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12 Dec 24. DOD’s Chief AI Officer Launches Rapid Capability Cell, Frontier AI Pilots to Accelerate Adoption of Cutting Edge Tech. The Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office today launched a new rapid fielding effort to spearhead a series of new initiatives aimed at accelerating the adoption of advanced artificial intelligence capabilities across the Defense Department. The CDAO’s Artificial Intelligence Rapid Capabilities Cell, or AI RCC, will partner with the Defense Innovation Unit to execute four initial Frontier AI pilots that will apply generative AI models to both warfighting and enterprise management use cases. The pilot initiatives are part of the AI RCC’s broader efforts to capitalize on emerging technologies and put advanced AI capabilities in the hands of warfighters and key DOD enablers. The department’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Dr. Radha Plumb, who also holds a doctorate. in economics, underscored the imperative for the DOD to seize AI as she announced the launch of the new initiatives today.
“The U.S. and the U.S. private sector, in particular, is at the cutting edge when it comes to artificial intelligence,” Plumb said. “At the same time, it’s important to recognize that AI adoption by adversaries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea is accelerating and poses a significant national security risk.”
In response, she said DOD is taking “an all-hands-on-deck approach” to ensure the U.S. continues to lead in the adoption of AI.
“The United States’ decisive and enduring advantage lies in the innovation that’s inherent in the commercial sector and the department’s ability to incorporate that into our critical missions,” Plumb said.
Defense Innovation Unit Director Doug Beck said in a statement that the CDAO-DIU partnership on AI RCC “will allow us to shape critical AI initiatives in a way that incorporates the standards, policy and requirements from the beginning.”
“The result will help us scale the tech faster and more reliably and will also help change the way the department thinks about software development and delivery tempo for the future,” he said.
The AI RCC will accelerate and scale generative AI tools across 15 warfighting and enterprise management use cases ranging from command and control and decision support to software development and cyber security.
Those areas of focus are based on findings from Task Force Lima, which Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks established in August 2023 to develop, evaluate, recommend and monitor generative AI capabilities across the department. The task force will officially be sunset with the establishment of the AI RCC.
The Frontier AI pilots will tackle four of those use cases — two focused on warfighting and two focused on enterprise management — to demonstrate the impact of generative AI in defense applications.
As part of the pilots, CDAO will partner with combatant commands and DOD stakeholders to conduct incremental experiments utilizing the capabilities in development.
It marks the first major effort to deploy leading edge AI to support warfighter needs in real time.
In addition to the Frontier AI pilots, AI RCC will oversee key investments in underlying infrastructure needed to accelerate AI adoption across the department, including the establishment of digital “sandboxes” to enable AI testing and experimentation on government networks.
AI RCC will also invest in rapid, user-centric experimentation using CDAO’s Global Information Dominance Experiment series to allow warfighters across combatant commands to test frontier AI models and provide real time feedback to developers.
Additionally, Plumb announced today that CDAO will award $40 m in Small Business Innovation Research funding to non-traditional and small businesses for innovative generative AI solutions. (Source: U.S. DoD)
12 Dec 24. DOD Innovation Official Discusses Progress on Replicator. The Defense Department is integrating lessons learned from executing the first iteration of its Replicator initiative as it tackles the next phase of the effort to put cutting-edge capabilities in the hands of warfighters, said a senior Defense Innovation Unit official today.
Aditi Kumar, DIU’s deputy director, said the department is on track to meet its goal of fielding thousands of autonomous systems across multiple warfighting domains under Replicator 1 and has begun executing the second phase of the initiative focused on counter drone capabilities. Looking back when was first launched and thinking through the timelines of how we are going to do this in 24 months it was very daunting,” Kumar said during a discussion hosted by the Hudson Institute, a policy think tank, in Washington. “Sixteen months in, though, we’re in good shape.”
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks unveiled the Replicator initiative in August 2023 as one approach DOD is taking to meet the challenges laid out in the National Defense Strategy, which identifies China as the United States’ pacing challenge.
The first iteration of the initiative is focused on fielding thousands of autonomous systems across multiple domains within the next 18 to 24 months, as part of the Pentagon’s strategy to counter China’s rapid armed forces buildup.
It focuses on fielding “attritable” capabilities — platforms that are unmanned and built affordably — allowing commanders to tolerate a higher degree of risk in employing them.
“Our acquisition enterprise is sprinting, and our commercial vendors are sprinting to pull these off the production lines and get them into the hands of the warfighter,” Kumar said today.
She added that a key, overarching goal of replicator is improving the defense acquisition process more broadly and accelerating the development and fielding of critical defense technologies.
To that end, DIU remains focused on taking lessons learned from each iteration of Replicator and applying them to the next.
In September, Hicks set the direction for Replicator 2 which will focus on countering the threat posed by small, uncrewed arial systems to warfighters and defense installations.
Countering unmanned systems has emerged as a focus area for the Pentagon, which has identified unmanned aerial systems as a significant threat to U.S. personnel and facilities abroad and, increasingly, in the U.S. homeland.
Last week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III signed a classified strategy for countering the threat posed by unmanned systems aimed at unifying DOD’s approach across domains.
In outlining the focus for Replicator 2, Hicks also set an 18-to-24-month timeline to put capabilities in the hands of warfighters.
Kumar said DIU is on track to meet these timelines as it executes both phases of the initiative in parallel.
She highlighted key lessons from the first phase that DIU is applying as it moves forward.
First, she said, DIU has worked to further increasing communication between DOD and the private sector.
As an example, she said DIU hosted a round table with commercial stakeholders and investors last week following the release of the counter unmanned aerial systems strategy “to really clarify our demand signal and the types of systems and capabilities that we will be pursuing as part of Replicator 2.”
Secondly, Kumar emphasized the importance of tackling the toughest challenges early on in the development process.
Kumar also emphasized the importance of early and frequent communication with Congress. Doing so, she said, helps garner support from lawmakers as the department begins to address funding for what amounts to an “enormous challenge.”
“We have already been on the Hill talking to them about what Replicator 2 looks , what types of capabilities we’re looking to field and in what locations,” she said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
12 Dec 24. DOD Launches SciTechCONNECT to Revolutionize Defense Innovation Collaboration. The Department of Defense announced today the launch of DoD SciTechConnect, a new platform designed to enhance collaboration with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology. The initiative, which was unveiled on December 3, aims to empower innovators to turn bold ideas into solutions that strengthen national security.
“DoD SciTechCONNECT broadens access to our innovation ecosystem, fostering collaboration with a diverse array of contributors,” said Dr. Aprille J. Ericsson, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology. “Through tailored resources and curated events, this initiative ensures that ASD S&T remains at the forefront of technological advancement for the defense of our nation.” The platform provides a centralized hub for innovators and organizations to access resources, tools, and opportunities that drive research and technology development. By reducing barriers and streamlining processes, DoD SciTechConnect hopes to accelerate collaboration with the department and position new contributors for success in addressing national security challenges.
The platform offers a range of features, including tailored tools and educational resources designed to help innovators navigate the defense technology landscape effectively. It also provides opportunities to build meaningful and inclusive networks for STEM students and foster collaboration across the innovation ecosystem through curated events. DoD SciTechConnect is designed for rapid scaling, with plans to introduce enhanced tools, interactive collaboration spaces, and an expanded calendar of events over the next year. Those who register for the platform will be kept informed of these developments, ensuring they remain at the forefront of defense technology innovation. By joining DoD SciTechConnect, innovators can gain access to critical updates, resources, and event invitations, position themselves or their organization for collaboration opportunities with the department, and contribute to a growing community that is shaping the future of defense technology. Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about DoD SciTechConnect can visit the platform’s website at www.DoDSciTechConnect.us to create an account and stay up-to-date on the latest developments. (Source: U.S. DoD)
12 Dec 24. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today announced that it is collaborating with DDC-I to deliver industry-leading Future Airborne Capability Environment®, FACE® conformant DO-178C/ED-12C Design Assurance Level A (DAL A) processing for use in safety-certifiable multi-core computing avionics applications. Curtiss-Wright’s rugged V3-1708 single board computer (SBC) with off-the-shelf AC 20-152A DAL A certification packages, combined with DDC-I’s Deos™ configurable multi-core real time operating system (RTOS), enables system designers building avionics systems for aerospace, military, and other high-reliability markets to rapidly deploy rugged safety-certifiable solutions. Deos uniquely enables the L2 and L3 cache memory on the V3-1708’s NXP LX2160A Arm Cortex A72 system on chip (SoC) processor to be partitioned on both a core and application basis. This provides avionics applications with a dedicated isolated region of L2 and L3 cache and greatly speeds RTOS performance by eliminating the need for cache flushing or for processor cores to access the main memory, memory bus, or memory controller.
“We are excited to collaborate with DDC-I to bring industry-leading AC 20-152A DAL A safety-certifiable multi-core processing to the avionics market,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “Combined with DDC-I’s Deos multi-core RTOS, our SWaP-optimized 16-Core V3-1708 single board computer provides system designers with the proven and reliable building blocks they need to quickly and cost-effectively develop DO-254 DAL A safety-certifiable systems. Because it frees customers from having to develop data artifact packages, the V3-1708 significantly reduces schedule risk and costs, which are frequently the cause of delays to safety-certifiable programs. The VPX-1708, together with our DAL-A, FACE conformant DO-178C Deos RTOS, provides an ideal MOSA-aligned, safety-critical platform for developing, certifying, and deploying a broad range of high-performance, multimedia-intensive avionics applications,” said Gary Gilliland, Vice President of Marketing at DDC-I. “The VPX-1708 utilizes the powerful A72 cores. Deos, with its patented cache partitioning, takes full advantage of the A72’s multi-core capabilities, enabling multiple Arm 72 cores to operate concurrently, delivering blazing performance in a DAL-A certifiable context.”
The V3-1708 3U VPX processor module is the embedded industry’s first SBC to bring the high core count advantages of the NXP LX2160A Arm Cortex A72 system on chip (SoC) processor to rugged deployed DO-254 DAL A safety-certifiable applications. The NXP LX2160A features 16 A72 cores and delivers more than 15% higher performance compared to Intel Tiger Lake.
Designed for use in compute-intensive applications such as flight control computers, mission control, and primary flight displays, the V3-1708 is ideal for bringing the benefits of COTS-based safety certifiable processing to airborne military platforms such as the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program.
As a result of NXP’s close collaboration with the Multi-Core for Avionics (MCFA) industry group, the V3-1708 provides system integrators with the device data needed to support a DO-254 certification process, at little or no cost, such as related AC/AMC 20-193 multi-core and AC/AMC 20-152A COTS device objectives. For avionics system designers, a rugged COTS SBC developed using AC/AMC 20-152A as a means of compliance, and provides off-the-shelf data kits for DO-254 and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to support system architecture, Functional Failure Path (FFP) analysis and certification, delivers a proven and cost-effective foundation for safety-critical applications.
About the Deos RTOS
DDC-I’s safety-critical time and space-partitioned RTOS has been verified to the guidance of DO-178C/ED-12C DAL A for use in systems with avionics applications, supports ARINC-653 APEX, Rate Monotonic Scheduling (RMS), and POSIX per the FACE Safety Extended and Safety Base Profiles. Deos is the first RTOS to receive operating system services (OSS) Conformance Certification for the FACE Technical Standard, Edition 3.1. The Safety Extended Profile, which adds support for TCP/IP communications, multi-process support, and expanded POSIX capability (80 extra functions), is a superset of the functionality required by the Safety Base and Security Profiles.
Deos has been field proven as a safety-critical RTOS since its first verification and audit to DAL A by Transport Canada in 1998, and it has been certified and is flying in 10’s of thousands of aircraft. Since the initial verification, it has continually evolved throughout the last two decades with new processors and features in subsequent baselines, and it has been successfully audited by the world’s various governmental certification authorities (FAA, ENAC, JAA, EASA, CAAC, and others) and Airframe and Avionics Supplier Designated Engineering Representatives (DER).
About DDC-I, Inc.
DDC-I, Inc. is a global supplier of real-time operating systems, software development tools, custom software development services, and legacy software system modernization solutions, with a primary focus on mission- and safety-critical applications. For more information regarding DDC-I products, contact or visit http://www.ddci.com/pr2413.
10 Dec 24. WEROCK Technologies has introduced the Rocktab U210 G2, a rugged Windows tablet designed to meet the demanding needs of public services, police, and defense sectors. WEROCK Technologies GmbH has unveiled the Rocktab U210 G2, the new generation of the ultra-robust Rocktab U210 tablet.
The Rocktab U210 G2 is a ruggedized tablet featuring a compact design and a new, powerful processor, making the Windows tablet ideal for demanding applications in public services, police, and defense.
Whether for deployment planning and coordination, preservation of evidence or navigation, and geopositioning in rough terrain, the new Rocktab U210 G2 from WEROCK is tailored to the requirements of modern security authorities. It combines a robust design with the user-friendly handling of modern consumer tablets.
The robust Rocktab U210 G2 tablet reportedly exceeds the military standard MIL STD-810G. Instead of the usual 1.2 m drop height, it can withstand a drop height of 1.5 m under more difficult conditions.
In addition, the tablet was subjected to a tumble test to test its impact and drop resistance in everyday situations. It had to survive 40 consecutive drops from a height of one meter.
With an IP65 rating, the tablet is completely waterproof and dustproof, making it suitable for use in a wide range of environments, from dusty desert landscapes to humid jungle areas.
The temperature range of -20° to +60° Celsius promises reliable operation even under extreme climatic conditions. Despite its robust features, the device remains particularly compact, with a depth of just 15 mm and a weight of only 996 g, making it ideal for mobile applications for emergency services and armed forces.
The 10.1-inch outdoor display with a brightness of up to 800 cd/m² offers good readability even in direct sunlight – a decisive advantage for field operations where visibility under extreme conditions is essential. It has a robust capacitive touchscreen with a pre-assembled armored glass film and exceeds the IK06 impact resistance rating to withstand the harshest operating conditions.
It is stent- compatible, highly accurate and, with the optional digitizer stylus, also enables highly accurate input, for example during mapping work. With a battery capacity of 33 W, the tablet can be used for up to 7 hours. The hot-swap functionality enables the device to work without interruption, as the battery can be changed during operation – an essential feature for all-day use without access to a charging option.
Thanks to the Intel N100 quad-core processor, the Rocktab U210 G2 not only delivers outstanding performance, but also excellent energy efficiency. In addition, the 16 GB LPDDR5 RAM enables smooth operation, even with complex processes. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise, Windows 11 Pro and Ubuntu Linux-based systems are supported.
An NVMe SSD available with up to 2 TB offers sufficient storage space for apps, images and documentation. WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are available for wireless connections. The optional 4G LTE high-speed internet connection enables fast WWAN data connections.
For more powerful requirements, WEROCK also offers a more powerful model: the Rocktab U210 Pro with an Intel® Core i5-1335U 10-core processor. For safe integration into emergency vehicles, a fully functional vehicle docking station and various charging options are available for integration into the vehicle electrical system.
Thanks to flexible mounting element options, integration is possible in practically any vehicle. Long term availability is planned for the new Rocktab U210 G2, which is expected to make it available until 2030.
Other features of the Rocktab U210 G2:
- 1 GBit RJ45 network connection, full size USB 3.1 type A and USB C connection
- Seamless roaming of different radio cells thanks to 802.11r
- Micro SD card slot for cards up to 1 TB
- Dedicated high-end module from uBlox for positioning
- High-end 1D/2D barcode scanner with laser aiming device (optional)
- Fully functional docking station with monitor outputs, USB 3, Ethernet, 2 x RS232
- Climate-neutralized product: all greenhouse gas emissions from production and transport offset
Markus Nicoleit, CEO of WEROCK, commented, “The Rocktab U210 G2 combines extreme robustness, outstanding mobility and impressive performance in a single device. As the most compact model in our Rocktab Ultra series to date, it not only offers the latest technology, but is also specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of military and security critical applications. With its exceptional durability and versatile deployment options, it is the perfect companion for the defence sector.”
(Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
11 Dec 24. Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers mission-critical processing power to the edge, today introduced a system-on-module (SOM) and 3U SOSA-aligned OpenVPX board powered by Altera’s™ most advanced Agilex 9 Direct RF FPGA chips.
The DRF2270 SOM and DRF5270 3U board are the latest additions to Mercury’s portfolio of Direct RF digital signal processing products that use Altera FPGAs to detect and process information from a wide portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. These commercially available products directly digitize radio frequency signals at the antenna, eliminating the analog signal down conversion stages required by legacy hardware. This approach requires extremely fast converters, high-bandwidth digital data links, and powerful real-time digital signal processing. The results are reductions in size, weight, power, cost, and latency that can benefit a variety of radar, communications, electronic warfare, SIGINT, and industrial applications.
Mercury’s DRF2270 is an 8-channel SOM that converts between analog and digital signals at 64 gigasamples per second. It features Altera’s latest-generation Agilex 9 AGRW027 FPGA, which delivers enhanced performance with double the number of channel converters, 47% more logic elements, and 34% more memory than the previous generation chip. The DRF5270 board incorporates the DRF2270 SOM into a defense-ready 3U form factor with 10, 40, and 100 GigE optical interfaces. The flexible SOM design allows the DRF5270 to be easily customized to specific applications without requiring the board to be redesigned from scratch. The DRF2270 SOM can also be packaged into other small form factor and customized designs.
Mercury continues to offer the DRF2580 SOM based on the earlier Agilex 9 AGRW014 FPGA, and the DRF4580L, a small-form-factor module that incorporates the DRF2580 within a ruggedized, conduction-cooled enclosure that is ready for defense applications. All of Mercury’s Direct RF products come with the Navigator® Board Support Package and FPGA Design Kit that allow customers to develop custom IP for the module that can be installed within hours.
“The Mercury Processing Platform brings advanced commercial technologies to defense missions, allowing customers to save time and cost by deploying easily customized hardware that leverages the same core technology and IP across different programs,” said Ken Hermanny, Mercury’s Vice President of Signal Technologies. “With a growing portfolio of products that make Direct RF spectrum digitization possible, our customers now have more options to deploy this technology to capture, process, and exploit signals at the edge.”
“Altera’s Agilex™ 9 Wideband Direct RF FPGAs integrate either four or eight 64 Gsps ADC/DAC data converter pairs in the package with FPGA resources that provide real-time processing of up to an unprecedented 32 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth,” said Ben Esposito, Senior Principal Engineer, Military, Aerospace, and Government Business Unit at Altera. “By integrating circuitry that used to be done in the analog domain, these devices address size, weight, and power challenges of next-generation aerospace and defense missions. Our partnership with Mercury brings this cutting-edge RF technology to military customers, enabling rapid deployment via the different wideband platforms Mercury has developed.”
The DRF2270 and DRF5270 feature:
- 2.6″ x 4.75″ system on module architecture
- Altera Agilex 9 SoC FPGA AGRW027
- Eight 64 GSPS A/D and D/A converters
- 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM
- Built-in multichip and multi-board synchronization circuitry for high channel, phased array antenna systems
- GT connections for gigabit serial communication
- Ruggedized and conduction-cooled options for DRF5270
- FPGA design kit for custom IP development
- Board Support Package (BSP) for software development
- IP functions suite and example applications
- Carrier Design Kit
11 Dec 24. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE:LMT) has been selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to demonstrate the maturity and capability of the MATRIX™ flight autonomy system.
Operationally relevant demonstration flights during 2025 using Sikorsky’s Optionally Piloted UH-60 Black Hawk® helicopter will inform the service’s Aerial Logistics Connector program how autonomous aircraft can resupply and sustain Marines in contested battlespace.
“Aircraft with MATRIX autonomy can safely and reliably perform a variety of complex missions, including internal and external cargo transport with no one on board,” said Rich Benton, vice president and general manager of Sikorsky. “With the Marine Corps, we will explore how an autonomy-based fleet of uncrewed aerial systems, rotary and fixed wing aircraft can sustain the expeditionary force with precision resupply during distributed, high-tempo operations.”
The Marine Corps demonstrations will show how autonomous aircraft can keep future Marine forces supplied, whether operating from Navy ships or expeditionary bases ashore. Marines also will interface with Sikorsky’s autonomous aircraft via a tablet to make mission changes before or after take-off.
Demonstrations of the MATRIX flight system are funded under a recent Phase 1 Aerial Logistics Connector agreement through an Other Transaction Agreement under the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium to Sikorsky by the Naval Air Systems Command.
Platform agnostic autonomy system
Sikorsky Innovations, the rapid development and prototyping group, has demonstrated mission relevant capabilities of the MATRIX system in both military and commercial operational environments aboard multiple rotary and fixed wing aircraft.
Initially intended to improve safety of flight for crewed helicopters, the system matured with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ALIAS program. Advanced features include assisted flight handling for two pilot operations, virtual co-pilot for a single pilot, or fully autonomous flight with no pilots.
Recent MATRIX autonomy demonstrations
In July at Stafford Airport, Virginia, and again in October 2024 at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition in Washington D.C., Sikorsky and DARPA demonstrated autonomous flights of the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter to Department of Defense (DoD) officials.
At the October demonstration, DoD leaders on the AUSA tradeshow floor learned to send high level mission goals to the helicopter. Three hundred miles away at Sikorsky headquarters in Connecticut, the aircraft autonomously took off, hovered, flew a short circuit of the flight field, and landed successfully.
These recent demonstrations build on autonomous logistics flights at Project Convergence 2022, when Sikorsky and DARPA successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter, operating without humans on board, can safely and reliably perform internal and external cargo resupply missions.
For more information including details on other recent advancements, visit: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/matrix.
10 Dec 24. SandboxAQ advances battery life prediction for US Army. The latest dataset will evaluate the status of lithium-ion batteries used across various Army applications. SandboxAQ has developed a dataset of battery performance and predictive AI processes in collaboration with the US Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center. It has achieved progress in predicting battery shelf-life and maintenance for the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM). Supporting the Army’s Power and Energy Modernisation initiatives, the dataset includes more than two m hours of lab and simulated testing of 18,650 cylinder cells. AI simulations replicate real-world conditions such as battery ageing, temperature variations, and discharge rates. This data, along with proprietary tools, will train SandboxAQ’s Large Quantitative Models (LQMs) to ensure lithium-ion batteries meet Army shelf-life standards, ranging from two to 20 years. Traditional battery shelf-life estimation relies on proxy tests and extrapolation, which may not accurately predict performance after long storage periods. SandboxAQ’s LQMs aim to reduce shelf-life testing time and enhance prediction accuracy. In storage, these models can verify new batteries’ quality and shelf-life. In the field, the company claims that future battery chargers could transmit performance data to the AI model, informing soldiers about battery lifespan and maintenance needs.
SandboxAQ AI & Quantum Application Technical lead Ang Xiao said: “Most commercial battery applications do not have the same rigorous performance or shelf-life requirements as those intended for military use, so most cell manufacturers do not take shelf-life into consideration when designing advanced battery chemistries or sourcing materials. The comprehensive battery dataset we’ve compiled with C5ISR Center will add this new predictive capability to our Large Quantitative Models, enabling all of our customers and partners to benefit from these previously unavailable insights.”
In October 2024, SandboxAQ reported that its LQMs cut the time to predict lithium-ion battery end-of-life by 95%, with 35 times greater accuracy and using 50 times less data than traditional methods. This advancement reduces cell lifetime testing from months or years to days. The results suggest that LQM-informed models could shorten new cell development timelines, saving manufacturers ms of dollars in research and development costs and accelerating innovation cycles in battery technology. (Source: army-technology.com)
11 Dec 24. WAVENET RF Engineering and UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía Successfully Perform the First Flights of a UAV Using Radio Positioning Algorithms in GNSS-Denied Environments. WAVENET RF Engineering, a renowned Spanish company dedicated to the design and development of radio frequency systems and specializing in unmanned vehicle systems, with the collaboration of UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, a leading Spanish company in advanced guidance, navigation and control systems for unmanned aerial systems, are developing, under the COINCIDENTE 2022 program financed by the Ministry of Defence, an innovative positioning and navigation system, called KEPLER ADVANCE.
It is totally autonomous and independent from those currently known. Increasingly, today’s unmanned aircraft face challenging scenarios that threaten the robustness and accuracy of their navigation systems. The importance of developing alternative systems to those based on GNSS signals lies in the vulnerability of these systems to jamming and spoofing attacks, which can disable or interfere with satellite signals. Therefore, it is crucial to look for robust and accurate alternatives that do not rely exclusively on GNSS. The COINCIDENTE KEPLER ADVANCE project was born out of this need to develop an alternative positioning system, which is essential for a professional UAS system.
WAVENET RF Engineering has led the development of the KEPLER ADVANCE system. UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía has provided its wide experience in the UAS sector to carry out the integration and fusion of the information in its estimator, as well as the evaluation of the KEPLER ADVANCE system in real operations in different types of UAVs.
As part of the final phases of this program, both collaborating companies have carried out system validation flights in recent weeks with a UAV using the developed KEPLER ADVANCE system as the only positioning and navigation system. The results were completely successful. In the flights, the UAV used were a CLASS I, equipped with the VECTOR-600 flight control system together with its ground control station control software, Visionair from UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía, and integrating the KEPLER ADVANCE system from WAVENET RF Engineering for positioning and navigation. On the test day, different missions were carried out, including comparative flights in parallel of GPS with KEPLER ADVANCE, as well as flights with GPS denied using only KEPLER ADVANCE as the PNT system for approximately three hours. All of them were successful.
KEPLER ADVANCE is a system that enables precise navigation of an unmanned aircraft in the absence of GNSS with a focus on defense applications. It is a radio frequency system capable of converting incoming RPAS signals (interrogations) from the GCS to outgoing signals (responses) to the GCS.
These responses are processed at the ground station of the KEPLER ADVANCE system and determined with an accuracy similar to the accuracy provided by satellite systems:
- The distance of the RPAS from the ground station.
- The angle of the RPAS relative to the ground station and to North.
- The height above ground of the RPAS.
With these three data, the spatial position is determined in a data format similar to that provided by GNSS systems and delivered to the ground station.
Through the data received by the system, the position provided by KEPLER ADVANCE can be used as a true reference for navigation, mission execution, representation on an interactive map, etc. and as a reliable and robust substitute for GNSS systems.
The KEPLER ADVANCE system offers a number of advantages that make it suitable for any situation:
- High accuracy in positioning with a resolution that even improves the usual GNSS by 40%.
- It is difficult to inhibit, as it uses LPI (Low Probability of Interception) technology, and the working frequency is not known (a priori).
- It is highly unlikely to be subject to spoofing since it is neither public nor widely known hardware or software.
- It works in any terrain (water, desert, etc.) and regardless of weather conditions.
- It does not accumulate errors, so its accuracy is constant.
The KEPLER ADVANCE project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025, although given the good progress of the work, it may be operational earlier. (Source: UAS VISION/UAV Navigation – Grupo Oesía)
10 Dec 24. Terma announced the launch of its cutting-edge Battery Cell Tester, leveraging space heritage technology to deliver unparalleled precision and efficiency in battery cell testing for the maritime industry. The Terma Battery Cell Tester is designed to streamline and optimize battery testing processes, offering comprehensive solutions for various applications. Its innovative features include a built-in snapshot function, 95% regenerative efficiency, and the ability to accommodate 2-3 times more channels than traditional cycler cabinets. These features enable users to maximize their lab’s testing capabilities while reducing costs, saving space, and simplifying operations.
Key Features of the Terma Battery Cell Tester:
- Modular design easily adapts to changing testing needs with scalable configurations.
- 95% regenerative efficiency, which recirculates energy during discharge, reducing operational costs and minimizing air conditioning requirements.
- Increasing switching speeds reduces the size of components and minimize the overall footprint.
The tester’s graphical user interface enhances accessibility by offering intuitive data visualization and control, which is suitable for both technical experts and newcomers. The Terma Battery Cell Tester is designed for seamless integration with existing systems in laboratory environments. Users can customize and extend the tester’s capabilities to fit unique operational workflows and data management needs.
“Our new Battery Cell Tester represents a significant advancement in battery testing technology,” said Günther F. Lackner, Senior Vice President at Terma. “It empowers engineers with reproducible tests and comparable results, ensuring superior battery performance and reliability across multiple applications.”
Innovative technologies like the Terma Battery Cell Tester are essential tools in this environment, allowing companies to reduce time-to-market while also addressing sustainability goals.
10 Dec 24. 3E EOS, a leader in electro-optic systems, has expanded its additive manufacturing capabilities with a significant investment in Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) technology, the company announced today. This expansion includes the addition of multiple Stratasys FDM 3D printers, bringing their total fleet to ten large-scale systems, including the F3300, Neo800, F900, F770, Origin One models and SAF technologies.
Building on its existing success with Stratasys solutions, 3E EOS is establishing a dedicated additive manufacturing center to support prototyping, tooling and production. The expanded fleet enables the company to produce critical components such as air ducts and fuel adapters for aircraft, reducing lead times by 30-45 days compared to traditional manufacturing methods, and cutting production costs by 40 percent.
The Stratasys F3300 flagship printer continues to deliver tangible value for customers, driving its increased adoption in support of critical applications across the aerospace, defense, and automotive sectors. For example, with this solution, 3E EOS anticipates lowering costs for high-volume projects by 20 percent.
“In a world where trends evolve rapidly, staying ahead of the market is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity,” said Emir Ozdemir, Head of Market Development at 3E EOS. “Our continued partnership with Stratasys ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation, delivering cutting-edge solutions that exceed market demands. By equipping our team with the industry’s best additive manufacturing technology, we empower innovation and drive excellence.”
This investment underscores 3E EOS’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies that deliver exceptional value. Stratasys’ extensive material range and advanced 3D printing systems have allowed 3E EOS to streamline production workflows and meet customer needs with precision and efficiency.
Andreas Langfeld, President of EMEA and APAC at Stratasys, remarked, “3E EOS is demonstrating a forward-thinking approach by strategically adopting additive manufacturing for applications where it offers clear advantages over traditional methods. By developing impactful use cases and integrating AM into their operations, they’ve recognized its potential to drive efficiency and innovation. Their decision to establish a large AM center further elevates the value of additive manufacturing, enabling them to maximize its impact across the manufacturing lifecycle.”
CoreLayer, alongside 3E EOS, is also concentrating on the evolving needs of the automotive industry, bringing its expertise in designing and manufacturing assembly line jigs and fixtures to this dynamic sector. By applying its proven capabilities, CoreLayer aims to support clients in adapting to increasingly complex designs and improving production efficiency. This strategic focus reinforces their role as a trusted partner for advanced manufacturing capabilities.
In addition, 3E EOS is advancing the adoption of additive manufacturing while promoting sustainability by minimizing material waste and energy consumption. This aligns with global environmental standards and supports their goal of fostering a more resource-efficient manufacturing process.
About Stratasys
Stratasys is leading the global shift to additive manufacturing with innovative 3D printing solutions for industries such as aerospace, automotive, consumer products, and healthcare. Through smart and connected 3D printers, polymer materials, a software ecosystem, and parts on demand, Stratasys solutions deliver competitive advantages at every stage in the product value chain. The world’s leading organizations turn to Stratasys to transform product design, bring agility to manufacturing and supply chains, and improve patient care.
To learn more about Stratasys, visit www.stratasys.com, the Stratasys blog, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Stratasys reserves the right to utilize any of the foregoing social media platforms, including Stratasys’ websites, to share material, non-public information pursuant to the SEC’s Regulation FD. To the extent necessary and mandated by applicable law, Stratasys will also include such information in its public disclosure filings.
09 Dec 24. Parry Labs, a leader in Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and digital system integration, and Concurrent, a designer and manufacturer of leading-edge computer products, systems, and mission-critical solutions, have announced a non-exclusive partnership. This collaboration aims to rapidly deliver scalable, SOSA-aligned technologies that address the evolving demands of the modern battlespace.
As military threats grow more dynamic, the ability to quickly integrate and deploy advanced technologies becomes mission-critical. By uniting Parry Labs’ expertise in software and VPX technology integration with Concurrent’s VPX cards and ruggedized chassis, this partnership enables the rapid fielding of fully integrated, modular systems. These systems are aligned with key standards, including the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) for the Air Force, the C4ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) for the Army, and the Hardware Open Systems Technologies (HOST) standard for the Navy. This multifaceted compliance ensures interoperability across services while accelerating the deployment of mission-critical capabilities to meet evolving operational demands.
“Our collaboration exemplifies how a Modular Open Systems Approach enables rapid innovation,” said John Parkes, CEO of Parry Labs. “By pairing our software and VPX computing technology with Concurrent’s VPX board & systems, both compliant with SOSA and CMOSS standards, we are redefining how quickly and efficiently defense systems can be delivered and deployed to meet the unique needs of the Air Force, Navy, and Army.”
Parry Labs and Concurrent will provide customers with highly customizable, interoperable systems designed for operational resilience and adaptability. Together, they deliver on the promise of MOSA—deploying new technologies in significantly shorter timeframes, ensuring forces are always equipped to counter evolving challenges.
About Parry Labs, LLC
Parry Labs redefines the edge for the modern battlespace by rapidly delivering digital systems infrastructure to ensure operational superiority. Through seamless integration of open software architecture and cutting-edge hardware, we provide scalable solutions that empower organizations to deploy mission-critical capabilities in real-time. At Parry Labs, we are committed to delivering future-proof, agile technologies that meet the evolving demands of modern operations. For more information, visit Parry Labs and follow us on LinkedIn.
About Concurrent
Concurrent develops and manufactures high-end embedded plug-in cards and systems for use in a wide range of high-performance, long-life cycle applications within the telecommunications, defence, security, telemetry, scientific and aerospace markets, including applications within extremely harsh environments. The processor products feature Intel® processors, including the latest generation embedded Intel® Core™ processors, Intel® Xeon® and Intel Atom™ processors. The products are designed to be compliant with industry specifications and support many of today’s leading embedded operating systems. Their products are sold world-wide. (Source: PR Newswire)
10 Dec 24. Nokia today announced it is enhancing its next-generation data center fabric solution with support for Community Software for Open Networking in the Cloud (SONiC). By bringing together open-source software with advanced hardware and leading-edge automation, Nokia is creating a new alternative for modern, efficient, and highly reliable data center networks.
Nokia, a strong proponent of open-source solutions, is a long-time contributor to the SONiC community, which was originally established by Microsoft and the Open Compute Project and is now governed by the Linux Foundation. According to research by the 650 Group, the market for SONiC-enabled data center switching is projected to surpass $9 bn by 2028, driven by the increase in data center investment to meet the exploding demand for traditional IT and emerging AI workloads.
Until now, the choice to move forward with SONiC would typically mean selecting open-source hardware with limited fabric management and automation options. Nokia’s expanded portfolio brings Community SONiC to its data center switching platforms with access to Nokia’s expert SONiC development and support organization. In addition, enterprises and cloud providers benefit from access to a broader range of advanced data center hardware platforms engineered for reliability, power efficiency and longevity.
Customers will also benefit from Nokia’s recently introduced Event Driven Automation (EDA) platform. EDA helps manage and automate SONiC environments, bringing users access to a modern operations toolset that reduces operational costs, while driving human error and network downtime to zero.
For customers preferring fully integrated solutions with access to advanced features and a dedicated engineering team, Nokia continues to offer its SR Linux network operating system as part of its data center fabric solution offer. With support for both software approaches, Nokia is offering unmatched flexibility into the data center switching market.
Alan Weckel, Co-founder and Technology Analyst, 650 Group, said: “Nokia has long been a supporter of the open-source community, and its announcement of SONiC in support of its data center switching portfolio is a natural next step. This announcement reinforces Nokia’s commitment to providing its customers with innovative and adaptable solutions for the fast-evolving demands of data centers, from traditional IT workloads to cutting-edge AI applications.”
Josh Helm, Vice President of Global Network and Edge Offering Enablement at Kyndryl, said: “The seamless integration of open-source software with Nokia SR Linux, supported by a unified fabric management platform, gives Kyndryl the flexibility to drive IT modernization for our customers. By embracing open-source innovations, Kyndryl is strengthening our partnership with Nokia and our hyperscaler partners to deliver scalable and cost-efficient solutions.
Scott Seger, Senior Vice President Infrastructure and Alliances from CBTS, said: “Nokia’s announcement of SONiC support in its data center switching portfolio introduces a powerful alternative for enterprises building modern, efficient data center fabrics to support the growth of IT and AI workloads. We are seeing strong interest and traction for this approach, especially within our financial services client base.”
Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nokia’s IP Networks Business Division, said: “We fundamentally believe in giving customers the choice to run their networks how they need to. It’s why we have always advocated open standards, and why we have built our solutions to support the option to run either a world-class vendor NOS like SR Linux or an open networking NOS like Community SONiC. This kind of flexibility gives customers permission to pursue one path while preserving their right to go another route should conditions change.”
09 Dec 24. BIS Formally Publishes in the Federal Register Additional Steps to Restrict China’s Capability to Produce Advanced Semiconductors for Military Applications. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has formally published in the Federal Register the following additional steps it first announced on December 2, 2024, to restrict China’s capability to produce advanced semiconductors for military applications: – (89 Fed. Reg. 96790) – In this interim final rule (IFR), BIS has made to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) controls for certain advanced computing items, supercomputers, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, which includes adding new controls for certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment and related items, creating new Foreign Direct Product (FDP) rules for certain commodities to impair the capability to produce “advanced-node integrated circuits” (“advanced-node ICs”) by certain destinations or entities of concern, adding new controls for certain high bandwidth memory important for advanced computing, and clarifying controls on certain software keys that allow for the use of items such as software tools. This IFR publishes concurrently with another BIS final rule entitled, “Additions and Modifications to the Entity List; and Removals from the Validated End-User (VEU) Program” (Entity List rule) that adds to and modifies the Entity List to ensure appropriate EAR controls are in place for certain critical technologies and to minimize the risk of diversion to entities of concern. This rule became effective on December 2, 2024. Although this rule is effective December 2, 2024, exporters, reexporters, and transferors are not required to comply with the changes made in the following amendatory instructions until the compliance dates specified below for the respective amendatory instructions. If no compliance date is provided, the parties must comply with those requirements as of the effective date of this IFR.
- The changes made in this IFR in amendatory instructions 2 (Red Flags) and 6 (§ 734.19) have a compliance date of December 2, 2024.
- The changes made in this IFR in amendatory instructions 4, 5, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 29, and 31 (ECCNs 3B001, 3B002, 3B991, 3B992, 3B993, 3B994, 3A090, 3D001 (related to 3A090.c and 3B commodities), 3D002, 3D992, 3D993, 3D994, 3E001 (related to 3A090.c and 3B commodities) (HBM controls and related changes), 3E992, 3E993, and 3E994) FN5, and FDP rules, and related changes, and DRAM definition changes) have a compliance date of December 31, 2024.
Interested persons have until January 31, 2025, to submit comments on this IFR. (Source: glstrade.com)
09 Dec 24. Rheinmetall and Auterion are working together on drone technology and developing standard operating system for military industries. Rheinmetall, a leading system supplier for defence technology and Auterion, the leading supplier of drone operating systems, will be working closely together to develop standardised software-based components for unmanned drone systems. The two companies signed an agreement, thereby establishing a long-term co-operation.
The two partners are combining their expertise in order to create a military industry standard for controlling and operating unmanned aerial, land and naval drone systems. The co-operation includes joint product development and sales activities for unmanned platforms. The resulting homogeneous operating system is expected to provide military users with a significant advantage.
As a drone manufacturer, Rheinmetall is drawing on the operational experience gained from the Luna NG and Aladin systems and incorporating it into its work with the customer. Various drone systems from the Düsseldorf-based technology group have already been in service for many years with the German Armed Forces / Bundeswehr and have been deployed in Ukraine for several months.
Dr Timo Haas, Chief Digital Officer at Rheinmetall AG, explains: “We see over two hundred different aerial unmanned systems in Ukraine. This makes military training very costly and time-consuming, and system interoperability is not guaranteed. Co-operation with Auterion and the development of a homogeneous operating system will enable the efficient and scalable deployment of unmanned systems. With our approach, there will be no need for system-dependent user training or system-specific integration into an overall system network in the future”.
Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion: “In the future, drones will be used in large quantities and, like computers and smartphones, they need a common operating system to make this happen. AuterionOS allows the customer to combine all drones on a common basis and to integrate different manufacturers into a common architecture. Our software stack has already been tried and tested in operation and thus enables software-defined defence”.
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Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-r/
The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-y/
Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
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