Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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30 Oct 24. ZeroAvia and PowerCell to Collaborate on Next Gen Fuel Cell Development. ZeroAvia today announced that it has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PowerCell Group to collaborate on next generation fuel cell technologies. Joint R&D will focus on intermediate and high temperature fuel cells which will open up more energy intensive applications such as large fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft.
The two companies have been working together for the last few years, with PowerCell fuel cell stacks forming part of the prototype ZeroAvia powertrains that have powered both of the breakthrough fuel cell flight demonstrators flown by ZeroAvia.
ZeroAvia is designing a bespoke multi-stack balance-of-plant architecture using PowerCell’s low temperature proton exchange membrane (LT-PEM) stacks applicable to aviation applications. As such, the Swedish fuel cell manufacturer is a key supplier for ZeroAvia’s first 600kW powertrain (ZA600) designed for up to 20 seat aircraft.
ZeroAvia’s high temperature PEM fuel cell (HT-PEM) stacks – part of the roadmap to delivery of ZA2000 powertrain for 40-80 seat aircraft and a key part of the company’s component offering to other clean flight innovators – are already demonstrating industry record power density in excess of 2.5 kW/kg at the cell level, with a clear pathway to reaching 3+ kW/kg at the system level in the coming months.
Increasing the operating temperature of fuel cell systems can allow for a reduction in cooling and humidification required, simplifying the architecture and improving the amount of power for a given unit of weight.
The collaboration will leverage PowerCell’s long experience industrializing hydrogen-electric technologies to push advanced fuel cells solutions to high TRL levels. For ZeroAvia, it will provide the opportunity to exploit its technology in different sectors, while retaining its core focus on aerospace. (Source: ASD Network)
30 Oct 24. ARuVR, a multi-award winning AI-powered Extended Reality (XR) and Spatial Computing learning omni-platform, is delighted to announce its strategic partnership with VR Expert, a leading provider of VR and AR hardware and services in Europe. This collaboration will bring enhanced XR (Extended Reality) tools and solutions to enterprises, enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of virtual reality (VR) in their training, education, and development programmes.
The partnership combines ARuVR’s cutting-edge immersive learning platform with VR Expert’s extensive portfolio of virtual and augmented reality hardware. Together, ARuVR and VR Expert will deliver seamless, end-to-end XR solutions to help organisations create immersive, scalable, and measurable learning experiences that drive both engagement and performance.
Niklas Kettner from VR Expert added, “We are excited to partner with ARuVR, whose innovative platform aligns perfectly with our mission of empowering businesses with immersive technology solutions. With our combined expertise, we look forward to helping organisations enhance their training programmes, streamline processes, and improve operational efficiency through VR.”Frank Furnari, CEO of ARuVR, commented, “Our partnership with VR Expert represents a significant step forward in democratising access to high-quality VR learning tools. By integrating VR Expert’s comprehensive hardware offerings with our leading XR software platform, we can deliver a more holistic and impactful learning experience for businesses across the globe.”
Through this collaboration, ARuVR’s clients will have access to the vast hardware selection from VR Expert, including industry-leading devices from brands such as Lenovo, Pico, HTC Vive, and Meta. Additionally, VR Expert’s renowned after-sales support, consultation, and service capabilities will ensure smooth deployments of XR solutions for ARuVR clients.VR Expert has established itself as a trusted partner in delivering and supporting immersive technology for professional and enterprise use, serving clients across diverse industries. Their consultative approach ensures businesses not only find the right hardware but also receive full support from initial consultation to ongoing technical assistance. This partnership marks a significant development for both companies as they continue to shape the future of XR-enabled learning and development. Organisations leveraging ARuVR’s platform, enhanced by VR Expert’s immersive technology solutions, will be equipped to deliver superior training outcomes, reduce training costs, and improve employee retention and skill acquisition.
29 Oct 24. With Industry Help, DOD Strives to be Leader in Microchip Research, Production. Microchips enable virtually every military system, from ships, planes, tanks, long-range munitions, radar and communication gear to night vision, satellites, sensors — making them vital to the Defense Department.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks spoke today to industrial, government and academic leaders at the 2024 Microelectronics Commons Annual Meeting in Washington.
“Every day, from the Indo-Pacific to the North Atlantic to the Middle East and beyond — from the ocean floor to outer space to cyberspace — as American warfighters stand the watch, they depend on chips to help them defend our country, our allies and partners, and our interests,” Hicks said.
“America’s vibrant innovation ecosystem made it all possible, through collaboration going back decades across government, academia and industry, encompassing businesses large and small,” she said, noting that microchips are also crucial to civilian applications, ranging from Wi-Fi and cell phones to refrigerators and motor vehicles.
The United States and DOD, with the help of its industry and academia partners, strives to remain the leader in chip research and design, prototyping, manufacturing and production at scale, Hicks said.
Leading this charge is the Microelectronics Commons, which has over 1,200 member organizations, having more than tripled in size, in just 12 months, she said.
“As of today, we’ve awarded nearly $700 m toward this endeavor’s goal of bridging the microelectronics gap from lab-to-fab — that infamous valley of death between research and development and production,” she said, noting that more investments will be coming soon in the pipeline.
The CHIPS and Science Act was a bipartisan victory for U.S. national security and economic security, the deputy defense secretary said.
“The CHIPS Act made clear to America — and the world — that the U.S. government is united in its commitment to ensuring that our industrial and scientific powerhouses can deliver what we need to secure the future,” she said.
A new generation of defense-technology startup companies are disrupting America’s defense industrial base, Hicks noted. “That’s welcomed, because competition is good for the taxpayer and good for the warfighter.”
Besides traditional primes, such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and RTX, newer venture-backed companies, like Anduril, Epirus and Tignis have skin in the game, Hicks said.
Academia is also conducting research at universities like Purdue, Notre Dame, Michigan and Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she said.
Also, historically black colleges and universities, like Morgan State University and North Carolina A&T, are advancing areas like electromagnetic warfare, 5G and 6G wireless and commercial leap-ahead technologies, Hicks said.
Hubs in Massachusetts and New York, are helping prepare military veterans for careers in microelectronics, she added.
The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium hub has over 360 members nationwide, and the Defense-Ready Electronics and Microdevices Superhub, which recently began processing its first outside customer orders, are examples of the growing national semiconductor ecosystems, building the workforce pools and talent pipelines that America needs to stay ahead, and bringing new hotbeds of local innovation into the fold, she said.
“Across the country, this network of hubs now represents a committed community — of innovators, transition owners, academic leaders, defense industry stakeholders, government program managers and prototyping and manufacturing facilities, that are together accelerating microelectronics development and production — all to meet DOD’s needs, and many with dual-use applications,” Hicks said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
29 Oct 24. New Turkish multi-purpose mini submarine takes shape. Datum Submarine Engineering, a subsidiary of Istanbul Technical University, and Sefine Shipyard showcased their new multi-purpose mini submarine (MPMS) under development during the Saha Expo 2024 defence and aerospace exhibition held in Istanbul from 22 to 26 October. The MPMS is being developed as a technology development project with three main objectives: to apply theoretical studies in commercial and military submarine design, verification, and improvement to a vehicle that can be manufactured and tested in a short period; to provide Türk Loydu with experience in submarine plan approval, material certification, and classification activities for national military submarine projects; and to create a platform for testing and integrating systems developed by the Turkish defence industry for submarines. When completed, the MPMS will be around 12 m long, 2.3 m wide, and 2.9 m high, with a displacement of around 36 tonnes. The calculated diving depth will be 280 m. It will carry a crew complement of four. Speaking to Janes at the Saha Expo, Datum chairman Münir Cansın Özden said the submarine’s configuration includes a seven-blade propeller and a hydraulically controlled steering gear arranged in a cross shape. Equipped with diving, trim, and tuning cistern systems, pumps, and compressed air circuits, the submarine also features a specially designed electrical interceptor, a sonar control system, type-approved control systems, and multiple sensor systems, including those for pressure, gas, levels, and fire detection. (Source: Janes)
30 Oct 24. Aitech Systems, a leading provider of rugged boards and system level solutions for military, aerospace and space applications, has expanded its space-rated unified system architectures to meet the growing demands for shorter development times and lower costs among satellite busses, subsystems, and payloads.
Using a Space Digital Backbone (DBB) approach, which provides a flexible, scalable communication pathway for the increasing number of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies being implemented into space missions, the company provides selection of space-rated subsystems for common space platforms:
- Earth Observation: Integrated and qualified hardware and software along with the engineering analysis of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) space-ready systems enable improved reliability, real-time data processing, high resolution imagery, and rapid situational awareness for space superiority.
- Communication: The space DBB enables seamless integration and high-speed reliable, secure connectivity between internal/external communications systems, cameras, local edge computing, and shared storage elements throughout all levels of orbit.
- Communications, Computation & Data Handling (CCD&H): To empower payload sharing and interface satellite buses, as well as satellite swarm, constellation positional, and mission management, I/O boards are used to dedicate multiple high-speed data streams and provide high-capacity memory to reduce latency.
- Power Control: In order to achieve the high reliability needed for mission critical systems, power control subsystems are added to subsystem controllers to limit the ultimate output power and the power on/off switching times to prevent transients from coupling to the system backplane.
- Robotics: Provides power and signal to control a motor or servo device to enable autonomy and improved decision-making across space applications for higher adaptability in rugged conditions.
Ralph Grundler, Director of Space Business Development and Space R&D, at Aitech, commented, “Accelerated timelines in space innovations have led to the transition from custom space-qualified systems that require extensive design, testing, and qualification processes to economical COTS technologies without sacrificing key performance indicators of radiation tolerance, reliability, spaceflight pedigree, and risk management.”
Commercial space companies are seeking space-ready orbital systems with computational, input/output, and communication functionality to control specific satellite functions such as image data processing, communications, and navigation.
Space-ready systems with high computing and connectivity performance are fueling the future of space exploration, at Aitech we harness the power of scalable, versatile interconnects and open standards-based computing using COTS to provide reliability within space electronic systems in critical areas including Earth observation, computation and data handling, and communication.
For over 30 years, Aitech has led the industry in providing space-ready orbital system applications across various programs and missions including the Multi-User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES), a commercial Earth observation platform on the ISS to more recently providing a complete system CC&DH flight computers and peripherals for successful orbit.
For more information, please call 888-Aitech-8 (888-248-3248), visit https://bit.ly/Space-Ind or e-mail .
Get our updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Aitech
About Aitech Systems:
In business for more than four decades, Aitech is one of the world’s first, independent, open systems architecture, COTS/MOTS innovators offering open standards-based boards and integrated computing subsystem products, with customization services for rugged and severe environment, military, aerospace and space applications…i.e. products for Air, Land, Sea, and Space. For more information, please visit www.aitechsystems.com.
31 Oct 24. Solus Power, a specialist battery innovation company, has revealed that its industry-first portable power technology has been officially approved by the UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) to be supported and showcased alongside leading defence solutions at the Larkhill Exhibition Centre (LEC).
UK-based Solus Power is revolutionising the energy sector through the development of sustainable off-grid mobile DC-to-DC rapid charging and energy storage in the form of its ‘Kratos’ battery packs. The military-grade, ruggedised Lithium-ion units, referred to as ‘Jerry cans of electricity’, have been designed to provide mission critical portable energy support to the increasing number of power-hungry electrical equipment and systems such as drones and communications.
The cutting-edge mobile charging solution is modular, stackable and easily transported to solve the challenges of providing power and reducing dependency on fossil fuels across diverse locations and infrastructure availability.
Recognising the vital role Kratos can play within the modern defence and security landscape, the UKDSE, part of the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), has welcomed Solus Power’s innovation where it will be supported by a serving military team with extensive experience across various Army capabilities.
Working closely with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as well as other industry and government departments, the Export Support Team (EST) will provide specialist advice and resources to promote Kratos as a breakthrough global defence solution.
With the UKDSE’s approval, Solus Power will also be able to showcase its products, including Kratos, at the LEC, in Wiltshire, to international Government and military delegates arriving to procure defence and security solutions for their respective countries. Furthermore, its products will be featured under the Ministry of Defence’s banner at upcoming defence and security exhibitions, providing unparalleled visibility in the global market.
Stas Leonidou, Founder and CEO of Solus Power, said: “As we navigate an increasingly complex global security landscape, now more than ever, it is critical that we continue to develop and provide cutting-edge solutions that support defence and security operations. We are proud to be at the forefront of this mission with Kratos.
The demand for power as militaries move towards electrification has grown exponentially. Our ruggedised battery technology has been created to solve the challenges of supply, self-sufficiency and sustainability, while crucially maintaining operational advantage. This strategic support from UKDSE is a powerful validation of our product and strengthens our position in the future of defence.”
Michael Molloy, Construction, Logistics & Infrastructure Adviser at the UK Defence & Security Exports, added: “Our mission at the UKDSE is to identify, support and promote game-changing British innovation that will make a significant impact on the global defence and security landscape. Delegates from around the world come to the Larkhill Exhibition Centre seeking novel solutions to increase operational advantage; and with the clear aspiration to electrify the battlefield over the next decade, we are delighted to showcase Solus Power and its Kratos battery solution as part of our portfolio of products.”
Solus Power’s momentum continues following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global defence and security company, QinetiQ, to explore how its technology can support the evolving electrified military landscape.
Across the British and US Army, their strategic goal is to modernise and to decarbonise through the adoption of electrification. Electrification is a win-win solution for the Army as it enables operational advantage, reduces logistic demand, and puts the Army on the path to meeting NetZero 2050 sustainability objectives.
With land capabilities requiring more power than ever with the introduction of new systems such as novel weapons, active protection, and the increase in computer processing, the performance and effectiveness of such equipment is dependent on the ability to power, charge and sustain them.
Kratos’ ability to provide flexible and scalable power whenever and wherever it is required will help militaries transform their operations, reduce the dependency on fossil fuels as well as the associated safety risks in resupply.
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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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