Sponsored By Oxley Developments
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27 Mar 14. Stratasys Ltd. (NASDAQ: SSYS) today announced the launch of AIS™ Antero® 800NA and AIS™ Antero 840CN03 as validated materials for the Stratasys F900®, marking a new milestone in qualified additive manufacturing for aerospace, defense, and other highly regulated industries. These new AIS™ advanced industrial solution materials were rigorously qualified in collaboration with leading organizations, including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Blue Origin, Raytheon, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), United States Air Force, BAE and Stratasys Direct Manufacturing.
The qualification program confirms that these Stratasys AIS materials meet the stringent requirements of mission-critical applications, providing manufacturers with trusted solutions for high-temperature, chemical-resistant parts. By leveraging NCAMP (National Center for Advanced Materials Performance) equivalence, Stratasys delivers a scalable and clear pathway to process and materials qualification, reducing time and cost to accelerate adoption of additive manufacturing in highly regulated markets.
“The ongoing development and qualification of these Stratasys advanced additive manufacturing materials are pivotal for manufacturers in aerospace and defense, enabling them to confidently adopt 3D printing for mission-critical applications,” said Ryan Martin, Senior Research Director, ABI Research. “With validated materials that meet rigorous industry standards, manufacturers can now accelerate production, reduce costs, and streamline qualification processes. This evolution in material capabilities provides the reliability, precision, and regulatory compliance required for producing high-performance parts that meet the demanding needs of these highly regulated industries.”
AIS Antero materials offer:
* Proven Reliability: Validated materials with NCAMP-backed data for consistent performance across production sites.
* Streamlined Qualification: Documentation, training, and tools to implement best in class process control.
* Cost Reduction: Significant savings on internal testing and qualification expenses.
“These new AIS Antero materials represent a major step forward for additive manufacturing integration in the production of aerospace and defense platforms,” said Foster Ferguson, Vice President, Industrial Business Unit, Stratasys. “By combining best-in-class performance with an established qualification framework, we’re empowering manufacturers to innovate faster and confidently deploy 3D printing for qualified end-use applications at multiple locations across an enterprise.”
AIS Antero 800NA and AIS Antero 840CN03 are designed to meet the demanding requirements of high-performance polymer applications, offering unparalleled design flexibility and exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures and harsh chemicals. These materials are ideal for creating lightweight, durable parts in mission-critical systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
27 Mar 25. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Google Public Sector today announced their intent to integrate Google’s advanced generative artificial intelligence (genAI) into Lockheed Martin’s AI Factory ecosystem. This collaboration will enhance Lockheed Martin’s ability to train, deploy, and sustain high-performance AI models alongside other leading providers, accelerating AI-driven capabilities in critical national security, aerospace, and scientific applications.
Lockheed Martin’s AI Factory leverages both open-source and proprietary AI models, providing traceability, reliability, and monitoring to ensure trust, security, and high-assurance deployment. Google Cloud’s AI capabilities will become part of this ecosystem, complementing Lockheed Martin’s comprehensive approach to AI.
“Using Google Cloud’s AI technologies allows us to explore a wide range of powerful capabilities to deliver innovative, reliable solutions that stay ahead of the curve,” said John Clark, senior vice president, Lockheed Martin Technology & Strategic Innovation. “A sustained relationship with Google Public Sector is part of our ongoing commitment to a culture of innovation, driving continuous improvement and delivering results for our customers.”
“Lockheed Martin and Google Cloud share a vision to bring new innovation to the industry with AI,” said Jim Kelly, vice president Federal, Google Public Sector. “Our Google Cloud AI technologies will provide Lockheed Martin with a powerful toolset to address some of their most demanding issues faster than ever before.”
Lockheed Martin will apply these integrated AI capabilities to enhance critical areas including advanced intelligence analysis, real-time decision-making, predictive aerospace maintenance, optimized engineering designs, robust supply chains, secure software development, customized workforce training, and accelerated scientific discoveries.
Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform helps organizations train, deploy, and customize large language models (LLMs) securely and at scale, complementing Lockheed Martin’s AI Factory’s commitment to secure, reliable AI across global operations, including air-gapped environments.
This collaboration reflects both companies’ shared commitment to trustworthy and secure AI deployment, adhering to the highest standards of security and reliability, hallmarks of both organizations.
26 Mar 25. How British tech is taking frontline role in modern warfare. Camouflage that can avoid detection by AI systems and drones is among the innovation inspected by Rachel Reeves as Britain beefs up its defences British troops will hide in camouflaged vehicles that cannot be identified by automated enemy systems and “killer drones” under novel technology being developed for the Ministry of Defence. The specialist printed material that covers military equipment confuses an adversary’s artificial intelligence systems so that they are unable to understand what they are seeing on the battlefield. Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, was at Wellington Barracks in Westminster on Wednesday to see where the MoD is spending its money after she pledged to make the UK a “defence industrial superpower”.
In the spring statement, Reeves announced money for new kit would be protected, with a minimum of 10 per cent of the MoD’s equipment budget being spent on “novel technologies”. (Source: The Times)
25 Mar 25. Leonardo DRS Launches Next-Generation A.I. Processor to Give Warfighters Greater Tactical Edge. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) today introduced its high-performance Artificial Intelligence Processor (AIP) latest computing system, designed to quickly deliver real-time threat detection, situational awareness, and advanced mission processing directly to military vehicles. Built for high-speed processing in extreme environments, the ruggedized AIP integrates with A.I. algorithms in current and future U.S. Army combat applications and is engineered to process vast amounts of battlefield data, from advanced image sensors to sensor fusion systems. The system rapidly delivers actionable intelligence to soldiers at the tactical edge across the U.S. Army’s ground vehicle fleet.
“With AIP, we are redefining how A.I. is deployed in combat operations,” said Denny Crumley, Senior Vice President & General Manager, at Leonardo DRS. “This is not just about processing power—it’s about delivering decisive advantage in real-time, ensuring soldiers and commanders are able to make the right decisions when it matters most.”
Ruggedized for challenging outdoor environments, the Leonardo DRS AIP system provides a distinct advantage over similar products, while leveraging cutting-edge commercial technology. The powerful and high-speed processing unit is platform agnostic, compact, and ruggedized – developed around the company’s deep experience in building advanced and proven combat processing systems for the U.S. and allied militaries around the world.
The AIP product line builds on Leonardo DRS’s legacy of providing mission critical tactical computing solutions for battle management, fires, and logistics applications that are trusted across the U.S. military. The company has a long legacy of pioneering A.I.-powered video and image processing, working with industry leaders and the U.S. government to refine A.I.’s role in modern warfare.
The Leonardo DRS Artificial Intelligence Processor product line is the latest example of its leadership in the military network computing, processing, and integration market. It is a key strategic focus for the company as it continues to be the leading provider of advanced C5I technologies with the U.S. military and allied militaries around the world. These capabilities are enabling increased data and communications needed for situational awareness in multi-domain battlefield operations.
The company is investing in the future of C5 for the Department of Defense through the development of the next generation Mounted Mission Command Systems, A.I. processing solutions and advanced C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards/ Sensor Open System Architecture (CMOSS/SOSA) aligned mounted systems – all aimed at enabling future network and platform processing to improve sensor fusion, situational awareness, and reduce the cognitive burden for commanders and crews.
26 Mar 25. China’s J-36’s latest flight reveals some new design details. On March 25, 2025, the new Chinese fighter jet, designated as the J-36, took to the skies for its third test flight, offering a rare glimpse into Beijing’s latest advancements in military aviation technology.
Photographs of the aircraft, captured during the flight and shared across online platforms, reveal a sleek, delta-winged design that prioritizes stealth, maneuverability, and potentially supersonic performance.
The images, one showing the jet climbing steeply from a rear angle and another capturing it in level flight with its landing gear extended, have sparked intense interest among defense analysts and aviation enthusiasts alike.
While details about the J-36 remain scarce due to China’s secretive approach to military development, the visual evidence provides enough material for a detailed examination of its design and potential role in modern warfare.
This test flight marks another step in China’s ongoing effort to modernize its air force. This move could have significant implications for the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
The J-36’s design, as seen in the photographs, immediately stands out for its delta-wing configuration, a shape that has been used in military aviation for decades but appears to have been reimagined here for the demands of 21st-century combat.
The delta wing, characterized by its broad, triangular shape with slightly rounded edges, is clearly visible in the image of the jet climbing at a steep angle. This configuration has historically been favored for its ability to provide excellent maneuverability at high speeds and maintain stability during complex aerial maneuvers, a trait that made it a staple in aircraft like the French Mirage 2000 and the Soviet MiG-21.
For the J-36, this design choice suggests a focus on agility, which could prove advantageous in dogfights or other close-range aerial engagements. Additionally, the large surface area of the delta wing generates significant lift, potentially allowing the aircraft to perform well at lower speeds, such as during takeoff, landing, or extended missions like reconnaissance or patrol duties.
What sets the J-36 apart from its delta-winged predecessors, however, is its apparent emphasis on stealth technology, a critical feature for modern fighter jets operating in contested environments.
In the side profile image, where the jet is flying horizontally, the aircraft’s lines are remarkably clean and smooth, with no protruding elements that might increase its radar cross-section.
The nose of the J-36 is sharp and elongated, a design choice often seen in stealth aircraft because it helps scatter radar waves rather than reflecting them back to their source.
The absence of visible weapon hardpoints or external antennas further suggests that the J-36 likely incorporates internal weapons bays, a hallmark of stealth design that minimizes radar detectability.
This places the J-36 in the same category as other stealth-oriented fighters like the U.S. F-22 Raptor or China’s own J-20, but the delta-wing configuration adds a unique twist that could offer distinct operational advantages. (Source: News Now/https://bulgarianmilitary.com/)
25 Mar 25. Exail delivers navigation equipment for Finnish Navy’s Squadron 2020 programme. French navigation systems specialist Exail has completed deliveries of critical navigation equipment that will be installed on the four new Pohjanmaa-class corvettes being procured for the Finnish Navy under its Squadron 2020 corvette programme. Announcing the milestone on 25 March, Exail said the delivery included multiple Marins M3 inertial navigation systems (INSs) and shock-mounted protection systems. Exail’s Marins series, which is based on fibre-optic gyroscope (FOG) technology, is the highest-grade INS in the company’s portfolio and will provide the Pohjanmaa-class corvettes with uninterrupted, highly accurate navigation data even in global navigation satellite services (GNSS)-denied environments.
The Marins M3 INS has a heading accuracy of 0.01° and a pitch roll accuracy of 0.01°. Positional accuracy (without GNSS aiding) is to within 1 n mile for every 12 hours travelled. The system is maintenance-free and certified to MIL-STD 461 and MIL-STD 810. In addition to the Marins M3, each corvette will also be equipped with Exail’s photonic INS (Phins). According to Exail, this will create a uniquely redundant inertial architecture that maximises reliability and resilience during naval operations. The Phins INS has a heading accuracy of 0.01°, pitch roll accuracy of 0.01°, and a positioning accuracy (without GNSS) to within 0.6 n miles after one hour. The shock-mounted protection will ensure that these systems withstand high-impact shocks, maintaining uninterrupted performance under demanding conditions, Exail said. (Source: Janes)
25 Mar 25. ZeroAlpha Solutions develops energy data logger for dismounted soldiers. UK dismounted soldier power and energy specialist ZeroAlpha Solutions has developed a body-worn energy consumption data logger to help better understand the energy requirements of the dismounted soldier’s equipment, the company revealed at SAE Media’s Future Soldier Technology conference in London in March.
Speaking at the conference, Stewart Burton, managing director of ZeroAlpha, said that on the modern battlefield energy needs to be treated as a consumable supply in the same way as rations, ammunition, and food, and its use needs to be planned and tracked in the same way.
He observed that power is generated but energy is consumed, and it is consumption that is the challenge, not generation. “You need to know what your consumption is so you know what to generate against,” he added. Burton noted that there has been a dramatic change in the profile of dismounted energy usage in the last decade, with every individual now carrying and using devices that require energy. “What was once a platoon challenge is now an on-the-man challenge,” he added.
However, Burton said there was very little data available on the overall energy requirements for specific dismounted roles and equipment profiles over a given time in a given environment. He added that he had never seen an equipment requirement stating an energy usage limit based on this sort of data. The company’s new data logger is designed to be integrated into the dismounted soldier’s assembly and record energy consumption. It is interoperable with standard soldier systems, has internal memory storage, and an integrated GPS receiver. Data can be extracted via USB and is exported as a comma-separated value (CSV) file. (Source: Janes)
25 Mar 25. The NG MIMA project, which brings together more than 20 major companies, universities and research centers, will introduce a new era of integrated modular avionics tailored to military airborne platforms
o With a total budget of €30m, this project is key to foster European technological sovereignty and autonomy in military integrated modular avionics, key element of future air combat systems
o The scalable reference architecture resulting of this project can be considered a first step to a future European avionics standard for the entire continent which will strengthen the interoperability of allied European armies
Indra is coordinating the NG MIMA (Next Generation Military Integrated Modular Avionics) project, one of the most important European R&D initiatives to boost a new generation of modular avionics carefully tailored to address the distinctive and demanding requirements of future military airborne platforms.
Fostered by the European Commission through the European Defence Fund, this project is made up of 21 large companies, research centers and universities from all over the continent and it has a budget estimated at €30m.
Its goal is to completely shake up the military avionics, identifying new high-level architecture principles for most demanding operations, studying key technologies capable to support the higher data sharing and processing derived from the new operating environments. The Indra-led consortium will therefore strive to design a scalable reference architecture ready to be instantiated on different European military platforms.
This will endow manned and unmanned military platforms with unprecedented flexibility, making it easier to evolve and adapt to new demands throughout its life cycle. They will be equipped with avionic systems with open, modular and interoperable architectures that will become the long-term standard for the entire industry and armies.
NG MIMA now faces the challenge of coming up with an architecture flexible enough to integrate technologies that don’t yet exist while meeting, among others, extremely demanding cybersecurity requirements. The continent’s largest companies and best researchers will work on it for three years, applying all their knowledge of cloud, computing and cybersecurity.
All of this work is key to enhancing the ability of allied armies to interoperate and conduct multi-domain operations involving simultaneous actions in the land, sea, air, space and cyberspace domains. Developing this modular architecture will also help Europe invest more intelligently and efficiently in defence and thereby acquire greater technological and strategic sovereignty.
About NG MIMA
NG MIMA (Next Generation Military Integrated Modular Avionics) is a project financed by the European Commission through the European Defence Fund with a three-year execution period, with 21 companies from nine countries coordinated by Indra working together. More specifically, Airbus Defence and Space GMBH (Germany), Airbus Defence and Space SA (Spain), Arctur Racunalniski Inzeniring Doo (Slovenia), Barcelona Supercomputing Center Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (Spain), Clue Technologies SL (Spain), Data Machine Intelligence Solutions GMBH (Germany), DIEHL Aerospace GMBH (Germany), Elettronica SPA (Italy), ESG Elektroniksystema und Logistik GMBH (Germany), GMV Aerospace and Defence SA (Spain), Honeywell International SRO (Czech Republic), Indra (Spain), ISD Lyseis Olokriromenon Systimaton Anonymos Etaireia (Greece), Leonardo Societa Per Azioni (Italy), Office National d’Études et de Recherches Aerospatiales (France), Politécnico di Milano (Italy), Rockwell Collins Deutschland GMBH (Germany), Saab Aktiebolag (Sweden), Safran Electronics & Defece (France), Scioteq (Belgium) and Thales AVS France SAS (France) are taking part.
This publication has been co-financed by the European Union under Grant Agreement 101167828. The contents are the sole responsibility of the NG-MIMA consortium and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
25 Mar 25. The Prädifa Technology Division of Parker Hannifin, the global leader in the field of motion and control technology, has developed a wide range of sealing solutions tailored to the special requirements of electrolyzers and fuel cells – especially to the bipolar plates used in the cell stacks. The portfolio extends from rubber frame seals to injected composite seals to PTFE seals that are available even in XXL dimensions.
Crucial for Efficiency and Safety
Electrolyzers and fuel cells play a key role regarding the sustainable production and use of hydrogen. They are systems that are closely related to each other in terms of technology. Their composition and functional principle are basically similar but the functional principle of a fuel cell is inverse to that of an electrolyzer. Electrolyzers and fuel cells can differ in terms of size, cell chemistry, and operating parameters, and partly entail different requirements, depending on their technology. Irrespective of the specific technical design, the stack that is responsible for the chemical reaction is always central to the system. It consists of various components including – among other things – the electrochemical heart of the fuel cell or electrolyzer: the membrane electrode assembly (MEA).
In turn, the bipolar plates are a central element of the stack. They serve as connecting elements between the individual cells and enable the transportation of gases and liquids between the electrodes. In addition to gas distribution and cooling of the stack, they are responsible for sealing the stack against the outside. Reliable sealing of bipolar plates poses one of the greatest challenges to designing fuel cell or electrolyzer systems. Inadequate sealing can lead to gas leaks or electrolyte loss, which may impair system performance, or to safety issues. The seals used are crucial for efficiency and safety of the total system and both reliable sealing against the outside and effective separation of the process gases within the system are essential to optimal performance of fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Sealing Solutions for Bipolar Plates
The operating conditions in fuel cells or electrolyzers pose major challenges to the seals. Depending on the functional principle of the system, they must be able to withstand high pressures, high temperatures, and/or corrosive media while ensuring that neither educts, products, or electrolytes can escape in an uncontrolled manner. That is a prerequisite for ensuring that the exacting requirements for the service life and safety of the fuel cell or electrolyzer system are met.
Aside from suitable materials, that calls for a simple, reliably operating, and easy to install seal design enabling cost-efficient and reliable mass production. Parker Prädifa has developed an extensive portfolio of various sealing solutions in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for that purpose. It extends from elastomer frame seals to composite solutions with seals that are connected to carrier frames or directly to the bipolar plate or other components of the stack (e.g., mounting frames, gas distribution structures, or membranes). For harsh application conditions and particularly high service life requirements, PTFE sealing solutions are available as well.
The following overview briefly summarizes the uses and beneficial properties of the various solutions:
* Rubber frame seals provide a cost-efficient solution. They can be produced either classically in a mold or by using continuous extrusion technology in practically any desired size and shape. Suitable for temperatures of up to 250 °C. Good compression set. Suitable for fuel cells (e.g., PAFC, AFC, PEM) and electrolyzers (e.g., AE, PEME).
* Injected composite seals can be applied directly to a bipolar plate or to a metal or plastic carrier frame. This considerably reduces assembly errors, times, and costs, and simplifies the installation process. The need for seal grooves may be eliminated in certain cases. The seals are available in large dimensions for electrolyzer applications (segment manufacturing).
* PTFE seals are particularly well suited for applications requiring high chemical resistance such as those in stationary fuel cells and electrolyzers operating with aggressive chemicals. They are characterized by high media resistance, long life, good electrical insulation properties, and high dimensional stability under load. These types of PTFE seals are available in specialty materials with enhanced permeation behavior and in XXL sizes of up to 4.5 meters as well.
25 Mar 25. Panasonic is set to revolutionise the way organisations manage their mobile IT with the introduction of its innovative TOUGHBOOK Mobile-IT As-A-Service (MaaS). This comprehensive solution offers businesses a customisable, end-to-end package that includes robust hardware, essential software and dedicated support – with no upfront costs and a highly flexible monthly subscription fee. It ensures today’s mobile workforces always have access to the latest technology and support to continuously enhance efficiency and productivity for field operatives. With the subscription-based, as-a-service economy set to grow at 18% a year and be worth €2.8trn by 20281, Panasonic’s TOUGHBOOK MaaS provides a seamless, reliable mobile solution that can adapt to specific business requirements. It ensures mobile workers have the most up-to-date equipment and service delivery without the burden of managing it. Removing risk with a predictable monthly OPEX cost, TOUGHBOOK MaaS provides flexibility and control, enabling customers to swiftly adapt solutions as needs change.
At the end of the subscription period, customers can choose to seamlessly transition to new Panasonic TOUGHBOOK solutions and extend or tweak existing software and support services, based on their requirements. For all end-of-life equipment, TOUGHBOOK MaaS supports the circular economy by extending the lifecycle of devices through refurbishment and reuse.
Recognising that no two businesses are alike, this service offers tailor-made packages encompassing:
* Services: Comprehensive support tailored for hyper-mobile workers, ensuring uninterrupted productivity through monitoring of assets in the field, through to maintenance and integration services.
* Software: Essential applications designed to empower mobile workers, enabling them to perform their tasks more effectively.
* Hardware: Access to Panasonic’s TOUGHBOOK devices, known for their durability and reliability in challenging environments.
* Device Ecosystem & Accessories: A range of supplementary tools and accessories that enhance the mobile working experience, from additional batteries to specialist devices and docking units.
Leading technology company, Siemens Mobility UK&I, has chosen to adopt TOUGHBOOK MaaS at its UK Bogie and Wheelset Service Centre. Its engineers will use Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices for component management, condition assessment recording, digital twin inspections, maintenance, work instructions, employee communication, and health and safety compliance.
Rick Evans, Head of Site IT, at Siemens Mobility UK&I said: “This is another great example of our commitment to delivering the safest, most accessible rail network for Britain. With technology and business requirements changing at a faster pace than ever, TOUGHBOOK MaaS ensures our engineers always have access to the latest hardware, applications and support to deliver the very best transport solutions for Britain.”
Timo Unger, Head of Business Planning for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK, added: “TOUGHBOOK Mobile-IT As-A-Service delivers business certainty in an uncertain world. With this comprehensive service, we remove the complexities associated with managing mobile IT infrastructure, allowing businesses to concentrate on delivering high-performance, reliable services whenever and wherever needed.”
The subscription-based model offers businesses the flexibility to select the level of support that aligns with operational needs. With a standard 60-month contract period, pricing starts from just €33 per user, per month. Additional services, such as proactive maintenance plans and swift deployment options, including vehicle integration for devices, are available for a nominal uplift, ensuring that businesses can scale their solutions as their needs evolve.
24 Mar 25. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today that it has delivered its 100,000th mission command computing system, known as the Mounted Family of Computer Systems (MFoCS), to the U.S. Army. The delivery marks more than two decades of providing the U.S. military with advanced situational awareness and tactical computing system capability for ground combat vehicles and command post operations.
MFoCS is an advanced modular computing hardware system that is the cornerstone of an integrated suite of mission command hardware, software, and networking capabilities. The combat proven system delivers substantial battlefield situational understanding and interoperability across the joint force, giving users a significant advantage for command and control, maneuverability, and logistics. The technology is at the core of C5I network computing for ground forces, integrating next-generation software-based systems, communication systems, and is capable of supporting other Army modernization initiatives.
“As a trusted partner for more than twenty years on the MFoCS program, we are honored to have reached this significant milestone supporting the U.S. Army with these state-of-the-art, mission critical network computing systems,” said Denny Crumley, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Electronics business. “As a marquee program for Leonardo DRS, we continue to take great pride in advancing the technology across our family of combat network systems to stay ahead of evolving battlespace threats and ensure warfighters have the best possible situational awareness capability at their fingertips.”
The announcement was made at a ceremony with U.S. Army and Leonardo DRS leaders at its Melbourne, Florida facility where the MFoCS systems are developed, assembled, and tested.
“Leonardo DRS has a great working relationship with our partners at the U.S. Army Project Manager – Mission Command, and the MFoCS products we are delivering today represent the most advanced generation of military vehicle mounted computers and displays available,” Crumley said. “Our years of experience, close partnership, a spirit of innovation – and most importantly – performance in the field, have been critical to the success of the program.”
Network computing and integration is a key strategic focus for Leonardo DRS as it continues to be the leading provider of advanced C5I technologies with the U.S. military and allied militaries around the world. These capabilities are enabling increased data and communications needed for situational awareness in multi-domain battlefield operations. The company is investing in the future of C5 for the Department of Defense through the development of the next generation Mounted Mission Command Systems, AI processing solutions and advanced C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards/ Sensor Open System Architecture (CMOSS/SOSA) aligned mounted systems – all aimed at enabling future network and platform processing to improve sensor fusion, situational awareness, and reduce the cognitive burden for commanders and crews.
24 Mar 25. First NATO Innovation Hackathon Promotes Advanced Technologies for Defence.From 11 to 18 March 2025, NATO and the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) brought together more than 60 companies from across the Alliance to compete in the first NATO Innovation Hackathon. The aim was to uncover new technological solutions to improve intelligence gathering and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and electronic warfare system detection, including in degraded visual environments, such as at night.
Challenges run during the competition were directly drawn from those faced daily in war zones such as Ukraine. To address these challenges, contestants were assisted by mentors from DIANA and the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem.
The hackathon rewarded ten companies for their proposed technological solutions in areas such as AI, acoustic sensors, robotics and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) detection. In addition to up to 20,000 EUR funding, the winning teams were also offered the opportunity to further engage with DIANA. The NATO Innovation Hackathon underscores NATO’s commitment to accelerating the development and adoption of innovative defence technologies. It also contributes to the implementation of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap and actively supports Ukraine’s needs from the battlefield. (Source: UAS VISION/NATO)
24 Mar 25. Shield AI and KAI to advance AI pilots. The collaboration will use Hivemind Enterprise, Shield AI’s AI-powered, modular, and scalable autonomy software suite. Deep-tech company Shield AI is collaborating with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to advance AI pilots, which are integral to KAI’s efforts in enhancing crewed-uncrewed teaming operations. This alliance will see the use of Hivemind Enterprise, Shield AI’s AI-powered, modular, and scalable autonomy software suite.
Hivemind Enterprise is designed for developers and organisations that are building, testing, evaluating, and deploying intelligent machine autonomy. It accelerates autonomy development by providing a multi-year head start with platform products, AI-powered toolsets, and leveraging Shield AI’s proven edge autonomy work.
This enables uncrewed systems to operate in environments where GPS and communications are compromised.
Shield AI recently completed a $240m F-1 strategic funding round, raising its valuation to $5.3bn.
The funds are expected to enable Shield AI to expand the deployment of Hivemind Enterprise to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), governments, and companies.
The product suite of Hivemind Enterprise includes an integrated autonomy factory, industrial-grade production-ready middleware, a rich autonomy catalogue, and seamless mission control. (Source: army-technology.com)
27 Mar 25. Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader of compute and connectivity for IoT solutions enabling Edge AI Intelligence, today announced its new Open-Q™ 8550CS System-on-Module (SOM). Powered by the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ QCS8550 processor, this production-ready module provides low-power, on-device Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities, simplifying design and empowering developers to more quickly bring innovative edge products to market.
Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550 is uniquely designed to meet the higher AI/ML requirements of extreme Edge computing, including advanced video and AI applications such as video collaboration, video transcoding, camera applications and integration with Edge AI gateways. Like all Lantronix’s embedded compute technology, this platform uniquely provides a complete solution comprised of hardware, software, Device Management and Services, enabling customers to get to market faster. It is an ideal platform for the development of industrial Edge AI products, including drones, controllers, robotics and industrial handheld devices for a variety of industries, including smart warehousing, manufacturing, transportation, logistics and retail.
“Qualcomm Technologies’ 15-year strategic collaboration with Lantronix supports our mutual goal of delivering integrated, collaborative solutions to elevate the success of IoT, Edge AI and AI/ML technologies to drive the development of advanced-edge applications,” said Suri Maddhula, vice president of IoT Solutions Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies Inc.
“With the support of Qualcomm Technologies, Lantronix is driving seamless AI innovation at the Edge, empowering developers to harness embedded computing and IoT for cutting-edge, industrial-grade solutions. Together, we’re transforming the impossible into reality,” said Mathi Gurusamy, chief strategy officer at Lantronix.
High-Performance Open-Q 8550CS SOM Meets AI/ML Requirements for Edge Computing
The Open-Q 8550CS SOM features an on-device AI engine with premium performance, supporting the higher AI/ML requirements for extreme Edge computing, including Edge devices, Edge servers and Edge AI boxes.
Key features include:
* Low power consumption with a 4nm process
* Kryo Octa-core CPU up to 3.2 GHz and Adreno A740 GPU
* Dual eNPU delivering 48 INT8, 12 FP16 TOPs
* Security features include Trusted Management Engine, Hypervisor, Secure Processing Unit, and DDR encryption
* Enterprise-level connectivity with Wi-Fi 7 MU-MIMO supporting up to 5.8Gbps
* Best-in-class performance across compute processing, camera, AI, security and audio.
* Up to 8GB LPDDR5 RAM + 128GB UFS Flash
* Android™ 13 and Linux Yocto Kirkstone
* Dedicated Computer Vision Engine
* Multiple MIPI camera and display ports
* Multiple high speed connectivity options
* Support for Qualcomm Sensing Hub 3.0
Benefits include the ability to:
* Enhance video conferencing meeting experiences, automated guided vehicle pathing, smart camera image quality and Edge AI box scalability with its octal-core computing capabilities and 48 AI TOPS tensor performance;
* Perform complex 3D rendering and computer vision tasks with a powerful Adreno 740 GPU supporting ray tracing, Open GL ES, Vulkan and Open CL profiles and 4K240/8K60 video decoding and 4K120/8K30 encoding; and
* Connect Edge AI boxes leveraging high-speed 2.5G and 10G Ethernet ports.
Open-Q 8550 Dev Kit Speeds Development, Reduces Time-to-Market
Providing an ideal starting point for evaluating the Open-Q 8550CS SOM, Lantronix’s Open-Q 8550CS SOM Development Kit is designed to facilitate easy evaluation of the SOM’s key features, such as the low-power AI subsystem with a dedicated DSP and AI accelerator supporting always-on audio, sensors, contextual data streams and an always-on camera.
The kit supports the evaluation of C-PHY and D-PHY MIPI CSI and GMSL cameras, dual MIPI DSI, DisplayPort, audio, sensors, GNSS, Gigabit Ethernet and many more features. It comes with Lantronix’s Open-Q™ 8550CS SOM, an open-frame carrier board exposing all the available I/O, and a range of accessories to fast-track product development.
TAA and NDAA Compliant Solutions
Lantronix Open-Q development solutions are TAA and NDAA compliant, ensuring at least 10 years of longevity with strict Bill-of-Materials and rigorous quality control. Backed by more than 20 years of expertise, Lantronix has successfully delivered more than 1,200 hardware and software projects, setting the standard for reliability and innovation.
Lantronix Engineering Services
Lantronix Engineering Services delivers turn-key product development support for its Open-Q platforms and development kits. Backed by unparalleled engineering expertise behind 1,500+ successful products, our development team specializes in camera development and tuning, voice control, machine learning, mechanical and RF design, as well as thermal and power optimization. With cost-effective solutions, we accelerate developers’ go-to-market timelines, ensuring innovation meets efficiency.
About Lantronix
Lantronix Inc. is a global leader of compute and connectivity IoT solutions that target high-growth markets, including Smart Cities, Enterprise and Transportation. Lantronix’s products and services empower companies to succeed in the growing IoT markets by delivering customizable solutions that enable AI Edge Intelligence. Lantronix’s advanced solutions include Intelligent Substations infrastructure, Infotainment systems and Video Surveillance, supplemented with advanced Out-of-Band Management (OOB) for Cloud and Edge Computing.
26 Mar 25. X-FAB, SMART Photonics and Epiphany Design demonstrate InP-on-Silicon design flow for next-generation optical transceivers at OFC
Collaborative platform combines InP chiplets with SOI technology via Micro-Transfer-Printing for high-speed, energy-efficient optical transceivers
X-FAB Silicon Foundries SE, the leading analog/mixed-signal and specialty foundry, SMART Photonics, the leading Indium Phosphide (InP) integrated photonics foundry, and Epiphany Design, a fabless photonic design house specialized in hybrid and heterogeneous photonics, are collaborating to develop a new heterogeneous photonics integration platform that combines the strengths of InP and Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) technologies, enabling multi-tera bit data rates for datacom and telecom applications.
,,k,Through the co-optimization of SOI, InP, and Micro-Transfer-Printing (MTP) technologies, the new platform aims to address customer requirements for high-speed data rates and energy efficiency in high-volume manufacturing of optical transceivers. It also enables new functionalities and improved system performance while reducing integration costs through relaxed photonics packaging requirements. MTP technology, pioneered by X-Celeprint, provides a broad degree of freedom for the system and product designers, by allowing flexible integration of chiplets into the product design.
The collaboration has made significant progress, resulting in the development of a design flow and PDK that enables the design of photonics circuits integrating InP chiplets on an SOI platform. This design flow is implemented in Luceda’s IPKISS EDA tool. Luceda’s technical expertise and support enabled the design of the demonstrator.As part of this development, Epiphany Design – an X-FAB innovation and XCHAIN partner – has successfully demonstrated the new heterogeneous InP-on-SOI design flow with an optical transceiver demonstrator. This collaboration will be showcased at the 50th Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) in San Francisco next week.
The companies will be available at OFC 2025 – the premier global event for optical networking and communications – to discuss their respective technologies, the ongoing collaboration, and services at the following booths:
* Epiphany Design: # 6065 (NL Pavilion)
* SMART Photonics: # 6067 (NL Pavilion)
* X-FAB: # 4961
Jörn Epping, CEO of Epiphany Design, comments: “By bringing together the integration density of silicon with the high performance of InP actives, we enable new possibilities for disruptive innovation in telecom, datacom, and beyond. This approach empowers PIC designers with greater flexibility and a clear path towards scalable, high-performance PIC-based solution.”
This collaboration builds upon the PhotonixFAB EU funding project, which supports the development of industrial pilot lines for silicon photonics SOI, micro-transfer print ready InP chiplets and MTP of InP chiplets on SOI and SiN photonics wafers.
The complete design flow will be available for early access in the first quarter of 2026. The goal is to support lead customers industrial prototyping by mid-2026, with production ramp-up readiness in 2027.
24 Mar 25. Sonardyne revolutionises small marine robotics navigation with launch of SPRINT-Nav U. World’s smallest hybrid acoustic-inertial navigator packs powerful performance into ultra-compact form factor
Sonardyne International Ltd is proud to announce the launch of SPRINT-Nav U, the world’s smallest hybrid acoustic-inertial navigator designed specifically for compact marine robotic platforms. This groundbreaking technology delivers the proven performance of Sonardyne’s industry-leading SPRINT-Nav family in a package measuring just 135 mm tall by 114 mm in diameter and weighing only 600 grams in water. SPRINT-Nav U represents a significant advancement for operators of small ROVs, AUVs, towfish, and USVs, who can now access survey-grade navigation capabilities previously available only to larger platforms. The system combines four critical instruments—AHRS, DVL, INS, and pressure sensor—into a single unit with one connector and one cable, dramatically simplifying integration while optimising size, weight, and power consumption.
“SPRINT-Nav U transforms what’s possible for small robotic platforms. Operators can now conduct complex inspections and surveys around offshore structures, ports, and harbours with exceptional accuracy and reliability, without the need for large-scale vessel deployments.” Aidan Thorn, Business Development Manager – Marine Robotics, Sonardyne.
Key features and benefits
* Ultra-compact design: Measuring 135 mm x114 mm and weighing only 0.6 kg in water (1.98 kg in air), SPRINT-Nav U fits into spaces traditionally occupied by just a DVL
* True north seeking: Maintains accurate heading even in ferrous environments where MEMS-based navigation systems struggle
* Survey-grade performance: Delivers 0.1% error for distance travelled during typical surveys, with heading accuracy of 0.15°
* Extended altitude range: 500 kHz DVL maintains bottom lock at up to 100m altitude
* Rapid deployment: Aligns in just 5 minutes with DVL bottom lock
* Easy operation: Familiar web user interface shared with SPRINT-Nav Mini, with outputs compatible with third-party software
Game-changing capabilities for offshore energy
SPRINT-Nav U is particularly valuable for offshore wind operations, where its compact FOG-based IMU provides continuous, high-accuracy position, orientation, and velocity data even when operating in and around steel structures. This capability enables operators to conduct thorough inspections of wind turbine foundations, cables, and other subsea infrastructure without the interference issues common to magnetic-based systems.
“The ability to maintain accurate navigation in and around ferrous structures is a game-changer for operations such as offshore wind farm monitoring and maintenance. SPRINT-Nav U ensures operators can collect consistent, high-quality data near steel components where other systems would fail.” John Houlder, Senior Product Manager, Sonardyne.
21 Mar 25. China’s J-36 Tailless Stealth Fighter Seen Flying for Second Time. The largest of China’s two new tailless stealth fighters has flown again. This is just the second time we have evidence of it in the air, the first coming on Dec. 26, presumably during its inaugural flight. That day Beijing’s two new and previously never seen before heavy fighter designs were photographed and recorded in the sky.
The latest test flight imagery offers new views of the massive tactical jet.
The aircraft seen today has been unofficially dubbed the ‘J-36.’ Built by the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, it was first spotted flying out of the company’s plant in its namesake city. After reviewing satellite imagery from Planet Labs, it’s clear that a shelter capable of containing the aircraft’s large wingspan was erected on the flight test line between November and December of last year. This allows the aircraft to be prepared for flight and final checks performed with minimal time exposed to onlookers and satellites above. It also keeps the jet out of the weather, which will be important for continued testing.
The new shelter is part of a line of 10 smaller ones that are used to accommodate existing fighter aircraft, such as the J-10s and J-20s that are manufactured at the plant.
A very similar structure that includes an access-controlled barrier around it, presumably to block line-of-sight and to restrict access, was constructed on the airfield’s primary apron in August. The prototype aircraft would likely live here for servicing with it being moved to the other shelter prior to test sorties.
As far as the video and images we are seeing today, two views are of note, at least so far. We also just have to add the disclaimer that it’s always possible that images that emerge online can be altered or faked, especially when it comes to Chinese military hardware. While that’s a possibility, these images look legit and line up with similar ones we saw from the jet’s first test flight.
First off, there is the side view seen below, which gives us a bit better look at the dorsal inlet and canopy. These are two unique features on the type. The canopy is very much streamlined with the top mold line of the forward fuselage. The idea that this aircraft leverages a side-by-side crew seating concept remains strong, especially given its very broad nose section. We also get more evidence that the dorsal intake uses a diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) design, with the prominent hump and forward-raked upper area seen in this profile shot.
Second, we got the shot below of the J-36 in triple reheat during terminal operations (going around or taking off). This is an impressive and unique sight as the jet’s three-engine layout is certainly exotic by tactical jet standards. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)
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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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