16 septembre 2024 | International, Aérospatial
How the Air Force averted a major flaw in its drone wingmen approach
The Air Force is bringing operators into the acquisition process earlier under the operational imperative effort, Andrew Hunter said.
20 septembre 2019 | International, Aérospatial
USAF Picks B-21 For Software Learning Demo Challenge
The U.S. Air Force has selected the Northrop Grumman B-21 to demonstrate a potentially revolutionary approach to flightworthy software.
The future stealth bomber will demonstrate a software architecture running the operational flight program (OFP) that learns and adapts as it flies a mission, says Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.
Such an approach potentially “allows them to land with better code than they took off with,” Roper tells Aerospace DAILY. The architecture enables the code to update itself during a mission.
Asked if the demonstration involves software code in the OFP, the operating system of a military aircraft, Roper replied affirmatively: “Within the OFP. That kind of adaptability is what we want to aspire to.”
As a special access program, details of the B-21's schedule, capabilities and even cost are kept secret. But Roper says he is able to discuss what he calls the “digital bullet challenge,” albeit within strict limits. Asked if the B-21 software demonstrations imply the insertion of a deep learning technique known as a neural network, Roper declined to answer.
“Details of how I won't go into,” Roper says. “But B-21 is trying to not just do agile software. They want to blaze new territory, a new trail for the Air Force. The idea that one of our most complicated airplanes with one of the most challenging missions is also taking on one of the most challenging software approaches to make their software living [and] breathing on the plane itself is inspiring.
“They're going to be pushing the boundaries of how aircraft software should work in this century, and increasingly the software is where the cutting edge—the winning edge—is going to come from,” he explained.
Roper's description appears to push the boundaries of software used in the flight computers of a commercial or military aircraft. Aircraft certification standards demand a highly rigid approach to software architecture, with the function of each line of code validated and verified on the ground before it is allowed to be used in flight. The challenge set for the B-21 could lead to altering or even adding software lines of code in the OFP during a flight.
The Air Force launched the B-21 program in 2015 by awarding a $21.4 billion contract to Northrop. Air Force officials have previously announced that first flight is scheduled around December 2021. The aircraft will take off from Northrop's final assembly center in Palmdale, California, and fly to the flight test center on the adjoining Edwards Air Force Base.
https://aviationweek.com/defense/usaf-picks-b-21-software-learning-demo-challenge
Sur le même sujet
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13 mai 2022 | International, Autre défense
Le Royaume-Uni signe des accords de défense mutuelle avec la Suède et la Finlande
Alors que la Suède et la Finlande devraient officialiser leur demande d'adhésion à l'OTAN dans les prochains jours, le premier ministre britannique, Boris Johnson, s'est déplacé à Harpsund (résidence de loisir officielle de la première ministre suédoise), près de Stockholm, et à Helsinki, mercredi 11 mai, pour y signer un accord de défense et de protection mutuelle avec les deux pays. « Si l'un ou l'autre des pays est frappé par une catastrophe ou victime d'une attaque, nous serons là et nous nous aiderons, y compris avec une assistance militaire », a-t-il déclaré à Helsinki. Un peu plus tôt, en Suède, il avait précisé que l'accord allait permettre de « partager des renseignements, mener encore plus d'exercices militaires conjoints et approfondir nos développements communs de technologie ». Le premier ministre britannique n'a pas exclu l'envoi de troupes britanniques, ni l'assistance de la dissuasion nucléaire. « Nous avons pour habitude de ne pas commenter ce sujet [de la dissuasion nucléaire], mais c'est à chacun des deux partenaires de formuler sa demande [d'aide] et nous prenons [cet engagement d'aide] très au sérieux », a-t-il souligné lors de la conférence de presse avec la première ministre suédoise, Magdalena Andersson. Le Royaume-Uni a également proposé de déployer du personnel de la Royal Air Force, de la Royal Navy et de l'armée de Terre britannique au Nord de l'Europe. Le Monde du 12 mai
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8 octobre 2019 | International, Aérospatial
India : Army plans to buy 350 helicopters over 10 years to modernise its Aviation Corps
The Aviation Corps currently operates Chetak and Cheetah choppers, the ALH Dhruv since 2001, and its armed variant Rudra since 2013. By AMRITA NAYAK DUTTA New Delhi: The Army is working on a 10-year modernisation plan for its Aviation Corps and aims to induct at least 350 helicopters, including the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter and the battle-proven Apache. The long-pending plan includes increasing the surveillance features of the choppers already in the Aviation Corps' inventory, with the induction of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). What does Army plan to buy? The Army plans to induct two kinds of utility choppers and three combat helicopters. This will include squadrons of Rudra (the armed version of the Advanced Light Helicopter ‘Dhruv'), which will have 20mm guns and 70mm cannons and are to be inducted within one year. The LCH squadrons are to be inducted within seven to 10 years, while 200 Kamov Ka-226s, which are for reconnaissance and observation, are expected to be procured within 10 years through an inter-government agreement. By 2021, the Army also expects to procure six Apache choppers and an additional squadron of ALH Dhruv, to add to what is already functional. Dhruv can fly over all terrains in India, including high altitudes. What will the new choppers replace? The Aviation Corps currently operates Chetak and Cheetah choppers, the ALH Dhruv since 2001, and its armed variant Rudra since 2013. Each squadron of the Aviation Corps is supposed to have three ‘flights' and each ‘flight' is supposed to feature five aircraft each. However, in the current scenario, all squadrons have only two ‘flights' of five aircraft each. The inductions will replace the Army's ageing Chetak and Cheetah helicopter fleet at a time when a Cheetah crash recently killed the Indian Army's Lt Col. Rajneesh Parmar and Captain Kalzang Wangdi of the Royal Bhutan Army, raising questions about the choppers' flight-worthiness and bringing the focus back on their long-pending replacement with the Light Utility Helicopter. Probable advantages Army sources said the plans would be a game-changer in future conflicts, and expressed confidence that they would be put into action in a time-bound manner. “More emphasis is being put on prioritisation, rationalisation and economy of expenditure. Greater value for money is being achieved by encouraging procurements from indigenous sources in support of the government's Make in India initiative,” an Army source said. Army officers further said that the transfer of the RPAS to the Aviation Corps would ensure a comprehensive surveillance picture, utilising both manned and unmanned platforms, while sharing support infrastructure. “The operation of these assets under the common umbrella of Army Aviation Corps and a common aviation adviser to the ground forces commander will help achieve battlefield transparency,” the source added. https://theprint.in/defence/army-plans-buy-350-helicopters-10-years-modernise-aviation-corps/302506/