NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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10 Jan 07. Israel’s new AEW system undergoes trials. Israel’s new Conformal Airborne Early Warning (CAEW) system, now undergoing flight testing in Israel, is believed to be the first operational radar to implement a technology known as ‘track before detect’ (TBD).Discussed since the 1970s, TBD has been mentioned as a potential counter-stealth technology because it improves the ability of a radar to detect small targets and targets with a low radar cross-section (RCS).Details of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) CAEWsystem, based on a Gulfstream G550 platform, were revealed by IAI and Israel Defence Force (IDF) representatives at an IQPC Defence conference in London in December. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)
Jan 07. Connector system enables standard USB cables to be used in harsh environments. Now available from international assembling distributor. PEI-Genesis is the Amphenol ‘USB Field’ connection system, which enables standard USB 2.0 cables to be used in harsh environmental conditions. Based on the MIL-DTL-38999 Series III connector design, the USB Field system comprises a choice of metallic receptacles and a metallic plug incorporating a triple-start coarse-ribbed threaded coupling nut, an anti-decoupling device and two-position polarisation. As well as being resistant to shock and vibration, the connector system provides IP67 sealing against fluids and dust and also offers improved EMI protection. Assembly of the system is straightforward, requiring neither tooling nor time-consuming cable preparation and termination procedures. The receptacles come in square-flange or jam-nut styles, with or without backshells. In addition, an optional self-closing cap is available for the square-flange versions to prevent ingress of fluids or dust when the plug is disconnected. Featuring an operating temperature range of –55 to 85degC, the connector system can be specified with either nickel plating for RoHS compliance or olive-drab plating. USB Field is ideal for use on embedded computers and data-acquisition systems, especially in industrial, transportation and military applications.
09 Jan 07. Rafael set to develop anti-Qassam system. The Israeli Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to provide initial funding for a proposal by Rafael Armament Development Authority to develop a defence system to counter Palestinian insurgent Qassam rocket attacks. Dubbed Kela David (David’s Slingshot), the system will consist of an inexpensive kinetic interceptor based on Rafael’s missile technology combined with an Elta Systems detection and fire-control radar. Several million dollars have been allocated for the development of an anti-rocket system in 2007, with an initial operational capability of the finally selected system expected in 18 months. (Source: Jane’s Missiles and Rockets)
11 Jan 07. TNO, RWM create new class of projectile. A collaborative effort between TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research) and RWM Schweiz (formerly Oerlikon Contraves-Pyrotec AG, now part of the Rheinmetall AG group) on the design of solid-fuel ramjet (SFRJ) projectiles has resulted in the creation of a new class of gun-fired air defence projectiles with improved characteristics over the past and current generation of ammunition. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)
09 Jan 07. China releases details of PGMs. A range of Chinese precision-guided munition (PGMs) was on public display for the first time at the China Air Show in November, writes Robert Hewson.China’s work on PGMs, which are a cornerstone of China’s future air power capabilities, has been a closely guarded secret for many years. The evidence from the Zhuhai show, however, is that several centres of excellence are working within China on a range of PGMs, sometimes with overlapping capabilities. These ‘rival’ systems may be attempts to define the most effective weapon solution through test and evaluation. (Source: Ja