NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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15 Jan 08. Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated digital beamforming (DBF) capability to locate and track live targets with its Scalable Solid-State S-band Radar (S4R) engineering development model. DBF is the most advanced approach to phased-array antenna pattern control. It provides significant performance advantages over conventional analog beamforming techniques, including improved operations in severe environmental clutter and, through the use of multiple simultaneous beams, increased search and track timeline efficiency. The S4R engineering development model is an active, electronically-steered digital array radar designed to be scalable to support multiple missions, including air surveillance, cruise missile defense, ballistic missile defense, counter target acquisition and littoral operations. The proven digital array radar design is derived from the S-band antenna developed for the U.S. Navy’s next-generation destroyer. The DBF signal processor was derived from the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense signal processor. The S4R engineering development model was developed using Silicon Carbide (SiC)- based high-power Transmit/Receive modules. SiC provides greater power than other commonly used materials due to its increased heat tolerance. With more power, the radar has longer range and provides more precise target discrimination.
17 Jan 08. EADS Defence & Security (DS) handed over today the system software for the state-of-the-art, digital Army Command and Control Information System (FüInfoSyS H) at the Franco-German Brigade site in Müllheim, Germany, to the Head of the Modernisation Department in the Federal Ministry of Defence. Under contract to the Federal Office for Information Management and Information Technology of the Bundeswehr, DS developed the system software for this and delivered other hardware components. FüInfoSys H is a tailored command and control information system for units of the Army. An important element is the graphically displayed situational picture, which is modified to the respective command levels. This information on own and enemy forces ensures a flexible and efficient command of national and multinational combined joint operations. The system’s modular structure and scalability allows it to be used in both command posts and combat vehicles. An integrated touch screen interface is provided for application in combat vehicles. The user interface can be changed to English for international operations.
16 Jan 08. The Air Force Scientific Research Office has taken the wraps off a research project that uses holography to create high-definition, 3-D images. Scientists sponsored by the research office have pushed the technology forward by improving the memory, physical size and updating features of the 3-D images. Research team leader Nasser Peyghambarian of the University of Arizona’s Optical
Sciences College said in a statement that the holographic 3-D technology promises improved battlefield command and control by providing realistic images that could be updated regularly and quickly. Holographic videoconferencing equipment from companies such as EDS has been available for several years. But currently deployed commercial 3-D systems sometimes are called “quasi-holographic,” because they fall short of full-motion, full-color holographic video, according to various technology news analysts. (Source: GCN)
22 Jan 08. QinetiQ conducts environmental trials on MAN military trucks. QinetiQ has just completed a series of rigorous environmental trials on 12 different types of MAN military logistic trucks in its test chambers at MOD Boscombe Down, part of an independent 18-month evaluation contract for the new supply vehicles fleet for the MOD’s General Support Vehicles IPT. Over three separate six-week phases, the 12 vehicle types have been subjected to temperatures of between +49°C and 46°C to ensure reliable ope