Browse Topic: Defense industry
Celebrating its 35th year, the National Aerospace Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (Nadcap) continues to advance quality assurance and regulatory compliance for aviation, defense, and space OEMs and suppliers. This article summarizes how Nadcap accreditation works, its benefits for manufacturers, and its role in expanding additive manufacturing through industry-wide consensus. The Nadcap program was first established in 1990 by a small group of aerospace and defense OEMs. Their goal was to create an accreditation initiative that provides a common approach to auditing the manufacturing and production processes used by companies supplying parts, components, structures, and services to major aerospace and defense OEMs. This foundation set the stage for Nadcap's continued focus on quality assurance and regulatory compliance in the industry.
The Model-Based Systems Engineering and Software Engineering (MB(SE)2) capability aims to seamlessly integrate systems engineering and software (SW) development. This approach leverages advanced modeling tools, issue tracking systems, and a continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) toolchain to align SW development with system requirements and design specifications. MB(SE)2 enhances communication, efficiency, and adherence to specifications by automating model updates and integrating various tools throughout the development lifecycle. This improves the overall quality and reliability of developed systems, making it a valuable asset for organizations focused on delivering high-quality SW solutions. Additionally, MB(SE)2 facilitates better collaboration between cross-functional teams, reduces the risk of errors and inconsistencies, and accelerates the development process. By providing a unified framework for managing systems engineering and SW development activities, MB(SE)2
The objective of this paper is two-fold. Firstly, provide guidance to best implement end to end traceability from program requirements to physical implementation, and Secondly provide techniques to review and understand large scale complex systems. Even with a Digital Engineering Environment (DEE) being an enabler towards applying Systems Engineering practices to develop large scale complex systems, many organizations are unclear on the methodology for modeling their architectures and enabling stakeholders to easily review, understand and assess those architectures. An architecture can be a conceptual, logical or physical architecture, depending on the system’s lifecycle state. For the context of this paper, the modeling environment is any System’s Modeling Language (SysML) based tool along with modeling tools for electrical, mechanical and software development and product life cycle management tool. The intended audience is any engineering organization defining end-to-end architecture
While the Department of Defense’s transition to model-based deliverables promises numerous benefits, it presents a formidable challenge for acquisition program offices struggling to acquire the requisite skill sets. A critical deficiency in experience with Systems Modeling Languages (e.g., SysML) and essential modeling tools (e.g., Cameo Systems Modeler) has resulted in a preference for traditional document-based deliverables. This paper explores how Model-Based Systems Engineers can address this gap by leveraging data-driven insights to support design reviews and enhance stakeholder communication. To overcome the challenge of limited Model-Based Systems Engineering expertise, we introduce a model-based design review tool that simplifies complex vendor system architecture models, making the information readily usable for Subject Matter Experts. The tool’s ”indirect commenting method” and heuristics facilitate effective model evaluation and increase confidence in vendor designs beyond
Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are capable of biomineralizing crystalline single domain magnetic oxides and sulfides. MTB perform this synthesis inside of well-defined chambers attached to their cell wall called magnetosomes. Magnetosomes are phospholipid vesicles which assemble in chains inside MTB and allow the magnetic oxides to align into a self-assembled bar magnet inside the bacteria. These nano-scale bar magnets allow MTB to align with the earth’s magnetic field allowing the bacteria to thrive in natural aqueous environments as they live in a microaerophilic environment called the oxic/anoxic zone. This presentation will focus on progress regarding using these bio-synthesized magnetic particles for Department of Defense applications.
This document applies to the development of Plans for integrating and managing electronic components in equipment for the military and commercial aerospace markets, as well as other ADHP markets that wish to use this document. Examples of electronic components described in this document include resistors, capacitors, diodes, integrated circuits, hybrids, application specific integrated circuits, wound components, and relays. It is critical for the Plan owner to review and understand the design, materials, configuration control, and qualification methods of all “as-received” electronic components and their capabilities with respect to the application; and to identify risks and, where necessary, take additional action to mitigate the risks. The technical requirements are in Section 3 of this standard and the administrative requirements are in Section 4.
The Department of Defense (DoD) is developing technology for satellites to communicate via lasers. Laser communications could transmit data faster and more securely than traditional radio frequency communications. DoD has made progress in developing this technology, but it has also faced delays and other issues-and hasn't fully demonstrated that it works in space. Despite these challenges, DoD plans to continue to develop and launch hundreds of satellites worth billions of dollars that require the use of laser communications.
Additive manufacturing has been a game-changer in helping to create parts and equipment for the Department of Defense's (DoD's) industrial base. A naval facility in Washington state has become a leader in implementing additive manufacturing and repair technologies using various processes and materials to quickly create much-needed parts for submarines and ships. One of the many industrial buildings at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport, in Washington, is the Manufacturing, Automation, Repair and Integration Networking Area Center, a large development center housing various additive manufacturing systems.
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.
Naval Air Systems Command Patuxent, MD navairpao@us.navy.mil
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
U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Armaments Center Independence, MO usarmy.pica.jpeo-aa.mbx.jpeo-aa-public-affairs@army.mil
Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA) Arlington, VA outreach@darpa.mil
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
In February 2024, Cadence launched a new generation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the introduction of the Millennium M1 CFD Supercomputer.
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.
British soldiers have successfully trialed for the first time a game-changing weapon that can take down a swarm of drones using radio waves for less than the cost of a pack of mince pies.
Anduril Industries Orange County, CA Contact@anduril.com
Northrop Grumman San Diego, CA jacqueline.rainey@ngc.com
U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 866-570-7247
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Airbus Marignane, France laurence.petiard@airbus.com
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