BATTLESPACE Updates

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NEW TECHNOLOGIES

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Sponsored By Oxley Developments

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20 Jun 19. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions division, a trusted leading supplier of video management solutions for deployed aerospace and defense platforms, today expanded its family of COTS-based video format converter solutions with the introduction of its first XMC (VITA 42) mezzanine card form factor video gateway. The new XMC Format Converter (XMC-FC1) is a size, weight and power (SWaP)-optimized rugged module that quickly and easily brings industry-leading video format conversion to VPX-based deployed systems. As modern video equipment is rapidly integrated onto airborne and ground defense platforms, system developers must confront the often complex burden of converting legacy video formats used to ensure interoperability with newer video management systems. The module, with support for two independent channels of video conversion and support for 15 different video formats and resolutions, scales and rate converts video input signals in any aspect ratio, and outputs them to a wide range of digital and analog video output formats. The XMC-FC1 is also the only dual channel XMC standard format converter that features a frame buffer to deliver flexibility for frame rate, scaling and overlays. Easily added to any 3U or 6U VPX host card with an XMC site and Pn4 connector, the module enables system integrators to provide video format conversion in a single slot. The XMC-FC1 is ideal for use on airborne (rotary or fixed-wing) platforms, ground vehicles, ground stations, and naval platforms.

“Our new XMC-FC1 video format converter module takes the pain out of integrating the newest digital video sensors and older legacy equipment,” said Lynn Bamford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Defense Solutions division. “Even better, it brings video format conversion to the open architecture OpenVPX™ system environment.”

In addition to supporting legacy analog and modern DVI centric video equipment, the XMC-FC1 also brings ARINC-818 to VPX single board computers. The ARINC-818 avionics digital video bus supports high bandwidth, low latency uncompressed video, therefore enabling high performance digital video systems. The module also supports SDI (SD, HD, 3G) video outputs.

Video Output Formats Supported by the XMC-FC1:

SDI

  • SMPTE 259M (SD-SDI), SMPTE 292M (HD-SDI) and SMPTE 424M (3G-SDI)
  • 1920x1080i @ 59.94, 50 Hz
  • 1920x1080p @ 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25 Hz
  • 1280x720p @ 59.94 Hz
  • 720×486 @ 29.97 Hz
  • 720×576 @ 25 Hz

Composite

  • PAL CVBS (ITU-R BT.1700)
  • NTSC CVBS (RS-170A)
  • PAL Y/C
  • NTSC Y/C

RGB

  • VGA (640×480)
  • XGA (1024×768)
  • WXGA (1280×720)
  • SVGA (1280×1024), UXGA (1600×1200), HD (1920×1080)
  • STANAG 3350A/B/C

19 Jun 19. Why is it so hard for the Pentagon to buy software fast?Congress wants to create an avenue for the Department of Defense to purchase software more easily.

Dueling proposals in the House and Senate Armed Services’ versions of the annual policy bill require the Secretary of Defense to develop guidance that would help with the rapid acquisition of software applications and software upgrades that can be fielded in less than a year.

“The objectives of using the acquisition authority under this section shall be to begin the engineering of new capabilities quickly, to demonstrate viability and effectiveness of those capabilities in operation, and to continue updating and delivering new capabilities iteratively afterwards,” the Senate bill read. The bill passed the committee at the end of May and was released publicly June 12.

“Defense technological advantage today is enabled by hardware, but its capability is defined by software,” Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord, said during a May briefing at the Pentagon. “There is an undeniable urgency to develop and deploy software faster, faster than our adversaries, in order to maintain strategic and tactical advantage.”

The House’s version of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2020 notes that some software contracts equal to or less than $50m could be entered into for no longer than a year.

These applications, then, will provide a pathway for rapid software development as well as new avenues for rapid upgrades.

The bill also asks Pentagon leaders to set up software development and acquisition training and management programs for acquisition professionals.

Part of the problem Pentagon leaders face today is there are no clear boundaries for software spending in what the national security community refers to as “colors of money.” These colors include procurement, research and development and operations and maintenance. Using funds set aside for one area for a different silo is strictly prohibited by law, leaving software in a gray area.

A recently completed Defense Science Board’s report on software acquisition recommended the creation of new pathways.

“What we’ve been talking to the appropriators about is writing in the ’20 bill the opportunity to do multiple pilots; where, we would have just one line for software development so we can move back and forth among those different stages to give us what I’ll call administrative flexibility,” Lord said. “I don’t believe our business systems right now reflect how we do software. So we are asking to have the authority to do some pilots in ’20, looking towards some actual new language and new title in ’21.” (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

20 Jun 19. Thomas Global completes delivery of Australian submarine control system. Thomas Global Systems has completed delivery of key components for Stage 2 of the Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System (ISCMMS) Obsolescence Remediation Project for the Royal Australian Navy’s Collins Class submarines.

Saab Australia, the ISCMMS project manager, developer and provider, selected Thomas Global to design and manufacture hardware for the updated distributed control modules and fixed conning consoles as form-fit-function replacements for the current units.

CEO of Thomas Global Systems, Angus Hutchinson, said, “We are pleased to have delivered Stage 2 of the project on time and within budget in support one of Australia’s most important defence assets.”

In January 2018, Saab was awarded the Stage 2 project for the upgrade of HMA Ships Dechaineux, Rankin, Sheeanand Farncomb, following the earlier upgrade of HMA Ships Collins and Waller. Saab Australia is undertaking the ISCMMS upgrade project in collaboration with ASC, the prime contractor for the upkeep, update and upgrade of the Collins Class submarine fleet.

“Thomas Global is honoured to continue our long-term support for the Collins Class program in increasing the fleet’s availability for the Royal Australian Navy,” Hutchinson said.

Thomas Global maritime defence systems are a crucial part of mission-critical military surface ship and submarine platforms around the world. Drawing on decades of experience in complex defence systems design and integration, Thomas Global’s command and control, human-machine interface, and combat sub-systems reinforce mission assurance and performance on the seas.

The company’s record includes participation in major naval programs such as Collins Class submarine and Anzac frigate. Thomas Global’s turnkey solutions encompass concept through design, qualification, military approval, deployment and sustainment.

The six submarine class of HMAS Collins, HMAS Farncomb, HMAS Waller, HMAS Dechaineux, HMAS Sheean and HMAS Rankin achieves an optimum match between innovation and technical superiority. The names of the Collins Class submarines commemorate the memory of six members of the RAN who served their country with distinction.

19 Jun 19. New Integrated Intelligence Center from GA-ASI. The new Integrated Intelligence Center (I2C) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) presents innovative ways to improve the user experience for operators of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) using automation and user experience-based design (UX).

“I2C will rapidly transform data into actionable intelligence,” said David R. Alexander, president, GA-ASI. “We see benefits to the warfighter on many fronts, including the reduction of operational cost – whether it’s Ground Ops, Air Ops, or Intel Ops. By combining XC2, Automatic Takeoff and Landing, MMC and our single-seat Certifiable Ground Control Station, we will reduce manning by 50 percent.”

GA-ASI’s modular and open software architecture designs promotes horizontal integration of third party software and rapid integration of new capabilities making the following developments the ideal set of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) tools for streamlined and improved collaboration:

  • eXpeditionary Command & Control (XC2): XC2 laptop leverages GA-ASI’s Advanced Cockpit development by porting select capabilities to a ruggedized laptop. A forward-deployed maintainer can use the laptop to employ automated pre-flight and post-flight checklists that reduce setup times by up to 50 percent, and reduces the airlift requirements by eliminating the need for a forward-deployed Ground Control Station (GCS).
  • Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS): The CGCS enables single-seat operations to reduce manpower requirements. Its tactical situation display unifies ISR and C4ISR data, as well as mission planning into a single Common Operating Picture (COP). The integrated Collins Pro Line Fusion® enables CGCS certifiability for operation in national airspace.
  • Multi-Mission Controller (MMC): The MMC enables a single user to safely control multiple aircraft and perform transit and routine ISR missions using a hand controller. When an aircraft is tasked with performing more dynamic ISR or a strike mission, MMC allows a rapid handoff of the aircraft to a dedicated GCS, where a mission crew can take control.
  • Metis – Automated intelligence Collection Management – Metis is a map-based interface that enables a pre-approved Metis user to request ISR products from the RPA, similar to ordering a car from Uber. Once the Metis user sends a task, it’s transmitted to MMC in real time. The MMC user selects the task and an integrated third party auto-router automatically generates a safe route to the requested target.
  • STARE Imagery: The System for Tactical Archival, Retrieval, and Exploitation’s (STARE) Common Operation Picture shows aircraft locations, where the operator can look and what they are looking at. The Multi-INT exploitation tool ingests, archives, disseminates and makes ISR data discoverable for imagery analysts to utilize. STARE reduces data exploitation tasks from hours to minutes.
  • Automation of Intel Ops: I2C integrates third party capabilities and software services to make Intel analysts more effective. Automated Activity Alerts – based on Multi-INT data correlation – reduces the need for eyes-on RPA sensor data to pick out significant activity. GA-ASI is partnering with best-of-breed companies specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning with proven AI-based systems deployed across multiple commercial sectors. GA-ASI works with these businesses to train their AI capability with MQ-9, MQ-1C and Predator ISR data.

These tools and capabilities are either operationally deployed, undergoing customer operational assessment or are actively flying aircraft.

18 Jun 19. US Air Force looks to fast track cash to Kratos Defense for more Valkyrie drones. Things are looking up for Kratos Defense’s XQ-58A Valkyrie drone. Fresh off its second flight, the U.S. Air Force is considering buying 20-30 aircraft for further experimentation, the service’s acquisition executive said Monday.

“I’m now looking at ways to do that and what the cost will be,” Will Roper told reporters on the sidelines of Paris Air Show, saying that the Air Force is looking for prototyping funds that it can access for a rapid procurement of those aircraft. The XQ-5A Valkyrie is an “attritable” drone, the word the military uses for an asset that can be reused but is cheap enough that a commander could use them aggressively and would expect — and be comfortable with — some losses in combat.

What sets Valkyrie apart is not only its low price point, which Kratos estimates will be $2m per copy in a production run of 100 jets or more, but also the aircraft’s near supersonic speed, long endurance and maneuverability, which could make it a formidable partner for manned fighter jets.

Once the Air Force buys additional Valkyrie drones, the idea would be to pair those unmanned aircraft with manned fighter jets.

“Depending on what comes out of that campaign, the idea would be to look and do a program of record. You’d want to start spiraling the development,” Roper said.

A decision on starting a program could be made as soon as fiscal 2021, and from there it would be only two to three years to begin production and fielding aircraft, he said. “I am really pleased we’re getting strong buy-in, strong appetite at the pointy end for attritable systems by our pilots.”

Roper’s comments come after another milestone for the Valkyrie — the second flight demo, held June 11 at Yuma Proving Grounds. According to a Kratos release, the aircraft completed unspecified objectives over a 71 minute test.

“With this most recent milestone, the readiness of the XQ-58A is accelerating and increasing the near-term application opportunities for the system,” said Steve Fendley, the company’s president of its unmanned systems division. “I am extremely proud of our development, production, and test teams who continue to deliver successful results, in record time, on our comprehensive system level efforts — rare within the aerospace and defense industry.”

The Air Force Research Laboratory is partnered with Kratos to develop Valkyrie through the Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator program, the service’s effort to field a “Loyal Wingman”-style drone that can be flown alongside a fighter jet or other combat aircraft in manned-unmanned teams.

But Roper has alluded to even more ambitious plans for Valkyrie or other attritable drones like it.

Not only does the Air Force want to add sensors and weapons to Valkyrie, but it wants to implant artificial intelligence in the drone so that it can train and learn alongside pilots, eventually growing in skill and becoming able to respond independently to threats.

Roper calls that effort “Skyborg” and in May told Defense News that the service was considering how to incorporate it with manned fighters like the F-35 and the F-15EX.

“I don’t want this to just be a laboratory project that lives and dies there in a petri dish. I want this to become a program,” he told reporters in March. “I want to see real, operational demonstrations within a couple years. And I will push them to be faster than that.” (Source: Defense News)

19 Jun 19. GKN Aerospace breaks ground on new £32m UK GTC and is now joined by 25 partners.

  • Groundbreaking on 10,000 square metre UK Global Technology Centre (GTC)
  • Number of partnerships reaches twenty five in six months
  • New partners include Axillium Research, Blue Bear Systems Research, Exechon Enterprises, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Renishaw, Siemens Digital Industries Software, Theta Technologies, TriMas Aerospace, University of Birmingham and University of the West of Engand

In the first half of 2019 GKN Aerospace broke ground on a 10,000 square metre UK Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol and has secured 25 collaboration partners for the new Centre. The new GTC – funded by a £17m commitment from GKN Aerospace and £15m commitment from the UK Government, through the ATI Programme – is expected to open in 2020. It is GKN Aerospace’s largest UK technology investment to date, announced in December 2018 as part of a record annual technology spend of £75m for GKN Aerospace and alongside the UK government’s Aerospace Sector Deal.

The concept of an inclusive environment to foster innovation and technical skills development, is proving to be successful, with universities, the UK’s CATAPULT network, GKN Aerospace’s UK supply chain, start-ups as well as large industrial companies joining GKN Aerospace prior to the actual opening. The centre will focus on additive manufacturing (AM), advanced composites, assembly and industry 4.0 processes to enable the high rate production of aircraft structures. The GTC will maintain GKN Aerospace’s position at the forefront of technology development for the next generation of energy efficient aircraft. The facility will serve as a base for GKN Aerospace’s technology partnership in the Airbus’ ”Wing of Tomorrow” technology programme as well as new additive manufacturing industrialisation programmes.

Commenting CEO of GKN Aerospace ASEA, John Pritchard said: “We are proud to have taken the next step in the UK GTC development with our groundbreaking in April and we are excited that so many partners have joined us. Our GTC is designed to support GKN Aerospace’s UK workforce and close collaboration with the world-class UK aerospace ecosystem, building on joint expertise, talent and infrastructure. A great example of the UK’s industrial strategy approach, the GTC will take aerospace innovation to the next level and ensure that UK Aerospace industry will continue to operate at the forefront of global aerospace.”

GTC ecosystem

In addition to GKN Aerospace and Aerospace Technology Institute, the collaboration partners at the GTC now include: the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Additive Industries B.V., ANSYS UK Limited, ATS Applied Tech Systems Limited, Axillium Research, Blue Bear Systems Research Ltd,Centre for Modelling & Simulation, Digital Catapult, Exechon Enterprises L.L.C., Frazer-Nash Consultancy Limited, KUKA Industries UK Limited, Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Materialise UK Limited, National Composites Centre (NCC), PXL Realm Limited, Renishaw plc, Siemens Industry Software Limited, Thales UK Limited, Theta Technologies Ltd.,TriMas Aerospace, University of Bath, University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Sheffield and University of the West of England.

18 Jun 19. Safran and Orolia announced today the signature of a strategic partnership to offer the latest resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solutions for military forces, especially in GNSS denied environments. This partnership will provide mission-critical equipment for air, land, sea and space programs in environments where GNSS signals are not available or degraded. Whether the outage is unintentional (environments where GNSS signals are unavailable like undergrounds locations, jungles, etc. …) or intentional (jamming, meaconing or spoofing), the Safran-Orolia partnership will provide an alternative to GNSS-dependent military systems.

The Safran-Orolia team will offer military forces an unparalleled convergence of the industry’s leading PNT capabilities, including Orolia’s portfolio of precise timing references and PNT sensor fusion technology as well as Safran’s proven defense inertial navigation solutions. Initial program priorities include navigation warfare (NAVWAR), along with mobile and fixed PNT solutions.

“Today’s military operations are increasingly mobile and global, with mission priorities that often bring them into territories where GNSS jamming and spoofing are becoming common threats,” said Orolia CEO Jean-Yves Courtois. “We’re proud to introduce this unique resilient PNT military partnership to better protect and enable mobile operations for NATO and allied countries worldwide.”

“In a world full of uncertainty, our partnership will provide autonomous and sovereign PNT solutions to Armed Forces facing harsh GNSS denied environments“, said Safran Electronics & Defense Chief Executive Officer Martin Sion.

19 Jun 19. GKN Aerospace opens world’s largest additive manufacturing pilot production cell at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

  • Cell 2 enables further development and testing of large scale additively manufactured aerostructure components
  • GKN Aerospace has additive manufacturing components flying on seven different major platforms today, across the commercial, military, rotorcraft, business jets and space markets

GKN Aerospace announced today the commissioning of a second additive manufacturing cell (Cell 2) at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Located at the DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility at ORNL, Cell 2 is the world’s largest pilot production cell of its kind and is the next stage in GKN Aerospace’s additive manufacturing research and development targeting large scale structural aircraft components.

Mike McCann, CEO of GKN Aerospace’s Aerostructures North America business said, “We are proud to introduce the next step in our additive manufacturing research as we continue to push the boundaries of this transformative technology. We believe this to be the largest laser metal deposition with wire (LMD-w) pilot production cell in the world. With this, we will target large scale aerostructure components with a focus on dramatic improvements in buy-to-fly and cost reductions over plate and forgings.”

GKN Aerospace has been at the forefront of LMD-w technology for more than a decade. This began at its world-leading aero-engine systems business based in Sweden and, in 2017, GKN Aerospace expanded its LMD-w expertise into large-scale aerostructures components by signing a five-year $17.8m USD research agreement with ORNL.

“We are extremely proud to strengthen our relationship with this world-renowned laboratory to accelerate our progress towards fully industrializing these processes for large-scale aerostructures components. Through our cooperative research, we have seen first-hand how additive manufacturing will continue to revolutionize the design and manufacture of aircraft structures. This cell will allow us to create complex components without compromising performance,” said McCann.

“Our research collaboration with GKN Aerospace demonstrates the rapid progress that can be made when industry and the national labs work hand in hand,” said Moe Khaleel, associate laboratory director for Energy and Environmental Sciences at ORNL. “We are pleased to see our relationship with GKN expand, and look forward to continued technological innovation in our mission to translate science into solutions for advanced manufacturing.”

The 2017 agreement included the opening of GKN Aerospace’s first prototype cell at ORNL which, over the past two years, has transitioned technology from GKN Aerospace engines to aerostructures applications and implemented advanced closed-looped controls to manage the process with complex geometry. Cell 2 helps accelerate this work in the US.

The GKN Aerospace Cell 2 features include:

  • 20KW laser
  • 8-axis of motion
  • Large area inert enviroment
  • 52in x 32in max substrate size
  • Two-sided deposition

Cell 2 is a pilot production cell designed to enable full industrialization of the LMD-w process for aerostructures components. Some applications will include: product development, low-rate initial production and the transition of technology development into production solutions.

GKN Aerospace already has additive manufacturing components flying on seven different major platforms today, across the commercial, military, rotorcraft, business jets and space markets.

19 Jun 19. Airbus Helicopters, the world’s largest civil helicopter manufacturer, and Safran Helicopter Engines, the global leader in helicopter turbines, are teaming up to prepare the future of cleaner, quieter and more efficient vertical flight, ahead of the upcoming Horizon Europe research programme which should be carried out during the next decade.

A Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed at the Paris Air Show between the two companies which formalised their willingness to jointly demonstrate future technologies that will significantly contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and sound levels for future vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platforms. A number of technological streams will be investigated, including various levels of electrification, higher-efficiency gas turbines or alternative fuels, as well as advanced engine architectures to further reduce the acoustic footprint of turbines.

“We are on the verge of a green revolution in our industry, and as the world’s largest civil helicopter manufacturer I believe it is our responsibility to advance technologies and solutions that will continue to make vertical flight the best choice to connect cities and carry passengers safely in urban environments,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO. “This future cooperation with Safran Helicopter Engines will ensure that we are in the best position to leverage and mature new propulsion methods that will support the development of cleaner and quieter helicopter platforms. The Horizon Europe programme is the ideal solution to pull skills and know-how from across Europe, and I strongly believe in its ability to drive long-lasting change in our industry.”

Airbus Helicopters and Safran Helicopter Engines have worked for years on the development of advanced propulsion solutions, including most recently an innovative electrically-powered “eco mode” enabling the pausing and restarting of a gas turbine in flight on twin-engine helicopters. This technology, which will generate fuel savings and increase range, will be tested on the Racer high-speed demonstrator, developed in the frame of the Clean Sky 2 European research programme.

Franck Saudo, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, said: “This future cooperation with Airbus in the frame of the Horizon Europe programme is a great opportunity to prepare propulsion systems for future helicopters. Today, Safran is the most capable provider of integrated and efficient propulsive systems, with the widest gas turbine power range and a complete range of electric systems for hybrid electric propulsive solutions, in addition to strong testing, qualification and certification expertise. We are very pleased to partner with Airbus Helicopters in this journey for a lower environmental footprint of air transport.”

18 Jun 19. Today, as part of the third day of the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, the Eurofighter GmbH has announced the acquisition of the NETMA contract for the feasibility study of the Typhoon Long Term Evolution (LTE), worth 53M€ and to be completed within 19 months.

The objective of the study is to offer an operational and technological development of the platform to counter the continuous threats evolution and to allow the highest and effectiveness operational level for the entire life of the platform, estimated until 2050.

Within the framework of this contract, a fundamental part is related to the study for the updating of the Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS). Elettronica, together with other Eurodass partners, will work to define a new solution based on the cutting-edge technologies and advanced engineering architecture solutions.

The Dass activity boosts the ability to guarantee the platform the development of increasingly demanding and critical operational missions.

The LTE activity, and therefore also the DASS one, represents a great opportunity and can be the “technological bridge” for next evolution of the sixth-generation jet fighter.

Elettronica will support such strategic program making available its expertise, consolidated over 70 years of world leadership in Electronic Warfare.

19 Jun 19. Airbus launches innovation initiative around FCAS to make European Defence ready for the Future. Airbus has announced plans to closey cooperate with innovative technology players like start-ups, SMEs and research institutes especially in the software domain. By teaming up with innovative players, Airbus continues to unlock new ideas, technologies and research for FCAS, the largest and most ambitious development in European military aviation. Over the course of Paris Air Show 2019, Airbus will host special pitching sessions for selected European startups, which will be organized by Starburst.

Bruno Fichefeux, Head of FCAS at Airbus, said: “Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics and Cyber Security have become an integral part of Defence and will be paramount for FCAS. By cooperating with innovative players like start-ups, research institutes and others, we can make sure that we are at the cutting edge of development and bring fresh ideas and approaches to the table. This is a great example of how much we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible for major industry projects”

Airbus has also begun scouting for suitable partners making use of its internal initiatives such as Airbus BizLab and Airbus Ventures. This dedicated initiative complements the development model for FCAS and demonstrates Airbus’ position as an innovation leader in the defense domain.

19 Jun 19. The Franco-German initiative to develop a “Future Combat Air System” (FCAS) addresses the complex challenges of future air war operations. One of the most complex technological challenges for FCAS will be in the field of the networked operation of sensors and effectors. The European industrial environment is characterised by strong partners with a broad range of capabilities and products, especially in this area, for which FCAS will play an outstanding role in the years to come.

To effectively address these technological and programmatic challenges in an international programme, the German based companies HENSOLDT, Diehl Defence, ESG and Rohde & Schwarz are pleased to announce that they have joined forces to form the German Future Combat Mission System Consortium under German Law.

GERMAN FCMS

The aim of the German FCMS consortium is to assume joint responsibility for the complex topic of the networked operation of sensors and effectors within the FCAS network. This will be done in close industrial cooperation with the weapon system companies and the relevant electronics companies of the participating nations. This will consolidate the strong key technologies in German industry. Providing, in addition, a sound basis for the future development of flexible and powerful sensor/effector composite solutions for current and future weapon systems of the European Air Forces.

“Hensoldt is convinced that the combination of the outstanding individual competences in the areas of sensors, effectors, communication and mission systems within this consortium will provide valuable contributions to fulfil the operational needs of the FCAS programme on sensor/effector mission system level. We are very proud to be the lead party of the FCMS consortium and as such represent a strong german player with the capability to design, develop and integrate the sensor/effector network system in strong co-operation with the relevant industry of the participating nations,” said Celia Pelaz, Head of Spectrum Dominance and Airborne Solutions at HENSOLDT.

About the Consortium Partners

About Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG

Diehl Defence delivers high-tech equiment for defence. The company is one of the global technology leaders in the development and production of guided missiles and ammunition for armies, air forces and navies. Moreover, Diehl Defence also offers advanced system solutions for ground-based air defence. Innovative solutions in the fields of reconnaissance, monitoring, training and protection round off the product range.

www.diehl.com/defence/en/

About ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH

ESG has been one of the leading German providers of design, integration and operation of complex, security-related electronic and IT systems for five decades, with a current turnover of 300m EUR. With more than 2000 employees, the ESG Group encompasses the brands ESG DEFENCE + PUBLIC SECURITY, CYOSS and ESG MOBILITY. In Germany and internationally, these people provide propducts and services for customers from government authorities, the fields of defence and public security and industry.

ESG is a certified aviation company for aircraft for the Bundeswehr (German Federal Armed Forces) and an aviation engineering company in line with EASA Parts 21J/G and 145.

As a special systems company for mission avionics, simulation and training, as well as special deployment systems, ESG offers customized solutions.

Independent process and technology consulting is one of ESG’s key competencies. Technology transfer between markets is what makes a significant contribution to our customers’ added value.

https://esg.de/

About HENSOLDT

HENSOLDT is a pioneer of technology and innovation in the area of defence and security electronics. The company, headquartered in Taufkirchen near Munich, is a market leader in civilian and military sensor solutions, developing new products to counter a wide variety of threats based on innovative concepts in such fields as big data, robotics and cyber security. With a workforce of some 4,500 employees, HENSOLDT generates revenues of more than €1bn per year.

www.hensoldt.net

About Rohde & Schwarz

The Rohde & Schwarz technology group develops, produces and markets innovative communications, information and security products for professional users. The group’s test and measurement, broadcast and media, aerospace | defense | security, networks and cybersecurity business fields address many different industry and government-sector market segments. On June 30, 2018, Rohde & Schwarz had approximately 11,500 employees. The independent group achieved a net revenue of approximately EUR 2bn in the 2017/2018 fiscal year (July to June). The company has its headquarters in Munich, Germany. Internationally, it has subsidiaries in more than 70 countries, with regional hubs in Asia and America.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/

18 Jun 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Germany-based navigation systems subsidiary, Northrop Grumman LITEF GmbH, announced it is introducing the LCR-350B, a new Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)-based Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS). The LCR-350B joins the product family in the civil market that includes the well-established LCR-100.

Entering into production this year, Northrop Grumman LITEF’s LCR-350B AHRS provides critical navigation data to the pilot, autopilot and other key systems to help achieve required situational awareness, availability and precision.

The core of the LCR-350B consists of a high-performance, MEMS-based inertial measurement unit which has been extensively flight tested on a number of platforms and meets the stringent criteria for use on manned, unmanned, rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

The unit interfaces with the LCM-300B magnetometer, features a directional gyro mode of operation and also has a hybrid Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/inertial navigation capability to provide precise flight path and velocity information as well as to bridge short term satellite navigation outages.

“The LCR-350B and LCM-300B reflect our determination to continue investing in our industry-leading technology while becoming more competitive commercially,” said Eckehardt Keip, managing director, Northrop Grumman LITEF. “With the MEMS technology, we are expanding our product family and will serve new segments of the market.”

The LCR-350B and LCM-300B have been selected by Airbus Helicopters for the H135, H145 and H160 aircraft.

18 Jun 19. GKN Aerospace pushing boundaries of industrialised additive manufacturing through new research programmes.

  • New £33M Additive Manufacturing (AM) research programmes AIRLIFT and DAM to inject new technology and accelerate AM industrialisation
  • University of Sheffield, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, Autodesk, Siemens Digital Industries Software and CFMS partner with GKN Aerospace

GKN Aerospace is to lead two ground-breaking collaborative additive manufacturing (AM) research programmes, AIRLIFT and DAM and will inject its unique Laser Metal Deposition by wire (LMD-w) AM technology in the programmes. AIRLIFT and DAM are focused on making AM serial production ready at high rates and exploring how AM can revolutionise product design for high value, high complexity product manufacture. The aim is to accelerate industrialisation and increase GKN Aerospace’s market share in the growing global AM market.

Being a global leader in AM with AM components on seven flying platforms, DAM and AIRLIFT build on GKN Aerospace’s global AM expertise and infrastructure as well as on previous successful ATI programmes. Innovative simulation solutions, Industry 4.0 processes and new design tools and methods add real value to aerospace customers by speeding up and customising product design and development, while maintaining the best possible quality.

AIRLIFT (Additive Industrialisation for Future Technology) is a £19M technology industrialisation programme that uses Industry 4.0 and simulation competencies to enhance both laser metal deposition with wire (LMD-w) and powder bed AM technologies.

DAM (Developing Design for Additive Manufacturing) is a £14M programme aimed at developing the next generation of design tools and methods for additive manufacturing using a data driven, material centric approach.

AIRLIFT and DAM are jointly supported by GKN Aerospace, ATI Programme, Autodesk and Siemens Digital Industries Software and will bring together the expertise of universities, research institutes and industry. Forty highly specialised engineers and operators will work together on the programmes, which will be based out of GKN Aerospace’s recently announced £32m Global Technology Centre in Bristol.

Russ Dunn, CTO and Head of Strategy, GKN Aerospace explains: “AM is a strategic technology for the Aerospace Industry that will fundamentally change the way we design and manufacture aircraft. AM enables us to control material characteristics enabling benefits in terms of product performance, cost and environment. With AIRLIFT and DAM and the Global Technology Centre in Bristol, GKN Aerospace will further develop and industrialise additive manufacturing within the UK industrial and scientific eco-system. The Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) is an incredibly valuable resource for UK aerospace and we are delighted they are supporting this project to help the UK stay at the forefront of this exciting and emerging technology as part of the UK’s industrial strategy.“

Dr. Simon Weeks, Chief Technology Officer of the Aerospace Technology Institute, says: “The ATI is delighted to support GKN Aerospace’s AIRLIFT and DAM projects. These exciting projects will progress additive manufacturing technology, extending the capabilities for large scale AM component manufacture for the UK. This offers great opportunities for efficient future aircraft structures with tailored properties as well as valuable material and energy savings. These investments in GKN’s new Global Technology centre will strengthen the UK’s position in AM and establish a route to industrialise Laser Wire Deposition for aerospace.”

17 Jun 19. Rajant Corporation, the exclusive provider of Kinetic MeshK wireless networks will be there showcasing how its patented technology can provide secure, high-performance, low-latency connectivity for a wide range of autonomous applications in today’s marketplace and futurecasting what its industrial wireless networking can mean to aerospace.

Rajant has an engineering, support and manufacturing facility in Morehead, Kentucky and works closely with neighboring Morehead State University in the development of robust, mobile communication systems for drones, small satellites, and other equipment. Due in part to this collaboration, Rajant will be among fellow members of the Kentucky Aerospace Industry Consortium (KAIC) and Kentucky’s State Cabinet for Economic Development exhibiting the state’s #1 export – aerospace.

KAIC’s Executive Director D. Stewart Ditto II says: “Kentucky is a leader in aerospace and defense exports due to the advanced and innovative capabilities of our businesses, like Rajant. At the Paris Air Show, we look forward to increasing the awareness of the Kentucky’s growth opportunities to ensure our companies have the tools needed for success. The aerospace and defense industries are key to the Commonwealth becoming a center for engineering and manufacturing excellence in the United States.”

Rajant will have on hand two autonomous drones at their booth located in Hall 3, B94 (Commonwealth of Kentucky) of the International Paris Air Show. One is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with Rajant’s BreadCrumb® Drone Module. The other is Ghost Robotics’ Ghost Vision™ 60, a mid-sized foldable teleoperated and autonomous all-terrain Quadrupedal unmanned ground vehicle (QUGV) for industrial inspection and perimeter security. It can cover 7.8 miles on a single charge or the approximate equivalent of 3.5 hours of continuous walking operation while carrying up to 25 lbs. Ghost Robotics and Rajant have collaborated on many projects, their latest being for DARPA.

For the last few years, Rajant has been opening up commercial opportunities for drone manufacturers. Their Kinetic Mesh wireless network, powered by InstaMesh®, equips unmanned systems with wireless mobile broadband to provide instant, uninterrupted connectivity for continuous operation in the air, on land and at sea.

According to Don Gilbreath, Rajant’s Vice President of Systems: “Autonomous applications require constant connectivity to remain operational. If coverage drops, even momentarily, these unmanned systems shut down. Mission-critical, industrial operations employing autonomy have zero tolerance for interruptions and are seeking the reliability only Rajant can offer them.”

Rajant’s Kinetic Mesh networking capability brought them to the attention of Ghost Robotics as a strategic partner for deploying small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV’s) with their ground-based robot. Specific to DARPA, each robotic system (in air and on land) acts completely independent to explore and locate assets. The sUAV’s are able to fly into vertical stops and other hard to navigate voids, while the Vision60 QUGV’s can transverse rugged terrain akin to a dog’s four-legged capability.

James Laney, Head of Autonomy and Applications at Ghost Robotics, shares: “We will be demonstrating with Rajant our Vision60 to show Paris Air Show attendees the important role our robot plays in the perimeter security of airstrips, where air drones may not be allowed. Our robot autonomously navigates along the fence line of runways in search of intrusions and can work in conjunction with sUAV’s for more in-depth situational awareness. As we look to the future of aerospace, our versatile, ruggedized QUGV’s maintain advantages over robots with wheels and tracks, making them a right fit for the unstructured terrain of planets and asteroids.”

17 Jun 19. SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defense, hosted the Israeli delegation to the International Paris Air Show, Le Bourget. Seven Israeli defense companies will take part in the exhibition.

“As the Air Show opens this year, there are signs of an increase in the defense budgets of European NATO member countries,” says Brigadier General (Ret.) Yair Kulas, who was recently appointed Director of SIBAT. “The defense market in Europe is one of the fastest growing and most competitive in the world. The security challenges facing the continent, such as domestic security, counterterrorism and border defense, represent an opportunity for all exporters, especially those from Israel, which are considered to be a world leader in technologies relevant to the region’s needs: drone defense systems, UAVs, cyber defense, border and infrastructure protection, air defense and more. We are also witnessing a need for further partnership. SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation, is working to progress these partnerships with the Israeli defense industry.

“We are pleased to report that Israeli defense exports s have been rising in recent years. Together with our excellent defense and technological industries, we will continue to develop innovative technologies in order to maintain and even strengthen the trend.”

The Israeli exhibit

The following innovations will be presented in the Israeli area of the Paris Air Show:

Elbit Systems will showcase new capabilities and highlight progress and maturity of ongoing capabilities at Paris Airshow 2019. Following recent M&As performed by the company, Elbit Systems will present new products in the areas of PGMs, self-protection and commercial aviation solutions. During the show, Elbit Systems will host a media event with NATO, OCCAR and Airbus to discuss the progress of the MMF program and the integration of self-protection capability and will debut the Hermes 45 long endurance, point launch/recovery Small Tactical UAS.

The Company display will include airborne self-protection solutions, Precision-Guided Munitions, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) technologies as well as commercial aviation systems.

IAI unveiled two new products:

– The THeron UAV – the latest member of the Heron Family of products, designed to provide high quality real-time intelligence gathering and transmission, especially for tactical missions undertaken by ground troops, coastal guards and similar forces

– The MS-MMR radar, featuring additional active and passive sensors to generate an enhanced air situation picture.

IAI entered into approximately $1bn worth of deals last year, in Europe alone. During the Air Show, the company is expected to announce new business collaborations in a range of areas.

RAFAEL will present a unique range of globally-supplied, battle-proven advanced solutions for Air Battlespace Dominance, both as stand-alone solutions and a comprehensive end-to-end package, unveiling at the show the following innovations:

– A unique SAR feature for its Litening and Reccelite EO pods – the new SAR capabilities constitute a quantum leap in all-weather, stand-off targeting and ISR pods;

– SPICE-250 with ATR – new artificial intelligence and deep learning technologies in SPICE-250, to enable Automatic Target Recognition;

– Newly-developed multi-mission capabilities, scalability and mobility for the Iron Dome, the defense system that has over 2000 combat interceptions with a 90% success rate – the new features provide both stationary and maneuvering forces with the ultimate defense solution against a wide spectrum of threats.

UVision, a global pioneer in the area of lethal loitering systems for a wide variety of missions, will unveil:

– The Hero-400EC’s Multi-Canister Launcher – a modular multi-tube canister launcher mounted on a range of land or naval platforms. Its long range and endurance capabilities make the launcher suitable for safe launch away from enemy lines.

– The advanced configuration of the Hero-120 has powerful multi-purpose warheads that will also be introduced at the show.

14 Jun 19. US Air Force studying options for new battle management system. A key study on the US Air Force’s (USAF) future Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) is on track to be finished this fall, according to a service spokeswoman. The study, or analysis of alternatives (AoA), which began in January, is supposed to help the USAF define the ABMS, which will network and fuse various existing and new airborne and other sensors.

‘ABMS will connect those sensors using ‘resilient, protected communications and data links,’ the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) wrote in a recently released report accompanying its proposed FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

‘Our aim is to have intelligence and targetting data transformed into timely and actionable information through trusted networks and intelligent algorithms that enable our people to focus on decisions,’ the USAF told lawmakers in recent written testimony.

The HASC wants the service to send the AoA results to Congress within 180 days of the study’s completion. The findings are expected to remain classified. The USAF envisions ABMS as a replacement for its aging E-8C JSTARS ground-surveillance plane. The service once planned to replace JSTARS with a modified civil jet but concluded that such an aircraft could be easily shot down by a technologically advanced adversary, such as China or Russia. The air force will fly JSTARS into the mid-to-late 2020s while it develops ABMS. The service already estimates it will spend $3.8bn on ABMS from FY2019 to FY2024, including $525.5m in FY2020 ‘for investments across sensors, battle management command and control, communications and architecture activities.’

The challenge of networking various sensors is highlighted in the HASC report, which says the US DoD has not done enough to ensure that different types of aircraft, such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, can share information with each other in highly contested environments. For example, an effort to adapt the F-35’s Multifunction Advanced Data Link to the F-22 was cancelled because the required changes were deemed unaffordable.

While the enacted FY2018 NDAA directed the US DoD to develop an acquisition plan for a low probability of detection/low probably of intercept (LPD/LPI) data link network, the document the department came up with ‘was not sufficient or comprehensive,’ the committee wrote. The HASC report urges DoD to devise a new plan and submit it to Congress by 1 December. ‘The committee believes LPD/LPI networked communications must be a priority. (Source: Shephard)

16 Jun 19. MBDA presents for the first time its vision of the capabilities that will lie at the heart of the next generation of European air combat systems. As threats evolve and access denial strategies become ever more complex, with diversified effects combining surface-to-air and air-to-air assets in large scale, air superiority will need to be created on a local and temporary basis. Aircraft and air effectors will need to be able to enter denied areas, see threats before being seen, force hidden threats to uncover early enough to suppress them and to always react quicker than the adversary.

In these ever faster operations, networked effectors will take an essential part in the combat ‘cloud’, exchanging tactical information and target co-ordinates in real-time with platforms and other network nodes, in order to carry out the desired operational effects. These will also have to deploy robust survivability strategies in front of highly evolving threats. The fight will not only take place between platforms but between enemy networks, and only the most agile and adaptable will win. The engagement of these networked effectors will rely on resilience to any form of aggression (eg: Electronic Warfare, Cyber) as well as on rapid decision aids able to compute complex situations.

MBDA is a key actor able to bring answers to these significant challenges, thanks to its decades long experience in supplying armament capabilities to all Europe’s air combat platforms and to its in-depth understanding of operational and technological issues. This is evidenced by the concepts presented at Paris Air Show, which result from ongoing studies in its domestic nations, whether in cooperation or in the framework of individual national roadmaps. These concepts form a coherent set of capabilities and demonstrate that MBDA can shape innovative responses for the benefit of its customers for their Future Air System projects.

These concepts cover the whole field of key domains:

  • Deep Strike with cruise missiles using the most advanced options in order to penetrate and open breaches in the most efficient A2AD (Anti Access Area Denial) deployments in the future, for the benefit of friendly forces.
  • Tactical Strike with stand-off, networked and compact armaments, delivering precision effects but also able to saturate enemy defences thanks to pack or swarm behaviours.
  • Air-to-Air Combat with, Meteor, which today has no equivalent and will keep its lead and remain a powerful asset for next-generation fighter aircraft.
  • Self-Protection with the ‘Hard Kill’ anti-missile system that will counter incoming missiles and so provide essential protection during ‘stand-in’ combat, when soft-kill counter-measures and decoys are no longer sufficient. Such a system is able to reverse the balance of power against saturating defences.
  • Enablers for the penetration of adversary defences thanks to the ‘Remote Carriers’ that deliver multiple effects, whether lethal or non-lethal, as well as new services for munitions such as intelligence, targeting, and deception of enemy sensors.

MBDA Remote Carriers are compact, stealthy, co-operate with other armaments and platforms, and can be launched from combat or transport aircraft, or surface ships. They work as capability extenders for the platforms and the armaments that they accompany.

MBDA is the only European player in the domain of complex weapons able to master all technologies needed for the development of these concepts and their operational chain:

  •  Stealthy or supersonic long range vehicles;
  • Very compact airframes and sub-systems for high loadouts, without compromising effects and connectivity performance;
  • Networking, infrared and radio frequency sensors with data fusion and artificial intelligence for automated target identification in complex environments, threat detection, complex engagements planning, and decision aids.

As it masters these essential technologies as well as all steps in the OODA (Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action) loop, from detection and localisation to damage assessment, MBDA positions itself as the architect of this decision-action chain, which will experience significant breakthroughs in concept and doctrine.

Referring to this presentation, Éric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, stated: “MBDA’s vision for future air armaments is exhaustive and ambitious, and we are ready to take on the challenge to deliver to our domestic nations the full sovereignty of their future air combat systems by taking part in the definition and development of the armaments that these systems will operate. MBDA has demonstrated that pulling together the best expertise in propulsion, guidance, connectivity and system integration have made Meteor the world best air-to-air missile, giving the pilots of European combat aircraft a decisive operational advantage. Thanks to its decades long culture of co-operation, MBDA will be equally able to develop the next weapons that will ensure European nations can sustain their air superiority in the long term.”

17 Jun 19. Global communications powerhouse Arralis plans to establish a presence within Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park – a move that will bring up to two-dozen high-paying jobs to Volusia County, Fla., University President P. Barry Butler will announce June 17 at the Paris Air Show. The recruitment resulted from a highly collaborative effort by Embry-Riddle, Enterprise Florida, Team Volusia, Space Florida, Volusia County and the City of Daytona Beach, Butler said. Discussions between Arralis and Embry-Riddle were initiated at 2018 Farnborough International Airshow.

“Embry-Riddle and its collaborators are committed to recruiting world-class technology talent to Central Florida,” Butler said at the opening of the Florida Pavilion at the 53rd Paris Air Show. “Arralis is a perfect fit for Florida’s space triangle. Their products are defining the future of global radar and wireless communications.”

Arralis has its roots at the Nexus Innovation Center at the University of Limerick, with design centers in Belfast and Manchester and a sales office in Harwell in the United Kingdom, Butler added. According to Arralis Europe co-founder, CEO and Chief Technology Officer Mike Gleaves, the company will eventually put manufacturing and assembly operations in place in Florida.

The company’s decision to establish business space within Embry-Riddle’s John Mica Engineering and Aerospace Innovation Complex, or MicaPlex, reflects Volusia County’s ability to deliver both advanced research facilities and highly trained talent.

“Arralis is delighted to venture into the United States market through setting up a facility in Volusia County in Daytona Beach, Fla. In cooperation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, we found this to be the ideal location for a fast-growing high-tech company like ourselves that designs and manufactures millimeter-wave components and sub-assemblies for the aerospace and communications markets,” Gleaves said.

Over time, the Arralis facility in Daytona Beach will employ design engineers, skilled technicians and high-reliability manufacturing specialists. We can only thank both Embry Riddle and Volusia County for their exemplary support and advice in starting this new venture.

Dr. Charles Duva, a member of the Embry-Riddle Board of Trustees who also chairs Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, said, “We are especially pleased to welcome Arralis to the United States – and Volusia County, Florida. It was only a year ago when our colleagues from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University first met Arralis CEO Mike Gleaves and his team at the Farnborough Air Show. To have Dr. Butler announce that Arralis will establish its U.S. presence on the Embry-Riddle campus in Daytona Beach is great news and underscores our community’s alignment with emerging aerospace technologies.” Team Volusia, the Volusia County Economic Development Division, the CEO Business Alliance and Enterprise Florida all helped Arralis with its site selection process, Duva noted.The Florida Pavilion, believed to be the largest exhibit of any U.S. state at the Paris Air Show, showcases 19 Florida aviation, aerospace, defense and homeland security businesses and organizations, including Embry-Riddle – the world’s leading aviation education institution. Embry-Riddle’s exhibit, staffed by a large leadership delegation, will be located in Hall 3-C7, adjacent to the Florida Pavilion, reflecting the university’s importance to the state’s economy.

17 Jun 19. French Air Force’s DACAS declared operational on Rafale. The French Air Force has officially achieved initial operating capability (IOC) with its digitally aided close air support (DACAS) system aboard its two-seat Rafale B F3 strike aircraft, according to Brigadier General Etienne Patry, Chief of Staff of Air Force Command for the French Air Force. The French Air Force DACAS equipment suite – known as ALLIANCE (Applicatif Logiciel Interopérable d’Aide Numérique sur Calculateur Embarqué) – includes ground, air, and headquarters subsystems.

Speaking at the IQPC Close Air Support Summit held in London at the end of May, Brig Gen Patry told delegates that IOC had been achieved in February 2019, and that the corresponding training course for the DACAS ground element (ALLIANCE Sol) had since begun at the Franco-German Air-Ground Operation School, Nancy.

As previously reported by Jane’s, French officials had been expecting ALLIANCE to have achieved IOC two years ago, the last elements nominally having been certified during Exercise ‘Bold Quest 16.2’, when the airborne component was formally evaluated aboard a Mirage 2000D in its Scarabée (Système de communication aéroterrestre de restitution, d’acquisition et de bibliothèque embarquée évolutif) kneepad configuration, designated ALLIANCE SCA.

Meanwhile, Rafale crews have been employing an alternative cockpit-integrated display known as DECALCO (ALLIANCE DEC). Although early versions of Scarabée were first into service in 2008 for use alongside coalition forces in Afghanistan, the Mirage 2000D will not officially achieve IOC with ALLIANCE until sometime “in the summer” (meaning June 2019 or later), according to Brig Gen Patry.

In Brig Gen Patry’s view, there is a need to “stabilise” transatlantic DACAS system developments, these having been subjected to constant tweaking or “never-ending improvement” that has militated against commonality in training and consistency in interoperability standards. (Source: IHS Jane’s)

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Oxley Group Ltd

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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