Industry News

Comms

USAF missile-warning satellite launches, on its way to final orbit - News

January 24, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems Northrop Grumman Lockheed Martin

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Following a successful launch on January 20, the third U.S. Air Force Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) GEO satellite acquired the correct signals and is responding to commands as planned; signal acquisition occurred approximately 37 minutes after liftoff.

Radar/EW

Thales Group contracted to upgrade Swiss Air Force master radars - News

January 23, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems

LA DEFENSE, Paris, France. The procurement organization for Switzerland's armaments, known as armasuisse, has awarded Thales Group the contract to upgrade the master radars for the Swiss Air Force. The agreement, which amounts to 74 million euros (approx. $79.5 million) is intended to extend the lifespan of the radars and ensure the systems' continued operation until 2030.

Comms

Raytheon logs next step in GPS modernization effort - News

January 23, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems Raytheon Company

AURORA, Col. Raytheon reports that it has reached a milestone in its development of the U.S. Air Force Global Positioning System Next-Generation Operational Control System, known as GPS OCX, with the completion of the Factory Qualification Test of the Launch and Checkout System (LCS). GPS OCX is aimed at dramatically increasing the performance and security of the GPS system used by millions of military and civilian users every day.

Cyber

"Hack the Army" program finds 118 unique and actionable vulnerabilities - News

January 23, 2017

Mariana Iriarte - Technology Editor, Military Embedded Systems HackerOne

WASHINGTON. Officials released the results of the latest Department of Defense (DoD) bug bounty program, termed "Hack the Army": The three-week scheme found 118 unique and actionable reports; the first vulnerability was found within five minutes of the launch of the program.

Comms

Naval Research Laboratory R&D contract won by Polaris Alpha - EOIR Technologies - News

January 20, 2017

Mariana Iriarte - Technology Editor, Military Embedded Systems

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Electronics Science and Technology Division (ESTD) officials selected Polaris Alpha - EOIR Technologies to provide research, development, and technical services under a five-year indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract valued an estimated $48 million.

Unmanned

Counter-drone system reaches TRL-9 status - News

January 20, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems

LONDON. The AUDS [Anti-UAV Defence System] has been named the first fully integrated counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipment worldwide to achieve TRL-9 status. TRL-9 -- the highest technology readiness level or maturity that a technology system can attain -- signifies that a technology system or product is in its final form and has been real-world proven through successful mission operations, according to the definition from the Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA.

Avionics

NAVAIR avionics projects funding continues through fiscal 2018 - News

January 19, 2017

Mariana Iriarte - Technology Editor, Military Embedded Systems

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. Funding for avionics projects will continue through fiscal 2018. The Navy?s Avionics Component Improvement Program (AvCIP) are accepting proposals from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) program offices with more than $10 million in funding for selected projects.

Unmanned

Shaw AFB selected to host new Reaper UAV unit - News

January 19, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems

WASHINGTON. U.S. Air Force officials have selected Shaw Air Force Base (just outside of Sumter, North Carolina) as the preferred location to base a new MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) group, including mission-control elements.

Comms

Northrop Grumman/Lufthansa partnership aids Australian air force - News

January 19, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems Northrop Grumman

SYDNEY, Australia. Northrop Grumman Integrated Defence Services (IDS), a fully-owned Australian subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corp. (Falls Church, Va.) has signed an agreement with Lufthansa Technik to support the Royal Australian Air Force?s fleet of KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft. Northrop Grumman IDS is the prime contractor for MRTT Through-Life Support (TLS).

Radar/EW

ONR embarks on sensors project to diagnose brain injuries - News

January 18, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems

ARLINGTON, Va. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has announced that it will sponsor the development of a portable, three-part system that can measure blast pressure, establish injury thresholds for the brain, and analyze potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms in warfighters, who may be injured despite wearing protective body armor.

Comms

Diligent selected for U.S. Air Force COMSEC/CCI tool program - News

January 18, 2017

Mariana Iriarte - Technology Editor, Military Embedded Systems

SAN ANTONIO, Texas. U.S. Air Force officials selected Diligent Consulting Inc. for the Air Force Communications Secure (COMSEC) and Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI) Accountability and Tracking (COMSEC/CCI) Tool program. A contract worth over $1.5 million under the NETCENTS-2 Application Services Small Business IDIQ vehicle.

Radar/EW

Multi-mission radar order received by RADA for HEL weapon system - News

January 18, 2017

Mariana Iriarte - Technology Editor, Military Embedded Systems RADA Electronic Industries

NETANYA, Israel. RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. officials received a Multi-mission Hemispheric Radar-based (MHR) RPS-42 system order for development and testing of a High Energy Laser (HEL) ground-based tactical weapon system from a Far-Eastern customer.

Comms

Marine F-35B squadron relocates to Japan - News

January 18, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems

YUMA, Arizona. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 ?Green Knights,? an F-35B squadron with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, recently left Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and has transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Avionics

NATO country buys $17 million multispectral vision system from Elbit - News

January 18, 2017

Lisa Daigle - Assistant Managing Editor, Military Embedded Systems Elbit Systems

HAIFA, Israel. Elbit Systems has been awarded a $17 million/30-month contract to supply its BrightNite multispectral helicopter-pilot vision systems to an air force in a NATO country; the company did not specify the country in the announcement.

Avionics

F-22 Raptor's head-up display upgrades to digital - News

January 17, 2017

Mariana Iriarte - Technology Editor, Military Embedded Systems Lockheed Martin BAE Systems

ARLINGTON, Va. U.S. Lockheed Martin officials selected BAE Systems to modernize the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor's head-up display (HUD) by upgrading it to a full digital version.