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22 Feb 13. Smart materials to extend the life of a vehicle or textiles which incorporate electronics are among the ideas being sought by the U.K. MoD. The Materials and Structures Science and Technology Centre (MAST STC), established by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), has launched a call for research proposals in this area. It places a high priority on the impact that novel materials and technologies can have on defence. The call for innovative ideas was launched on Thursday 21 February by Dstl’s Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE), recognising that technical advancements in the ability to engineer micro- and nano-materials and structures means it is becoming increasingly possible to model, design and construct materials with unique properties. Materials that exhibit smart behaviour are categorised as those that have properties that can be significantly changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli. Potential suppliers should consider the wide range of platform types, structures, equipment and devices used by the military, including futuristic nano-unmanned vehicles, large ships, land vehicles and aircraft. Structures range from tents to large deployable operating bases, as well as headquarters, and equipment types range from radios to weapons and to clothing. CDE focuses on novel and innovative research in support of planning for an agile future military capability. It is seeking disruptive technologies that can have a significant impact on operational capability with the desire for revolution rather than evolution. Professor Ian Youngs, Technical Lead for the MAST STC says: “It is vital for the success of MOD’s Materials & Structures technology programme to solicit high quality and innovative studies through CDE in order to provide technical challenge to the core research programme. Smart materials represent a dynamic field of research and provide many opportunities to integrate added functionality to future military equipment concepts.”
19 Feb 13. GE’s medium-voltage advanced linear induction machine completes stall trials. GE Power Conversion has successfully completed stall trials of its new medium-voltage advanced linear induction machine (MV ALIM), a central part of the Electro Magnetic CATapult (EMCAT) launch track system. The EMCAT has been designed to launch manned and unmanned aircraft from various naval platforms. The MV ALIM will enable catapults to launch aircraft such as the latest Lockheed Martin-built F35-C aircraft, while the smaller versions (EMKIT) support launch of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from mobile or fixed installations. GE Power Conversion Naval senior engineering leader Graham Bellamy said during the tests the MV ALIM produced more than 230kN of thrust. The new EMCAT MV ALIM provides launch options for various aircraft takeoff weight capacities, ranging from 50kg to more than 32t. In order to maximise airframe drive life and utilisation of airframe capacity, the EMCAT system automatically compensates variations in airframe speed during launch, while minimising variation of thrust onto the airframe. Featuring pulsed power supply, conversion and switching systems, the commercial off-the-shelf equipment has also helps reduce costs while increasing availability and technology readiness levels. GE Power Conversion Naval director Mark Dannatt added: “This would include launch attachments, recovery systems and both fixed and mobile launch platforms, as well as integration into existing launch platforms. (Source: navaltechnology.com)
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