NEW TECHNOLOGIES
Web Page sponsor Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
June 04. TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) announced the commercial introduction of the SwiftLink® 1400. The latest model in the SwiftLink suite of products is a highly portable reach-back communications terminal that provides encrypted access to classified or sensitive information from the field. With support for both wireline and wireless infrastructure, the 1400 is the smallest in the SwiftLink product line with a footprint equivalent to a notebook computer. The SwiftLink 1400 builds upon technology provided in previous SwiftLink products. It is designed to provide secure interconnectivity to multiple public networks for military and Intelligence personnel, homeland security, law enforcement, emergency response teams, and corporate executives that are highly dependent on immediate, dependable and encrypted reach-back communications. The SwiftLink 1400 may be configured with a Type 1or Type 4 Future Narrow-Band Digital Terminal (FNBDT) encryptor. SwiftLink 1400 offers users a wireless connection over Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Iridium (satellite), 802.11 Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), and wireline connections over the Public Telephone Network (PTN), in-building Private Branch Exchange (PBX) systems, or a Local Area Network (LAN). These six public network choices are selectable through a convenient front panel switch, providing a communication path for any operational scenario. The SwiftLink 1400 has an integrated handset for voice communications, and connects to a laptop or handheld computer through a serial interface. United States government and military users can employ SwiftLink 1400 to access the SIPRNet or NIPRNet. Enterprise customers can use SwiftLink 1400 to protect confidential and proprietary voice and data transmissions while on the road.
28 Jun 04. The U.S. Army’s RQ-5A Hunter UAV will be able to climb faster, operate at higher altitudes, and spend less time being serviced thanks to the integration of a heavy-fuel engine on the air vehicle by Northrop Grumman Corporation. The new engine, which recently completed a four-month engineering test and flight demonstration program, also helps advance the Army’s goal of using JP-8 as the single fuel for all of its land- and air-based weapon systems.
30 Jun 04. DVD saw the launch of a user-friendly tool which can quickly assess the risk and potential cost overruns of smaller defence and commercial projects by Frazer-Nash Consultancy. D-Risk, a software programme which was developed in conjunction with Category D Integrated Project Team project managers at the Defence Procurement Agency, can provide a statistically backed-up visual output of the confidence levels of a project achieving its In Service Date, an essential element for the defence sector, if the project is to achieve Main Gate approval. According to Alan Pryce, Principal Consultant, D-Risk can make a significant difference to the business plan of a project, “The risks associated with projects are becoming increasingly important factors for the MoD when justifying a project’s business case, and for projects of up to £20 million, there is a gap in the market for a tool that is simple to use. Existing tools often provide a wealth of functionality that is not needed for these smaller projects and are difficult to use. “In D-Risk, for the first time, we now have the capability that small MoD projects need in a very simple to use software package.” D-Risk was designed jointly, and is currently being used by, the Specialist Utility Vehicle IPT to calculate the 10%, 50% and 90% confidence levels in achieving deliver dates and project costs on their projects, which the MoD refer to as 3 point estimates of a project.