Sponsored by Spectra Group
https://spectra-group.co.uk/
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22 June 22. Spectra Group appoints C5ISR Expert Simon Perrett MBE as Head of Research and Development. Spectra Group the specialist provider of secure voice, data and satellite communications systems has announced the senior appointment of Simon Perrett MBE as their new Head of Research and Development.
Simon has a distinguished 39-year military career, 32 of which were spent planning, managing, and delivering C5ISR solutions and technical support to the Specialist user community, for which he was awarded the MBE in 2013. He has held several key appointments within that community, culminating as Commanding Officer of one of the units for the past 4 years. In this last role he reformed, built, and led a unique technical unit of engineers and scientists and military users to solve operational problems and deliver novel, battle-winning prototypes, and concepts directly into the hands of the specialist user.
As Head of R&D at Spectra Group, he will be responsible for leveraging his extensive operational experience to drive innovation and new development, and to seek growth and IPR opportunities for the company through insightful application of emerging science and technology to meet customer needs and fill operational capability gaps. Continuing to build on the successful and long-standing reputation of Spectra Group products, one of his first areas of focus will be to build and develop on the renowned SlingShot system to improve usability and agility and expand its networking features.
Simon Perrett MBE, Head of R&D said, “I am passionate about the application of Science and Technology to overcome operational issues and am delighted to have been given this opportunity to work within with Spectra Group. Spectra Group’s dynamic and can-do ethos attitude fits perfectly within an innovative and progressive R&D culture which I am looking forward to building and developing over the coming months”.
Simon Davies, CEO of Spectra Group, said, “I am extremely pleased and privileged to have secured such a high-quality individual as Simon Perrett for this vital role. He is renowned for his passion to deliver capability and his ability to harness novel technology into innovative concepts to solve complex problems and benefit the end user is unparalleled. I am delighted to welcome Simon to the Spectra team and very excited that Simon will be driving the next generation of Spectra Group products.”
https://youtu.be/85sqSE-VNI4 – available on the BATTLESPACE website.
23 June 22. ILA 2022: Luftwaffe’s electronic attack commitment to NATO slips, as industry showcases solutions for Eurofighter EK. The Luftwaffe’s commitment to field an airborne electronic attack (AEA) capability for NATO has slipped by at least three years, with an overdue formal requirement expected to be launched by the Bundeswehr in the coming months.
Industry officials told Janes at the ILA Berlin Air Show on 22 June that the previously stated timeline of 2025 for fielding the Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum (luWES) mission for NATO has slipped to 2028, with the German Ministry of Defence (MoD) expected to launch a market survey in support of the capability before the end of 2022. (Source: Janes)
23 June 22. DARPA report finds vulnerabilities in blockchain tech, non-secure crypto transactions. A holistic research paper documents the security concerns within decentralized ledger technologies, prompting concerns over the security of cryptocurrency transactions.
New research challenges the security of the ledger technology blockchain software runs on, raising concern about its uses, from cryptocurrency spending and trading to electronic voting.
Commissioned by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, researchers reviewed the features and vulnerabilities of distributed ledger technologies to gauge if the software is truly decentralized, or free from external control.
Distributed ledger technologies refer to software that stores information on a secure, decentralized network where users need specific cryptographic keys to decrypt and access data. It is the central technology that runs cryptocurrency transactions. Commonly known as blockchain, distributed ledger technology is supposed to be decentralized to prevent a single actor from tampering with information stored across its network.
“The report demonstrates the continued need for careful review when assessing new technologies, such as blockchains, as they proliferate in our society and economy” said Joshua Baron, the DARPA program manager overseeing the study. “We should not take any promise of security on face value and anyone using blockchains for matters of high importance must think through the associated vulnerabilities.”
Authored by cybersecurity consulting firm Trail of Bits, the report found that some blockchain technologies can be mutable and susceptible to change, which threatens the data stored within the proof-of-work blockchain.
This conclusion stems from the increased centralization of ledgers associated with popular cryptocurrencies, namely Bitcoin and Ehtereum.
“This report gives examples of how that immutability can be broken not by exploiting cryptographic vulnerabilities but instead by subverting the properties of a blockchain’s implementations, networking, and consensus protocol,” the report begins. “The data—and, more importantly, the code—deployed to a blockchain are not necessarily semantically immutable.”
Several factors contribute to vulnerabilities within blockchain systems. One critical component of a secure and decentralized blockchain ledger is the system of nodes, or participating computers, included in the network.
Should just one of these nodes not have the proper security protocols or simply be run by a dishonest actor, the data passing through the blockchain is susceptible to hacking or change. This finding erodes the longstanding notion of blockchain’s inherent security and threatens the information stored within various blocks.
Additionally, security protocol inconsistencies among nodes in a blockchain network or mining pool pose a threat to the safety of every included node.
The report also notes that all Bitcoin protocol traffic in particular is unencrypted, which does not initially pose a threat for data passing between nodes within a network. However, should a third party within the network route between nodes become corrupted, external actors can potentially disrupt transactions on the ledger.
Concerns over the software underpinning cryptocurrency transactions come as the emerging technology corners a larger part of the market and continues to be volatile. With an executive order and numerous bills, the federal government is seeking to find a regulatory grip on the cryptocurrency arena to better understand the new asset class and how it will impact the broader economy. (Source: Defense Systems)
23 June 22. USAF seeks tech sweet spot for Advanced Battle Management System. The U.S. Air Force must strike the right balance of old and new, saving and spending, to successfully build out its Advanced Battle Management System, according to the service’s chief of staff, Gen. CQ Brown.
Understanding exactly how dated technologies will interact with newer ones and what must be carried forward in favor of what must be left behind is “where some of the tension” resides when developing the next of generation of command and control, Brown said at a Hudson Institute event June 22.
“You look at some of our weapon systems, they were all developed at different times. Some of them were developed before the internet was a thing. So how do you then make something backward compatible? And in that lies part of our challenge,” Brown said. “And then how much do you invest? If it’s a radio or piece of hardware, if you’ve got to buy one for every single airplane, that gets pretty expensive.”
ABMS is the Air Force’s contribution to Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or JADC2, the Department of Defense’s vision of seamless information sharing across land, air, sea, space and cyber.
Using cloud environments, artificial intelligence, updated communications gear and more, the Air Force hopes to quickly dispatch more and more-tailored information to forces on the battlefield.
“You don’t want to be all the way back at the headquarters directing traffic or having the puppet strings. You need to allow the airmen to go out and execute, and that’s the key part. You’ve got to push the information forward,” Brown said. “ABMS is not just one system. What we find is we have a number of communication systems.”
Realizing those systems, though, has proven tricky. Congress dinged the endeavor before — slashing millions in funding — and watchdogs questioned its fitness.
In describing ABMS as one of his seven “operational imperatives,” Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall has called for spending discipline and tangible success.
“We can’t invest in everything and we shouldn’t invest in improvements that don’t have clear operational benefit,” he said at the Air Force Association’s Warfare Symposium in March. “We must be more focused on specific improvements with measurable value and operational impact.”
Moving forward, the Air Force is focusing on what systems can breeze ahead and what needs tinkering to remain effective and compatible with key information streams, according to Brown.
In some cases, a data translator is needed. In others, it’s not so simple.
“Those who have followed this ABMS journey, they’ve probably seen that it’s evolved over time as we learn more,” Brown said. “I think, in some cases, we were very visionary about what we wanted to do, starting out.”
(Source: Defense News)
23 June 22. Cyber: Moscow Targeting NATO.
EVENT
On 22 June, Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) disclosed that Russian state-linked hackers had increased their cyber efforts against western governments supporting Ukraine.
SIGNIFICANCE
- These threat actors have reportedly targeted 128 entities across 42 countries, including the US and other NATO member states. Of these entities, the top targeted sectors were government agencies (49 percent), IT (20 percent), critical infrastructure operators (19 percent), and NGOs (12 percent). Given their targeting, these cyber attacks are aimed at either exfiltrating sensitive information about how western governments are aiding Kyiv against Russia and/or monitoring organisations supporting Ukrainian refugees. Indeed, industry reports published in March claimed that a suspected Moscow-linked hacking group was targeting European government employees providing support to Ukrainian refugees (see Sibylline Cyber Daily Analytical Update – 3 March 2022). The aim of these campaigns remains unclear, but there is a realistic probability that they are seeking to, amongst other things, track the movements of Ukrainian males of military-serving age in and out of the country in order to help the Russian government assess Ukraine’s military size and strength.
- While these cyber attacks were launched across a wide geographic area, 63 percent of the cyber intrusions observed by MSTIC involved NATO member states. In one notable example, cyber security firm Sekoia disclosed in May that the Russian state-sponsored hacking group Turla targeted the Austrian Economic Chamber and Baltic Defence College with cyber espionage activity (see Sibylline Weekly Ukraine Cyber Update – 24 May 2022). However, MSTIC also claimed that the US was targeted more often than any other country, with “American targets representing 12 percent of the global total outside Ukraine”. In line with this, US General and Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) Paul Nakasone claimed on 1 June that the US’ cyber forces have been engaged in “offensive, defensive, [and] information operations” to help support Ukraine against Russia’s invasion (see Sibylline Weekly Ukraine Cyber Update – 7 June 2022).
- Despite Moscow’s wide range of activities, the MSTIC found that only 29 percent of these Moscow-backed cyber attacks were successful. This reinforces our assessment that the ongoing cyber assault from pro-Kyiv hackers – including those from the US and the IT Army of Ukraine – together with Russia’s poor preparation have severely limited Moscow’s capacity to launch effective cyber operations.
FORECAST
While cyber space has not been utilised as actively during the Ukraine conflict as cyber security experts initially expected, the MSTIC’s findings reinforce our assessment that it continues to play a strategic role in both the Ukrainian and Russian militaries’ daily operations. As such, with Moscow’s protracted conflict in Eastern Ukraine set to continue throughout the coming months, Moscow-backed cyber threat actors are highly likely to continue their malicious cyber intrusions.
Ukrainian government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, such as in the energy or telecoms sectors, and defence organisations will remain the most at-risk for such activities. However, Western entities that are either providing defence, financial, or technical support to Kyiv will also be high-value targets for these attacks. Entities in NATO member states and countries bordering Ukraine will thus likely experience the most Russia-linked cyber activity. This will remain a particular risk in the coming weeks given growing tensions following Moscow’s threats to respond to NATO member Lithuania after Vilnius blocked the transit of certain goods to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave. While the Kremlin has yet to announce its response, the Baltics will in particular be at increased risk of malicious cyber activities ahead of next week’s NATO conference in Madrid (29-30 June).
23 June 22. UK DE&S declares IOC for new command-and-control system.
The new GUARDIAN C2 system will allow RAF to protect the UK from potential aerial threats. The UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) procurement unit Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) has declared initial operating capability (IOC) for command-and-control system (C2) GUARDIAN.
The system is managed by DE&S and delivered by IBM.
IBM’s contract for the new system includes equipment delivery and logistic support for the first five years, up to 2027.
This work is also expected to support a variety of jobs at IBM’s facilities in Buckinghamshire, Northumberland, Lincolnshire and Hampshire.
The latest declaration of IOC comes with the roll-out of a Control Reporting Centre (CRC) at Royal Air Force (RAF) Boulmer.
The new CRC provides a dynamic, real-time map of hostile and friendly aircraft.
Apart from RAF Boulmer, the new system will also be installed at the RAF 78 Squadron in Swanwick, Hampshire.
Both the CRCs will operate round-the-clock, with a total of 29 dual workstations at Swanwick, and 50 dual workstations at Boulmer.
Once fully operational, the two CRCs could be staffed by more than 100 RAF battlespace management personnel.
DE&S Integrated Battlespace Operating Centre director Dr Simon Dakin said: “Delivering this step-change in capability is a massive achievement, reflecting superb joint working between the RAF, DE&S and IBM.
“The capability delivers a significant enhancement to UK security.”
GUARDIAN is a new C2 system that links the radios and radars of the UK and Nato, allowing communication between the aircraft and RAF bases.
The system is capable of receiving early warnings from Nato reporting centres to alert the UK of any potential threats.
With the new C2 upgrades, GUARDIAN will provide improved rapid real-time information exchange, as well as enable fast and precise decision-making.
Furthermore, GUARDIAN will allow the RAF to despatch fighter jets, to identify, intercept and escort the suspected aircraft. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 June 22. Airbus and CISPA establish Digital Innovation Hub for Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Airbus and the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at ILA Berlin 2022 to open a center of excellence for cybersecurity and trustworthy artificial intelligence in Saarland, Germany. The “CISPA-Airbus Digital Innovation Hub” will be located at the CISPA Innovation Campus in St. Ingbert and will start operations this year with the intention to grow to around 100 experts within the next three years. In the long term, Airbus and the CISPA are jointly aiming to grow the competence center to more than 500 experts.
“Joining efforts with a renowned German research institution like CISPA is a key step in our strategy to continue strengthening our top-notch cybersecurity capabilities and expertise. At Airbus we are firmly committed to continue investing in the technologies and resources of the present and the future, which will enable us to be at the forefront of tomorrow’s challenges, ever more digital. To achieve this ambition we are carefully selecting the right partners, and the creation of this competence center is a great example of our long-term vision and investment in innovation”, said Evert Dudok, Executive Vice President Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space.
CISPA Founding Director and CEO Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael Backes says, “The talks with Airbus were very trustful and constructive right from the start. Just like us, they want to reach for the stars in the future topics of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence and were looking for the strongest partner to do so. The combination of our know-how, reputation and excellent specialists will foster the creation of new opportunities to bring our research into application through attractive and future-proof jobs in Saarland. After the establishment of our Innovation Campus, the now starting large-scale collaboration with Airbus constitutes a key milestone towards our overarching goal of creating 10.000 jobs in the next 20 years and thereby serve as the driving force for the successful structure change of the State of Saarland”.
The CISPA Innovation Campus currently under construction in St. Ingbert offers a unique space for established companies to settle but also for start-ups, which will get support to the financing and implementation of their innovative ideas with a new venture capital fund of 50 m euros set up specifically by the CISPA.
With this partnership between Airbus and the CISPA, the information security research institution as well as the Innovation Campus and Saarland aim to become even more attractive for young talents from all over the world.
22 June 22. Fuse Conducts Live-Flight Demonstration of Tactical Edge Networking Capability During Joint Marine Corps/Navy Exercise.
Fuse Integration, an innovative federal defense communications, networking and computing solutions provider, today announced it conducted a successful live-flight demonstration of its Tactical Edge Networking capability in support of the U.S. Marine Corps’ I Marine Expeditionary Force and the U.S. Navy’s Third Fleet. The joint multi-domain exercise enabled the interconnecting of multiple distributed nodes and command posts replicating expeditionary advanced base operations.
Throughout the day-long exercise at Camp Pendleton in California, Fuse provided networked text, voice communications and live video across the distributed network to the I MEF and Third Fleet. The company demonstrated resilient, multi-domain networking in a notional, SATCOM-denied environment; low probability of intercept/low probability of detection discovery for Bandwidth Efficient Common Data Link over out-of-band control planes; directional mesh networking; and multi-link crossbanding.
In support of the exercise, Fuse utilized three of its key products: Tactical Technologies Toolset, a remote network monitoring and management solution for multi-domain operations; CORE®, a flexible and small, weight and power networking solution that connects aircraft, ground vehicles and ships with ground operations across secure and unclassified networks; and the DARE Airborne Networking Gateway, which extends network connectivity for airborne and ground-based warfighters in a wing-mounted pod airframe.
“Our nation’s warfighters require reliable, secured communications across multiple domains to outpace the adversary’s decision-making,” said Sumner Lee, CEO of Fuse. “Our team has developed the capability to enhance shared awareness between distributed, expeditionary nodes and accelerate the sensor-shooter cycle. We’re grateful for the opportunity to support our Navy-Marine Corps team and look forward to supporting future joint exercises with our proven technologies.”
The Fuse TEN architecture is designed to enable joint all-domain command and control, facilitating rapid prototyping with joint networks and “speed to fleet” deployment across multi-domain – air, ground, maritime – platforms.
About Fuse Integration
Fuse is a warfighter-focused engineering and design firm providing innovative communications, networking and computing solutions for defense customers. The company’s virtualized network systems, tactical edge virtual network and airborne networking gateway products improve the sharing of information, video, text and voice among warfighters throughout airborne, maritime and ground environments. Founded in 2010, Fuse is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business with headquarters in San Diego and a corporate office in Washington, D.C. www.fuseintegration.com
22 June 22. Elettronica has developed a Long-Term Investment Plan to strengthen its presence in Germany. The company wants to contribute to cover the country’s needs through its Elettronica GmbH subsidiary, while fully exploiting the industrial and engineering assets of the Elettronica Group (EW, Security, Cyber).
Elettronica has been a global player in Electronic Warfare for 70 years and a leader in Cyber and Homeland Security solutions. The Company supplied more than 3.000 EW systems to over
28 nations in Air, Naval and Ground domains, and have an industrial/commercial presence around the world, in particular in Europe, Gulf Countries, Middle East and US.
Elettronica is Design Authority of Electronic Warfare Self-Protection System on important European Avionic Programs, such as Eurofighter Typhoon EuroDASS, NH90 NFH helicopter as well as in Naval Programs.
In Germany, Elettronica Group has a strong presence through its subsidiary Elettronica GmbH, based in Meckenheim (Bonn) for more than 40 years.
Considering the upcoming programs and the German MoD’s challenging requirements, Elettronica Group decided to launch a long-term investment plan in order to reinforce its presence in the Country based on the following three main lines of action:
1) Ad-hoc Capabilities’ proposals, i.e. availability of high technological and proven EW systems, to fit the Customer requirement, reducing program risks, time and costs;
2) Short/Medium Capabilities proposal, i.e. EW system architecture technical/operative know-how based in Germany to support the national programs;
3) Cooperation with German Companies and supporting the bilateral German-Italian MoD cooperation.
Elettronica’s Investment Plan in Germany has the main objective to develop innovative technologies integrating cognitive ew solution based on Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning and deep learning algorithms fully designed, developed and produces in Elt Group Lab . The investment plan aims to keep nurturing the National and EU skill to provide air superiority to the next generation fighters, able to face modern operational scenario, merging and symmetric and asymmetric threats.
Elettronica is spending several ms of investments, as already indicated in the strategic industrial Plan “Tenet” for the purpose, to assure a stable and high-level presence as well as an important footprint in Germany, to support the German Customers, to strengthen the local industrial cooperation and to contribute to the increase of the level of capabilities in EW sector from a technological, system engineering and operational capabilities point of view.
Elettronica are exhibiting at this year’s Berlin ILA airshow between
22nd and 26th June (hall 3, booth 350)
Elettronica are proud to be exhibiting at this year’s Berlin ILA airshow between 22nd and 26th June (hall 3, booth 350)
21 Jun 22. ILA 2022: Berlin expected to green light Eurofighter ECR. Germany is expected to shortly authorise development of the Eurofighter Electronic Combat Role (ECR) aircraft, following the type’s selection for the Luftwaffe in March. The ILA Berlin Air Show running from 22 to 26 June is likely to provide the German government with the occasion to formally launch the Eurofighter ECR project, which was first touted back in 2019, having decided to acquire the aircraft alongside the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter to partially satisfy its future combat aviation requirements. Janes first reported that Eurofighter stakeholder Airbus was eyeing a dedicated electronic attack (EA) version of the aircraft at the IQPC International Fighter conference in Berlin in November 2019. At that time, the Eurofighter ECR was billed as being the escort jammer component of a system-of-systems designed to provide a comprehensive EA capability, with the other elements of the system being a stand-off jammer aircraft and stand-in jammer effectors. (Source: Janes)
21 Jun 22. DoD/DCSA Renames DoD CAF. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has renamed the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DOD CAF) to better reflect personnel vetting in the future. DoD CAF is now DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (CAS). The renaming to DCSA CAS does not change any internal or external organizational reporting relationships, missions, resources, or support functions. DCSA, through the CAS, will continue to deliver informed and timely adjudicative decisions for the Federal Government to enable operational readiness in keeping with risk management principles. In 2019, the DOD CAF transferred to DCSA, and was part of the broader realignment of personnel vetting responsibilities. DCSA CAS, led by DCSA Assistant Director Marianna Martineau, supports the military services, Department of Defense agencies, cleared industry in the National Industrial Security Program, and certain legislative and judiciary branch entities. The DCSA CAS executes approximately one m personnel security, suitability, and credentialing actions. DCSA CAS executes 99% of all DOD National Security Eligibility determinations, 92% of federal government-wide National Security Eligibility determinations, and 10% of federal government-wide Civilian Suitability and Credentialing decisions. The DCSA CAS is the largest adjudication facility across government and the only adjudication facility covering all three branches of government. (Source: glstrade.com)
21 June 22. Asension rebrand takes DEWC Systems into new era. South Australian Electronic Warfare company DEWC Systems has unveiled a new brand identity – Asension – to underscore the company’s growth and provide a clear focus for its cutting-edge products and capabilities. As a leading provider of sophisticated electronic components, sensors and systems to the Australian Defence Force, Asension has evolved its brand in line with its new mission and vision that will take the business into the next generation of EW products, whilst maintaining its heritage and reputation. The company has been developing novel approaches to EW technology for Defence since it was established in 2018, working closely with universities, Defence Science and Technology Group and industry partners. Co-founding member and Chief Executive Officer Ian Spencer said the refreshed logo and name embodies the company’s rapid evolution and the start of a new era for Australian technology that intelligently brings together information from multiple sources.
“Over the past few years the business and our technology have evolved significantly from where we started and the things we are doing are more sophisticated,” Spencer said. “Radars are more technologically advanced and software defined. We are leveraging the newest technologies and employing artificial intelligence to do all the thinking for the customer, so they don’t have to analyse information they receive from radars themselves. Given this evolution of our company, we need a brand that is fresh, new and alludes to what it is we are doing and where we are going. Asension – a sensor fusion – represents the fusing of senses and bridging the gap between information and knowledge to multiply force effectiveness in real time. Through cutting-edge technology, the company has made systems that are able to do a lot of processing right at the edge of where the sensor is and translate information into knowledge. Our software definable hardware and user configurable applications are designed for space, sea, land and air deployment and are remotely reconfigurable.”
The scope of our mission has widened significantly and the new brand must reflect the rapid evolution of our technology and capabilities. Asension, the company’s new identity, has been created as a platform to allow the company to grow and develop its EW capabilities and bring innovative solutions to customers across multiple sectors.
“While we primarily support Defence, to be a viable business we need to be successful in our own right and that means diversifying into other markets.” Spencer said. “We are posturing to export to the USA and the UK and we are about to manufacture new products that are modified variants of our Defence products, for other markets.”
The company plans to export its highly capable, software-defined radio platform, WOMBAT, which was originally designed to provide space domain awareness to help Defence identify potential threats. It is also developing a new passive space-based sensor system to track dark ships to help combat illegal fishing and smuggling.
Focused on delivering sovereign ISREW capability to enhance Australia’s national security, the company will build new collaborations and invest heavily in research and development.
Asension is also committed to expanding its strong team of ex-Defence and ADF personnel, together with some of Australia’s brightest graduate engineers.
“We have an amazing culture that enables the team to work well together, with the wisdom and technical knowledge of the older generation joining forces with the enthusiasm and invention of the youth,” he said. “Just as we are fusing sensors and different bits of information for knowledge, we are fusing generations and the different points of view they bring, enabling us to solve problems in new ways.”
To find out more about Asension and its new mission, visit: www.asension.com.au
21 Jun 22. Elettronica Group And Lendlease In Bio-Defense against Pandemic. Innovation for new life after the pandemic emergency makes its debut at MIND Milano Innovation District.
- The world class leader in electronic defense systems Elettronica Group together with Lendlease present E4Shield, a “disruptive” technology unique in the world designed and patented by the company Elettronica to inactivate Covid-19 and its variants and face new potential pandemic waves
- E4Shield is one of the first innovation projects born within the MIND Milano Innovation District ecosystem and will be applied by Lendlease in the built environment of the district
- With E4Shiled, the first part of E4Life is created, a project made by Elettronica and Lendlease for the creation of a system of innovative federated technologies for the protection of spaces, as part of a research path with the Politecnico of Milan for the definition of an international protocol for the certification of environmental safety.
The path towards building a new normality after the health emergency begins at MIND, Milan Innovation District. Elettronica Group, world class leader for 70 years in the electronic defense sector, and Lendlease, international real estate and urban regeneration group, as MIND developer, presented at MIND, Milano Innovation District, E4Shield a unique technology in the world, capable of inactivating Covid 19 viruses and its variants Wuhan, Delta and Omicron and programmable in the future for new pathogens.
E4Shield was conceived and patented by the Elettronica company which, thanks to its seventy years of experience in the management of the electromagnetic spectrum, has also transferred its skills to the Biodefense sector. The further development of E4Shield was made possible thanks to the partnership with Lendlease, to contribute to the current and future pandemic threat, in line with the commitment to create built spaces that guarantee ever higher standards of well-being and health of people and the planet.
E4Shield, completely Made in Italy, by acting inside closed environments such as schools, lifts, means of transport, is able to inactivate the virus in an aerosol within 3 minutes, helping to mitigate the pandemic threat. This is one of the first innovation projects, born within the ecosystem of MIND companies dedicated to research in the fields of life sciences and cities of the future, through the contamination and sharing of innovation ideas and projects.
E4shield is in fact a unique “disruptive” solution in the world that puts the expertise and technology of the leader in electronic defense systems, Elettronica Group at the service of civil society and sees Lendlease as a partner for the development of the application in the built environment.
The technological innovation of E4Shield is based on the scientific evidence reported in various contributions from the literature, including a study published by the journal Nature, which have amply demonstrated the ability of electromagnetic fields to inhibit the viral load of pathogens.
“E4Shield is a unique system in the world through which our Group has made its skills in the military sector available to civil society”, said Enzo Benigni, President and CEO of Elettronica Spa. “Elettronica has in its nature the contrast to emerging threats and, together with continuous research and development, has created the basis for the development of this innovative technology, which we hope will represent a further valid aid in the management of the post-pandemic. With E4Shield we wanted to make our contribution to one of the major challenges that the research world is called to respond to today. Collaborations with the Scientific Department of the Celio Military Polyclinic, the Sacco hospital, the Virostatics laboratories and above all with our partner Lendlease were fundamental for its development. We hope that this innovative system will be a first step towards a return to a new normality”.
“We are particularly proud to present one of the first innovation projects realized thanks to the ecosystem of MIND Milano Innovation District, which made possible the shared development of this pioneering technology in response to an extraordinary global challenge”, declared Andrea Ruckstuhl, Head of Italy and Continental Europe of Lendlease. “As urban developers, we are committed to continuously innovating the most cutting-edge standards that certify the quality and well-being of places, in which it will be increasingly crucial to ensure integrated and cooperative technological solutions to anticipate and resolve new possible health or climate crises”.
E4Shield
E4Shield has obtained CE and SAR certification and its effectiveness has been tested through various laboratory tests. An international patent for an industrial invention has been filed.
First, the conditions on surfaces were fine-tuned, then we moved on to aerosol tests in the Virostatics laboratories, to mimic the main transmission route of SARS-CoV-2, finally we focused on emissions compatible with the presence of man, confirming the inactivation of the virus by 90% in aerosol.
The physical principle of electromagnetic resonance at the base of the technology has universal value, so the data obtained and reproduced in the laboratory suggests that the technology may be applicable to new viral threats, to respiratory viruses and bacteria that represent the greatest threat to humans. The research project in particular with Virostatics will continue on this ambitious challenge.
The solution was developed using the scientific partnership of the Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan and the scientific department of the Celio Military Hospital to conduct tests and the Virostatics laboratories to validate the inactivation of the virus in aerosol.
The technology developed in prototype will be available in two versions: the wall-mounted device and the wearable device which can generate a protection area of 50 square meters and 3 m respectively. The development for industrialization and marketing will take place in the next months. The technology will be available for immediate installation and is compatible with any other technology and suitable for use in the presence of people.
Strength points:
- It does not need air treatment, so it is faster
- It works already after 3 minutes from switching on and then stably while it is switched on
- It does not need implants. It has a Plug & Play application
- Inactivation of the virus does not cause people to leave the room, it is completely safe for humans and does not interact with other devices
- In the wearable version it is wearable
- It is small-sized
E4Life
On the occasion of the initiative, Lendlease and Elettronica Group have announced the launch of a wider alliance, called E4Life, which will see them involved in the development of a system of federated technologies capable of working on the widest possible protection of environments, also assisted by a passive system for the “buffer” of the air.
As part of this roadmap there will be collaboration with other partners. The first to join the Call for Alliance are Virostatics and Cy4Gate. Future collaboration with Virostatics plans to continue scientific research to program E4Shield technology against new viral pathogens, including bacteria. The collaboration with Cy4Gate will cover all aspects related to cyber securing of devices and will also extend to the use of its artificial intelligence competence center to support E4Life initiatives.
During the event, a research project was also presented, together with the Politecnico di Milano, which aims to define a new international standard of environmental protection recognized by the institutions.
21 Jun 22. US: Firms targeted by hackers will be at a heightened risk of secondary cyber attacks within a year due to poor cyber hygiene standards. On 20 June, Michigan-based financial service provider Flagstar Bank reported a data breach affecting 1.5 m of its customers. The hackers are believed to have exfiltrated sensitive customer information, including full names and social security numbers. However, there is currently no evidence that such data is being used to engage in malicious activities, such as fraud. This is the second cyber incident targeting Flagstar since the bank was subject to a ransomware attack in January 2021 by the Clop cyber criminal gang. These incidents are indicative of IT firm Cymulate’s 2022 survey that 66 percent of organisations that have been compromised by cyber threat actors were subject to a follow-up attack within 12 months of the initial breach. With this trend set to persist, organisations across all sectors are advised to follow the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) “campaign checklist”, such as implementing two-factor authentication and strong password practices, to minimise their risk exposure to such malicious cyber activity. (Source: Sibylline)
20 Jun 22. Collins Aerospace demonstrates proven Unified Command & Control Network at EDGE 22.
- Intelligent Gateway bridging connects multiple networks to form Unified Network enabling better decision making for Commanders
- Cross-domain solution provides access to sensor visualization across the battlefield and reduces the Sensor-to-Shooter Cycle
- Demonstrated ready-now, mature, resilient networking, intelligent sensing, and secure autonomous processing solutions at the tactical edge
Collins Aerospace demonstrated a Unified Network that achieved the range and scale required to support the Army modernization and JADC2 initiatives for joint and coalition forces. The demonstration was conducted as part of the recent Experimental Demonstration Gateway Exercise 2022 (EDGE 22) excursion at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah.
The demonstration created a Unified Command and Control Network leveraging ground and air platforms to connect multiple brigade combat teams and division assets separated by up to 365 kilometers (226 miles) in rugged terrain. An advanced tactical data link, mesh network and intelligent gateways facilitated the integrated network.
The intelligent gateway included a cross-domain solution that enabled multiple levels of security across the networks, a capability providing division Commanders and coalition partners access to a common operational picture to enhance situational awareness and make informed split-second decisions. Intelligent gateways bridge networks together, bypassing limitations in legacy networks and scaling command and control without requiring costly new equipment or upgrades across the Army Enterprise.
“The warfighter’s most strategic asset is a Unified Network as it provides actionable data anywhere within the multi-domain battlespace and brings together commanders in real time to coordinate mission operations,” said Elaine Bitonti, vice president, JADC2 Demonstration and Experimentation for Collins Aerospace. “This enhanced situational awareness – through securely bridging disparate networks – shortens the decision-making cycle required to determine the best course of action.” (Source: Google/https://www.collinsaerospace.com/)
20 Jun 22. Global: Ransomware will remain a persistent concern for third-party technology users amid cyber criminals’ increased targeting of NAS devices. On 17 June, Taiwanese technology company QNAP warned its customers that its network-attached storage (NAS) devices were being targeted by the DeadBolt ransomware gang. Details of this attack are limited, such as the total number of victims, making it difficult to assess its full impact. Nevertheless, this is the fourth DeadBolt campaign against QNAP’s NAS in 2022, with “thousands of victims” impacted in the January, March, and May cyber attacks. Other notable ransomware groups such as eChoraix have also been targeting QNAP storage devices through recently discovered vulnerabilities. These intrusions highlight cyber criminal groups’ increased targeting of NAS drives in recent years due to vulnerabilities related to its common installation outside of the firms’ secure infrastructure, which results in IT teams being unaware of critical security patches. With further DeadBolt or eChoraix ransomware attacks highly likely to emerge in the coming weeks, QNAP’s customers are recommended to update the QTS and QuTS hero operating systems on their NAS devices to the latest version to minimise their exposure to these nefarious cyber attacks. (Source: Sibylline)
01 Jun 22. What next-generation radios mean for enhanced military operations. As legacy combat net radios (CNRs) approach their end of service life, modern armed forces seek next-generation tactical communications devices to provide personnel with transformational capabilities.
According to Bittium’s Vice President for Defence and Security, Harri Romppainen, while many armed forces still operate legacy CNRs, the transition to SDR technology is inevitable.
‘Armies need new tactical communications capability with wideband waveforms; maximum levels in data throughput; availability of Internet Protocol [IP] networks; and requirement for interoperability with partners,’ Romppainen explained.
As Finland’s national champion in tactical communications, Bittium already supplies SDR technologies for example to the Finnish Defence Forces (FDF), Estonian Defence Forces (EDF), and Austrian Armed Forces, which require modern performance to enable the required network services and interoperability with European and NATO partners.
In 2017, Bittium signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the FDF regarding the purchase of new tactical radios. The LoI made it clear that next-generation tactical radios would be ‘unique in their performance in leading the mobile troops and forming the situation awareness on the battlefield’.
Next-level performance for operational effectiveness
Bittium’s solutions include the Tough SDR Handheld and Tough SDR Vehicular, both operating in the 30-2500MHz frequency band and offering data throughput up to 26 Mbps.
Waveforms currently available for integration include the broadband Bittium TAC WIN Waveform and ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform, as well as Bittium Narrowband Waveform for robust messaging and voice capability for longer range communications.
‘The uniquely wide range of frequency bands improves combat usability and enables using the same equipment in different geographical areas. Using several waveforms, even simultaneously with the 2-channel Vehicular radio, improves compatibility and enables operations on different levels and missions,’ Romppainen added.
The deliveries of the Tough SDRs to the FDF have started and preparations are ongoing for the volume field roll-out to replace legacy Tadiran CNRs.
Interoperability at its best
Bittium is also employing Tough SDRs to support interoperability tests with the ESSOR High Data Rate Waveform alongside other ESSOR national champions.
Finland was one of the first ESSOR members to successfully complete national approval tests in the first half of 2021. Previously, ESSOR’s first PTT call was successfully conducted at Bittium’s test facility in Kajaani in 2020, connecting ‘tens’ of nodes from multiple sovereign SDRs.
Tough SDR Handheld can also be connected to Bittium’s Tough Mobile 2 tactical LTE smartphone, which can meet the stringent tactical and security requirements of dismounted units.
Featuring the Bittium Secure Suite, which includes VPN and Mobile Device and Application Management, Tough Mobile 2 supports end-to-end encrypted communications.
Connected over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet or USB, Tough Mobile 2 displays specialist C2/BMS software, including SitaWare or the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK).
This capability is crucial as it allows platoon and squad members to send messages and observe a common operating picture anywhere on the battlefield and at any time. (Source: Armada)
17 June 22. Thales designs Synaps-H Mission Module to support mobile ad hoc networks. Thales unveiled a new mission module for its handheld Synaps-H software defined radio (SDR) at Eurosatory 2022 defence exhibition. Designed to extend levels in connectivity at the tactical edge, the clip-on device attaches to the back of the Synaps-H SDR, a lightweight very/ultra-high frequency (V/UHF) SDR designed for the commanders at the tactical level as part of a “collaborative combat” concept, according to Thales literature.
Synaps-H is the export variant of the handheld radio, which is in service with the French Army under the CONTACT programme.
According to Thales, the module provides dismounted personnel with dedicated interoperability capacity. The mission module achieves this by enabling Synaps-H accessibility to specialist mobile ad hoc network (MANET) waveforms.
“It’s possible to add a backside mission module to extend the connectivity beyond Synaps networks and services,” documents explained.
Specifically, the mission module enables Synaps-H to communicate with SDRs operating TrellisWare Technologies’ TSM wideband networking waveform across a MANET. (Source: Janes)
17 June 22. The Russian hacking “botnet” RSOCKS global network has been dismantled according to law enforcement from the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain.
According to the US Department of Justice (DOJ), the botnet known as “RSOCKS” is a worldwide network that linked ms of hacked computers and devices which include “internet of things” (IoT) gadgets like routers and smart garage openers.
Hacked by Russian cyber criminals and used for malicious purposes, the network of compromised devices had been used to “mask or hide the true source of the traffic”, according to a Reuters report.
The DOJ also revealed that RSOCKS users paid a fee of between $30 and $200 per day to route malicious internet activity.
“It is believed that the users of this type of proxy service were conducting large scale attacks against authentication services, also known as credential stuffing, and anonymising themselves when accessing compromised social media accounts, or sending malicious email, such as phishing messages,” the US DOJ said in a statement.
Victims of RSOCKS include public and private entities ranging from a university, a hotel, a television studio and an electronics manufacturer but the DOJ did not name them. (Source: https://www.cybersecurityconnect.com.au/)
17 June 22. UK communications regulator proposes new licensing regime to support BVLOS operations. The UK communications regulator Ofcom is working closely with the UK government and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to develop a new approach for authorising the radio equipment needed on drones flying beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the operator. Ofcom is proposing to introduce new spectrum licences that allow operators to use mobile and satellite networks to achieve this.
Advances in technology have led to drones increasing in size and complexity, and flying over longer distances – including BVLOS.
This has created a range of commercial opportunities across several industries, from doorstep deliveries to machinery maintenance. But long-distance, high-altitude drones still need to be controlled from the ground and send back data or video to the operator.
Flying high
As the regulator of the radio spectrum, Ofcom currently allows drones to use airwaves designated for model aircraft or for Wi-Fi. This does not require a licence but is unsuitable for the services offered by the latest generation of drones.
Ofcom has been supporting trials that have enabled organisations to research, develop and test new types of wireless equipment on drones. These include:
Royal Mail exploring ‘postal drone routes’ to make deliveries to remote communities, with test flights for the new service covering an almost 100-mile round trip in rural Scotland;
a transport link between Southampton Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight for delivery of urgent medical supplies during the coronavirus pandemic; and
the deployment of drones in industrial settings to inspect, monitor and maintain machinery.
Following the promising results of these pioneering projects, Ofcom is proposing to authorise the use of a range of technologies to support drone use which is not currently permitted today.
Flying safe
The CAA sets out the rules governing how and where commercial drones can be flown safely. Along with the Government, it is currently developing a framework for how they can be integrated into UK airspace.
Ofcom’s new licences would also authorise the use of safety equipment to enable drones to operate safely in UK airspace.
This should enable the CAA and Department for Transport to further progress their wider airspace policy proposals.
Helen Hearn, Ofcom’s Spectrum Interim Group Director, said: “Commercial drones have the potential to bring a whole host of benefits, such as delivering vital supplies or assisting search and rescue operations in remote locations. We want to ensure that businesses pioneering these projects can access the spectrum they need to harness the full potential of the latest drone technology.” For more information contact: www.ofcom.org.uk (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
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Spectra Group Plc
Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, internationally renowned award-winning information security and communications specialist with a proven record of accomplishment.
Spectra is a dynamic, agile and security-accredited organisation that offers secure Hosted and Managed Solutions and Cyber Advisory Services with a track record of delivering on time, to spec and on budget.
With over 15 years of experience in delivering solutions for governments around the globe, elite militaries and private enterprises of all sizes, Spectra’s platinum and gold-level partnerships with third-party vendors ensure the supply of best value leading-edge technology.
Spectra was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2019 for SlingShot.
In November 2017, Spectra Group (UK) Ltd announced its listing as a Top 100 Government SME Supplier by the UK Crown Commercial Services.
Spectra’s CEO, Simon Davies, was awarded 2017 Businessman of the Year by Battlespace magazine.
Founded in 2002, the Company is based in Hereford, UK and holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2013 and Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation.
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