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  July 3, 2019 | International, Aerospace

  GA-ASI Announces Streamlined ISR Tools for UAS

  Author: Mike Rees General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has unveiled its new Integrated Intelligence Center (I2C), which presents innovative ways to improve the user experience for operators of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) using automation and user experience-based design (UX). “I2C will rapidly transform data into actionable intelligence,” said David R. Alexander, president, GA-ASI. “We see benefits to the warfighter on many fronts, including the reduction of operational cost – whether it's Ground Ops, Air Ops, or Intel Ops. By combining XC2, Automatic Takeoff and Landing, MMC and our single-seat Certifiable Ground Control Station, we will reduce manning by 50 percent.” GA-ASI's modular and open software architecture designs promote horizontal integration of third party software and rapid integration of new capabilities, making the following developments the ideal set of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) tools for streamlined and improved collaboration: eXpeditionary Command & Control (XC2): XC2 laptop leverages GA-ASI's Advanced Cockpit development by porting select capabilities to a ruggedized laptop. A forward-deployed maintainer can use the laptop to employ automated pre-flight and post-flight checklists that reduce setup times by up to 50 percent, and reduces the airlift requirements by eliminating the need for a forward-deployed Ground Control Station (GCS). Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS): The CGCS enables single-seat operations to reduce manpower requirements. Its tactical situation display unifies ISR and C4ISR data, as well as mission planning into a single Common Operating Picture (COP). The integrated Collins Pro Line Fusion enables CGCS certifiability for operation in national airspace. Multi-Mission Controller (MMC): The MMC enables a single user to safely control multiple aircraft and perform transit and routine ISR missions using a hand controller. When an aircraft is tasked with performing more dynamic ISR or a strike mission, MMC allows a rapid handoff of the aircraft to a dedicated GCS, where a mission crew can take control. Metis – Automated intelligence Collection Management: Metis is a map-based interface that enables a pre-approved Metis user to request ISR products from the RPA, similar to ordering a car from Uber. Once the Metis user sends a task, it's transmitted to MMC in real time. The MMC user selects the task and an integrated third party auto-router automatically generates a safe route to the requested target. STARE Imagery: The System for Tactical Archival, Retrieval, and Exploitation's (STARE) Common Operation Picture shows aircraft locations, where the operator can look and what they are looking at. The Multi-INT exploitation tool ingests, archives, disseminates and makes ISR data discoverable for imagery analysts to utilize. STARE reduces data exploitation tasks from hours to minutes. Automation of Intel Ops: I2C integrates third party capabilities and software services to make Intel analysts more effective. Automated Activity Alerts – based on Multi-INT data correlation – reduces the need for eyes-on RPA sensor data to pick out significant activity. GA-ASI is partnering with best-of-breed companies specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning with proven AI-based systems deployed across multiple commercial sectors. GA-ASI works with these businesses to train their AI capability with MQ-9, MQ-1C and Predator ISR data. These tools and capabilities are either operationally deployed, undergoing customer operational assessment or are actively flying aircraft. https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/2019/06/ga-asi-announces-streamlined-isr-tools-for-uas/

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  September 25, 2020 | International, C4ISR

  How the Marines want to provide information on demand

  Mark Pomerleau The Marine Corps wants to provide information on demand. However, sensing, harnessing and acting upon the vast amounts of data produced daily is an enormous challenge and now the Corps is turning to its 2019 blueprint for the information environment. “If you were building a house, you would never just hire plumbers, framers, roofers and say build me a house,” Jennifer Edgin, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Information, said Sept. 22 during a virtual panel as part of Modern Day Marine. Rather, she noted, most would start with the design of the house and how things connect. “That's how we began with our journey in the Marine Corps Information Environment Enterprise, by publishing a blueprint. That outlined our future state vision, our case for change and the major muscle movements that we were tackling with that,” she said. Published in March 2019 and classified as “controlled unclassified information,” the blueprint is a unified technical, physical and business model that documents the design of the Marine Corps Information Environment, Edgin told C4ISRNET in written responses to questions. It connects users with data to support a mission and codifies the policies, standards, services, infrastructure, technical design and architectural elements required to deliver capabilities to Marines. Extremely technical in nature, the blueprint is meant to guide the development and employment of capabilities needed and provides acquisition officers guidance and constraints while also conveying a common language. The first iteration covers five key areas to include digital transformation, governance, transitioning to the cloud, standardization and information dominance. “The future state of warfare requires the Marine Corps to think differently, encourage innovation, and embrace new business models for change that focus on enhancing the access, capabilities, and user experience throughout the Information Environment,” Edgin said. “This blueprint unites and aligns efforts to digitally equip Marines for the future ... The benefit of the blueprint is that it articulates information that cannot easily be visualized. For example, it is very easy to see physical assets like trucks or planes however, it is difficult to articulate information technology assets and visualize how they are employed.” Edgin noted yesterday that the Marine Corps Enterprise Network modernization plan followed the blueprint, taking the blueprint and breaking it down into action plans. Taken together, both documents are meant to guide a transformation the office of the Deputy Commandant for Information is seeking to realize, one that provides secure information on demand leveraging technologies such as cloud computing, resilient mesh networks and emerging technology such as machine learning. “Information doesn't have a geographic boundary,” she said, “you're seeing more of that cross functional team, cross functional approaches where we can really harness all of the best and brightest of authorities and ideas so that we can provide that information on demand.” https://www.c4isrnet.com/it-networks/2020/09/24/how-the-marines-want-to-provide-information-on-demand/

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  May 29, 2020 | International, Aerospace

  HENSOLDT modernizes German Airforce IFF systems

  Taufkirchen/Germany, May 28, 2020 – As part of the modernization of all NATO's IFF identification systems (IFF = Identification-friend-or-foe) to the new "Mode 5" standard, sensor solution provider HENSOLDT is equipping the Air Force's 90 Tornado fighter aircraft with its Mode 5-capable LTR 400 transponder. An initial order for the delivery of 42 devices worth several million euros has been placed by Panavia Aircraft GmbH - the industrial consortium for the development of the Tornado; the conversion of over one hundred further platforms of the German Armed Forces is planned. As early as October 2019, the additional qualifications required for the LTR 400 transponder system to be installed on the German Tornado at equipment level were successfully completed and the relevant documents handed over to Airbus Defence and Space (ADS). Subsequently, during the test flights carried out by ADS in Manching at the end of 2019, the performance requirements for the IFF system as specified by the responsible military technical service (WTD-61) were verified The IFF technology is of central importance for all military operations. Based on automated electronic signals, it ensures that the armed forces can recognize friends who respond with the correct signal when contacted and identify potentially hostile vehicles who do not. All NATO countries are mandated to migrate to the new Mode 5 standard IFF, which uses advanced cryptographic techniques to secure systems against electronic interference from the enemy. This is important when armed forces operate together, as ensuring that crews of land, air and naval forces can reliably identify their allies is one of the most important ways of preventing so-called "friendly fire" incidents. The LTR 400 transponder is qualified for all flying platforms of the German Air Force and Army and is in use on all Airbus military helicopters. About HENSOLDT HENSOLDT is a pioneer of technology and innovation in the field of defence and security electronics. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company is a German Champion with strategic leadership positions in the field of sensor solutions for defence and non-defence applications. HENSOLDT develops new products to combat a wide range of threats based on innovative approaches to data management, robotics and cyber security. With approximately 5,500 employees, HENSOLDT generated revenues of 1.14 billion euros in 2019. www.hensoldt.net Press contact Lothar Belz Tel.: +49 (0)731.392.3681 lothar.belz@hensoldt.net View source version on HENSOLDT: https://www.hensoldt.net/news/hensoldt-modernizes-german-airforce-iff-systems/