Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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10 Nov 23. Elma’s Newest Cisco Router Installed on a Rugged, Conduction-Cooled 3U VPX Board.
NetKit-3110 delivers mobile and fixed IP networking in harsh environments across defense and industrial applications
Technology Highlights
- 3U conduction-cooled VPX Ethernet router
- Cisco ESR6300 with two routed, four switched Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
- Ideal for rugged deployed, mobile applications
- Integrated security features for reliable, secure data transmission
Elma Electronic now offers the NetKit-3110, based on the Cisco ESR6300 Ethernet router, designed for harsh, deployed industrial and military environments. With a total of six high-performance Gigabit Ethernet interfaces (2 routed, 4 switched), the 3U conduction-cooled (VITA 48.2) VPX router serves as an aggregation point for on-demand network connectivity in mobile or fixed deployments.
Mark Littlefield, director of system products for Elma Electronic, noted, “There has been a notable increase in data mobility demands across deployed military and industrial applications. No matter the harshness of the environment, our new rugged NetKit-3110 brings Cisco Mobile Ready Net capabilities to mobile and fixed IP based network routing needs to systems based on 3U VPX.”
From mobile ground operations, shipboard and air defense equipment, homeland security and emergency services to harsh industrial environments such as drilling and mining operations, the new 3U VPX-based NetKit-3110 enables enterprise-grade routing and switching security using the Cisco IOS XE software, ensuring highly secure voice, video, and data communication.
The NetKit-3110 efficiently manages network resources for increased performance. The included SD-WAN features enable unified distributed network management at the edge and an onboard hardware encryption module offloads packet encryption and decryption from the routing engine.
To ensure that the code running on the ESR6300 hardware platform is authentic, unmodified, and operating as intended, the NetKit-3110 includes an Onboard Trust Anchor module (TAm), along with image signing, Secure Boot, and runtime defenses.
The NetKit-3110 offers three throughput license tiers: 50 Mbps encrypted (Default); 250 Mbps encrypted (Performance); and 350 Mbps encrypted (Boost). The router weighs only 1 lb and meets MIL-STD-810H and RTCA DO-160G environmental specifications.
For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/3UVPX-Cisco, contact sales at , or call (510) 656-3400.
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About Elma Electronic Inc.
Elma Electronic Inc. is a global manufacturer of commercial, industrial and rugged electronic products for embedded systems and application-ready platforms – from components, embedded boards, backplanes, chassis and enclosures, power supplies, to fully integrated subsystems.
With one of the widest product ranges available in the embedded industry, Elma also offers standard and custom cabinets and enclosures as well as precision components such as rotary switches/encoders, LEDs, front panels and small cases.
Elma leverages proven technology based on VITA, PICMG, and other standards-based architectures (i.e. OpenVPX, SOSA™, VME, CompactPCI Serial, COM Express and PCIe/104). Elma is also actively engaged in designing solutions for applications requiring smaller footprints.
Elma Electronic manages entire projects from initial system architecture to specification, design, manufacturing and test through its worldwide production facilities and sales offices. The company serves the mil/aero, industrial, research, telecom, medical and commercial markets and is certified to ISO 9001 and AS 9100.
With U.S. headquarters in Fremont, Calif., the company maintains multiplesales, engineering and manufacturing operations in Atlanta, Ga., and Philadelphia, Pa.
08 Nov 23. New capability agreement with Microsoft.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) agreement with Microsoft aims to deliver safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI).
This non-contractual agreement will focus on key areas including:
- innovation
- skill sharing
- technical exchange
It will enable greater collaboration between AI experts within Dstl and Microsoft. The agreement also aims to accelerate safe, responsible and ethical adoption of AI and is guided by the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) ethical principles for AI.
Specifically, Microsoft will support Dstl and MOD’s Defence AI Centre’s (DAIC) on their AI learning agenda. Microsoft will also provide early access to relevant software engineering roadmaps with a key focus on sharing emerging AI capabilities. Dstl and the DAIC have agreed to share their AI concept playbook with Microsoft to identify defence projects for Microsoft, Dstl and DAIC to collaborate on.
Professor Steven Meers, Dstl’s lead for AI and Data Science said: “AI is a strategic priority for defence and working with industry is key to supporting our Armed Forces and ensuring they can access safe and responsible AI systems. This is a fast-moving technology area and, by bringing together the deep technical expertise of Dstl and Microsoft, we are better able to ensure we maintain pace and address a range of challenges to help accelerate adoption of AI within MOD. Science and technology is a key source of strategic advantage for the UK and this collaboration will help ensure that our Armed Forces will help us to respond to more threats quickly and effectively helping to keep our Armed Forces safe.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
09 Nov 23. Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has launched DARWIN, a Honeywell-led project under the European Union’s SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, to leverage artificial intelligence and advance single-pilot operations in Europe. Research will focus on a human-AI collaboration system, defining clear roles and responsibilities with human pilots remaining the ultimate decision-makers.
Challenges that currently prevent air transport aircraft to be manned by a single pilot include the need to keep cockpit workload sufficiently low to allow one person to address even the most demanding situations; the need to replace the second pair of eyes to cross-check actions of the pilot in command; and the need to detect and mitigate a pilot incapacitation. Human-AI teaming can help support pilots in each of the scenarios above.
“A need for higher autonomy requires digital transformation. For both, we need to build trust in AI-based solutions. DARWIN will develop a scalable human-AI collaboration concept that can gradually introduce new functions and pilot assistants, in line with the EASA AI Roadmap,” said Jolana Dvorska, senior research and development manager and architect for SESAR, Honeywell Aerospace.
“This project lays a solid foundation for the future of AI and AI-human collaboration in Honeywell avionics,” said Andrew Barker, vice president of Integrated Avionics, Honeywell Aerospace. “We must focus our efforts in these areas to ensure proper baselines are established for the future of minimum crew operations.”
Project DARWIN will develop AI-powered digital assistants and a human-AI collaboration framework to support both extended minimum crew operations and single-pilot operations, ensuring the same (or higher) level of safety and same (or lower) workload as operations with a full crew today. The project will deliver solutions that enable operational efficiency, such as pilot state and task monitoring, with the complexity of the future airspace in mind.
The Honeywell-led consortium consists of industry technology providers, aircraft OEMs, leading research institutes, air navigation service providers, and key European institutions and regulatory bodies. Project partners include Pipistrel, DLR, Eurocontrol, EASA and Slovenia Control. Work will be led from Honeywell’s international development center in Brno, Czech Republic.
The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking is an institutionalized European partnership between private and public sector partners co-funded by the European Union to accelerate the delivery of the Digital European Sky through research and innovation.
06 Nov 23. USAFE unveil smallest combat TACAN for forward operating bases. US Air Forces Europe unveiled a man-portable TACAN tactical air navigation system for forward operation bases in enhanced combat deployments. US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) announced on 6 November the introduction and integration of the new Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system for enhanced combat deployments, with the 1st Combat Communication Squadron (CBCS) receiving the upgrade to its technology
Thales have produced the TACAN as an operational concept for military forces to establish a forward operating base with non-jammable navigational aides in remote environments. The miniaturised TACAN is meant to be installed without significant additional personnel training. The system is rugged, meeting Military standard 810, and fast to deploy on existing runways when attempting to secure their use.
The MM-7000 TACAN is a man-portable system, and one of the smallest, lightest and most mobile ground stations available, capable of accurately relaying flight information to over 250 aircraft simultaneously. It has the potential to greatly improve agile combat operations by providing support to aircrews, enabling them to locate designated airfields or landing zones with greater efficiency, facilitating approach vectors and runway procedures in difficult environments.
As the Tactical Airfield Operations Flight prepares the system for deployment in the European and Africa theatres of operations, this acquisition also sets the stage for a future deployment across the Pacific Air Forces.
According to Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Carter, Flight Chief Airfield Ops of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron, the new TACAN system is an important capability to provide aircrews with vital information, including the distance to the stationed airfield and the specific identification code.
Staff Sgt. Morgan Giacomelli, says that the MPTACAN system is known for its efficient deployment process. It can be quickly set up and become fully operational within minutes at any unprepared tactical location, which is an improvement when “compared to hours for previous systems.”
Giacomelli goes onto credit the system with exceptional agility, and notes an advantage in dynamic combat scenarios, enabling military personnel to quickly and dependably access critical data without any unnecessary delays. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
06 Nov 23. Embry‑Riddle Student Research on Drone Swarm Mapping Selected to Compete at NASA Challenge.
A team of Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University students is conducting research using swarm microdrones that could change the way 3D mapping is done, especially in complex, hard-to-reach locations.
“The main application is to map out GPS-denied locations and make a 3D map in a more efficient way,”
said Daniel Golan, the project’s co-principal investigator and a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.
The project — titled SUAVE (Swarm Unmanned Aerial Vehicles using Emergence) — was recently chosen for the NASA Aeronautics Research Institute’s 2023 University Student Research Challenge (USRC). Selection to the challenge comes with a NASA grant of up to $80,000.
GPS-denied areas, where a satellite signal may be blocked or unreliable, can range from inside of buildings to underground mines and sewer systems, outdoor areas with canyons or heavy tree cover, or storage ports/facilities. These locations could benefit from a better way to provide precise mapping and inspections.
“The swarm would spread out and get everything significantly quicker with a lot more data,” said Golan, a Galveston, Texas, native. “You are able to get a more accurate map in significantly less time.”
The NASA challenge provides students with opportunities to propose new ideas relevant to NASA Aeronautics’ flight research goals.
“We’re thrilled to be receiving and awarding more proposals than ever,” said Steven Holz, assistant manager of NASA’s University Innovation project, which manages USRC. “The students continue to come up with novel and impactful research proposals that we believe will lead them to leaving their mark on the aeronautics industry and beyond.”
The NASA USRC also has an entrepreneurship component, which involves students raising additional funds for the project through crowdfunding, which develops students’ entrepreneurship and communication skills. Embry‑Riddle’s Office of Undergraduate Research also awarded the project an Ignite grant and Spark grant, said Golan.
Daniel Golan works on a microdrone research project in Embry‑Riddle’s Engineering Physics Propulsion Lab. Golan is the co-principal investigator on the project, chosen to compete in NASA’s 2023 University Student Research Challenge (USRC). (Photo: Embry‑Riddle/David Massey)
The students will design and test a prototype for their project in Embry‑Riddle’s Engineering Physics Propulsion Lab (EPPL) and then submit their results to NASA in July 2024.
“I advise them on control system design and AI algorithms, but it’s their choice how to implement it,” said Dr. Sergey V. Drakunov, EPPL’s director and a professor of Engineering Physics, who also serves as the team’s faculty mentor. “It’s important to give the students that intellectual freedom, it stimulates their creativity and, as a result, they have great ideas.”
Bryan Gonzalez, a senior Mechanical Engineering student and co-principal investigator on the project, is working on the software and control systems of the swarm. He interned this summer at Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC), a not-for-profit research institute of the Florida University System located in Pensacola, Florida.
“I have had an interest in controls since I came to the Engineering Physics Propulsion Lab and have worked on controls for exoskeletons and robotic arms here,” said Gonzalez, who is from Hollywood, Florida. “The swarm is a step outside of my comfort zone, but one that I see great potential in creating a unique nonlinear control system for.”
The team also includes students Stanlie Cerda-Cruz, Kyle Fox, Ethan Thomas, Adam Duke, Ryan Ebrahimi, Ryan Taylor and Nicholas Sontra.
For Golan, who is in Air Force ROTC and completed his U.S. Space Force training this summer, the USRC project has developed important skills in and out of the lab.
“Leadership is huge because I’m going to the military,” he said. “It’s also been a really good way to take some of the components I’ve learned in class and apply them.”
Golan also spent the summer interning on campus through for The Boeing Company’s Engineering Development Program with the university.
“I did work supporting Boeing’s MQ 25 aerial refueling drone,” he said. “That was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot.”
With interests in robotics and space, Golan can envision his research even making an impact beyond Earth someday.
“The swarm algorithm also has the potential for probe mapping of asteroids in space,” he said. (Source: UAS VISION)
03 Nov 23. US Army seeks industry input for overhaul of aging artillery software. The U.S. Army is seeking industry feedback as it kicks off an overhaul of software designed to coordinate the use of mortars, missiles and more on the battlefield. The service posted a request for information for the modernization of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System, also known as AFATDS, and the development of the Joint Targeting Command and Coordination Suite, or JTC2S, on Nov. 1.
A consortium-like approach is expected, meaning several companies will likely contribute to the final products.
“We see the future of fires built around teams doing the work instead of one industry partner, which is a change in strategy from the past,” Lt. Col. Timothy Godwin, a product manager at the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical, or PEO C3T, said in a statement. “Multiple industry partners can be part of the solutions to building an agile, iterative software for the modernization of our fires products.”
Development of AFATDS began in 1989; it was first deployed in 1995. The automated program fuses situational awareness and targeting data and has become a cornerstone of Long Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team ventures, including the Extended Range Cannon Artillery and the Precision Strike Missile.
The JTC2S software, on the other hand, will assist troops in understanding their targets and support collaboration with international forces. It is expected to supplant the older Joint Automated Deep Operations Coordination System, or JADOCS.
PEO C3T will discuss the AFATDS and JTC2S efforts at its next Technical Exchange Meeting in Savannah, Georgia.
The TEMs, as they’re known, assemble military leaders, acquisition officials and hundreds of private-sector representatives to discuss the future of Army networking. TEM 11 is set for Dec. 12-13.
“Today, we have a really robust capability to do fires, but it was not built for how we have to share data in the future,” Col. Matt Paul, a project manager at PEO C3T, said in a statement. “We want to work with industry to modernize our fires capability so that we can robustly share data, enable sensor-to-shooter architectures, and be able to iterate the program over time.” (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
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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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