14 juin 2019 | International, Autre défense
By: Cal Pringle
Defense contractor QinetiQ will rely on networking technologies from Persistent Systems as part of a contract to help the Army build a small robot that will help soldiers on the battlefield.
The Army's Common Robotic System - Individual program aims to build a small robot that soldiers can fit in a backpack and assist in reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.
But for these robots to perform these duties effectively, they will need to have consistent communication with soldiers and other robots. In a June 12 press release, Persistent Systems announced that it will supply networking technology to QinetiQ as a subcontractor. QinetiQ has an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract worth up to $164 million on the Army program.
Persistent's networking technology is what is known as a mobile ad-hoc network, or MANET, said Leslie Hulser, director of programs at Persistent. The ad-hoc nature of the network means that each device is both a transmitter and a receiver, removing the need for fixed communications infrastructure, she said. MANET technology allows a soldier to communicate with ground and aerial robots as well as other soldiers in the field, Hulser said.
Persistent will roll out the fifth generation of its Wave Relay MANET technology for the project, which includes an on-board Android operating system, a change from single input single output (SISO) to multiple input multiple output (MIMO), the introduction of a new form factor, full duplex audio, an on-board video encoder and decoder and a reduction in size and weight.
The change from SISO to MIMO increases bandwidth and range of operation and increases the probability of sending a message successfully, Hulser said.
The Army expects to field the program in fiscal 2020.
27 mai 2021 | International, Aérospatial
Participation in Northern Edge in Alaska provided the combined F-15EX Eagle II test team with a chance to wring out the new fighter in a major exercise.
14 février 2019 | International, Aérospatial
Tony Osborne | Aerospace Daily & Defense Report LONDON—Industry in Denmark, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK have secured component repair work for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Work assignments for the maintenance, repair and overhaul work on some 400 repairable items including avionics, life support systems, landing gear, pumps and power systems for the aircraft was issued by the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) on Feb. 12. Under current plans, the F-35 enterprise is awarding contracts for more than 770 repairable items on the aircraft. The first batch of 65 of these contracts was issued in late 2016 for so-called high-value electrical components, fuel, mechanical and hydraulic systems, and ejection seats. Having secured the lion's share of the first round of contracts, British industry has also grabbed a significant proportion of work in the second, British government officials have confirmed. This will lead to the creation of additional jobs at Sealand Support Services Limited (SSSL), the joint venture established between BAE Systems Northrop Grummanand the Defense Electronics and Components Agency (DECA). It will carry out the component repair work at its facility in Sealand, Wales, to support European operators of the aircraft. Full article: http://aviationweek.com/defense/second-round-f-35-maintenance-work-contracted
29 mai 2020 | International, Aérospatial
Spain, May 27, 2020 - The Ministry of Defence has awarded Indra the tender for the IFF (identification, friend or foe) systems modernization for Lanza 3D radars used by the Aerial Surveillance Squadrons of the Spanish Air Force. With this upgrade, the systems will comply with the most recent NATO interoperability standards, which will soon be mandatory for military aircraft and ground systems. These are systems capable of interrogating an aircraft over 470 kilometers away to identify it and determine whether or not it is a threat. The Spanish Air Force will have the following interrogation capabilities throughout the national territory: Mode 5 (encrypted), Mode S and ADS-B. All these identification methods will be incorporated into the different air command and control centers that protect Spanish air space and Europe's southwestern flank within NATO. The new equipment supplied by Indra will be set up for security accreditation and will be resistant to cyber attacks. They will offer reinforced protection for the data exchanged with civil air traffic control entities. The contract has a duration of 3 and a half years, and comes with the associated logistic support in the Air Surveillance Squadrons (EVA, in Spanish) as well as in the Logistic Transmissions Center (CLOTRA, in Spanish). This ensures that the systems will be operational throughout their life cycle of at least 15 years. Indra is one of the leading companies worldwide in the development of IFF systems that it has implemented in ground stations as well as in platforms of all types. Indra is a leading company in radar development and one of the main suppliers for NATO. The company has won all the radar tenders awarded by the Alliance in the last five years and has delivered a total of more than 50 Lanza 3D radars to countries on all five continents. Its equipment has been extensively tested in all kinds of scenarios and environments. Indra is also experienced in the supply of complete air defence systems that protect the air space of several countries. About Indra Indra (www.indracompany.com) is one of the leading global technology and consulting companies and the technological partner for core business operations of its customers world-wide. It is a world-leader in providing proprietary solutions in specific segments in Transport and Defense markets, and a leading firm in Digital Transformation Consultancy and Information Technologies in Spain and Latin America through its affiliate Minsait. Its business model is based on a comprehensive range of proprietary products, with a high-value focus and with a high innovation component. In the 2019 financial year, Indra achieved revenue of €3,204 billion, with more than 49,000 employees, a local presence in 46 countries and business operations in over 140 countries. View source version on Indra: https://www.indracompany.com/en/noticia/indra-strengthens-spanish-air-defence-system