Aerospace & Defense » Industry News

U.S. Army Orders 63 Raven Unmanned Aircraft Systems for $11 Mln

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:27:58 +0000

AeroVironment, Inc. has received an order valued at about $11 Mln under an existing contract with the U.S. Army. The order comprises 63 new digital Raven® small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), services supporting the Army’s evaluation of the small UAS Family of Systems concept and additional engineering services. This order follows two recent orders:

On March 30, 2010, AV received a $7 Mln order for 51 digital Raven systems, initial spares packages and contractor logistics support for the U.S. Marine Corps.
On April 12, 2010, AV received an additional $12 Mln order for 216 retrofit kits to upgrade existing analog Raven systems with AV’s digital data link.

According to Market Research Media report U.S. Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market Forecast 2010-2015 the U.S. military UAV market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10% between 2010 and 2015, with a small UAS segment leading in growth rate. The report finds that the U.S. military UAV market will generate $ 62 Billion revenues over the period 2010 – 2015.

The Raven unmanned aircraft is a 4.2-pound, backpackable, hand-launched sensor platform that provides day and night, real-time video imagery for “over the hill” and “around the corner” reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition in support of tactical units. U.S. armed forces use Raven systems extensively for missions such as base security, route reconnaissance, mission planning and force protection. Each Raven system typically consists of three aircraft, two ground control stations and spares.

In addition to the Raven system, AV’s small UAS include Puma™ and Wasp™, which are also hand-launched and controlled by AV’s hand-held ground control station. Each aircraft in AV’s family of small UAS is interoperable and tailored to address a variety of operational user needs. AV’s UAS logistics operation supports systems deployed worldwide to ensure a consistently high level of operational readiness. AV has delivered thousands of small unmanned aircraft to date. International purchasers of Raven systems include Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Spain.

U.S. Military UAV Market Will Surpass $12.7 Billion by 2015

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:35:23 +0000

In a recently released market report “U.S. Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Market Forecast 2010-2015”
the US military Unmanned Aircraft Systems market is predicted to surpass $12.7 Billion by 2015.

By performing tasks such as surveillance; signals intelligence (SIGINT); precision target designation; mine detection; and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance, unmanned systems have made key contributions to the military operations in Irqq and Afghanistan.

The market study covers the following segments:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles by groups (by vehicle airspeed, weight, and operating altitude)
Payloads
Ground control equipment
R&D, tests and evaluation
Service, support and maintenance
Training
Data management

M-ATV Market Update - December 2009

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:27:53 +0000

Ceradyne, Inc. has received a multi-million dollar blanket purchase order from Plasan Sasa Ltd., Israel, for the production of armor components for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). Ceradyne plans to produce these parts in its expanded armor assembly plant in Irvine, California, for delivery to Oshkosh Corporation, the prime contractor. Oshkosh will assemble the components and deliver the M-ATV to the government.

Oshkosh Defense has received an order valued at more than $54 million from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command (TACOM LCMC) to supply more than 970 add-on protection kits for the MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). Under the delivery order, Oshkosh will supply more than 170 explosively formed penetrator (EFP) kits through April 2010 and 800 rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) kits through May 2010. To date, Oshkosh has received awards valued at $3.52 billion to deliver 6,619 M-ATVs, as well as spare kits and aftermarket in-theater support.

BAE Systems Lands U.K. Ministry of Defence Order for Helmet-Mounted Display System

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:17:56 +0000

The Q-Sight display is a key element of the Gunner’s Remote Sighting System (GRSS), a system that will allow the image from a machine gun-mounted thermal weapon sight to be displayed remotely on a see-through display mounted on the weapon operator’s helmet. The system is compatible with standard night-vision goggles and, unlike other technologies, enables users to seamlessly switch between goggles and the thermal sight to acquire, track, and engage targets. Combining Q-Sight and the thermal sight will significantly improve effectiveness and accuracy of shots on target. The lightweight Q-Sight can easily be fitted to any standard helmet, providing plug-and-play capability that is compatible with existing and future sensor video and symbology sources and other helmet display technologies.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence has placed the first order for a new generation of helmet-mounted displays developed by BAE Systems. The Royal Navy will purchase 12 remote sighting systems incorporating BAE Systems’ Q-Sight™ display, for its Lynx Mk8 helicopters.

The 12 Gunner Remote Sighting Systems will be delivered to the MoD by May 2010, with initial systems delivered at the end of 2009 for training use. Deployment of the equipment will be worldwide and provide a significant capability enhancement for maritime force protection, counter-piracy, and counter-narcotics operations.

Using patented technology to move light via holographic waveguides, the Q-Sight system displays a video image on a transparent screen approximately the thickness of a credit card. This technology eliminates the need for complex intermediate lenses that are heavy and create visual distortions.

U.S. Army Contract for Detection of Biological Weapons Awarded to Universal Detection Technology

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:55:24 +0000

Universal Detection Technology’s bio-warfare detection equipment is used extensively by first responders and private industry throughout the country. The equipment has been evaluated by the U.S. DoD as well as the United Kingdom military. Universal Detection Technology announced today that it had received a contract from the Aerospace Data Facility-East, a part of the Department of Defense’s National Reconnaissance Office. The contract includes equipment for the detection of harmful bio-agents, including anthrax, ricin and botulinum toxins in as little as three minutes. The contract also calls for UNDT to provide training equipment that allows users to become familiar with the test procedures without becoming exposed to any hazardous substances.

L-3 Awarded Contract to Provide High Power Electrical Generation for Bradley Fighting Vehicles

admin — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:17:21 +0000

L-3 Communications announced today that its Combat Propulsion Systems and Magnet Motors divisions have been awarded a development contract by the U.S. Army to provide high power electrical generation for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The first phase for the Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) is underway, and L-3 will provide 10 system prototypes in the next two years.

Under this program, L-3 will integrate a permanent magnet starter generator and the associated power electronics with its 800 horsepower transmission. The L-3 ISG will be an integral component of the hydro-mechanical power transmission (HMPT), providing all needed vehicle electrical power, as well as the transmission disconnect clutch and auxiliary pump drive system.

The L-3 HMPT-800-EG system will provide substantial electrical power generation for increasing mission loads and additional integration options for high capacity auxiliary loads for the Bradley Family of Fighting Vehicles. The Bradley G40 ISG is sized for power output of 70 to 160kW between 800 and 2800 rpm.

New Breed of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) Vehicles from BAE Systems

admin — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:25:47 +0000

The U.S. Government has received two MARP vehicles from BAE Systems for field tests and evaluation. GTS MAT-V, prototyped from its Caiman predecessor, combines survivability of an MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) and the mobility of a HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled)
vehicles.

Features:

curb weight of less than 9 tons
high power-to-weight ratio
low center of gravity
high off-road mobility
turbo-charged diesel V8 engine
top speed of 80 mph
fully independent suspension

Source: BAE Systems press release
Photos: BAE Systems

National Security Spending in Crisis

admin — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 18:12:50 +0000

The economic slowdown will create a huge gap of a $1.2 trillion deficit in 2010. To reduce this gap, reaching 12 percent of GDP in 2009, Obama will have to cut a portion of the budget, which is called the discretionary spending. Defense spending represents more than 50% of the discretionary budget (about $700 billion per year), making it a rather obvious choice for cuts. The entire basket of national security spending, including defense spending and the budgets of the Veterans Administration, the State and Homeland Security Departments, and the interest on the US national debt that accrued as result of such security spending is about $900 billion. All of these components of national security basket are primary candidates for cuts.

EADS Delivers Sixth Maritime Patrol Aircraft HC-144A

admin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:27:07 +0000

U.S. Coast Guard receives sixth HC-144A Maritime Patrol Aircraft out of 36 aircrafts for the Deepwater Program. The HC-144A is the mediumrange surveillance maritime patrol aircraft platform for the U.S. Coast Guard.

The CN-235 was selected by the United States Coast Guard for its Medium Range Surveillance Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MRSMPA) program as the HC-144A with minor modifications. The first HC-144A was delivered by EADS CASA to Lockheed Martin for installation of the mission package in December 2006.[The CASA/IPTN CN-235 is a medium-range twin-turbo-prop aircraft developed jointly between CASA in Spain and IPTN in Indonesia as a regional airliner and military transport. Amongst its military roles are maritime patrol, surveillance and troop transport. The biggest user of this transport aircraft is Turkey. The Turkish air force operates 52 CN-235-100M, and the Coast Guard and Navy operates 9 CN-235MP aircraft.

The Integrated Deepwater System Program (IDS Program or Deepwater) is the 25-year program to recapitalize the United States Coast Guard’s equipment, including aircraft, ships, and logistics and command and control systems. The $24 billion program includes equipment that will be used across all missions. When the program is complete, the interoperable system will include new cutters and small boats, a new fleet of fixed-wing aircraft, a combination of new and upgraded helicopters, and land- and cutter-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). All of these assets will be linked with Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. Performance Based Logistics is also an aspect of the contract.

U.S. Coast Guard Incorporates Thales HF-ALE radio

admin — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:15:07 +0000

Thales Communications, Inc., will supply its medium-powered, High-Frequency Automated Link Establishment (HF-ALE) radio communications system to the U.S. Coast Guard cutters for the next 5 to 7 years.

Automatic Link Establishment, commonly known as ALE, is the worldwide de facto standard for digitally initiating and sustaining HF radio communications. ALE is a feature in an HF communications radio transceiver system, that enables the radio station to make contact, or initiate a circuit, between itself and another HF radio station or network of stations. The purpose is to provide a reliable rapid method of calling and connecting during constantly changing HF ionospheric propagation, reception interference, and shared spectrum use of busy or congested HF channels.