Industry News

Comms

MIDS cryptographic module to be developed by ViaSat - News

February 05, 2013

John M. McHale III - Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems ViaSat

CARLSBAD. ViaSat won a contract from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) for the design, development, and production of a cryptographic module (LCM) for the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT) Block Upgrade 2. SPAWAR officials awarded the contract on behalf of the MIDS Program Office (MPO) (JPEOJTRS10).

From The Editor

Proposed revision to Category XI of USML commented on by IPC - News

February 01, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design

BANNOCKBURN, IL. Global industry association IPC commented on the U.S. Department of State’s (DoS’s) proposed revision to Category XI (military electronics) of the U.S. Munitions List (USML) yesterday, urging the department to revise proposed language regarding controls on International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-controlled PCBs for defense electronics. In the current draft of the proposed revision, the DoS states that controls for PCBs in “which the layout is ‘specially designed’ for defense articles,” verbiage that IPC believes could be articulated more clearly to address lasting confusion surrounding ITAR’s treatment of printed boards.

Comms

Dissolvable military electronics investigated by DARPA program - News

January 31, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has begun a program for the development of electronics that are capable of dissolving into the environment after use. The Vanishing Programmable Resources Program (VAPR) is aimed at developing transient electronics that are comparable in ruggedness in functionality to Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) systems currently used, but that can be triggered to self-destruct in a controlled manner.

Avionics

Partnership to deliver 1553 technology on FPGA-based ComExpress modules - News

January 30, 2013

John M. McHale III - Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems Sealevel Systems, Inc.

SAN DIEGO. Officials at Sealevel Systems, Inc. and Sital Technology LTD, joined hands to manufacture and deliver MIL-STD-1553 IP cores, board-level products, and components as well as custom computer designs for avionics and military applications. The companies made the announcement at the AFCEA West show in San Diego this week.

Comms

FAB-T software qualification testing, AEHF and Milstar C2 demonstration completed by Boeing - News

January 29, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design U.S. Air Force

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA. Systems integration testing and software qualification testing of the U.S. Air Force Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminal (FAB-T) development program have been completed at the Boeing plant in Huntington Beach, CA. Along with a demonstration of FAB-T integration with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) and Milstar mission control subsystem constellations, the recent tests prove the FAB-T system’s abilities controlling strategic satellite communications payloads on orbit.

Comms

DARPA satellite salvage plan aims to save DoD dollars - News

January 24, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

ARLINGTON, VA. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced a plan to repurpose older satellites still in geosynchronous orbit. The plan, called the “Phoenix Program,” involves mining older, decommissioned satellites still in orbit with a permanently orbiting ground-controlled robotic mechanic named the Phoenix Service/Tender. After harvesting usable parts, such as transmitters, solar panels, and the antennas of retired spacecraft, the Phoenix Service/Tender would attach mini satellites or “satlets” to the antenna to create a new working satellite.

Unmanned

Raytheon PERM mortar munition to improve USMC fire support - News

January 24, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design Raytheon Company

TUCSON, AZ. Raytheon has been awarded a contract to design, develop, and demonstrate a 120 mm Precision Extended Range Munition (PERM) for the United States Marine Corps (USMC). The long-range guided mortar munition will be fired from the Expeditionary Fire Support System M327 Rifled Towed (RT) mortar in support of the USMC’s air-to-ground taskforce.

Avionics

F-35 carrier variants complete first ever in-flight dual refueling - News

January 23, 2013

John M. McHale III - Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems Lockheed Martin

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Jan. 22, 2013 - The F-35C Lightning II carrier variant test aircraft completed its first refueling with a KC-130 Hercules from Lockheed Martin in a flight above Patuxent River, Md.

Avionics

Boeing and Sikorsky submit joint proposal for JMR FVL aircraft - News

January 18, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design Boeing Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company

WASHINGTON. Boeing and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation have signed a teaming agreement to submit a joint proposal for the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate’s Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) Phase 1 program. The JMR TD will support the Department of Defense (DoD) Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program for affordable, reliable, and high-performance next-generation medium-lift rotorcraft, perhaps the size of today’s Black Hawks and Apache helicopters.

Unmanned

Army's largest PV system to help provide $900k+ savings annually thanks to silicon technology - News

January 18, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design Siemens Government Technologies

WHITE SANDS, NM. The U.S. Army’s largest solar Photovoltaic (PV) system has been dedicated at New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range. Utilizing nearly 15,500 panels, the $16.8 million, 4.1 MW system spans over 42 acres. Developed in a collaboration between the Huntsville Center, Siemens Government Technologies, Bostonia, and the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, the system is the world's largest low-concentration PV facility.

Comms

Raytheon TSCE software delivered to U.S. Navy for DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer testing - News

January 17, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design Raytheon Company

TEWKSBURY, MA. More than six million lines of code for the Total Ship Computing Environment (TSCE) integrated mission systems of the DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer program have been delivered to the U.S. Navy by Raytheon. One of the most complex software development programs in Navy history, as well as the first large-scale implementation of the Navy's Open Architecture strategy, the Raytheon TSCE software will support combat system and ship activation testing, which is scheduled for later this year.

Unmanned

Methods for embedding GPS on small UAVs and radios being developed by DARPA, Rockwell Collins - News

January 16, 2013

John M. McHale III - Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Rockwell Collins

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. Engineers at Rockwell Collins and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are embedding GPS navigation capability onto radios and even small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The work is being done as part of DARPA’s Dynamics Enabled Frequency Sources (DEFYS) initiative. Under this program DARPA created small electronic oscillators and Rockwell Collins eningeers are testing the miniature clocks on GPS radios.

Comms

Sikorsky CH-53K Helicopters to use area microphone preamplifier from Cobham - News

January 15, 2013

John M. McHale III - Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems Cobham

PRESCOTT, AZ. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. officials ordered Model 265-005 Area Microphone Preamplifiers from Cobham for use on CH-53K Super Stallion Heavy Lift Helicopters operated by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Radar/EW

Army orders small, hand held targeting system from Northrop Grumman - News

January 14, 2013

John M. McHale III - Editorial Director, Military Embedded Systems Northrop Grumman

APOPKA, FL. Northrop Grumman won an Army contract to deliver Hand Held Precision Targeting Devices (HHPTDs) to the U.S. Army. The targeting system weighs less than 5.5 pounds and enables a greater degree of precision than prior systems.

From The Editor

Deputy Defense Secretary memo adapts industry to budget uncertainty - News

January 11, 2013

Brandon Lewis - Technology Editor, Embedded Computing Design

WASHINGTON. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter released a memorandum yesterday informing the U.S. armed services, as well as defense agencies, to prepare for possible budget challenges in the coming months, allowing defense components to terminate temporary hires, freeze civilian hiring, and limit base overhead. Pointing to the threats of sequestration and the "continuing resolution" enacted by Congress, the memo also calls for components of the department to cancel third and fourth quarter ship maintenance, examine ground and depot-level maintenance, and review contracts for potential cost savings.