Browse Topic: Defense industry
Security flaws in automotive software have significant consequences. Modern automotive engineers must assess software not only for performance and reliability but also for safety and security. This paper presents a tool to verify software for safety and security. The tool was originally developed for the Department of Defense (DoD) to detect cybersecurity vulnerabilities in legacy safety-critical software with tight performance constraints and a small memory footprint. We show how the tool and techniques developed for verifying legacy safety-critical software can be applied to automotive and embedded software using real-world case studies. We also discuss how this tool can be extended for software comprehension.
Over the decades, robotics deployments have been driven by the rapid in-parallel research advances in sensing, actuation, simulation, algorithmic control, communication, and high-performance computing among others. Collectively, their integration within a cyber-physical-systems framework has supercharged the increasingly complex realization of the real-time ‘sense-think-act’ robotics paradigm. Successful functioning of modern-day robots relies on seamless integration of increasingly complex systems (coming together at the component-, subsystem-, system- and system-of-system levels) as well as their systematic treatment throughout the life-cycle (from cradle to grave). As a consequence, ‘dependency management’ between the physical/algorithmic inter-dependencies of the multiple system elements is crucial for enabling synergistic (or managing adversarial) outcomes. Furthermore, the steep learning curve for customizing the technology for platform specific deployment discourages domain
Headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Unusual Machines describes itself as a “classic American technology company born from garage tinkerers and hobbyists, focused on serving the emerging drone industry with unique and innovative products.” The company recently launched a new low-cost flight controller for drones, the Riot Brave F7, that achieved “Blue UAS” certification from the Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in August. The Riot Brave F7 - just $58 - features a STMF722RET6 processor equipped with Bosch accelerometer and barometer, and has 16Mb of built in Blackbox Memory. While the company developed Riot Brave F7 primarily as a low cost flight controller option for FPV drones, there are broader possibilities for it, including military applications.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) pioneered satellites, the internet, drones, and human-computer interfaces. Now that work is enabling the next round of revolutionary technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), edge and cloud computing, and the Internet of Military Things (IoMT) for a wide variety of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications. Laptops and tablets are beneficiaries of yesterday's DARPA breakthroughs as well as enablers of today's and tomorrow's innovations. For example, ruggedized mobile PCs provide powerful new tools for asymmetric warfare by giving soldiers anytime, anywhere access to biometric information such as fingerprints and facial recognition. That information enables them to quickly determine whether a person in street clothes at a checkpoint is a civilian or combatant. This application also highlights the fundamental role of edge computing and the cloud for
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are being adopted and deployed across the global aerospace and defense industry in a wide variety of software and hardware-defined applications right now. Here are five startups developing new and novel AI and ML technologies for aerospace and defense applications. This list is not intended to be in a ranking order.
Aerospace and defense system designers are demanding scalable and high-performance I/O solutions. While traditional mezzanine standards have proven reliable, they often fall short of meeting modern bandwidth, size, and flexibility requirements. This challenge is particularly evident in aerospace and defense applications where high-speed data processing must align with stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. Current mezzanine solutions also face significant limitations in scalability, thermal management, and I/O density. These constraints can lead to compromised system performance and limited upgrade paths in applications where adaptability is crucial. This article explores how the new VITA 93 (QMC) standard addresses these challenges through its innovative QMC architecture, enabling unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and rugged reliability while maintaining compatibility with existing and future systems. It also covers how VITA 93 (QMC) builds on lessons learned from
Affordable mass refers to the ability to rapidly produce large quantities of effective, cost-efficient munitions and systems. It's not about cutting corners but about optimizing every facet of the production process, from design to deployment. The challenge goes beyond strategic methods of design and manufacturing - and must feature industrywide acceptance of affordability as a means of adding capacity, survivability, and efficacy to a new generation of munitions. The Department of Defense (DoD) is faced with preparing for potential confrontations with peer or near-peer adversaries. Unlike conflicts of the past, where U.S. forces may have faced regional militias with limited air defense capabilities, today's enemy is armed with integrated air defense systems (IADS) capable of countering non-stealth aircraft and outdated weapons. While advanced 5th generation F-35 fighters and B-21 stealth bombers can penetrate these modern air defenses, the Air Force must also develop an inventory of
In February 2024, Cadence launched a new generation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the introduction of the Millennium M1 CFD Supercomputer. Millennium M1 is a graphics processor unit (GPU)-based hardware system that is also available with no hardware completely in the cloud. Cadence describes it as the industry's first hardware/software (HW/SW) accelerated digital twin solutions for multi physics system design and analysis. Millennium M1 was developed using some of the latest accelerated compute technology available from NVIDIA, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), as well as near-linear scaling and up to 32,000 CPU-core equivalents that allows predictive CFD simulations to run ahead of production testing.
State-of-the-art fighter aircraft have a large number of support systems that operate in multiple areas. These systems are continuously optimized to achieve maximum efficiency and performance. Countless sensors monitor the environment and generate important data that helps to understand the areas overflown. But even in life-threatening combat situations, target acquisition systems support pilots and provide additional information that can be decisive with the help of augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). Military aviation is an arena with great potential for the use of technical aids that have transformed the original fighter aircraft into a technological masterpiece. In addition to the high level of complexity, the upcoming generation change from fifth- to sixth-generation fighter jets poses major challenges for component suppliers and accelerates the pace of technological competition. A military fighter jet is already an extremely demanding environment for
Deliberate RF jamming of drones has become one of the most common battlefield tactics in Ukraine. But what is jamming, how does it work and how can it be countered by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the field? Radio frequency (RF) jamming of drones involves deliberate interference with the radio signals used for communication between drones and their operators.
The aerospace and defense industries demand the highest levels of reliability, durability, and performance from their electronic systems. Central to achieving these standards are laminate materials, which form the backbone of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flexible circuits used in a multitude of applications, from avionics to missile guidance systems. Building these systems, which are typically implemented in environments that experience both temperature extremes and wide variations of temperature over time, requires robust materials that can stand up to punishing environmental conditions. Laminates and films for circuit boards and flexible circuits are a vital component of this protective material profile.
Researchers and engineers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center have developed a prototype system for decontaminating military combat vehicles. U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) is paving the way and helping the Army transform into a multi-domain force through its modernization and priority research efforts that are linked to the National Defense Strategy and nation's goals. CBC continues to lead in the development of innovative defense technology, including autonomous chem-bio defense solutions designed to enhance accuracy and safety to the warfighter.
As “point of need” additive manufacturing emerges as a priority for the Department of Defense (DoD), Australian 3D printing provider SPEE3D is one of several companies demonstrating that its machines can rapidly produce castings, brackets, valves, mountings and other common replacement parts and devices that warfighters often need in an on-demand schedule when deployed near or directly within combat zones. DoD officials describe point of need manufacturing as a concept of operations where infantry and squadron have the equipment, machines, tools and processes to rapidly 3D print parts and devices that are being used in combat. Based in Melbourne, Australia, SPEE3D provides cold spray additive manufacturing (CSAM) machines that use a combination of robotics and high-speed kinetic energy to assemble and quickly bind metal together into 3D-printed parts without the need for specific environmental conditions or post-assembly cooling or temperature requirements. Over the last two years, the
The final frontier in digital transformation is the analog edge, where apertures and actuators meet the mission. Buried behind layers of firmware and analog mitigation, open architecture has a new frontier to conquer, and the opportunity starts at the component level, where digital transformation and the miniaturization enabled by Moore's Law is having its biggest impact. Miniature, modular, and intelligent gateways can be embedded into analog components to replace and re-imagine old firmware and analog mitigation circuitry. These new, embedded gateways promise to bring open architecture deeper into the tactical edge and realize a new level of agility throughout the lifecycle of a system, from design through sustainment of hybrid digital and analog systems.
Airbus Marignane, France laurence.petiard@airbus.com
Northrop Grumman San Diego, CA jacqueline.rainey@ngc.com
Hypersonic propulsion would allow for air travel at speeds of Mach 6 to 17, or more than 4,600 to 13,000 miles per hour, and has applications in commercial and space travel.
Anduril Industries Orange County, CA Contact@anduril.com
U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 866-570-7247
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) describes a method of conducting an endurance test using contaminated air when the applicable specification requires non-recirculation of the contaminants. The objective of the test is to determine the resistance of the engine mounted components to wear or damage caused by the contaminated air. The method described herein calls for non-recirculation of the contaminants and is intended to provide a uniform distribution of the contaminant at the inlet to the Unit Under Test (UUT). The UUT may require the use of a hydraulic fluid for actuation of components within the test unit. Contamination of the test hydraulic fluid is not part of this recommended practice. If contaminated hydraulic fluid is required by the applicable test specification, refer to MAP749.
Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) Arlington, VA 703-526-6630
Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) -based image sensors accomplish several advantageous and unique features such as tailorable wavelength response via selection of dot size and material system, monolithic integration by processing directly onto the CMOS wafer surface thus avoiding hybridization cost and complexity, and scalability in pixel dimensions and density, whereby the limitations are primarily set by the resolution of the underlying CMOS process. Major efforts and successes have been reported in recent years by several academic groups and industrial entities in the research and development of CQD image sensors and their monolithic integration on CMOS platforms. To achieve uniform and defect-free imagers performing at high speed with low read-out noise, the entire system from ROIC front-end to wafer surface planarization to pixel stack structure, must be optimized as a whole; this is the approach Emberion has pursued with our in-house ROIC design and end-to-end fabrication process
In the increasingly connected and digital world, businesses are sprinting to integrate technological advancements into their corporate fabric. This is evident with the emerging concept of “digital twinning.” Digital twins are virtual representations of real-world objects or systems used to digitally model performance, identify inefficiencies, and design solutions. This helps improve the “real world” product, reduces costs, and increases efficiency. However, this replication of a physical entity in the digital space is not without its challenges. One of the challenges that will become increasingly prevalent is the processing, storing, and transmitting of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). If CUI is not protected properly, an idea to save time, money, and effort could result in the loss of critical data. The Department of Defense's (DoD) CUI Program website defines CUI as “government-created or owned unclassified information that allows for, or requires, safeguarding and
Kodiak Robotics launched its first autonomous military prototype vehicle in December 2023 - a Ford F-150 upfitted with the Kodiak Driver autonomous system. Developed for the Department of Defense (DoD), the vehicle runs the same software as Kodiak's autonomous long-haul trucks but with more robust DefensePod enclosures for the sensors. Now the company is collaborating with Textron Systems to develop a purpose-built uncrewed military vehicle designed without space for a driver and intended for advanced terrain environments. The companies plan to demonstrate driverless operations later in 2024. “The initial integration work is largely being done at a Textron Systems facility in Maine, with testing planned at Kodiak facilities,” Kodiak's chief technology officer Andreas Wendel told Truck & Off-Highway Engineering. He shared his thoughts on the “immense” potential for autonomous technology in tactical vehicles.
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) deploys flying units with readiness spares packages (RSPs) to try to ensure that the units are stocked with enough parts to be self-sufficient for 30 days. This report is the third in a five-volume series addressing how AI could be employed to assist warfighters in four distinct areas: cybersecurity, predictive maintenance, wargames, and mission planning, with predictive maintenance in focus. Predicting which parts are likely to fail - and, therefore, which parts should be included in the RSPs - is important because overstocking can be expensive and understocking can threaten mission readiness. This report presents a discussion of whether and when artificial intelligence (AI) methods could be used to improve parts failure analysis, which currently uses a model that assumes a probability distribution. To do this, several machine learning (ML) models were developed and tested on historical data to compare their performance with the optimization and prediction
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory scientists unveil the Cascaded Variational Quantum Eigensolver (CVQE) algorithm expected to become a powerful tool to investigate the physical properties in electronic systems for disruptive defense technologies. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington D.C. U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientists published the Cascaded Variational Quantum Eigensolver (CVQE) algorithm in a recent Physical Review Research article, expected to become a powerful tool to investigate the physical properties in electronic systems. The CVQE algorithm is a variant of the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) algorithm that only requires the execution of a set of quantum circuits once rather than at every iteration during the parameter optimization process, thereby increasing the computational throughput.
L3Harris Technologies Melbourne, FL 585-465-3592
In recent years, the increasing complexity of modern aerospace systems has driven the rapid adoption of robust Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). MBSE is a development methodology centered around computational models, which are instrumental in supporting the design and analysis of intricate systems. In this context, the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL) and Systems Modeling Language (SysML) are two prominent modeling languages for specifying and analyzing the structure and behavior of a cyber-physical system. Both languages have their own specific use cases and tool environments and are typically employed to model different aspects of system design. Although multiple software tools are available for transforming models from one language to another, their effectiveness is limited by fundamental differences in the semantics of each language. The upcoming release of SysML Version 2 provides an opportunity to address these shortcomings thanks to several improvements
Rydberg Technologies, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based quantum technology startup, demonstrated the use of an atomic receiver for long-range RF applications during the NetModX23 event hosted by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center in December. The 2023 edition of NetModX featured 10 weeks of experimentation spanning 62 different technologies across 17 focus areas and five modernization priorities including “Future Vertical Lift, Long-Range Precision Fires, Network, Next Generation Combat Vehicle and Soldier Lethality,” according to the Army. A major goal sought by the C5ISR Center with NetModX is to take technologies that are nearing maturity from research labs directly into operational environments for assessments by active warfighters.
In the ever-evolving landscape of electronic warfare (EW), the imperative for technological prowess has never been more pronounced. At the vanguard of this evolution stands a technological marvel-high-performance software defined radios (SDRs). This article provides on an in-depth exploration of the transformative potential embedded in SDRs, focusing on their remarkable attributes of very high bandwidths, wide tuning ranges, and high channel counts. From the foundational principles of SDRs to their nuanced applications in modern warfare, this narrative endeavors to unravel the complexities and possibilities presented by these cutting-edge systems.
Defense Innovation Unit Washington D.C. info@DIU.mil
This SAE Standard identifies contractor activities for planning and conducting HSI as part of procurement activities on Department of Defense (DoD) system acquisition programs. This standard covers HSI processes throughout system design, development, test, production, use, and disposal. Depending on contract phase, type of the program and/or complexity of the program, tailoring of this standard should be applied. Appendix A lists the requrememts (“shall” statements) in this standard along with unique numbers to facilitate tailoring. In addition, Appendix D provides tailoring guidance to better match requirememts in this standard to the DoD’s Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways. The scope of this standard includes prime and subcontractor HSI activities; it does not include Government HSI activities, which are covered by DoD and service-level regulations and guidelines. HSI programs should use the latest version of standards and handbooks listed below, unless a particular revision is
This standard covers Manpower and Personnel (M&P) processes throughout planning, design, development, test, production, use, and disposal of a system. Depending on contract phase and/or complexity of the program, tailoring can be applied. The scope of this standard includes Prime and Subcontractor M&P activities; it does not include Government M&P activities. The primary goals of a contractor M&P program typically include: Ensuring that the system design complies with the latest customer Manpower estimates (numbers and mix of personnel, plus availability) and that discrepancies are reported to management and the customer. Ensuring that the system design is regularly compared to the latest customer personnel estimates (capabilities and limitations) and that discrepancies are reported to management and the customer. Identifying, coordinating, tracking, and resolving M&P risks and issues and ensuring that they are: ○ Reflected in the contractor proposal, budgets, and plans. ○ Raised at
Modern armed forces require advanced signal transmission systems for mission success. Military operations, including those utilizing aircraft and warships, are reliant on receiving and transmitting high-speed data at RF and millimeter wave (mmWave) frequencies. In today's battlefield, high-speed cables must perform to specification under any condition, which in turn necessitates innovative test solutions that can conduct accurate and repeatable measurements. Mission success, aircraft survivability, and troop safety depend on critical defense systems. Signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), and other systems must reliably provide global situational awareness. System interference can be caused by multiple factors - intentional and unintentional. Advancing EW technologies have led to an increase in nefarious acts by adversaries with the goal of intentionally creating
In 2014, Airbus made history when it introduced a small metal bracket through additive manufacturing (AM) to secure an engine on one of its commercial jetliners. This milestone marked the beginning of an era of innovation in aerospace, pushing the boundaries of technology. The journey from that first AM experiment to today's transformative landscape in the aerospace and defense industries has been nothing short of remarkable. The capabilities of AM have redefined the sector, offering unprecedented efficiencies and reshaping how we understand and approach manufacturing. Aerospace and defense has emerged as a trailblazer in the adoption of AM. While aerospace and defense AM demand was negatively impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the global aerospace and defense additive manufacturing market is projected to grow from $3.73 billion in 2021 to $13.01 billion in 2028.
More than five years ago, then-U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Michael Griffin, announced the department's future Defense Digital Engineering Strategy. That long-term strategy, still ongoing, aims to “formalize the development, integration, and use of models to inform enterprise and program decision making,” and provide “an enduring, authoritative source of truth” for improved innovation and culture-wide collaboration in making weapons systems and parts. Within U.S. and Allied defense departments, there is increasing awareness that additive manufacturing (AM, aka 3D printing) as a means for achieving digitalized, on-demand, production agility, has a significant role to play in realizing these strategic goals. AM is already providing faster and more flexible part turnaround and cost reduction of some low- and even mid-volume military parts. In compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) objectives, AM is a model-based, integrated, and enterprise-ready
During her recent remarks at the National Defense Industrial Association's (NDIA) Emerging Technologies for Defense conference, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks outlined the agency's new “Replicator” initiative. Under the new Replicator initiative, over the next 18 to 24 months, the Defense Department will deploy thousands of low cost autonomous systems across multiple domains. DoD officials are limiting the amount of information they will release around technology or platform specifics for Replicator. Hicks did confirm however that Replicator has been established to counter the rapid buildup of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) armed forces, weapons and new technologies.
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