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10 Mar 17. VStar’s Successful Flight Test of MA-C Signal Intelligence Sensor. VStar Systems Inc., a privately held aerospace and defence systems company, announced the successful flight test of its modular Signal Intelligence Sensor, MA-C/lite, aboard the Martin UAV V-Bat aircraft. Over the duration of 35 minutes at an altitude of 400 feet above ground level, MA-C/lite collected signals from as far as 20 miles distance. MA-C/lite provides never before seen capabilities to Martin UAV’s V-Bat fleet, enabling the aircraft to fulfil new, critical missions for a variety of military and private security clients.
Founded by entrepreneur and U.S. Navy veteran Andy Von Stauffenberg, VStar Systems designed its MA-C products to provide signal intelligence such as signal copy, signal identification and geolocation to a wide variety of platforms, ranging from Type 1 UAV’s to even the largest manned platforms. Starting at a weight of approximately 2 lbs., MA-C/lite provides SIGINT capabilities to Martin UAV’s line of V-Bat drones, which previously were limited to optical payloads due to size and weight of other SIGINT sensors on the market. MA-C/lite is one of several products under the MA-X Modular Airborne Signal Intelligence System, a scalable solution designed to provide critical intelligence at a more affordable price point.
“This flight test is the first step toward utilising smaller UAV’s in superior ways,” said Andy von Stauffenberg, CEO of VStar Systems. “Under our lightweight design and modular approach, Martin UAV’s V-Bat now has the ability to perform new, critical roles in today’s information age. Our sensor opens the door to more innovation and more valuable uses for SIGINT, and aids even the smallest platforms in becoming Multi-Intelligence capable.”
The launch of the MA-C/lite sensor is VStar’s first step in commoditising SIGINT – allowing smaller aircraft to carry a single, specialised module rather than extra weight and associated costs from a sensor that does more than required for the mission. VStar provides a convenient and efficient system that requires low size and weight, and comes at a low cost; ultimately bringing more players and ingenuity into the UAV industry as more aircraft utilising VStar’s sensors will be able to fulfil critical the tactical and strategic missions that commanders have been struggling to complete.
“We are eager to work with VStar to develop V-Bat’s capability in the tactical VTOL market; the warfighter deserves the best technology and support we can provide.” said Phil Jones, COO of Martin UAV. “The addition of VStar’s MA-C/lite sensor gives the VBat a new, critical capability that our military clients are excited to get access to.”
With a successful first flight test complete, and several additional tests to increase the capabilities already planned, VStar’s MA-C Sensors will become available as a payload option on the VBat later this year. (Source: UAS VISION)
09 Mar 17. When it comes to cybersecurity, the satellite industry stands out. The satellite community is different when it comes to cybersecurity and the threat environment, according to one satellite executive.
While the satellite industry has some of the same threats others in the commercial sector face, these space-based assets carry communications that are mission-critical, and because of that “some of the threat actors … are unique,” said Andrew Tomaszewski, vice president of advanced programs at IDRIECT.
“We’re not only subject to the classic commercial threat actors, but there are very active nation-state actors in that are involved in satellite communications as well,” he said Wednesday during a panel discussion at the Satellite 2017 conference in Washington.
Commercial satellite providers produce services and capabilities for both civilian and gover