Military Embedded Systems
Op-Eds
Avionics
Long-range bombers and the kill web - Blog
July 30, 2018
WARFARE EVOLUTION BLOG: In our last article, we examined how U.S. fighter planes fit into the kill web, along with a review of European Union (EU), Russian, and Chinese fighters. And, we looked at some of their flight characteristics and design parameters. Now, it?s time to explore long range heavy bomber aircraft.
Avionics
Fighter jets and the kill web - Blog
June 28, 2018
WARFARE EVOLUTION BLOG: In the previous article, we explored the transition from the static kill chain to the dynamic kill web in future warfare scenarios. Now, let?s look at how fighter jets fit into this new model. That requires a review of the fighters being flown by the U.S. and our allies today. We also need to consider what the Russians and the Chinese are doing with their fighter jets.
Comms
Expand your imagination with the surprising versatility of MIL-DTL-38999 circular connectors - Blog
May 30, 2018
Introduced in the 1970s and still widely used today, MIL-DTL-38999 circular crimp connectors are sometimes taken for granted. Their long history and general popularity make it easy to overlook the ability of the broad 38999-connector family to help engineers solve contemporary size, weight, and power (SWaP) challenges. In fact, the 38999-connector family continues to adapt new composite materials and form factors to meet demanding weight and size requirements, while design derivatives have evolved to support higher speeds and higher frequencies in this surprisingly versatile I/O connector family.
Comms
Comms
Transitioning from the kill chain to the kill web - Blog
May 30, 2018
WARFARE EVOLUTION BLOG: My last post outlined the strategic reviews and national defense priorities that sit on top of the kill chain. Defense planners at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are now looking at transitioning to a concept they've dubbed the kill web.
Radar/EW
Integrating warfare models with the kill chain - Blog
April 27, 2018
WARFARE EVOLUTION BLOG: My previous article covered what sits on top of the kill chain from a strategic perspective. Now, it?s time to integrate the other models: RMAs (revolutions in military affairs), warfare domains (land, sea, air, space, cyberspace, electromagnetic (EM) spectrum), strategic offsets, generations of warfare (1GW through 8GW), and the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act).
Radar/EW
Higher-density RF is on your radar with VITA 67.3 standard - Blog
March 29, 2018
These days, multifunction radars handle functions from surveillance to jamming to fire control, and can track multiple targets in both short- and long-range threats. That means one thing for your active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar design--you need a lot more signal processing power.
Radar/EW
VPX power supplies and EMI filters - Blog
March 22, 2018
Electro-magnetic interference (EMI) filters are critical components in any electrical design, especially in support of military systems requiring partial or complete qualification to MIL-STD-461. EMI filters are designed to reduce high frequency conducted and radiated electronic noise which may create interference with other electrical devices. Embedding EMI filters into the power supply, a potential signal source, is a key feature in any power supply design.
Avionics
MIL-STD-1553: Do we know too much - or too little? - Blog
February 28, 2018
MIL-STD-1553 is a very tried and true, well known, serial interface for the space and aviation industry that was originally developed for critical avionics interfaces that were required to solve the problem of connecting the many sensors and controls around an aircraft and relaying information between them and the crew. Key requirements are that information is transmitted reliably and in a timely manner.
Radar/EW
What sits on top of the kill chain? - Blog
February 27, 2018
WARFARE EVOLUTION BLOG: In my previous article, I promised that we would integrate the warfare models (RMAs [Revolution in Military Affairs], warfare domains, strategic offsets, the OODA Loop, and generations of warfare) with the kill chain.
Radar/EW
Mezzanine modules benefits & comparisons - Blog
February 27, 2018
Open architecture embedded systems for military/aerospace applications have always relied on mezzanine or daughter cards to provide flexibility and modularity because they are very effective in handling the large variety of I/O functions required. Thanks to widespread adoption of industry standards defining these mezzanine products, carrier boards are able to accept mezzanine boards from a wide range of vendors, each specializing in niche technologies and interfaces.
Comms
Comms
VITA 49: The future of software radio - Blog
January 30, 2018
The use of software radio technology has spread to almost every commercial, consumer, government, industrial, and military platform across the entire radio frequency spectrum during the technology's 25-year lifespan. Innovations in data converter technology, DSP devices, system interconnects, processors, software, design tools, and packaging techniques have improved performance levels and reduced the size, weight, and power consumption of software radio systems. However, the rapid surge in software radio applications spawned ad hoc, proprietary interfaces between the elements in these systems.
Radar/EW
Optical links have many advantages - Blog
January 11, 2018
Advances in optical interface technology boost performance levels to help meet increasing data rates and signal bandwidths. New specifications define how to deploy these optical links within open industry standards, affording improved interoperability and supporting future upgrades. Offering many advantages over traditional copper connections, optical links will boost data rates, improve signal integrity and security, and greatly extend distance between system components.
Radar/EW
Fire and finish: The middle of the kill chain - Blog
December 22, 2017
WARFARE EVOLUTION BLOG: As stated in previous articles, we need to reduce the complete kill chain down to 10 minutes or less, according to General John Jumper. So, all new systems and weapons must fit inside the kill chain somewhere (find, fix, fire, finish, feedback). And, they must speed things up significantly. We also established that the latest radar, sonar, SIGINT, IMINT, and other sensor systems fit in the find and fix phases. Now, it?s time to take a look at some of the latest developments going into the fire and finish phases.
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Counter-UAS munition unveiled by Helix Defense
June 26, 2026
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Crewed-uncrewed aircraft teaming tested by Leonardo, Baykar
June 23, 2026
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PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: Systel’s Hawk AI Strike rugged edge AI compute platform
June 22, 2026
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Unmanned underwater vehicles supported during mine countermeasures exercise by HII
June 19, 2026
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Airborne ISR market projected to reach $21.40 billion by 2031, study says
June 26, 2026
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GUEST BLOG: Space-based sensing -- The backbone of Golden Dome’s next era of homeland defense
June 26, 2026
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Raytheon closes $1.1 billion AIM-9X missile contract with U.S. Navy
June 26, 2026
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Radar production and test capacity to be expanded in the Netherlands by Thales
June 23, 2026
A.I.
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Edge AI platform stages demo for U.S. Air Force
June 30, 2026
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Simulation and sensor-modeling technology firm acquired by Shield AI
June 23, 2026
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The military’s real AI revolution is happening in the dirt
June 16, 2026
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Artificial intelligence tools to be integrated into HENSOLDT MDOcore platform
June 10, 2026
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NOBLE gains spot on major NASA IT contract vehicle
June 30, 2026
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Cyber support contract with USAF won by Tyto Athene
June 25, 2026
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Cybersecurity provider Valiant Solutions acquires AI-enabled security company
June 02, 2026
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U.S. Air Force engages Rise8 to support readiness, supply-chain initiative
May 21, 2026