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24 Jul 14. A few ways 3D printing is about to transform the Army. ARL researchers print devices with wiring, sensors or energy storage embedded. Additive manufacturing, more commonly known as 3D printing, could soon transform many facets of the Army, from medical treatments and food production to clothing manufacturing and ordnance production. In some areas, the changes have already begun. The Army’s Rapid Equipping Force started using 3D printing in 2012 in Afghanistan to produce tools and other gear. The Army Research Lab has explored using it to repair aircraft and ground vehicles in the field. Researchers are working on printing electronics into clothing and gear and have teamed up with NASA to develop the next generation of the technology. Research teams elsewhere also are working on next-gen printing, such as those at the Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine developing a way to use bioprinting to apply healthy cells to serious burns. Those cells could then grow into new skin, eventually with pores, sweat glands, hair and proper pigmentation. Defense Systems has reported on some of the Army’s efforts, but research is going on in quite a few other areas. Here’s a look at four other projects investigating new uses for additive manufacturing. Scientists at the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., don’t just want additive manufacturing, they want agile manufacturing, too. The ability to print devices with wiring, sensors, batteries or other materials at the same time would save space and weight, and give soldiers in the field greater options for on-the-spot printing.(Source: Defense Systems)
29 Jul 14. CACI releases portable RF detector. The STC Portable Spectrum Analyzer is designed for law enforcement and intelligence work. The device is a “portable, lightweight RF detection and monitoring system that enables users to quickly detect signals in a range of frequencies, enhancing their awareness of the surrounding environment and nearby activities,” said a CACI news release. “The system is unique in that it can be remotely monitored via wireless or Ethernet controls,” the company added. CACI CEO Ken Asbury said STC Portable Spectrum Analyzer is part of an effort to expand into new markets. “In addition to helping us reach more customers in state and local law enforcement, this product expands our presence within our C4ISR market area,” he said. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
24 Jul 14. USAF wants radio frequency research. USAF wants new research into a wide variety of radio frequency systems. The pre-solicitation, from the Air Force Research Laboratory, calls for research into new active and passive RF systems in multiple areas, including fire control, simultaneously transmitting and receiving RF signals, RF sensor resource management, geolocation algorithm development, simulation, test and evaluation activities, and integrated sensor system studies. “Applications may involve the integration of developmental hardware and software on various aircraft, or unmanned air vehicles,” the Air Force said. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
31 Jul 14. The Wideband Small Tactical Terminal (STT) (KOR-24A), co-developed by ViaSat Inc. and Harris Corporation has been certified by NSA and is ready for delivery to U.S. and international military customers. The two-channel KOR-24A is being delivered with a Link 16 channel together with the ability to simultaneously use the wideband UHF Soldier Radio Waveform (SRW) or Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2). Integration with multiple platforms is in progress and nearly 100 terminals are already on order. Along with the new software-defined, wideband waveforms, the new STT includes narrowband VHF/UHF SINCGARS, HAVE QUICK, VULOS, and HPW, as well as Link 16. The enhanced STT is also backward compatible with approximately 150 previo