Military Embedded Systems

SOF WEEK 2023 -- TAMPA, Fla. Astronics showcased two handheld radio test sets that recently won orders from the U.S. military on the exhibit floor of the 2023 SOF Week annual conference here this week.

SOF WEEK 2023 -- TAMPA, Fla. From cyber security to rapid prototyping to Faraday bags, small defense contractors crowded into the Small Business Pavilion during the 2023 SOF Week annual conference throughout the week, with many describing the event as a success with higher booth traffic than expected.

SOF WEEK 2023 – TAMPA, Fla. From data collection to tactical-level edge processing, artificial intelligence (AI) solutions were proliferated on the 2023 SOF Week exhibition floor here throughout the week, with numerous companies highlighting how AI can be used at a practical level to assist the military.

SOF WEEK 2023– TAMPA, Florida. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies will be crucial in equipping the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) with a competitive edge in future years, according to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (SO/LIC) Christopher P. Maier in his keynote address on May 10 at the 2023 SOF Week annual conference.

SOF WEEK -- TAMPA, Florida. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is exploring a C-130 that can land on water, potentially turning the world's oceans into runways for the aircraft, Jim Smith, head of USSOCOM acquisition, said during his keynote address on Tuesday.

SOF WEEK -- TAMPA, Florida. A "decade of consequence" is on the horizon due to growing competition from countries like China and Russia, and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) must be ready to respond, said USSOCOM Commander Gen. Fenton in his keynote address at the SOF Week 2023 annual conference today.

SOF WEEK -- TAMPA, Fla. The SOFWERX innovation lab has contracted $116.1 million through 749 purchase orders to date, and the head of the lab is urging more small contractors to reach out to them to demonstrate their products, said Leslie Babich, director of the lab, in her comments to attendees at the annual SOF Week conference on Monday at the Tampa Convention Center.

SOF WEEK 2023 - TAMPA, Fla.  Biotech, artificial intelligence, next-generation precision strike, and better mobility are some of the top technical challenges U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) wants industry to help with, a top USSOCOM acquisition official said during his address at the 2023 SOF Week conference here on Monday.

SOF WEEK 2023 - TAMPA, Fla. – General Bryan P. Fenton, 13th commander of USSOCOM, will deliver the keynote address at the SOF Week 2023 on Tuesday morning, May 9, focusing on the evolving challenges faced by special operations forces and the importance of collaboration with international partners to enhance global security.

SOF WEEK 2023 -- TAMPA, Fla. INVISIO is unveiling a new communication hub aimed at assisting troops on the battlefield by integrating systems and data to reduce the number of devices soldiers carry at SOF Week 2023 at the Tampa Convention center.

TAMPA, Florida. U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has significantly altered its approach to software acquisition thanks in part to the Department of Defense’s (DoD’S) Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) mandate, according to Jim Smith, USSOCOM Acquisition Executive at SOF Acquisition, Technology & Logistics during a conversation with reporters in advance of the SOF Week event in Tampa, Florida, which starts May 8, 2023.

SOF WEEK 2023 -- TAMPA, Fla. Optical and electro-optical company Torrey Pines Logic Inc. (TPL) will now offer its D1xTM laser detector, a personal laser warning detector, for individual operators, expanding its use from solely vehicles. 

SOF WEEK 2023 -- TAMPA, Fla. TAMPA, Florida. Communications company OTTO Engineering has launched the first tactical spatial audio product for dismounted warfighters, which it calls E.S.P. [Enhanced Spatial Positioning], according to a company statement. 

SOF WEEK 2023 -- TAMPA, Fla. Athena AI, a Brisbane, Australia-based artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled soldier decision-support company, has completed its first export sale in partnership with Tomahawk Robotics, according to an Athena statement.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands. The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) sensor market is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years, driven by increased awareness of CBRN threats, technological advancements, and growing investments in defense and security infrastructure, According to a study from Market Forecast.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Illinois. Northrop Grumman Corporation is set to equip additional US Air Force platforms with Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (LAIRCM) systems, according to a company statement. The work is being carried out as part of an existing indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract.

WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Czech Republic for the refurbishment and modernization of six AH-1Z and two UH-1Y Excess Defense Article (EDA) helicopters, along with related equipment, valued at up to $650 million, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.

TEL AVIV, Israel. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), through its defense electronics subsidiary ELTA Systems, has won a contract of more than $100 million to provide airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) solutions to an undisclosed international customer, according to the company.

PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland. The Marine Corps' UH-1Y helicopter completed an initial flight on April 26 at Naval Air Station Pax River to test data transmission using the new Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) capability for the MQ-25 Stingray, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) said in a statement.

TAUFKIRCHEN, Germany. Hensoldt has completed the modernization of key test systems for the COBRA artillery location radar, currently in use by several NATO armies, the company announced in a statement. The upgrades were carried out under a multi-million euro contract awarded by the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) on behalf of Germany and France.