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30 Jan 25. China’s robot dog is a master of the ice – and could end up being a master of war. A six-legged robot dog developed by China has successfully completed a series of tests in Antarctica and while this breakthrough makes it ideal for polar research, it could have military applications too.
Originally designed for scientific research, the robot has demonstrated its ability to move on ice, transport heavy loads and operate autonomously in environments where GPS is restricted.
The robot’s attributes make it a potential asset for military logistics, reconnaissance and operations in hazardous terrain.
The robot dog is equipped with cold-resistant boots which act as mini ski shoes to help spread its weight over the ice and give it more stability.
The shoes can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C while preventing slippage and minimising damage to the surface of the ice.
This capability suggests that the robot dog could be used for military operations in Arctic, mountainous or icy terrains, where traditional vehicles struggle.
It could also support troops in extreme weather warfare, providing reconnaissance and logistical support in contested environments.
Plans have been made for the robot to operate as a network drone, working with underwater drones, which further suggests that military applications might not be far behind.
The robot dog is equipped with a battery system that allows it to operate for two hours in temperatures as low as -40°C.
The robot has also been developed to have an extended power solution, which adds two additional batteries to enable up to six hours of continuous operation.
This extended endurance could be tactically valuable in long-range patrols, border surveillance and remote reconnaissance missions, where sustained operations are critical.
By integrating alternative power sources, such as solar panels or modular battery swaps, military forces could potentially deploy these robots for even longer missions. (Source: forces.net)
28 Jan 25. Crystal Group Unveiling New Rugged Embedded Computers at AFCEA WEST. Crystal Group is presenting its RE1600M embedded computer and RE4000 data storage solution at AFCEA WEST, built to support naval unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and other defense applications. Crystal Group is presenting two new rugged computing systems at AFCEA WEST – the RE1600M, a small form factor embedded computer, and the RE4000, a hyper-converged data storage solution.
Built for amphibious operations, the RE600M is IP68 rated, allowing for AI inferencing for applications such as unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and vehicles. The rugged solution is additionally integrated with NVIDIA Ampere architecture with 2048 NVIDIA CUDA® cores and 64 tensor cores for fast and reliable data transmission.
Crystal Group is also releasing the RE4000, an Air Transport Association carry-on compliant, overhead bin packable system designed to meet any cybersecurity need for enabling data acquisition and storage in severe environments.
The unit includes flexible CPU architecture, including Intel® Xeon® 5/6 scalable processors, which strive to meet the evolving demands of Crystal Group users’ varying compute needs.
Jennifer Groschen-Draves, Principal Program Manager at Crystal Group, commented, “Our team at Crystal Group is excited and so proud to introduce the RE1600M into our portfolio. It was designed specifically for the U.S. Navy’s unmanned surface vessel initiatives.
“These USVs, paired with the rugged technology provided by Crystal Group, represent a major leap forward in modern naval operations, offering improved operational capabilities, real-time data analysis, and greater mission flexibility in the most challenging maritime conditions. This new solution reinforces our commitment to delivering reliable, mission-critical technology to the U.S. Navy, while meeting the needs of today’s dynamic defense environment.”
Kate Schlotterbeck, VP, Sales and Marketing at Crystal Group, stated, “At Crystal Group, our focus is always on empowering our customers to achieve their mission objectives. The RE1600M and RE4000 were designed with direct input from our customers, ensuring these solutions meet the real-world challenges they face every day.
“Whether it’s enabling seamless operations in harsh maritime environments or providing secure, portable data storage, these systems are built to help our customers succeed, no matter the mission.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
29 Jan 25. Lockheed Martin F-35 Controls AI-Enabled Drone in Flight. Lockheed Martin says the stealthy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter now has a firmly demonstrated ability to act as an in-flight ‘quarterback’ for advanced drones like the U.S. Air Force’s future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) with the help of artificial intelligence-enabled systems.
The company states that its testing has also shown a touchscreen tablet-like device is a workable interface for controlling multiple uncrewed aircraft simultaneously from the cockpit of the F-35, as well as the F-22 Raptor. For the U.S. Air Force, how pilots in crewed aircraft will actually manage CCAs during operations has emerged as an increasingly important question.
Details about F-35 and F-22 related crewed-uncrewed teaming developments were included in a press release wrapping up various achievements for the company in 2024:
Lockheed Martin uses AI to augment human skill with machine intelligence – illustrating how systems can connect across the battlespace for faster decision-making and greater adaptability.
“We’re continuing to make significant investments focused on next level air dominance, where fighters and drones operate securely together to strengthen the Joint Forces,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “We are already flying AI autonomy agents to support our staunch commitment to developing and delivering asymmetric advantages to the warfighter ahead of need.”
Throughout 2024, we showcased digitally-enabled teaming by flying AI agents ready for joint forces today. Recent demos include:
F-35 CCA Connectivity Demo – The world’s most advanced stealth fighter jet has the capability to control drones, including the U.S. Air Force’s future fleet of Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Recently, Lockheed Martin and industry partners demonstrated end-to-end connectivity including the seamless integration of AI technologies to control a drone in flight utilizing the same hardware and software architectures built for future F-35 flight testing. These AI-enabled architectures allow Lockheed Martin to not only prove out piloted-drone teaming capabilities, but also incrementally improve them, bringing the U.S. Air Force’s family of systems vision to life.
PROJECT DEIMOS: Live Fly Demonstration with an F-35 and the United Kingdom Royal Air Force – In this real-time live fly demonstration, an F-35 flying from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas, shared classified data via Skunk Works’ Open Systems Gateway (OSG) through commercial satellite communications to a Royal Air Force Rapid Capability Office lab in Farnborough, UK, where it was ingested into the Nexus Command and Control (C2) system. This achievement marks a significant step forward in multi-domain integration, enabling F-35 interoperability in real-time with a non-U.S. C2 system.
MDCX Demonstrates First Live Control of UAS – In a recent demonstration, the MDCX, a C2 system, successfully controlled a General Atomics MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed air vehicle, showcasing its capabilities as a force multiplier for all-domain system control. The MDCX proved its potential to revolutionize the future of autonomous systems and its importance in advancing Lockheed Martin’s drone capabilities.
Skunk Works Demonstrates Piloted-Drone Teaming in Live Flight Tests – Skunk Works conducted several live flights with the University of Iowa’s Operator Performance Laboratory demonstrating how existing aircraft and autonomous technology can work together in air-to-air missions. In this exercise, a pilot in one aircraft issued real-time commands to AI-controlled aircraft through a touchscreen interface. These flight tests built on previous AI experiments that showcased air-to-air tactical intercepts as well as AI-controlled air-to-ground jamming and geolocation. The technology and capabilities showcased in these demonstrations will optimize operational flexibility and shorten data-to-decision time.
CCA Demo: Operating Multiple CCAs from a Single Seat 5th Gen Cockpit – Lockheed Martin has demonstrated its piloted-drone teaming interface, which can control multiple drones from the cockpit of an F-35 or F-22. This technology allows a pilot to direct multiple drones to engage enemies using a touchscreen tablet in the cockpit of their 5th Gen aircraft.
Istari Flyer Øne: Delivering the World’s First Digitally Certified Aircraft – In a groundbreaking leap for the aviation industry and in partnership with Istari Digital, the Flyer Øne project is poised to become the world’s first digitally certified aircraft. This work sets the stage for a new era in aircraft development and certification, where we create and flight-certify a digital twin of the aircraft before building any physical prototype.
X-62A VISTA: Open Architectures Enable AI-Piloted Flight Testing – Throughout 2024, Lockheed Martin provided the open systems architecture needed to execute rapid AI flight testing on the X-62A Variable In-flight Stimulation Test Aircraft (VISTA). This critical work supported the DARPA Air Combat Evolution flight test program, driving transformational progress in human-machine teaming and trusted autonomy through the first-ever in-air tests of AI algorithms, which involved flying an F-16 against a human-piloted F-16 in dogfighting scenarios.
Eyes on the Future
Work continues with urgency in 2025, with a particular focus on further integrating drones with the F-22 and F-35 in real-world flight tests to enable rapid testing and learning that can be put into action in the near term. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Jan 25. Teledyne FLIR Launches Prism Supervisor Software, Enhances UAS Autonomous Capabilities.
AI-Based Automated Response at the Edge Improves Drone Mission Safety and Performance.
Teledyne FLIR OEM, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, today announced the release of Prism™ Supervisor, the latest addition to its Prism embedded software ecosystem. Prism Supervisor integrates drone autopilot flight control systems with real-time, AI-based observations at the edge to improve mission safety, efficiency, and performance, enhancing the capabilities of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Prism Supervisor software empowers mission planners with a flexible programming framework and software development kit (SDK) to facilitate custom, intricate mission scenarios. During flight, Prism Supervisor adapts its autopilot functionality in real-time, dynamically generating mission segments and flight plans on the fly, minimizing operator impact while improving mission success. For example, a Prism Supervisor-controlled UAV flying a search mission pattern can autonomously circle and alert the operator upon the detection of a human or threat.
“From behavior and mission planning to dynamically adjusting in-flight operations, Prism Supervisor represents a significant advancement for drone autonomy through AI,” said Dan Walker, Vice President of Product Management, Teledyne FLIR. “It improves operational performance via single-click missions, opening up new possibilities for UAS operation from commercial to military use cases.”
Prism Supervisor simplifies the operator experience with a user-friendly graphic user interface (GUI) for mission planning, real-time mission visualization, and execution. Available for desktop or mobile deployment supporting Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android, the supervised mission management application streams and records detailed, full-frame-rate video, path visualization, and metadata. It can facilitate collaborative behaviors and synchronized mission execution among multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Prism Supervisor expands Teledyne FLIR’s Prism digital ecosystem of advanced AI and image processing. It provides a platform for deploying object detection, tracking, and computational imaging on low-power processors, enhancing UAS mission performance and reducing development costs. (Source: ASD Network)
29 Jan 25. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), started its first-ever ground runs on a UH-60M Black Hawk® helicopter equipped with two GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE). During this test, the T901 engine demonstrated its capabilities through a series of rigorous procedures. The initial light off and ground runs were executed by a combined U.S. Army and industry test team and operated by Army and Sikorsky pilots.
“Soldiers will rely on Black Hawk helicopters well into the future, and upgrades to the aircraft today will pay dividends for decades, enabling new missions such as deploying and managing launched effects,” said Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky. “A modernized Black Hawk fleet will create new operational opportunities for the Army by extending the capabilities of a proven, fielded fleet to travel farther on less fuel and with more troops and cargo.”
First flight of the ITE-equipped Black Hawk is anticipated this year.
The ground runs on the T901 ITE engines verified system functionality, engine health and test setup for an efficient testing process.
The test demonstrated the T901’s start-to-fly progression, including idle and fly modes, with the rotor brake disengaged, marking a significant step toward the program’s goal of delivering a more powerful and efficient engine for the next-generation Black Hawk.
The start-to-fly progression tests the functionality of the entire system, from the engine start sequence to the engagement of the main rotor to enable lift-off. The test team verifies that all critical systems, including fuel, electrical, hydraulic, and flight control systems, are functioning as expected.
The successful ground test set the stage for more advanced testing, such as hover and forward flight tests.
A Modernized Black Hawk
The T901 engine will increase the Black Hawk’s power by 50%, while also improving fuel efficiency and is a critical component of the roadmap to a modernized Black Hawk – a key part of Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security® vision.
Sikorsky H-60M modernization efforts continue to be primarily focused on ITE, as well as Modular Open Systems Approach/digital backbone and Launched Effects. Digital innovations, such as a new sustainment digital twin, improve safety and mission readiness while reducing costly downtime and unscheduled maintenance. Since 2022, Sikorsky has demonstrated the ability to reduce pilot workload and increase safety by incorporating proven autonomy capability into Black Hawk.
29 Jan 25. Boom Supersonic XB-1 breaks sound barrier over Mojave Desert.
Boom! US jet breaks sound barrier in bid to revive supersonic travel
- Summary
- Companies
- Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 breaks sound barrier in test flight
- XB-1 test flight marks milestone for Boom’s commercial airliner plans
- Boom Supersonic has 130 orders from major airlines for Overture
About 35,000 feet (10,670 meters) over the Mojave Desert, northwest of Los Angeles, Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 became the first privately funded airplane to break the sound barrier during a test flight on Tuesday.
“She was real happy supersonic,” Boom Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg said after landing, in a video posted by Boom Supersonic. “That’s the best she’s ever flown, was supersonic.”
After getting to altitude, Brandenburg opened up the test plane’s throttles, accelerating to Mach 1.1, or about 845 mph (1,360 kph) — faster than the speed at which sound travels.
(Source: glstrade.com/Reuters)
29 Jan 25. TE Connectivity, a world leader in connectivity and sensors, today revealed its MULTIGIG HD connector was selected by the VITA Standards Organization (VSO) as the Next-Generation VPX plug-in module connector and will become a defense industry standard. The redesigned MULTIGIG HD connector builds on the previous variants of TE’s MULTIGIG HD product family, while bringing significant technical advances including doubled pin count, 112 Gb/s data rates, increased current capacity and support for rugged environments. The release date is planned for mid-2025.
“Selection as the VITA Standard for our next generation MULTIGIG HD connector is the culmination of two years of dedicated research and development by our innovative cross-functional team,” said Michael Walmsley, senior project manager at TE Connectivity. “This connector brings with it a foundation for future expansion and will uphold TE’s leadership position in VPX for decades as we extend the MULTIGIG HD product line into higher-speed embedded systems.”
The MULTIGIG HD connector’s integrated wafer technology builds on the success of VITA 46.x connectors but with double the pin count, enabling it to support higher data rates with speeds up to 112 Gb/s. TE developed it to meet the requirements for Next-Generation VPX and support the rugged environmental requirements of VITA 47.3, and VITA 72 standards for extreme vibration levels. The redesigned MULTIGIG HD connector is segmented to fit with existing RF and optical connector modules while optimizing pin density. It is compatible with 3U, 4U (latest) and 6U OpenVPX form factors. The advanced wafer technology will support direct termination of AC coupling capacitors and eventually optical transceivers, packaged within the connectors.
The VSO selection means the new MULTIGIG HD connector design will be incorporated into the VITA 100 Next-Generation VPX system architecture used widely across rugged embedded computing systems in the defense industry.
For decades, TE has served defense customers in a wide range of applications including ground vehicles, military aircraft, naval vessels and space technology. TE’s MULTIGIG HD 2 connectors were adopted as the VPX backplane connector interface almost 20 years ago. Since then, MULTIGIG HD connector variants have evolved in ruggedness and speed to support a broad VPX ecosystem.
The latest MULTIGIG HD connector successfully addressed the needs and feedback of VITA members and won the VSO connector selection vote in July 2024.
30 Jan 25. IoT Tribe and Siemens launch the Flywheel Programme for startups to unlock AI-driven opportunities in aerospace and defence. IoT Tribe is excited to announce the launch of the Flywheel Programme, a cutting-edge initiative designed to empower early-stage startups developing agentic AI and advanced technologies for the Aerospace and Defence sectors – developed in collaboration with Siemens Digital Industries Software. This ambitious programme offers access to Siemens’ world-class engineering expertise, global networks, and state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, enabling startups to address some of the industry’s most critical challenges while capitalising on a multi-bn-pound market opportunity.
A £400+bn market ripe for transformation
The Aerospace and Defence industry is projected to grow to over £400 bn by 2030, driven by escalating global demand for AI-driven capabilities, autonomous systems, and advanced analytics. From enhancing operational efficiency and safety to delivering predictive intelligence and autonomous decision-making, the opportunity for disruptive innovation in this sector is immense.
However, capitalising on this market requires technologies that are not only innovative but also scalable, reliable, and aligned with stringent industry standards. Siemens’ Flywheel Programme aims to bridge this gap by equipping startups with the tools, expertise, and networks to fast-track commercial adoption and seize their share of this growing market.
Tanya Suárez, Founder & CEO of IoT Tribe, underscored the market opportunity and transformative nature of the programme:
“5% of the S&P 500 gains in 2023 were driven by the Magnificent Seven either as key drivers or beneficiaries of AI acceleration. This programme is not just about scaling innovation but also about equipping startups to compete in a high-growth market where the stakes—and the rewards—are higher than ever. Our collaboration with Siemens offers startups a unique launchpad to redefine the Aerospace and Defence industry.”
“As the Aerospace and Defence sector continues to mature its digital transformation, the role of AI in solving high-stakes challenges is expanding rapidly. If the impact AI will have on the A&D industry could be measured by a 12 hour clock, right now we are at 5 seconds.” said Todd Tuthill, Vice President of Aerospace & Defense Industry at Siemens Digital Industries Software. “The Flywheel Programme is designed to help startups break through barriers to market entry and deliver scalable solutions that address these urgent needs and move the industry well beyond the first 5 seconds.”
Cultivating AI and agentic AI to reshape the industry
The programme focuses on startups developing agentic AI solutions—systems that go beyond automation by thinking, learning, and acting autonomously in complex, real-time environments. These technologies are poised to revolutionise operations across the Aerospace and Defense supply-chain.
These innovations, Siemens aims to position its partners at the forefront of a rapidly evolving market.
Unrivalled resources for scaling innovation
The Flywheel Programme offers startups an accelerated pathway to success, with access to:
Expert Guidance & Support: Leveraging of Siemens’ industry expertise to reduce operational and technical risks, increasing the confidence of customers in your solution.
Cutting Edge Tools & Infrastructure: Use of software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, enabling streamlined product development and validation.
Exclusive Collaboration Networks: Exposure to Siemens’ extensive ecosystem of partners, enabling fast-tracked market engagement and fostering strategic collaborations with other forward-thinking ventures.
These resources enable startups to rapidly prototype, validate, and deploy technologies that align with industry needs, providing a competitive edge in capturing market share.
Applications Are Now Open!
The Flywheel Programme welcomes applications from startups developing AI-powered solutions that address critical industry challenges.
Applications for Siemens’ Flywheel programme are now open. For more information, visit www.iottribe.org/siemens-flywheel-programme/ and join us in shaping the future of Aerospace and Defence.
28 Jan 25. NGAD engine prototypes take shape in two $3.5bn contracts. The Pentagon has raised the ceiling for the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion effort to $3.5bn for each of its two vendors.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) awarded two distinct contracts modifications, now worth up to $3.5bn each, on 27 January 2025 for the development of two competing jet engine prototypes.
General Electric (GE) and RTX’s Pratt and Whitney (P&W) are in the running to supply an advanced engine to power the sixth generation crewed fighter at the centre of the US Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme.
Both engines are scheduled to be completed two days apart in July 2032. They are currently in development under a portion of NGAD known as the Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) effort.
In August 2024, the Senate Appropriations Committee stated it supports the competitive acquisition strategy for NGAP and “notes the importance of maintaining no fewer than two viable competitors to ensure innovation and cost realism.”
At the time, the Committee recommended an additional $280m – on top of the $562.3m allocated to NGAP in the President’s 2025 Budget Request – only to maintain competition for the engine development and to reduce programme risk.
Competing prototypes
At present, GE is developing a variable-cycle XA102 engine prototype while P&W is designing an XA103 engine prototype.
The DoD stated that it had raised the ceiling for these prototypes to ensure the two vendors deliver a propulsion system with a flexible architecture that can be tailored for future combat aircraft operating across various mission threads; and digitally transforming the propulsion industrial base.
Notably, P&W’s XA103 prototype will benefit from a digital design, which the company suggests will “cut lead times and improve efficiency and effectiveness.”
P&W is already providing its F135 engine to power the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. However, F135 is currently undergoing an upgrade under the Block 4 modernisation effort to improve the overworked unit’s power and cooling to meet new and emerging aerial threats. A digital design will help to pre-empt future engine concerns such as the F135 capacity issue.
Meanwhile, in May 2024, GE announced that it had completed the next series of testing for its XA100 engine, and that the data from this test will inform engineers in developing its XA102 prototype for NGAP. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
27 Jan 25. Pentagon prepares to expand in-theater data processing pilot. The U.S. Defense Department is laying the groundwork to expand a pilot program started in 2023 to provide more data processing capabilities to military units operating outside of the U.S., according to a senior official in the Pentagon’s Chief Information Office.
As combatant commands around the globe integrate more sensors and uncrewed systems, there’s a growing need for computing and storage capabilities. The Joint Operational Edge, or JOE, cloud initiative aims to provide commanders with the computing capabilities they need to crunch the swaths of data those sensors are gathering and identify key intelligence insights.
In just over a year, the department has established JOE nodes in Japan, Hawaii and Guam, as well as several sites in Europe and Africa. Rob Vietmeyer, chief software officer for the DOD CIO, said the program is still in its infancy, but the Pentagon hopes to quickly expand the most needed capabilities in the coming years.
“We’re working with the intelligence community, Joint Staff and combatant commands to build out these capabilities with our commercial partners,” he said during a panel at the Potomac Officers Club’s annual Research and Development Summit in McLean, Virginia.
Vietmeyer told Defense News on the sidelines of the conference the department’s current focus is on ensuring the capabilities it delivers through JOE are what combatant commands need and can use today. The vision is for JOE to be flexible and grow as needed based on demand. Over the next few years, the department plans to expand the number of nodes from the handful it operates today to around 20.
“We don’t want to build out more infrastructure than what we can take advantage of,” he said. “We’re trying to keep this as an agile program and continue to build out based on where we’re adding real value.”
Part of JOE’s initial work has been to get these capabilities into the hands of users in the field — often referenced as “the edge” in military parlance — so they can get a feel for how it works and could potentially benefit operations, Vietmeyer said.
Two areas where the program is seeing particular demand from users in the field are AI and graphics processing unit, or GPU, tools. A GPU is a circuit that processes images and other graphics.
Along with building out the necessary infrastructure, the JOE team — which includes partners in the Defense Information Systems Agency and U.S. Special Operations Command — is developing policies and working with vendors to craft procurement strategies for the effort. While the project is currently funded as an enterprise effort, Vietmeyer said it will eventually transition, at least in part, to a fee-for-service approach.
Managing supply chain risk
Supply chain security and risk management are key issues for the Defense Department as it builds out its edge computing architecture.
Leigh Method, currently performing the duties of deputy assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, said DOD has several initiatives to mitigate risk to its supply chain. Speaking alongside Vietmeyer at the R&D Summit, she highlighted the creation of a Supply Chain Risk Mitigation Integration Center.
Currently, the organization has just one employee, but the department intends for the center to grow over the next few years and look across the department to better understand and prioritize risk and develop strategies for reducing it.
Method also pointed to an initiative called Vendor Threat Mitigation, which aims to give combatant commanders visibility and market analysis into the companies they work with to access data processing tools.
She said the goal is to ensure DOD isn’t inadvertently “contracting with the enemy” and to give commanders the authorities they need to protect logistics capabilities.
28 Jan 25. Registration is open for Embraer Social Tech Careers, a free career acceleration program in technology offered by Embraer (NYSE: ERJ / B3: EMBR3). The initiative aims to encourage more women and people with disabilities to enter this market, which is why it is exclusive to these groups. With 70 available spots, the course focuses on data analysis and the simplified development of applications and other computer systems using programming techniques that are accessible for beginners.
“The market is increasingly seeking more skilled individuals in the technology field, and more professionals are interested in working with data science. With Social Tech, we hope to contribute to increasing the pool of these professionals and meet the growing demand from companies,” says Embraer’s Vice President of People, ESG, and Corporate Communications, Andreza Alberto. “At the same time, the course encourages diversity in the technology field, so that people from different backgrounds and life experiences can expand their skills in this highly relevant area today.”
Organized in partnership with the edtech SoulCode, Social Tech Careers aligns with the public’s desire for quick courses that cater to those with limited time or a sense of urgency to enter the tech market. Throughout the program, students learn to work with low-code platforms, covering programming languages like Python and creating dashboards in Power BI, for example.
The classes will take place between March and June 2025, in an online format. They will be broadcast live from Monday to Thursday, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Of the total number of scholarships offered, 60 will be available to the general public, and the remaining 10 will be for Embraer employees. Registration to apply for one of these scholarships must be done by March 9 through the link https://soulcode.com/embraer-social-tech-careers. The selection process includes logic and basic computer tests, a short personal introduction video, and a group dynamic.
Created in 2021, Social Tech Careers has already selected over 1,600 professionals in four editions dedicated to underrepresented groups – women, people with disabilities, and Black/Brown individuals. Upon completing the training, students become part of Embraer Group’s talent pool, shortening the distance to new job opportunities.
28 Jan 25. Security thanks to biometrics: Hartmann Tresore and Rheinmetall Dermalog SensorTec are presenting a new facial recognition technology for gun safes at the Jagd&Hund 2025 trade fair
Security and convenience for hunters and sport shooters thanks to biometrics: Hartmann Tresore, a leading manufacturer of safes, and Rheinmetall Dermalog SensorTec, a joint venture specialising in biometric technologies, are exclusively presenting the first gun safe with facial recognition technology. A demonstrator of this type of biometric gun safe will be presented at the Jagd&Hund trade fair in Dortmund from 28 January to 2 February 2025 at the Hartmann Tresore stand (Hall 6, Stand A26).
Hartmann Tresore’s safes, which feature Safe Solutions technology from Rheinmetall Dermalog SensorTec GmbH, are characterised by a high level of security and easy operation. Thanks to facial recognition, they can be opened quickly, securely and conveniently – similar to a smartphone. Since biometric data is difficult to forge, the technology ensures that only authorised persons have quick and reliable access. Lost keys or forgotten codes are a thing of the past.
A high-tech camera system and AI-supported software enable the gun safe to reliably identify authorised persons based on their face. The Safe Solutions technology includes a reliable liveness detection feature that ensures the highest level of security. It recognises whether the authorised person is standing in front of the camera and excludes attempts at deception using ID cards, photos, videos or even masks. Counterfeits are detected either by deviations in the 3D facial structure or by inconsistent RGB/infrared images. Two cameras are used for stereo depth estimation. The evaluation of the facial profile and the analysis of RGB and infrared images are based on machine learning. The user’s face thus becomes a unique key that reliably opens the safe. Face recognition can be set up with just a few clicks directly on the display of the gun safe lock.
24 Jan 25. JMSDF inspired by the motor industry’s software-first approach. Japan looks to emulate ‘software-defined vehicles’ within the motor industry, as the naval force builds its ships to last. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) plan to shake up their approach to ship design with a newfound focus on software. Traditional surface ships tend to decline after they reach their full potential upon commissioning, one observer noted during the Surface Warships conference in London, hosted by Defence IQ. Navies need to keep their vessels relevant as the operational and technological environment changes. It is not enough to renovate ships on a large scale, the speaker suggested, as this will only temporarily enhance a ship’s capabilities. Therefore, forces must be able to pre-empt capability degradation at the very start of the shipbuilding process. Japan’s solution is to take a ‘Software-first’ approach. This is a concept that maximises user experience value by separating hardware and software, which enables capability improvements through software updates.
“Just like our personal technology, the performance of radars, sensors, signals, and combat systems are defined by the version of software that runs on them,” explains the Hudson Institute, a think tank promoting American leadership. “The capability of the force is now as much about software as it is about weapons, platforms, systems, professional military education, and training.”
It is already a proven solution used within the Japanese automotive industry, the speaker stated, citing the rise of ‘software-defined vehicles’ (SDVs) under Toyota and Honda.
The former motor company suggests the approach is “the core DNA” of its mobility products, with the design of software architecture coming before hardware development. SDVs integrate intelligent and IT technologies and continue to advance in functions and performance even after the customer purchases the vehicle.
Naval logistics
To this end, the JMSDF have approached the German software supplier SAP to overhaul its traditional logistics processes with a new database. Japan’s new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) project will go live in May 2026.
This platform is known as S/4HANA; the software will link equipment and items with related information and track them on the system.
In a world where defence companies must deliver actionable insights from a rapidly growing volume of data, ready access to information has become a competitive advantage. Simply maintaining old IT architectures risks companies and militaries being outmanoeuvred by their opposition due to slow response times.
“Software is becoming one of the most important weapons in the US Navy’s arsenal, and data its most lethal ammunition,” said the Washington-based Hudson Institute.
However, the defence industry should be careful not to overreact to such innovation. This will not, as some believe, throw the whole concept of a surface combatant into question. (Source: naval-technology.com)
28 Jan 25. Solus Power, a pioneer of innovative battery solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global defence and security company, QinetiQ, to revolutionise and support the evolving electrified military landscape.
The strategic partnership aims to research and develop advanced EV charging solutions, appropriate to fleet charging and infrastructure, as well as to the specific needs of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), by leveraging the respective expertise of the two organisations.
Solus Power has developed a cutting-edge mobile charging solution centred around its ‘Kratos’ technology – modular, stackable and easily transported power units, each of which is the size of an attaché case and which can be both easily deployed and shared between users.
The ruggedized Lithium-ion power units, described as ‘Jerry Cans of electricity’, can deliver ultrafast charging to the likes of electric vehicles, drones, or equipment. Through its innovative and simple modular design, users can scale the number of packs to increase capacity depending on their energy needs.
The collaboration between the two companies sees QinetiQ supporting Solus Power to understand the needs of defence and security customers globally, in addition to providing their expertise in power sources and electrification.
QinetiQ has been working with customers in the defence and security industry to understand the challenges, threats and opportunities posed. One such challenge is how to flexibly charge EVs across diverse locations and infrastructural settings, in some aspects mirroring challenges experienced in high demand civilian applications such as airport parking, car hire management and the general operation of car parks.
The focus on mobile EV charging highlights the evolving landscape of defence and security infrastructure, recognising the importance of sustainable and adaptable energy solutions.
Stas Leonidou, CEO, Solus Power, said: “Solus Power welcomes the opportunity recognised in this MOU to collaborate with an organisation of QinetiQ’s standing and experience in the defence sector, and with its exceptional record of innovation and solutions development,”
Victoria Doherty, Head of Electrification, QinetiQ, said: “Enabling the flexibility to provide electric power wherever and whenever it is needed underpins future operational advantage. By working across sectors to transfer existing solutions, we will accelerate success in this area.”
This collaboration underscores QinetiQ’s ongoing efforts to partner with SMEs and academic institutions to tackle pressing customer challenges, including those related to climate change and energy transformation.
Solus Power showcased its technology at QinetiQ’s ‘Understanding Tomorrow’s Sustainability Technology Today’ event, highlighting its potential to contribute to a more sustainable, efficient and flexible energy future for defence operations.
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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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