EU lawmakers finalize tough cyber security rules

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  June 9, 2020 | International, C4ISR, Security

  Special Operations Command wants to upgrade its data analytics platform

  Andrew Eversden U.S. Special Operations Command wants ideas from industry to improve the organization's large data analytics platform, an initiative that could lead to as much as $600 million in contracts in the next decade. A request for information released June 5 outlines two lines of effort for changes to the Global Analytics Platform: development and system upgrades, and maintenance and sustainment. SOCOM is exploring both a single-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite delivery contract for each lines of effort or a multi-award ID/IQ for each one. SOCOM, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., expects the contract to be worth as much $600 million for 10 years of work. Analysts use the platform to search, discover and analyze large quantities of data. The platform contains applications that are “interfacing with robust data ingest, enrichment, transport, and dissemination across intelligence and operations portfolios.” It is also deploy into the Intelligence Community's Commercial Cloud Services (C2) environment, the solicitation reads. Under the first line of effort, the combatant command wants to upgrade the platform to apply more data science and machine learning/artificial intelligence capabilities to “to improve analyst workflow and free trapped technical capacity.” Agile software will be added “to implement iterative methodologies for the development of applications” to add to the current system architecture. The contractor will also provide technical experts to build and deploy tools to “aggregate and analyze intelligence data for real time exploitation in support of USSOCOM missions.” The request states that the expected places of performance are Arlington, Va., Fort Bragg, N.C., the National Geospatial Agency at Fort Belvoir, Va., and locations outside the continental United States. The performance period is Nov. 1, 2021 to Oct. 31, 2031. It also said the platform provides “intelligence targeting support to the find, fix, finish, exploit, and analyze cycle and direct intelligence support to ongoing operations.” SOCOM is investing heavily to improve its data environment. In a separate effort, USSOCOM wants to place all the data commanders need into a single pane of glass, SOCOM Acquisition Executive James Smith said at a May conference. Responses are due July 31. https://www.c4isrnet.com/newsletters/daily-brief/2020/06/08/special-operations-command-wants-to-upgrade-is-data-analytics-platform/

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  August 8, 2019 | International, Land

  Soon to come to the Army: A high-power microwave to take out drone swarms

  By: Jen Judson HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — The Army is planning to field a high-power microwave capability to take out drone swarms as part of its Indirect Fires Protection Capability system in development. Through the Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) the service is looking to get the capability fielded to a unit by 2024 with a demonstration of the capability planned in 2022, the RCCTO director said August 7 at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium. RCCTO's job is to serve as a bridge between the science and technology community and the program executive offices, helping bring technology out of development and into soldiers' hands, first on a small scale and then a larger scale when passed off to program offices. The RCCTO right now is focused entirely on hypersonics and directed energy weapons. The IFPC system is being developed to counter rockets, artillery and mortar, as well as cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems, and the means to do that would be through a system featuring multiple types of missiles and also a laser capability to take out threats. Adding lasers to the mix means decreasing the number of expensive shots that would be taken against very inexpensive weapons. The Army is working to initially field a 100-kilowatt laser capability on a Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles as part of the IFPC program with a plan to demonstrate the capability in 2022 and then field prototypes to a unit. And the RCCTO is also looking at how to field even more powerful lasers for the IFPC mission between 250 and 300 kilowatts. But the service recognizes it might be easier to disrupt the flight of multiple drones at once rather than try to take out each one with a laser. “Lasers can do things but if you are a combatant commander, there is a toolbox of things you need to be successful on the battle space,” Thurgood said. “It's not just one tool but a series of tools.” So the program is teaming with the Air Force's effort to develop a high power microwave capability, he said. The Air Force will do the research and development work, but the Army will supply them with funding to build prototypes. The goal is to demonstrate a high-power microwave capability in 2022 and then field the capability to a small unit, much like what the RCCTO will do with the IFPC high-energy laser system. If the laser and high-power microwave capability both work well in small units, then they will transition to programs of record within the IFPC program, Thurgood said. Earlier this year, the Army awarded a contract to Dynetics, who is partnered with Lockheed Martin and Rolls Royce, to build the 100-kilowatt laser system for IFPC. The Army is also rapidly fielding a 50-kilowatt laser on a Stryker. Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are competing to build the system and, in FY21, the two lasers will be tested on difficult threats. The service will choose on to build prototypes that will be fielded to a Platoon in FY22. https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/smd/2019/08/07/the-armys-indirect-fires-protection-system-is-getting-a-high-power-microwave/

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  October 4, 2018 | International, Aerospace

  DGA - Une étude pour le NH90 Forces Spéciales

  Par Emmanuel Huberdeau La DGA a notifié une étude pour un système d'aide à la vision des pilotes d'hélicoptères en environnements dégradés qui sera intégré sur la version du NH90 destinée aux forces spéciales. La Direction Génerale de l'Armement (DGA) a annoncé l'attribution de cette étude le 3 octobre 2018. Elle concerne le concept de « caméra grand champ » développé par Safran sous l'appellation « Eurofl'eye ». Un système qui avait été présenté au dernier salon Eurosatory. Le système doit aider les pilotes à visualiser leur environnement dans des conditions de visibilité très dégradées. « Eurofl'eye » est composé d'une boule optronique et de quatre paires de capteurs. Le système sera intégré sur la variante du NH90 destiné aux forces spéciales. Cette version du NH90, dérivée du NH90 TTH Caïman Terre, comprend aussi l'intégration d'un boule gyrostabilisée de Safran et d'un affichage numérique pour le casque Topowl de Thales. Selon la DGA, des tests au sol puis sur les simulateurs et les hélicoptères banc d'essais de la DGA à Istres sont prévus. Le 4e Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales (4eRHFS), futur utilisateur des appareils, sera impliqué dans toutes les étapes de qualification du système. La loi de programmation militaire 2019-2025 prévoit la commande de dix NH90 en variante « Forces Spéciales » dont six livrés d'ici 2025. Ces appareils devraient remplacer les H225M Caracal actuellement employés par le 4e RHFS et dont le transfert à l'armée de l'Air est évoqué depuis plusieurs années. http://www.air-cosmos.com/une-etude-pour-le-nh90-forces-speciales-115611