Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
04 Jul 24. USQ to access hypersonic simulation software. Researchers at the University of Southern Queensland will be trained to use software that can simulate hypersonic space missions in a deal facilitated by the iLAuNCH research collaboration.
As part of the agreement, software engineering company LEAP Australia will provide scientists with access to the ANSYS suite of tools, which can model aerodynamics and structures.
While hypersonic technology — defined as flying at least five times the speed of sound — is nothing new, countries are currently in an arms race to develop the next generation of missiles that are so manoeuvrable in mid-air they can’t be intercepted or detected.
The advances are also being used to create scramjet-powered, hypersonic spaceplanes, which could one day provide an alternative to rockets for taking satellites into space.
USQ already has its own pioneering wind tunnel that can simulate the effect of Mach 5 speeds on vehicles and the heat it generates.
“Through our industry partnership we are making available multi-million-dollar software tools to design and develop high-performance, high-speed vehicles,” said iLAuNCH Trailblazer executive director, Darin Lovett.
“iLAuNCH will provide a hands-on experience in advanced simulation techniques to develop the skilled workforce for the hypersonics projects of the future.”
USQ associate professor Ingo Jahn will lead the project and is part of the Hypersonic and Rocketry team that worked on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and JAXA’s Hayabusa2 capsule re-entry missions, which involved hypersonic airborne observations.
“We will learn by doing, partnering with LEAP Australia to bring in the powerful suite of ANSYS tools to simulate hypersonic phenomena and missions,” said Jahn.
“We hope to demonstrate capabilities of the ANSYS modelling suite to simulate hypersonic aerodynamics, and to develop a multi-physics workflow to simulate hypervelocity re-entries, including how they can be observed from ground (or airborne) observation station.”
The $180-million iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between academic institutions and more than 20 industry partners that aims to accelerate the development of the space manufacturing sector.
Since its inception in 2022, it has already scores of projects. Earlier this year, for example, Space Connect reported how iLAuNCH would use AI to help monitor the health of astronauts.
It believes the ability to access real-time data could aid human diagnosis and treatment during spaceflight, which in turn could lead to developments to help those living in isolated areas of Earth.
(Source: Space Connect)
04 Jul 24. Australia, Amazon partner up for ‘Top Secret cloud’ defence project.
Amazon Web Services has been tapped to deliver a “Top Secret cloud” in partnership with the Australian Signals Directorate.
The Australian federal government has announced a partnership between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Australian Signals Directorate to build a sovereign “Top Secret cloud” in Australia.
Two billion dollars will be invested in the project over the next 10 years and is expected to generate 2,000 Australian jobs as AWS engages with local businesses as part of the design and development process.
The Top Secret cloud – or TS cloud – will be used by agencies within the Defence and National Intelligence Community to securely host sensitive data and is also expected to improve communications resilience during military operations. The TS cloud will also boost cooperation with the United States.
The government said the creation of the TS cloud is an important step in implementing the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the project is about delivering “world-leading protection for our nation”.
“We face a range of complex and serious security challenges and I am incredibly proud of the work our national security agencies undertake on a daily basis to keep Australians safe. We must never underestimate their value and importance. That is what this investment today is about,” the Prime Minister said in a statement
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said the TS cloud is a priority for the Albanese government.
“This cutting-edge technology will enhance Defence’s resilience, improve the ADF’s warfighting capacity, strengthen interoperability with key international partners, and deliver up to 2,000 Australian jobs,” Marles said.
The Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate, Rachel Noble PSM, added that the project was a “vital part of our REDSPICE program, which is lifting our intelligence and offensive and defensive cyber capabilities”.
Dave Levy, vice-president, Worldwide Public Sector for Amazon Web Services, said the company was excited about the project.
“Amazon Web Services is excited to embark on this strategic partnership with the Australian government, to provide our most innovative, efficient and effective cloud services to help Australia enhance its national defence capabilities and protect its citizens,” Levy said.
“This partnership will enable the Australian government and its defence and intelligence agencies to securely share information, speed up innovation, and achieve their missions faster. We look forward to supporting the Australian government’s mission of protecting and advancing Australia’s interests, and remain steadfast in our long-term commitment to Australia, helping drive innovation and improving lives for its communities.” (Source: Defence Connect)
04 Jul 24. Collaboration to Advance Tactical Autonomy. WOLF Advanced Technology is working with SYSGO to produce a certifiable software/hardware platform that supports complex autonomous systems, designed for the aerospace and defense domains.
WOLF Advanced Technology has partnered with SYSGO, a European provider of embedded software solutions for real-time operating systems, to advance the landscape of autonomous systems in aerospace, defense, and transportation.
The companies are set to leverage their strengths to create a certifiable software/hardware platform that supports complex autonomous systems, designed to meet the highest certification standards of safety and security.
By integrating AI-driven solutions, the joint WOLF/SYSGO platform will be able to enhance the processing of data from multiple sensors. This will enable autonomous vehicles to perform minimal risk maneuvers and coordinate with other systems in e.g. the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
The integration is also set to support manned and unmanned flying capabilities, employing AI, machine learning, and swarming technology to control drones and other autonomous systems. The advanced AI capabilities will allow users to pinpoint the greatest concentrations of activity and understand the communication dynamics.
In addition to autonomous vehicles, SYSGO and WOLF are positioned to explore applications in electronic warfare, specifically in the area of Retrial Augmented Generation (RAG). This involves the multi-modal search of the electromagnetic landscape, translating conversations across different frequencies and languages over extended periods.
WOLF is specialized in the design and manufacturing of rugged modules, including 6U VPX, 3U VPX, XMC, MXM/MXC, and other small form factor modules for video capture, processing, encoding, display, and AI inference.
WOLF’s cutting-edge technology complements SYSGO’s real-time operating system, PikeOS, known for its robustness in safety-critical and security-critical applications.
Lindsey Chapman, VP Global Sales & Partnerships at WOLF Advanced Technology, commented; “The collaboration between SYSGO and WOLF Advanced Technology represents a significant advancement in the development of autonomous systems.”
Franz Walkembach, VP Marketing & Alliances at SYSGO, added; “By combining state-of-the-art hardware and software, the partnership can deliver innovative solutions that enhance safety, security, and performance in critical applications.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
04 Jul 24. ODU expands AMC® Series T with square flange solutions. As an innovative connection solution characterized by a 3-in-1 locking mechanism and outstanding performance in demanding applications, the ODU AMC® Series T has been inspiring users in military and civilian environments for several years. This summer, ODU is expanding its popular product line with a robust, reliable and versatile connectivity solution specifically designed to meet the demanding requirements of the military, security and commercial aviation industries.
First-class features and design
The new ODU AMC® Series T Square Flange Receptacles have a rectangular flange that complies with the cut-out dim. according to MIL-DTL 38999. The square solution is currently available for sizes 09 and 12, each with seven different inserts. This enables a flexible adjustment that can be fully adapted to the specific requirements of the applications.
For maximum flexibility, ODU offers the square flange solution as a standard or reverse gender type with three connection options: Backshell, Crimp-Sleeve / Band-it or PCB. Assembly is possible from both the front and rear using four M3 screws and a MIL-C-38999 sealing.
Seamless integration and simple field assembly – as easy as it gets
Communication devices are often retrofitted into military vehicles or upgraded in the field. For this purpose, drilling holes for cable laying and device assembly is carried out on site as needed. Square flange mounting makes this type of installation easier because the holes and distances can be standardized. ODU has also made the integration of the new square flange solution into existing systems as simple as possible. The mounting dimensions of the ODU AMC® Series T Square Flange Receptacles comply with the standard specified by MIL-DTL-38999, allowing the receptacles to fit seamlessly into existing cut-outs. By simply replacing an existing interface with an ODU AMC® Series T connector system, the benefits of the product line can be easily incorporated into existing systems.
In particular, the simple field assembly and the 3-in-1 locking system (screw lock, push-pull, break-away) of the ODU AMC® T series offer considerable added value for reliable handling in demanding environments compared to conventional connector systems.
Versatile applicability and maximum reliability
Like all other products in the ODU AMC® T series, the square flange solutions are designed for integration into a wide range of military and civilian applications. From military ground and air vehicles to radar systems or inverters, ODU’s connectivity solution guarantees reliable performance under the hardest conditions. The extreme interconnectivity of the system makes the ODU AMC® Series T suitable, for example, as an interface for communication systems that alternate between stationary and mobile use.
Connection solutions from the ODU AMC® T series are ideal for applications such as
– Military and civil ground and air vehicles and embedded systems
– Military applications that use connection systems in accordance with MIL-DTL-38999
– Insert in military electronics systems
– Stationary and mobile modules such as radars, inverters, video encoders, cable drums, air transport racks (ATRs), power distribution units (PDUs)
Future-proof availability even in times of crisis
The ODU AMC® Series T Square Flange Receptacles are now available. The ODU Product Finder provides you with all technical product information online as well as the option of ordering samples. With a high level of vertical integration and excellent co-operation with online distributors, ODU secures direct and indirect availability and optimizes the supply chain for customers. All components are RoHS-compliant and support the global initiative for sustainable electronics manufacturing.
With the square flange solution for the ODU AMC® T series, ODU is expanding its product portfolio based on decades of experience. Quality, reliability and real added value – easy to integrate and available in record time.
For more information on ODU AMC® Series T Square Flange Receptacles and how the innovative solutions can meet your requirements, visit www.odu-connectors.com or contact your personal ODU contact person.
03 Jul 24. Advantech introduces the ROM-6881, a versatile SMARC 2.1 computer-on-module featuring Rockchip’s RK3588 and RK3588J chipsets, featuring eight-core processors. With up to 6.0 TOPS of AI inference capability, it excels in complex tasks. The ROM-6881 also supports high-resolution video with 8K@30fps video encoding and 8K@60fps decoding, ensuring efficient, high-quality display and resolution. This module enhances edge IoT applications in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), medical fields, surveillance, robotics, and beyond.
Optimizing edge AI for efficiency and low power consumption
The ROM-6881 is powered by the Rockchip flagship processor RK3588. It features a robust configuration with a total of eight processing cores (4 x Arm Cortex-A76 and 4 x Arm Cortex-A55) that can reach speeds of up to 2.4GHz. All eight cores are built using an advanced 8nm process, providing a 300% increase in performance over the previous RK3399 processor. This ensures optimal computing power tailored for platform management and a diverse range of feature-rich applications. Specifically designed for Edge AI applications, the RK3588 integrates a 6-TOPs NPU accelerator, giving it impressive AI computing capabilities. This versatility simplifies various edge AI inference tasks, ensuring optimal performance and flexibility for a wide array of applications.
Enhancing display and resolution for medical applications
The ROM-6881 supports 8K@60fps H.265 and VP9 decoding, as well as 8K@30fps encoding capabilities. Its integrated 3D GPU ensures efficient, high-quality 3D rendering and display of panoramic content. Additionally, the ROM-6881 is equipped to handle four MIPI CSI cameras, two USB 3.0, and three USB 2.0 signals, enabling access to multiple cameras simultaneously. Moreover, the module features a rich array of display interfaces including HDMI, DP, LVDS/DSI, and eDP for up to four screens. The ROM-6881 is well-suited for medical equipment such as endoscopes, hemodialysis, and AI-based in vitro diagnostics (IVD) systems.
Versatile interfaces for AMR applications
Industrial robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) often demand solutions that provide high data throughput, low latency, minimal power consumption, and cost efficiency. The ROM-6881 stands out as a prime choice for versatile robotic solutions. It features a variety of interfaces including two gigabit ports, two USB 3.0 ports, three USB 2.0 ports, SATA, and UARTs, making it simple to integrate peripherals such as LiDAR, motors, IMUs, and cameras to maximize AMR efficiency. Moreover, the ROM-6881’s four PCIe 3.0 slots provide flexible expansion, allowing for enhancements in wired networks and the addition of FPGA, Wi-Fi 6, and 5G modules.
Flexible OS for edge AI and robot-oriented software integration
The ROM-6881 supports multiple operating systems, including Debian and Android. To facilitate advanced edge AI development, users can leverage the RKNN Toolkit developed by Rockchip. This toolkit handles AI model conversions as well as inference and performance within an Ubuntu PC environment. For robotics applications, the ROM-6881 efficiently runs the Robot Operating System (ROS2), providing a flexible framework for development of robotic applications. This allows developers to swiftly initiate and advance their projects on this platform.
The new Advantech SMARC 2.1 Computer-on-Module ROM-6881 is available now.
For more information, please contact your local sales support team or visit our website at www.advantech.com.
ROM-6881 Key Features
- Powered by Rockchip RK3588 Arm Quad Cortex-A76 @2.4GHz and Quad Cortex-A55 @1.8GHz
- Supports 8K@60fps H.265/VP9 video decoding and 8K@30fps H.265/H.264 video encoding
- Supports HDMI, DP, eDP and LVDS/DSI
- 4 x PCIe 3.0, Dual Gigabit LAN, 2 x USB 3.0, USB 2.0 OTG, SATA 3.0, 2 x CAN, 4 x MIPI-CSI, UART
- Support Linux Debian 11 and Android 13
01 Jul 24. Getac’s Next Generation F110 Delivers New Levels of Performance, Efficiency and Reliability to Field Professionals.
News in brief:
* The next generation F110 builds on its award-winning predecessor, delivering even better performance, reliability, and energy efficiency in the field.
* The F110 is designed for professionals in sectors such as defense, utilities, manufacturing, and oil & gas, who need digital solutions they can rely on in a wide range of operating environments.
* Key features include an upgraded intel® CoreTM 13th Gen i5/i7 processor, ultra-bright 1,200 nit screen, Wi-Fi 6E AX211 technology and optional 4G/5G modules utilizing eSIM technology.
Getac today launched the next generation F110 tablet, which combines fully rugged reliability with a host of powerful new upgrades for exceptional performance and efficiency in the field.
Getac’s flagship F110 model has long been at the forefront of rugged tablet design, making it incredibly popular with customers across multiple sectors and industries. The new F110 builds on this legacy, offering upgraded processing power, brightness, and connectivity, alongside excellent energy efficiency, for full-shift performance in a variety of challenging indoor/outdoor working environments.
Powerful and versatile
Key features include an upgraded Intel® CoreTM 13th Gen i5/i7 processor, with Intel® UHD Graphics offering new levels of processing speed and graphical performance. Elsewhere, the ultra-bright 1,200 nit LumiBond screen, with multitouch modes (touch, glove, pen) – the brightest ever available on the F110 – optimizes productivity in weather conditions ranging from full sun to rain and snow. For maximum mobility and productivity, the F110 can be used with a wide range of Getac accessories, including detachable keyboard, hard carry handle, and secure vehicle docks.
Outstanding connectivity options
Fast and reliable remote communication is a critical part of field operations in industries such as defense and oil & gas production/exploration, which is why the next-generation F110 offers a wide array of outstanding connectivity options as standard. These include Intel® Wi-Fi 6E AX211, 802.11ax, and Bluetooth 5.3, enabling personnel to quickly communicate with colleagues and share data as needed. Connectivity can be enhanced even further with optional 4G LTE and 5G Sub-6 modules (dual sim design including a physical sim and an e-sim), while a 5MP webcam provides clear and detailed pictures during video calls and remote guidance activities.
Enhanced energy efficiency and field reliability
Field professionals in industries like utilities and manufacturing need digital devices they can rely on for the full duration of shifts, even when access to power points or recharge facilities is limited. The next generation F110 features DDR5 memory (up to 32GB), which offers higher base speeds and lower power consumption than previous generations, making it ideal for full-shift operation. Its user-friendly hot-swappable batteries can also be easily replaced in the field if needed. If even more operation time is required between charges, the F110 is compatible with Getac’s optional high-capacity Li-ion batteries as well.
The F110 also boasts rugged reliability. MIL-STD-810H and IP66 certification, a 6ft operating drop rating, and optional salt fog resistance make it ideally suited to operations in challenging work environments where the risk of accidental knocks, drops, and spillages is much greater.
“The F110 has been a mainstay of our fully rugged tablet portfolio for a long time, and for good reason. Its combination of laptop-level performance and tablet convenience makes it the ultimate field device for customers across sectors and industries where challenging operating environments are par for the course every day,” says James Hwang, President of Getac Technology Corporation. “The next generation F110 boasts new features and enhancements that help field professionals get the job done at first time of asking, even when faced with adverse conditions and locations.”
The next generation F110 fully rugged tablet is available now. For more information, visit www.getac.com
01 Jul 24. Next-gen fighter not dead, but needs cheaper redesign, Kendall says. The U.S. Air Force has not abandoned its program to build an advanced next-generation fighter, but it does need a redesign to get costs under control and better integrate its planned drone wingmen, the service’s secretary told Defense News in an exclusive interview.
Secretary Frank Kendall also said a revamped Next Generation Air Dominance fighter platform could end up with a less complex, smaller engine than originally intended to try to hold down its price.
“The family of systems concept of Next Generation Air Dominance is alive and well,” Kendall said June 28. “I can tell you that we are looking at the NGAD platform design concept to see if it’s the right concept or not. … We’re looking at whether we can do something that’s less expensive and do some trade-offs there.”
NGAD is intended to replace the F-22 Raptor fighter fleet in the 2030s. It is a highly classified program featuring a crewed sixth-generation fighter with adaptive engines that can switch to the most efficient configuration as flying conditions change. The effort also calls for autonomous drone wingmen — known as collaborative combat aircraft, or CCA — and other new systems such as cutting-edge sensors, weaponry, and technology that improves the jet’s ability to connect with satellites and other aircraft.
Top Air Force officials have repeatedly stressed such a network, including aircraft beyond the capabilities of fifth-generation F-35 jets, will be necessary to win wars.
“It is crystal clear to us that in order to get into the early to mid-[20]30s with a force that can win, we have to get to a sixth-gen fighter, and that’s NGAD,” retiring Lt. Gen. Richard Moore, who was the Air Force’s deputy chief of staff for plans and programs, said in April 2023.
General Atomics has developed an autonomous drone called Gambit for the Air Force’s collaborative combat aircraft program. (General Atomics)
But the price tag for such a system has long been a looming stumbling block, and rumors have swirled in recent weeks that NGAD might be endangered as the cash-strapped Air Force draws up its fiscal 2026 budget. The Air Force is now in the process of modernizing two expensive legs of its nuclear triad, even as it faces rising personnel costs and deals with the fallout from the Fiscal Responsibility Act’s budget caps for FY25.
At an Air and Space Forces Association event in June, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin hedged when asked whether the service can proceed with NGAD given its tight budgets. He later told reporters the service is still considering which way to go with the program.
Kendall also told Aviation Week that the service is having to reconsider its spending plans for FY26 as competing priorities mount up, and that it must identify the mix of systems necessary to provide dominant air power.
In his interview with Defense News at the Pentagon, Kendall said NGAD is now expected to cost roughly three times as much as an individual F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. With F-35s costing about $80 m to $100 m, that means NGAD’s price tag could be verging on $300 m apiece — and would greatly limit the size of a its potential fleet.
“It’s a very expensive platform,” Kendall said. “It’s three times, roughly, the cost of an F-35, and we can only afford it in small numbers.”
When asked what target cost he wants for NGAD, Kendall said the Air Force isn’t far enough along to set such a goal — but added with a chuckle: “Ideally, I’d like to get it down to less than an F-35, or at least in the ballpark of an F-35. F-35s, as you know, are not cheap airplanes.”
Kendall reiterated that the Air Force will build a next-generation crewed fighter platform, and said he believes it will be based on the technologies developed for the Aerospace Innovation Initiative. That initiative was a strategy — which Kendall kicked off in his previous role as the Pentagon’s acquisition chief, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency initially led alongside the Air Force and Navy — to develop prototype X-planes and a next-generation engine that ultimately led to the current NGAD effort.
However, Kendall said, “the design concept that came out of that [initiative] is a very expensive concept. Scale matters, numbers matter, and so does time. We want to get something there quickly.”
Along with looking for ways to bring down costs, Kendall said the Air Force wants to ensure NGAD can take full advantage of CCAs as it is redesigned. He noted the CCA concept came along after the service had begun working to develop NGAD.
“Having something that’s optimized to work with CCAs is another consideration as we look at NGAD,” Kendall said.
A smaller, cheaper engine?
The Air Force is also looking at NGAD’s cutting-edge propulsion system — a so-called adaptive engine — as it reconsiders its future fighter concept, Kendall said.
Clint Hinote, a retired three-star general and former deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration and requirements in the Air Force, told Defense News on June 21 that the Next-Generation Adaptive Propulsion program was quite expensive and could be driving up NGAD’s overall costs.
“The last numbers I saw on NGAP [Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion] were pretty high,” said Hinote, who was previously in charge of the Air Force Futures organization. “I do think that’s a factor. I don’t know if that’s the only factor, or the factor that’s really contributing to this decision. But it is true that the NGAP program, the development of an adaptive engine for the NGAD, was very costly.”
When asked if the propulsion system’s cost is making it harder for the Air Force to afford NGAD, Kendall replied: “What we’re looking for there is the most cost-effective propulsion system for the platform.”
The Air Force still wants to use the engine technologies it developed to give NGAD more range and fuel efficiency, he said. But as it seeks to bring costs down for NGAD, he noted, “the way you do that is if you can reduce the complexity, but also the size of the engine.”
While the engine and other systems intended for NGAD represented a technological leap forward, Hinote said, it was not out of reach from what he saw before he retired last year.
“We were making really good headway,” Hinote said. “High-pass engines, sensors — all that was coming together, I thought, pretty well.”
The adaptive engine technology that would be the foundation of NGAP is “revolutionary,” Hinote added.
General Electric Aerospace as well as Pratt & Whitney have each developed their own versions of an adaptive engine. The engine’s ability to shift its configuration to best respond to any given situation would be a major advancement in propulsion technology, Hinote said.
“If the [airplane’s] need is efficient cruise at high altitude, then [the adaptive engine would shift to a configuration] that looks a lot like a high-bypass engine, not all that dissimilar from the engines you’re seeing on the bottom of Airbus and Boeing airliners right now,” Hinote said.
High-bypass engines on aircraft such as 737s have large inlets that allow a great deal of air to pass through, he explained, which makes them very efficient. It’s not feasible to put an engine with such a large inlet on a fighter, but Hinote said adaptive engines can produce the same performance characteristics as a high-bypass engine at cruising speeds and altitudes.
And when a pilot needs to hit the afterburner and go to supersonic speeds, he added, “then you crank the engine down, you change the geometry of the winglets, and now you have a totally different engine that adapts to the demand given by the pilot.”
But those capabilities don’t come cheap. The cost of an adaptive engine was one of the factors that thwarted the Air Force’s desire to put it in the F-35, along with its incompatibility with the Marine Corps’ vertical-landing version and possibly the Navy’s carrier-based variant.
When asked about the potentially high cost for NGAP, Pratt & Whitney told Defense News it is working with the Air Force to use a collaborative digital design to drive down costs.
“We have already seen improved efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in cost and time saving thanks to digital collaborative work environments,” Peter Sommerkorn, the company’s executive director of sixth-generation programs, said in the statement.
Sommerkorn added that upgrades to the firm’s ceramic matrix composites facility in Carlsbad, California, as well as its turbine airfoil factory in Asheville, North Carolina, will save money on current and future propulsion programs.
GE Aerospace referred Defense News’ inquiries to the Air Force.
Kendall highlighted an op-ed one of his predecessors as secretary, Deborah Lee James, published in Defense News arguing NGAD is too important to kill for budgetary reasons, and said he is in almost total agreement with her.
In the op-ed, James wrote the Air Force must “explore alternative design and acquisition strategies” to get NGAD’s costs down and speed up its delivery. She said Congress and the Pentagon need to provide the Air Force enough funds for all of its major programs, and that the service should look to “innovative design and acquisition strategies” such as building less expensive fighters that can be more quickly made and regularly updated.
The Air Force hopes to spend more than $2.7 bn on research and development for NGAD in FY25, with another $557 m slated for CCAs. The service projects its R&D spending on NGAD to steadily rise in the years to come, reaching more than $8.8 bn in FY29, alongside $3.1 bn in CCA spending.
The Air Force has repeatedly sought to retire about 32 older Block 20 F-22A Raptor fighters — which the service says would cost too much to make combat-capable — to free up bns of dollars for NGAD. Moore said in 2023 that mothballing those F-22s would save about $2.5 bn over five years.
But Congress last year rejected the Air Force’s F-22 retirement proposal and appears poised to again stymie those plans in the FY25 budget.
The Air Force took a major step forward on NGAD in May 2023 when it sent industry a classified solicitation for the program’s engineering and manufacturing development contract. Northrop Grumman has ruled out competing for NGAD as a prime contractor, leaving Lockheed Martin and Boeing the likely two remaining contenders.
The Air Force last year said it intended to award that contract in 2024.
When asked if that contract is still coming this year, Kendall said: “I’m not ready to talk about any specific changes yet.”
(Source: Defense News)
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
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.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————