Sponsored By Oxley Developments
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14 Oct 24. Quaze Launches Unique Tubular Wireless Charging Product at AUSA as part of L3Harris UAS Product.
Quaze Technologies, a Canada-based technology company and creator of wide-surface wireless power transfer (WPT), is set to launch a unique tubular wireless charging product with L3Harris Technologies Inc, a world leader in producing innovative solutions in advanced technologies. As L3Harris continues to forge new Unmanned Systems capabilities and standards, they have selected Quaze’s wide-surface WPT technology to power their drones remotely in all conditions and without human intervention for their multi-UAV drone launch, recovery and recharging system. L3Harris and Quaze will present the technology at the L3Harris Booth 6727 at AUSA in Washington, D.C. 14-16 October 2024.
Having already established strategic collaborations with Rheinmetall Canada and Galvion over the past 12-months, this contract will provide a solution to the unique technical challenge of recharging vertically aligned drones autonomously, within cylindrical housings. The outcome has extended Quaze’s charging product advantage to being capable of executing commercial grade power transfer over 360 degrees. This ensures uninterrupted access to power regardless of the drone’s alignment within a cylinder, providing full spatial freedom within the enclosure. This represents a novel advancement and an important breakthrough in terms of wireless power transfer. The collaboration which provides the ability to charge multiple drones simultaneously and wirelessly, is set to mark a significant leap in L3Harris UAS operational efficiency and endurance.
Quaze’s unique products provide fully agnostic, pre-configured access to wireless power, making integration with any unmanned Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) system seamless and highly efficient. This has enabled L3Harris to shape solutions to emerging operational requirements, utilising Quaze to deliver a custom-made tubular WPT technology. Seamless integration of Quaze’s technology into robotic solutions is a central feature of the L3Harris/Quaze collaboration and both organisations are keen to explore wider opportunities to enhance robotic autonomy, beyond this initial project.
Quaze’s wide surface power technology, with its magnetic resonance capabilities, enables the L3Harris multi-UAV management system to continuously cycle air assets to achieve greater sustained autonomy and delivering unmanned persistent drone operations. This reduces operator/maintainer exposure to inherent operational risks. This wireless technology charges any robotic system in any environment and without the need for human intervention or precise alignment.
Xavier Bidaut, CEO of Quaze Technologies said, “We are excited to have the opportunity to further push the technical boundaries of wireless power technology with L3Harris, a global leader in innovative technologies. The contract enables us to demonstrate a fully functional 360-degree tubular wireless power transfer system. It not only establishes Quaze as a market leader but firmly positions us as the WPT of choice for forward-thinking OEMs seeking additional capability to enhance their offer in emerging technologies.”
11 Oct 24. Systel, an industry leader in rugged computing, introduced Gray Wolf 2, a high-density, high-performance rugged compute solution at the 2024 AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Gray Wolf 2 provides immense data center 4U performance in a compact and rugged 2U chassis and is purpose-built for intensive mission-critical data processing and analytics applications.
The server is configured with dual latest generation Intel Scalable Xeon CPUs and dual NVIDIA data center GPUs with NVLink for maximum throughput with minimal latency. It features robust IO, expansion, and storage capabilities as well as 110VAC or 28VDC power options.
Gray Wolf 2 is MIL-SPEC rugged and offers superior performance for demanding workloads in artificial intelligence (AI), signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW). and cyber warfare (CW) applications when high performance is required in austere environments.
It is engineered using a modular open systems approach (MOSA), utilizing open architectures and commercial-off-the-shelf technologies, and is the optimal choice for mission-critical defense and commercial applications where performance is essential and space is at a premium.
Brian Russell, vice-president of product at Systel, says: “The ability to deliver so much performance in a form factor that is typically only capable of delivering half the power is a testament to Systel’s engineering expertise and continual investment in R&D and innovation.
“We have listened to our customers and have worked hard to deliver this performance in a smaller form factor. We are excited about the journey our rackmount server product line is taking and look forward to bringing more disruptive capabilities to the market in due course.”
14 Oct 24. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today announced that its IQ-Core® Software (Rel. 5.x TN 2123101) unified network communications management software has been certified as an Element Management System (EMS) and has been added to the Department of Defense’s Information Network Approved Products List (DoDIN APL) maintained by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Placement on the DoDIN APL certifies that IQ-Core Software meets DISA’s highest standards for data security and interoperability excellence. The IQ-Core Software suite provides defense, intelligence, and federal law enforcement agencies with a comprehensive management software application designed for secure, tactical, and distributed network management. It is ideal for all DoD networks, including edge networks in disconnected, intermittent, and limited (DIL) environments.
“Many organizations are required to only use data security products from the DoD Information Network Approved Products List,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “Earning DoDIN APL certification ensures our customers that IQ-Core Software has been successfully tested for interoperability and has the information assurance needed to protect against threats to cybersecurity. What’s more, being listed on the DoDIN APL speeds and eases the procurement and speed to deployment of our industry-leading suite of trusted tactical network management tools.”
The listing of IQ-Core Software on the DoDIN APL follows a May 9, 2024, certification by the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC).
IQ-Core Software contributes to tactical mission success by reducing network configuration errors, improving uptime, simplifying troubleshooting, and providing cyber situational awareness to network operators. It provides an intuitive and integrated user interface that makes system setup and operation quick and easy to learn, thereby reducing training costs. IQ-Core Software helps advance the mission of Curtiss-Wright’s PacStar® product family to provide leading-edge communication solutions for tactical, expeditionary, and mobile organizations. The PacStar family of tactical communications products is ideally suited for wide deployment across DoD networks, as well as commercial/industrial organizations with mission-critical communications requirements.
14 Oct 24. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division has announced the latest addition to its industry-leading IQ-Core® family of software communications solutions with the introduction of the new IQ-Core Endpoint Configuration Assistant (ECA). IQ-Core ECA eliminates the time and complexity required to manually configure and onboard End User Devices (EUDs) for Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) enclaves. The National Security Agency (NSA) CSfC program defines the requirements for enabling EUDs to transmit and receive classified data over untrusted or vulnerable networks with the use of commercially available encryption technology. A demonstration of IQ-Core ECA will be presented in Curtiss-Wright’s booth (#2143) during the AUSA 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 14-16, 2024.
“Our range of software solutions is renowned for making otherwise complex and laborious IT processes, such as setting up and managing mobile networks at the tactical edge, fast, intuitive and error-free,” said Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions Division. “Our new software utility, IQ-Core Endpoint Configuration Assistant, onboards EUDs and accurately configures each to meet NSA CSfC standards. IQ-Core ECA was developed in the USA by Curtiss-Wright’s industry-leading PacStar product line software development team.”
IQ-Core ECA helps maintain NSA CSfC compliance by generating keys and certificate signing requests directly on EUDs. Certificates can then be automatically issued and installed on the device using the existing IQ-Core Crypto Manager (CM), which supports all CSfC-certified Certificate Authorities. IQ-Core ECA also supports a manual workflow for environments that require a strict separation of roles. After the EUD certificates are installed, the IQ-Core ECA helps the operator configure both inner and outer virtual private networks (VPN) to connect to the CSfC infrastructure. IQ-Core ECA ensures that the installation and configuration of VPN clients and EUD Wi-Fi adapters is performed in a secure, NSA-compliant manner. Once the EUD is configured, IQ-Core ECA monitors the VPN tunnels and alerts the operator to any connectivity issues in a simple graphical view.
Industry Leading Battlefield Solutions
IQ-Core ECA was developed by Curtiss-Wright’s industry-leading PacStar product team that drives advanced communications solutions which address a wide range of military, intelligence, and commercial applications. Curtiss-Wright creates and manufactures commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based rugged, small form factor expeditionary and mobile communications systems. Separately, it develops the integrated, network communications management software, IQ-Core Software, for the military, federal, state/local government, and emergency responder markets. The company’s patented IQ-Core Software, hardware technology, and integrated solutions provide secure, command, control, and communications systems, particularly in remote or infrastructure starved areas. In addition, the PacStar family of communications system products is ideally suited for commercial/industrial organizations with mission-critical field communications requirements.
Curtiss-Wright Showcases New Rugged MOSA-based Solutions for Tactical Networks & Ground Vehicles with Live System Solution Demos at AUSA 2024
14 Oct 24. Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division showcased its latest rugged system solutions designed to equip warfighters with new and future technologies to adapt to an ever-changing and complex environment at the AUSA 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 14-16, 2024.
Curtiss-Wright AUSA Demonstration Highlights:
- A Deployable Network Backbone: The DuraNET® 3300 Ethernet Switch provides network connectivity to nodes in a small form factor (SFF).
- “Anything/Anywhere” Information Sharing: Virtualization software running on a VPX3-126x series single board computer (SBC), with preloaded applications stored in the DTS1 Network Attached Storage (NAS) encrypted storage unit, enables all applications to be distributed as thin clients across the network via the DuraNET 3300 switch.
- Ultra-Compact Tactical Communications and Processing Modules: SWaP-optimized PacStar 200-Series and 400-Series modules enable system designers to snap-together a wide range of configurations for an even broader range of tactical applications.
- Ruggedized Universal Software-Defined Radio: SOSA aligned VPX3-E320 USRP module runs 3dB Labs SCEPTRE software to present live RF spectrum and demodulation.
- Tactical Data Links for Battlefield Communications: TCG HUNTR™ TDL Hub message TDLs (VMF and Link 16) for vehicle situational awareness, with TCG BOSS in the background. The DuraCOR 8043 mission computer runs simulation software showing real-time air, sea, and ground links on a local map.
- Fanless SAVE System: 8-slot CMOSS/SOSA Enclosure meets the U.S. Army PEO Ground Combat Systems (GCS) Standardized A-Kit/Vehicle Envelope (SAVE) with internal mounting and physical interfaces for connecting CMOSS systems and radios to platforms.
- CMOSS/SOSA System: VPX3-126x series SBC, XMC-554C 1TB storage module, VPX3-687 VICTORY Network Ethernet switch, VPX3-E320 USRP module, and VITA 62 power supply hosted in 8-slot CMOSS/SOSA enclosure.
- Secure But Unclassified Encrypted (SBU-E) Networks: PacStar 400-Series solutions run Cisco Virtual Routing and Virtual Route Forwarding technology to separate the transport architecture with the data enclave. Shows ability to increase subscriber support from 20+ wired to 200+. Remote Operations and Management (ROAM) manages network and appliances from multiple vendors, including Cisco, Riverbed, Microsoft, and REDCOM.
- IQ-Core® Software: IQ-Core Software provides network status and management for embedded systems. Its GUI displays a map of the networked hardware and networked demos in Curtiss-Wright’s booth and display the network status of all embedded systems.
- Fabric100™ OpenVPX Modules: Extremely high-performance SOSA aligned 3U and 6U modules, including the 6U CHAMP-FX7 FPGA engine, CHAMP-XD4 6U VPX Intel® Xeon® D-2700 HPEC/Cognitive DSP Processor, a 3U VPX3-126x series 14-core Intel Raptor Lake Hybrid Processor SBC, and VPX3-6816 Ethernet switch.
- Voice and Video Cross Domain Solution: Owl Cyber Defense Voice and Video Cross Domain Solution (V2CDS) runs on PacStar 400-Series servers. This powerful combination enables secure collaboration across security boundaries: Designed for use in small team, ground vehicle-based, and command-post applications.
- SOSA Aligned Cisco IOS XE based 10 GbE Embedded Switch Module: New 3U VPX3-623 Cisco Powered Switch is industry’s first to combine Cisco® Catalyst® ESS9300 Embedded Series Switch Technology with Curtiss-Wright’s industry-leading OpenVPX ruggedization.
- Generative AI/ML: VPX3-1711 AI/ML Processor Card, one of the most powerful SBCs for energy-efficient autonomous solutions, enables software-defined intelligent systems at the tactical edge.
- Crash Recorder with Health and Usage Monitoring: The Fortress HUMS lightweight crash recorder with integrated Health and Usage Monitoring (HUMS) uniquely combines cockpit voice recording, flight data recording and HUMS capabilities in an easy-to-install, lightweight, and affordable single-box solution.
- High-Speed/High-Precision Motion Control: Exceptionally compact (5.4 x 5.3 x 3.8 in), lightweight (<5 lbs) NC120A Nano Motion Controller, generates 120A of peak current with 28V input power to deliver more than 3kW of power.
- Electromechanical Actuation: Accurate, efficient, and battle-ready linear actuators and brushless servo motors deliver maximum force and robust performance in small packages.
For additional information about Curtiss-Wright MOSA technologies, please visit www.curtisswrightds.com, LinkedIn, and X @CurtissWrightDS.
About Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Curtiss-Wright Corporation is a global integrated business that provides highly engineered products, solutions and services mainly to Aerospace & Defense markets, as well as critical technologies in demanding Commercial Power, Process and Industrial markets. Headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, we leverage a workforce of approximately 8,600 highly skilled employees who develop, design and build what we believe are the best engineered solutions to the markets we serve. Building on the heritage of Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers, Curtiss-Wright, headquartered in Davidson, North Carolina, has a long tradition of providing innovative solutions through trusted customer relationships. For more information, visit www.curtisswright.com.
16 Oct 24. At EDGE, Lockheed Martin Drives Advancements in AI, Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming and Networked Connectivity for U.S. Army.
The Big Picture
At several 2024 U.S. Army demonstrations such as Project Convergence and Army Futures Command’s Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE), Lockheed Martin is demonstrating crewed-uncrewed teaming, uncrewed-uncrewed operations, Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) and integrated systems in various missions relevant to 21st Century Security® in all domains including through the digital frontier.
The Details
During EDGE, Lockheed Martin conducted highly realistic air/ground teaming scenarios with uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), acting as launched effects surrogates, and uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV).
In one mission scenario, a launched effect provided autonomous overwatch guidance for a quadruped that navigated urban terrain with human and vehicle obstacles. This technology is designed to operate in environments with degraded or intermittent communications, and scale to many uncrewed systems.
The successful demonstrations included rapid integration into Lockheed Martin’s mission systems thanks to the company’s open architecture systems.
The scenario played out in the Air-Ground Littoral, an area where the majority of Army operations, both air and ground occur.
Lockheed Martin sees the Air-Ground Littoral as the space primarily occupied by ground forces, supporting helicopters and launched effects, between the ground and up to a few thousand feet of altitude.
Expert Perspectives
Dan Morrison, technical program manager, Lockheed Martin
“Our experimentation is refining autonomous, collaborative behaviors and proving out AI/ML systems in a realistic and challenging environment. Ultimately, this will further enable commanders to better integrate humans and machines in formation and offer increased standoff and reduced workload for Soldiers.” Michael Harasimowicz, director, AI Innovations, Lockheed Martin.
“AI enabling technologies are critical for the U.S. Army to harness decision advantage by extending and expanding sensor understanding at the edge of the battlespace. One day very soon you will see a mission where a Black Hawk helicopter sends information to launched effects that is out ahead of the fight and communicates with a UGV for first contact with the opposing force.”
Going Deeper: The Lockheed Martin AI Center
Lockheed Martin’s AI Center (LAIC), and the experience of our Applied AI researchers combined with the expertise of teammates who are U.S. Army veterans led to the successes at EDGE.
Fifteen members of the LAIC went to Yuma to support EDGE to support five separate AI-enabled capabilities.
“We are demonstrating our suite of AI capabilities for coordinated use and intuitive control across the Air and Ground domain featuring the Lockheed Martin Stalker uncrewed system and a Spot®, Boston Dynamics Quadruped Robot,” said Harasimowicz. “This synchronization of airborne and ground-based defenses demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s commitment to Force Protection Technologies, a key mission for the U.S. Army.
11 Oct 24. Kite-Strike II x86 Embedded Computer to be Unveiled at AUSA 2024.
Systel is introducing the latest addition to its Kite-Strike II series at AUSA 2024 featuring the next-gen Intel x86 COM-HPC architecture for edge computing applications.
Systel, a leader in ruggedized computing, will showcase its new Kite-Strike II x86 embedded computer, designed for high-performance computing in mission-critical environments at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2024 Annual Meeting.
Featuring a next-gen Intel x86 COM-HPC architecture that supports a range of compute at the edge applications, the Kite-Strike II x86 will be displayed at booth #1015 during AUSA in Washington, D.C.
The proven x86 architecture is widely used and designed for high-performance computing tasks running on operating systems including Windows and Linux. The new small form factor (SFF) computer is the perfect solution for managing and controlling various equipment on platforms, including sensors, communications suites, and other mission-critical systems.
This builds on Systel’s dual-architecture approach to rugged computer development, giving customers the flexibility to choose what is most appropriate for their mission requirement.
The x86 version (model number EC7220) follows the significant success of the NVIDIA-based Kite-Strike II AI at the edge product (model number EC7210) that integrates the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin SOM, the world’s most powerful embedded AI computing engine. Kite-Strike II x86 is configured with an Intel x86 COM-HPC CPU module, which is optimized for use across a range of Department of Defense (DoD) programs.
Both Kite-Strike II versions share the same form factor and chassis, giving customers significant compute power in applications where size, weight and power (SWaP) is limited. This includes ground and air platforms in both crewed and uncrewed configurations.
Kite-Strike II is also highly modular, allowing customers to configure the computer with different cards and expand capabilities where required. The x86 version has a robust IO capability that includes 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports with TSN (as well as the option for 10GbE), multiple USB 3.0 and 2.0 connectors, multiple serial, and dual HDMI. Storage options include Internal M.2 or mSATA and removable U.2.
The new Kite Strike II meets a range of MIL-SPEC standards, including stringent US DoD environmental and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. Systel is a world leader in military-grade computer ruggedization, and this experience has once again been brought to the fore for Kite Strike II.
Brian Russell, vice-president of product at Systel commented, “The Kite-Strike II x86 brings true compute power to the edge. It’s designed to meet the demands of programs that require high-performance computing without the requirement for running complex AI algorithms. With this architecture, we’re giving our customers the flexibility to control complex systems in a very small form factor and where low SWaP is critical.”
Kite-Strike II x86 Features:
- Powered by Intel x86 COM-HPC architecture
- Small form factor (SFF) suitable for SWaP-constrained applications
- Ideal for managing complex systems without requiring AI capabilities
- Dual Ethernet ports, USB 3.0 and 2.0, multiple serial and HDMI ports
- Compliant with MIL-SPEC standards, including environmental and EMC requirements
- (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
15 Oct 24. Low-SWaP SDR Module for Unmanned Military Platforms Released.
Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) has launched the BluSDR-90-UL, a software-defined radio (SDR) module designed to provide long-range communication for unmanned military platforms.
Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) has launched the BluSDR-90-UL, a cutting-edge software-defined radio (SDR) module and the latest addition to its trusted BluSDR™ product line.
Designed to meet the evolving needs of both mobile and fixed-site applications, BluSDR-90-UL is optimized for long-range communication on drone platforms, enabling reliable connectivity capable of over 150km in line-of-sight applications.
BluSDR-90-UL delivers 10W of power output while maintaining an ultra-lightweight, low size, weight, and power (SWaP) profile at just 210g, fitting in the palm of a hand. This ultra-low SWaP also means that multiple units can be installed on a single vehicle for maximum resilience and mission flexibility.
These features make the BluSDR-90-UL one of the lightest and most powerful radio modules of its type. It is ideal for medium-sized fixed-wing drones, unmanned ground vehicle (UGVs) and unmanned surface vehicle (USV) platforms, as well as other soldier and vehicular systems where reliable communications and operational flexibility are critical.
User-Centric Innovation
The BluSDR family offers a versatile software-defined, multi-waveform architecture on a single radio. Delivered with DTC’s battle-proven MeshUltra™ family of high bandwidth MANET Mesh waveforms, BluSDR radios will also enable users to choose from a range of alternative waveforms, including TrellisWare’s TSM or a unidirectional “one to many” video downlink waveform.
The MeshUltra waveform family capability enables up to 144 nodes to operate with the network. In support of efficiency and minimizing modern electronic warfare threats, the MeshUltra family features beam forming, anti-spoofing, anti-jamming, spectrum scanning, and AES256.
Visit Domo Tactical Communications at AUSA 2024
For a hands-on demonstration of the BluSDR-90-UL, connect with DTC at AUSA 2024 in Washington, D.C., October 14-16, Booth 7601.
In addition to BluSDR-90-UL, DTC is showcasing its full range of multi-waveform SDR solutions, including the SDR-H2 and Sentry Mesh 6161, providing an opportunity for visitors to experience the future of mission-critical communication technology.
Steve Beeching, SVP and Managing Director EMEA, DTC, commented, “Our goal is to ensure that DTC continues to be at the forefront of mission-centric communications technology – and this is continued with powerful BluSDR-90-UL meeting ultra-SWaP for multiple waveform, low latency and high bandwidth in highly contested and congested environments.
“We continue to invest in providing the flexible solutions required by our customer at the speed of relevance. Our experience of austere environments, assured resilient integrated networking and radio engineering allows us to rapidly innovate hand-in-hand with our customer to produce leading solutions focused on providing confidence in achieve required outcomes all the way to the tactical edge.”
Rob Garth, Business Unit Director, Uncrewed Systems, DTC, added, “The BluSDR-90-UL with MeshUltra™ is a game changer for medium to large-sized Uncrewed platforms in all domains and long-range communication needs. This powerful solution is built with our customers in mind – designed for ease of integration, adaptability, and, most importantly, the ability to support seamless communication in even the most challenging and contested environments.”
(Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
15 Oct 24. Four Advanced Cross-Domain Solutions for Secure Battlefield Communications Unveiled at AUSA.
General Micro Systems assures highly secure gigabit battlefield communications with the introduction of 4 customizable cross-domain systems at AUSA 2024, offering enhanced data security with new Enhanced SecureDNA™ technology.
General Micro Systems (GMS), a leader in defense communications and secure data processing, has launched four cutting-edge Cross-Domain Systems (CDS) designed to ensure real-time, secure communications across multi-domain environments.
This lightweight, compact form factor combines four new customizable airborne and ground-based cross-domain systems (CDS) by GMS provides highly secure gigabit battlefield communications between secure, classified, and insecure comms links in
The new systems, debuting at the 2024 Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) annual meeting, provide compact, lightweight solutions for secure battlefield data transmission, protecting mission-critical information.
The four new cross-domain systems from GMS include an airborne 3-domain CDS, two ground-based CDS systems, and a ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based CDS. These systems enable secure mission processing, storage, encryption, and network capabilities with options for SATCOM, AI, and data diodes. The systems are equipped with the newly enhanced SecureDNA™ cyber suite, which safeguards data from unauthorized access or tampering.
Key Features:
- Airborne 3-domain CDS: Ideal for secure airborne operations with ultra-secure data separation using General Dynamics TACDS.
- Two ground-based CDS systems: Offering robust data security and customizable configurations for various field deployments.
- ¼ ATR OpenVPX CDS: A compact solution based on the X9 architecture, designed for smaller spaces with advanced encryption and removable storage.
The new airborne and ground-based systems enable higher levels of real-time security across multi-domain secure and public systems during live combat in a compact, lightweight form factor with enhanced SecureDNA to prevent the removal or tampering of mission-critical data.
The introduction of the four CDS is the culmination of decades of system-level experience with increasingly complex and secure systems. A recognized expert in defense communications, sensor processing, and data recorder systems, GMS is currently demonstrating all four CDS at AUSA this week at Booth #8407.
“In an era of interconnected systems and sensors, ‘joint’ operations between the services, and increasing cooperation between the US and NATO (and other allies)—data is being slung around the battlefield at gigabit rates,” explains Ben Sharfi, CEO and Chief Architect of GMS.
“With more and more ‘at the edge’ and embedded processing ‘at the tip of the spear,’ data comes in different colors – red for classified and black for unclassified. Keeping this data correctly categorized while sharing it between machines and allies requires robust cross-domain systems like the four we’re announcing at AUSA. No systems have ever been done like this before.”
Different from multi-domain Red/Black systems, CDS provide the gateway between highly secure, classified systems and insecure (often public) systems and networks. They offer higher levels of security than multi-domain, such as via data diodes for rules-based routing, and beefier crypto and sanitization for data-at-rest within storage devices.
Generically and insufficiently called Red/Black systems, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) SIPR (classified) and NIPR (unclassified) networks co-exist because data must often transit between US allies and disparate networks, and in an age of “connectedness,” often travels across public networks and systems such as Wi-Fi, 5G cellular, SATCOM such as Starlink or Starshield, and other public networks.
The cross-domain system filters the data, makes decisions about what data can pass between the domains, and encrypts/de-crypts data on-the-fly and at-rest on storage drives—all in real time. The CDS must also prepare for the eventuality that the vehicle, platform or location come under enemy control, so it must sanitize and eradicate its data in all kinds of circumstances, often autonomously with no operator ever pushing the big red button.
GMS History in Secure Systems: A Long Road with Demonstrated Results
“In our 45-year history, these GMS cross-domain systems are the pinnacle of everything we’ve learned about secure, rugged, networked, sensor processing and storage systems,” Sharfi said. “Our partnerships with security leaders like General Dynamics Mission Systems and learnings from the Army, Navy and Air Force are rolled into these highly secure, ready-to-deploy cross-domain systems that are unlike anything we’ve seen before.”
GMS explains that no other vendor or prime DoD contractor has systems that fit into such small spaces, weigh so little and are yet so full-featured and powerful while being completely off-the-shelf and ready to deploy. The airborne system, for example, has three domains—two in the Red enclave separated by a GD-MS TACDS for ultra-secure data within SIPRnet. The other three CDS offerings are tailored to different use cases but remain customizable.
Exceptional Security in Airborne, Ground and ¼ ATR OpenVPX Cross-Domain Systems
The new cross-domain systems being shown at AUSA include:
- Airborne three-enclave (Purple, Red, Black) with user tablet interface
- Large ground-based CDS with storage canister, Ethernet switch and user tablet interface
- Small-sized ground-based called “The Cube”
- A ¼ ATR 3U OpenVPX CDS
All systems are based upon the high TRL X9 architecture in either Spider small form factor or Venom OpenVPX and all systems will be TEMPEST certified.
The X9 architecture allowed the systems to be created quickly with features such as network ports, including fiber optic 100GigE, legacy I/O including MIL-STD-1553, mission processors and AI, plus removable storage using NSA encrypted, NIAP-listed FIPS-140-2 SSDs and CSfC offerings.
Each Domain IO controller has two removable drives: one R/W drive for large data sets and one drive programmable as read-only, intended to store the operating system or mission profile(s).
Drives are fully sealed when removed, IP67 rated, virtually indestructible, and are smaller than ever before. All internal I/O uses fiber optic connections to minimize EMI, relying on Intel’s Thunderbolt™ 4-over-fiber connections. Incoming power is isolated and each domain sports its own power supplies, including 3-phase/400Hz AC options and MIL-STD-1275 DC for vehicle power. All I/O to the outside world is opto-isolated and the domains are shielded Faraday boxes.
All GMS cross-domain offerings include provision for the General Dynamics KG-175N Type 1 encryptor. The airborne system includes the GD-MS TACDS CDS between the “landing zone” (Purple) and Red domains for a rules-based dual simplex data diode configuration to separate ultra-secure from secure data. In this manner, data snooping isn’t possible since data is not on the same link.
Enhanced SecureDNA™
For these systems, GMS has also beefed up the company’s SecureDNA cyber suite. As before, all storage can be erased along with the system’s firmware and BIOS via button-press, software call, or external input such as general-purpose input/output (GPIO).
Additionally, all SSDs include hardware secure erase and write-protect for a positive transaction, plus drive bay doors have switches that can trigger an intruder alert which can start SecureDNA. Enhanced SecureDNA™ adds a Domain IO Controller with CAC authentication card (SIPR token for the Red) for each domain to provide differing enclave security profiles, and a chassis-level System Information Module with daisy-chained physical connection to all modules to prevent removal or tampering lest an intruder alert be triggered. All inputs are opto-isolated to prevent crosstalk or side channel data analysis.
Additionally, care was put into defining various cyber sanitization use cases. For example, a new intruder alert connection on all X9 modules and the chassis System Information Module assures that all elements have a coordinated cyber response to “maskable” and “non-maskable” events.
Maskable events include the disconnection of the normally closed daisy-chained intruder line that runs to all X9s, the opening of a drive bay door, system shock detected by the Mission Processor’s accelerometers, and more. Maskable events can be configured to be ignored, depending on use case. Non-maskable events can not be ignored and include a software command, an external I/O line trigger—such as a pilot’s ejection seat—or the pressing of the Zero button on the chassis or tablet.
Two scenarios can be envisioned: opening a drive bay door can immediately trigger an intruder alarm, which causes SecureDNA to run and sanitize the drives and wipe the BIOS. In another scenario, disconnecting one of the intruder lines in an attempt to remove an X9 module triggers intruder mode, thus sanitizing the system and foiling a bad actor. Optional internal UPS hold-up power allows Enhanced SecureDNA to run even if the system is off or disconnected from external power.
GMS showcased the Cross-Domain Systems based upon X9 Spider and X9 Venom OpenVPX at booth #8407 at AUSA 2024, October 14-16.
16 Oct 24. Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE:CW) congratulates X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC (X-energy) on its collaboration with Amazon to generate and deliver more than 5 gigawatts of new power projects across the U.S. by 2039, representing the largest commercial deployment target of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to date. The partnership will support future carbon-free projects that will use X-energy’s Xe-100 advanced SMRs as well as long-term power purchase agreements to power Amazon operations, including energy-intensive data centers.
Through its collaboration with Amazon, X-energy plans to build one of North America’s first grid-scale advanced nuclear reactors with Energy Northwest in Washington state, initially supporting one four-unit 320-megawatt (MW) high-temperature gas reactor plant with the option to increase that project to 12 units and 960 MW.
In September 2022, Curtiss-Wright and X-energy signed a preferred strategic supplier agreement to advance the design and deployment of X-energy’s advanced reactor, which is expected to provide the capability to both generate electricity or provide process heat for industrial applications. Under the terms of that agreement, Curtiss-Wright was selected to design and develop three of the most critical systems for the Nuclear Steam Supply System (NSSS) on the Xe-100 reactor, including the Helium Circulator System, Fuel Handling System and the Reactivity Control and Safe Shutdown System.
“On behalf of Curtiss-Wright and our entire commercial nuclear team, I would like to congratulate X-energy on solidifying this relationship to meet the growing power needs of Amazon’s data centers. We remain excited and aligned with the X-energy team as they continue to advance their next-generation reactor design and expand the breadth of customer applications,” said Lynn M. Bamford, Chair and CEO of Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
“Curtiss-Wright continues to build on its heritage as one of the leading global suppliers of nuclear reactor technologies, and we remain committed to delivering innovative, safety-critical solutions to our customers and the nuclear industry. We remain in a unique position to support X-energy and other advanced SMR developers in their efforts to provide carbon-free energy supporting both electricity and process heat applications.”
X-energy’s Xe-100 is a Generation IV, High-Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor optimized to deliver 320 MW of electric output. The reactor can provide clean, reliable, and safe baseload power to an electricity system or support various industrial applications. X-energy is developing its initial Xe-100 plant at Dow Inc.’s UCC Seadrift Operations manufacturing site on the Texas Gulf Coast. In addition, X-energy’s advanced reactor technology offers remarkable efficiency and resiliency to meet the requirements of energy-intensive data centers.
Curtiss-Wright maintains one of the most comprehensive and diverse portfolios of advanced nuclear power equipment, technology, and services globally to support both operating reactors and new build opportunities.
16 Oct 24. Supportive funding for digital networking: Federal Minister Robert Habeck presents funding notification to Rheinmetall. Key facts
- Rheinmetall subsidiary YardStick Robotics receives funding for research project in the field of AI/robotics
- The total project volume for “RoX” is €52m
- Rheinmetall subsidiaries receive funding totaling €1.4m
Rheinmetall subsidiary YardStick Robotics GmbH, which develops AI-controlled robots for extreme operational environments, and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH were awarded a supportive funding notification for the “RoX” research project for a total of €1.4 m. At the ‘Scaling Industrial Data Ecosystems’ event in Berlin, Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, presented the notice to Klaus Kappen, Chief Technology Officer of Rheinmetall AG, and Domenico D’Agostino, Managing Director of YardStick Robotics.
“RoX” is a research project funded by the BMWK with a total volume of €52 m. The share of the project volume for the Rheinmetall companies is €3.5 m. Launched in September 2020 and scheduled to run for 30 months, “RoX” has set itself the goal of developing a digital ecosystem for AI-based robotics with scalable and innovative solutions for practical implementation.
YardStick Robotics relies on an efficient and cost-effective development workflow that is made possible by digital networking and model-based system development, as well as the use of artificial intelligence. This opens up access to customised robots and automation lines, particularly for small and medium-sized companies – for future-oriented and efficient automation in various industries.
Looking into the future, this will open up a wide range of application scenarios for the Rheinmetall Corporation. These will be implemented at the site in Unterlüß as part of RoX, together with Rheinmetall Waffe & Munition and others.
Already in spring of this year, YardStick Robotics was able to acquire a funding sum of €3.2m as part of the Manufacturing-X initiative of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) for the Robot-X research project in cooperation with the Rheinmetall entities Pierburg GmbH and Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH.
About the project “RoX”
“RoX” is a research project funded by the BMWK that started in September 2024 and will run for 30 months. The goal which has been set by a consortium of leading industry and science partners is to develop a digital ecosystem for AI-based robotics with scalable and innovative solutions for practical implementation.
The project aims at establishing a digital ecosystem that facilitates or even enables the use of innovative AI-based robotic solutions in various practical applications and industries. Manufacturing in particular, as well as the logistics and service sectors, will benefit from the project results.
The use of AI-based robotic systems offers enormous potential for strengthening those industries that depend on the high efficiency and flexibility of robotic systems. In the coming years, the market for robotics will be characterised by significant growth. In order to fully utilise this potential, the “RoX” project will take robotic systems to a new level of performance by combining advanced robotic components, artificial intelligence (AI) and a digital ecosystem. This will shorten innovation cycles and significantly improve system integration and commissioning.
No single market participant can cover or master the high complexity of AI-based robotic systems alone. That is why a consortium of industry and science is cooperating across company boundaries in “RoX”. The focus is on practice-relevant use-cases that address the current need for action in industry and offer innovative, transferable solutions. The central application areas include
- Loading and unloading processes along the entire logistics chain,
- Commissioning processes in unstructured areas,
- Multifunctional and location-flexible robot systems in production and
- AI-based commissioning of robot systems.
In these areas, the feasibility and practicality of the developed solutions are demonstrated and evaluated in terms of their potential for continuous further development and scalability.
In order to develop a scalable digital ecosystem for AI-based robotics, “RoX” focuses on the integration of practice-oriented solutions in development and application environments, the provision of quality-assured software components and AI models, and the design of semantic models and meta-data structures. Data security of the robotics ecosystem and networking with international initiatives are also addressed as an integral part of the project.
The sustainable organisational structure ensures that the developed software modules, semantic models and the digital ecosystem will be provided and further developed beyond the end of the project. In this way, “RoX” will make an important contribution to the future of AI-based robotics and sustainably strengthen the innovative power of the participating industries.
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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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