NEW TECHNOLOGIES
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14 Aug 06. Raytheon Company and the U.S. Air Force successfully demonstrated how battle systems — showing future force capabilities using current and near term systems — can work together to benefit the warfighter. Sponsored by the Air Force Material Command, the Air Force Integrated Collaborative Environment (AF-ICE) Icebreaker 2006 event, held July 17-21, focused on net-centric weapon systems. A mix of 11 government and industry sites used current and conceptual netted weapons systems to conduct operations in the Southwest Asia region and explore possible new mission solutions for the warfighter. Raytheon’s connection to the AF-ICE network was the only networked industry node demonstrating live/virtual/constructive modeling and simulations resources. Other industry members participated connected to the network as simple clients within the Air Force node at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Raytheon Missile Systems and Raytheon Network Centric Systems provided modeling and simulation resources including Tomahawk cruise missile models, AFATDS (Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System) and infrastructure matched to the event’s scenario objectives. Raytheon successfully demonstrated the utility of net-enabled weapons to provide non-traditional ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) as well as time sensitive strike and dynamic retargeting. By demonstrating command and control capabilities linked directly to its weapons, Raytheon showed how merged strategic, operational and tactical fires provide a critical link for timely and effective response to the joint warfighter.
07 Aug 06. DARPA is funding an effort to develop an electromagnetic mortar that uses no propellant. The smooth-bore weapon will launch 120mm. explosive rounds with electromagnetic (EM) energy at a higher velocity and to greater ranges than that of conventional mortars. The EM mortar is being designed for use in the Army’s Future Combat Systems, and could be tested in the program’s vehicles by 2012. Full story from a Boeing-licensed site. (Source: Aviation Week)
14 Aug 06. The maker of the Segway scooter on Monday unveiled the second generation of its self-balancing electric one-person vehicle. The redesigned scooter allows the rider to steer by leaning to the right or left, rather than by turning the handlebars. It also features a wireless electric key and alarm system. The scooters feature two side-by-side wheels, and are ridden in a standing position, with the rider grasping handlebars. A gyroscope provides balance, making it fairly easy to remain in the upright position. Officials at Bedford, New Hampshire,-based Segway Inc. said they have sold tens of thousands of the scooters since they were unveiled with great fanfare in 2002. The scooters have been adopted by some police and security services in the United States and abroad, but remain an uncommon site on American streets. (Source: Reuters)
15 Aug 06. L-3 Advanced Products & Design (AP&D) has released an updated version of it’s VideoScout tactical video exploitation and management system. VideoScout now provides the warfigher with increased functionality and integration with the commonly used FalconView mapping system to help improve situational awareness and decision making across the battle space. VideoScout can capture, archive and retrieve video and metadata from UAS’ data link receivers, common sensors and INTEL feeds. Field personnel can then add “knowledge” to the video by annotating, making clips or extracting images to create intelligent video that is more timely and actionable. VideoScout’s integration with the FalconView mappign application now allows users to view incoming video and associated maps side by side, with vehicle position, path and field of view plotted in real-time. VideoScout also allows users to locate pre-recorded videos and images by dragging the cursor over a desired area