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10 Jul 06. Lockheed Martin successfully conducted an Enhanced Blast Warhead (EBW) flight test of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Unitary rockets recently at White Sands Missile Range, NM. All test objectives were achieved. The test, funded by Lockheed Martin, Aerojet and MBDA, demonstrated a higher degree of lethality than the existing GMLRS unitary warhead, while maintaining the weapon’s precision capabilities. The GMLRS Unitary EBW variant expands the current target sets of the system, while preserving its ability to limit collateral damage. Additionally, the EBW variant has been specifically designed for use in urban battlefields. Guided MLRS Unitary Enhanced Blast Warhead will also have the ability to attack targets in excess of 70 kilometers away with high precision, giving battlefield commanders a wealth of choices for deep-strike artillery cover for warfighters on the ground. This low-cost, low-risk program will assist in filling capability gaps for today’s battlefield. GMLRS is a Modular Force system with a flexible design intended to incorporate future growth
06 Jul 06. The Boeing Co.’s Airborne Laser program passed a ground test proving the system can track and target a ballistic missile. The program is developing a laser weapon system for installation on a modified Boeing 747-400F designed to track, target and destroy ballistic missiles. Aircraft modifications and system test are being performed at Boeing’s facilities in Wichita. In the June 6 test, the system located a simulated ballistic missile then tracked the target.
06 Jul 06. Trimble announced the next generation of its popular Trimble Recon® rugged handheld computer. The new Recon X-Series gives users the option of integrated Bluetooth and 802.11g wireless capabilities, and it comes with Windows Mobile® 5.0, the latest version of Microsoft’s software for handheld devices. The new Recon handheld computer includes two models, both with more Flash memory than before. The Recon 200X features a 200 MHz Intel XScale processor and 128 MB of Flash memory; the Recon 400X features a 400 MHz processor and 256 MB of Flash memory. Other new features include a built-in microphone, a redesigned keypad and an improved color touchscreen. Like the original, the Recon X-Series meets the MIL-STD-810F military standard for drops, vibration and temperature extremes. It also has an IP67 rating, meaning it’s impervious to water and dust. The X-Series retains the Recon’s two CompactFlash (CF) slots, allowing users to add GPS, GPRS, digital cameras, bar-code scanners and other devices. The Recon’s Windows Mobile 5.0 software includes several new features that improve efficiency and reliability. Comprehensive persistent storage saves all programs and data to nonvolatile Flash memory; this eliminates the need for a RAM file system or system backups.
10 Jul 06. A significant step forward in satellite-based Earth observation is expected soon, following the signing of an agreement on small-satellite radar surveillance between EADS Astrium Limited and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited, (SSTL). The agreement, which covers the design and construction of a small satellite equipped with a phased-array radar, combines an advanced version of the AstroSAR-Lite payload technology of EADS Astrium with the small satellite platform expertise of SSTL and will lead to the development of the first UK Small Satellite SAR (AstroSAR-UK) mission. The AstroSAR-UK satellite will provide several synthetic aperture radar (SAR) surveillance modes, including high resolution spotlight imagery over regions a few kilometres wide, as well as lower resolution coverage of extended swaths, which are much wider than are available from current radar satellites. These wide-area modes will be suitable for “change detection” processing that will allow regions of interest to be identified very quickly, enabling