NASA launches Orion to the moon PG. 4 The shift to network-based data storage PG.

21

DECEMBER 2022

TRUSTED
COMPUTING
FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE
Cyber focuses on zero
trust, as military seeks to
safeguard technologies
from cyber hackers
and spoofers. PG. 12

2212MAE.indb 1 12/5/22 12:41 PM

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 Contents DECEMBER 2022
VOL. 33, NO. 12

Features
12 SPECIAL REPORT
Trusted computing for national defense
Cyber security enters the realm of zero trust, as military
forces seek to safeguard sensitive military technologies
from enemy cyber hackers and spoofers.

21 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
Data storage making the transition
to network-based systems Aerospace & Defense professionals
Network-attached secure data storage architectures not only can help
warfighters get broad access to mission-critical data, but also help rely on Military + Aerospace
to keep data safe from hackers and other cyber security threats. Electronics magazine, website,
and newsletters for the latest
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 { Trends }

Unmanned systems to take lead role in

defending Marines on invasion beaches
Autonomous technologies and unmanned systems The remotely operated ROGUE-Fires vehicles
are set to play a leading role in how U.S. Marines will make the most of machine automation and
operating on invasion beaches defend themselves unmanned systems technologies once they hit the
from enemy warships that seek to thwart Marine beaches with the Marines.
Corps footholds in captured territory. Invasion beaches are busy places, where Marines
It comes down to the role of armed unmanned are concerned primarily with fighting-off enemy
vehicles in the future Navy/Marine Expeditionary attempts to throw them back into the sea, set-
Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), which aims ting up communications and command posts,
BY John Keller to use shore-based long-range anti-ship missiles placing the Northrop Grumman Ground/Air
EDITOR IN CHIEF and unmanned vehicles to defend Marines from Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) for air defense,
attacks by enemy surface warships. and supplying Marine infantry with fuel, food,
The anti-ship weapons will be the Raytheon and other supplies.
Naval Strike Missile (NSM), which has an imaging Each time a system like a ROGUE-Fires vehicle
infrared seeker, an onboard target database, and nav- can operate unmanned frees a Marine from driv-
igates by Global Positioning System (GPS), inertial ing vehicles, and helps the Marine take-on more
sensors, and terrain-reference systems. important responsibilities. To make ROGUE-Fires
The NSM can detect, recognize, and discrimi- and NMESIS operations even more efficient, one
nate among targets independently, and is designed Marine can operate several unmanned missile
to strike enemy ships at or near the water line to launchers to help hold enemy ships at bay.
inflict maximum structural damage. Raytheon is The ROGUE Fires version of the JLTV lacks
building the NSM in partnership with Kongsberg a crew cab and body, and is integrated with sen-
Gruppen in Kongsberg, Norway. sors and cameras, with a launcher mounted on top
NMESIS will provide Marine Corps High of the vehicle.
Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) bat- There are many possibilities for battlefield
talions with NSM anti-ship capabilities. Launchers unmanned vehicles, ranging from logistics and
for the NSM anti-ship weapons will be unmanned warfighter resupply, to mobile communications
remotely operated versions of the Oshkosh Defense center setup and relocation, to combat vehicle refu-
Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ( JLTV), each which eling, to battery recharging.
will carry two NSMs. With unmanned applications like those in place,
The combination of the unmanned JLTV missile it’s just a matter of time before combat functions
launchers and NSM anti-ship weapons will be called start relying on machine automation technologies
the Remotely Operated Ground Unit for Expeditionary for efficiency on the leading edge of the battlefield.
Fires (ROGUE-Fires). Oshkosh Defense won a $23.7 Future applications won’t involve just remote
million Marine Corps Systems command contract operation, either. We’re on the cusp of a new era
last month to provide the ROGUE-Fires unmanned when artificial intelligence, machine learning, and
JLTV launchers. The NSM is a modernized version other autonomous technologies start to take their
of the Norwegian Penguin anti-ship missile. places beside warfighters in the heat of battle. 

2 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 NEWS

NASA’s Artemis I ‘mega

rocket’ launches tech-filled
Orion spacecraft to the moon
BY Jamie Whitney

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — It was all The NASA Space Launch System, the In addition, Honeywell provided the
systems go for the National Aeronautics and most powerful rocket in the world, full navigation and guidance system for the
Space Administration (NASA) as officials launched the Artemis 1 spacecraft to the Artemis I launch vehicle. This allowed the
announced the successful liftoff on 16 Nov. moon in mid-November. spacecraft to know exactly where it’s going,
of the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS). stay on course and return safely to Earth.
NASA’s SLS is the most powerful rocket in the world; it Honeywell technology is also helping control the thrust on rockets.
provides 8.8 million pounds of thrust, and launched the agen- Early in this uncrewed mission, the spacecraft deployed series of
cy’s Orion spacecraft. Lockheed Martin Space in Denver is the 10 small science investigations and technology demonstrations, called
prime contractor for NASA and built the crew module, crew CubeSats, from a ring that connected the upper stage to the spacecraft.
module adaptor, and launch-abort system. Orion’s service module performed the first of a series of burns
The craft was sent to the moon as part of the Artemis pro- to keep Orion on course toward the moon approximately eight
gram. The launch is the first leg of a mission in which Orion is hours after launch. Mission controllers at NASA’s Johnson Space
planned to travel approximately 40,000 miles beyond the moon Center in Houston will conduct additional checkouts and course
and return to Earth over the course of 25.5 days. This flight is a corrections as needed.
significant test prior to flying astronauts on the Artemis II mission. Orion is expected to fly by the moon on Nov. 21, performing a
The launch and following missions were enabled by tech- close approach of the lunar surface on its way to a distant retrograde
nology from dozens of industry partners, including Wind River orbit, a highly stable orbit thousands of miles beyond the moon. 
Systems in Alameda, Calif., and Honeywell in Phoenix.
Wind River’s VxWorks real-time operating system was “The Space Launch System rocket delivered the power and performance to send Orion
selected to aid the SLS’s first stage of launch, inside the Orion on its way to the moon,” said Mike Sarafin, Artemis I mission manager. “With the
Crew Vehicle for life support, communications, and Lunar orbit, accomplishment of the first major milestone of the mission, Orion will now embark on
plus associated science experiments. the next phase to test its systems and prepare for future missions with astronauts.”

4 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 NEWS

Oshkosh to build unmanned combat

vehicles as anti-ship missile launchers
BY John Keller

QUANTICO MARINE BASE, Va. – U.S. Marine Oshkosh Defense will build unmanned to strike enemy ships at or near the water
Corps expeditionary warfare experts are versions of the company’s Joint Light line to inflict maximum structural damage.
asking Oshkosh Defense LLC in Oshkosh, Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) to serve as Raytheon is building the NSM in
Wis., to provide unmanned armored com- anti-ship missile launchers to help partnership with Kongsberg Gruppen
bat vehicles as mission launchers for a defend invasion beaches. in Kongsberg, Norway. In addition to
new Marine Corps land-based anti-ship NMESIS, the missile is to equip the lit-
missile system. toral combat ship and FFG(X) future frigate with stand-off
Officials of the Marine Corps Systems Command at surface-to-surface weapons capability.
Quantico Marine Base, Va., have announced a $23.7 mil- Raytheon and Kongsberg in their initial OTH-WS bid offered
lion contract to Oshkosh for Remotely Operated Ground the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) — a fifth-generation long-range,
Unit for Expeditionary Fires (ROGUE-Fires) carriers for precision-strike missile that offers strike capability against heav-
use in the Navy/Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction ily defended land and sea targets. NSM is a modernized version
System (NMESIS). of the Norwegian Penguin anti-ship missile.
The ROGUE-Fires long-range anti-ship missile launchers Experts from the Marine Corps and Raytheon tested the
will be based on unmanned remotely operated versions of the NMESIS off the coast of California in April 2021. The ROGUE
Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicle ( JLTV), each which will Fires vehicle is remotely operated using the teleoperator or
carry two Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) to help protect Marine leader-follower modes. It was built for the Marines to support
Corps infantry on invasion beaches. anti-ship operations from the ground.
NMESIS will provide the Marine Corps High Mobility The ROGUE Fires version of the JLTV lacks a crew cab and
Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) battalions with anti-ship body, and is integrated with sensors and cameras, with a launcher
capabilities. NMESIS integrates a Naval Strike Missile mounted on top of the vehicle. Marine Corps leaders say they
(NSM) launcher unit, capable of launching two NSMs, onto a plan eventually to launch future weapons from ROGUE Fires. 
ROGUE-Fires carrier.
The NSM has an imaging infrared seeker, an onboard target On this contract Oshkosh will do the work in Alexandria, Va.; Gaithersburg, Md.;
database, and navigates by Global Positioning System (GPS), iner- and Oshkosh, Wis., and should be finished by November 2023. For more infor-
tial sensors, and terrain-reference systems. It can detect, recognize, mation contact Oshkosh Defense online at https://oshkoshdefense.com, or
and discriminate among targets independently, and is designed Marine Corps Systems Command at www.marcorsyscom.marines.mil.

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 NEWS

Northrop Grumman, Raytheon

eye electro-optical sensors with
built-in machine learning
BY John Keller

ARLINGTON, Va. – Two U.S. prime defense systems integra- Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects
tors are moving forward with a military research project to Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., have awarded orders col-
develop a new kind of camera and digital signal processing lectively worth $25 million to the Northrop Grumman Corp.
to enable intelligent electro-optical sensors for tactical mil- Mission Systems segment in Linthicum Heights, Md., and to the
itary applications. Raytheon Intelligence & Space segment in El Segundo, Calif.,

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 NEWS

the Fast Event-based for the second phase of the Fast

Neuromorphic Camera and Event-based Neuromorphic United Airlines wants people who drive
Electronics (FENCE) program Camera and Electronics to fly on electric planes instead
will develop a new kind of (FENCE) program. Cars aren’t the only polluters. If we want to save the planet,
camera and digital signal DARPA FENCE seeks every part of how we travel has to change, and that includes
processing for intelligent to develop and demonstrate airplanes. Whether or not that method of clean travel will
electro-optical sensors. a low-latency, low-power, catch on though is another thing. But as CNBC reports,
event-based camera and a new United Airlines thinks electric planes will be the next gen-
class of digital signal processing and machine learning algorithms eration of air travel, but mainly for short, regional flights.
that use combined spatial and temporal information to enable “Initially we want to fly on routes that are 200 miles or less,”
intelligent sensors for tactical military applications. Mike Leskinen, president of United Airlines Ventures, the
In June 2021 Northrop Grumman won a $15.8 million con- carrier’s in-house venture capital arm, said, during a video
tract and Raytheon won an $8.8 million contract for the first interview at CNBC’s ESG Impact Virtual Conference ear-
phase of the FENCE program. lier this month. As the technology improves, aircraft will
Neuromorphic describes silicon circuits that mimic brain have a range of 250 miles or 300 miles, Leskinen said. In
operation; it exhibits low latency, sparse output, and extreme October United Airlines announced a $15 million invest-
energy efficiency. Neuromorphic cameras offer sparse output, and ment in Brazil-based Eve Air Mobility. In addition, United
respond only to changes in the scene, with accompanying low has also signed a conditional purchase agreement for 200
latency and low power for small-format cameras in sparse scenes. four-seat electric aircraft plus 200 options, expecting the
Event-based imaging sensors operate asynchronously, and first deliveries as early as 2026. This continues United’s
only transmit data from pixels that have changed, so they pro- investment in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market, also
duce 100 times less data in sparse scenes than traditional focal called “flying taxis” – or eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off
plane arrays (FPAs). This leads to 100x lower latency at 100x and landing vehicle).
lower power.
Despite their inherent advantages, existing event-based cam- How Joby and Delta are making
eras are not compatible with military applications because mil- flying taxis a reality
itary images are cluttered and dynamic. The FENCE program The world has long dreamed of a day when flying cars
seeks to develop an integrated event-based infrared focal plan become part of daily life. And despite many attempts, that
array with embedded processing to overcome these challenges. day hasn’t arrived. But we might not have to wait much
The FENCE program’s primary focus is on developing an longer. Advances in battery and electric propulsion tech-
asynchronous read-out integrated circuit (ROIC) capable of nology have enabled entirely new types of aircraft to take
very low latency and power operation, and a new, low-latency to the skies. Startups Joby, Archer, Vertical, Lilium, and
event-based infrared sensor with in-pixel processing. more are developing eVTOLs, electric vertical takeoff and
The project also will develop a low-power processing layer landing aircraft, with the vision of making air taxis a reality.
that integrates with the ROIC to identify relevant spatial and Joby’s aircraft is designed to fly fast, quiet and sustainable
temporal signals. The ROIC and the processing layer together trips in and around cities. The aircraft has flown more than
will enable an integrated FENCE sensor that can operate on 1,000 test flights, demonstrating its range, speed, altitude
less power than 1.5 Watts. and low noise profile. The company was the first eVTOL
On these orders Northrop Grumman will do the work in company to be granted a G-1 (Stage 4) Certification Basis
Linthicum Heights, Maryland; Baltimore; San Diego; and Palo for its aircraft by the FAA and recently received its Part
Alto, Calif. Raytheon will do its work in Goleta and El Segundo, 135 Air Carrier Certification. In 2022, Delta also contin-
Calif.; Cambridge and Tewksbury, Mass.; McKinney, Texas; and ued to invest in digital identity technology in these and
New York. The companies should be finished by June 2024.  other airports, which allows customers to move through
the airport using facial matching, eliminating the need to
For more information contact Northrop Grumman Mission Systems online at show a boarding pass or government ID and thereby expe-
www.northropgrumman.com, Raytheon Intelligence & Space at www.raytheon- diting their journeys.
intelligenceandspace.com, or DARPA at Paste link here.

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 NEWS

BlackHorse Solutions and Georgia Tech seek

new cyber security anti-hacker measures
BY John Keller

ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military researchers are asking BlackHorse BlackHorse Solutions joins Georgia Tech Research Corp. in
Solutions Inc., a Parsons Company in Herndon, Va., to develop Atlanta on the DARPA SMOKE trusted computing project.
ways to detect, manage, and defeat cyber hackers and help build-in BlackHorse won its contract in September, while Georgia Tech
cyber security as part of the computer design process. won a $22.7 million contract in October.
Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Cyber security experts from BlackHorse Solutions and
(DARPA) in Arlington, Va., has announced a $11.7 million con- Georgia Tech will develop data-driven tools to automate the
tract to BlackHorse Solutions for the Signature Management Using planning and execution of threat-emulated cyber infrastructure
Operational Knowledge and Environments (SMOKE) project. necessary for military network security assessments.
SMOKE seeks also to measure the risk of cyber threats Military computer networks are under persistent threat from
in real-time; and find new ways for red-team ethical hackers malicious cyber hackers, so network security experts must be able
to maintain their evasiveness as they help train cyber security to assess their cyber vulnerabilities and defenses by using red
experts root-out malicious cyber behavior. team ethical hackers and blue team cyber defenders.

8 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 NEWS

The ability to emulate sophisticated threats, evade detection,

and reduce signatures requires a significant amount of time and
expertise. Today, furthermore, the demand for network security
assessments is greater than the supply.
SMOKE seeks to develop tools to automate the deployment
The DARPA Signature Management Using of automated cyber threats that will enable red teams to increase
Operational Knowledge and Environments the effectiveness of cyber security assessments. these tools also
(SMOKE) project seeks to develop ways to could provide red teams with longer cyber security assessment
detect, manage, and defeat cyber hackers and because of their ability to remain hidden.
help build-in cyber security as part of the DARPA researchers want industry to develop tools that enable
computer design process. automated and scalable emulated cyber threats. SMOKE will
prototype components that enable red teams to plan, build, and
deploy cyber infrastructure that is informed by machine-readable
signatures of sophisticated cyber threats.
To ensure realism, DARPA experts will evaluate SMOKE
components on real-world networks controlled by SMOKE
performers and government partners — first on emulated envi-
ronments, and perhaps later on live networks.
The SMOKE program seeks breakthrough approaches in
abstracting away complexities of diverse network environments;
operating in partially denied environments, reasoning under uncer-
tainty, and reacting to unforeseen detection and/or attribution
events; measuring tradeoffs among efficiency and effectiveness
of plans in terms of speed and evasion; overcoming state space
explosion of typical models for cyber infrastructure planning;
developing mechanisms to acquire, manage, and maintain infra-
structure elements that conform to signature management poli-
cies; executing infrastructure changes in accordance with real-time
attribution assessments and plan contingencies; discovering latent
Red team exercises are designed to exceed simple pene- associations between infrastructure artifacts; automating expert
tration testing, and emulate cyber attacker behaviors as real- judgments used to build and traverse infrastructure associations;
istically as possible, to form a picture of network defense and expanding knowledge of adversary infrastructure.
readiness.Towards the aim of realism, red teams use tactics SMOKE is a four-year effort divided into two: develop-
that mimic advanced cyber threats to evade network defend- ing, demonstrating, and evaluating individual components; and
ers and assess how critical networks fare against a deter- comparative evaluations formed by integrating program com-
mined cyber attack. ponents. The contract includes one option that could increase
A core aspect of red team security assessments are proce- its value to $24.7 million.
dures to build domain names, IP addresses, virtual servers, and SMOKE has two technical areas: automated planning and
other components to control red team tools. This infrastructure execution of attribution-aware cyber infrastructure; and gener-
must exist openly on the public Internet and emits signals that, ating infrastructure signatures. 
if detected too easily, can end the assessment quickly without
much gain, but at considerable expense. On this contract BlackHorse Solutions will do the work in Herndon, Va.; Cincin-
Signatures are patterns of the way an organization performs nati; Herriman, Utah; Sykesville, Md.; and Denver, and should be finished by
cyber operations. Attribution is the ability to link a cyber attack September 2025. Georgia Tech, meanwhile will do its work in Atlanta and Ath-
to a likely hacker. Red team members don’t want the blue team ens, Ga., and should be finished by October 2026. For more information contact
to attribute attacks to likely perpetrators too quickly, which can BlackHorse Solutions online at www.parsons.com, or Georgia Tech Research at
weaken a cyber security assessment. https://gtrc.gatech.edu.

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 NEWS

NASA seeks commercial partners to collaborate

on low-Earth orbit space technology
BY Jamie Whitney

HOUSTON - U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA is forming Structured sharing of NASA
(NASA) officials are offering contracting opportunities for the partnerships with industry expertise demands minimal gov-
space industry to work with the agency through the Collaborations to advance commercial ernment resources but fosters devel-
for Commercial Space Capabilities (CCSC-2) initiative. space efforts through opment of technologies crucial
NASA officials have announced continuation of the contributions of technical to development of a safe, robust
Commercial Low-Earth Orbit Development Program (CLDP) expertise, assessments, low-Earth orbit ecosystem. The due
and Commercial Crew Program to foster space industry devel- lessons learned, date for proposal submission was 9
opment and growth. technologies, and data. December 2022 at 3 p.m. eastern
This CCSC-2 initiative pursues goals set in the U.S. National time. NASA hosted a pre-proposal
Space Policy and NASA’s strategic plan that will benefit human conference to answer industry questions related to this solici-
spaceflight and the U.S. commercial low-Earth orbit economy tation last month. 
by meeting future business and government needs through
unfunded Space Act Agreements (SAA). Submit any questions regarding this Announcement for Proposals in an email
These unfunded SAAs are to advance commercial space efforts with the subject line “Q&A CCSC2” to jsc-ccsc2-competition@mail.nasa.gov.
through NASA contributions of technical expertise, assessments, Kelly L. Rubio is the point of contact at NASA for this endeavor. They can be
lessons learned, technologies, and data. reached by email at kelly.l.rubio@nasa.gov, or by phone at 281-244-7890.

Collins Aerospace receives STC to modernize (CPDLC) portion of the Future Air Navigation Standard
Hawker 800 cockpit communications (FANS 1/A) by enabling the replacement of operational radio
Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies company in communications with text messaging, helping decongest
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has received a supplemental type cer- radio frequencies, ease pilot workloads and reduce potential
tificate (STC) for the installation of its CMU-4000 on the human error in the form of voice misreads. While alterna-
Hawker 750/800/850/900 series of aircraft. This commu- tive solutions utilize only one or two radio frequencies (RF)
nications management unit (CMU), according to Collins to transmit communications, CMU-4000 uses all three RF
Aerospace, enables Hawker operators to fly in preferred oce- sub-networks available (VHF, HF and SATCOM, including
anic and international airspace, create flight efficiencies rang- Iridium and Inmarsat). This tiered coverage approach pro-
ing from more direct routing, quicker departure and landing vides quality communications regardless of flight condition
clearances, reduced fuel consumption and fewer CO2 emis- – including within congested airspace, at higher elevations
sions to meet evolving airspace requirements. The CMU-4000 or in wide-open areas – while also helping eliminate drops
supports the controller-pilot data link communications in coverage and communication interference. 

10 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 S P E C IA L R E P O RT

Trusted
computing
for national defense
Cyber security enters the realm of zero trust, as military forces seek to safeguard
sensitive military technologies from enemy cyber hackers and spoofers.

BY Jamie Whitney

F
ounding father, inventor, author, and systems remain connected to one another, cor-
statesman Benjamin Franklin intro- porate and state-sponsored spies will attempt
duced several lasting thoughts and to learn their secrets, vulnerabilities, and ways to
inventions in his storied lifetime. In his adopted destroy or takeover components, networks, and
home of Philadelphia, Franklin told fellow res- even entire weapons systems.
idents they would be wise to support his vol- In October, President Joseph Biden Jr.
unteer fire company — the first in what would released his administration’s 48-page National
become the United States — in 1736. Franklin Security Strategy (NSS), in which the president
sold his idea with a pithy saying: “An ounce of lays out a multi-point plan to keep the United
prevention is worth a pound of cure.” States ahead of rival and semi-adversarial
Perhaps nowhere is this saying more apropos nations like Russia and the People’s Republic
than in keeping vital equipment, systems, and of China (PRC) while ensuring the nation can
secrets secured. After all, robust cyber security keep itself rolling technologically if those rivals
can keep nefarious actors at bay, but so long as — China in particular — become adversarial.

12 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 Army cyber security
experts check the status of
an Army network. Army photo

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 SPECIAL REP ORT

Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific’s warehouse manager

Paul Cox and lead logistician Sara Singer-Seviern inventory
outbound information systems equipment. Navy photo

Security priorities Pillars of security

The NSS document notes that “Our starting premise is that a The 2018 U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) cyber strategy
powerful U.S. military helps advance and safeguard vital U.S. embraced Benjamin Franklin’s “ounce of prevention” as the military
national interests by backstopping diplomacy, confronting aggres- intended to help all networks, including those outside the branch,
sion, deterring conflict, projecting strength, and protecting the when malicious attacks happened; update critical infrastructure
American people and their economic interests. Amid intensify- networks; and streamline public-private information sharing.
ing competition, the military’s role is to maintain and gain warf- “We can’t do this mission alone,” wrote the DOD. “So, the
ighting advantages while limiting those of our competitors. The DOD must expand its cyber-cooperation by:
military will act urgently to sustain and strengthen deterrence, • building dependable partnerships with private-sector entities
with the PRC as its pacing challenge. We will make disciplined who are vital to helping support military operations;
choices regarding our national defense and focus our attention • sharing information with other federal agencies, our own
on the military’s primary responsibilities: to defend the home- agencies, and foreign partners and allies who have advanced
land, and deter attacks and aggression against the United States, cyber capabilities. This will increase effectiveness;
our allies and partners, while being prepared to fight and win the • looking for crowdsourcing opportunities such as hack-a-
Nation’s wars should diplomacy and deterrence fail.” thons and bug bounties to identify and fix our own vulner-
The PRC looms large in President Biden’s NSS, as the docu- abilities; and
ment says that China is the “only competitor” in the world with • upholding cyberspace behavioral norms during peacetime.
both the intent and power to reshape the international order. “I think we’ve thwarted a good number of attacks by our
“Beijing has ambitions to create an enhanced sphere of influ- intelligence sharing and your sharing of information about
ence in the Indo-Pacific and to become the world’s leading things going on in your network,” David McKeown, DOD’s
power,” the NSS says. “[China] is using its technological capacity chief information security officer and deputy chief information
and increasing influence over international institutions to create officer for cyber security told their industrial/commercial part-
more permissive conditions for its own authoritarian model, and ners at a March 2022 town hall.
to mold global technology use and norms to privilege its inter-
ests and values. Beijing frequently uses its economic power to Trust issues
coerce countries. It benefits from the openness of the interna- One way industry and the DOD are keeping defense and indus-
tional economy while limiting access to its domestic market, and trial secrets under wraps is to embrace a “zero trust” environ-
it seeks to make the world more dependent on the PRC while ment with networked systems. In August, DOD acting deputy
reducing its own dependence on the world.” chief information officer Lily Zeleske spoke at an industry event

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 SPECIAL REP ORT

hosted by Worldwide Technology and Intel, where she noted an

enterprise modernization approach is a priority.
“Our ability to deliver information at resilience and speed,
as well as [delivering] secure information to our people, is para-
mount to staying ahead of adversaries,” Zeleske said, and noted
that funding the technologies within budget constraints achieves
a balance between cost and mission effectiveness. “We’re working
for the public and for the country. I emphasize that resources and
costs are critical, but the mission is just as critical, so it is a bal-
ance between cost effectiveness and mission effectiveness for us.”
One way to make commercial IT components and systems The Air Force IT and Cyberpower Education and Training event
secure from state actors who can buy them off the shelf and took place in Montgomery, Ala. in August. Military and industry
probe for vulnerabilities is to embrace a “zero trust” strategy. collaboration is instrumental in achieving cyber security goals,
Zero trust architecture (ZTA) removes the implicit trust that industry experts say. Air Force photo
a user should get access to the system solely because they, for
example, know the correct passcode. The DOD has set a target using the principle of least privilege. Because the separation kernel
of 2027 to implement ZTA across itself and its services, accord- is the only software running in kernel mode, it cannot be bypassed
ing to Richard Jaenicke, who is the marketing manager of Green or tampered with. The small size enables it to be scrutinized and
Hills Software (GHS) in Santa Barbara, Calif. evaluated to the highest security levels.”
“Zero trust assumes your perimeter and networks have been Jaenicke explains that to achieve zero trust, the separation
breached and implements a high-level policy to ‘never trust, always kernel needs to load properly. “That requires establishing a chain
verify,’” Jaenicke says. “In an enterprise setting, that includes con- of trust back to a hardware root of trust, where each link in the
tinuous validation of users and devices. In embedded systems, chain authenticates the next piece of software before loading it.”
zero trust includes not implicitly trusting each application but The NSA-defined Separation Kernel Protection Profile
limiting access and communication to the least privilege neces- (SKPP) provides the security assurance and security functional
sary to get the job done. requirements for a separation kernel to meet their definition of
He continues, “A proven security solution that provides the foun- high robustness. That protection profile is based on a mix of
dation for a ZTA in an embedded system is a separation kernel, where Common Criteria objectives from Evaluation Assurance Levels
applications run in partitions isolated by the separation kernel. A (EAL) 6 and 7, with EAL 7 being the highest level.
separation kernel is very small in size because it implements only the At the system level, Raise the Bar (RTB) is a set of cyber
four fundamental security policies required to support higher secu- security standards published by the National Cross Domain
rity functionality running in user mode. Those four security policies Strategy and Management Office (NCDSMO) in the NSA.
are data isolation, control of information flow, resource sanitization, First published in 2018, the RTB standards are a set of security
and fault isolation. A separation kernel uses a static configuration guidelines and requirements for cross domain solutions (CDS)
file to define permitted applications and communications patterns deployed by the U.S. government to protect National Security
Systems (NSS). The RTB standards go well beyond the Risk
Management Framework (RMF) controls that many govern-
ment agencies implement. RTB standards ensure systems are at
low risk of failing, even under persistent attack.”
Scott Miller, a scientist with Mercury Systems in Andover,
Mass., explains that by seeking out potential vulnerabilities, it
is possible to not only eliminate them, but utilize them to send
enemies on something of a digital snipe hunt.
“The increase in connected technologies definitely presents
Naval Information Warfare Systems Center engineers check a new cyber security challenges, but there are ways to identify the
fleet-bound OE570D UHF antenna onboard Naval Information exploitable vulnerabilities,” Mercury’s Miller says. “Although not
Warfare Systems Command’s Old Town San Diego campus. Navy photo encouraged as a primary strategy, ‘security through obscurity’

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 SPECIAL REP ORT

can mitigate risk as a secondary one, if it is thought that code attributes of the communication session or the user change or
may bear vulnerabilities. This strategy requires a careful balance, appear to have changed. And I think most people have encoun-
though, as broad exposure is often the most effective path to tered something like this; you get a new phone and you log on
discovery and remediation of vulnerabilities. to your bank’s website and it asks you those security questions
Miller continues, “The controversial strategy of employing that it probably hasn’t asked you for many months because it
disinformation, where software systems intentionally misreport has noticed something different about this session.
their configuration, can be effective in confounding adversaries “I think people should just caution that zero trust is going to solve
who are selecting attacks know to be effective against particu- all of their security problems,” he continues. “It is a powerful tool and
lar software versions or configurations. But it can also confound a powerful concept, and we have lots of partners that enable various
patching and maintenance efforts to make the right decisions pieces of the zero-trust ecosystem like Cisco and Aruba and Palo
contrary to what the software self-reports.” Alto, but it’s not going to by itself solve all of your security issues.”

Limitations in trust On the move

While the “zero trust” movement gains traction in the DOD and Like the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) revolution that has
its industry partners. Dominic Perez, the chief technology officer fueled field-replicable and upgradable hardware components, the
(CTO) for Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions in Ashburn, Va., National Security Agency (NSA) looked to commercial solutions
explains that the concept is less a panacea for cyber security — for cyber security. The NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified
it’s more an architecture. (CSfC) program allows agencies and military services to com-
On top of that, Perez says that even the name is somewhat of municate securely using a diverse set of commercial products.
a misnomer, as “the first thing you’re doing is establishing trust, NSA experts say the CSfC program provides NSA designed
and what you’re doing is reestablishing trust whenever certain and approved solutions, leveraging a cadre of vetted, trusted

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 SPECIAL REP ORT

“In [Curtiss-Wright’s] PacStar group,

we are focused on enabling these for-
ward operators — either in the tents that
they’re setting up or the vehicles that
they’re deploying with — to set up net-
works quickly,” Perez continues. “‘Quickly’
used to be measured in days then, now is in
hours or less. They need to be able to set
up a network when they come to a stop.
And our secure wireless command post
lets them do that. In less than a half an
hour, they can have 100 users online, and
they’d barely be getting open the boxes of
Ethernet cabling if they were using a tra-
ditional cabling solution.”
In addition to rapid deployment,
A Marine Corps anti-tank missileman aims a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile Curtiss-Wright’s Perez says that going
aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). Navy photo wireless affords the DOD with signifi-
cant cost savings as many of the miles of
system integrators; NIAP-validated components; and collab- Ethernet cable used in the field, which was rarely if ever reused,
orative protection profile requirements, validated against the can be eliminated.
international Common Criteria; enables clients to keep pace
with technological progress; and employs the latest capabilities Reliability in redundancy
The CSfC program also helps reduce the time it takes to With Wi-Fi making use of radio frequency (RF) technology,
build, evaluate, and deploy solutions by using mature technol- all sorts of sensitive and classified information is flying through
ogies already available to the commercial sector. Potential cost the air. How do the DOD and their industry partners keep it
savings may be realized through marketplace competition and out of the hands of bad actors who wish to obtain it? In short,
rapidly deployable, scalable commercial products. trustworthy hardware and redundancy in encryption.
Other CSfC benefits include open, non-proprietary interop- Curtiss-Wright’s Perez explains that redundancy is achieved
erability and security standards; situational awareness about by using multiple equipment manufacturers with different ways
components use and location, as well as documented incident of encryption.
handling procedures; and technical expertise NSA’s team of sys- “So, let’s just say one layer is a VPN developed by Cisco and
tem engineers, threat analysts, and cyber experts. another layer is a VPN developed by Aruba,” Perez says. “By
With the NSA’s CSfC, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions’ running the traffic between the first tunnel and then taking the
Perez says that warfighters — including those at the front lines tunnel traffic and running it through the second tunnel, they
— can use wireless technologies that civilians have taken for have prevented a lot of the vulnerabilities that might be present
granted for decades now. in just one of those solutions.”
Cyber security was the impetus to keep DOD systems off the Perez’s colleague Steve Edwards, who is Curtiss-Wright’s
airwaves and keeping systems tethered together with Ethernet director of secure embedded solutions, likened the redundancy
cables to allow information sharing between computers. to overlapping pieces of Swiss cheese.
“From the advent of Wi-Fi at the tail end of the ‘90s until “So, each of those solutions on their own have certain vul-
just a few years ago, no one in the military would be allowed nerabilities, but because they’re independently developed, they’re
to use WiFi,” Perez points out. “But with the NSA CSfC pro- going to have different vulnerabilities from each other,” Edwards
gram, we are able to deploy WiFi and other wireless commer- says. “And so the idea is you layer them on top of one another.
cial technologies like 4G LTE, and even 5G now in a secure It’s like putting two pieces of Swiss cheese together. The holes
manner. What that really does is it dramatically speeds-up the don’t line up, so you’ve actually reduced your vulnerability sur-
deployment of a secure network. face quite a bit by doing [this].”

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 SPECIAL REP ORT

The CWDS duo notes that in some instances, the NSA will President Biden has made domestic chip and other technol-
grant certification from the same company so long as the sys- ogy manufacturing a priority in his first two years in office as a
tems were not co-developed the same way. way to reduce dependency on overseas sources in the wake of
“There are a significant number of additional requirements the COVID-19 pandemic.
in order to become registered with the NSA for one of these “The software cyber security problem is hard enough; but
encryption solutions,” CWDS’ Perez explains. “However, the consider if you can’t trust the hardware executing the software.
premise is the dual layer of encryption... [Our] persistent storage This is why DARPA ERA and the CHIPS bill is so import-
division has actually gone and gotten a waiver because we were ant — these seek to preclude the need to consider intentional
able to show that our two layers are developed independently. manipulation of component hardware designs from which mod-
So, the NSA says, ‘OK, it says Curtiss-Wright on the box for ules are composed,” says Mecury’s Miller. “However, much like
both of them,’ but one came from an internal development, and social engineering produces an ‘accidental insider,’ accidental
then one is an open source program that we manage and make hardware vulnerabilities will remain a concern.”
it meet requirements. So, while the premise is that you need two At a groundbreaking at a new Intel manufacturing facility
different vendors, there are just a couple of waivers that the NSA in Ohio in September, President Biden noted that decades ago,
has given out for that. And Curtiss-Wright has one of those.” the United States produced more than 30 percent of the world’s
computer chips. With much of its manufacturing needs sent
Eyes on supplies overseas, Biden said that figure dropped to approximately 10
One way industry and the warfighters that use connected tech- percent. The president also said that the shortage of semicon-
nology can get some peace of mind is by assuring their source for ductors drove approximately one third of inflation.
components and software aren’t built with back doors built-in by The president told the Ohio crowd that in addition to Intel,
countries and companies who may not be entirely trustworthy. Micron in Boise, Idaho; GlobalFoundries in Santa Clara, and

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 SPECIAL REP ORT

Rinderer explains that a “Die Hard”

WHO’S WHO IN TRUSTED COMPUTING scenario is unlikely to play out where a
person or country gets control of a vehicle
Amazon Web Services Green Hills Software Northrop Grumman Corp.
Seattle Santa Barbara, Calif. Falls Church, Va. remotely and crash it.
https://aws.amazon.com https://ghs.com/ https://www. “What I want to do is simply keep your
northropgrumman.com
CRU Data Security Group Intel Corp. entire fleet on the ground when you need it
Vancouver, Wash. Santa Clara, Calif. Shift5
in the air,” Rinderer says, speaking as a hos-
https://cdsg.com https://www.intel.com/ Arlington, Va.
https://www.shift5.io/ tile actor. “Or I want to stop an entire bri-
Curtiss-Wright Corp. Microsoft Corp.
Defense Solutions Redmond, Wash. gade of ground vehicles as soon as they roll
Ashburn, Va. https://www.microsoft.com/ across the boundary, invisible GPS bound-
https://www.curtisswright.com/ en-us/
ary that represents my border. The way that
I’m going to do that, I’m going to do very
Qualcomm in San Diego, Calif.; and Wolfspeed in Durham, sophisticated attacks that get me persistence on those platforms
N.C. were investing billions into manufacturing chips at home very quietly. And supply chain is a great way to do that. I can
for consumer goods. bake something in at a hardware level that’s completely hidden,
The president also explained to the crowd that earlier in 2022, isn’t doing anything. It’s completely dormant as well and it has
he had visited the Lockheed-Martin Javelin missile plant in Troy, some sort of wake-up effect at some point, which you may or
Ala. Those missiles were among the materiel assistance the U.S. has may not ever see. But I need to be able to detect if that thing
provided to Ukraine as it battles an invasion by neighboring Russia. behaves differently than it should.”
“We need semiconductors not only for those Javelin mis- Shift5 provides a system-monitoring platform in rail, defense,
siles, but also for the weapons systems of the future that are only and aerospace vehicles that logs every “conversation” between
going to be more reliant on computer chips,” President Biden components and flags abnormalities it discovers.
said. “This goes well beyond commercial need. Unfortunately, For instance, Rinderer provides an example where five vehi-
we produce zero — zero — of these advanced chips in America. cles in a fleet of 300 are flagged as having computing processes
Zero. And China is trying to move way ahead of us in manu- acting differently than the other 295. By finding commonalities
facturing them.” between the “abnormal” vehicles, like they’re the only in the fleet
China has loomed large in the minds of security-minded that have had a particular component replaced with something
professionals looking to prevent the Asian power from building new, it can be effectively audited down to the bus level to see
exploitable weaknesses into hardware. if there’s been a security breach. In addition, Rinderer provides
Emil Kheyfets, who is the director of mil-aero business devel- an example of vehicles traveling to a particular area known for
opment at Aitech in Chatsworth, Calif., explains that “It is a attempts to break in to systems.
big concern, especially since infiltration can come from exter- “Maybe those five vehicles all transit the Strait of Hormuz
nal and internal system resources. To highlight the magnitude through a known offensive cyber operations hotspot,” says Shift5’s
of it, note that DoD programs prohibit the use of Chinese EEE Rinderer. “And since coming back now they’re exhibiting that
parts to prevent internal infiltration. Protection of all external behavior they’re affected...We conduct what’s called full take data
interfaces, as found in the [Aitech’s] AiSecure architecture, is capture. I want every single frame of data that’s put on that bus by
crucial to combat infiltration of secure systems.” any device. So, we watch things passively at the bus level because
it’s, number one, ubiquitous, and number two, it’s unobtrusive.
Adversarial ambitions And so, what I can do is I can say, okay, great, we’re watching
Of course, keeping prying eyes off data is job number one, as everything. We detected this anomaly on these five vehicles ever
Benjamin Franklin notes. But what happens if nations like China since they transit in this area. Take me to the first occurrence of
and Russia overcome physical security at sensitive sights, bypass that anomaly, and then I want to see all the bus messages that led
physical barriers, or defeat cyber security systems? And if they to that.”With an eye on supply chains, manufacturing, deployed
do, what would an adversary seek to do with access to the sen- systems — and the redundant systems that protect them – today’s
sitive systems that warfighters count on? According to E. Egon cyber security experts are bringing more than an ounce of preven-
Rinderer, the CTO of Shift5 in Arlington, Va., it’s not what tion to today’s technologies. With proactive monitoring, perhaps
Hollywood puts on the screen. that “pound of cure” will come in a little lighter, too. 

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 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS

Data storage making

the transition to
network-based systems
Network-attached secure data storage architectures not only can
help warfighters get broad access to mission-critical data, but also help to
keep data safe from hackers and other cyber security threats

BY John Keller

R
ugged data storage technologies for aerospace and Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI), Fibre Channel, or
defense applications are making the transition from SAS. “It comes down to simplicity and access,” Deacon says.
point-to-point interconnects to fast network-centric “More people can access it. Block level is a direct connect, and
architectures that offer quicker data access to warfighters than you have to be on that storage network to access it, while file
they have today, and new shared-data applications such as arti- level is a regular Ethernet network.”
ficial intelligence (AI) in intelligence gathering and retrieval. The high performance of Ethernet networking also is over-
Driving this trend to networked data storage are increases coming traditional network overhead problems. “Historically,
in network performance — particularly fast Ethernet — which block level is a lot lower latency because of the overheads involved,
is growing rapidly from 25 gigabits per second to 100 gigabits but that is starting to overcome because of the performance on the
per second, and beyond. network-attached devices. Now
“I’m seeing a move away from we’re talking about 25-, 40-, and
block-based direct-attached 100-Gigabit Ethernet. That’s
storage for external disk arrays,” giving the network attached
says Amos Deacon III, presi- devices much higher perfor-
dent of data storage specialist mance,” Deacon says. “A lot of
Phoenix International Systems in This DIGISTOR FIPS-certified self-encrypting that inherent latency goes away.”
Orange, Calif. “We see a lot of mov- solid-state drive has a tamper-evident coating Speed and performance can go
ing to file-level storage in the realm of for additional assurance of data integrity. a long way in new applications that
network-attached storage.” involve AI. “Typically if you have a
The switch to networked storage represents a fundamental real-time environment you would want that data transfer to
shift away from industry stalwarts like Serial Attached SCSI happen instantaneously, especially in an AI environment where
(SAS), Serial AT Attachment (SATA), and Fibre Channel con- you need to make decisions based on the data as it comes in.
nects to networked approaches that overwhelmingly rely on That typically has been a block-based direct-connect environ-
Ethernet, Deacon says. ment,” Deacon says.
“Traditionally we have had SAS and Fibre Channel connections Is all that speed and performance really necessary in today’s
in block based systems, and yet we are moving toward Ethernet aerospace and defense applications? Perhaps not today, but it will
for file-level data,” Deacon says. File level data transfer typically in the future. “The performance that is available now with 100
is used in Ethernet-based data storage systems that move data as Gigabit Ethernet is more than what 90 percent of the people
packets. “There typically is a lot of overhead involved,” Deacon says. out there need,” Deacon points out. “There are specific applica-
This approach, while it has more overhead, is more simple tions that require super-high-speed capability, but I think it is
to implement than other data-transfer approaches like Internet the actual application that determines where that goes.”

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 TECHNOLO GY FO CUS

Today’s high-performance data storage is seeing enhanced gigabytes per second. One prin-
performance not only from Ethernet networking, but ciple behind NVMe is
also because of Non-Volatile Memory Express, switching from serial to
better-known as NVMe. “We are now see- parallel data interfaces to
ing some of that change because of the increase data throughput.
performance that is now capable NVMe technology can
with the NVMe storage record several streams of video
device,” Deacon says. or other sensor data simultaneously.
“In block-level storage Aerospace and defense applications
you go through a host increasingly rely on speed and the ability
adapter for the CPU to talk to record multiple data streams simultane-
to the storage, but with NVMe The DIGISTOR ously. For I/O-intensive applications like
you don’t have that intermediate step SHIPS Q80 storage artificial intelligence (AI) NVMe devices
because the storage device talks directly module use NVMe technology speed-up workflows.
to the CPU.” to provide rugged removability for use in The PCI Express interface for NVMe
PCs, laptops, and other devices that is gaining widespread popularity in aero-
NVMe data storage need to store encrypted data securely. space and defense applications. NVMe
Solid-state storage media today over- data storage bypasses the SATA interface
whelmingly leans toward NVMe, where the biggest advantage and goes directly to PCI Express to boost throughput speeds.
is pure speed, which for the vast majority of systems designers In addition to its big advantages in speed, NVMe also is smaller
outweighs NVMe’s drawbacks in power consumption, thermal than SATA and SAS, which lends itself to today’s demands for
management, and ruggedization. small size and light weight in aerospace and defense systems.
NVMe’s speed is the biggest reason that it has surpassed in NVMe solid-state drives are much smaller than SATA drives and
popularity other solid-state storage media such as Serial AT weigh about four times less, which makes them suitable not only
Attachment (SATA) and Serial Attached SCSI (SAS). SATA for laptop computers, but also for size- and weight-sensitive mili-
is a computer bus interface that connects host bus adapters to tary applications. In addition, systems designers can attach NVMe
data storage devices like hard disk drives, optical drives, and memory components directly to motherboards and single-board
solid-state drives. computers, which also can cut down on size and weight.
NVMe typically is six times faster than SATA and SAS. NVMe, however, has disadvantages for military and aerospace
Moreover, the NVMe design approach enables data storage systems designers. Compared with its predecessors, SATA and
media such as solid-state drives to access processors via the PCI SAS, NVMe is more expensive, more difficult to ruggedize, con-
Express databus, rather than through relatively slow specialized sumes more power, and can be a challenge to keep cool enough
data storage interfaces. It also enables host hardware and software for maximum performance.
to capitalize on levels of parallelism possible in modern solid-state NVMe memory is not as rugged as SATA and SAS data stor-
drives. NVMe essentially connects data storage directly to sys- age, which can increase the challenge of packaging NVMe for
tem processors, and avoids through- mobile military appli-
put bottlenecks of data cations that must
storage interfaces. operate in extreme
NVMe can increase temperatures, shock,
data read and write and vibration.
speeds over SATA by One of the most
four to five times — serious weaknesses of
sometimes even more. As an NVMe for rugged military appli-
example, SATA reaches its upper-speed The DIGISTOR SHIPS QX448 ingestion cations is its relatively weak ability to
limits at about 600 megabytes per sec- frame, typically mounted in a PC or custom operate in cold and hot temperatures.
ond, while NVMe can sustain read and device, can house as many as four SHIPS Compounding the picture is the relatively
write performance of more than 3 to 3.5 modules in a standard 5.25-inch bay. high power consumption of NVMe vs

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Place your order by 6 PM CT, and have your terminations or any other components shipped today.

In Stock & Shipped Same-Day

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+1 (800) 715-4396

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 TECHNOLO GY FO CUS

SATA and SAS storage media. More power consumption means can be kept from those who seek to steal it, corrupt it, or destroy
generating more waste heat, which forces designers either to it. That’s where information security comes in.
design-in cooling, or throttle-down the speed of the data stor- Unfortunately some of today’s cyber security technologies
age to keep within temperature constraints. may not be up to the information security challenge where data
storage is concerned.
Information security “The data security model today is quite fractured, if not
In today’s adversarial digital world, it matters less how quickly broken,” says Chris Kruell, director of marketing, at the
data can be stored and retrieved than it does how secure the data DIGISTOR brand of CRU Data Security Group in Vancouver,

The Phoenix International VP1-250-eSSDC is a FIPS 140-2 The Phoenix International Phalanx II is SWaP-optimized and
validated encryption Open VPX NVM Express (NVMe) solid state provides high performance, high capacity, and secure data
disk data storage module that helps designers remove legacy storage for unmanned aerial, underwater and surface vehicles
layers of hard drive interfaces such as SATA and SAS. and crewed intelligence and surveillance applications.

WHO’S WHO IN RUGGED DATA STORAGE

Aitech Defense Systems Crystal Group Extreme Engineering Solutions Phoenix International
Chatsworth, Calif. Hiawatha, Iowa Verona, Wis. Orange, Calif.
www.rugged.com www.crystalrugged.com www.xes-inc.com/about/contact/ www.phenxint.com
Annapolis Microsystems Conduant General Micro Systems Smart Modular Technologies
Annapolis, Md. Longmont, Colo. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Newark, Calif.
https://www.annapmicro.com www.conduant.com www.gms4sbc.com www.smartm.com
Barracuda Networks Curtiss-Wright Defense Kaman Fuzing & Precision Systel Inc.
Campbell, Calif. Solutions Products Sugar Land, Texas
www.barracudanetworks.com Ashburn, Va. Middletown, Conn. http://www.systelinc.com
www.conduant.com www.kaman.com/
Cavium Networks Trusted Computing Group
fuzing-precision-products
San Jose, Calif. DRS Tactical Systems Inc. Beaverton, Ore.
www.caviumnetworks.com Parsippany, N.J. Kontron America Inc. https://trustedcomputinggroup.org
www.leonardodrs.com/ San Diego
CP Technologies LLC Virtium LLC
products-and-services/ www.kontron.com
San Diego Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
leonardo-tactical-systems
https://cp-techusa.com Mercury Systems www.virtium.com
Elma Electronic Inc. Andover, Mass.
CRU Data Security Group LLC, ZMicro
Fremont, Calif. www.mrcy.com
DIGISTOR San Diego
www.elma.com
Vancouver, Wash. Pentek Inc. https://zmicro.com
www.cru-inc.com Upper Saddle River, N.J.
www.pentek.com

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Wash. “All these technologies are taking on a piece of the data

security issue.”
Perhaps the most important aspect of information security
for data storage is the so-called “zero-trust” concept, which
requires all users — inside or outside the organization’s net-
work — to be authenticated, authorized, and continuously val-
idated before receiving access to applications and data. This
approach, in other words, trusts no one, and assumes that cyber
attacks could come from anywhere — especially from those
inside the organization.
“Insider threats haven’t been a topic of conversation, even The Phoenix International RPC6 rugged network-attached
five years ago as much as it is today,” Kruell says. “It is basically storage server can help the military capitalize on the deluge of
saying you can’t trust anyone or anything, so you need to focus data generated by intelligent, connected devices.
on locking down your data,” Kruell says. “We are seeing greater
and greater adoption of a zero-trust philosophy.” steps toward implementing the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for
Although zero-trust may sound new, it’s actually be around Classified (CSfC) two-layer encryption for protecting classified
for the past 10 or 15 years; it’s just now that it’s becoming widely information in aerospace and defense applications.
known and accepted, Kruell says, explaining that it takes time CRU Data doesn’t yet offer a security data storage device that
for zero-trust to catch on — especially since this discipline is meets all the guidelines of CSfC, but Kruell says he wouldn’t
so demanding. be surprised” to see the company offer a full CSfC solution in
“It comes down to people and processes,” Kruell says. “Do the near future. 
people have the discipline to follow processes, and do you know
that the guy in the cubicle beside you is not a threat? This was
accelerated by cyber attacks that come from inside a network or
6-Channel Discrete-to-Digital Sensor
physical perimeter; that attack has a good chance of succeeding. with Galvanic Isolation
That threat could be anywhere, even next door.”
CRU Data Security specializes in self-encrypting data storage
drives, and takes advantage of today’s high-speed data storage
networking. “A lot of our devices go into aircraft that capture
surveillance data,” Kruell says. “You can never capture or ana-
lyze data fast enough, and you always want a cocoon of security.”
To achieve that cocoon of security, CRU Data designs data
drives according to Federal Information Processing Standard
(FIPS) 140-2 and the Advanced Encryption Standards (AES)
outlined in FIPS 197. These commercial-level encryption stan-
dards are administered by the U.S. National Institute of Standards Sense Analog Voltages in 5V and 28V Aircraft Systems
and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Md.
• Galvanically isolated GND/Open discrete-to-digital sensor
Company engineers also used layered software to go along-
• Airbus ABD0100H specification compliant
side FIPS-certified drives to enhance security. “Our customers • 400V galvanic isolation between digital and analog interfaces
are asking for additional cyber security functions beyond the • Two sensing modes for 5V and 28V systems
drive itself,” Kruell says. “In this market, self-encrypting drives • Supports 28V analog supply
are table stakes.” • DISCONNECT digital output signal indicates all sense input lines
CRU Data also is pursuing secure data storage that meets are “Open”
guidelines of the National Security Agency (NSA) Common
Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation, admin- For further information on these and other Holt products contact:
(949) 859-8800 • sales@holtic.com • www.holtic.com
istered by the NSA’s National Information Assurance Partnership AS9100D: 2016 Registered
(NIAP). Common Criteria certification also is one of the first

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Air Force installs EPAWSS

electronic warfare (EW)
aboard F-15E combat aircraft
BY John Keller

SAN ANTONIO – Military avionics experts EPAWSS replaces an analog, federated Boeing manufactures the F-15 and
from the Boeing Co. have begun installing system with a digital EW suite that enables serves as the integrator for the program,
an advanced electronic warfare (EW) sys- the F-15 to operate amid modern threats and BAE Systems is producing the
tem on the U.S. Air Force fleet of F-15E with dense radio-frequency backgrounds. advanced EW hardware.
jet fighter-bomber aircraft. In 2021 and 2022, the program team
The Air Force supervised the first installations of the delivered six iterations of mission system software, conducted
F-15 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Survivability System 12 major ground test events, participated in three open air range
(EPAWSS) on operational F-15E aircraft in July at the Boeing events/exercises, and flew 1,521 hours in flight test, all while
facility in San Antonio. standing up the modification line in San Antonio and building
Boeing previously installed EPAWSS hardware on eight test up sustainment capabilities.
F-15 combat aircraft and is installing the system on the new In addition to maturing system performance, over the past
F-15EX aircraft at the Boeing production facility in St. Louis. 18 months the combined government-industry program team
F-15 EPAWSS replaces an analog, federated system with a completed final development and qualification of the EW hard-
next-generation, digital, integrated EW suite that enables the ware, ensuring the system meets reliability and maintainability
F-15 to operate in a modern threat environment with dense metrics, laying the foundation for long-term system sustainment.
radio-frequency backgrounds. EPAWSS increases the aircrew’s situational awareness, helps
The updated EW avionics improves pilot situational awareness them understand when they are being targeted by radar, and it
with the capability to autonomously detect, identify, and locate provides them with advanced techniques to counter modern
threat systems, and then deny, degrade, and disrupt those threats. integrated air defense systems. 

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Navy looks to next-gen destroyer

with electromagnetic weapons
and integrated power
BY John Keller

WASHINGTON – U.S. Navy surface warfare experts are taking another The new ship also will have a mid-body hull section called
step toward building a next-generation guided-missile destroyer the Destroyer Payload Module to provide additional payload
eventually to replace the Ticonderoga-class (CG 47) cruisers and capacity. Future capabilities could include laser and electro-
early model Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers. magnetic weapons; hypersonic missiles; and advanced sensors.
Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington At roughly 12,700 tons, the DDG(X) would be close to the
have announced contracts of undisclosed value to two U.S. mil- size of the 1970s-vintage Virginia-class cruiser, or World War
itary shipbuilders for preliminary design of the future Guided II-era Boston-class cruiser. The ship would be about half the
Missile Destroyer now known as DDG(X). size of the massive Russian Kirov-class battle cruiser.
Contracts went to General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Navy leaders speculate that the DDG(X), compared to
Bath, Maine, and to Huntington Ingalls Inc. in Pascagoula, Miss., late-model Burke-class destroyers, will have more space,
to carry out preliminary design work for the future DDG(X) weight-carrying capacity, room for growth; higher-power
surface warship. The value of the contracts was not released equipment; reduced infrared, acoustic, and underwater elec-
because it is competition-sensitive. tromagnetic signatures; increased range; and increased weap-
Navy leaders say they want to procure the first DDG(X) in 2030, ons capacity.
and add the new ship to the fleet as early as 2034. Procurement The new ship also will have elements of the Flight III
of Burke-class destroyers would end sometime after 2030. The Burke-class destroyer Aegis combat system, enhance electrical
Navy approved the DDG(X) major features in December 2020. power and cooling capacity, and an integrated power system.
Navy officials envision the DDG(X) as displacing about The DDG(X) will have 96 standard Vertical Launch System
12,700 tons, which would make it larger than the 9,700-ton (VLS) cells, with an ability to incorporate 12 large missile-launch
Flight III Burke-class destroyer and 9,600-ton Ticonderoga-class cells in place of 32 of the 96 standard VLS cells, and will include
cruiser, yet smaller than the 15,700-ton Zumwalt-class (DDG two 21-cell Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers.
1000) land-attack destroyer. Navy leaders have not specified how many DDG(X) surface
warships they want to buy, yet by 2031
could buy as many as three additional ships
each year. The ship should cost between
$3.5 billion and $4 billion to build.
On these preliminary studies contracts,
Bath Iron Works will do the work in Bath
and Brunswick, Maine, and in Washington,
D.C. Huntington Ingalls will do the work
in Pascagoula, Miss.; Avondale, La.; and
Newport News, Va. Both companies should
be finished by July 2023. 

For more information contact Bath Iron Works online

at https://gdbiw.com, Huntington Ingalls at https://
The next-generation Navy destroyer is expected to have electromagnetic weapons, huntingtoningalls.com, or Naval Sea Systems Com-
high-energy lasers, and an advanced integrated power system. mand at www.navsea.navy.mil.

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Wanted: real-time oscilloscope to detect and

analyze electromagnetic warfare signals
BY John Keller

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – U.S. Air Force electromagnetic The oscilloscope must support software modules and a spe-
warfare experts have reached out to industry to find companies cialty transit case with pulse signal analysis and vector signal
able to provide a real-time oscilloscope to detect and evaluate analysis capability.
electromagnetic threats. Electromagnetic warfare uses aimed electrical and magnetic
Officials of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at energy to destroy or disable critical enemy electronics for nav-
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base issued a sources-sought notice igation and guidance, computing, communications, displays,
in late September (SS-AFRL-PZLEQ-2022-0011) for the timing, sensors, and many other military applications. Typical
Real-Time Oscilloscope project. electromagnetic weapons use high-power microwaves.
This test instrument must offer bandwidth of at least 50 GHz; Experts have determined they can mitigate many new elec-
data acquisition rate per channel of at least 256 gigasamples per tromagnetic threats by moving to ultra-short pulse lengths. This
second; four independent channels; configurable millimeter-wave presents the need to characterize these ultra-fast pulses with a
extension window of less than or equal to 10 GHz; DDC band- high degree of sampling fidelity, Air Force experts say.
width of at least 2 GHz; ability to provide vector signal anal- Data acquisition rate capabilities over the past decade, how-
ysis and pulse signal analysis; onboard memory of at least 5 ever, have limited data fidelity. The threshold for measuring
gigapoints per channel; ability to provide de-embedding; and these ultra-fast rise time events requires a sampling rate that
five-year warranty. has become commercially available.
Previous efforts have relied on the
perfect reproduction of the threat pulse
for several times and then sampling
several pulses and interpolating the
data to enable Air Force researchers
to measure a single pulse directly and
not rely on reproducing an ultra-short
pulse for 10 times, which is not able
to be verified.
This will help researchers measure
the threat pulse and resulting perfor-
mance simultaneously over the oscillo-
scope’s four ports. This would represent
a unique cutting-edge capability for
the Air Force Research Laboratory,
experts say. 

Companies were asked to respond by

early October. Email questions or con-
cerns to jacob.britt.4@us.af.mil, with
“Real-Time Oscilloscope Require-
The Air Force is looking for a real-time oscilloscope to detect and evaluate ment” in the subject line. More informa-
electromagnetic threats, which must support software modules and a specialty transit tion is online at https://sam.gov/opp/
case with pulse signal analysis and vector signal analysis capability. c59ebe75203e411b8e27807b3113775c/view.

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Northrop Grumman to build 13 AN/APG- high as 16 kilowatts. The radar power amplifier offers output
83 AESA radar systems for F-16 jet fighter power of 4,000 Watts peak; power gain of 66 decibels nominal;
U.S. Air Force aerial radar experts are ordering 13 modern active pulse width of 40 microseconds typical; pulse rise and fall time
electronically scanned array (AESA) radar systems for the F-16 of 20 nanoseconds typical; input VSWR of less than 1.5 to 1;
jet fighter under terms of a $25.4 million order. Officials of the and harmonics of -60 decibels relative to the carrier (dBc). The
Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter Bomber power electronics device operates in temperatures from 0 to 50
Directorate, F-16 Division, at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, degrees Celsius at the baseplate; works in humidity as high as
Ohio, are asking the Northrop Grumman Corp. Mission Systems 95 percent; meets MIL-STD-810F for resistance to the effects
segment in Linthicum Heights, Md., to build 13 AN/APG-83 of shock and vibration; works at altitudes as high as 10,000 feet;
AESA radar systems and spare parts for the F-16. The APG-83 uses RJ-45 Ethernet as its control interface; and uses SMA RF
AESA fire-control scalable agile-beam radar (SABR) integrates connectors. The unit measures 19 by 17 by 7 inches, and weighs
within the F-16’s structural, power, and cooling constraints 60 pounds. For more information contact Comtech PST online
without Group A aircraft modification, Northrop Grumman at https://comtechpst.com.
officials say. The company leverages technology developed for
the APG-77 and APG-81 radar systems on the U.S. F-22 and Raytheon to provide F/A-18 combat jets
F-35 combat aircraft. In a 2013 competition, Lockheed Martin with open-systems AN/APG-79 radar
Corp., the F-16 manufacturer, selected the APG-83 as the AESA Radar experts at Raytheon Technologies Corp. will provide the
radar for the F-16 modernization and update programs of the U.S. Navy with six AN/APG-79 active electronically scanned
U.S. and Taiwan air forces. The bandwidth, speed, and agility of array (AESA) airborne radar weapon repairable assemblies
AESA radar systems enable legacy fighter aircraft like the F-16 under terms of a $36.5 million order. Officials of the U.S. Naval
to detect, track, and identify many targets quickly and at long Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support activity
ranges, and to operate in hostile electronic warfare (EW) envi- in Philadelphia are asking the Raytheon Intelligence & Space
ronments. Northrop Grumman is building APG-83 radar systems segment in El Segundo, Calif., for AESA radar weapon repair-
for global F-16 upgrades and new aircraft production, as well as able assemblies (WRAs) in support of the F/A-18 Hornet
for the U.S. Air National Guard. Northrop Grumman also has carrier-based jet fighter-bomber. The AN/APG-79 AESA
installed a production APG-83 SABR on a U.S. Marine Corps radar for the U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18E/F fighter-bomber and
F/A-18C Hornet jet fighter-bomber, company officials say. On EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet provides
this order Northrop Grumman will do the work in Linthicum aircrew situational awareness, near-instantaneous track updates,
Heights, Md., and should be finished by July 2025. For more and multi-target tracking capability. The APG-79 radar has an
information contact Northrop Grumman Mission Systems open-systems architecture and rugged commercial-off-the-shelf
online at www.northropgrumman.com, or the Air Force Life (R-COTS) parts. Its array has solid-state transmit and receive
Cycle Management Center at www.aflcmc.af.mil. modules for enhanced reliability, as well as an advanced receiver/
exciter, ruggedized R-COTS processor, and power supplies. The
Solid-state power amplifier for X-band APG-79 AESA airborne radar uses transmit/receive (TR) mod-
radar introduced by Comtech PST ules populated with gallium arsenide (GaAs) monolithic micro-
Comtech PST Corp. in Melville, N.Y., is introducing the model wave integrated circuits (MMICs). The radar’s active electronic
BHCDP928978-4000 solid-state power amplifier for ground beam scanning helps steer the radar beam at nearly the speed
and surface X-Band radar applications. The AB linear power of light to optimize situational awareness and air-to-air and
electronics device operates over a 9.2-to-9.7-GHz frequency air-to-surface capability, Raytheon officials say. The agile beam
range over an instantaneous bandwidth of 500 MHz, and is enables the multimode radar to interleave in near-real time, so
for a traveling wave tube (TWT) replacement. The amplifier that pilot and crew can use both modes simultaneously. On this
design features self protection for load voltage standing wave order Raytheon will do the work in Forest, Miss., and should be
ratio (VSWR), duty factor, pulse width, temperature, and grace- finished by May 2026. For more information contact Raytheon
ful degradation in case of a RF power module failure. A mean Intelligence & Space online at www.raytheonintelligenceand-
time between failures (MTBF) increase of 10 times that of a the space.com, or the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon
TWT helps improved reliability and lower maintenance costs. Systems Support activity-Philadelphia at www.navsup.navy.mil/
Comtech supports custom configurations for power levels as NAVSUP-Enterprise/NAVSUP-Weapon-Systems-Support. 

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Boeing starts producing

MQ-25 Stingray unmanned
tanker aircraft for
carrier operations
BY John Keller

PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy carrier The MQ-25 will provide The MQ-25 aerial refueling tanker is the
aviation experts are ordering unmanned aerial aircraft carrier-based unmanned U.S. Navy’s first operational carrier-based
tankers from the Boeing Co. in preparation refueling capability to extend unmanned aircraft and is designed to provide
for future larger orders and eventual carrier the combat range of combat a much-needed refueling capability, Boeing
deployment of these unmanned tanker aircraft. aircraft deployed at sea. officials say. Navy officials expect to declare
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command MQ-25 initial operational capability by 2024.
at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced an $47.5 The MQ-25 first flew last fall.
million order to the Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security seg- The MQ-25 will provide aircraft carrier-based refueling capabil-
ment in St. Louis in late September for MQ-25 Stingray low-rate ity to extend the combat range of deployed F/A-18 Super Hornet,
initial production lot 1 for the U.S. Navy. EA-18G Growler, and Lockheed Martin F-35C combat aircraft.

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Boeing won a $805 million development contract to build Rugged midwave infrared imaging camera
four MQ-25 carrier-based unmanned aerial tankers in 2018, introduced by Teledyne FLIR
prevailing over competing designs built by General Atomics Teledyne FLIR in Goleta, Calif., is introducing the Neutrino
in San Diego and the Northrop Grumman Corp. Aeronautics LC CZ 15-300 midwave infrared (MWIR) camera modules for
Systems segment in Palmdale, Calif. airborne, unmanned, counter-unmanned, security, intelligence,
The Boeing MQ-25 aircraft has an advanced, customized reconnaissance, and targeting applications. These midwave infra-
remote I/O interface controller based from Aitech Defense red cameras have integrated continuous-zoom lenses, and are
Systems Inc. in Chatsworth, Calif. The system is based on for integrated solutions that require crisp long-range imaging
the Aitech Ai-RIO avionics remote interface. with benefits in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). Based
The Ai-RIO is expandable with as many as eight units on Teledyne FLIR HOT FPA technology, the rugged Neutrino
networked together. Added capabilities include I/O, power LC CZ 15-300 offers high performance, 640-by-512-pixel HD
switching, and mass/SD FLASH memory. The remote I/O MWIR imagery and 15-to-300-millimeter continuous-zoom.
subsystem includes a Gigabit Ethernet port with precision The long-life FL-100 linear cryocooler drives reliable oper-
time sync IEEE-1588 support, 10 RS-422 ports, eight LVDS ation. All Neutrino IS products include a Teledyne FLIR
or RS-422/485 UARTS, four SpaceWire ports with LVDS continuous-zoom lens integrated with a Neutrino SWaP series
I/O, two CANbus ports, and 16 GPIO in two blocks of eight. camera module (VGA or SXGA). The camera module and
The Ai-RIO is an high density, low power rugged sub- lens are designed for each other. Teledyne FLIR also provides
system for vehicle platform flight control, attitude and navi- technical services. All Neutrino series are classified under U.S.
gation controls, servo-valve and thrust vector control (TVC), Department of Commerce jurisdiction as EAR 6A003.b.4. and
robotic motor control, video and image processing and stor- are not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations
age, data telemetry, platform stabilization, communications (ITAR). For more information contact Teledyne FLIR online
and telematics, high speed data recorders, booster and launch at www.flir.com.
propulsion and thruster control, remote sensor and effec-
tor monitoring. Electro-optical modules for machine vision
Boeing can use the Ai-RIO as a stand-alone command in robotics introduced by Teledyne e2v
and data handling platform or networked remote com- Teledyne e2v, a Teledyne Technologies company in Grenoble,
mand/response I/O unit. It a radiation-qualified dual-core France, is introducing the 2-Megapixel Optimom MIPI CSI-2
PowerPC processor with two rad-tolerant FPGAs. All optical modules for embedded systems with machine vision
internal electronics are conduction-cooled and mechanically like robotics, logistics, drones, and laboratory equipment.
fixed and housed within a sealed, EMI/EMC Faraday cage Optimom 2M features a native MIPI CSI-2 protocol and
for maximum thermal transfer. standard FPC connector to link with embedded computing
In addition to Aitech, other subcontractors to Boeing on boards. Integration is instant using a dedicated development
the MQ-25 project are; BAE Systems; Collins Aerospace; Cox kit that includes an adapter board for hardware integration
& Co.; Crane Aerospace & Electronics; Cubic; Curtiss-Wright and Linux drivers for software integration with NVIDIA
Defense Solutions; General Electric Corp.; L3Harris Jetson or NXP i.MX processors. These electro-optical mod-
Technologies; Héroux-Devtek; Honeywell International; ules are built with a compact 25-millimeter square outline in
Innovative Power Solutions; Moog Aircraft Group; Parker one mechanical design that can fit into constrained mechan-
Hannifin; Raytheon; Rolls-Royce; and Triumph Group. ical systems. Designers of machine vision systems can tailor
On this order Boeing will do the work in Torrance, Optimom 2M for several scenarios with two color options in
Burbank, and Chatsworth, Calif.; McKinney, Texas; St. monochrome or RGB, and three lens options: a multi-focus
Louis; Longueuil, Quebec; Palm Bay, Fla.; Indianapolis; lens, a fixed-focus lens, and no lens. All Optimom 2M models
Ajax, Ontario; Wayne, N.J.; and Farmingdale, N.Y., and are powered by Teledyne e2v’s 2-megapixel low-noise global
should be finished by September 2026.  shutter image sensor that provides sharp images of fast-moving
objects. The multi-focus version combines a broad working
For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at distance and wide aperture in one solution with focus adjust-
www.boeing.com/company/about-bds, or Naval Air Systems Command at ment technology. For more information contact Teledyne e2v
www.navair.navy.mil. online at www.teledyne-e2v.com.

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Navy picks Hydronalix for micro

unmanned aircraft, boats, and sensors
research in explosives detection
BY John Keller

LAKEHURST, N.J. – U.S. Navy unmanned vehicles experts needed Other potential applications of these micro unmanned vehi-
a company to integrate micro unmanned vehicles with sensor cles are compact, lightweight autonomous underwater vehicle
payloads for surveillance and enemy explosives detection. They (AUV) with robust navigation and range for riverine recon-
found their solution from Hydronalix Inc. in Green Valley, Ariz. naissance; additive manufacturing for sonobuoy applications;
Officials of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division swarming unmanned vehicles for humanitarian assistance and
in Lakehurst, N.J., announced a $9.1 million order to Green disaster relief; efficient propellers for small unmanned vessels;
Valley in September for research into a variety of small unmanned and expeditionary maritime mine countermeasures.
aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Hydronalix experts will handle sensors integration, control
Some of this micro unmanned aircraft and boat technologies software, and communications systems for micro-unmanned
will be for explosive ordnance neutralization in harbors, rivers, surface and aerial vessels.
and in shallow coastal waters for the U.S. Marine Corps. Sponsors of this contract include the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine
Corps, U.S. Defense Advanced Research
Projects Agency (DARPA); and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
Hydronalix specializes in extreme-
performance small unmanned vehicles, for
water and air, and offers advanced research
and development; design and prototyping;
and test and evaluation. Founded in 2009,
the company is known for robotic water
rescue systems and advanced USVs using
composite and ceramic materials.
The company also designs energy-efficient
propulsion systems for long-duration mis-
sions with high dash speeds. The unmanned
systems are man-portable and designed for
easy operations, field maintenance, service,
and repair. Hydronalix also offers expertise
with integrating sensors and communication
payloads on UAVs and USVs. 

On this order Hydronalix will do the work in Green

Valley, Ariz., and should be finished by Septem-
ber 2026. For more information contact Hydrona-
lix online at www.hydronalix.com, or the Naval Air
Hydronalix Inc. in Green Valley, Ariz., will investigate new generations of micro Warfare Center Aircraft Division-Lakehurst at www.
unmanned marine vehicles and sensor payloads. navair.navy.mil/lakehurst.

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 UNMANNED VEHICLES

‘Innervating’ smaller, smarter, safer

... and bluer robots and drones
To Innervate means to “put the nerves into” something. In
humans, nerves are a key part of the nervous system, which
also includes the brain and spinal cord. This system has three
overlapping functions: sensory input (receiving information, pro-
cessing and interpreting it), integration (extracting information

Industry briefed on and sending it out for an appropriate response), and motor output
(initiating a response), writes Col. (Ret.) Retired Air Force Col.

artificial intelligence Dawn Zoldi writes. “ModalAI’s VOXL 2, when integrated with
Doodle Labs’ Smart Radios, provides end-to-end innervation for

(AI), sensors, and uncrewed aircraft vehicles (UAVs) or drones, uncrewed ground
vehicles (UGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and other

autonomy program mobile robotics,” Zoldi writes. “A recent collaboration between

these two Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS Framework
companies has accelerated the development of smaller, smarter,
BY John Keller and safer… and Bluer drones.” Zoldi also notes that “An inte-
grated solution that combines VOXL 2 with the Helix Smart
ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military The DARPA Air program Radio provides the best of all worlds to developers - especially
researchers briefed industry last focuses on artificial those desiring their platforms to stay NDAA-compliant. This
month on an upcoming project intelligence and machine powerful combination of cyber-secure and trusted technology
to develop new kinds of artificial autonomy for future provides developers with the simplification and consolidation
intelligence (AI) and machine autonomous vehicles sensor they need. Integrating this proven tech into hardware solutions
autonomy for battle manage- fusion and battle management. will accelerate development timelines to bring the smallest,
ment and sensor fusion in the smartest, safest and Bluest drones to market sooner.”
Artificial Intelligence Reinforcements (AIR) project.
The DARPA AIR initiative seeks to fill gaps in research Trade show for 3D and airborne
on developing and deploying tactical autonomy capability in technologies set for February in Denver
real-world military operations. Geo Week is the event for increased integration between the
AIR will focus on previously avoided dimensions to enable tac- built environment, advanced airborne/terrestrial technol-
tical autonomy in integrated sensors, scalability to large engage- ogies, and commercial 3D technologies, bringing together
ments, adaptability to changing conditions, and the ability to former stand-alone events AEC Next Technology Expo &
learn predictive models that incorporate uncertain knowledge Conference, International Lidar Mapping Forum, and SPAR
of adversary and self, as well as deceptive effects. 3D Expo & Conference, and powerful partnership events
AIR will pair existing, maturing, and emerging algorithmic including ASPRS Annual Conference, MAPPS Annual
approaches with expert human feedback to evolve the cooperative Conference and USIBD Annual Symposium. This year’s
autonomous behaviors rapidly that solve previously avoided challenges. Geo Week expo will be Feb. 13 to 15, 2023 at the Colorado
AIR will address two technical areas: creating fast and accurate Convention Center & Hyatt Regency Denver at 700 14th St.
models that capture uncertainty and automatically improve with in Denver, Colo. Attendees will get hands-on with technolo-
more data; and developing AI-driven algorithmic approaches gies that provide data for understanding the world around us,
to real-time distributed autonomous tactical execution within to create more efficient workflows, and aid in decision mak-
uncertain, dynamic, and complex operational environments.  ing based on real-world data. Geo Week exhibitors include
leaders in laser scanning, lidar, and reality capture technolo-
The AIR program also will develop ways to design, test, and implement future gies, as well as tools for 3D visualization and analysis, BIM,
iterations of AIR software. Email questions or concerns to Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron digital building technologies and more. Registration infor-
at DARPA-SN-23-06@darpa.mil. More information is online at https://sam.gov/ mation is online at https://xpressreg.net/register/geow0223/
opp/1b972abff6de4a2fbf7999af316e52c0/view. landing.php?, and at https://www.geo-week.com. 

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 ELECTRO OPTICS WATCH

Industry eyes miniature

optical beam steering for laser
communications and lidar
BY John Keller

ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military researchers The DARPA SOAR program is to design steering the angle of acceptance to acquire
have asked industry to develop miniature optical beam steering in miniature form and couple the input beam into a common
optical beam steering for applications like factors, and demonstrate their operation output mode, or detect the optical signal
free-space laser optical communications in receive mode with small aperture sizes. within the receiver interface.
and light detection and ranging (lidar). The first phase of SOAR will focus
Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Projects Agency on lidar and laser communications receiver design and process
(DARPA) in Arlington, Va., issued a microsystems exploration development. The second phase will fabricate the receiver, and
topic last September (DARPA-PA-21-05-01) for the Steerable include a transceiver design study on aperture scalability and
Optical Aperture Receivers (SOAR) project. system integration.
SOAR is to identify promising new approaches to optical beam DARPA researchers want steering components to be signifi-
steering in miniature form factors, and experimentally demon- cantly smaller than 100 cubic centimeters, and be able to steer
strate their operation in receive mode with small aperture sizes. light beams at high speed, with pointing time faster than 100
Today, optical beam steering primarily is mechanical, using microseconds, and with modest power consumption.
a gimbal or motor to point optical lenses. The size weight of SOAR is technology-agnostic and open to any concept that
gimbal-based beam steering systems, however, typically is too meets program goals. Researchers would consider, for exam-
big for small and autonomous vehicles that need onboard laser ple, two-dimensional optical parametric amplification (OPA),
communications and lidar capability. non-planar integrated photonics, optical metasurfaces, direc-
The rise of integrated photonics, in which microscopic devices tional optical scattering techniques, and discrete micro-optics.
on chips replicate the functions of discrete optics. This offers Researchers also are interested in the ability to generate several
not only dramatic size reduction, but also the potential for new simultaneous beams. 
and complex optical system architectures until now have been
impractical at the macroscopic scale. The SOAR project seeks Companies were asked to respond by October to the DARPA sub-
to answer key questions about optical receiver performance, scal- mission website at https://baa.darpa.mil. Email questions or con-
ability, and integration. cerns to Jonathan Hoffman, the DARPA SOAR program manager, at
SOAR seeks to develop optical interfaces that can receive SOAR@darpa.mil. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/
light from any direction without knowing the incoming angle by c0bda073553047b1803c11518eae78fc/view.

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 ELECTRO OP TIC S WATCH

Leonardo DRS to provide electro-optical

sensors for Australian vetronics
BY John Keller

WARREN, Mich. – U.S. Army combat vehicle experts

needed electro-optical systems to enable vehicle
crews to see outside while inside and protected
from enemy fire. They found their solution from
the Leonardo DRS Land Electronics segment in
Melbourne, Fla.
Officials of the U.S. Army Contracting
Command at Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich.,
have announced a $9.6 million contract to
Leonardo DRS for Integrated Vision Systems
vetronics for the government of Australia.
The Integrated Vision Systems enable armored
combat vehicle crew members to see outside the vehi-
cle while remaining under protection of the vehicle’s
armor. It combines uncooled thermal technology
in a two-axis stabilized gimbal with the Leonardo
DRS Enhanced Situation Awareness camera system.
The Leonardo DRS integrated vision system Electro-optical sensors from Leonardo DRS will enable armored combat
sensors for armored combat vehicles has a two-axis vehicle crews to see outside when their vehicles are buttoned-up for battle.
stabilized gimbal sensor that provides 360-degree
vision with image-intensified television, infrared sensor, and Bushmaster; G Wagon; M1 Abrams tank; and M113AS4
laser range finder. armored personnel carrier.
These electro-optical sensors are for Australia’s Assault The ASLAV is a wheeled, eight-wheel-drive vehicle that has
Breacher Vehicle, which is designed to clear pathways for infan- been modified to deal with Australia’s harsh conditions. The
try soldiers and military vehicles through dangerous obsta- Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle – Medium (PMV-M)
cles like mine fields, improvised explosive devices, and other is an Australian-built four-wheel drive armored vehicle. The
roadside bombs. G-Wagon vehicle and its range of trailers and modules is designed
The DRS integrated vision system for the Breacher has to be used by the Australian army in tactical training, disaster
a two-axis stabilized gimbal sensor that provides 360-degree relief, and securing Australia’s coastline.
vision with image-intensified television, infrared sensor, and The Abrams main battle tank has the firepower, mobility
laser range finder. The Assault Breacher Vehicle is based on the and survivability to provide the key component in the combined
M1A1 main battle tank chassis, weighs 72-tons, is 40 feet long, arms team. The M113AS4 armored personnel carrier provides
and has a 1,500 horsepower engine. the Australian Defence Force with a protected mobility and
The vehicle has a plow that is 15 feet long, supported by armored fighting capability. 
metal skis that glide on the dirt. The vehicle carries about 7,000
pounds of explosives, including M58 rockets with C-4 explosives On this contract Leonardo DRS will do the work in Melbourne, Fla., and should
designed to detonate hidden explosives as far ahead of the vehi- be finished by November 2024. For more information contact Leonardo DRS
cle as 150 yards to let soldiers troops and vehicles pass by safely. Land Electronics online at www.leonardodrs.com, or the Army Contract-
The Australian military operates several armored combat vehi- ing Command-Detroit Arsenal at https://home.army.mil/detroit/index.php/
cles, including the Australian Light Armored Vehicle (ASLAV); units-tenants/acc-dta.

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 ELECTRO OP TIC S WATCH

Army orders Javelin electro-optical

imaging infrared anti-tank missiles
BY John Keller

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Missiles experts Javelin, which has electro-optical charges: a precursor warhead to detonate
at Lockheed Martin Corp. and Raytheon guidance, has automatic self-guidance any explosive reactive armor, and a primary
Technologies Corp. will build additional and is designed to destroy main battle warhead to penetrate base armor.
Javelin anti-tank missiles, which have tanks, armored personnel carriers, and Javelin offers lock-on before launch
achieved fame in the Russia-Ukraine war other armored combat vehicles. and automatic self-guidance that attacks
as one of the most lethal weapons used the vulnerable tops of armored vehicles. A
against invading Russian armored combat vehicles. two-person infantry team typically carries the missile.
Officials of the U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Raytheon produces the command launch unit, missile guid-
Arsenal, Ala., announced a $311.2 million order last month to ance electronic unit, and system software at Raytheon Missile
the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture based in Systems segment in Tucson, Ariz. Lockheed Martin, meanwhile,
Tucson, Ariz., to build Javelin weapon systems. The order is for produces the missile seeker and the electronic safe, arm, and fire
full-rate production of Javelin missiles. electronic module in Ocala, Fla., and performs missile all-up-
Javelin, which has electro-optical guidance, is an infantry round assembly in Troy, Ala. 
fire-and-forget anti-armor weapon with lock-on before launch
and automatic self-guidance designed to destroy main battle tanks, On this order the Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture will do the
armored personnel carriers, and other armored combat vehicles. The work in Tucson, Ariz., and should be finished by November 2025. For more
missile also is effective against buildings and enemy helicopters. information contact Raytheon at www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.com/
Javelin has an imaging infrared-guided seeker to guide the what-we-do/land-warfare/precision-weapons/javelin-missile, or Lockheed
warhead to its target. The tandem warhead has two shaped Martin at www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/javelin.html.

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6 degrees of freedom motion control Raytheon to build FIM-92 Stinger

system introduced by ALIO Industries shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles
Motion control specialist ALIO Industries in Arvada, Colo., is U.S. Army air-defense experts are asking Raytheon Technologies
introducing the Hybrid Hexapod for 6D motion in applications Corp. to build additional FIM-92 Stinger shoulder-fired
that need flatness and straightness of motion plus stiffness, such anti-aircraft missiles under terms of a $34.9 million order.
as machining and bonding applications. The Hybrid Hexapod Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Redstone
technology allows for the provision of documented proof of per- Arsenal, Ala., are asking the Raytheon Missiles & Defense
formance over all 6 degrees of freedom of a body in motion at segment in Tucson, Ariz., to build Stinger missiles and related
nanometer-level precision, says Bill Hennessey, president of ALIO equipment. One soldier can operate the FIM-92 Stinger — a
Industries. The Hybrid Hexapod is for nanometer applications in portable air-defense system that operates as an infrared hom-
the optical, semiconductor, manufacturing, metrology, laser pro- ing surface-to-air missile that can be fired from a wide variety
cessing, and micro-machining sectors. While all hexapod motion of infantry launchers, military ground vehicles, and helicopters.
systems operate within 3D space, and have errors in all 6 degrees The passive surface-to-air missile can be shoulder-fired by one
of freedom, they typically have been characterized only by perfor- operator, and can acquire the target when the target approaches
mance data of a single degree of freedom. This practice leaves error the operator, giving much more time to acquire and destroy the
sources unaccounted for in several degrees of freedom, especially in target. The FIM-92B missile also can fire from the M1097
flatness and straightness, which are critical precision needs at the Avenger and the M6 Linebacker weapon systems. The missile
nanometer level. The Hybrid Hexapod is designed to overcome also can deploy from a Humvee Stinger rack, and can be used
these issues. ALIO Industries designed the Hybrid Hexapod to by airborne troops. A helicopter launched version exists called
address the critical weaknesses of conventional legacy hexapod Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS). The shoulder-fired missile is five
designs and stacked serial stages, and achieve nanometer-level feet long, 2.8 inches in diameter, and weighs 22 pounds. It has a
accuracy, repeatability, and high-integrity flatness and straight- targeting range of about three miles and can engage low-altitude
ness during motion. It uses a tripod parallel kinematics structure enemy threats from as far away as 2.3 miles. The missile travels
to deliver Z plane and tip/tilt motion, integrated with a mono- as fast as Mach 2.5. For more information contact Raytheon
lithic serial kinematic structure for XY motion. A rotary stage Missiles & Defense online at www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.
integrated into the top of the tripod provides 360-degree continu- com, or the Army Contracting Command-Redstone at https://
ous yaw rotation, and customizes individual axes to provide travel acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-rsa/.
ranges from millimeters to more than one meter, while maintain-
ing nanometer-levels of precision. For more information contact RF-over-fiber systems for satellite communications
ALIO Industries online at https://alioindustries.com. (SATCOM) introduced by ETL Systems
ETL Systems Ltd. in Madley, England, is introducing the next
Rugged optical fiber that resists solar evolution of StingRay, the company’s RF-over-fiber range with
radiation introduced by Armadillo SIA additional functionality and flexibility for satellite operations.
Armadillo SIA in Sunnyvale, Calif., is introducing Optran UV RF over fiber is a dependable and reliable way of moving sat-
NSS Fiber to provide deep-ultraviolet solarization resistance in ellite communications (SATCOM) signals over long distances
semiconductor technology, laser delivery systems, spectroscopy, than standard coaxial cable. With fiber modules that enable
and medical technology. The optical fiber features a hermetic car- antennas and IRD modems to link from 100 meters to more
bon layer, low numerical aperture expansion, and superior optical than 500 kilometers, this is an efficient way to transport IF, L
stability while operating in the UVC spectral range from 190 to and C-band transmit and receive satellite signals. The RF over
1200 nanometers. The high-solarization-resistance fibers resist fiber products will be incorporated into ETL’s next-generation
the effects of ultraviolet radiation are available in any numeri- Genus platform that will offer increased modularity and flex-
cal aperture value from 0.12 to 0.30 and can be customized on ibility for ground stations, as well as medium-Earth-orbit and
request. Core diameters are available from 90 to 1000 microns. low-Earth-orbit satellites. Within the Genus platform, ETL’s
Composed of biocompatible materials, the operating tempera- StingRay long-range RF over fiber products cover frequency
ture range of the silica/silica optical fibers is -190 to 150 degrees bands including C-Band links operating over 500 MHz to 6,725
Celsius. For more information contact Armadillo SIA online at MHz. For more information contact ETL Systems online at
www.armadillosia.com. www.etlsystems.com. 

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 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS
processor architecture offers the flexibility for the process-
ing power to ebb and flow depending on current opera-
tional requirements. Certain processing functions can also
be turned off when not in use, reducing power consump-
tion. This capability will save a large amount of energy and
improve overall computing efficiency for space missions.
“Our current spaceflight computers were developed
almost 30 years ago,” says Wesley Powell, NASA’s princi-
pal technologist for advanced avionics. “While they have
served past missions well, future NASA missions demand
SPACE COM PUTING significantly increased onboard computing capabilities
NASA selects Microchip Technology and reliability. The new computing processor will provide
to develop spaceflight processor the advances required in performance, fault tolerance, and
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s flexibility to meet these future mission needs.”
(NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge, Microchip’s HPSC processor may be useful to other gov-
Calif., has selected Microchip Technology Inc. of Chandler, ernment agencies and applicable to other types of future
Ariz., to develop a high-performance spaceflight com- space mission to explore Earth’s solar system and beyond,
puting (HPSC) processor. Microchip’s HPSC will provide from Earth science operations to Mars exploration and
at least 100 times the computational capacity of current human lunar missions. The processor potentially could be
spaceflight computers. This capability aims to advance all for commercial systems on Earth that require similar mis-
types of future space missions, including surface missions. sion critical edge computing needs as space missions and
Microchip will architect, design, and deliver the HPSC are able to continue operations safely if one component of
processor over three years, with the goal of employing the the system fails. These potential applications include indus-
processor on future lunar and planetary exploration mis- trial automation, edge computing, time-sensitive Ethernet
sions. Microchip’s processor architecture will improve the data transmission, artificial intelligence, and even Internet
overall computing efficiency for these missions by enabling of Things gateways, which bridge various communication
computing power to be scalable, based on mission needs. technologies.
The work will take place under a $50 million contract, with
Microchip contributing significant research and develop- TAC TIC AL N ET WOR KING
ment costs to complete the project. L3Harris to provide signal
“We are making a joint investment with NASA on a processing for shipboard network
new trusted and transformative compute platform,” says U.S. Navy surface warfare experts needed signal data pro-
Babak Samimi, corporate vice president for Microchip’s cessors and spare parts for the Cooperative Engagement
Communications business unit. “It will deliver compre- Capability (CEC) tactical network aboard Navy surface war-
hensive Ethernet networking, advanced artificial intel- ships. They found their solution from L3Harris Technologies.
ligence/machine learning processing and connectivity Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in
support while offering unprecedented performance gain, Washington have announced a $32 million order to the
fault-tolerance, and security architecture at low power
consumption.”
Current space-qualified computing technology is
designed to address the most computationally intensive
part of a mission — a practice that leads to overdesigning
and inefficient use of computing power. For example, a Mars
surface mission demands high-speed data movement and
intense calculation during the planetary landing sequence.
However, routine mobility and science operations require
fewer calculations and tasks per second. Microchip’s new

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 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS

L3Harris C5 Integrated Systems segment in Camden, N.J.,

for CEC spares and signal data processors.
The CEC is a maritime tactical sensor and weapons net-
work for anti-air warfare that combines information from
sensors on aircraft and surface vessels that are operating
over broadly distributed geographic areas.
CEC combines sensor information into a common tacti-
cal picture for battle groups at sea. It improves overall situ-
ational awareness, and enables fleet commanders to work
closely together to attack enemy forces from long ranges.
The order to L3Harris is a modification to a six-year $14.9
million contract the company won last July for CEC system
production and repair. This contract has options that could
increase its value to $378.9 million.
CEC blends sensors and weapons into an integrated
real-time network that expands the battlespace; enhances
situational awareness; increases depth of fire; enables long R ADAR
intercept ranges; and improves decision and reaction times. Saab to build two radar systems
It extracts and distributes sensor information such for shipboard air traffic control
that the superset of this data is available to all participat- U.S. Navy shipboard surveillance experts needed AN/
ing CEC-equipped units by fusing the distributed data SPN-50(V) 1 shipboard air traffic control radar systems to
from shipboard, airborne, composite tracking network replace the Navy’s AN/SPN-43C radar aboard aircraft car-
ground-mobile units, Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile riers and amphibious assault ships. They found their solu-
Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS), and coa- tion from Saab Inc. in East Syracuse, N.Y.
lition partners into one fire-control-quality air track picture. Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent
The system uses line-of-sight data distribution to share River Naval Air Station, Md., has announced a $31.7 mil-
radar-measurement data among sensors and weapons to lion order to Saab for two AN/SPN-50(V) 1 shipboard air
create one distributed integrated air picture. It combines traffic radar systems for aircraft carriers and amphibious
surveillance and targeting information such that the com- assault ships.
bined system is greater than the sum of its parts. The AN/SPN-50(V) 1 radar enables shipboard air traffic
The jam-resistant CEC obtains target track informa- controllers to identify, marshal, and direct aircraft within a
tion to form one real-time composite track to help coordi- 50-nautical-mile radius of the ship. The order includes two
nate theater air and missile defense to engage incoming on-board repair kits, and two depot spares kits.
cruise missiles. In recent years, the top 25 percent of the AN/SPN-43C
CEC consists of the Data Distribution System (DDS), the frequency band has been reallocated to the fixed wire-
Cooperative Engagement Processor (CEP), and interface less access community prohibiting air traffic control and
with combat systems and sensors. air search radar operation within 50 nautical miles of the
The DDS encodes and distributes own-ship sensor and coast, Navy officials say.
engagement data. The CEP processes force levels of data The AN/SPN-50(V)1 radar is one of the U.S. versions of
in near real-time, and enables surface warships and other Saab’s Sea Giraffe agile multi beam radar, functions as the
weapons platforms to can cue their onboard sensors and primary air traffic control surveillance radar for manned and
weapons to engage targets without actually tracking them. unmanned aviation aboard the Navy’s nuclear-powered
On this order L3Harris will do the work in Lititz and aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault ships.
Lancaster, Pa.; Salt Lake City; and Largo, Fla., and should On this order Saab will do the work in Syracuse, N.Y., and
be finished by April 2023. For more information contact should be finished by September 2024. For more informa-
L3Harris C5 Integrated Systems online at www.l3harris.com, tion contact Saab Inc. online at www.saab.com, or Naval
or Naval Sea Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil. Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.

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Germany and by ROKETSAN in Turkey

also can build the missile under license
from Raytheon.
There are three main variants:
the Stinger Basic, Stinger-Passive
Optical Seeker Technique (POST),
and Stinger-Reprogrammable
Microprocessor (RMP).
The POST and RMP variants have
a dual-detector infrared and ultravio-
let seeker that enables the missile to
distinguish targets from countermea-
sures. The Stinger-RMP can load a new
set of software via read-only memory.
The weapon has more than 270
fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter
M ISSILE GUIDANCE intercepts to its credit. Stinger missiles also can destroy
Raytheon to build FIM-92 Stinger unmanned aircraft with proximity fuzes. For more infor-
shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles mation contact Raytheon Missiles & Defense online at
U.S. Army air-defense experts are asking Raytheon www.raytheonmissilesanddefense.com, or the Army
Technologies Corp. to build additional FIM-92 Stinger Contracting Command-Redstone at https://acc.army.mil/
shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles under terms of a $34.9 contractingcenters/acc-rsa/.
million order.
Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Redstone SE NSORS
Arsenal, Ala., are asking the Raytheon Missiles & Defense Raytheon to build long-range ASARS-2
segment in Tucson, Ariz., to build Stinger missiles and imaging radar for U-2 reconnaissance jet
related equipment. U.S. Air Force aerial surveillance experts are asking the
One soldier can operate the FIM-92 Stinger — a porta- Raytheon Co. to build super-high-resolution imaging radar
ble air-defense system that operates as an infrared homing for long-range target detection, radar mapping, and bomb
surface-to-air missile that can be fired from a wide variety of damage assessment.
infantry launchers, military ground vehicles, and helicopters. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at
The passive surface-to-air missile can be shoulder-fired Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, announced a $184 mil-
by one operator, and can acquire the target when the tar- lion five-year contract to the Raytheon Intelligence & Space
get approaches the operator, giving much more time to segment in El Segundo, Calif., for the Advanced Synthetic
acquire and destroy the target. The FIM-92B missile also Aperture Radar System-2 — better-known as ASARS-2.
can fire from the M1097 Avenger and the M6 Linebacker
weapon systems.
The missile also can deploy from a Humvee Stinger rack,
and can be used by airborne troops. A helicopter launched
version exists called Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS).
The shoulder-fired missile is five feet long, 2.8 inches in
diameter, and weighs 22 pounds. It has a targeting range
of about three miles and can engage low-altitude enemy
threats from as far away as 2.3 miles. The missile travels as
fast as Mach 2.5, and has a 2.25-pound explosive warhead.
It entered service in 1981 and is used by the militar-
ies of the U.S. and 29 other countries. Airbus Defence in

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This imaging radar is a is a mul-

timode real-time, high-resolution
reconnaissance system carried on
the U-2 Dragon Lady high-altitude
reconnaissance jet with all-weather,
day-night, long-range mapping
capabilities.
ASARS-2 detects and locates sta-
tionary and moving ground targets
with precise range in search and
spotlight imagery modes. It gath-
ers detailed information, formats the
data, and transmits it via wideband
data link for display of fixed or mov-
ing ground objects.
The imaging radar can produce
extremely high-resolution images from long stand-off Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in
ranges and provides the highest resolution radar ground Washington announced a $31.7 million order for the MK
maps available today, experts say. 234 Nulka Advanced Decoy Architecture Program (ADAP)-
ASARS-2 is a descendant of the original ASARS radar series payloads.
used 30 years ago during the Persian Gulf War for battle The ADAP missile-defense payload provides an advanced
damage assessment. It has on-board processing, improved EW transmitter and increased signal processing capability
image quality, broad area coverage of still and moving tar- to target specific threats that the current payload on the
gets, and improved target geolocation. shipboard Nulka decoy does not.
ASARS-2B contains an active electronically scanned ADAP payloads are designed to lure missiles away from
array antenna and is designed to double the surveillance their intended targets with advanced electronic tech-
range of the U-2 aircraft. ASARS-2B replaces the front end niques. The ADAP payloads are an upgrade to the exist-
components of the Raytheon ASARS-2A airborne radar, ing Nulka decoy.
which has become difficult to maintain because of obso- Nulka is a joint program with Australia, and is in service
lescent components. with the Australian, Canadian, and U.S. navies to protect sur-
ASARS-2B uses liquid electronics cooling and thermal face warships. Nulka consists of the MK 53 decoy-launching
management. It has an open-systems architecture, and the system and MK 234 offboard active decoy to defeat hos-
radar’s range is nearly double that of the previous ASARS-2A tile anti-ship missiles.
radar, Raytheon officials say. The MK 53 DLS consists of a decoy launch processor,
On this contract Raytheon will do the work in El Segundo, launching power supplies, and from two to six launch-
Calif., and should be finished by August 2027. For more ers depending on the ship class. Each launcher can store
information contact Raytheon Intelligence & Space online and launch two Nulka decoys. The MK 53 DLS provides
at www.raytheonintelligenceandspace.com, or the Air Force the launch authorization and flight demands to the Nulka
Life Cycle Management Center at www.aflcmc.af.mil. decoy when a Nulka engagement is initiated.
The MK 53 DLS has been installed on U.S. Ticonderoga-class
E LEC TRON IC WAR FAR E cruisers, Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Nimitz-class aircraft
L3Harris to provide missile-defense electronic carriers, as well as on Whidbey Island- and Harpers Ferry-class
warfare (EW) payloads for surface warships amphibious assault ships.
U.S. Navy shipboard electronic warfare (EW) experts are On this order L3Harris will do the work Clifton, N.J., and
asking L3Harris Technologies Inc. to build special EW pay- should be finished by June 2025. For more information
loads to help protect Navy warships from enemy anti-ship contact L3Harris online at www.l3harris.com, or Naval Sea
cruise missiles. Systems Command at www.navsea.navy.mil.

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 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS

The Northrop Grumman Electronic

Systems segment in Rolling Meadows,
Ill., provides the KC-46’s Large Aircraft
Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM),
while the Raytheon Intelligence &
Space segment in El Segundo, Calif.,
provides the tanker’s digital radar warn-
ing receiver and digital anti-jam global
positioning system (GPS) receiver.
The Raytheon Collins Aerospace seg-
ment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, provides the
KC-46 integrated display system with
15.1-inch diagonal liquid crystal displays,
which are based on the avionics suite for
the Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger jet.
Collins Aerospace also provides the
AVION ICS KC-46’s tactical situational awareness system, remote vision
Boeing team to provide 15 KC-46 aerial system 3-D and 2-D technology for the boom operator, the
tanker aircraft, avionics, power, and displays communications, navigation, surveillance (CNI) system,
U.S. Air Force aerial refueling experts are asking the Boeing networking, and flight-control systems.
Co. to build 15 new KC-46 Pegasus military aerial refueling The DRS Technologies Inc. Laurel Technologies
and strategic military transport aircraft under terms of a Partnership in Johnstown, Pa., provides the KC-46’s aerial
$2.2 billion order. refueling operator station (AROS). The Eaton Aerospace
Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center facility in Grand Rapids, Mich., provides the tanker’s elec-
at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, are asking the tromechanical and cargo door actuation systems.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in Seattle to Woodward Inc. in Skokie, Ill., meanwhile, provides the
build lot 8 of the KC-46 aircraft program. The order includes sensor system, control unit, and telescopic and flight con-
subscriptions and licenses. trol sticks for the KC-46-s aerial refueling boom.
The KC-46 aircraft is based on the Boeing 767-200 wide- GE Aviation Systems facilities in Grand Rapids, Mich., and
body passenger jet. The multirole aerial tanker can refuel Clearwater, Fla., provide the KC-46 mission control system
all U.S., allied, and coalition military aircraft compatible avionics, which provide integrated communications man-
with international aerial refueling procedures. In addition agement to support air traffic management data link, and
to refueling other aircraft in midair, the KC-46 also can carry enable the aircraft to perform with navigation precision
passengers, cargo, and medical patients. not currently available to the tanker fleet.
The KC-46 aircraft can detect, avoid, defeat, and survive GE Aviation also provides the KC-46 flight management
threats using several layers of electronic protection that system (FMS), which helps the aircraft fly relatively short flight
enable it to operate safely in medium-threat environments, paths and idle-thrust descents to reduce fuel consumption,
Boeing officials say. while lowering emissions and reducing engine noise.
Honeywell Aerospace, Northrop Grumman Corp., and The KC-46 will replace the Air Force’s fleet of KC-135 aerial
Raytheon Technologies Corp. are among the companies pro- refueling aircraft, which are based on the 1960s-vintage
viding avionics subsystems and components for the KC-46. Boeing 707 four-engine passenger jet. Boeing will build
Honeywell Aerospace in Coon Rapids, Minn., provides the as many as 179 KC-46 aircraft.
air data inertial navigation system for the KC-46, while the com- On this order Boeing will do the work in Seattle, and
pany’s facility in Phoenix provides the auxiliary power unit. should be finished by November 2025. For more informa-
The Honeywell Aerospace facility in Tucson, Ariz., provides tion contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at
the KC-46 cabin pressure control system, while the company’s www.boeing.com, or the Air Force Life Cycle Management
facility in Urbana, Ohio, provides the tanker’s lighting system. Center at www.aflcmc.af.mil.

42 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS

reduce single points of failure and increase the flexibility

for deploying small force packages. The system creates a
standard approach across forces to reduce logistics bur-
dens and change training.
On this order Northrop Grumman will do the work in
Huntsville, Ala., and should be finished by December 2025.
For more information contact Northrop Grumman Mission
Systems online at www.northropgrumman.com, or the
Army Contracting Command-Redstone at https://acc.army.
mil/contractingcenters/acc-rsa/.
COM PUTE RS
Northrop Grumman to provide SE NSORS
battle management computers for Lockheed Martin to provide electro-optical
sensors and situational awareness sensors for Apache helicopter targeting
Battle management experts at Northrop Grumman Corp. are U.S. Army aviation experts needed electro-optical assem-
preparing to help military authorities quickly deal with uncer- blies to upgrade the Modernized Target Acquisition
tain information concerning potential air and missile attacks. Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS)
Officials of the U.S. Army Contracting Command at system, also known as Arrowhead. They found their solu-
Redstone Arsenal, Ala., announced a $24.1 million order tion from Lockheed Martin Corp.
to the Northrop Grumman Mission Systems segment in Officials of the Army Contracting Command at Redstone
Huntsville, Ala., for hardware and software for the Integrated Arsenal, Ala., announced a $121.6 million order to the
Battle Command System (IBCS). Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems segment in
The IBCS is to be a revolutionary air command-and-con- Orlando, Fla., for M-TADS/PNVS components and hardware
trol (C2) system to help air and missile defenders make quick for the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
decisions and adapt quickly to changing battlefield condi- The lower M-TADS turret contains the targeting sys-
tions. Last December Northrop Grumman won a potential tem, which has day and night electro-optical sensors. The
$1.4 billion contract for IBCS low-rate initial production and Arrowhead targeting sensor suite has forward looking infra-
full-rate production. red (FLIR) elements of the TADS and the PNVS to provide
The IBCS will help enhance aircraft and missile tracking modern technological and precision engagement, and
and situational awareness to enable military commanders ensure the Army’s Apache helicopter remains an effective
and air defenders to make critical decisions within seconds attack helicopter well into the future.
in response to air and missile attacks. The system’s laser rangefinder designator includes an
The IBCS represents a modular open-systems architec- eye-safe rangefinder and day sensor electronics unit, which
ture to optimize limited resources and facilitate flexible replace the laser transceiver unit and related electronics in
defense designs, company officials say. the Apache’s legacy day sensor assembly.
The IBCS enables commanders to tailor organizations,
sensors, and weapons to meet the demands of diverse
missions, environments, and rules of engagement not
achievable today, Northrop Grumman officials say. It pro-
vides wide-area surveillance and broad protection areas
by networking sensors and interceptors.
The system enables affordable integration of current
and future sensors, weapons, and modernization efforts,
and helps connect systems for joint and cooperative mul-
tinational missile defense.
The IBCS is to replace seven legacy command-and-con-
trol systems with network-centric battle management to

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 PRODUCT APPLICATIONS

The new day sensor structure assembly offers fields

of view that match the Arrowhead FLIR fields of view to
accommodate image blending. The modernized TV sen-
sor incorporates color and low-light sensitivity. A modern
inertial measurement unit replaces three spinning-mass
gyros, and the new laser spot tracker uses a four-quadrant
detector and improved processing. A laser pointer marker
helps enhance coordination with ground and air units.
These targeting components enable Apache flight crews
to identify targets at long ranges through an additional
field-of-view and extended-range picture-in-picture capa-
bility, as well as provide the ability to view high-resolution,
near-infrared and color imagery on cockpit displays.
The system provides a new laser pointer marker that
improves coordination with ground troops, and an updated Those advances will support new systems and future sys-
multimode laser with eye-safe lasing capability that supports tems aboard the aircraft, including a distributed targeting
flight in urban environments and home-station training. system, infrared search and track, and a new high-definition
M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache helicopter pilots with touch-screen display.
long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabil- The AMC is the nerve center of the Navy Super Hornet.
ities for mission success and flight safety during day and The commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based, open-systems
night and in adverse weather conditions. architecture product is configurable to many operating
On this order Lockheed Martin will do the work at locations environments.
to be determined with each order, and should be finished by The flight and mission computer is designed to handle
March 2022. For more information contact Lockheed Martin mission processing; sensor processing; display process-
Rotary and Mission Systems online at www.lockheedmar- ing; stores management; and information management.
tin.com, or the Army Contracting Command-Redstone at The AMC is a rugged avionics embedded computer that
https://acc.army.mil/contractingcenters/acc-rsa. performs general-purpose, I/O, video, voice, and graphics
processing. Communication is over several buses, includ-
AVION ICS ing 1553, Fiber Optic Fiber Channel, and Local PCI.
Boeing to procure mission computers Single-board computers and other modules in the AMC
for EA-18G aircraft avionics fit in an industry standard 6U VME backplane, and the I/O
Military avionics experts at the Boeing Co. will provide the configuration may be tailored with PCI mezzanine card
final 51 Advanced Mission Computer (AMC) retrofit kits for (PMC) modules. An Ethernet interface supports software
the U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler electronic warfare (EW) air- development and system maintenance.
craft under terms of a $51.7 million contract. The AMC’s core system software (CSS) is a real-time
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent operating system with embedded system software, appli-
River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Boeing Defense, cation program interface, and diagnostic software set for
Space & Security segment in St. Louis to provide 51 AMC the AMC. The computer’s I/O includes MIL-STD-1553 driv-
systems, which are designed and manufactured by the ers, Fibre Channel drivers, VMEbus drivers, and discrete
General Dynamics Corp. Mission Systems segment in and serial I/O drivers.
Bloomington, Minn. On this contract Boeing and its partners will do the work
The contract calls for Boeing to procure 49 AMC kits for in Bloomington, Minn.; St. Louis; and Linthicum Heights,
EA-18G aircraft and two kits for software integration labs. Md., should be finished by September 2025. For more infor-
The latest version of the F/A-18 mission computer is the mation contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at
AMC Type 4, which first was flight tested in 2012. Type 4 www.boeing.com/company/about-bds, General Dynamics
AMC increases computing power and accelerates image Mission Systems at https://gdmissionsystems.com, or Naval
and mission processing functions, Boeing officials say. Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil. 

44 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 NEW PRODUCTS
POWE R E LEC TRON ICS
Ceramic voltage-controlled crystal
oscillators (VCXO) offered by Saelig
Electronics distributor Saelig Co. Inc. in Fairport,
N.Y. is offering the EG-JF series surface-mount
voltage-controlled crystal oscillators (VCXO) for
applications where ultra-low phase jitter is an
essential requirement. The EG-JF series is from
frequency control specialist Euroquartz Ltd in
Crewkerne, England. The VCXO devices offer high
frequency outputs with ultra-low phase jitter per-
formance, and operate at frequencies from 15 to
2100 MHz for CMOS, LVPECL, LVDS, and CML dif-
ferential outputs and at 15 to 700 MHz for HCSL
differential outputs. Typical RMS phase jitter per-
formance ranges from as low as 151 fs at 644.530
MHz to 163 fs at 2000 MHz. The oscillators are
housed in a standard format 8-pad 7-by-5-millimeter SMD analysis, object detection and recognition capabilities to
ceramic package with hermetically sealed metal lid. Power systems developers. The JetKit-3010 embedded computing
supply voltage options are 1.8 volts plus-or-minus 5 percent kit uses the integrated deep learning capabilities and I/O
(except LVPECL types), 2.5 volts plus-or-minus 10 percent, of the NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier general-purpose graph-
and 3.5 volts plus-or-minus 10 percent (all types) with cur- ics processing unit (GPGPU) to help designers develop
rent consumption ranging from 70 to 120 milliamps max- smart and reliable systems for industrial automation, auto-
imum depending on frequency and logic type. Standard motive, and agriculture applications. Prior to the open
temperature stability specification options available are standards-based JetKit-3010, research and development
plus-or-minus 25, plus-or-minus 50, and plus-or-minus 100 with AI components required extremely powerful and
ppm over commercial temperatures from -10 to 70 degrees specialized hardware, much of which is purpose-built and
Celsius, and industrial temperatures from -40 to 85 C with expensive. The combination of the NVIDIA GPGPU module in
tighter options available on request. The Euroquartz EG-JF a CompactPCI Serial architecture can help develop applica-
series VCXOs are for applications such as flat panel displays tions that require pattern recognition, environment recog-
for consumer TVs; video streaming systems nition or situation analysis. The JetKit-3010 combines an
via external cables (e.g. LDI); and high-speed 8-core ARM processor with 512 NVIDIA CUDA cores and
serial communications links such as Serial ATA 64 Tensor cores to provide compute
& FireWire, SONET, xDSL, SDH, set-top box, and density, energy efficiency and AI infer-
Ethernet cards. For detailed specifications, free encing capabilities. The JetKit-3010
technical assistance, or more information, con- can be packaged as a standalone
tact Saelig online at www.saelig.com. small-form-factor platform or inte-
grated as a multi-function computer
E M BE DDE D COM PUTING board in an existing CompactPCI sys-
NVIDIA Jetson GPGPU- tem. It provides M.2 NVME, HDMI, 4x
based embedded computing USB, 2x Gigabit Ethernet, and x8 PCI
kit introduced by Elma Express ports. The display control-
Elma Electronic in Wetzikon, Switzerland is ler supports imaging at 3840-by-
introducing the 3U CompactPCI Serial-based 2160 resolution at 60 Hz via HDMI, and
JetKit-3010 single board computing multi-stream HD video and JPEG support for most
engine that delivers artificial intelli- encode and decode video standards. For more informa-
gence (AI)-enabled video inspection, tion contact Elma Electronic online at www.elma.com.

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 NEW PRODUCTS

PROCESSORS
Microcontroller for SWaP-
constrained motor control
introduced by Infineon
Infineon Technologies AG in Neubiberg,
Germany, is introducing MOTIX IMD700A
and IMD701A programmable motor con-
trol devices for unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), automated guided vehicles, e-bikes,
and cordless power tools. The motor con-
trollers come in 9-by-9-millimeter 4-pin
VQFN packaging, and offer the integra-
tion and high power density necessary
for size-, weight-, and power-consumption (SWaP)- ranges from -40 to 70 Celsius. Based on 6- or 8-core micro-
constrained electronics applications. In one package, processors from Intel’s 11th Gen Xeon processors with
the MOTIX IMD70xA controllers combine the MOTIX 10-nanometer technology, the Kontron CP6007 blade
6EDL7141 3-phase gate driver IC features with an addi- series is for long-term, general computing and server
tional XMC1404 microcontroller, whose peripherals and applications based on PICMG 2.16. This blade also is back-
specifications are optimized for motor control and drives. wards compatible with previous Kontron blades. Both
Infineon’s XMC1404 microcontroller includes a math blades offer performance-per-Watt capability with a scal-
coprocessor clocked at 96 MHz to enhance calculations able power budget allowing users the flexibility to tailor
commonly used in sensorless field-oriented control (FOC) power dissipation. The CP6007-RA embedded comput-
algorithms enabling higher system performance. The ing blade features a 32 gigabytes soldered memory while
XMC1404 a;sp inherits most of the high-end peripher- the CP6007-SA can carry a SODIMM module to provide
als found in the XMC4000 family, including PWM timers, as much as 64 gigabytes memory with Error Correction
position interface (POSIF), and serial communication Code (ECC) support. The CP6007-RA variant is the suc-
modules (including CAN). The motor control IC features cessor of the Kontron CP6004-RA blade. Communication
controllability of the gate drive slew rate to protect sys- and media interfaces are provided, along with hardware
tems from electromagnetic interference (EMI). IMD70xA and software system security through Trusted Platform
controllers support adjustable gate drive supply volt- Module (TPM 2.0). Extension options like storage, XMC,
age even at low battery voltage levels thanks to built-in PMC, and rear-I/O are provided. Included are onboard
high- and low-side charge pumps, as well as many other industrial-grade NVMe and SATA M.2 flash devices, and a
adjustable gate driver parameters. More information on 2.5 inch SATA hard disk or solid-state drive to be located
the Infineon MOTIX IMD700A is online at www.infineon. on a respective rear-I/O module. XMC compatibility based
com/imd700a, and more information on the Infineon on XMC.3 is available for supporting x8 PCI Express, or
MOTIX IMD701A is at www.infineon.com/imd701a. alternatively PMC. For more information contact Kontron
online at www.kontron.com.
BOAR D PRODUC TS
Harsh-environment VITA 47 embedded
computing boards introduced by Kontron
Kontron AG in Ismaning, Germany, is introducing the
CP6007 CompactPCI air-cooled blade computer series for
use harsh-environment industrial, aerospace, and defense
applications. The standard CP6007-SA computer blade and
the rugged CP6007-RA blade are for use in harsh environ-
ments, and follow the VITA 47 open-systems standard
for high shock and vibration demands and temperature

46 Military+Aerospace Electronics December 2022 W W W . M I L I T A R Y A E R O S P A C E . C O M

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 NEW PRODUCTS

E M BE DDE D COM PUTING oscilloscope is for evaluating systems

System on module (SOM) such as ABS, accelerator pedal, throt-
for industrial automation tle position, fuel pressure, air flow
introduced by Microchip meter, crankshaft, camshaft, knock,
Microchip Technology Inc. in MAP, 12/24-volt charging and start,
Chandler, Ariz., is introducing the charging ripple, cranking current
SAM9X60D1G-SOM ARM926EJ-S- sensors, actuators, ignition, and CAN,
based embedded computing sys- LIN, Flex ray, and K line networks. The
tem on module (SOM) for industrial test and measurement device has
and automation control, medical four channels, a bandwidth of 100
equipment, automotive telematics, MHz, an easy-use touchscreen oper-
infotainment, and electric vehicle ation, and vehicle diagnostics. With
chargers. The SOM runs as quickly its signal sample rate of 1 gigasample
as 600 MHz, and offers software with per second, the SATO1004 is designed for
bare metal or real-time operating system portable and benchtop use, and has a built-in
support through MPLAB Harmony3, or 7500mAh Li-ion battery that supports five
Linux mainlined distributions. The SOM hours of portable operation. The oscil-
for industrial automation, based on the loscope also can connect to an external
SAM9X60D1G system-in-package (SiP), 12-volt power adapter for continuous use.
is a 28-by-28-millimeter hand-solderable The Micsig SATO1004 automotive oscillo-
module that includes the microcontroller scope comes with an automobile diagnos-
and double-data-rate in one package, along tic presets package, signal capture and analysis
with power supplies, clocks, and memory storage. capabilities, as well as smart bus trigger and decode
The SAM9X60D1G-SOM embedded computing device has features that include UART, LIN, SPI, CAN, I2C, 1553B, and
4-gigabit SLC NAND Flash, also includes an MCP16501 power 429. It also supports PC and smartphone remote control.
management IC (PMIC), and a 10/100 KSZ8081 Ethernet This instrument combines a capacitive 8-inch TFT LCD
PHY and a 1 Kb Serial EEPROM with pre-programmed MAC touch screen with traditional button and knob operation.
address (EUI-48). It has secure boot with on-chip secure key The built-in HDMI output adds educational and demon-
storage (OTP), hardware encryption engine (TDES, AES, and stration possibilities for large displays or projectors. For
SHA) and True Random Generator (TRNG). Microchip pro- more information contact Saelig online at www.saelig.
vides hardware and software development support for the com, or Shenzhen Micsig Technology at www.micsig.com.
SAM9X60D1G-SOM including the SAM9X60D1G Curiosity
Evaluation Kit (CPN: EV40E67A) featuring three Linux distri-
butions: BuildRoot, Yocto and OpenWRT. The bare-metal
or RTOS-based systems are supported by MPLAB Harmony
3 embedded software framework, MPLAB X Integrated
Development Environment (IDE) and MPLAB XC32 com-
piler. For more information contact Microchip online at
www.microchip.com.

TEST AN D M E ASUR E M E NT
Four-channel touchscreen Shenzhen
Micsig oscilloscope offered by Saelig
Electronics distributor Saelig Co. Inc. in Fairport, N.Y., is
introducing the Micsig SATO1004 automotive tablet oscil-
loscope automotive vehicle testing tool from Shenzhen
Micsig Technology Co. Ltd. in Shenzhen, China. The

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 NEW PRODUCTS

BOAR D PRODUC TS
OpenVPX carrier cards for interfacing
XMC to VPX introduced by Acromag
Acromag in Wixom, Mich., is introducing the VPX4840
and VPX4850 OpenVPX carrier cards that provide a sim-
ple and cost-effective solution for interfacing Switched
Mezzanine Card (XMC) modules to a VPX embedded com-
puting system. The VPX4840 and VPX4850 feature two
XMC slots with support for front-or rear-panel I/O. They
are available with VITA 42, VITA 61, or VITA 88 connectors
to route power and interface bus signals to the plug-in
mezzanine modules. Both carrier cards support a choice
of direct PCI Express connection to the VPX backplane
via the data or expansion plane. The XMC sites have a modules. Air-cooled versions of the OpenVPX modules
16-lane PCI Express bus Gen A3 interface enabling rapid operate in temperatures from 0 to 55 degrees Celsius,
data throughput. By inserting XMC mezzanine modules and models with extended temperature ranges or con-
on the carrier, including XMC processor (prXMC) mod- duction cooling are available. For more information con-
ules, developers can use hundreds of available function tact Acromag online at www.acromag.com.

PRODUCT & LITERATURE SHOWCASE

Full Motion Video-over-IP

Situational Awareness
From HQ to Forward Deployments
Video Distribution, Recording, and Display

510-814-7000 www.rgb.com/zio

2212MAE.indb 48
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11/23/22 PM
8:32 AM
 NEW PRODUCTS

R F AN D M ICROWAVE
Multiple-bandwidth antennas
for wireless telecommunications
introduced by KP
KP Performance Inc. in Lewisville, Texas, SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES
is introducing a line of eight-port sector Phone: 1-877-382-9187 / International Callers: +1-847-559-7598
E-mail: MAE@omeda.com
antennas featuring dual polarization and Web: militaryaerospace.com/subscribe
multiple bandwidth options for wireless
telecommunications applications. The VICE PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER Steve Beyer
847-532-4044 ⁄ sbeyer@endeavorb2b.com
sector antennas feature antenna gain
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF John Keller
from 14 to 19 dBi and multiple-input 603 891-9117 ⁄ jkeller@endeavorb2b.com
and multiple-output (MIMO) capabili- ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jamie Whitney
603 891-9135 ⁄ jwhitney@endeavorb2b.com
ties to boost speed and mitigate inter-
CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR Megan Crouse
ference. RF and microwave sensors
ART DIRECTOR Kermit Mulkins
are engineered for outdoor installa-
PRODUCTION MANAGER Sheila Ward
tion with frequency support from 2.3 AD SERVICES MANAGER Shirley Gamboa
GHz to 6.4 GHz, and they also feature a AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Debbie Bouley
heavy-duty, UV-resistant, plastic radome 603 891-9372 ⁄ dbouley@endeavorb2b.com

for all-weather operation. The antennas

have powder-coated mounting brackets
www.endeavorbusinessmedia.com
to allow for easy installation with pipe
diameters ranging from 1.25 to 3.5 inches EDITORIAL OFFICES
and various degrees of incline providing alignment. They Endeavor Business Media, LLC
Military & Aerospace Electronics
are built to withstand wind speeds as strong as 100 miles
61 Spit Brook Road, Suite 501, Nashua, NH 03060
per hour and survive in challenging environments. These RF 603 891-0123 ⁄ www.milaero.com
and microwave sensors and transmitters are designed with
SALES OFFICES
single-band and dual-band options. They are available in
EASTERN US & EASTERN CANADA & UK
2.3 to 2.7 GHz, 3.3 to 4.2 GHz, and 4.9 to 6.4 GHz configura- Keith Gregory, Sales Manager
tions and support 2x2, 4x4 and 8x8 MIMO. They incorporate 508 1/2 Ocean Park Ave., Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
732 897-9550 / Cell 917 993-3741
advanced low-PIM, dual polarization technology that allows kgregory@endeavorb2b.com
for interoperability with one 8x8, two 4x4 or four 2x2 radios WESTERN CANADA & WEST OF MISSISSIPPI

with multiple transmit and receive paths. For more informa- Maureen Elmaleh, Sales Manager
7475 Miller Street, Arvada, CO 80005
tion contact KP Performance Inc., an Infinite brand, online at 303 975-6381 / Cell 212 920-5051
www.kpperformance.com.  melmaleh@endeavorb2b.com
DIRECTOR LIST RENTAL Kelli Berry
918 831-9782 ⁄ kberry@endeavorb2b.com

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FOR ASSISTANCE WITH MARKETING STRATEGY OR AD CREATION,
PLEASE CONTACT MARKETING SOLUTIONS

SR. DIRECTOR OF PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Steve Porter

sporter@endeavorb2b.com
ADVERTISERPAGE
Fairview Microwave..............................................................................3, 23 ENDEAVOR BUSINESS MEDIA, LLC
General Micro Systems........................................................................... C4 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Chris Ferrell

Holt Integrated Circuits............................................................................25 PRESIDENT June Griffin

Mercury Systems.....................................................................................C2 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Mark Zadell

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Patrick Rains

Pasternack Enterprises............................................................................15
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL OFFICER Tracy Kane
Phoenix International................................................................................19
EVP, TECHNOLOGY GROUP Lester Craft
RGB Spectrum.........................................................................................48

o Sealevel Systems...................................................................................... 17

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 COMMERCIAL AEROSPACE

UAE orders additional

systems from Airobotics
for autonomous urban
drone integration
BY Jamie Whitney

PETAH TIKVAH, Israel - Airobotics Ltd. in

Petah Tikvah, Israel announced that the
company has been tapped by a government
entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
to provide additional drone systems and ser-
vices. Airobotics Optimus urban drone infra-
structure collects and analyzes aerial data via
its automated drone infrastructure.
The Airobotics system is designed to
operate as a network of smart drones linked
to an urban control center and will function
as a municipal infrastructure providing a
variety of automated data solutions.
The primary function of the deployed urban
drone infrastructure is to shorten response
times of security and rescue forces to emer-
gency situations, supporting law enforcement
and homeland security activities. The company
is also examining drone parcel delivery and
other smart city applications to be provided The Airobotics system is designed to operate as a network of smart drones linked to
by the infrastructure. an urban control center.
The order is a follow-on order to ini-
tial systems and services that were provided and thoroughly The drones are able to operate as a taskforce that can
reviewed by the customer during the Dubai Expo. During the simultaneously collect and provide critical information for
event, the Airobotics carried out thousands of operational drone a variety of customer requirements. The Airobotics drone
flights without human intervention under challenging environ- infrastructure is designed for urban environments and strate-
mental conditions and in densely populated areas, to the end gic facilities that require immediate security, monitoring and
user’s satisfaction. emergency response.
Airobotics says it is active in the UAE and additional coun- Drone flights can be tasked to carry specific sensors, enabling
tries and has plans with other customers to establish permanent every drone in the system to execute diverse tasks. The drones can
infrastructure which rely on fleets of automated drones that do be activated for complex longer-term operations. Flights are over-
not require on the ground human intervention to operate. seen by remote operators in a command-and-control center. 

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 COMMERCIAL AEROSPACE

Ampaire makes first flight of the

company’s hybrid regional aircraft
BY Jamie Whitney

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Ampaire in Los The hybrid-electric aircraft preserves of ground charging is critical for preserv-
Angeles announced that its Eco Caravan, the range/payload capability of the Grand ing the full utility of the Eco Caravan.
a nine-seat regional aircraft, made its Caravan, and in fact can fly farther than The Eco Caravan’s propulsion technol-
first flight 18 Nov. 2022 on an integrated the Cessna Grand Caravan while carrying ogy is scalable to larger regional aircraft and
hybrid-electric propulsion system. eight passengers. ultimately to single-aisle airliners. Ampaire
Ampaire officials say they expect the plans to rapidly roll out more powerful pro-
aircraft to be the first electrified regional aircraft to enter com- pulsion systems for larger aircraft, following a building blocks
mercial service (certification in 2024) and the first in a series of approach that will dramatically improve the sustainability of air-
larger Ampaire hybrid-electric aircraft. line operations.
The Eco Caravan upgrades the standard Cessna Grand The first flight was 33 minutes in duration to make initial
Caravan with Ampaire’s integrated propulsion system of a com- checks of the propulsion system. With test pilot Elliot Seguin at
pression ignition engine and an electric engine. A battery pack the controls, the Eco Caravan took off from Camarillo Airport
in a body fairing preserves passenger and cargo capacity for north of Los Angeles at 7:49 a.m. pacific time.
the aircraft. It climbed to 3,500 feet at full power, combining power from
The Eco Caravan reduces fuel consumption and emissions by the combustion engine and electric engine. Seguin then throttled
as much as 70 percent. Ampaire officials say the cost of operation back to a cruise setting, reducing load on both power sources.
is reduced by 25 to 40 percent depending on airline route struc- He spent roughly 20 minutes testing various power settings
ture, and the cost per available seat mile is near that of driving. while studying temperatures and other readings before making a
The hybrid-electric aircraft preserves the range/payload capa- descent and final approach to Camarillo at a low power setting.
bility of the Grand Caravan, and in fact can fly farther than the “The Eco Caravan propulsion system performed just as
Grand Caravan with eight passengers. expected,” said Seguin. “It was smooth and quiet. All tempera-
Maximum range is beyond 1,000 miles. The Eco Caravan’s ture and power output readings were normal.”
range and load hauling capability is in marked contrast Ampaire is already working with the FAA to certify the Eco
to proposed all-electric, hydrogen-electric and even other Caravan in 2024 under a supplemental type certificate (STC). The
hybrid-electric designs. Ampaire approach differs from others in that it does not require a
The Eco Caravan can recharge its batteries in flight or at a full aircraft certification program, which can be time consuming
charging stations on the ground. Because charging infrastructure and very expensive. The Grand Caravan is already FAA certified.
will be limited for some years, the ability to operate independent Ampaire will certify it to fly with a new propulsion system. 

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 COMMERCIAL AEROSPACE

Venus Aerospace’s rotating detonation rocket million horses roaming fence-free, keeping tabs on the animals
engine moves toward hypersonic flight is a major challenge for owners. Spotter’s far-reaching tech-
Venus Aerospace in Houston has announced it has achieved the nology solutions that can monitor the location of millions of
feat of getting room temperature storable liquid fuels to operate horses. These animals are semi-wild, and free to range across
in a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE). Detonation vast expanses to graze. Spotter has developed a new hybrid
engines provide higher performance as compared to a typical IoT device that can be connected to SmartOne C. It can be
rocket engine. The vehicles from Venus, which is developing both fitted on specific at-risk horses and, as a result, the owner can
hypersonic drones and full scale, hypersonic passenger aircraft, know if the individual animal has roamed away from the herd.
can go faster and further than existing systems with the same The system can track the breakaway horse up to a 1-kilometer
amount of fuel, according to the aerospace company. Rotating radius, giving the herder the opportunity to locate and retrieve
detonation means the supersonic combustion happens continu- the animal before it has travelled too far. Spotter has deployed
ously inside the engine, and our video shows the detonation wave 9,000 SmartOne C-fitted collars and 3,000 built on SPOT
moving around the engine at supersonic speeds. Engine testing Trace. Requirements differ among customers. The horses typi-
was completed at Venus Aerospace’s headquarters in Houston. cally roam in herds of around 30, with one lead stallion keeping
The test stand was designed and built over 12 months, and all the animals together and providing protection. As a result, the
within 18 months of relocating the company from California to group can be effectively monitored with just one collar. Spotter
Houston. Proving this technology is a critical step for bringing has created a new hybrid collar which leverages Globalstar sat-
reusable high speed commercial travel to the general public in ellite communications along with radio transmissions to create
a number of years. “Venus Aerospace continues to impress me a low-cost solution that makes it possible for owners to track
with both their intentional approach to technology progression individual horses as well as a herd.
and buying down operational risk in years, not decades,” says
Jim Bridenstine, former NASA administrator, military aviator, Rolls-Royce and easyJet hail successful
and U.S. Congressman. “This important milestone regarding hydrogen jet engine test
the rotating detonation rocket engine technology represents a Rolls-Royce and easyJet confirmed in late November that they
key advancement towards real flying systems, both for defense have set a new aviation milestone with the world’s first run of
applications and ultimately commercial high-speed travel. And a modern aero engine on hydrogen. The ground test was con-
they’ve done it in the context of building a world-class team ducted on an early concept demonstrator using green hydrogen
and work experience - one that can move quickly but also with created by wind and tidal power. The companies say it marks a
an eye towards flight test, certification, safety, and production.” major step towards proving that hydrogen could be a zero carbon
When operational, the Venus “Stargazer” will connect distant aviation fuel of the future and is a key proof point in the decar-
cities of over 5,000 miles in under an hour. Venus will begin bonisation strategies of both Rolls-Royce and easyJet.
hypersonic RDRE flight testing with a 20-foot drone to sup- The test took place at an outdoor test facility at MoD
port both national security and internal technology development. Boscombe Down, UK, using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A
regional aircraft engine. Green hydrogen for the tests was sup-
IoT SATCOM-based horse tracking plied by the European Marine Energy Center generated using
collars deployed in Mongolia renewable energy at their hydrogen production and tidal test
Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned facility on Eday in the Orkney Islands, UK.
subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. in Dublin, Ireland, announced Following analysis of this early concept ground test, the part-
that Mongolia-based Spotter has now deployed over 12,000 nership plans a series of further rig tests leading up to a full-scale
animal-tracking collars based on SmartOne C and SPOT ground test of a Rolls-Royce Pearl 15 jet engine.
Trace. These satellite IoT devices are being used in Mongolia, The partnership is inspired by the global, UN-backed Race
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to track and safeguard horses, includ- to Zero campaign that both companies have signed up to, com-
ing high-value competitive racehorses. The technology is seeing mitting to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
rapid growth, up from 1,000 Spotter devices deployed in January "The success of this hydrogen test is an exciting milestone. We
2020, now up to 240,000 horses now protected. Horses are part only announced our partnership with easyJet in July and we are
of daily life in Central Asia and horse racing is a major sport already off to an incredible start with this landmark achievement,"
in Mongolia. However, with the sparsely populated nation’s 4.5 Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, Rolls-Royce, said. 

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 COMMERCIAL AEROSPACE

Collins Aerospace announces its combined

vision system for business jets achieves TSO
BY Jamie Whitney

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Collins Aerospace, a Collins Aerospace has earned a every stage of flight,” said Craig Brown,
Raytheon Technologies business in Cedar technical standard order (TSO) for the general manager of Vision Systems for
Rapids, Iowa, has announced that it has company’s combined vision system (CVS) Collins Aerospace.
achieved a technical standard order (TSO) avionics suite for business jet aircraft. “Whether it’s poor weather, smoke,
for its combined vision system (CVS) for dust, demanding terrain or busy airports,
business aviation aircraft. CVS clearly and automatically displays the critical visual infor-
The CVS provides clarity to pilots in all types of weather mation pilots need to safely operate their aircraft,” Brown says
to confidently and securely navigate aircraft through low visi- The Collins CVS is a single enhanced view, which enables
bility situations. pilot visibility far beyond what the eye can see. This greatly
These CVS images are displayed conformably on the HUD improves situation awareness, reduces workload by eliminating
and in color on the PFD, providing clarity through low-visibility the need for manual switching between vision systems and enables
conditions like smoke, fog and darkness. maximum operational credit by allowing aircraft to continue all
Collins, a manufacturer of head-up display (HUD) technology, the way to the runway surface in low visibility scenarios rather
synthetic vision systems (SVS) and enhanced vision systems (EVS), than necessitating a go-around. CVS is ready to support these
says its advanced CVS algorithms blend the full EVS image and future operations, such as EFVS takeoff and EFVS approaches
SVS into a single conformal view, creating the best possible image in lower visibilities.
on the HUD and primary flight display (PFD) that pilots use to The Collins Vision Systems solutions are currently installed
safely and efficiently navigate through challenging environments. and flying on commercial and military aircraft, including the
“TSO certification is an important step in our journey to pro- military C-130 Hercules utility turboprop and the Boeing 737
vide dynamic CVS technology to our customers who rely on our family of passenger jetliners, with future certification installments
vision systems to guide them through low visibility situations in planned for additional military helicopters. 

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