06 Oct 03. During AUSA Stewart & Stevenson showed BATTLESPACE its new T11-ton 6×6 Medium Tactical Truck Demonstrator (MTTD), a demonstration platform incorporating advanced technology, such as cab and vehicle sub-systems for increased crew protection, improved C-130 interoperability, advanced electric cooling system, independently suspended wheels and active suspension. The MTTD is an evolving collaborative effort between the National Automotive Center (NAC), Stewart & Stevenson, and several automotive suppliers.

WE WILL BE PROVIDING A FULL REPORT ON THIS TRUCK IN OUR AUSA REPORT FOR OUR WEB BASED BATTLESPACE NEWS OCT/NOV

06 Oct 03. Northrop Grumman Tactical Systems unveiled its new handheld FBCB2 Blue Force Tracker (BFT) range of products for at AUSA. The hand-held ruggedized contains a 400 MHz processor and an l-Band antenna weighing 4lbs. Northrop has received an order for 100 of these units worth $2mdevice combines computing power with Satcom. The total FBCB2 order is expected to be 20000 vehicle systems, 2 brigades with SINCGARS transmission and one with L-Band, 4-600 hand held. Northrop is providing full interface with existing systems, although this is limited to Situational Awareness at the moment. The UK used 47 systems in Iraq which are being re-installed with a new unit.

WE WILL BE PROVIDING A FULL REPORT ON THIS TRUCK IN OUR AUSA REPORT FOR OUR WEB BASED BATTLESPACE NEWS OCT/NOV

07 Oct 03. Raytheon gave details of its Multi-function Starring Sensor Suite (MFS3) demonstrator which it has delivered to the U.S. Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD). The system provides a leap in technology which will integrate into FCS as a spiral upgrade to Increment 2. FS3 is the Army’s third-generation infrared testbed to prove the feasibility of detecting and identifying obscured targets. Raytheon has installed the U.S. Army Battlefield Identification Device (BTID) into this system which automatically interrogates the potential target as part of the surveillance programme.

WE WILL BE PROVIDING A FULL REPORT ON THIS TRUCK IN OUR AUSA REPORT FOR OUR WEB BASED BATTLESPACE NEWS OCT/NOV

06 Oct 03. General Dynamics Canada demonstrated its new Grasshopper mini-UAV Information System at AUSA. Grasshopper is being developed for a Canadian Armed Forces requirement that requires minimal operator supervision. The Grasshopper has a payload of 5lb, the version we saw had Dual Visible and IR cameras, giving the system 24 hours capability. Grasshopper operates autonomously, including launch and recovery. Personnel on the ground are provided with clear imagery, assisted by automatic target detection (ATD). Over the target area it provides target locations with a 12m CEP, along with local met data. The system is fully IP-compatible. The wingspan is 8ft, canard span 4ft, length 5.9ft and payload bay 4.8×4.8x34ins.

01 Oct 03. Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems(PEO EIS) acquires new responsibilities on October 1, 2003. PEO EIS will assume responsibility for four new systems and projects. The four new projects and systems are the Standard Procurement System (SPS), Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS), Distributive Training Technology Project (DTTP) and Force Modernization System (FMS) The Standard Procurement System is a new Project Management organization under the Deputy Program Executive Office Business Information Systems (DPEO BIS). Colonel Jacob Haynes is the Project Manger for SPS. SPS is designed to improve the speed and effectiveness of contract placement and contract administration functions. The system will interact more effectively with industry partners and other Department of Defense activities. SPS will also improve visibility of contract deliverables while maintaining DoD readiness with reduced resources.

10 Oct 03. We have been rung by a number of subscribers asking whether the rumors that BATTLESPACE is for sale are correct. We can reveal that we had a bid