COTS Journal, February 2024

COTS (kots), n. 1. Commercial off-the-shelf. Terminology popularized in 1994 within U.S. DoD by SECDEF Wm. Perry’s “Perry Memo” that changed military industry purchasing and design guidelines, making Mil-Specs acceptable only by waiver. COTS is generally defined for technology, goods and services as: a) using commercial business practices and specifications, b) not developed under government funding, c) offered for sale to the general market, d) still must meet the program ORD. 2. Commercial business practices include the accepted practice of customer-paid minor modification to standard COTS products to meet the customer’s unique requirements.

—Ant. When applied to the procurement of electronics for he U.S. Military, COTS is a procurement philosophy and does not imply commercial, office environment or any other durability grade. E.g., rad-hard components designed and offered for sale to the general market are COTS if they were developed by the company and not under government funding.

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Cover Image Marines board a Navy air-cushioned landing craft in preparation for a ship-to-shore movement from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 17, 2023. The Marines are currently conducting integrated training and routine operations with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group.

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Geopolitical volatility brings increased defense budgets to ensure preparedness

10 The Inside Track

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Matt Medley, Global Industry Director, A&D, IFS

Geopolitical volatility brings increased defense budgets to ensure preparedness

Rising defense budgets, asset readiness at scale, swarm drones with brains, and better pen testing to fight AI cyberhacking

Here, Matt Medley, Global Industry Director, A&D, IFS, highlights the four key trends impacting the defense sector throughout 2024. As budgets increase and the spectrum of conflict scenarios widens, swarm drones take to our land, air, and sea and the double-edged AI sword adds cutting edges to cybersecurity.

Conflicts and geopolitical volatility show no sign of abating – that means defense budgets are set to increase, but where will the spend go?

FThe conflicts of 2023 have impacted and caused major disruptions to military supply chains, leading to the inventories and resources of some military forces being drained and inadequate to combat hostile forces. It comes as no surprise that in 2024 defense budgets across the globe are set to increase— witness the UK defense budget set to increase by £5 billion and the U.S. defense budget which is set to increase by 3.2% from $816 billion in 2023 to $842 billion in 2024. As a result of this, the global defense market is expected to grow significantly, with a lot of the budget set to be focused on increasing production to help military forces regain control.

The Deliotte report on supply chain risk management identifies the real conundrum underlying the increase in defense budget on the manufacturing sector too: “As most A&D suppliers are highly specialized with unique expertise and complex equipment, they struggle to make quick changes to production in response to varying demands. The challenge is accentuated as many suppliers serve both commercial aerospace and defense. Any spillover risk from commercial aerospace could leave defense OEMs vulnerable to sourcing critical parts for their programs and platforms.” With rising budgets and increased procurement set to dominate the defense agenda throughout 2024—these are the four key areas I see large portions of these increased budgets being spent on.

Prediction 1: The widening spectrum of conflict calls for military forces to improve Total Asset Readiness®

The last 12 months have given rise to a wider spectrum of conflict. The combat between Ukraine and Russia shows symmetric features, as its between traditional Air, Military, and Naval forces on both sides trying to achieve dominance and territory. On the other end of the spectrum, a more modern asymmetric style of combat can be seen in the Israel and Hamas conflict which features combatants that are not typically a part of military forces of nation-state.

The difference in features of the warfare has called for defense

ministries and departments to better prepare for a broader spectrum of eventualities—from natural disasters to full scale theatre warfare. As well as a broad spectrum of military deployments ranging from high to low tech—tanks, boats, and boots on the group versus parasailing and jet skis, remote locations versus heavily populated areas with schools and hospitals.

As highlighted in a recent Global Security Review essay which paints a picture of the new challenges defense forces face, and advocates for an agile approach to be taken towards The Changing Face of Conflict: “The agile approach to hybrid warfare offers a promising framework for responding to these complex and evolving threats. It emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and rapid decision-making and incorporates the impact of technological developments on warfare.”

This will even apply to the software infrastructure underpinning the military equipment supply chain, where disparate reporting mechanisms and software systems can be consolidated with an all-encompassing solution to track Total Asset Readiness—giving commanders a clear realtime view of the assets at their disposal, in the context of the mission they need to complete, wherever and whenever they are deployed. From this we expect to see an 16.3% increase in total defense spending in the U.S. alone, with the IT spend in defense contractors rising from 3% of revenue up to around 5% of revenue as they invest heavily in AI and automation to help pursue optimized asset management and other technology-driven priorities.

Prediction 2: Recent conflicts highlight the lack of assets and inventories ‘at the ready’ – defense industrial bases must change

A radical re-think is required for Total Asset Readiness, as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has highlighted the lack of assets, ammunition, vehicles, and inventories available to military forces in combat. This comes despite the mass investments made in ammunition and inventories by supporting countries. Current defense industrial bases (DIB) do not have the facilities to match the increase in recent demand as production rates were set up on non-large scale

conflict replenishment. DIB expansion has never been so important!

This has been recognized by defense forces as for the first time ever the DoD is set to release a defense industrial base policy in late 2023. The policy outlines four key focus areas: building a resilient supply chain, improving workforce readiness, increasing flexible acquisitions, and economic deterrence. The U.S. is not alone here. The UK military has also refreshed its defense strategy as it will reallocate £2.5billion to bolster the ammunition stockpiles as it aims to increase military power and agility.

New manufacturing principles are likely to play a key role. The U.S. Army is already looking at logistics and readiness as the service examines more opportunities to boost those operations by using advanced manufacturing technologies such as Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing technology to improve and sustain readiness as highlighted in a recent Janes report. As we move forward in response to the U.S. DoD policy focusing on building a resilient supply chain, improving workforce readiness, increasing flexible acquisitions, and economic deterrence – I expect significant flow down requirements to begin quickly appearing in over 50% of all new defense contracts, as well as allied nations following suit with their own similar directives, requiring DIB organizations to transparently demonstrate supply chain resilience for not only themselves, but their suppliers as well. Due to the current munitions shortages with allies supporting ongoing global conflicts, that number will approach 100% for munitions suppliers.

Prediction 3: The rise in low-cost ‘swarm’ drones as the use of autonomous vehicles adapts to 2024 land, sea, and air requirements

As evidenced by recent conflicts, drones will continue step up to the military plate and they are not alone, but in swarms. Drones can be produced quickly, cheaply and have a range of features ranging from carrying out surveillance missions in previously to dangerous areas to even carrying out light attack missions without putting warfighters at risk. As a result, they are becoming more prominent in military fleets and adoption rates are rising.

Drones are also hugely desirable for defense forces as they can be deployed on air, land, and sea making them very versatile.

Drones are also hugely desirable for defense forces as they can be deployed on air, land, and sea making them very versatile. Enter the drone carriers, such as the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales, which they aim to house drones on to be able to transfer assets and supplies to and from vessels without requiring any manned vehicles. As an even cheaper alternative some nations such as Turkey with their TCG Anodolu vessel and Iran with two old merchant container ships are converting previously manned vessels into drone carrying vessels.

The U.S. DoD is also seeing the benefit of swarm drones, as seen when the Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced the ‘Replicator’ initiative at the 2023 Defense News Conference. The initiative aims to quickly build and field swarms of low-cost air, land, and sea drones or All-Domain Attributable autonomy (ADA2) that are able to swarm hostile forces. The DoD aims to have these ready for deployment in the next 18-24 months. These ADA2 assets will help military forces overcome and overwhelm threats that are posed by large assets hosted by enemy forces, the drones will use Artificial Intelligence to autonomously “swarm” enemy forces. Effective equipment alternatives such as a drones will be the way forward in 2024 as military powers seek to keep costs low and maximize budgets – while reimagining the concept of mass in the sea/air/land battlespace.

Prediction 4: The AI boom forces cybersecurity to up its game

The increase in use of autonomous vehicles and digital technologies comes with heightened vulnerabilities to cyberattacks across the military supply chain. As seen in a Deloitte report “National security concerns elevate the importance of data security for defense manufacturers. They share and exchange covered defense information (CDI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) on program specifications, technology, and equipment performance as they collaborate across research, design, development, and deployment of defense products.”

The flip side of the AI boom has brought its own cyber threats, with AI-enabled hackers. AI has allowed for hackers to carry out cyberattacks at much larger scales, quicker with increase

anonymity. AI accelerates malware and changing codes making it harder for threats to be detected.

We must fight AI with AI. An AI-enabled defense can enable cybersecurity to stay one step ahead of hackers. Machine Learning (ML) technologies can be implemented by defense forces to boost threat detection accuracy and quickly automate responses to cyberattacks.

It is more important than ever for all organizations connected to the military supply chain to have penetration tested underlying cybersecurity software, which can react quickly to prevent data breaches. Many forces have already been deploying cyber defense tools as seen in a recent European Defence Matters report which reported that some autonomous cyber defense tools using intelligent agents already exist today, monitoring network activities and ready to trigger immediate action when anomalous behaviour is detected. Early malware detection, crucial for cyber risk mitigation, is considered a high-potential activity in which autonomous systems could excel in the future.

In the year ahead I expect to see defense forces exponentially increasing their use of autonomous agents and specialized digital artefacts to enhance cyber defense, as seen with the Defense Information Systems Agency looking to immediately expand its use of AI-driven tools to automate penetration testing on defense networks.

Adapting to new military dynamics

The defense industry is poised for significant growth in 2024, driven by increased military spending worldwide as nations seek to modernize their equipment and capabilities. This growth is expected to be fueled by a number of factors, including the widening spectrum of conflict, the lack of assets and inventories ‘at the ready’, and the rise in new equipment such as low-cost ‘swarm’ drones. This increased use of digital technologies will require cybersecurity to up its game. Overall, the outlook for the defense industry is positive as military forces around the world look to adapt to the changing landscape of warfare.

The INSIDE TRACK

OSS and FLYHT Expand Relationship with the Design and Manufacturing of 5G Enabled AFIRS™ Edge Solution

OSS to Lead Hardware Design and Manufacture of FLYHT Aerospace Solutions’ New Aircraft Interface Device and Health Monitoring System — World’s First Wireless Quick Access Recorder with 5G Mobile Wireless for Real-time Remote Access

One Stop Systems, Inc. and FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. announced the commencement of a multi-year design and manufacturing collaboration for FLYHT’s automated flight information reporting systems (AFIRS™) Edge family, including its new AFIRS Edge+. The expanded relationship ensures that FLYHT can access OSS’s scaled capabilities as it launches the aviation industry’s first-to-market 5G-enabled avionics solutions.

The AFIRS Edge is an aircraft interface device (AID) that connects aircraft data with EFB applications and provides airlines with Wireless Quick Access (WQAR) capabilities while serving as a gateway on the aircraft for critical real-time information and onboard data storage.

The Edge also serves as a data port for FLYHT’s actionable intelligence services, such as fuel management, aircraft health monitoring, real-time engine data reporting, and airport gate performance monitoring.

Rendering of AFIRS Edge+

Further, when coupled with a real-time I.P. satellite connection, the Edge enables weather data customers to work with airlines to implement FLYHT’s Aircraft Based Observations (ABO) weather systems and solutions. ABO can include water vapor humidity data to enable enhanced weather forecasting capabilities.

“We chose OSS as our manufacturing partner for our AFIRS Edge systems because of their proven capabilities in ruggedizing commercial aerospace devices and expertise in rugged edge solutions for A.I., sensor processing, and sensor fusion,” stated FLYHT president and interim CEO Kent Jacobs. “We also want to leverage OSS’s expertise in the design, development, integration, testing, and manufacturing of new products like our AFIRS Edge+, which can enable faster timeto-market.”

For OSS, the design and manufacturing engagement with FLYHT is valued at a minimum of US$6 million over the initial five-year term. OSS expects to begin production and shipments of AFIRS Edge+ in the second quarter of 2024.

“This major win builds upon OSS being a long-time provider of embedded compute and storage technology for FLYHT’s flight safety equipment and networking prototypes,” noted OSS VP of Sales Robert Kalebaugh. “Our selection by an industry leader like FLYHT represents a strong validation of our design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities, as well as the comprehensive customer service we have delivered to FLYHT over the years.”

OSS CEO Mike Knowles commented: “This multi-year engagement expands our position in commercial aerospace, and further strengthens our technology development and manufacturing platform. Furthering our relationship with FLYHT as a long-standing valued partner underscores our commitment to aviation safety and delivering mission-critical performance without compromise for this important industry.”

The INSIDE TRACK

Mercury Awarded Subcontract for the U.S. Army’s Next-Generation LTAMDS Radar System

Mercury Systems, Inc. signed a threeyear subcontract worth as much as $96 million with Raytheon, an RTX business, to deliver high-performance signal processing sub-systems for the U.S. Army’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS).

Under the new production agreement, Mercury will deliver hardware to Raytheon for the next nine LTAMDS radars to support the U.S. Army and Poland, the first international LTAMDS customer.

In May 2023, Mercury completed the delivery of more than 160 hardware units for the first six LTAMDS radars, including signal data processor sub-systems, beamforming platforms, and ethernet switching hardware, to fulfill its proof of manufacturing contract.

LTAMDS is the newest air and missile defense sensor that will operate on the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense network. It is a 360-degree, Active Electronically Scanned Array radar that provides significantly more capacity and

capability against a wide range of advanced threats, including hypersonic missiles. Mercury developed an advanced, edgeready processing solution for LTAMDS that will give U.S. and international forces an unparalleled strategic and tactical advantage on the battlefield.

Six Raytheon-built LTAMDS radars are advancing through integration and test activities simultaneously at multiple government and Raytheon test sites. A series of recent milestones validate the radar’s performance and progression through developmental testing, including the recently completed contractor verification testing and tactical ballistic missile and cruise missile live fire tests. Formal testing will continue in 2024.

“By leveraging many innovative, edgeready technologies from the Mercury Processing Platform, Raytheon has developed a truly unrivaled air defense capability that will contribute to the safety and security of the United States and its allies worldwide,” said Mercury Chairman and CEO Bill Ballhaus. “As LTAMDS production ramps up in the coming years, it will become a strong driver of organic growth for the company.”

Intelligent Power Modules Market Set to Hit US$ 5,723.6 Million by 2033, Driven by Robust CAGR of 12.4 % | Persistence Market Research

The global Intelligent Power Module (IPM) market is experiencing a surge, fueled by the increasing demand for efficient and intelligent power management solutions across diverse industries.

The intelligent power modules market is estimated to reach US$ 1,773.0 million in 2023, and by the end of 2033, it is expected to have grown to US$ 5,723.6 million. The market for intelligent power modules is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2023 to 2033. The global Intelligent Power Modules Market is experiencing steady expansion as industries across the spectrum increasingly adopt advanced power electronics solutions. With a focus on optimizing energy consumption and improving overall system performance, the demand for Intelligent Power Modules has surged. These modules find applications in diverse sectors, including automotive, industrial automation, renewable energy, consumer electronics, and telecommunications.

The automotive industry stands out as a significant contributor to the Intelligent Power Modules Market, driven by the electrification trend and the growing adoption of electric vehicles (E.V.s). IPMs are pivotal in powertrain systems, enabling efficient and compact designs for electric and hybrid cars. As the automotive sector transitions towards cleaner and sustainable technologies, the demand for Intelligent Power Modules is expected to grow substantially.

In the industrial automation sector, Intelligent Power Modules are utilized in motor control applications, providing enhanced efficiency and precision. The integration of advanced control features within these modules allows for seamless operation and monitoring of motors, contributing to the overall efficiency and reliability of industrial processes. Additionally, the renewable energy sector leverages Intelligent Power Modules in inverters for solar and wind power systems, further expanding the market’s reach.

Asia-Pacific has emerged as a critical player in the Intelligent Power Modules Market, which is attributed to the region’s robust industrial growth, increasing investments in renewable energy projects, and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are at the forefront of this market, driven by a solid manufacturing base and a focus on technological innovation.

The INSIDE TRACK

Increased computing power delivers advanced performance for unmanned aerial refuelers

Boeing has selected BAE Systems to upgrade and modernize the vehicle management system computer (VMSC) for the U.S. Navy’s MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling system. The technology refresh will increase computing power and address obsolescence issues, providing the unmanned aerial tanker with an integrated solution that improves aircraft performance and allows for future capability growth.

BAE Systems’ next-generation VMSC controls all flight surfaces and performs overall vehicle management duties for the autonomous MQ-25. The MQ-25 is the Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft designed to provide a much-needed aerial refueling capability. It also aims to relieve the refueling mission workload for F/A-18 aircraft, allowing them to take on other key mission roles and increasing the fleet’s capacity.

“BAE Systems is a leader in flight-critical systems and solutions,” said Corin Beck, senior director of Military Aircraft Systems for Controls and Avionics Solutions at BAE Systems. “Our upgraded VMSC for the MQ-25 will deliver advanced

functionality—enabling this platform to execute today’s and tomorrow’s critical missions while also reducing the amount of hardware required on the aircraft through consolidation into this computer.”

The cost-effective VMSC upgrade will use quad-core processors to increase computing power while optimizing the aircraft’s size, weight, and power footprint. The multi-core processor selected for the MQ-25 VMSC has recently completed qualification on another U.S. military platform, reducing the program’s cost, schedule, and integration risk.

This highly efficient and integrated system will deliver more capability by replacing multiple other onboard computers, improving aircraft reliability, and reducing the total lifecycle cost of ownership for the Navy. The new VMSC also provides growth capability to support future missions of the MQ-25, such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies, and lays the foundation for all future carrier-based unmanned systems by pioneering the cutting-edge manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) operational concept.

BAE Systems also provides the aircraft’s Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) System.

Reliable Robotics Awarded Military Airworthiness Approval for a Commercial Autonomous Flight System

Reliable Robotics, a leader in autonomous aircraft systems, today announced that it has received military airworthiness approval to begin flight testing and operational missions of its remotely piloted Cessna 208 Caravan for the U.S. Air Force. This approval signifies a deeper level of engagement with the Department of Defense (DoD) by enabling Reliable to demonstrate dual-use automated flight capabilities for military use cases, including cargo missions.

“Nothing compares to showcasing how our autonomous flight capabilities will immediately enable new ways for the U.S. Air Force and other departments of the military to lead with innovation, improve safety, and project power across the globe,” said Dr. David O’Brien, Major General (Ret.), and Senior Vice President of Government Solutions at Reliable Robotics.

DoD airworthiness policies require all aircraft and air systems owned, leased, operated, used, designed, or modified for Air Force applications to complete an airworthiness assessment in accordance with Air Force standards. To meet these requirements, Reliable completed a comprehensive safety analysis, maintenance and operational evaluations, and testing of the automated flight technologies. This airworthiness achievement was a key milestone of Reliable’s Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract.

The INSIDE TRACK

One year after Makiivka: Enea details methods to track mobile devices in modern warfare

One year on from Ukraine’s strike on Russian troops in Makiivka, which was said to have been made possible by tracking Russian troop’s mobile phones, Enea’s groundbreaking report, “Location Tracking on the Battlefield: Phones Under Fire,” marks the first complete review of mobile tracking methods used in modern warfare with a focus on Ukraine.

In the new report, Enea gives a comprehensive overview of the various methods to gain military intelligence by tracking mobile devices on the battlefield. This is the first time a complete perspective, including military radio-centric and mobile network-centric methods, has been offered in a single report, providing individuals and organizations the guidance to understand the full scope of risks when using connected devices in conflict zones.

After the Makiivka strike on New Year’s Day 2023, the Russian defense ministry stated that the use of mobile phones by their forces allowed Ukraine to locate the target for the attack. While this statement’s plausibility has been thoroughly discussed, a simulation by Enea presented in the report shows that it may have been possible for Ukrainian forces to track signals from the Russians’ mobile phones and thereby locate them. The possibility that this attack, described as a significant loss for the Russian forces, was initiated after mobile device tracking underscores the consequences of mobile phone usage in war zones.

While the attack on Russian forces in Makiivka is only one example, the report reviews the var-

ious methods used to track mobile devices on the battlefield in Ukraine, dividing them into three categories:

• Radio-enabled location tracking

• Network-enabled location tracking

• Device-enabled tracking

Previous research has yet to comprehensively address all methods with side-by-side comparisons, as it requires distinct expertise in each field. This unique and groundbreaking research gives detailed outlines of the methods used and guidance and recommendations on the risks of mobile device tracking in war zones. Civilians and military personnel can evaluate the risks and benefits of bringing mobile devices into war zones and assess how to minimize risks if mobile device use is required.

The unique insights are based on original research of extensive open-source material and intelligence from Enea’s mobile network Threat Intelligence Unit. The report is the latest in Enea’s coverage of mobile network usage in Ukraine before and during Russia’s invasion.

Cathal Mc Daid, VP of Technology at Enea and lead author of the report, commented, “Our comprehensive analysis of the mobile battlefield reveals the complexities and the evolving role of mobile networks in warfare. This report brings an important understanding of how phones are tracked on the battlefield, adding crucial insights for telecom, military, and government policymakers to enhance security measures and effectively leverage technological advancements in the field. It builds and expands upon our previous research, which showed how important commercial telecom networks are for the security and resilience of a country facing hybrid threats and the need for network security to help protect its networks.”

The INSIDE TRACK

OWT Global and Echodyne Collaborate on Next-Generation Situational Awareness Solutions and Global Services Support

High-performance radar is increasingly critical for fixed, portable, and mobile Defense applications.

OWT Global, a trusted services and solutions provider for C5ISR, UxS, and Air Domain Awareness & Defense solutions, and Echodyne Corp, the radar platform company delivering high-performance commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) radars, today announced a strategic relationship to develop and bring to market next-generation situational awareness solutions across OWT Global’s portfolio.

Echodyne’s ultra-low size, weight, and power (SWaP) radars offer electronically scanned array (ESA) performance at COTS price points that radically expand situational awareness capabilities across deployed forces and assets. Integrated into OWT Global’s advanced Intelligent Sensing as a Service

(ISaaS) platform, the precision radar data improves end-end system performance.

The companies will focus on optimizing existing capabilities and expanding these into new applications. Additionally, the relationship establishes a

proven services support model to grow with Echodyne radars. Strategic applications include:

• Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS), where data accuracy vastly improves identification and targeting, and COTS equipment corrects financial asymmetry.

• C5ISR, where highly portable, low-SWaP, high fidelity situational awareness improves mission outcomes.

• UxS operations, where low-SWaP and high-fidelity performance are key design objectives for maritime assets, air & ground vehicles, and ground stations.

• Improved Critical Infrastructure Protection, where airspace awareness is paramount to security design and operations.

“OWT Global’s vendor agnostic support to our customers enables us to see and use emerging products from across the market and keep pace with evolving requirements,” said Eric Fuller, CEO of OWT Global. “It’s clear to us that Echodyne’s radars provide accuracy and reliability far beyond existing legacy solutions and enable OWT to bring our customers optimized options to keep pace with the latest threats. We’re excited about the growing partnership with Echodyne and are committed to always staying aligned with the best capabilities for our customers and their missions.”

“As our radars are designed into more mission-critical systems, creating relationships with trusted suppliers is key to our success,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “OWT Global represents a deep knowledge of systems and platforms that detect, track, and defeat modern threats like drones. OWT Global’s expertise, augmented by bestin-class Echodyne radars, is a winning combination for end users.”

The INSIDE TRACK

Skunk Works® Rolls Out X-59, NASA’s Newest X-Plane

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works rolled out the X-59, a unique experimental aircraft designed to quiet the sonic boom, at a ceremony

in Palmdale, California. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in Lockheed Martin’s and NASA’s decades-long journey to solve one of the most persistent challenges of supersonic flight – the sonic boom.

“We’re thrilled to take on this challenge

Ongoing JAGUAR and GRIFFON deliveries and qualifications

As defined in the 2019-2025 military programming law, Nexter, a KNDS company, Thales and Arquus fulfilled all GRIFFON and JAGUAR DGA orders scheduled for 2023. These 2019 beginning supplies expanded the global handover to 575 GRIFFON and 60 JAGUAR.

In 2023, the EBMR company grouping introduced the first “Sanitaire” (SAN) GRIFFONs for the French Army Health Service (Système de santé des armées, SSA). This model, which was qualified in 2022, will be delivered to the Forces in early 2024.

Furthermore, on June 16, 2023, the DGA probated a VOA («Véhicule d’Observation d’Artillerie ») version of the GRIFFON and the 3rd Marine Artillery Regiment (3e RAMa) welcomed its first examples. The GRIFFON VOA replaces the VAB OBS. Originally designed to be integrated into the ATLAS artillery fire management chain, this vehicle presents a retractable optronic observation mast equipped with innovative technology availing surveillance, telemetry, pointing, and laser designation to target and guide artillery fire. In addition, it allows MURIN tactical surveillance radar incorporation.

alongside NASA, whose quiet supersonic technology mission will have lasting, transformational impacts for people around the world,” said John Clark, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “This project is just one example of the broader ingenuity of our industry as we continually strive to push the envelope of what’s possible.”

Rollout ceremonies are a long-standing aviation tradition, and in the case of the X-59, it celebrated technical advancements, collaboration, and innovation that stemmed from years of research, development, and production of a one-of-a-kind technology demonstrator aircraft that will reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump.

“The entire X-59 team leaned into the expertise of both legendary organizations, NASA and Lockheed Martin, to ensure success for this program. I am extremely proud of everyone who made this historic moment possible,” said Greg Ulmer, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

The INSIDE TRACK

Leidos Enduring Shield Aces Risk Reduction Flight Demo

Leidos announced the successful Risk Reduction Flight Demonstration (RRFD) of its Enduring Shield Weapon System.

The RRFD demonstrated the ability of Enduring Shield to launch a test AIM-9X interceptor from a simulated Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) interface. The event validated the end-to-end launch functionality of the weapon system, including sending the AIM9X interceptor to a designated target location.

With the successful execution of the RRFD, Enduring Shield’s first shipment of launchers is set to move to its next phase in the Department of Defense’s layered defense strategy. The U.S. Army IFPC Inc 2 will begin its Developmental Test (D.T.) program in January 2024, with Operational Assessment (O.A.) planned for later in the year. Data collected from RRFD and the 2024 testing will be used to improve the next set of launchers Leidos is contracted to produce.

“This is a major milestone for our team to cross,” said Larry Barisciano, Weapon Systems Operations Manager for the Leidos Dynetics team. “Saying these prototypes are ready for government testing by succeeding at this demonstration is a huge win for us and our warfighters. We’re ready to move to the next phase with more confidence and excitement for future work with our U.S. Army customer.”

Enduring Shield is a ground-based, mobile system that aims to combat cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems. The system is a key part of the solution to protect and defend critical civilian and military infrastructure. It also bridges the gap between tactical short-range air defense and strategic systems, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and Patriot forces. Enduring Shield can integrate with the IBCS, which was successfully demonstrated in the summer of 2023.

The INSIDE TRACK

DOD Advances Microelectronics Commons to Build Domestic Semiconductor Industry, Workforce

February 2 marked the second week of Microelectronics Commons (Commons) Hubs visits for representatives from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC)-Crane Division, and National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). Representatives traveled to Massachusetts and New York, where they met with Hub leaders and members, as well as Governor Maura Healey and representatives from Congressional offices.

These visits showed that funding from the

GA-ASI Demonstrates Release of A2LE from MQ-20 Avenger UAS

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully demonstrated an inflight release of its Advanced Air-Launched Effects (A2LE) platform, releasing an A2LE from the internal weapons bay of a GA-ASI MQ-20 Avenger® Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The demonstration occurred on November 28, 2023, over Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, capping a manufacturing, structural test, and flight demonstration.

GA-ASI’s design and engineering team partnered with Divergent Technologies, Inc. for the A2LE vehicle design and build, matching GA-ASI’s aircraft design expertise with the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS™) to support rapid, lowcost manufacturing of the demonstration vehicle.

“This demonstration was a crucial first step in demonstrating GA-ASI’s ability to rapidly develop, manufacture, and test a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) in a controlled, low-risk approach,” said Mike Atwood, vice president of Advanced Programs at GA-ASI. “A2LE demonstrates the coupling of GAASI’s pedigreed aircraft de-

bipartisan “Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act” is directly contributing to the Commons becoming a community that empowers Hub members to create public-private partnerships, invest in infrastructure for microchip prototyping, and engage in multilateral co-operation – all in keeping with President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda.

CHIPS funding will continue to be allocated during Fiscal Years 2023 through 2027 to accelerate domestic microelectronics hardware prototyping and workforce development. This will grow local economies by upskilling local talent within each Hub region while complementing programs run by the Department of

sign capabilities with Divergent’s DAPS, paving the way for continued maturation of affordable, modular SUAS platforms that can be tailored to meet warfighter needs at a fraction of the cost and lead time of currently fielded systems.”

The demonstration vehicle airframe was 100 percent additively manufactured and designed to meet the jet-powered aircraft’s captive carriage and ejection loads with internal weapons bays. Before the flight demonstration, the topology-optimized AM structure was validated via proof and pit ejection testing. The demonstration highlighted the design efficiencies realized when AM is incorporated early in the design process and throughout the vehicle. It was also a critical

Commerce and the National Science Foundation.

The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition Hub (NEMC) site visit on January 30 in Boston included delegates from Analog Devices, Applied Materials, NextFlex, Raytheon Technologies, Columbia University, MITRE, BAE Systems, as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and MIT Lincoln Labs. Governor Healey. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and Ms. Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Economic Development, also attended alongside representatives from the Offices of Senator Ed Markey and Congressman Seth Moulton. Congresswoman Lori Ann Trahan addressed the gathering virtually.

step in validating the AM process and material properties for incorporation in future systems to be employed by both manned and unmanned platforms.

GA-ASI’s A2LE platform builds on its extensive experience in developing SUAS. It provides a low-risk, low-cost, tailorable solution that brings affordable mass to the warfighter, with modular payload provisions to meet the requirements of current and future mission objectives. A network of A2LEs could create a persistent, expansive grid for surveillance, attack, enemy air defense suppression, or communication pathways, supporting and elevating capabilities of current and future manned or unmanned platforms.

Evolve or Perish through System Monitoring

By Dr. Otto Fest, President and Founder of Otek

For decades, OTEK Corporation’s engineers have been dedicated to enhancing and modernizing critical systems, especially in the context of military applications. The challenge often arises when aging meters and displays, abandoned by their original manufacturers, pose a significant risk, akin to a ticking time bomb. OTEK’s mission is clear: retrofit existing infrastructure with cutting-edge solutions that seamlessly integrate into legacy systems, providing modern and reliable user interfaces.

In the military and defense sector, where time is of the essence, the need for swift, cost-effective, and secure solutions is paramount. The high capital expenditure and stringent regulatory oversight associated with major projects like nuclear power submarines demand innovative alternatives. OTEK’s expertise, initially developed in the energy sector, has been extended to other industries, with a focus on providing plug-and-play solutions that meet the specific demands of each application. By using patented Powerless technology, OTEK delivers direct replacements for original components or upgrades to more advanced digital solutions, all without the need for costly and time-consuming recertification.

In military and defense applications, where the cost of downtime can be measured with loss of life, waiting weeks or months for a solution is not an option. OTEK’s solutions offer a low-cost, cybersecure, real-time metering option that seamlessly fits into existing systems without the need for rewiring. Moreover, OTEK provides the convenience of a spares program, ensuring immediate availability of critical components. This approach eliminates the prohibitive costs and potential security risks associated with extensive system alterations while guaranteeing decades of reliable service.

OTEK’s diverse product range encompasses digital panel meters, controllers, batch counters, process loggers, and bar graph indicators, all designed to cater to the unique needs of military contractors and defense applications. The company’s goal is to work closely with clients to identify the best course of action for their instrumentation and control needs and supply products that surpass every prerequisite and requirement. In essence, OTEK’s objective is to replace aging analog and digital meters with highquality, drop-in replacements that seamlessly integrate into existing systems, safeguarding critical military operations.

In the early 1980s, OTEK was commissioned by the United States Air Force to develop the first MIL-SPEC Meter to replace

extensively used meters in various airframes, including the C-135 Stratotanker. OTEK’s rich history in supporting advances in space exploration, nuclear energy, and critical system monitoring is underscored by numerous patents and a firm commitment to never compromise on system reliability.

OTEK’s meters, with a calculated Critical Mission Time Between Failures (CMTBF) of more than 40 years, reduce the need for costly spares inventory due to their plug-and-play installation. Replacing a meter takes mere minutes, with no specialized expertise required, while maintenance and calibration can be completed in under five minutes. OTEK leverages open and MIL standards to ensure seamless integration across a wide spectrum of applications, from space missions to maritime operations.

By harnessing the latest LED technologies, OTEK offers an array of display options that integrate seamlessly with existing panels while providing advanced capabilities to convey critical information. These displays come in various digital formats, including digital or analog gauges, bar graphs with alarms, or traditional meters, ensuring that clients have a range of choices to suit their specific needs.

Drawing from decades of experience, OTEK’s engineers have recently introduced the NTM product line, a third-generation digital metering solution designed to replace analog meters. OTEK’s patented loop-power technology enables 2-wire analog meter replacements with no external power requirements. With a vast array of products designed to address end-of-life concerns, OTEK continues to evolve its solutions to meet the changing needs of its clients.

In summary, OTEK has established itself as a premier metering company in critical applications, with a strong focus on military and defense sectors, offering reliable, retrofit solutions that guarantee the safety, accuracy, and efficiency of critical systems.

Unraveling the Future: The Power of Predictive Modeling in Complex Problem

Solving

By John Reardon, Editor - COTS Journal

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancements and complex problem-solving, the ability to predict outcomes and mitigate uncertainties becomes paramount. Predictive modeling, a concept that has intrigued many, is at the forefront of addressing intricate challenges. In this exploration, we delve into the innovative realm of predictive modeling, with a specific focus on Lone Star Analysis and their groundbreaking software framework, TruNav MAX™, which leverages the Monte Carlo Theory of Probability.

The Complexity of Chaos and Predictive Modeling:

At times, seemingly chaotic scenarios prompt us to question whether it is possible to predict and harness the future. Entropy, defined as a lack of order or predictability, often leads to a gradual decline into disorder. However, advancements in technology, such as the Redfish system monitoring solution, enable the real-time measurement and recording of system parameters, offering insights into potential failures. While these tools provide

valuable information, they fall short in predicting material failures within a system.

To explore the boundaries of predictability, I engaged in a conversation with Steve Roemerman, CEO, and Co-Founder of Lone Star Analysis. Roemerman and his team of skilled mathematicians have embarked on a journey to address the nation’s most complex issues using logic and reason, employing predictive modeling inspired by the Monte Carlo Theory of Probability.

TruNav MAX™: A Digital Twin for Predictive Modeling:

times, temperature, shock, and working loads. The result is a comprehensive solution that offers real-world insights and likely outcomes.

Applications Across Diverse Challenges:

The versatility of TruNav MAX™ extends its applications to a myriad of challenges facing the nation. From detecting cyber threats in the era of quantum computing to measuring the threat of supersonic missiles with changing trajectories, Lone Star’s solution proves invaluable. Even in specific scenarios, such as assessing the probability of failure of an ejection seat on an F-35, TruNav MAX™ excels in providing actionable insights.

Lone Star’s TruNav MAX™ emerges as a beacon of innovation, combining predictive modeling with the concept of a Digital Twin. This “Evil Digital Twin” identifies and simulates potential failures, utilizing known failure tables and incorporating variables such as cycle

Navigating Complex Logistics: The Airplane Maintenance Dilemma: The application of predictive modeling in airplane maintenance exemplifies the prowess of Lone Star’s mathematicians. While a small fleet with modest service intervals may seem manageable without advanced modeling, scaling up to thousands of airplanes with diverse stakeholders and stringent operational

demands requires a sophisticated approach. Lone Star incorporates every conceivable variable, optimizing solutions through advanced statistical reviews to ensure maximum operational efficiency.

Quality and Size of Sample Groups:

The success of predictive models hinges on the quality and size of the sample group.

Lone Star’s capabilities shine when faced with challenges that go beyond generic standards or overlook the intricacies of realworld applications. For those who embrace the complexity of variables specific to their domain, Lone Star’s predictive modeling offers a greater peace of mind.

Consumer Space vs. Defense Space:

While predictive models have thrived in the consumer space with large and routine sample sizes, the defense space poses unique challenges. With smaller sample sizes and potentially more consequential failures, Lone Star’s blend of experience and advanced mathematics emerges as a crucial tool for predicting outcomes in high-stakes scenarios.

Conclusion: Embracing the Future with Predictive Modeling:

In the pursuit of unraveling the future, predictive modeling stands as a powerful ally. Lone Star Analysis, through TruNavigator MAX™, has harnessed the capabilities of the

Monte Carlo Theory of Probability to create a solution that goes beyond traditional approaches. In a world where uncertainty reigns, the fusion of experience, advanced mathematics, and predictive modeling offers a glimpse into a more predictable and optimized future. Just as Black-Scholes revolutionized options pricing, Lone Star’s TruNavigator MAX™ sets a standard for prescriptive prediction, addressing complex problems that the market faces with unprecedented precision.

New Ruggedized Timing Technology

New Ruggedized Timing Technology

Bolsters Resilience in GPS-Synchronized Defense Equipment

Bolsters Resilience in GPS-Synchronized Defense Equipment

By Odile Ronat, Product Marketing Director, Aerospace and Defense, SiTime

GPS is not only critical for positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) in military and defense operations, it is also continually under threat. Extreme weather, urban canyons, tree canopies and other obstacles can weaken or disrupt GPS signals. Bad actors can jam or spoof signals and such instances have been growing at an alarming rate, specifically in conflict zones. All of this can jeopardize national security. GPS is critical in defense operations because it provides the time reference for synchronized timing across a wide range of equipment and personnel, including command and control centers, mobile military communication systems and networks, ships, aircrafts, ground vehicles, soldiers and more.

Because the signals are not fail safe, the US DoD has made it a strategic priority to develop new PNT systems that are hardened against jamming and spoofing or that can provide trustworthy timing using alternative technologies. One such alternative technology is a new silicon MEMS localized clock designed into systems that are dependent on GPS. The new technology mitigates signal disruptions in GPS-synchronized defense equipment, ensuring reliable and precise PNT even when GPS signals are out.

The Case for Silicon MEMS Oven Controlled Oscillators versus Quartz OCXOs in Military and Aerospace Applications

Traditionally, quartz oven-controlled oscillators (OCXOs) have been the device of choice for precision timing in GPS applications and beyond. Although quartzbased technology has been around for roughly a century, it presents drawbacks in many defense applications. Typical construction makes quartz OCXOs vulnerable to stressors, such as vibration, shock, and temperature fluctuations. Not only can these stressors impact device reliability and performance, but they make the device prone to out-right failure. This is a substantial risk, especially in critical applications such as aircraft navigation, threat monitoring and field communications.

Because of the challenges of quartz technology, only a limited selection of commercially available quartz OCXOs are rated for acceleration sensitivity (g-sensitivity), which is important for vehicle mounted, airborne and field systems. When designed for vibration robustness, quartz OCXOs trade off frequency stability for some environmental ruggedness. In addition, quartz OCXOs consume large amounts

of power, typically 1 watt or more. Beyond these challenges, quartz OCXOs are bulky and have strict design requirements, which complicate product design. G-sensitivity rated OCXOs are often pricey and have extended production lead times of many months.

Enter silicon MEMS oven-controlled oscillators, a game-changer for precision timing. Ruggedized MEMS OCXOs stand up to demanding aerospace and defense environments, vibration, shock, and temperature fluctuations—especially important for those systems dependent on GPS synchronization. By leveraging ultra-clean semiconductor processes, MEMS OCXOs can achieve unmatched quality and reliability and part-to-part consistency to enable easier integration, faster product design cycles, and higher system-level performance.

In addition to their ability to better take on harsh environments and bolster reliability, ruggedized MEMS OCXOs outstrip quartz counterparts when it comes to size, weight, and power (SWaP). In fact, MEMS OCXOs are now becoming available in a small 9 x 7 x 3.6 mm3 package, with a weight of 0.35 g, consuming as little as 420 mW of steady-state power and rated

Figure 1: A MEMS OCXO example that surpasses vibration-rated quartz OCXOs in performance, offering superior functionality with reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements.

at 0.01 ppb/g acceleration sensitivity: this is a 20X size reduction, a 2X power reduction and eliminates the need for vibration compensation. This can save you up to 100 g relative to quartz OCXOs. Due to its small size and low power requirement and its low sensitivity to vibrations, temperature transients, and EMI, a MEMS OCXO clock provides flexibility in board layout.

Ultra-Stable Timing During GPS Disruption

As long as trusted GPS signals are available, the local oscillator is synchronized to the GPS time reference, and you can rely on your PNT systems. Upon loss of the trustworthy GPS signals due to jamming, spoofing or other disruptions, the local clock is no longer synchronized to an external reference clock and the performance of the PNT system depends on the performance of the local oscillator which can drift due to intrinsic noise, aging, temperature changes and vibrations: The local clock is truly the heart of the PNT system. Novel solutions are needed for a SWaP oscillator that provides stability over temperature, environmental stressors and time. Ruggedized MEMS OCXOs are now available to offer the stability needed for next generation PNT systems.

The time during which the local clock is not synchronized to the reference clock is referred to as holdover and the performance for the local clock during holdover is measured as a time error. Time error is the integration of the frequency drift during the holdover period.

When the time error becomes too large, system performance rapidly degrades or fails.

Advanced MEMS technology has the ability to substantively lower time error relative to quartz timing. This is due to lower Allan deviation

and lower aging, along with low frequency shift during temperature changes and vibrations. MEMS technology has proven to offer 4X lower Allan deviation and 10X lower aging compared to g-sensitivity-rated quartz devices because of material purity coupled with low contamination

As long as trusted GPS signals are available, the local oscillator is synchronized to the GPS time reference, and you can rely on your PNT systems.

Figure 2: A MEMS OCXO example of ultra-stable clock for PNT systems during GPS disruption with a time error of 3 µs over a 24 hr holdover. These measurements are done at 25°C with no aging compensation.

of the MEMS enclosure. Time error can be further improved with aging compensation done through the digital frequency pull of the device. MEMS OCXOs perform particularly well during temperature transients such as experienced when cooling fans turn on, when the board is located close to a motor or power supply or when a high-power ASIC powers up. The MEMS OCXO temperature transient performance results from its high-precision temperature sensing and high-bandwidth temperature control loop.

Ruggedized MEMS OCXO Local Clocks for PNT Resilience

Ruggedized silicon MEMS OCXOs can effectively provide the stable clock reference from minutes to hours, where quartz crystal OCXOs fall short. They can outperform quartz in stability, reliability, and performance under vibration and have low phase noise and jitter, crucial for high-quality signal transmission. They offer a resilient, high-performance alternative in a compact, low-profile, light weight package. Their performance under vibration can exceed most military requirements, eliminating the need for bulky, complex vibration

compensation. The Endura Epoch OCXO, is the first ruggedized MEMS OCXO designed specifically for military applications. It delivers these advantages compared with quartz OCXOs:

• 30x greater reliability

• 20x reduced size

• 2x lower power

• 10x lower aging

• 70x better acceleration sensitivity

By leveraging silicon MEMS manufacturing and semiconductor supply chain efficiencies, these devices are readily available, with a 10to 12-week lead time, once they are released into production late this year. Their unique programmability, including frequency, voltage, and more, eliminates the need for custom designs with custom qualifications.

If your timing is off, it can have a disastrous impact on military operations in the space, air, maritime, ground and cyber domains –causing equipment malfunctions, increased risk to personnel, or even complete mission failure. Designing ruggedized MEMS siliconbased local clocks into systems that depend on GPS help ensure accurate timing and mission

success. These new ultra-resilient, low-SWaP devices make the entire design process easier while improving system quality, reliability, and performance. Ruggedized MEMS silicon-based local clocks can help keep defense operations moving forward safely and securely, even when the signal isn’t loud and clear.

Odile Ronat is the director of product marketing, aerospace, and defense for SiTime. Prior to SiTime, Ms. Ronat worked at International Rectifier/Infineon in the high-rel and rad-hard groups. She holds a Master of Science degree in engineering from École des mines de Paris and a Master of Science degree in engineering management from Stanford University (Palo Alto, California). For more information, go to: SiTime.com.

February 2024

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AMETEK Abaco Systems FORCE2C Mission Computer Achieves DO-254 and DO-178C Safety Audit Certifications

FORCE2C mission computer from AMETEK Abaco Systems has passed its final hardware and software SOI reviews and has been officially approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Along with the mission computer, all artifacts for certification are now available and comply with the airborne certification guidelines of DO-254 and DO-178C for fixed and rotary wing aircraft (crewed and uncrewed) and are also approved for ground-based applications.

The independent audits confirm compliance with applicable airworthiness regulations for the electronic hardware and safety-critical software. The FORCE2C conduction-cooled electronics hardware is also suitable up to Design Assurance Level (DAL) A. This is the highest level of design assurance applied to airborne software and hardware and is required when a failure or malfunction could contribute to a catastrophic failure of the aircraft.

Mike Underwood, division vice president, and business unit manager for AMETEK Abaco Systems, says the certifications significantly reduce electronic system risks to aircraft design

ducing the time it takes to get their aircraft certified and, ultimately, to market,” he says. “This COTS mission computer will help them potentially save years and millions of dollars developing and integrating systems in new aircraft.”

At the heart of the FORCE2C is the QorIQbased SBC314C single-board computer (SBC). Based on the Power Architecture T2081, with the manufacturer’s availability out to 2035, the SBC features four processing cores within the power envelope of previous dual-core boards and 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM memory.

Extensive I/O makes the rugged line replaceable unit (LRU) FORCE2C ideal for a wide range of high-performance, low-power avionics applications where DO-254 certification compliance is required. The comprehensive I/O capability in the FORCE2C Mission Computer includes a RAR15XC 3U VPX avionics communications I/O card (MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429), serial I/O and Ethernet modules.

The FORCE2C Mission Computer is also suitable for applications developed according to the principles of the FACE™ (Future Airborne Capability Environment) Consortium. The FACE Consortium is leading the development of open standards for avionics systems.

AMETEK Abaco Systems abaco.com

ROLEC’s Premium Diecast Enclosures For Industrial Electronics

Industrial electronic enclosure manufacturer ROLEC now offers two premium ranges of diecast aluminum housings – aluDOOR and aluCASE.

Both are ‘go anywhere’ enclosures that can be mounted on walls, bulkheads, machines, and desks to protect electronics in challenging indoor and outdoor industrial environments.

Advanced aluDOOR (IP 66, IP 67, IP 68, IP 69K) hinged lid enclosures were honored in the German Innovation Awards, building on the success of aluCASE (IP 66, IP 67, IP 69K). Both models have a recessed lid for a membrane keypad. aluDOOR’s lid opens 100° for asy access; it can be specified without a recess.

Both enclosures can be installed with the ‘lid closed’ to protect the electronics. aluDOOR’s lid features an integrated hinge pin and is secured with tamperproof Torx screws. Options for aluCASE includes integrated hinges and lid retaining straps.

All the fixings are hidden beneath trims: aluminum for aluDOOR and plastic (POM) for aluCASE. Inside, the two enclosures have pillars for PCBs, mounting plates, and DIN rails.

Industrial electronic ieeinc.com

February 2024

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New SOSA™ Aligned ATR Enclosure Features Front Loaded Design

Pixus Technologies has announced a new chassis platform in the ATR form factor aligned to the SOSA Technical Standard. It offers supplemental airflow through the chassis sidewalls and a front-loaded configuration.

The first in the series of front-loaded ATRs with supplemental airflow has six slots for VITA 48.2 compliant 3U OpenVPX boards and one slot for a VITA 62 power supply. The backplane options include various SOSA-aligned slot profiles and interfaces for optical and RF interfaces through the backplane. There is also space behind the backplane to mount Pixus’ SlotSaver mezzanine-based SOSA-aligned chassis hardware manager.

CDSG Launches DIGISTOR® CSD 3400: Secure Computational Storage Enterprise SSD for Enhanced Server Efficiency

The self-encrypting DIGISTOR CSD 3400 Enterprise SSD, built with ScaleFlux® technology increases server performance and reduces costs

The ATR058F series features optional fans or air ducting for airflow over the fins in the sidewalls of the enclosure. This allows improved system cooling while keeping the plug-in boards fully sealed. The chassis uses various options for SOSA-aligned power supply units that utilize 12V primarily, along with some 3.3V AUX. An external quick-access Solid State Drive (SSD) slot is also available.

Pixus offers OpenVPX and SOSA-aligned configurations for backplane/chassis systems in commercial, development, and MIL rugged formats. The company also provides specialty ruggedized

enclosures for standard and customized systems.

Pixus Technologies pixustechnologies.com

with no software, driver, or application changes needed.

CDSG, a leading provider of secure Data at Rest (DAR) storage solutions with its DIGISTOR secure storage drives, announced its new DIGISTOR CSD 3400 Enterprise SSD. Built with embedded ScaleFlux computational storage technology, the CSD 3400:

• Meets TCG Opal compliance for those needing to encrypt sensitive data automatically in server applications.

• Increases SSD performance and endurance. The CSD 3400 automatically compresses data to reduce write amplification, resulting in a longer life for the SSD’s NAND flash memory and substantially increased SSD performance.

• Increases SSD effective capacity, reducing storage costs using built-in, intelligent data compression and management. “With the DIGISTOR CSD 3400, we’re excited to provide our military and federal agency customers and OEM partners with secure enterprise drives that improve system performance and power efficiency,” said Randal Barber, CEO of CDSG. “Employing high-performance enterprise drives while reducing data storage costs and increasing SSD lifespan is important to those who deploy servers on the tactical edge and in edge compute environments such as in the telecom sector.”

With standard NVMe drivers and a competitive price point, organizations of all sizes can deploy computational storage as quickly as any traditional enterprise SSD while addressing cost, density, compute efficiency, sustainability, and more. “We’re looking forward to CDSG using their expertise in securing data at rest to bring ScaleFlux computational storage to their customers,” said Hao Zhong, CEO of ScaleFlux.

February 2024

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Lone Star Analysis Launches

Groundbreaking New Technology with TruNavigator MAX™

New Analytics Platform Offers Generative AI, RealTime Asset Analytics, Operational Optimization, and More in One Unified Platform

Lone Star Analysis announced the general availability of TruNavigator MAX™ to the market. TruNavigator MAX™ unifies numerous robust capabilities in one powerful platform. Solutions created with the platform can be deployed in any cloud environment at any level of security or can operate hosted on nearly any server or at the edge in lightweight processors.

The all-in-one platform seamlessly integrates earlier versions of TruNavigator® and Analytics OS®. Applications supported by TruNavigator MAX include a wide range of solutions for sustainment, readiness, and other applications, including the MaxUp® suite of solutions. The platform integration roadmap for 2024 will continue

to add additional capabilities, including TruProcess®, with Evolved AI. TruNavigator MAX adds tremendous new functionality for customers using our award-winning MaxUp Readiness™ solutions, injecting fully generative AI and real-time asset analytics capabilities.

Adding Evolved AI’s generative artificial intelligence capability has led to breakthroughs and novel solutions for Lone Star. One example is Lone Star’s First Order AI Designer (FAID™). FAID deploys generative AI to create a digital twin of an aeronautical system, such as a drone or hypersonic missile. FAID can also generate new designs or valuable threat assessments of observed threat systems. FAID can estimate vehicle system performance even with limited “known” data. Whether generating a new design or evaluating a threat design, FAID generates results ready for human collaboration.

“This is an important milestone for Lone Star,” said Steve Roemerman, CEO and chairman of the board. “While we already have several

patented solutions, TruNavigator MAX is a technological leap. Our MaxUp® solutions and other solutions authored on older versions of TruNavigator® will have generative AI capability. Additionally, integrating our real-time AOS® platform features allows wider functionality and more deployment options at the edge, on-prem, or in the cloud. This makes TruNavigator MAX much more advanced than any analytics software or platform available today.”

“Most people think about generative AI in terms of large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT,” said Dr. Eric Haney, CTO of Lone Star. “Those platforms excel at narrow use cases like customer service, text summarization, and coding templates. But with TruNavigator MAX, we can create generative AI systems with rich capabilities in math and engineering – something LLMs lack. And FAID is just one example.”

Lone Star Analysis lone-star.com

February 2024

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Teledyne FLIR Introduces Neutrino LC OGI Camera Module for Optical-GasImaging Camera Developers

The mid-wave infrared imaging module provides rapid leak detection of methane and other hydrocarbons within a SWaP-optimized integration package.

Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, announced the Neutrino LC OGI optical gas imaging camera module, a made-inthe-USA, ITAR-free, mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imager for products designed to detect, measure, and visualize harmful gas emissions. The Neutrino LC OGI provides best-in-class performance within a small, lightweight, and low-power module for

integration into unmanned aerial vehicles, small gimbals, handheld devices, and fixed-mounted gas leak detection systems.

The MWIR spectral band is used to accurately detect the greenhouse gas methane and other hydrocarbons, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Neutrino LC OGI offers multiple modes: a 640x512 VGA resolution mode with up to eight times digital zoom to maximize scene awareness, or it can operate in bin mode, which can improve sensitivity to an industry-leading <20 millikelvins (mK) to create a crisper, higher-contrast image for pinpointing leaks.

“The detection and mitigation of harmful hydrocarbon and chemical leaks into the air represents a significant priority for regulators and impacted industries,” said Dan Walker, vice president of product management at Teledyne FLIR. “The Neutrino LC OGI is the low-risk and high-performing OEM camera module for integrators developing methane monitoring and other gas imaging solutions today.”

The size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimized Neutrino LC OGI features Teledyne FLIR’s High Operating Temperature (HOT) FPA technology and a quiet, low-vibration, and long-life linear micro cooler. Reliability and an industry-best two-year warranty make it the integrator’s module of choice, where rapid leak detection and operational uptime are critical within processing facilities, refineries, pipelines, tank farms, and well pads for the oil and gas industry.

Integrators also gain access to the Teledyne FLIR professional technical support team, a full suite of hardware accessories, and a software development kit (SDK) to simplify and reduce the development cost.

Teledyne teledyne.com/en-us

Spectrum Control Introduces Modular Power EMI Filters

Bringing Performance, Size, and Price Advantages to MIL-STD-461 Applications

New EMI Filters from Market leaders address Designs in Which SWaP-C is the Primary Factor

Control Inc. introduces a family of modular power EMI filters, bringing high performance and design flexibility to various MILSTD-461 designs with size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) requirements.

The chassis mount filters have a wide operating temperature, from 55° to 75° C. Superior mid- and high-frequency attenuation up to 1 GHz (common mode) is achieved in a compact package with up to 30% space savings. Various models available in standard rack heights present many configuration options for design flexibility. Its rugged design includes a convenient, environmentally sealed input interface that withstands moisture, dust, and other contaminants to ensure durability and longevity.

Spectrum Control has designed the modular power EMI filters to meet current delivery and pricing requirements. Manufactured in the US, the filters have short lead times, and standard models are economically priced.

The modular power EMI filters address the EMI/EMC requirements of a variety of military applications. They can be designed into communications, navigation, lighting, threat detection, and flight control systems. The EMI filters will also benefit military fuel systems and engine control designs.

Spectrum Control spectrumcontrol.com

February 2024

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Phoenix International Introduces all MVMe SSD High-Performance Data Storage System

Phoenix International Systems unveiled their RPC4 Rugged Network Attached Storage/Data Logger today at the AFCEA/USNI West 2024 Conference and Exposition.

The transformation waves affecting all our activities are increasingly more pronounced in the emerging digital world. Whether it be Edge Computing, Autonomous Vehicles, or Artificial Intelligence, all require a high-performance storage system that can acquire data at speeds far exceeding what traditional embedded systems can sustain.

The Phoenix International Systems high-performance RPC4 NAS/Data Logger is designed to meet such requirements. It is a rugged, resilient storage system designed for high data throughput, high-capacity tactical edge data capture applica-

Kontron VX3908 10/40/50 Gigabit Ethernet L2/L3 Network Switch

Kontron announces the VX3908, a fully managed 3U VPX Layer2/3 Gigabit Ethernet switch designed to meet the demands of modern networking applications in harsh environments.

Based on the same architecture as the VX3940 with lower power consumption, the

tions. The Phoenix RPC4 the platform supports up to 9.6 GB/s throughput of sequential writes and 12 GB/s sequential reads, configured with four NVMe SSDs; its rapidly removable magazine enables an entire magazine to be swapped out for a fresh magazine to store and move data from edge environments quickly and without any tools. The magazines can then be moved to separate locations and plugged into another RPC4 on any other network for further analysis.

Major Features of the RPC4:

• Reliable, High-Speed Data Capture

• Highly Available and Resilient Architecture

• Quickly Upload Data with Removable Drive Magazine

• Up to 120TB Storage Capacity

• AES-256 hardware and file-level encryption

• FIPS140-2 Validation

• Secure Erase/Data Elimination

VX3908 features 1/10/40/50 Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth, ensuring exceptional versatility for bandwidth-intensive applications. It supports up to 12x 10GBASE-KR ports on the VPX backplane with a standard configuration of 6x 10GBASE-KR and 1x 1000BASE-T ports. Additional multiple port combinations are available, providing unmatched networking flexibility.

The switch offers remote monitoring and configuration through SNMP and a comprehensive command line interface, enabling seamless management via serial or network interfaces. Supporting IPv4/IPv6 forwarding, time synchronization per IEEE802.1AS and IEEE1588 standards, and Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) readiness, the VX3908 ensures low latency, low delay variation, and ex-

• MIL-STD-810G Design

• Made in USA

Phoenix International’s RPC4 targets Mobile (Air-Sea-Ground) and Fixed Expeditionary environments with its MIL-STD-810G design. It addresses the demanding requirements of data capture in any challenging environment.

Phoenix International has been designing and building Rugged data storage systems for any application – from Multi-Terabyte Fibre Channel RAID, Network Attached Storage (NAS), and Storage Area Network (SAN) configurations to conduction cooled plug-in Open VPX solid state disk storage modules – since 1993.

Phoenix International phenxint.com

tremely low data loss for time and mission-critical traffic while providing ultra-reliable communication.

The VX3908 guarantees communication safety with features such as VLANs, Quality of Service, and extensive Ethernet bridging and routing protocols. Its egress ACLs, intelligent health management via IPMC, and a powerful QorIQ® LayerScape family processor ensure security, scalability, and responsiveness for management systems.

Designed for long-term programs and harsh environments, the VX3908 is well-suited to transportation, military, and aerospace applications. Its outstanding bandwidth and secure communication capabilities make the VX3908 an ideal gateway for network-centric warfare (NCW) applications.

Available immediately in an air-cooled version, meeting VITA 47 standards for up to 55°C card edge temperature, the VX3908 includes a front QSFP28 cage supporting up to four 25GbE or two 50GbE links (also supporting 40GbE, 10GbE, and 1GbE links). Designed and technically supported by Kontron in France, the VX3908 is free from International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrictions.

February 2024

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Reliable Robotics Reveals Airspace Integration Solution; Marc Pos to Lead Critical Radar Systems Component

Reliable Robotics announced the addition of Marc Pos to lead radar design, filling a key part of its aircraft-agnostic Airspace Integration Solution plans. Reliable Robotics is developing a solution to enable the safe, secure, and efficient integration of remotely piloted aircraft - crewed or uncrewed - in the National Airspace System (NAS). As Senior Fellow, Pos will focus on the industry-wide challenge of certifying Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems capable of detecting and tracking all airspace users, regardless of whether or not they are equipped with a transponder. Radar is the only all-weather, non-cooperative sensor for DAA, and no existing airborne radar currently enables commercial aircraft considering size, weight, power, and cost drivers.

“We’ve been strategically focused on certifying our safety-enhancing aircraft automation system and simultaneously building an Airspace Integration Solution that allows remotely piloted aircraft to be safely integrated into our airspace. With Marc’s expertise, we will advance our DAA capabilities using novel radars, which is core to the solution,” said Brandon Suarez, VP of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration at

Reliable Robotics.

Reliable’s Airspace Integration Solution

Integrating UAS into the NAS requires a comprehensive set of interdependent subsystems, specifically, DAA systems, C2 links, and the control station. These subsystems, functions, and capabilities are collectively part of an end-to-end, certifiable solution for new and existing aircraft to be remotely piloted.

Pos will join Suarez to drive the development and certification of Reliable’s Airspace Integration Solution. Pos has nearly 30 years of experience designing radios, radars and radar altimeters. During his 21-year tenure at Honeywell, he most recently served as a Radar System Fellow. He has led cross-disciplinary teams that developed phased array radar systems for airborne DAA, ground-based obstacle avoidance and navigation, as well as all-weather radars and radar altimeters used for autolanding in transport category aircraft today such as the Boeing 737 and the Airbus A320.

Pos led a published NASA study on the usability of the radar in the NAS, a project aimed at enabling beyond-visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. Pos holds 14 patents for radar and radar altimeter innovations. He has also served on multiple RTCA committees related to radar sens-

ing in DAA systems and currently participates in SC-228.

“Developing a reliable DAA solution that can be certified for operations in the NAS will be a win for the industry,” said Marc Pos, Senior Fellow at Reliable Robotics. “I’m looking forward to growing the radar division and expanding the capabilities of Reliable’s Airspace Integration Solution.“

Importance of Radio Detection And Ranging (RADAR) Capabilities

A certified radar can be used on aircraft with or without a pilot on board to enhance operational safety, especially as commercial operations expand to more airports outside of metropolitan areas, which is the vision of Regional Air Mobility. Radars can detect objects in all weather conditions by measuring distance using radio waves (R.F.). Radars provide an object’s range, speed, and if it is coming or going all in one detection. The FAA has published TSO-c212, which recognizes radar as a viable solution for air traffic detection and tracking, specifically invoking RTCA DO-366 as a valid performance standard. Adding radar to the Reliable Robotics sensor suite will provide a robust and certifiable DAA solution.

Reliable Robotics reliable.co

February 2024

COT’S PICKS

OnLogic Unveils First-ever ThinManager® Ready Industrial Thin Client With Wi-Fi Boot

Offered exclusively by OnLogic, ThinManager with Wi-Fi boot is now available on the TM260 Industrial Edge Computer and is coming soon to additional OnLogic systems with ThinManager version 13.2 and above.

OnLogic has announced the release of the TM260 Industrial Thin Client, the newest addition to their line of ThinManager® Ready solutions. The TM260, which ships with ThinManager Ready BIOS, making it easy to set up out of the box, is the first ThinManager Ready thin client to offer Wi-Fi boot capabilities.

“We are excited that OnLogic is supporting this technology that we know will be impactful for our customers,” says Kim Gonzalez, ThinManager Product Manager from Rockwell Automation. “An industrial wireless thin client solution will expand opportunities for ThinManager deployment in previously difficult or impossible places. Our customers have been asking for this capability for applications where visualization must be mobile. The visualization and management experience remains the same as any other ThinManager Ready terminal, but now without the reliance on pulling cable to receive ThinManager firmware and terminal configurations.”

OnLogic’s ThinManager Ready hardware is leveraged by industry leaders for innovative factory solutions. OnLogic industrial thin clients enable centralized management and, with support

for up to 3 native displays, provide more visibility into the operations of a facility. ThinManager WiFi boot allows users to boot their system through a Wi-Fi connection rather than wired ethernet, a frequently requested feature among ThinManager users that was not possible before the release of the TM260. ThinManager can now be used on mobile equipment, like a forklift, robot, or utility vehicle, or in areas where it’s not possible to add a network drop, opening up new possibilities for users interested in leveraging ThinManager’s wide array of client management capabilities.

“We are excited to provide Wi-Fi boot functionality with ThinManager Version 13.2,” says Hunter Golden, Product Manager at OnLogic. “Not only does this enable our customers to expand the use of thin clients throughout their facilities, but it does so in an easy-to-use fashion, deployable right out of the box. This feature set has been requested for a long time, and we are proud to be first to market with this complete solution.”

The TM260, built around OnLogic’s Helix 330 industrial computing platform, is pre-configured for ThinManager OS. It’s powered by the latest Intel® Celeron® and Pentium® processors in a low-profile fanless system with 1x or 2x 1GbE LAN ports. The TM260 joins a newly simplified OnLogic ThinManager Ready product line that supports the newest versions of ThinManager so that customers can easily select the right industrial thin client solution that meets their needs. Wi-Fi boot is expected to be available on additional OnLogic ThinManager systems in the future.

OnLogic OnLogic.com

VIAVI Accelerates O-RAN Interoperability Testing with Industry’s First Real-Time Analyzer

Viavi Solutions Inc. announced the expansion of its NITRO® Wireless portfolio by adding XhaulAdvisor, a scalable software solution offering real-time data for fronthaul verification, analysis, emulation, and channel utilization. The first solution in the market to feature real-time analytics, XhaulAdvisor enables Open RAN vendors, operators, and OTIC labs to accelerate interoperability testing (IOT) and End-to-End testing and troubleshooting.

Unlike conventional tools that require lengthy waiting periods for capture, post-processing, and visualization, XhaulAdvisor enables a realistic testing and validation environment in real time. Vendors and operators rapidly and accurately correlate test anomalies to network events, troubleshoot fronthaul and transport timing, packet flows, and channel utilization, and analyze M-plane, S-plane, and C/U-plane sessions.

Various operation modes are available to fit unique application needs, from setup in passive or through mode to analysis in live or post-capture environments. Synchronization can be achieved from open fronthaul or an external timing source. Providing operational flexibility, this solution can be deployed on commercial off-the-shelf hardware.

XhaulAdvisor can be integrated with other VIAVI tools already present in the testbed – such as TM500 and TeraVM – to speed up troubleshooting, root cause analysis, as well as flagging and isolation of issues caused by RAN, transport, or synchronization functions.

“The complex Open RAN supplier ecosystem demands reliable testing of different network components early in the development cycle. The XhaulAdvisor significantly reduces test time by delivering the industry’s first real-time fronthaul analysis,” said Ian Langley, Senior Vice President, Wireless Business Unit, VIAVI. “This solution is part of the VIAVI commitment to increasing confidence in deploying Open RAN.”