May 27, 2021 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land
Pentagon Gets $7.5 Billion for Unmanned Systems
Pentagon Gets $7.5 Billion for Unmanned Systems
November 27, 2019 | International, Aerospace
The Air Force may have found new imagery it needs at a pitch day
By: Nathan Strout
The Air Force awarded Capella Space a $750,000 base contract for high-resolution radar imagery during one of the service's rapid acquisition events earlier this month.
Capella Space announced Nov. 20 that the Air Force plans to use the company's sub 0.5 meter synthetic aperture radar imagery for virtual reality software, missile defense and developing predictive intelligence to foresee foreign threats.
“The U.S. Air Force is always working to maintain our leadership as a global technology innovator, and this contract is a testament to that commitment,” said Lt. Gen. John Thompson, head of the Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center.
SAR satellites are unique in their ability to collect imagery despite adverse weather or lighting conditions that make optical sensors useless. Unlike optical sensors, SAR sensors can pick up data on material properties, moisture content, elevation and precise changes and movements. In addition, SAR data can be used to make both 3D recreations or 2D images of 3D objects. Capella plans to launch its first SAR satellite in early 2020 as part of a constellation of 36 satellites that it expects to be operational in 2022.
“Capella will work alongside the U.S. Air Force to foster collaboration and deliver a product that best suits their mission needs,” Dan Brophy, vice president of government services at Capella Space, said in a statement. “Timely SAR data that presents changes on Earth holds tremendous military value, and we will make adaptations to meet unique military requirements. Together with the Air Force, we will define the applications for this data in its hybrid, military and commercial space architecture.”
The contract was awarded during the Air Force's Space Pitch Days Nov. 5-6, where the Air Force invited small and nontraditional companies to make pitches for their products and solutions in an environment like the television show “Shark Tank.” The Air Force awarded Phase II Small Business Innovative Research contracts on the spot to several companies, including to Capella Space. At the conclusion of this base contract, Capella could win a Phase III contract in 2020.
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October 6, 2021 | International, Aerospace
L3Harris selected to improve B-52 self-defense via $947M contract - Skies Mag
L3Harris Technologies will modernize the U.S. Air Force B-52 aircraft to protect aircrew from enemy radar threats under a new 10-year, sole-source US$947 million IDIQ contract.
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September 4, 2019 | International, Aerospace
Nouvelle version du Black Eagle 50
Steadicopter présente une nouvelle version de son drone Black Eagle 50. A l'occasion du salon DSEI, l'entreprise israélienne Steadicopter présentera une version modernisée du Black Eagle 50. Cet aéronef correspond à un drone VTOL (à décollage et atterrissage vertical), capable de mener des missions civiles et militaires. Il a principalement été mis au point pour la conduite d'opérations ISTAR (renseignement, surveillance, acquisition de cible, reconnaissance). La nouvelle version du Black Eagle 50 repose sur deux nouveautés majeures. D'une part, l'aéronef a été équipé d'un système de navigation inertielle, lui permettant de se déplacer sans accès au signal GPS et de calculer les coordonnées de l'appareil en permanence. Deuxième grosse amélioration apportée au Black Eagle 50, l'appareil a été modifié afin de pouvoir conduire des missions en environnement naval, voire même d'être embarqué à bord d'un b'timent. Le Black Eagle 50 peut ainsi désormais conduire des missions sur terre et en mer. Son endurance, comprise entre 3 et 4 heures, et sa portée, pouvant atteindre les 150 km, lui permettent ainsi de couvrir de large périmètre à chaque mission. Equipé de capteurs permettant de conduire des missions en environnement diurne et nocturne, le Black Eagle 50 peut emporter une charge utile allant jusqu'à 5 kilos, pour une masse à vide de 27 kilos. Sa masse maximale au décollage est de 35 kilos. Par Justine BOQUET http://www.apps-drones.com/nouvelle-version-du-black-eagle-50-126255