AI-powered surveillance sought for US Central Command

Sur le même sujet

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  24 juillet 2018 | International, C4ISR

  This new antenna networks UAVs to expand battlefield comms

  By: Maddy Longwell Persistent Systems, a New York City-based global communications technology company, has introduced a portable antenna system to incorporate unmanned aerial vehicles into a networked battlefield. The auto-tracking antenna system is an easily collapsible ground-to-air antenna that operates on the Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET), which Persistent Systems manufactures, a news release said. Persistent Systems hopes the antenna could be used in Special Operations Command's Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems III program. The 5-foot parabolic dish is designed to be deployed within 15 minutes and can track and rotate to follow MANET-connected technology in the air, expanding the network bubble. Persistent Systems predicts this will reduce costs by decreasing dependence on satellite communications. “The antenna helps connect far-flung forces, acting like a cheaper, locally controlled low-Earth satellite with a greater data rate,” Erik Schechter, a Persistent Systems spokesperson, said in an email. The IP67-rated antenna system, designed for any weather environment, has interchangeable S-Band, L-Band and C-Band MIMO feeds and supports high data rates, video and voice communications up to 130 miles, yet can be stored compactly and fit into a standard-sized SUV, according to the Persistent Systems press release. Schechter also said that the antenna can also be used for longer-range chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives command missions, like ones in Syria. The auto-tracking antenna system is expected to improve full-motion video and sensor data transmission from drones and is automatically calibrated to reduce user error. “The idea is for the Army, Navy, [Special Operations Command] and foreign customers to use it for better communications relays,” Schechter said. SOCOM announced in May that UTC Aerospace Systems had been selected for its MEUAS III program and would provide SOCOM with flight management and imaging systems. Previously, SOCOM had selected Insitu, a company owned by Boeing and Textron Systems, to provide technology for intelligence and surveillance. https://www.c4isrnet.com/unmanned/2018/07/23/this-new-antenna-networks-uavs-to-expand-battlefield-comms/

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  22 juillet 2019 | International, Naval

  US Navy signs contract to buy Fat Albert replacement aircraft

  The US Navy has officially signed a contract to purchase a used C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the British Royal Air Force. The aircraft will replace the C-130T, nicknamed Fat Albert, used by the Blue Angels flying demonstration team. The contract was signed in Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group's chalet at the Royal International Air Tattoo. Fat Albert has served the Blue Angels for 17 years since 2002, providing logistics and transportation. It retired in May this year. The aircraft flew more than 30,000 hours and now serves as a ground-based training platform in Fort Worth, Texas. The flying demonstration team will continue to fly US Navy or Marine Corps C-130s until the arrival of the replacement C-130J aircraft. US Naval Air Systems Command Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs Program executive officer major general Gregory Masiello said: “We are very much looking forward to taking delivery of the aircraft and are very grateful to both the UK MoD and Marshall for enabling this transaction and know that the C-130 Hercules will be a valuable addition to our flying demonstration team.” Marshall is tasked with the job of delivering maintenance, painting and modifications to the US Navy's new C-130J that is being acquired from the RAF. RAF Number 2 Group commanding officer air vice-marshal David Cooper said: “This is a superb indication of the co-operation between the militaries of the UK and the US. We know that this C-130 Hercules will serve the US Navy as well as it has served the RAF.” Blue Angels is the US Navy's flight demonstration squadron https://www.naval-technology.com/news/us-navy-signs-contract-to-buy-fat-albert-replacement-aircraft/

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  24 juillet 2020 | International, Aérospatial

  Défense européenne : entretien avec Dirk Hoke, CEO d’Airbus Defence and Space

  Dirk Hoke, CEO d'Airbus Defence and Space, accorde une interview à Aviation Week. Il souligne la volonté de «maintenir l'élan» des initiatives européennes en matière de défense, en dépit des conséquences liées à la crise de la Covid-19. «L'utilisation étendue des A440M et des MRTT durant la crise de la Covid-19 est un exemple parfait de l'importance des ressources militaires dans les missions humanitaires», souligne-t-il notamment. Concernant le programme SCAF, «il y a un énorme élan dans le projet. Tous les partis, tant du côté politique que du côté industriel, font pression pour progresser et peuvent être fiers de ce qui a été réalisé en moins de trois ans après avoir été mentionné pour la première fois dans la déclaration franco-allemande du 13 juillet 2017», déclare-t-il. Au sujet de l'Eurofighter, il indique : «il y a de bonnes opportunités à venir», «récemment, nous avons signé le contrat pour l'équipement de 115 Eurofighters avec le nouveau Captor E-Radar», rappelle-t-il entre autres. Aviation Week du 13 juillet