Whispers
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff.
CROSSHAIRS Cost Reduction
The Army and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are currently developing and evaluating the Counter RPG/Shooter System with Highly Accurate Immediate Responses (CROSSHAIRS) for a broad range of military combat and support vehicles including the high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) and Stryker. CROSSHAIRS provides the capability to detect hostile fire, determine the location of the shooter(s) and direct an overhead weapon station such as the common remotely operated weapon station (CROWS) to return fire.
In addition, CROSSHAIRS provides the cue for an active protection system (APS) such as Iron Curtain to defeat rocket propelled grenades, and potentially anti-tank guided missiles, with vehicle integrated counter-munitions. The CROSSHAIRS sensors provide the critical enabling technology to geo-locate shooters, direct counter-fire and defeat chemical energy (CE) lethal threats. Currently available sensor systems are not able to provide the full spectrum of threat detection at an affordable cost for light and medium combat vehicles.
CROSSHAIRS is being designed to a production cost target that will make it feasible for integration on light tactical vehicles.
CROSSHAIRS has completed field test with prototype sensors demonstrating the ability to detect, track and arm the APS, and work is continuing to ruggedize and reduce the size and power requirements of the system. The critical remaining work is to refine the production design changes and automated test equipment needed to meet the low production cost goal of $20,000 unit production cost for the 100th unit.
The primary objective of the Army/DARPA effort is to reduce the cost of producing the CROSSHAIRS sensor system. This effort shall support the affordability objectives of CROSSHAIRS for initial limited deployment on HMMWVs and other light and medium tactical vehicles. This portion of the Army/DARPA CROSSHAIRS program will develop the capability to test and verify CROSSHAIRS with automated test equipment in order to decrease production cost.
Battlespace Awareness
The U.S. Air Force’s AC-130 gunship fleet recently reached an important milestone with the successful first flight of a modified AC-130 that provides the platform with unprecedented access to battlespace information. The upgrade features the Rockwell Collins data link processor and OpenEdge net-enablement software hosted on an Integrated Processing Cabinet (IPC 8303) to provide seamless integration of Link 16 and cursor on target functionality.
Rockwell Collins supplies the data and display processing systems to BAE Systems, who will integrate the Link 16 capabilities onto the platform. Twenty-five aircraft are planned to be modified under a flexible acquisition and sustainment tool prime contract from Lockheed Martin.
“This low-cost solution makes use of Rockwell Collins’ Modular Open Systems Approach for simple and seamless integration on the AC-130 that will greatly enhance the warfighter’s situational awareness,” said Phil Jasper, vice president and general manager of mobility and rotary wing solutions for Rockwell Collins.
With this modification, AC-130 aircraft can exchange critical battlespace information with ground and airborne participants. In particular, it will provide locations of friendly and enemy aircraft, ships and ground forces, allowing the AC-130 to take on a mission commander role. The upgraded AC-130 aircraft uses Link 16 to provide real-time, jam-resistant secure transfer of combat data, voice and relative navigation information over widely dispersed battle elements. Blended with existing gunship display systems, users gain a significant improvement in situational awareness by exchanging data over a common communications link that is continuously and automatically updated in real time. Each participant in the communications link is able to electronically see the battlespace, including assigned targets, threats and imagery.
The Air Force’s 46th Test Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base conducted an initial flight test. The Rockwell Collins solution demonstrated Link 16 messaging between an AC-130, a ground station at Hurlburt airfield, a System Integration Lab at Eglin Air Force Base and an F-16 aircraft, using terrestrial and airborne networks.
Smallest High-Capacity Miniaturized Data Link
L-3 Communications recently announced the first customer shipment of its smallest common data link (CDL) terminal. This 1.4 pound terminal is a 45 Mbps transceiver with integrated MPEG2 and H.264 video codecs and NSA Type 1 encryption. “We demonstrated Mini CDL technology a year ago at the Surface/Aviation Interoperability Laboratory (SAIL), Patuxent River Naval Air Station, proving IP-relay and CDL interoperability with three different vendors’ CDL surface terminals,” said Susan Opp, president and general manager of L-3 Communication Systems-West. “Our Mini CDL 200 is now a shipping product that will bring high-capacity digital networked communications to small ISR platforms on the frontline.” Flight tests validating Mini CDL 200 performance and witnessed by the U.S. Air Force used production hardware flying on a 105 lb L-3 BAI Viking UAS, meeting the upcoming Navy/Marine STUAS/Tier II program communication distance requirements and proving TRL 7 status. Case Manufacturer Acquisition Pelican Products Inc. has acquired long-time competitor, Hardigg Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of roto molded protective cases, based in South Deerfield, Mass. The transaction, valued at approximately $200 million, is believed to be the largest acquisition in the history of the protective case industry. “Despite the current economic downturn, Pelican Products has continued to grow its position as a global leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced lighting systems and virtually indestructible injection molded cases,” said Lyndon Faulkner, president and CEO, Pelican Products Inc. “The acquisition of Hardigg is testament to Pelican’s commitment in driving growth of the company and its pledge to leading innovation in the industry. I am extremely excited to conclude this acquisition and to put two global organizations together combining their respective strengths.” The Hardigg brand name will continue to identify the company’s high-end roto molded shipping cases, leveraging the brand recognition of Hardigg. “The reputation of the Hardigg brand and quality of its products, people and processes make it an ideal partner,” added Faulkner. “By bringing together the world’s largest roto molded case manufacturer with the world’s largest injection molded case manufacturer, the greatest beneficiary is the customer.” General Peter Pace USMC (Ret.), chairman of Pelican, commented, “The manufacturing strengths of Pelican and Hardigg create a strong combined selling model and market synergy. The acquisition enables us to enhance offerings to our core customers, including the military, while continuing to expand our footprint with other important customer segments.” Jamie Hardigg, chairman of Hardigg Industries, commented, “By joining the Pelican family we can offer more opportunities to employees, expand our product line and enhance our global reputation. We’re excited that the combination of our companies creates a global industry leader well poised for continued growth.” Handheld Advanced Ballistic Calculators Horus Vision has announced a contract award to provide U.S. Army snipers with up to 6,500 advanced ballistic calculators (ABCs)—rugged handheld computers paired with the company’s ATragMX ballistics software— which can be customized to individual weapons to provide precise accuracy even at extreme distances. They have also recently been awarded a similar contract from the U.S. Marine Corps to provide more than 1,000 ballistic calculator kits. The Recon handhelds (made by Tripod Data Systems, a Trimble company) will run a customized version of ATragMX software as the advanced ballistic solution (ABS): the hardware and software comprising a part of the Army’s overall advanced sniper accessory kit (ASAK). Under the terms of the contract, the Army may order as many as 6,500 units, with additional options beyond that. Horus Vision will also develop and deliver training to Army personnel on advanced use of the ABCs. The ATragMX software was developed based on data compiled by the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, the Army’s principal researcher, developer and sustainer of current and future armament and munitions systems. “Most ballistics software is predictive, crunching the usual variables to determine the most likely flight path,” said Larry Chao, vice president of Horus Vision. “ATragMX can be predictive or tailored to the individual rifle being shot. By modeling shooting results, it adjusts to the minute differences for an individual gun, which magnify when the target is 1,000 or more yards away. ATragMX provides far better accuracy, even at distances beyond 2,500 yards.” Hearing Protection Continues to Expand and Communication Capability Recent contracts to Nacre for the supply of the company’s Quietpro intelligent hearing system, totaled approximately $4.3 million. A contract to support U.S. Marine Corps tactical air control parties (TACP) represented the significant part of the received orders. This new user group purchased the system as part of their tactical radio program. Eivind Bergsmyr, Nacre president and CEO, commented, “This is a key endorsement of the Quietpro by the U.S. Marine Corps. This selection by the TACPs has been made based on the experience and in-service use of the Quietpro by the U.S. Marine Corps, currently the largest single user of the system.” Master Sergeant Steven Oatridge, Marine Corps Systems Command Team Tactical Communications, said, “The U.S. Marine Corps selected the Quietpro for the TACPs as it delivers the high level of hearing protection and communication intelligibility performance required by the TACP community.” Further additional orders have been received from the French Special Forces and the Royal Netherlands armed forces; these both resulted from rigorous field based assessment and evaluation programs.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
♦