Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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07 Jul 21. AeroVironment Introduces Crysalis, A Next-Generation Ground Control Solution Designed for Collaboration Across Today’s Dynamic Battlefields.
- Provides a standardized user experience (UX) across multiple air vehicles, communication platforms and end-user devices for streamlined operation and deployment
- Improves battlefield communication and collaboration by enabling users to easily share real-time information and coordinate mission-critical decisions
- Builds upon AeroVironment’s legacy ground control system (GCS) and adapts to today’s network-centric battlefield environment
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, today introduced Crysalis™, the company’s next-generation ground control solution. Crysalis is an integrated hardware and software-based ground control system (GCS) that provides command and control of compatible AeroVironment unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their payloads, through an intuitive user experience (UX).
Built around three core elements – software, hardware, and antennas – Crysalis was designed to make operating robotic systems easier than ever before. Crysalis offers complete interchangeability, either as modular elements or turnkey systems, both adaptable to meet specific mission requirements. Crysalis is cross-platform compatible with Android, Microsoft Windows and Linux operating systems. The new GCS is available in multiple configurations ranging from lightweight and wearable to mobile and command center systems that are modular and scalable.
Crysalis was designed with the operator in mind, featuring an intuitive user interface (UI) to reduce cognitive load and training burden while enhancing situational awareness and battlefield collaboration. Through the easy-to-use Crysalis Control app, users can plan and execute flight missions as well as navigate and control UAS assets and payloads with one-click access to critical information, modes and telemetry meta data. Additional operational participants can gain enhanced situational awareness, share information and collaborate on tactical decisions by accessing telemetry and downlink data through remote video terminals, while also allowing them to capture data directly on their devices. Crysalis standardizes the user experience across all AeroVironment small UAS platforms, simplifying the training requirements and operation of Puma™, Raven® and Wasp®.
“With the introduction of Crysalis, we are streamlining command and control of our small UAS and empowering warfighters with actionable intelligence at the speed of war to increase their tactical decision making,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment chairman and chief executive officer. “Crysalis can be integrated into our portfolio of intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems and deliver easy-to-use, yet powerful new capabilities that enable our customers to succeed in full spectrum operations.”
The Crysalis GCS is available in scalable hardware configurations with all necessary software components pre-configured for quick mission deployment. These range from the Crysalis Ultralight GCS that provides full control of UAS and payloads through virtual control or tactile joysticks on a wearable smartphone configuration to Crysalis Command GCS – a command center configuration featuring a ruggedized laptop. Every Crysalis GCS configuration is natively compatible with AeroVironment’s Digital Data Link™ (DDL™) radios and antennas, is designed for plug-and-play compatibility with Nett Warrior and can integrate with both third party command and control and battlefield management applications.
“As a software-based ecosystem, Crysalis will continue to develop and evolve based on customer needs and front-line user feedback with expanded aircraft command and control capabilities, software features and IoBT compatible functionality,” said Tom Vaneck, AeroVironment vice president of solution strategy.
For more information on AeroVironment’s Crysalis next-generation ground control solution, visit www.avinc.com/crysalis.
07 Jul 21. Ever Forward to Partner with Critical Software. Ever Forward Consulting Ltd is has been selected by Critical Software S.A. to help develop business opportunities in the UK market for:
- Mission-critical software development
- Software verification and validation
- Complex systems integration
- Safety-critical and Cyber systems assessment
- Cyber security
Headquartered in Portugal, Critical Software (www.criticalsoftware.com)
employs over 900 people at locations that include offices in the United
Kingdom, Germany and the USA. The company has been operating in
mature markets since 1998, when NASA became its first client. Accredited to CMMI-DEV Level 5 (for both Agile and Waterfall methodologies), the
company specialises in development, assessment, validation and integration of high integrity software and systems.
Ever Forward Consulting (www.everforward.co.uk ) provides professional
consulting services to Industry and Government in the Aerospace, Defence
and Security sectors. Our extensive experience enables us to work together with our clients to understand their needs and then deliver consulting
solutions tailored to meet these requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner.
David Ward of Ever Forward said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to
support Critical Software in developing new opportunities in the UK for their outstanding capabilities in high integrity solutions. Their impressive
credentials and their many years of expertise in critical systems and software ensure that they can meet the most demanding quality standards for safety, performance and reliability on behalf of their customers.”
06 Jul 21. Dassault Aviation, CNRS and European universities launch joint research lab. MOLIERE laboratory is backed by the French Defense Innovation Agency and has been established for four years.
Dassault Aviation has joined CNRS and European universities to officially launch a joint research laboratory, Innovative Functional Materials for Aviation (MOLIERE).
The MOLIERE laboratory is aimed at creating high value-added materials for aviation through a multi-scale approach integrating theoretical, digital and experimental aspects.
It is backed by the French Defense Innovation Agency and has been established for four years. There is also a possibility for the MOLIERE laboratory’s renewal.
The laboratory will be used to design new materials for future aircraft in acoustics, electromagnetism and anti-icing.
Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier said: “For the aviation industry, mastering innovative materials is a key differentiating factor on many commercial and defence products.
“Whether for the internal acoustics of our Falcons (absorbent materials), the stealth technology of our combat aircraft (materials for electromagnetic discretion) or the safety of all our aircraft (anti-icing materials), we must absolutely keep our lead.”
Dassault stated that the MOLIERE joint laboratory will use the simulation, manufacturing, as well as multi-scale characterisation resources of two research laboratories, namely the ‘Strasbourg Institute of Materials Physics and Chemistry (IPCMS, CNRS/University of Strasbourg)’ and ‘Jean Lamour Institute (IJL, CNRS/University of Lorraine)’.
IPCMS laboratory has expertise in nanomaterials and nanoscience with main activities in electromagnetism while IJL is known for its expertise in nanomaterials and metamaterials.
CNRS chairman and CEO Antoine Petit said: “I am very pleased to see more than 25 years of scientific cooperation with Dassault Aviation materialise again today, this time with the creation of a joint research laboratory.
“This signature is part of the steps being taken by CNRS to strengthen our relationships with businesses which particularly involve over 170 joint laboratories in activity, like the MOLIERE joint lab established today.” (Source: army-technology.com)
06 Jul 21. Amaero to build world class titanium powder plant in Australia. Australia has some of the world’s biggest deposits of titanium and Australian companies such as BAE Systems Australia, Ferra and Marand already manufacture machined titanium components for aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II. Amaero could become Australia’s first domestic supplier of titanium powder for 3D printing applications. Melbourne based Amaero International Limited will build a customised and proprietary titanium alloy powder manufacturing plant in Victoria. The $8m facility is expected be the most advanced titanium alloy powder plant in the world, and will position Amaero as the only fully vertically integrated metal 3D printing company globally. Construction and commissioning will take some 18 months.
The project will take titanium alloy bar stock inputs and convert the material into powder for 3D printing at approximately half the cost of the current global benchmark, the company says. A Memorandum of Understanding have been signed with a metal powder supply company that has established market channels for metal powder sales. The new plant will position Amaero as a reliable source of the strategically important titanium alloy powder, building on the Company’s geographic and geopolitical position to generate a strong and highly profitable revenue stream of approximately $30m per annum.
Letters of support for this project have also been received from two of the five largest defence companies globally indicating strong potential demand for Ti64 powder from a competitive Australian source for specific commercial and military applications.
The world supply chain source of origin for titanium alloy is currently dominated by China and Russia, which effectively set the world market price. The Australian-based powder manufacturing plant is expected to position Amaero as a supplier of choice for defence, aerospace and critical manufacturing segments in allied nations.
Amaero International CEO Barrie Finnin said: “Producing titanium alloy powder in Australia will provide a stable, secure and cost-effective supply, allowing defence and other sectors to continue to advance their 3D manufacturing capabilities.
“Once completed, our facilities enable us to manufacture and supply powders along with 3D printing machines and ancillary equipment, as well as manufacture parts for small and large scale production contracts. Amaero also provides specialised R&D services via one of the world’s largest specialised metals R&D team to assist countries and major corporations develop greenfield additive manufacturing operations from concept to development and ongoing manufacturing.” (Source: Rumour Control)
05 Jul 21. DroneShield and UTS Collaboration supported by the Defence Innovation Network. DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) is pleased to share the Case Study video released by the NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN), on DroneShield’s DroneOptID technology, an AI-based optical/thermal detection system that detects and classifies UAS and their payloads in real-time. The software utilises recent developments in computer vision, image processing and deep learning, combined with the proprietary-developed AI under this collaboration, to improve C-UAS technology.
Applications include military, law enforcement, airports, critical infrastructure and others.
The team has recently won two categories at the 2021 NSW iAwards for this partnership, showcasing how defence industry-university partnerships can deliver research translation into real customer deployments, in short timeframes. The DroneOptID product has already been successfully trialled and deployed with end customers globally.
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Oxley Group Ltd
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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