SOTECH 2009 Volume: 7 Issue: 9 (November/December)
Nearly 30 years ago, Steiner introduced a practical binocular—the 15x80mm Military—to oversee geographical and political borders in even the darkest moments of dawn and twilight.
Now almost three decades later, the legendary binoculars that have become the benchmark for long-range observation, target acquisition, and surveillance for all five branches of the U.S. armed services, numerous elite American government agencies, and countless state and local law enforcement agencies have received several important upgrades.
Now, the mil-spec ISO 9001/2008 tested and approved 15x80 and 20x80 Military and Commander Military (compass equipped) binoculars have been upgraded with a new NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) armor coating that is virtually impervious to any invasive compound it may encounter. Furthermore, the binoculars in this line have been outfitted with a pair of NPR flip-off covers that protect the objective lenses during periods of inactivity. Designed to be the most rugged, strongest military optical instrument ever made, these tough binoculars are also available to folks without a military ID.
Desert Hawk III
Lockheed Martin recently completed a successful test of a new infrared sensor turret aboard its Desert Hawk III unmanned aircraft system, marking the first time a small UAS has flown with a 360-degree infrared sensor.
Battle-proven, the handlaunched Desert Hawk III has provided the British Army with critical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The small UAS (54-inch wingspan) is specifically designed to operate at high altitudes, in high winds and extreme temperatures.
Successful flight tests of the Desert Hawk III’s new payload offering at the Minnesota National Guard’s Camp Ripley unmanned vehicle proving grounds validate the UAS’ ability to greatly improve nighttime ISR for ground forces. By providing 360-degree infrared coverage, troops obtain greater target location accuracy and superior image stability. Combined with an upgraded 360-degree color electro optic (E/O) sensor, operators gained 10 times continuous zoom capability, significantly aiding in contact identification.
“To assist the warfighter, we have miniaturized the infrared payload, so it fits into a turret weighing less than 2 pounds,” said John Nikolai, director of electronic products and logistics at Lockheed Martin’s Tactical Systems business in Eagan, Minn. “The E/O camera has been upgraded as well, for improved target identification. With the introduction of these sensor capabilities, users will experience vastly improved nighttime situational awareness.”
Currently, the Desert Hawk III offers five modular capability payloads for mission flexibility. The payloads include a 360-degree turret with a mix of E/O and/or black and white low-light imagers, an infrared stabilized imager in a roll axis out to 90 degrees, a signals intelligence sensor, the new 360-degree infrared sensor and the upgraded 360-degree E/O imager with continuous zoom.
Broadband Satellite Data Mode
Harris Corp., an international communications and information technology company, has announced the addition of broadband satellite data capability to its JTRS-approved Falcon III AN/PRC-117G wideband networking radio. The software upgrade adds significant new features that will facilitate global, high-data-rate communications between senior military commanders and personnel at the tactical edge.
Integration of the AN/PRC-117G radio with the Harris RF-7800B family of ruggedized Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) satellite terminals provides warfighters with unique end-to-end, Type-1 secure beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) network communications connectivity. The Falcon III AN/PRC-117G is the first JTRS-approved tactical radio to offer Type-1 secure access to high-bandwidth applications such as streaming video, reconnaissance information and biometrics— in addition to narrowband legacy waveforms.
The new software upgrade will allow users to extend the range of ANW2 data to beyond line-of-sight by linking the AN/PRC-117G to the BGAN network through the RF-7800B. The combined system offers throughput rates of up to 2 Mbps over the BGAN network when using embedded TCP/IP acceleration and compression, thus reducing INMARSAT costs. It is the only integrated, military-rugged, wideband SATCOM-on-the-move system capable of seamlessly maintaining high-speed, end-to-end Type-1 encrypted IP data across an extended battlespace.
“The integration of the AN/PRC-117G with our BGAN terminals provides customers with a powerful solution for distributing information to the connected battlefield,” said Steve Marschilok, president of Department of Defense Business, Harris RF Communications. “Our integrated system delivers BLOS data and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance communication links from the first tactical mile to strategic infrastructure, providing users at all levels with a more thorough, common operational picture.”
Portable Fuel Cell System
DuPont and Hyperlink SFC Smart Fuel Cell AG has received a follow-up order from the U.S. Army for the development of the M-25 fuel cell—a small, lightweight, portable power supply that can extend soldier mission times to 72 hours or more. The project cost is approximately $3 million.
The M-25 is part of an integrated body-worn power source that can be carried by the soldier that combines DuPont’s direct methanol technology with SFC’s fuel cell systems, products and integration expertise. Enabling a significant weight reduction when compared to conventional battery systems for multiday missions, the M-25’s standard design, when worn by soldiers in the field for extended missions, is up to 80 percent lighter than conventional power sources, yet capable of powering a wide range of soldier equipment. In addition to its light weight for powering digital communication and navigation equipment, the M-25 delivers quiet and continuous energy, and offers independent stand-alone functions such as remote area battery charging and power.
The agreement is the latest step in the M-25 program, which was awarded $1 million by the U.S. Department of Defense Wearable Power Prize in October 2008.
“This technology is a decisive advantage and DuPont is proud to partner again with SFC to address the need for lightweight, long endurance power system for soldiers,” said John D. Colven, global business manager, Hyperlink. “The integration of our membrane electrode assembly technology within SFC direct methanol fuel cell systems will further the success of fuel cell power solutions in defense applications.”
Lightweight GPS Receiver
Rockwell Collins recently introduced its new MicroDAGR handheld GPS receiver for soldiers. This latest-generation navigation device, which is a smaller version of Rockwell Collins’ Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR), brings together the best commercial technologies with the security needed to meet military requirements, and the durability needed to survive the most rugged battlefield conditions.
The MicroDAGR provides dismounted soldiers with real-time position, navigation, moving maps and timing information on a full-color touch screen display, and is small enough to be worn on the wrist, attached to a lanyard, or placed in a pocket. The receiver initially features L1 frequency capability, utilizing military-only secure GPS signals with anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities. MicroDAGR is also equipped with the latest Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM)-based anti-jamming software.
Designed in response to feedback from soldiers in the field, the device also incorporates several new features including vibration alert, an MP3 player and a digital camera. These features will allow soldiers to record georectified images of the battlefield for after-action review and analysis, listen to foreign language translations of important commands and phrases, and get silent alerts from their MicroDAGR when they reach preprogrammed waypoints and/or danger areas.
“The MicroDAGR represents a major step forward in delivering a small, lightweight, easy-to-use GPS receiver to the military,” said Bruce King, vice president and general manager of surface solutions for Rockwell Collins. “We can’t wait to get this innovative new system into the hands of our soldiers so they can be equipped with the latest technology for enhanced situational awareness, safety and security.” The new system will be available for delivery in January 2010. The first deliveries of the MicroDAGR will go to the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF).
Multi-Touch Technology With or Without Gloves
Getac Inc., a manufacturer of rugged computers that meet the demands of field-based applications, has announced that its line of rugged Tablet PCs will be the first rugged computers to offer a multi-touch screen for use with or without gloves. Having multi-touch technology on Getac’s V100 Tablet PC will allow users to move and edit documents, rotate maps and photos, zoom in and zoom out the maintenance manuals, and navigate numerous system applications by using a series of gestures with their fingers.
The new multi-touch technology uses a series of single touch, dual touch, flick and application gestures. Users of the V100 Tablet PC will now be able to quickly and easily perform numerous on-screen tasks such as move, copy, delete, zoom and rotate by simply touching the screen and performing the task desired with their fingers. Getac’s resistive multi-touch technology is not based on capacitance sensitivity, which means users can perform these actions and many others while wearing protective gloves. This makes it ideal for industrial and field professionals who work with dangerous chemicals or perform their job in extreme weather conditions. Even with gloves, the sensitivity and accuracy of the multi-touch screen is extremely high. The screen features 2048 x 2048 resolution, 100 points per second report rate, and less than 35 ms response time.
“Our customers work in some of the most extreme environments and weather conditions where touch screen technology and flick gestures are faster, safer and more convenient than using a keypad,” said Jim Rimay, president, Getac. “As a leading innovator in advanced rugged computer technology, it is only fitting that Getac is the first to offer multi-touch technology that can be used with or without gloves,” added Rimay.
Getac’s multi-touch technology will also offer complete compatibility with Microsoft’s Windows 7 when it is launched.