Latest Technology Updates:
- US Army~Army assessing lighter, contoured batteries for dismounted Soldiers
- US Air Force~Air Force officials take remotely piloted aircraft safety message to EAA Airventure
- US Air Force~Electronic Systems Center enhances Air Force Network
- Need for Next Generation Jammers Delay F-35 SAM-Killing Missions
- Sneak Peek at Zumwalt, U.S. Navy's Newest Class of Destroyer
ISSUED BY: GCIS Communications Command Center
4August2010 12:15pmPDT
GCIS TECHNOLOGY UPDATE:
Army assessing lighter, contoured batteries for dismounted Soldiers
FORT MONMOUTH, N.J. -- The U.S. Army is leveraging its annual C4ISR integrated capabilities event at Fort Dix to assess a contoured, rechargeable battery that will allow the Soldier to be more agile in the battlefield.
"The Soldier Conformal Rechargeable battery has a thin profile designed to match the contour of the Soldier's ballistic protective plate. It powers integrated Soldier systems and sensors for 24-hours without needing to be replaced or recharged," said George Au, an engineer in the Army Power division of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center - or CERDEC.
When used in conjunction with a fuel cell, the battery can support missions up to 72 hours before needing to be recharged, Au said.
The SCR battery is part of the Dismounted Soldier Power effort, a joint Army Technology Objective, or ATO, shared by three organizations within the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command: CERDEC, the Army Research Laboratory and the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, or NSRDEC.
The ATO seeks to provide energy independence on the battlefield while reducing the weight of the Soldier's load, increasing his mobility and extending mission times.
The importance of the SCR battery lies in its design, which allows for easier execution of typical ground combat maneuvers, said Frank Ashe, an engineer with NSRDEC.
"It allows faster entry and egress through small openings, and it improves Soldier balance since center of mass has been brought closer to the torso. It also frees up more real estate on the load-bearing vest for other items," Ashe said.
In addition to assessing safety, durability, reliability and software compatibility, RDECOM is looking to integrate the SCR battery with NSRDEC Soldier Domain Technologies during Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance On-the-Move Event 2010, or C4ISR OTM E10.
This is the third year that SCR batteries have been brought to C4ISR OTM for assessment, and the final year prior to its scheduled transition to Product Manager Soldier.
"C4ISR OTM gives our technologies, power included, a venue to properly test and demonstrate the technology readiness of the product in a relevant field environment," Ashe said.
C4ISR OTM is a research and development program within CERDEC that evaluates the technical applications and maturity for emerging networking, sensors and C4ISR-enabling platforms on a year-round basis. It provides science, technology and engineering support to mitigate risk for Army Technology Objectives and supports milestone decisions for programs of record.
C4ISR OTM Event 2010 is aligned with the Army Network Modernization strategy and is exploring leap-ahead capabilities that can augment and enhance the foundation of network modernization while identifying technology acceleration opportunities into the current force.
Power source assessments like the SCR fall in line with the overarching objectives of C4ISR OTM E10, said Jason Sypniewski, chief of the C4ISR OTM Integrated Event, Design and Analysis branch.
"One of our objectives is to support Department of Army ATO guidance in power and energy - especially as it pertains to the system-of-systems construct. A system-of-systems architecture consists of various C4ISR systems that need to interact reliably and consistently, so it's important to have a robust power source. Increased 'up time' in a system-of-systems equates to sustained continuity of operations," Sypniewski said.
"Weight and agility are key variables that need to be assessed within a system-of-systems because the architecture spans all echelons, from the Joint Task Force down to the tactical edge. Improvements in these areas are paramount to enabling the Soldier to effectively and efficiently execute the mission," Sypniewski said.
The SRC battery assessments at C4ISR OTM will conclude at the end of July, and a Limited User Test is scheduled for November. C4ISR OTM E10 is scheduled to continue execution through Sept. 2, at Fort Dix, N.J.
To learn more about C4ISR OTM, visit http://bit.ly/agO7nR or contact CERDEC Public Affairs, (732) 427-1594. Be sure to follow CERDEC on Twitter and Facebook for more information concerning events taking place throughout C4ISR OTM E10.
Air Force officials take remotely piloted aircraft safety message to EAA Airventure
OSHKOSH, Wis (AFNS) -- Members of the Air Force Safety Center attended the Experimental Aircraft Association's Airventure 2010 in an effort to increase awareness among the general aviation community about the service's RPA efforts.
According to Safety Center officials, the event, which ran July 26 through Aug. 1, is the one of world's largest general aviation fly-ins and air shows with more than 500,000 pilots and aviation enthusiasts attending each year.
Partnering this year with the Federal Aviation Administration, the goal of Safety Center officials is to build awareness among the general aviation community about ongoing efforts between the organizations to integrate RPAs into the national airspace system, referred to as NAS.
"The Air Force and FAA both recognize the rapid growth of RPAs and their growing importance into the myriad facets of aviation," said Lt. Col. Jay Guetersloh, the Safety Center's RPA safety branch chief. "We both recognize the need to integrate RPAs into the NAS, and we're working on developing the rules of the road so we can move forward."
Colonel Guetersloh added the purpose for attending this year's event is to put a face to the Air Force's efforts in order to build confidence among attendees that Air Force officials are aware of concerns among the general aviation community; however, they are committed to the safe, seamless and transparent integration of RPAs while minimizing the impact on day-to-day general aviation operations.
The FAA's and Safety Center's display booth featured video presentations and pamphlet information on RPA safety.� According to the Safety Center officials manning the booth, daily presentations on RPA capabilities, operations, safety statistics and future plans generated significant interest. They noted that RPAs are such a topic of interest that presentations have enjoyed maximum attendance each day.
A visit to a mock-up static display of an RQ-4 Global Hawk hosted by Maj. Mike Conte, an MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper pilot now serving as the Safety Center's deputy branch chief for RPA safety, generated interest among dozens of passersby who stopped to ask what it's like to fly RPAs, as well as how they could learn to fly them.
Additionally, Safety Center staff members at the display booth enjoyed meeting several distinguished visitors including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, who commented on his recent visit to Creech Air Force Base, Nev., saying how impressed he was with the RPA operations there.
On July 29, the booth's staff received a special visit from former major league baseball player Larry Hisle, who enjoyed a 13-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukie Brewers and Minnesota Twins during the 1970s and 80s.
"I'm jealous of you guys," Mr. Hisle said. "When I was young, I wanted to fly real bad, but I didn't think I had the qualifications, so I chose a different route,� major league baseball. But, what you are doing is amazing and I feel so much better knowing you are protecting me every day."
Aside from the "celebrity" visits, the Safety Center staff said they believe they made a positive impact on many visitors.
According to Mark Robbins of Minneapolis, Minn., he has some concerns with RPAs operating among general aviation aircraft, but understands their utility and is glad the Air Force is operating them.
"I have a nephew deployed to Afghanistan, and I'm sure he appreciates having you overhead looking out for him, knowing you're there if he needs you," Mr. Robins said.
"This is an extremely rewarding opportunity," said Colonel Guetersloh. "I'm excited that we are able to reach out to this many people, passionate about aviation, at these events, and highlight our commitment to maintaining a safe flying environment for both the general aviation community and the Air Force"
Electronic Systems Center enhances Air Force Network
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Cyber/Integration Division, formerly known as the 753rd Electronic Systems Group, has recently improved the way information flows to and from Air Force computers worldwide and saved approximately $24 million in the process.
This was accomplished through modernization projects that upgrade both the Air Force network defense boundary and the Air Force web proxy architecture. The modernization plan replaces aging equipment with newer, modern items and also improves security.
"Secure access to the internet is crucial to Air Force mission performance," said Ronnie Carter, Cyber/Integration Division chief. "Detection and prevention of network attacks is a high priority for the Air Force."
The boundary, comprised of a series of base-level routers and switches, is where the m
jority of external internet traffic enters the Air Force network. Access to the Air Force intranet "cloud" also crosses this boundary. The boundary routers control the flow of network data through each Air Force base; newer routers include major security upgrades that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive Air Force data.
"Not only will the new routers make the network more secure, they will increase the capacity, speed, and efficiency of Air Force network traffic," said Brian Monahan, boundary router modernization project lead. "It will make the average user's job easier."
The base network boundary also includes a web proxy, which ensures authentication and validation of web site URLs and IP addresses. The proxy works by denying access to black-list sites, which are known to spread viruses or other malicious programs.
"The proxy operates quietly in the background - protecting and defending the Air Force network at each base boundary. The web proxy can prevent users from accessing malicious websites, which could commit identity theft. Those websites can also target high-ranking users and steal their electronic access to sensitive information," said 2nd Lt. Richard Barnard, web proxy modernization program manager.
Last year, a team from the 753rd ELSG Support Division and engineers from the MITRE Corp. worked out a design that balanced the need for new boundary equipment with compatibility for future projects.
As the new equipment needed to be fielded quickly, the 753rd ELSG pursued a contracting strategy to procure the equipment in the most efficient manner, using lowest price, technically acceptable (LPTA) contracts.
"Awarding the boundary project as an LPTA saved the Air Force between $17 and 19 million, while the web proxy project saved the Air Force about $5 million," said Maj. Jon Stevens, Network Defense Systems chief. "These savings can now be utilized for other high priority network defense projects."
Money was also saved by using an established competitive contract vehicle, the Network Centric Solutions, or NETCENTS, contract and purchasing these items in bulk at the Air Force enterprise level, rather than at the individual base or major command level.
The modernization projects will help ensure the Air Force network is protected with the latest network defense technology.
With Air Force operations as net-centric as they have ever been, net defense will ensure Air Force information superiority in the years to come, Major Stevens said.
Need for Next Generation Jammers Delay F-35 SAM-Killing Missions
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is intended to replace the F-16 and A-10 as the military�s primary tactical strike aircraft; its stealth will allow it to penetrate advanced enemy air defenses or at least get close enough before it�s detected to knock them out.
The Air Force says the fifth generation aircraft was designed from the bottom-up to be the air arm�s premier surface-to-air missile killer. Yet, it may be many years before the F-35 is equipped with an electronics warfare suite which allows it to penetrate the thickest SAM belts, according to AvWeek�s David Fulghum.
(Read Full DefenseTech Article)
On July 20th, Northrop Grumman was awarded a $41.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to mature technologies it has proposed for the U.S. Navy's Next Generation Jammer airborne electronic attack system development. This is for the Technology Maturation phase of the program.
The Navy is developing the Next Generation Jammer to field a system that can electronically attack the advanced electronics being developed by other nations' militaries and the commercially available electronics that terrorists regularly use to communicate, coordinate operations and adapt as weapons. The jammer must be capable of countering anticipated and unanticipated electronic threats.
"I'm very proud of the technical work we did on our proposal. We're excited to have won this award and to get started bringing our technologies to life for our customer," said Steve Hogan, vice president, Information Operations and Electronic Attack.
"Developing airborne electronic attack systems is a unique business," Hogan said. "Successful full-system development depends on having broad electronic battlefield combat knowledge and fresh, new ideas. Northrop Grumman has delivered integrated airborne electronic systems successfully for over 40 years and we continue to be a leader in this critical technology."
The Next Generation Jammer is to replace the ALQ-99 jammer that is now on the Navy and Marine EA-6B Prowlers and Navy EA-18G Growlers. The ALQ-99 is a 1970s technology subsystem. While still effective, it is becoming increasingly hard to maintain and inadaptable to countering new threats and so limits the capabilities of the Navy's advanced new Improved Capability III receiver now on Prowlers and Growlers.
Many companies are involved in various aspects of electronic warfare and even build some specific components. "While Northrop Grumman's Next Generation Jammer concept contains our own patented technology, it is our unique experience that allows us to best understand the complexity required to integrate these technologies into an aircraft weapon system, and minimize cost and risk in the process," said Hogan.��
During the course of the contract, Northrop Grumman will continue to refine and mature these technologies in anticipation of the Technology Development phase of the Navy's program, which is expected to start in 2011.��
Sneak Peek at Zumwalt, U.S. Navy's Newest Class of Destroyer
PORTSMOUTH, R.I.--As someone interested in the cutting edge, one of the best things about Road Trip 2010 has been getting a rare look at the U.S. Navy's next-generation aircraft carrier and the world's most advanced submarine.
But that wasn't enough for me. I also had to see where the Navy is going with destroyers, and that's why my visit to Raytheon's Seapower Capability Center here was such a good investment of time: I got a chance for a lengthy discussion on the next-generation, Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer, which the Navy expects to be a standard bearer for the next 50 years.
[Image: Daniel Terdiman/CNET]
