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21 Oct 13. A wireless ground sensor network developed by Lockheed Martin will soon have the option of being fully integrated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Lockheed Martin’s Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network (SPAN), a wireless ground sensor system will be able to connect with unmanned vehicles to provide ubiquitous coverage and persistent surveillance of designated areas. Incorporated with small devices that employ energy-harvesting technology, SPAN is a multi-purpose wireless sensor platform that never needs a battery replacement. Using readily available energy sources in its surrounding environment, SPAN re-charges itself and its nodes do not transmit unless there is a sensor reading of concern. Fusing SPAN with UAVs lowers the total cost of monitoring a specific area, since the SPAN networks automatically prompt UAV sensors without the need to depend on a separate operator alerting system. Each node, once placed on or in the ground in a mesh arrangement, transmits relevant data to the next node, and so on, until the information is ultimately forwarded to a wide area communications link. During a UAV mission, the ground network automatically prompts the UAV’s high precision sensors to further characterize the alert without the need for a remote analyst. This linked solution enables UAV operators to focus on identified threats instead of loitering or flying pre-set mission profiles waiting for potential threats. Additionally, this enhanced processing of timely intelligence enables responsive situational awareness for ground commanders in full spectrum and counter insurgency operations.
23 Oct 13. For the first time, Raytheon Company has integrated an advanced targeting capability into the U.S. Army’s Common Sensor Payload (CSP) airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance targeting system. Mission commanders can now directly utilize an airborne tactical sensor’s geo-location data for real-time targeting of coordinate-seeking weapons. Previously, target coordinates and imagery from an airborne tactical sensor had to undergo a remote and time-consuming image registration process to meet Department of Defense/National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency coordinate-seeking weapons delivery requirements for real-time targeting. Now, target coordinates can be transferred directly in real time from the CSP sensor to the weapon, significantly reducing the delivery timeline while increasing accuracy. In October 2013, Raytheon and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems collaborated to complete development and fly the CSP High Definition and Target Location Accuracy sensor, the industry’s first demonstration of a sensor that meets Department of Defense/National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) requirements for target location and error knowledge. The sensor is unique in that it not only provides high definition sensor imagery, it is also equipped with a high accuracy, advanced multi-color diode pumped laser produced by General Atomics Aeronautical. The sensor also provides an accurate range receiver, improved precision inertial sensors, advanced geo-positioning algorithms, precise internal/external event timing and rigorous error propagation to generate real-time targeting information. The CSP High Definition and Target Location Accuracy sensor is fully compliant with DoD and NGA specific requirements for a Direct Geo-Positioning Metric Sensor and marks the first time the capability has been integrated into a single airborne tactical package and flown.
23 Oct 13. Raytheon Company has started upgrading the AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar’s signal and data processing equipment (SDPE) to enable the “brains” of the radar to more quickly and accurately discriminate threats from non-threats and enhance radar performance to protect against missile raids. An integral element of the B