Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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03 Dec 21. HENSOLDT launches new generation of avionics computers under the “CAVION” brand name. Use of multi-core processors multiplies performance. Sensor and avionics solutions provider HENSOLDT is launching a family of avionics computers under the “CAVION” brand that significantly expands the performance of existing computers for mission control on board flying platforms of all kinds.
“With ‘CAVION’, we have developed a computer design that both makes the power of modern processor architectures available to fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters or drones and enables aeronautical certification on board a wide variety of platforms,” says Celia Pelaz, chief strategy officer and head of the Spectrum Dominance/Airborne Solutions division at HENSOLDT. “This increases the performance of these aircraft while maintaining the best possible flight safety.”
“CAVION” is based on a HENSOLDT proprietary development of electronic modules that enables the use of multi-core processors even in safety-critical areas while securing their aeronautical certification on board any platform – helicopters, mission aircraft, fighter jets or drones. Until now, the certification of multi-core processors in aerospace applications has been a major challenge. The reason is that the process flows within these multi-core processors are unpredictable. By using the new and specially developed multi-core processor boards from HENSOLDT, the computers of the “CAVION” family are significantly more powerful than the previously used generation of avionics computers, whereby great importance was attached to certifiability. The products of the “CAVION” family are available in various modular configurations for flight control of the respective aircraft, for special military applications and as mission computers for police and rescue operations.
HENSOLDT already supplies avionics computers and mission systems for platforms such as the Eurofighter combat aircraft, the A400M transport aircraft or the NH90 helicopter, and also develops self-protection systems and sensors for all types of aircraft.
02 Dec 21. Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence, Security Launches at University of Maryland. Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie, and representatives of the University of Maryland today officially launched the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security, or ARLIS, at College Park, Maryland, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event highlighted the partnership between the Defense Department and the university in furthering intelligence efforts, innovating in the national security arena and shaping future workplace development in the intelligence and national security career fields. ARLIS is one of just 14 university-affiliated research centers, or UARC, in the U.S. for the Defense Department. The laboratory supports the department with both basic and applied research into human and sociotechnical systems; artificial intelligence, automation, and augmentation; and advanced computing and emerging technologies.
“ARLIS is the only UARC focused on the intelligence and security communities,” said Hicks. “It is a flexible and responsive organization. It leverages technology and science to meet increasingly critical national security challenges. It could not have come at a better time.”
The deputy secretary said the U.S. faces a challenging global security environment, including threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea, as well as from transnational and non-state actors. The department has also identified China as a pacing challenge.
“Destabilizing actions threaten our critical infrastructure, undermine democratic institutions, and seek to erode our military readiness and competitive advantage,” Hicks said. “This dynamic threat landscape requires the Department of Defense to conduct research, innovate, and undertake dynamic experimentation. ARLIS will enable us to do exactly this.”
The office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security sponsors the ARLIS, and Moultrie said that partnership has paid off.
“Our partnership with the University of Maryland and the results we are achieving today are emblematic of one of our most critical intelligence and security needs: a UARC committed to evolving our capabilities by emphasizing a human-centered focus,” Moultrie said. “The future of intelligence and security needs both advanced technology and advanced human understanding. We need human and technological capabilities, and we need to integrate them into our tradecraft. That is precisely what I see happening here at ARLIS.”
Moultrie said one of his priorities within the department is the exploration of innovative new approaches to enhance the nation’s security, including the reimagining and discovery of new ways of approaching, building, delivering and integrating new capabilities into the department’s intelligence missions.
“Our goal is to identify, analyze and implement the technological advances that are vital to our nation’s intelligence and security mission,” he said. “ARLIS’s applied research is already enabling our enterprise to determine how we can get new technologies into users’ hands faster, use these advances to further our current mission needs and protect as well as modernize our technology so that we can anticipate and achieve future mission successes.” (Source: US DoD)
01 Dec 21. Leonardo Accelerates the Digitalization of the Aerospace Defence and Security Sector.
- Genoa is the national industrial competence Hub
- High Performance Computing (HPC), cloud, big data, artificial intelligence, cyber security and cyber resilience, urgent computing, robotics: these are the main areas of the Leonardo Hub dedicated to the digitalization of industry
- The data, to be processed, enhanced and protected along the entire digital supply chain, is the foundations of Leonardo’s competiveness
- The activities of the Leonardo industrial digitalization Hub are central to the achievement of the SDGs objectives, through the creation and enhancement of new skills in STEM and the development of sustainable technologies
Leonardo accelerates the digital transformation of the Aerospace, Defence and Security (AD&S) industry through its national competence Hub in Genoa from which to develop the Group’s main programs and processes. The goal is to increase Leonardo’s technological and product competitiveness by focusing on the data-driven economy and the data enhancement to strengthen the company’s core activities and implement digital transformation.
Leonardo’s drive towards digitalization – in line with the company’s Be Tomorrow 2030 strategic plan – is based on, and developed from, the synergy between its key skills and infrastructures. This starts with the HPC davinci-1, which is equipped with an architecture that integrates the flexibility of the cloud with supercomputing capabilities and cyber security technologies. These strategic assets are at the heart of the Leonardo Labs, the long-term Research & Development network with strong innovative content, which are focused on eight research areas and involve about 60 young researchers.
Today the frontier of digitalization for the Aerospace, Defence and Security (AD&S) industry is represented through the creation of digital twins of its platforms and technologies, which, in, turn, accelerates the design, improves performance, optimizes maintenance in a predictive key, increases simulation potential (up to the possibility of certification by simulation in the aerospace sector), and virtualize training.
The behaviour modelling of products such as aircraft, fixed-wing, and rotary-wing, through big data, numerical simulation and A.I. are at the most advanced point in this direction. The ability to process and correlate information from products in use and simulations in a virtual environment is allowing Leonardo to accelerate design and innovation of materials (lightness and strength), performance (aerodynamics and energy saving) and on customer care (augmented reality maintenance and pilot training).
The use of these techniques in flight data analysis has made it possible, for example, to develop advanced applications for the management of helicopter fleets (about 5,000 units worldwide) that optimize performance and maintenance activities. Maintenance takes a decisive step towards predictive maintenance and remote support capabilities through collaborative digital platforms based on augmented reality devices. For fixed-wing aircraft, predictive analysis through sensors and precision electronic systems is expanding to the dynamic evaluation of the individual components of the aircraft. The goal is to accelerate the so-called “digital transformation” of the activities and technical processes of logistical support and to offer the infrastructure suitable for the progressive implementation of artificial intelligence tools, which are aimed at continuously improving the efficiency and effectiveness of maintenance operations.
The simulation of the simultaneous take-off and landing of multiple helicopters on aircraft carriers and the predictive models of ice formation on the wings are two of the most significant examples of applications developed in the context of virtual models. These skillsets are the developmental basis of the new generation of aircraft conceived as a “system of systems” capable of high interconnection with other systems and interoperability with unmanned platforms.
Numerical simulation combined with data analysis in the perspective of the digital twin also affects the production chains. In this direction, Leonardo is carrying out a project for the digitalisation and interconnection of the design and production processes of the production line of the ATR aircraft at the company’s Pomigliano d’Arco (Naples) plant.
Guaranteeing cyber security is essential to extract all the value contained in the data, ensuring operational continuity. Genoa is one of the key nodes of Leonardo’s network of cyber security centres, in addition to Rome, Chieti, Florence, Milan and Bristol; these centres design and develop solutions aimed at protecting both corporate information assets and strategic infrastructures and institutions from multidomain threats, contributing to secure digitalization. There are over 5,000 networks and 70,000 users cyber-protected by Leonardo in 130 countries. Just in Italy, around 90,000 security events are monitored per second and over 1,500 alarms are managed per day. In this context, digital twin technologies are used to virtualize the IT infrastructures to be protected and to test products and solutions to respond to cyber attacks.
Data management, an essential element for improving the efficiency of processes, is at the heart of Leonardo’s offer and an integral part of its products. An example is the X-2030 platform, created precisely to enhance the data in support of the resilience of critical infrastructures. X-2030 enables the integration and correlation of a huge amount of information from heterogeneous sources – from aerial platforms to satellite data, field sensors to databases, social media and open sources – thanks to cloud computing, supercomputing and artificial intelligence. This solution is the basis of Global Monitoring and Situational Awareness, i.e. the control and monitoring of the territory, allowing informed decisions even in cases of emergency for hydrogeological protection and for increasing citizens’ safety, also in a preventive key. This application in the emergency field – urgent computing – allows an objective evaluation and a rapid response in the event of extraordinary events, of natural or anthropogenic origin.
Another example is the OCEAN software, developed in Genoa, to dynamically and quickly configure test and training systems for operators who have to interact with digital monitoring and control systems.
A prospective frontier is linked to the research activities on robotics and quantum computing of the Leonardo Labs. In particular, the latter constitutes a technological accelerator and a key element for business development in several domains: from cyber security to defence electronics up to space.
In robotics, the projects in progress in Genoa – in collaboration with the Italian Institute of Technology and the University of Genoa – concern the construction of adaptive robots to be used in complex production environments, with the aim of improving the safety of operators, the flexibility of uses in unstructured environments, unforeseen situations and critical environmental conditions, and the ability to act independently. The main applications are in the aerospace, civil protection, security and defence sectors.
As for quantum technologies, the projects cover a broad spectrum of applications. The most pioneering involves the use of the davinci-1 HPC to simulate a quantum processor in a supercomputing environment, a fundamental prerequisite for working with real quantum computers. Leonardo’s quantum simulators, once optimized on the davinci-1, are used to develop programs in quantum logic, avoiding the problems of today’s real quantum computers, and compared with the latter to judge their effectiveness in terms of performance, identifying where there may be a prevalence on digital computers (quantum supremacy). Thanks to these skills, Leonardo is the first player in AD&S that is starting research on the application of quantum technologies in the radar field. The “Quantum Sensing Radar”, which is capable of overcoming the current limits of traditional radars and is able to increase the range of recognisable objects and expand the reconnaissance spectrum, thanks to the use of photon beams able to “overcome” obstacles.
For Leonardo, HPC, data, artificial intelligence and cyber resilience are strategic assets at the basis of the current digital industrial revolution. These are necessary to invest and bring together an increasingly broad ecosystem of public-private subjects, with the aim of overseeing the enhancement of this critical phase of development, a key element for growth that is sustainable from an environmental, economic, and social point of view.
These assets, when enriched with new skills, can also be decisive in new industrial and application fields, including healthcare, given the need for shared and secure data (electronic health record), telemedicine applications (rehabilitation and surgical robotics), predictive and epidemiological analyses (epidemic management, precision medicine, genomics). A sector that in Genoa sees one of the most specialised and fertile areas of development. In this context, Leonardo actively participates in projects, that are result of specific agreements, including the collaboration with Dompé Farmaceutici for the construction of the first nucleus of national digital health security infrastructure with cloud architecture, with Movendo Technology, a biomedical company and, finally, with IT at the Human technologies laboratories, as well as participating in European research projects in the Digital Health field.(Source: ASD Network)
02 Dec 21. Li-S Energy, Insitu Pacific sign UAS collaboration deal. The companies are teaming up to integrate and test advanced battery technology for UAS platforms.
ASX-listed Li-S Energy has signed an MoA with Boeing subsidiary Insitu Pacific to collaboratively define and execute a program to manufacture and test batteries to the same size, weight and power constraints of the Insitu Pacific UAS while leveraging the same payload space and connectors.
The firms are also expected to undertake a joint flight-testing campaign in Australia at Insitu Pacific’s test range in Queensland, aimed at demonstrating anticipated performance improvements.
Potential upgrades are expected to support Insitu Pacific’s bids for key Small Tactical UAS programs around the world, including multinational defence projects.
“We are very pleased to be working with one of most recognised names in the aviation industry,” Dr Lee Finniear, CEO of Li-S Energy, said.
“As the market for UAVs continues to accelerate with new applications and capabilities, battery weight and energy density has become one of the most critical factors for UAV performance.
“We are looking forward to working with Insitu Pacific to demonstrate the benefits of Li-S Energy batteries in these applications.”
Insitu Pacific’s new deal with Li-S Energy follows its signing of an MoA with Perth-based aeronautical technology company Innovaero earlier this year, aimed at strengthening collaboration for the development of enhanced uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) capability.
Insitu Pacific is expected to provide its common architecture software and ground control solutions to accelerate the delivery of Innovaero’s vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) InnovaeroFOX UAS.
The firms will also explore opportunities to onboard Innovaero to support Insitu Pacific’s global supply chain. (Source: Defence Connect)
02 Dec 21. Dstl showcases ongoing tech projects from its labs at Porton Down. The UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) opened up its facilities in Porton Down, Wiltshire, to a select group of journalists on 1 December to showcase a number of the future technology projects on which it is working. Among the projects on display were a new situational awareness (SA) architecture focused on military operations in urban environments and an assault rifle concept featuring a fused multispectral surveillance and target acquisition system.
Originally developed to help protect key assets, as its name suggests, the Sensors for Asset Protection using Integrated Electronic Network Technology (SAPIENT) system was deployed in Portsmouth, Hampshire, from 27 September until 15 October for this year’s Contested Urban Environment experiment (CUE21). This was the first time the experiment – initiated as part of The Technical Co-operation Program (TTCP) among the Five Eyes alliance involving the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – took place in the UK, having been postponed from last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Source: Janes)
01 Dec 21. Lockheed Extends Ion Storage Relationship. Ion Storage Systems (ION) today announced the kickoff of a year-long, paid evaluation agreement with Lockheed Martin (LM) which expands upon a four-year relationship that began during ION’s incubation at the University of Maryland. The agreement calls for a comprehensive assessment of ION’s breakthrough solid state battery technology for integration into multiple product applications across LM’s various corporate divisions and is another major step towards commercial adoption of ION’s technology.
“We are proud of our work in bringing a safer, energy dense, and versatile battery to market,” said Ricky Hanna, ION CEO. “Our unique patented technology, developed and manufactured in the US will deliver significant advancements over traditional technologies. ION is grateful for LM’s vote of confidence towards our further development and commercialization.”
“We believe that the benefits of ION’s solid state battery technology are critical to unlocking our products’ future potential,” said LM senior program manager Steven Shepard, who oversees the company’s power and propulsion research portfolio. “We are pleased with ION’s progress thus far and look forward to their successful completion of this evaluation.”
About ION
Ion Storage Systems (ION) creates high energy density solid state lithium batteries that are safer, lighter and enable form factors with tighter packing density that enhance system performance. ION’s nonflammable technology offers safe operation, greater abuse tolerance, and both volume and weight reduction. These advances empower the world’s innovators to break down barriers in their product development cycles to redefine what is possible and begin building the products-of-tomorrow today.
(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Dec 21. Flare Bright is working through 4 projects simultaneously, which is keeping our technical team fully occupied at present. In the office, the gentle whir of an Opterra fixed-wing drone’s propeller is a regular sound throughout the day as we test our GPS-free electronics which have been embedded in this. This is more of an involved job than simply plugging in some software and involves the software and hardware teams working together seamlessly to integrate these two aspects. We are testing the radio control comms and we are using our autonomous software to drive the elevons. We also have a number of safety considerations besides this – the main one being to “geofence” the flight to stay within line of sight and ensure the unmanned aircraft never flies away from us. So lots of “hands on” drone operations, whilst preparing the ground for fully autonomous powered flight. Meanwhile, we are continuing the test flight programme of our smaller SnapShot nanodrone and working on tensile tests and further quality control in the manufacturing process. Separately, we have just started working on an MOD Future Test and Evaluation Programme.
30 Nov 21. HENSOLDT supports foundation of Ulm centre for digitalisation. Sensor specialist contributes experience with AI and sensor data processing. The sensor solution provider HENSOLDT supports the foundation of a “Transfer Centre for Digitalisation, Analytics & Data Science Ulm” (DASU). Together with the city of Ulm and IHK Ulm, HENSOLDT is participating in the centre with €50,000 as one of eight other donors from industry and is contributing its own experience in digital technologies to this initiative.
“The AI-based evaluation of big data is an important driver for digitalisation in all economic sectors,” says Dr Jürgen Bestle, Chief Technology Officer at HENSOLDT. “The centre offers a platform for the exchange of experience and research results between industry, SMEs and science, which we want to use. As a high-tech company, we have relevant knowledge and outstanding expertise here.”
DASU offers services related to digitalisation, especially to medium-sized companies, which individual companies find difficult to set up on their own. To this end, it plans to grow from eight to about 20 employees by 2025. The sensor manufacturer HENSOLDT uses data-driven processes in many areas, e.g. in sensor data fusion or object classification.
The constituent Founders’ Meeting, which was held virtually, was opened by Professor Manfred Reichert, Chairman of the Board of DASU, and introduced with greetings from Jonas Pürckhauer, Deputy Chief Executive of the Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ulm Mayor Gunter Czisch, Professor Michael Weber, President of the University of Ulm, and Professor Volker Reuter, Rector of the Ulm University of Technology.
Exemplary for the future activities of DASU, Professor Kathrin Stucke-Straub from the Ulm University of Technology presented a project for the generation of artificial training data for drug development. “The Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) used in drug development to generate artificial training data can also be used, for example, for our applications in the field of aviation and security” said HENSOLDT CTO Dr Jürgen Bestle.
At HENSOLDT’s Ulm site, around 2,500 employees are involved in the development and production of complex safety electronics, including radars, electronic protection systems and high-frequency electronics. The majority of the employees are engineers and technicians, and about 120 young people are in training.
30 Nov 21. Mercury Systems announces high-speed 3U VPX synchronizer module for phase-coherent signal acquisition.
SOSA aligned module accelerates design of complex beamforming and phased array applications.
Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical technologies for aerospace and defense, today announced the Model 5503 Sensor Open Systems Architecture™ (SOSA) aligned high-speed 3U VPX synchronizer module (a SOSA plug-in-card). The Model 5503 is an optimized commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solution that simplifies complex synchronization tasks for beamforming and phased-array applications used in radar, electronic warfare, and communications, maximizing reception and transmission of signals and reducing development costs and design time. The module can synchronize up to 32 channels across four RF system-on-chip (RFSoC) Quartz® modules, satisfying the growing need for synchronization in multi-element systems with high channel counts.
“Clocking and synchronization are often the hardest challenges of subsystem design,” said Ken Hermanny, general manager, Mercury Microwave and Mixed Signal Assemblies. “Customers prefer a fully optimized, tested and supported solution that eliminates the risk and time typically involved with developing a proprietary design. The Model 5503 is highly integrated and optimized for RFSoC designs, allowing engineers to focus on the application itself, saving valuable development time and cost. Its SOSA aligned architecture facilitates interoperability, re-use, and rapid technology insertion, all consistent with the SOSA Consortium’s approach and vision.”
Four sets of programmable clock and timing signals for synchronizing, triggering and gating functions are routed to each Quartz module across the backplane, eliminating front-panel connections, while a rear transition module delivers synchronization signals to four additional modules. A conduction-cooled option is available for more rugged operating environments.
Mercury envisions, creates, and delivers innovative technology solutions purpose-built to meet their customers’ most pressing high-tech needs. Visit the Model 5503 SOSA aligned synchronizer product page for more information or contact Mercury at (866) 627-6951 or .
About the SOSA Consortium
The Open Group Sensor Open Systems Architecture™ (SOSA) Consortium aims to create a common framework for transitioning sensor systems to an open systems architecture, based on key interfaces and open standards established by industry-government consensus. The SOSA Consortium enables government and industry to collaboratively develop open standards and best practices to enable, enhance, and accelerate the deployment of affordable, capable, interoperable sensor systems.
30 Nov 21. iDirect Government Debuts Evolution Defense 4.4 Software with Enhanced Security. iDirect Government (iDirectGov), a leading provider of satellite communications to the military and government, today announced its newest software release, Evolution® Defense 4.4, for enhanced military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) protection. Evolution Defense 4.4 technology advancements are targeted at the DLC-R line cards, enabling Communication Signal Interference Removal (CSIR™) on the DLC-R line cards, and other security improvements. CSIR represents a real-time streaming technology to mitigate interference, and the introduction of Evolution Defense 4.4 now applies to both iDirectGov’s remote and line cards. This release complements the previous Evolution Defense 4.2.2.0 software release, which provided CSIR protection on the 9-Series, establishing a complete end-to-end interference mitigation solution. The DLC-R and 9-Series remote interference reporting work in the company’s iMonitor network management software, which provides in-depth views into both real-time and historical network performance. This includes the health status of remotes, graphical displays, network probes and detailed bandwidth usage. The DLC-R-measured interference alerts and warnings thresholds are user configurable, as are the satellite remote alerts and warnings. With security a highest priority for iDirectGov, the Evolution Defense platform is continuously tested and evaluated to ensure mission critical data is protected. To reinforce this security posture, the deployment of the Evolution Defense 4.4 software will have the protection of the Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 1 enabled, along with the backing of the security enhancements in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 (RHEL8). This implementation is applicable to all the servers associated with the platform beginning with Evolution Defense 4.4.
“Enhanced security solutions in Evolution Defense 4.4 create a multi-layered approach to MILSATCOM protection,” said John Ratigan, president of iDirect Government. “We have engineered this specialized software release to enable interference mitigation on our line cards to create an end-to-end solution for interference when combined with our 9-Series remotes.”
These security enhancements help to combat adversaries who are increasing their implementations of signal intelligence (SIGINT) to attack military and government spectrum use, as enemies seek to jam transmissions intended for radio communications, radar and various operations.
“Evolution Defense 4.4 meets military communications requirements worldwide,” said Ratigan. “Our security solution offers a Defense-in-Depth approach for reliable and secure communications.”
23 Nov 21. UK Boxer armoured vehicle programme further develops with KMW and WFEL sub-contract for AeroGlow HaLO emergency lighting systems. In a further sub-contract award, as part of the UK Boxer Mechanised Infantry Vehicle Programme for the British Army, KMW and WFEL have signed a contract with AeroGlow International for the supply of the latest HaLO Vehicle Egress Lighting Systems.
This contract is for the delivery of bespoke HaLO systems, with deliveries commencing in 2021 and running through to 2031. The awarding of this sub-contract to a UK SME demonstrates the commitment to source 60% by value of the Boxer contract from within the UK, protecting sovereign engineering and manufacturing skills and ensuring that the vehicles remain supported through their 30-year operational life.
Emergency lighting systems have been recognised as safety critical for the Boxer vehicles and Salisbury-based AeroGlow says that having the HaLO system fitted to Boxer will ensure the mitigation of drowning and egress risks for British military personnel for the foreseeable future. The emergency lighting systems will be integrated into the Boxer vehicles by WFEL at their new, state-of-the-art Boxer MIV manufacturing facility in Stockport. The proven AeroGlow LED escape lighting system will guide Boxer occupants to an exit as quickly as possible should the vehicle suffer a traumatic event – such as damage by a blast, roll over or being submerged in water – and the soldiers inside need to get out fast.
AeroGlow Business Development Director, Keith White, commented “We are delighted that the latest version of HaLO featuring our Capacitor Pack power supply has been chosen for the Boxer platform. With the contract with KMW and WFEL set to run for 10 years, this ensures the employment of our staff and our UK suppliers’ staff for the long term. “
This contract award mirrors a contract awarded to AeroGlow International by Rheinmetall and RBSL which – together with KMW and WFEL – are joint partners in the UK for the manufacture of the Boxer vehicles for the British Army. (Source: Joint Forces)
24 Nov 21. Adelaide University opens next generation AI research centre. A new research centre that focuses on next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) technology will develop the high-calibre expertise Australia needs to compete in the coming machine learning-enabled global economy. The Centre for Augmented Reasoning – funded with $20m from the Australian Government – is based at the University of Adelaide’s Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) at Lot Fourteen. Augmented reasoning is a new and emerging field of AI which combines an advanced ability to learn patterns using traditional machine learning, with an ability to reason.
“Artificial Intelligence is right now being used to improve the productivity of every industry sector,” said Professor Anton van den Hengel, Director of the new Centre. “If Australia wants to participate in a future AI-enabled global economy, we need to be applying AI to improve our productivity.
“In every industry, the jobs that AI supports aren’t AI jobs. They’re jobs in mining, agriculture, building and service industries. By using AI to improve their efficiency, productivity and quality, Australian businesses will remain competitive in an increasingly automated global economy.”
A four-year investment by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment in people and research will train a new generation of experts in machine learning – which is the AI technology driving real economic impact today – and support the growth of new high-tech jobs at the University and Lot Fourteen.
A $3.5m innovation fund for AI commercialisation will provide seed funding to launch new start-ups, as well as support local collaboration opportunities, strategic development programs, and new business ventures. The centre will lead the research and development of new augmented systems, and improve machine learning technology across a range of applications, which might include:
- machines that continually learn new things while interacting with the environment
- machines that work with data analysts to optimise business processes
- machines that can ask people questions in ways that are more natural and easier than filling in forms
- robots that can understand and follow instructions from people
- factories where people and machines work seamlessly together without the need for constant reprogramming of software
“Building on the University’s existing research strengths at AIML, the centre will support high-performance machine learning research, provide valuable scholarship opportunities, support AI commercialisation initiatives, and become a leading voice in Australia’s AI landscape,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.
“AI is already having an impact on every academic area of the University. Just as computers are now the standard tool in all workplaces, machine learning will soon become a new standard for every industry. It’s a critical part of the future.” (Source: Rumour Control)
24 Nov 21. Australia and United States sign quantum technology agreement. Australia and the United States have signed a landmark statement of intent to cooperate and share in the opportunities and benefits presented by quantum science and technology. The Joint Statement of the United States of America and Australia on Cooperation in Quantum Science and Technology strengthens Australia and the United States’ ability to exchange quantum knowledge and skills, says Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price. The statement creates more opportunities to promote research and development, and encourages greater market access for quantum businesses in both nations.
Minister Price said, “As a critical technology that will shape our world for years to come, quantum technology offers incredible opportunities for Australia and the United States. “This joint statement with the United States builds on our already strong strategic partnership when it comes to science and technology and will help us build a quantum future together.”
The US President’s Science Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr Eric Lander, signed the joint statement in Washington. “I am delighted to affirm the United States and Australia’s commitment to work together to develop a healthy international marketplace for quantum technologies and grow the workforce for this emerging area,” Dr Lander said. “Jointly exploring new frontiers in quantum information science will accelerate discoveries and enable revolutionary approaches to computing, sensing, and networking that will benefit all of society.”
The statement builds on the Agreement Relating to Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia which set out a framework for the conduct of the overall science and technology relationship between our countries. “We acknowledge that science and technology (S&T) is the engine that enables transformative capabilities. At its core, S&T research are collaborative, transnational efforts. Accordingly, working together is essential to scientific discovery and societal benefit,” the statement says. “We recognise that quantum technologies – broadly based on the study and application of quantum mechanics to explore new ways to acquire, transmit and process information – is a critical emerging technology that could enable more powerful computers, more capable communication networks and more precise and accurate sensors.” (Source: Rumour Control)
27 Nov 21. Hypersonix to use Siemens’ software in design of its hydrogen fuelled sustainable aerospace vehicles. Brisbane-based aerospace engineering start-up Hypersonix Launch Systems has chosen Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio of software to help design its sustainable and reusable hypersonic launch vehicle, Delta-Velos. Hypersonix plans to implement advanced aerodynamic and thermal modelling software from Siemens’ Simcenter portfolio, which will play a key role in building certainty and reliability of the launch vehicle responsible for placing small satellites into Low Earth Orbit once developed and in service. This is thought to be the first-time scramjet engines will be used for small satellite launch.
Hypersonix is a key player in Australia’s newly burgeoning space industry and, as part of its expansion, has recently announced the opening of an office in Munich, Germany, also home to Siemens AG’s global headquarters. Hypersonix is developing a hypersonic, hydrogen fuelled, unmanned space launch vehicle with its minimum viable product (MVP) version expected to launch in 23 months. Hypersonix has been gaining recognition for addressing atmospheric pollution caused by increasing rocket launches globally and their innovative, green, reusable SPARTAN scramjet engines that are powered by sustainable green hydrogen fuel.
Siemens’ Simcenter™ STAR-CCM+™ software will enable Hypersonix to perform multiple simulations of air-flow around its Delta-Velos launch vehicle. This will be used to simulate and digitally test the vehicle’s lift, drag and thrust, as well as the very high temperatures on its skin and structure. The software will also be used to model the complex, high-speed flows seen in scramjet engines and around hypersonic vehicles.
Hypersonix’s fifth-generation green hydrogen-powered scramjet engine SPARTAN is capable of accelerating from Mach 5 to Mach 12. The Delta-Velos vehicle that features the SPARTAN engine will fly over 2500 km before landing like a conventional aircraft on a runway.
Siemens’ involvement in the project sees it join Boeing Research and Technology and BOC as major global companies playing a role in progressing the Delta-Velos project. (Source: Rumour Control)
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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 here or 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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