks, the DuraCOR mission computer drives radar, Helmet Mounted Display (HMD), and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) data to the Multi-Function Display (MFD), providing unmatched situational awareness for air combat training.
Curtiss-Wright Technology on Display
Also, on display in Curtiss-Wright’s booth will be a wide range of MOSA-based solutions including:
Network Attached Storage & Recorders
Curtiss-Wright’s HSR10 10GbE Network Attached Storage (NAS) device provides up to 32 TB of removable storage capacity with two layers of CSfC-certifiable full disk encryption.
The DTS1+ Rugged Network Attached File Server protects data-at-rest with two layers of NSA Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) certifiable encryption in a ready-to-deploy device. The SWaP-optimized DTS1+ features hardware and software full disk encryption and a removable memory cartridge (RMC) for easy transfer of data.
Next Generation Flight Recorders
Curtiss-Wright, a leading supplier of modern flight recorders, commonly referred to as “black boxes,” will showcase a selection from its family of Fortress™ image, cockpit voice, datalinks, and flight data recorders. These compact and lightweight solutions are fully ED-112A compliant and meet 25-hour CVR storage duration mandates. Fortress’s flexible architecture enables it to expand its capabilities beyond a traditional flight recorder, such as Fortress HUMS which combines the functions of a flight recorder and a usage monitoring system into a single box solution.
Fabric100 Suite of 3U and 6U OpenVPX™ Modules and Systems
Furthering its commitment to being a leading supplier of MOSA system solutions, Curtiss-Wright will present its Fabric100™ family of extremely high-performance SOSA aligned processing engines. The Fabric100 Suite of 3U and 6U OpenVPX™ Modules and Systems provides system designers with a complete end-to-end ecosystem of high-speed 100G rugged OpenVPX modules and system components. At the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit, Curtiss-Wright will highlight members of the Fabric100 family, including the 6U CHAMP-XD4 and CHAMP-FX7 processing modules, and the 3U VPX3-1262 14-core Intel® “Raptor Lake” Hybrid Processor SBC and newly introduced VPX3-6816 switch module.
Tactical Communications Solutions
Curtiss-Wright will show its PacStar® family of advanced communications solutions for the DoD, including the 5-Slot PacStar VPX Smart Chassis, which provides the highest level of SOSA alignment available today. The chassis is designed to fit into a Standardized A-Kit/Vehicle Envelope (SAVE) enclosure alongside a PacStar 400-Series 4-Slot Smart Chassis comms system, facilitating the future transition to a full CMOSS/SOSA aligned hardware solution. Examples of PacStar 400 Series modules on display will include the PacStar 451 Small Server Module, the PacStar 444 Small GbE Switch, and the PacStar 447 Small Router Module.
A Leader in Open Standards
Curtiss-Wright is an active contributor to the definition and advancement of the open standards included in CMOSS and those being defined in The Open Group Sensor Open Systems Architecture™ (SOSA). Curtiss-Wright has been a leading participant in the development of the CMOSS and SOSA standards since the inception of both initiatives and is a key participant in several SOSA Consortium working groups (including holding a chair position in the SOSA Consortium). In addition, the company has been a leading contributor to the VITA Standards Organization (VSO) that oversees the definition of the OpenVPX, PMC, XMC, and FMC form-factor standards that provide the foundation of both CMOSS and SOSA technical standards. This makes Curtiss-Wright ideally positioned to work with customers to help guide the development and success of their CMOSS and SOSA aligned applications.
For additional information about Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions products, please visit www.curtisswrightds.com, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter) @CurtissWrightDS.
24 Apr 24. Low-Power, Affordable 3U OpenVPX 100 Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module Speeds and Simplifies System Integration. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today introduced the VPX3-6816, a Sensor Open Systems Architecture™ (SOSA) aligned 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) Switch for use in next-generation rugged processing systems. The low-power and affordable rugged 3U VPX™ module is designed and optimized to deliver the low-latency, high-speed Ethernet backbone required by modern aerospace and defense sensor processing architectures and supports a rich set of multi-layer L2 switching and L3 routing features. The module supports up to thirty-three (33) Ethernet ports with any mix of 1, 10, 25, 40, 50, and 100GbE port speeds. In addition to being aligned with the Open Group SOSA Technical Standard, the VPX3-6816 is also available in configurations that support numerous existing OpenVPX™ profiles.
“Our Fabric100 family delivers a complete end-to-end solution for architecting 100Gbit SOSA aligned rugged systems,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions Division. “The low-power, low-cost 3U VPX3-6816 Ethernet switch module is the latest addition to our Fabric100 suite and provides high-speed switching with the trusted performance that today’s advanced sensor architectures demand.”
About the VPX3-6816 Ethernet Switch
With its 40/100GbE Data Plane and 10/25GbE Control Plane, the VPX3-6816 complements the previously introduced VPX3-1262 14-core 13th Gen Intel Core Hybrid processor-based SBC. The VPX3-6816 is also drop-in compatible with Curtiss-Wright’s very successful VPX3-687 40GbE switch and supports that board’s 40GbE data rates with a path for future growth to 100GbE performance.
Both the VPX3-6816 and VPX3-1262 are recent additions to Curtiss-Wright’s Fabric100 family of extremely high-performance SOSA aligned processing modules. Fabric100 brings high-performance 100 GbE and PCIe® Gen4 interconnect speeds to the new generation of deployable compute architectures. Curtiss-Wright’s Fabric100 suite is the only embedded ecosystem that delivers uncompromised, full 100 GbE performance across a comprehensive range of trusted 3U and 6U VPX form factor plug-in cards (PIC) and systems. Designed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard, the board delivers line-rate switching for demanding ISR and mission-critical processing applications. The VPX3-6816, which is available in conduction-cooled L300 ruggedization (L200 ruggedization with ESD covers), is suitable for high-reliability embedded ground, naval, airborne, and commercial/industrial applications.
The versatile, high-performance non-blocking Ethernet Switch provides up to 33 ports of backplane copper Ethernet connectivity. The VPX3-6816 provides system designers with a fully managed multi-layer Ethernet switch that offers an extensive range of network switching and routing services, including efficient multicast packet processing and flexible quality of service (QoS) prioritization supported with a powerful range of security features. On-board management software provides a powerful command line interface (CLI), SNMP, and web-based options for configuration, management, and monitoring.
24 Apr 24. Curtiss-Wright Debuts Industry’s First Safety-Certifiable VPX Single Board Computer to Feature 13th Gen Intel Processors. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today announced the expansion of its family of DO-254 safety-certifiable single board computers (SBC) with the introduction of its first Intel® architecture-based design. The new V3-1222 processor module is the embedded industry’s first to feature the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ Processor for avionics. The module is supported by the Intel® Airworthiness Evidence Package and is housed on a rugged 3U VPX board designed for DO-254 Design Assurance Level (DAL) A safety-certifiable applications. To ease, speed and lower the cost of developing safety-certifiable avionics applications, the V3-1222 processor board is supported with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)-available AC/AMC 20-152A DAL A artifacts.
“The introduction of our first Intel-based safety-certifiable single board computer, the first to feature Intel’s new 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processor for avionics and Intel® Airworthiness Evidence Package, and supported with available off-the-shelf data artifacts, further enhances our position as a leading supplier of safety-certifiable COTS solutions for the avionics market,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “The addition of this compelling new rugged SBC to our family of safety-certifiable processors positions Curtiss-Wright with the widest selection of DO-254 DAL A-compliant processors, enabling us to meet the requirements of the broadest range of safety-certifiable avionics system design requirements.”
“In the dynamic world of avionics, where every second counts and determinism is paramount, processors serve as the silent but indispensable backbone, powering the systems that helps ensure safe and efficient flight,” said Tony Franklin, General Manager of Intel’s Federal and Aerospace group. “The newly announced SOSA™ aligned V3-1222 3U VPX board from Curtiss-Wright brings a NRE free Off The Shelf approach to safety-certifiable COTS and, with the help of Intel technology, delivers an impressive multi-core performance while accelerating safety certification for SBC-based systems.”
The new processor board significantly speeds the development of safety-certifiable avionics solutions, reduces program risk and accelerates time-to-deployment by providing system integrators with the board level data artifacts needed to support a system level avionics certification process. The availability of proven, safety-certifiable COTS data artifacts, with no required NRE, can save customers ms of dollars and multiple years of development typically required to develop a safety-certifiable processor and data artifacts from the ground up.
This SOSA™ Technical Standard aligned 3U VPX form factor processor board combines high-performance processing and graphics in a single slot and is designed for use in compute-intensive applications such as flight control computers, mission control, and primary flight displays. The V3-1222 delivers superior processing power, more PCIe connectivity, 64 GB of DDR5 memory with in-band ECC, dual DisplayPort and dual Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) interfaces with support for Time Sensitive Networking (TSN). The 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processors also incorporate Intel® Time-Coordinated Computing Technology and Intel® Silicon Integrity Technology for enhanced determinism and integrity demanded by avionics manufacturers. Intel® Hybrid Technology in the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processors enables system designers to flexibly fine-tune the performance and power usage of the device’s Performance Cores (P-Cores) and Efficient Cores (E-Cores) to meet their application’s specific requirements.
The V3-1222 module joins Curtiss-Wright’s broad family of safety-certifiable rugged modules to offer avionics system integrators the widest selection of processor options with which to meet their application’s unique requirements. Curtiss-Wright’s previously introduced VPX3-1262 processing module, also based on the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processor, is ideal for applications that do not require safety-certifiability. For safety-certifiable applications that require GPU support for graphics or AI/ML processing, Intel architecture devices, of the three leading processor types, uniquely offer integrated Intel® Iris® Xe graphics hardware and software support.
23 Apr 24. Nexa3D and KVG Scale Defense Manufacturing Capabilities with HSE Series for Deployment to U.S. and Allied Nations. Nexa3D, the ultrafast 3D printing and digital manufacturing solutions leader, announced today that KVG, an internationally recognized provider of mission support and logistics, has added 15 High-Speed Extrusion (HSE™) series 3D printers to its robust portfolio of deployable manufacturing solutions. Having already positioned HSE units to allied nations like Ukraine in 2023, this significant acquisition of HSE 180 and HSE 280i series printers enables the production of high-requirement, precision components for military and defense applications at the point of need around the world.
This announcement comes shortly after Nexa3D’s acquisition of Essentium, renowned for its broad materials portfolio and award-winning high-speed extrusion 3D printers, providing solutions for complex polymer production applications that are up to 5 times faster than competing extrusion technologies. Nexa3D’s commitment to innovation and reliability has made it a go-to choice for manufacturers and government users worldwide.
KVG, with over a decade of experience in providing tailored solutions for complex program management, troop, exercise, and mission support, has chosen Nexa3D’s HSE series for its unparalleled speed and precision. These printers will bolster KVG’s capability to deliver cutting-edge and efficient support solutions in the demanding and rugged environments where they operate, including rapid, on-demand production of crucial components in the field.
“We are excited to add additional Nexa3D’s HSE series 3D printers to our portfolio and integrate these systems into our operations,” said John Boyer, Founder and CEO of KVG. “Collaboration and agile platforms are key to maintaining a strategic advantage. The speed, precision, and versatility of these printers will greatly enhance our capabilities and support our commitment to exceptional service in mission-critical situations.”
This collaboration is expected to set a new standard and further adoption of rapid production and supply chain efficiency, especially in defense and industrial manufacturing sectors.
“The deployment of our HSE 180 and HSE 280i models to KVG is a testament to our commitment to pushing the boundaries of 3D printing technology,” said Elisa Teipel, Chief Government Officer for Nexa3D. “Our printers are designed to meet the demands of industries where speed, precision, and reliability are not just valued, but essential. This collaboration is not just about providing advanced technology; it’s about enabling transformative solutions for complex challenges faced in defense and manufacturing sectors. We look forward to seeing how our HSE series printers will contribute to KVG’s impressive work on the global stage.”
The deployment of Nexa3D’s printers at KVG’s points of need marks a significant step towards enhancing agile manufacturing capabilities. KVG and Nexa3D will maintain a cohesive and coordinated response to ensure that resources are deployed effectively, allowing end-users to maintain operational readiness.
Additional information is available on the Nexa3D website.
About Nexa3D
Nexa3D is passionate about digitizing supply chains sustainably by pushing the limits of additive manufacturing. The company makes ultrafast polymer and metal 3D printers that deliver up to 20x productivity gains to professionals and businesses of all sizes. Partnerships with world-class material suppliers, Nexa3D’s open materials platform, and the company’s robust portfolio of proprietary materials unlock the full potential of additively manufactured polymers and metals for volume production. Automated software tools optimize the entire production cycle using process interplay algorithms that ensure part performance and production consistency, while reducing waste, energy, and minimizing carbon footprint. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
22 Apr 24. MSBAI Delivers Transformative AI-Driven Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics Capabilities to USAF. MSBAI, an Air Force Techstars 2020 company, today announced the successful completion of its AFWERX Phase 2 SBIR contract, titled GURU Owns the Modeling and Simulation Tech Stack. This milestone represents a significant advancement in the U.S. Air Force’s digital engineering capabilities for next-generation supersonic and hypersonic aircraft development, unlocking the power of Air Force High Performance Computing (HPC).
Awarded under the 2021 Air Force ‘Digital Engineering Pitch Day’ initiative, MSBAI has delivered a groundbreaking autonomous solution that can set up Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations for high-speed aircraft in a matter of minutes – a process that traditionally takes hours to complete. This transformative capability, embodied in MSBAI’s GURU platform, responds to the U.S. Department of Defense’s imperative to accelerate AI adoption, as recently outlined by Dr. William W. Streilein, Chief Technology Officer for DoD’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).
The ‘Digital Engineering Pitch Day’ initiative was launched to identify and accelerate the development of novel digital engineering capabilities that could benefit the U.S. Air Force. AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and powered by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), sought innovative solutions that could advance the Air Force’s digital transformation and improve their ability to rapidly design, develop, test, and field new systems. “Digital engineering isn’t an option … it’s essential. It’s faster, it’s cheaper, it’s better,” said Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett.
“The digital engineering pitch day was a critical step in accelerating the Air Force’s digital transformation. By tapping into the innovative capabilities of non-traditional defense companies, we were able to identify solutions that can truly revolutionize how we design, develop and field new systems,” said J. Kyle Hurst, Chief of the Department of the Air Force Digital Transformation office (DAF DTO).
The successful delivery of GURU, now operational at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s DoD Supercomputing Resource Center (AFRL DSRC), marks a critical milestone in the Air Force’s digital transformation efforts. Vince ‘Swath’ Pecoraro, Lead Program Manager at DTO, commended the MSBAI team, stating, “Great leadership is in place, and the GURU product continues to impress. The DAF Digital Transformation Office will continue to support!”
With this successful contract completion, MSBAI is poised to further expand its transformative AI-driven capabilities to support the U.S. Air Force and American high speed aircraft designers in their pursuit of next-generation air superiority. (Source: PR Newswire)
18 Apr 24. LiquidPiston, Inc., a leading innovator of efficient internal combustion engine technology and hybrid power systems, today announced that a fully integrated version of its 25hp XTS-210 heavy-fuel rotary engine has begun testing.
This milestone follows the successful completion of initial dynamometer testing of the engine core and enables parallel development of products powered by the engine, including a compact man-portable 10kW electric generator being developed under a U.S. Army contract awarded to LiquidPiston.
LiquidPiston will share updates on the newly integrated XTS-210 at two important upcoming industry conferences. Representatives from the company will be at Booth #3226 at XPONENTIAL, a drone-focused event being held April 22-25 in San Diego, and Booth #2000 at SOF Week 2024, a defense industry event being held May 6-10 in Tampa, FL.
“LiquidPiston is moving the XTS-210 from the lab to the real world,” said LiquidPiston co-founder and CEO Alec Shkolnik. “Integrating the engine core with the balance of plant components, including the supercharger, fuel and oil pumps, and other ancillary systems marks a major milestone in the development of the engine.”
“Upon successful completion of this development and testing phase, the XTS-210 will be able to power a broad range of vehicle and off-vehicle power systems. This includes a first-of-its-kind hybrid eVTOL UAS and a lightweight and man-portable 10kW generator to support the DoD’s increasing critical operational energy needs by delivering unmatched power flexibility and portability to the warfighter.”
The LiquidPiston 10kW genset will be approximately one-quarter the size and weight of the currently fielded Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source (AMMPS) 10kW generator system. Given its smaller footprint and power electronics, LiquidPiston’s genset platform can replace multiple existing generator power classes, greatly simplifying generator procurement and logistics for the U.S. Army and other DoD agencies.
XTS-210-powered 10kW generators will leverage LiquidPiston’s patented High Efficiency Hybrid Thermodynamic Cycle™ (HEHC) design, offering several key benefits:
Lightweight – Up to 75 percent lighter and smaller than the currently-fielded AMMPS.
Easy to transport – Can be man-portable, instead of requiring a truck, trailer, or forklift.
Space-efficient – Occupies only ~9 cubic feet of space.
Heavy- / Multi-fuel capable – Designed for jet fuel, the engines have also been operated on gasoline, diesel, propane and hydrogen.
LiquidPiston’s XTS-210 engine is the result of decades of engine research and development, coupled with more than 10 contracts secured with the U.S. Department of Defense and over $20 m awarded in development funding, including a $9 m DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory award for a Compact Efficient Rotary Engine announced in November 2022 and an $8.3 m award from DEVCOM C5ISR Center for the development of a Light Weight High Efficiency Generator announced in July 2023. The XTS-210 is also being integrated into a hybrid eVTOL UAS for an Army demonstration that will occur later this year.
About LiquidPiston
LiquidPiston, Inc, a technology startup based in Bloomfield, CT, is leading the power systems industry’s development of internal combustion engines that are scalable (from one horsepower (HP) to over 1,000), compact (delivering 1.5 HP/lb), and capable of efficiently utilizing fossil or renewable fuels. The company’s patented High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle™ (HEHC) and engine architecture innovation support next-generation fuel-energy conversion solutions for hybrid power systems, including for UAS, mobile power generation, and APU applications.
22 Apr 24. How is quantum technology used in the military?
Quantum technology is at the forefront of most advanced nations’ long-term defence planning.
The dangers quantum technology poses to encryption networks has made it a point of increasing geopolitical sensitivity – forcing the US, China and other major world players to develop national quantum strategies.
The Pentagon, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and Nato are among the leading military bodies investing heavily in quantum technology, according to GlobalData’s Quantum Computing in Aerospace, Defense and Security – Thematic Intelligence report.
There are three main strands used in defence: quantum computers (to process large amounts of data faster and more accurately than traditional computers), quantum sensing (detecting enemy submarines or mines) and quantum communication (secure channels for communication protected from eavesdropping).
Pentagon at the pinnacle?
Close ties to Microsoft, IBM, Intel and other tech giants give the US a key advantage in developing quantum technology for military applications.
In 2022, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act, which “authorises new investments in core quantum research programs” while the US military also announced $3bn of federal quantum projects, with an additional $1.2bn coming from the National Quantum Initiative.
The Pentagon’s so-called black budget projects are expected to further fund quantum computing initiatives.
While the US may struggle to compete with China’s focused research in quantum communication through its centralised, state-led approach, the sheer range of hardware research increases the likelihood of major quantum breakthroughs happening in Washington first.
Beijing aims to keep pace
The US CHIPS and Science Act is open in its intentions to “counter China” – which will be no mean feat.
China is committing more than $15bn to quantum computing over the next five years and is drawing expertise from across the country through its $10bn National Quantum Lab at USTC Hefei.
Over the long term, China’s autocratic economic model will be an advantage over the US; less bureaucracy and pushback against quantum investments.
While Beijing maintains a cloud of secrecy around the nature of its quantum investments, “intermittent announcements demonstrate its strong position in quantum computing”, the report adds.
For example, the PLA is the world leader in quantum communication through the Micius satellite project and the Beijing–Shanghai Quantum Secure Communication Backbone. But quantum supremacy claims from some of the world’s fastest photon-based and supercomputing quantum computers show its true potential.
Who are the other players in quantum technology?
While far behind the US and China, the EU’s Quantum Technologies Flagship program will provide $1.2bn of funding over the next ten years.
Individual member states are rolling out various R&D initiatives, with France and Germany, Europe’s largest economies, having the most comprehensive national strategies.
Germany announced $3bn to develop quantum technologies in May 2023, and although start-ups in the Netherlands, Finland, Spain and Austria have made notable contributions, this number remains unsurpassed.
In February 2021, Nato Defence Ministers endorsed the Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) Strategy within which quantum-enabled technology was one of the nine technology areas promoted.
Nato’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) has been a particular driver of quantum investment.
DIANA’s conceptualisations of quantum underwater warfare, inertial navigation and chemical detections have been widely used as benchmarks for the technology’s military applications.
The EU and Nato’s investments will be driven in part by Russia – a newer quantum computing player.
Alongside India, Moscow established a quantum agenda in 2020. Both governments committed $1bn, with Russia’s National Quantum Laboratory, led by its state atomic energy company, Rosatom, pledging to specialise in applying quantum technologies in the nuclear industry.
However, the report concludes that both countries’ smaller talent pools and loosely built ecosystems mean it will be several years before they are competitive with the US, China, and other more established quantum players. (Source: army-technology.com)
23 Apr 24. DSIT bolsters its leadership team to drive UK’s science and tech superpower mission.
Leading experts have been appointed to oversee the department’s work to transform the UK into a science and technology superpower.
- DSIT announces further appointments to its leadership team including Professor Christopher Johnson as Chief Scientific Advisor and new expert non-executives Dominic Field and Liz Cohen to the Departmental Board
- The department also confirms the re-appointment of Shonnel Malani as Lead Non-Executive Director alongside other non-executives from DSIT’s start-up board – Melissa Di Donato, Jason Chin, Saul Klein
- Bryan Ingleby and Vikas Shah will continue on the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee alongside new joiners Gillian Leng and Mark Poulton. Liz Cohen will chair the Committee
Leading experts in health, law, risk management and marketing have today (Tuesday 23 April) been appointed to oversee the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s (DSIT) work to transform the UK into a science and technology superpower, bolstering the DSIT board with a series of key leadership figures.
Marking a significant milestone for the department as work continues at pace in its second year, and following a rigorous and open recruitment process, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has appointed a diverse and highly qualified group of Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) to the DSIT Departmental Board and Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC). The newly appointed NEDs bring a broad range of experience, from across the science, technology, and digital sectors.
- Shonnel Malani will be reappointed to the Lead Non-Executive Director role, providing strategic oversight and guidance to the department.
- Melissa Di Donato, Jason Chin, and Saul Klein will continue their roles from the Start-up Board to the new DSIT Departmental Board.
- They will be joined by new appointees Dominic Field and Liz Cohen. Liz will also chair DSIT’s new ARAC.
- Bryan Ingleby, Gillian Leng Mark Poulton and Vikas Shah will join Liz on the ARAC.
The Departmental Board will provide over-arching strategic guidance and insight, as the department looks to continue with the UK’s mission for science, technology and innovation to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve lives.
Strengthening the department’s scientific expertise, Professor Christopher Johnson will join DSIT in July as the department’s first Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA). Professor Johnson brings over 20 years of experience in engineering and physical sciences, with a focus on safety and security.
His impressive background includes esteemed fellowships with NASA and the US Air Force as well as playing an instrumental role in establishing cyber security labs for the UK Civil Nuclear industry. He is currently Pro Vice Chancellor for Engineering and Physical Sciences at Queen’s University Belfast.
Science, Innovation, and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan said: “This exceptional group of leaders is a welcome addition to DSIT. Their deep industry experience, alongside Professor Johnson’s unparalleled scientific expertise will be invaluable as we build on a highly successful first year, including hosting the first ever global AI Summit, securing association to the £92 bn Horizon Europe research programme and passing legislation to make the UK the safest place to be online. This diverse team will place insight from the cutting-edge of industry and academia at that heart of our work, positioning us perfectly to deliver on our ambitious agenda, securing the UK’s place as a global powerhouse in science, technology, and innovation.”
Shonnel Malani said: “I am pleased to rejoin the department as DSIT’s lead non-executive director. In doing so, I welcome back Melissa Di Donato, Saul Klein and Jason Chin who have already provided incredible support and expertise to DSIT. We will be joined by experts Dominic Field and Liz Cohen, to form the new Departmental Board. I look forward to working closely with them and our incoming ARAC NEDs as we offer advice and assurance to the department as it delivers its priorities and positions the UK as a science and tech superpower.”
Professor Christopher Johnson said: “I’m delighted to be joining DSIT at a time of huge opportunity for the future wellbeing of this country. I’m committed to working across government to champion a ‘whole of society’ approach to innovation, ensuring we extend the fruits of scientific advancement to all corners of society. Whilst it may be challenging, our mission to embrace disruptive technologies, leverage research to drive economic growth and grasp the opportunities for international collaboration will create opportunities to build a safe, secure, and thriving future for all.”
Professor Johnson will work as part of the team of the National Technology Adviser, Dr David Smith, and collaborate with other departmental CSAs under the leadership of the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Dame Angela McLean.
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean said: “Congratulations to Professor Christopher Johnson who has been appointed as Chief Scientific Adviser for DSIT. Professor Johnson is a leading researcher in cyber security for safety critical computing systems and brings a wealth of expertise and experience to government. It is a pleasure to welcome him to the network of Chief Scientific Advisers.”
These appointments come at a pivotal time for DSIT, building on a hugely successful first year. From the development of life-saving treatments to the creation of new highly skilled jobs, research and development (R&D) has shaped the world we live in, for the better. That’s why the Prime Minister created a department dedicated to science, innovation and technology, and why we’ve increased our R&D budget to the highest this country has ever seen.
In its first year, DSIT boosted investment in R&D to £19.4 bn, reaching £20bn this year. This record investment is a key part of how the government is delivering the long-term change our country needs to guarantee a brighter future for the UK, growing the economy and improving opportunity for everyone.
With its strong leadership and robust scientific expertise, DSIT is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goal of making the UK a global innovation leader and a science and technology superpower.
(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
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