The U.S. Navy has upgraded the radar and heat sensors on its Phalanx CIWS (Close In Weapons System) so that that the sensors can detect speedboats, small aircraft and naval mines. The upgrades will cost $4.7 million per system. Of the 57 systems being upgraded to this Block B standard, 17 of them are the land based, Centurion, version of Phalanx.
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
AT&T says faster wireless coming by year's end
AT&T Inc. plans to upgrade to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 wireless networking technology later this year, offering faster network speeds to new compatible laptop cards and smartphones due to be released at the same time, the company said in a statement today.
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A Widescreen Laser Projector In Your Pocket
Redmond based company Microvision is in the last stages of developing and releasing a portable, laser-based projector, code-named 'Show WV.' The projector has a resolution of 848 by 400 pixels (WVGA) and, since it uses laser-scanning rather than LCD to form the images, it does not require a lens to focus, allowing it to display images virtually in any surface.
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Renewable diesel
Neste Oil has begun building a €670m (£582m) renewable diesel plant in the Port of Rotterdam, which, once completed, will be the largest facility of its kind in Europe.
It will have an annual production capacity of 800,000 metric tonnes of diesel.
The plant will make use of the company's proprietary process that converts vegetable oils and animal fats into its so-called NExBTL renewable diesel.
The properties of the NExBTL diesel are similar to the best existing diesels, such as GTL or Swedish Environmental Class 1 fuels; NExBTL is sulphur-, oxygen-, nitrogen- and aromatic-free and has a very high cetane number.
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It will have an annual production capacity of 800,000 metric tonnes of diesel.
The plant will make use of the company's proprietary process that converts vegetable oils and animal fats into its so-called NExBTL renewable diesel.
The properties of the NExBTL diesel are similar to the best existing diesels, such as GTL or Swedish Environmental Class 1 fuels; NExBTL is sulphur-, oxygen-, nitrogen- and aromatic-free and has a very high cetane number.
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Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Saab To Start Flight-Testing Civil Missile Detector
The first customer for a new European-developed civil anti-missile detection system is about to start flight trials aboard one of the Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia aircraft that it is destined to enter service on this year.
By coincidence, the May 21 announcement by Saab Aviatronics came just hours after the potential threat to aircraft posed by man-portable anti-air weapons was thrust back into the limelight by the arrest in New York of alleged terrorists attempting to acquire Stinger missiles.
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By coincidence, the May 21 announcement by Saab Aviatronics came just hours after the potential threat to aircraft posed by man-portable anti-air weapons was thrust back into the limelight by the arrest in New York of alleged terrorists attempting to acquire Stinger missiles.
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Picatinny ‘rolls out’ new version of SPARK IED-defeat product
This year troops in Iraq and Afghanistan received improved technology to help them combat one of the greatest threats to Soldiers in theater.
Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, have been responsible for approximately 40 percent of all US casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Lt. Col. Karl Borjes, Product Manager for Improvised Explosive Device Defeat/Protect Force.
To help reduce this danger, Borjes’ office oversees technology programs, such as the Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit, or SPARK, which provides Soldiers products to mitigate and prevent effects of IED strikes.
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Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, have been responsible for approximately 40 percent of all US casualties in Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to Lt. Col. Karl Borjes, Product Manager for Improvised Explosive Device Defeat/Protect Force.
To help reduce this danger, Borjes’ office oversees technology programs, such as the Self-Protection Adaptive Roller Kit, or SPARK, which provides Soldiers products to mitigate and prevent effects of IED strikes.
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Lockheed Martin GPS III Team Successfully Completes Major Design Review Phase On Schedule
The Lockheed Martin team developing the U.S. Air Force’s next-generation Global Positioning System (GPS) spacecraft, known as GPS III, has successfully completed the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) phase, a major program milestone that allows the team to begin the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage.
Lockheed Martin, Newtown, PA., along with teammates ITT, Clifton, NJ., and General Dynamics of Gilbert, AZ., completed a comprehensive spacecraft segment PDR, which represented the culmination of 70 subsystem and assembly PDRs, executed over the past six months.
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Lockheed Martin, Newtown, PA., along with teammates ITT, Clifton, NJ., and General Dynamics of Gilbert, AZ., completed a comprehensive spacecraft segment PDR, which represented the culmination of 70 subsystem and assembly PDRs, executed over the past six months.
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Smart Wind Turbines to Switch Shapes
Today's wind turbines are like race cars with one gear. Slow off the line and crippled at high speeds, the turbines are effective at generating electricity only within a sweet spot of moderate wind speeds.
Scientists from Purdue University want to change this by creating intelligent wind turbines that shape-shift with the wind. These smart wind turbines would help maximize the amount of electricity generated by wind power while ensuring longer life spans for wind turbines.
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Scientists from Purdue University want to change this by creating intelligent wind turbines that shape-shift with the wind. These smart wind turbines would help maximize the amount of electricity generated by wind power while ensuring longer life spans for wind turbines.
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Boeing Wins $250M Special Ops Contract for ScanEagle ISR Services
Boeing announced today that it recently received a contract from U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) services using the ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The contract has a potential value of $250 million.
Under the new agreement, Boeing and its subsidiary Insitu Inc. will operate, maintain and support ScanEagle systems for the Special Operations Forces Mid Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MEUAS) program for the next five years.
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Under the new agreement, Boeing and its subsidiary Insitu Inc. will operate, maintain and support ScanEagle systems for the Special Operations Forces Mid Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (MEUAS) program for the next five years.
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Joint High Speed Vessel Milestone Reached
Austal has taken a significant step towards commencing construction of the US Department of Defense's next generation multi-use platform - the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) - after successfully completing the Initial Critical Design Review (ICDR).During the ICDR, Austal provided a comprehensive summary of the critical areas of the JHSV design for US Navy approval. The successful completion of the ICDR means Austal is now proceeding towards the project's next critical milestone - the Final Critical Design Review.
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GPS Tracking Device records every second of vehicle status
Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. (RMT) has released to the public what may be the most innovative device yet, the Trac-King (GPS Tracking) device. The Trac-King is a convenient and portable-passive GPS powered by two AA batteries; the Trac-King is able to record up to 80 hours of continuous movement on a single battery cycle.According to RMT's president Brad Borst, "The Trac-King is one of the most inventive and user-friendly GPS devices on the market today, because of its design and incredible software functionality." The Trac-King is a more advanced version of the Tracking Key and 3100, which are passive devices that RMT has sold about 12,000 of over the past couple years. The Trac-King tracks every second, within a few meters accuracy, and records times, addresses, direction and speed of travel, and stop duration.
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Aircraft surface cavities could cut friction drag by 40%
Friction drag could be cut by 40% with aircraft surfaces that have small cavities with shaped orifices to affect turbulence mechanisms, say researchers.
The orifices would be designed to direct oscillated air across the aircraft's surface perpendicular to the relative wind. It is this redirected air flow that is believed to affect near-wall turbulence mechanisms and reduce friction drag.
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The orifices would be designed to direct oscillated air across the aircraft's surface perpendicular to the relative wind. It is this redirected air flow that is believed to affect near-wall turbulence mechanisms and reduce friction drag.
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Monday, May 25, 2009
Israel, U.S. to Embark on Collaborative 'Upper-Tier' Missile Intercept Program to include Arrow 3 and Land-Based SM-3 Missiles
A recent analysis by U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) assessing the proposed Israeli upper-tier alternatives including Arrow 3 and the planned land-based SM-3, determined that "the Arrow 3 alternative may have a reduced life cycle cost and potentially, offer better performance to meet Israel's requirements," confirmed Lieutenant General Patrick J. O’Reilly, Director of the MDA. "The design of Arrow 3 promisses to be an extremely capable system, more advanced than what we have ever attempted in the U.S. with our programs" Gen. O'Reilly told the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services subcommitee for strategic forces. "This has to do with the seekers that have greater flexibility and other aspects, such as propulsion systems - it will be an extremely capable system" he said.
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Analysts Plug Laser Anti-Mortar Systems
Fielding non-chemical, electrically generated Solid State Laser (SSL) technologies that can act as a deterrent against both guided and unguided mortar fire should be a priority for Pentagon planners, several think tank analysts said May 20 on Capitol Hill.
Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) analyst Tom Erhard warned that in future conflicts, guided mortars could be “the next IED,” referring to the improvised explosive devices that have become insurgents’ top weapon in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA) analyst Tom Erhard warned that in future conflicts, guided mortars could be “the next IED,” referring to the improvised explosive devices that have become insurgents’ top weapon in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Darpa Plans Triple-Target Missile Demo
A new program to develop a high-speed, long-range airborne weapon that can engage aircraft, cruise missiles and air defenses is part of the U.S. Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency's $3.25 billion Fiscal 2010 budget request.
The Triple Target Terminator (T3) would be carried internally or externally on fighters, bombers and unmanned aircraft, allowing them to switch between air-to-air and air-to-surface capability and increasing the variety of targets engaged on each sortie.
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The Triple Target Terminator (T3) would be carried internally or externally on fighters, bombers and unmanned aircraft, allowing them to switch between air-to-air and air-to-surface capability and increasing the variety of targets engaged on each sortie.
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In Hot Pursuit of Fusion (or Folly)
Here in a dry California valley, outside a small town, a cathedral of light is to be dedicated on Friday. Like the cathedrals of antiquity, it is built on an unrivaled scale with unmatched technology, and it embodies a scientific doctrine that, if confirmed, might lift civilization to new heights.
“Bringing Star Power to Earth” reads a giant banner that was recently unfurled across a building the size of a football stadium.
The $3.5 billion site is known as the National Ignition Facility, or NIF. For more than half a century, physicists have dreamed of creating tiny stars that would inaugurate an era of bold science and cheap energy, and NIF is meant to kindle that blaze.
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“Bringing Star Power to Earth” reads a giant banner that was recently unfurled across a building the size of a football stadium.
The $3.5 billion site is known as the National Ignition Facility, or NIF. For more than half a century, physicists have dreamed of creating tiny stars that would inaugurate an era of bold science and cheap energy, and NIF is meant to kindle that blaze.
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$6.5M to Argon for DARPA Robust Surface Navigation Program
DARPA’s Robust Surface Navigation (RSN) program will allow American warfighters to geo-locate and navigate effectively when GPS is unavailable due to hostile action (e.g. jamming) or blockage by structures and foliage. After successfully completed Phase 1, Argon ST in Fairfax, VA received a $6.5 million contract for Phase 2A, with options for Phases 2B and 2C.
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Saturday, May 23, 2009
Scientists Patent Corrosion-Resistant Nano-Coating for Metals
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a method for coating metal surfaces with an ultrathin film containing nanoparticles — particles measuring billionths of a meter — which renders the metal resistant to corrosion and eliminates the use of toxic chromium for this purpose. The scientists have been awarded U.S. Patent number 7,507,480 for their method and the corrosion-resistant metals made from it. The technology is available for licensing.
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Aurora Flight Sciences' solar powered UAV flies
Its first test objective was the collection of data on its aerodynamic performance and the solar cells. The next step for SunLight Eagle is to fly longer at higher altitudes.
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Raytheon to upgrade Phalanx tech
The U.S. Navy has contracted Raytheon to provide upgrades on a computer-controlled weapons system that defends naval vessels from enemy threats.
U.S. company Raytheon was contracted by the Navy to support upgrades for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems. Under the $259.9 million deal, Raytheon will overhaul 40 of the sea-based Phalanx variants and 17 Centurion Land-Based systems.
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U.S. company Raytheon was contracted by the Navy to support upgrades for the Phalanx Close-In Weapon Systems. Under the $259.9 million deal, Raytheon will overhaul 40 of the sea-based Phalanx variants and 17 Centurion Land-Based systems.
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Trialling Hypersonic Flight at Woomera
Next-generation air vehicles with the potential to dramatically reduce inter-continental travel times are now one step closer to reality with the successful completion of preliminary hypersonic flight trials at the Woomera Test Range.
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today congratulated the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on the results of their recent joint hypersonic flight trial.
"Hypersonics is the study of flight exceeding approximately five times the speed of sound, and this trial has successfully tested the flight and mission control systems that will be used in future experiments," Mr Snowdon said.
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The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today congratulated the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on the results of their recent joint hypersonic flight trial.
"Hypersonics is the study of flight exceeding approximately five times the speed of sound, and this trial has successfully tested the flight and mission control systems that will be used in future experiments," Mr Snowdon said.
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Island Start for Royal Navy's World-Leading Carrier Comms System
A mock-up of an island superstructure that will house some of the most powerful ship-borne communication systems ever seen is being constructed on the Isle of Wight. Report by Steve Moore.
The launch of HMS Queen Elizabeth - the first of two new aircraft carriers - may be six years away, but work is progressing on a vital part of it deep in the heart of the Isle of Wight. When the vessel puts to sea she will break the mould in many ways, not least in her cost efficiency.
Central to her success - and that of the second carrier HMS Prince of Wales due in service towards the end of the next decade - will be her mission system. The system, which will use 1,740km of fibre optic cable and 14,000 items of equipment, underpins her war-fighting capability. It will support voice and data services needed to effect command and control along with management of aircraft and protection of the ship through sensors and radars.
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The launch of HMS Queen Elizabeth - the first of two new aircraft carriers - may be six years away, but work is progressing on a vital part of it deep in the heart of the Isle of Wight. When the vessel puts to sea she will break the mould in many ways, not least in her cost efficiency.
Central to her success - and that of the second carrier HMS Prince of Wales due in service towards the end of the next decade - will be her mission system. The system, which will use 1,740km of fibre optic cable and 14,000 items of equipment, underpins her war-fighting capability. It will support voice and data services needed to effect command and control along with management of aircraft and protection of the ship through sensors and radars.
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Ceramic Fuel Cells launches new modular generator product - BlueGen
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (ASX/AIM: CFU) today officially launched a new modular generator product.
The new unit – called BlueGen – is a ‘mini power station’ for homes and other buildings. It produces low emission electricity and hot water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on home energy bills. About the size of a dishwasher, the BlueGen unit converts natural gas to electricity and heat via ceramic fuel cells.
The Company plans to make the BlueGen product available in Victoria from early 2010. The Company is in discussions with potential local manufacturing partners. The Company is also in discussions with potential purchasers of the BlueGen product in other markets including Europe and North America.
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The new unit – called BlueGen – is a ‘mini power station’ for homes and other buildings. It produces low emission electricity and hot water, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving on home energy bills. About the size of a dishwasher, the BlueGen unit converts natural gas to electricity and heat via ceramic fuel cells.
The Company plans to make the BlueGen product available in Victoria from early 2010. The Company is in discussions with potential local manufacturing partners. The Company is also in discussions with potential purchasers of the BlueGen product in other markets including Europe and North America.
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Compact Discs Enter the Fifth Dimension
Better clear a shelf in your basement for that high-end Blu-ray DVD player you just bought. Researchers report that they can boost the amount of data stored on a disc 10,000-fold by using gold nanoparticles. If commercialized, the technology could allow a single disc to hold as many as 300 movies or 250,000 songs.
Today's CDs and DVDs store data as a string of pits burned into a narrow spiral track in plastic discs. Although less of a commercial success, holograms boost data-storage capacities by storing data in three dimensions. In an effort to kick things up a notch, researchers led by Min Gu, an optoelectronics expert at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn, Australia, added two additional dimensions: the color of light used to write and read the data and the light's polarization, or the direction of its electric field.
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Today's CDs and DVDs store data as a string of pits burned into a narrow spiral track in plastic discs. Although less of a commercial success, holograms boost data-storage capacities by storing data in three dimensions. In an effort to kick things up a notch, researchers led by Min Gu, an optoelectronics expert at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn, Australia, added two additional dimensions: the color of light used to write and read the data and the light's polarization, or the direction of its electric field.
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SUV nuke detector will avert covert attack, company claims
A turbo-charged engine, 21-inch wheels, Bluetooth, and 600-watt THX speakers are fine, but for the SUV owner who desires everything, how about a Mobile Nuclear Radiation Detection System?
Raytheon is offering the Sports Utility Vehicle-Based Radiation Detection System, which uses advanced spectroscopic technology to detect and identify nuclear radiation, whether sitting put or on the move.
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Raytheon is offering the Sports Utility Vehicle-Based Radiation Detection System, which uses advanced spectroscopic technology to detect and identify nuclear radiation, whether sitting put or on the move.
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Pentagon Seeks High School Hackers
High school hackers, crackers and digital deviants: Uncle Sam wants you.
As part of a government information security review released as early as Friday, White House interim cybersecurity chief Melissa Hathaway likely will mention a new military-funded program aimed at leveraging an untapped resource: the U.S.' population of geeky high school and college students.
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As part of a government information security review released as early as Friday, White House interim cybersecurity chief Melissa Hathaway likely will mention a new military-funded program aimed at leveraging an untapped resource: the U.S.' population of geeky high school and college students.
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Thursday, May 21, 2009
Network Attack Weapons Emerge
Devices to launch and control cyber, electronic and information attacks are being tested and refined by the U.S. military and industry in preparation for moving out of the laboratory and into the warfighter's backback.
It's a part of a technology race that is already well underway. The Russian attack on Georgia last year showed weaknesses in some combat areas, but not in cyberwarfare, say U.S. analysts.
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It's a part of a technology race that is already well underway. The Russian attack on Georgia last year showed weaknesses in some combat areas, but not in cyberwarfare, say U.S. analysts.
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Hydrogen Vehicles Drive from Mexico Border to Canada
National Hydrogen Association announced the beginning of the 1,700 mile 2009 Hydrogen Road Tour. For nine days starting May 26, Americans and Canadians in 28 cities between southern California and Vancouver, British Columbia will have a unique opportunity to see what the transportation future holds for with the launch of a nine-day caravan of clean, efficient hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
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Additional airborne satellite communications systems for USAF
Boeing has announced that it has received a $3.4 million follow-on contract to provide the U.S. Air Force with 46 additional Combat Track II airborne satellite communications systems.
Boeing has delivered nearly 500 Combat Track II kits to the Air Force since 2001 in an ongoing effort to provide airborne intelligence systems for cargo and bomber aircraft that enhance situational awareness, increase aircrew survivability and improve airframe effectiveness. The total value of the systems currently in use is approximately $38 million.
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Boeing has delivered nearly 500 Combat Track II kits to the Air Force since 2001 in an ongoing effort to provide airborne intelligence systems for cargo and bomber aircraft that enhance situational awareness, increase aircrew survivability and improve airframe effectiveness. The total value of the systems currently in use is approximately $38 million.
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Metal Storm Launches New MAUL Weapon
Metal Storm Incorporated (MSI) has announced today that it is launching its latest lightweight weapon system, the GLH1851 Multi-shot Accessory Under-barrel Launcher (MAUL(tm)), at the International Infantry and Joint Services Small Arms System Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The MAUL(tm) is an ultra-light shotgun attachment that fits under the barrel of an individual combat weapon, including the M-4 and M-16 rifles. It provides a range of less lethal, lethal and door breaching capabilities as an integrated, lightweight accessory to the user's main combat weapon.
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The MAUL(tm) is an ultra-light shotgun attachment that fits under the barrel of an individual combat weapon, including the M-4 and M-16 rifles. It provides a range of less lethal, lethal and door breaching capabilities as an integrated, lightweight accessory to the user's main combat weapon.
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