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age information in real time. The Hunter then relays this information via video link to commanders and soldiers on the ground. The Parvus DuraCOR 810 computing subsystem was selected to operate as the Payload Interface Unit for the Hunter UAS. These DuraCOR 810 units monitor, control and communicate between payloads on board the Hunter, as well as control the mounted payloads that include electronics and sensors.
Fiber Backbone for Net-Centric Ops An essential building block for any network is the method for physically connecting the various network nodes together. While twisted pair copper wiring is ubiquitous in both commercial and military application, quickly gaining popularity within this category for NCW is fiber optics. With advantages including higher bandwidth, lower weight and immunity to sparking and EMI, fiber optics offers serious benefits to the net-centric warfighter.
Analysts at Information Gatekeepers Inc. (IGI) in Boston reported that the total market for military and commercial aircraft fiber optics—including fighter aircraft, transport aircraft, UAVs and commercial aircraft—was $306 million in 2009, and will grow to $703 million in 2013. Similarly, Parvus is seeing a notable increase in demand for fiber optic-enabled subsystems, with particular interest from the Navy. For example, The Navy’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt Destroyer ship uses fiber optics cabling because of fiber’s ability to maintain signal strength over hundreds of meters of length (Figure 4). Unlike copper cabling that loses signal strength over long distances, fiber optics maintains signal strength and quality. The military’s interest in fiber optics is also due to the cable’s enhanced security capabilities. Because fiber optics is generated by light, it is impossible to intercept or monitor the data being transmitted. Military aircraft are also seeing the benefits of using fiber optics cabling as fiber’s low weight and size makes it particularly
Ruggedized Electronic Packaging
suitable for applications within aircrafts. Fiber optic systems are currently installed on board various military aircraft platforms, including the F/A-18 Hornet, F-22 Raptor, F-16 Falcon, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the EP-3E Aries. Ruggedizing fiber optics to include in military applications is necessary to ensure optimal performance in harsh conditions. Media converter modules may be used to convert existing copper ports into fiber ports. RJ-45 connectors are typically eliminated and replaced with MILDTL-38999 style connectors.
Wireless Innovations Push NCW Forward While wired LAN connections aren’t likely to disappear in the near term, as secure wireless (802.11 Wi-Fi) technologies mature, government contractors are beginning to capitalize on these technologies to untether the warfighter from traditional computing constraints and empower new degrees of situational awareness. The advantages of Wi-Fi are
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www.tripleease.com salestriplee@xtech-outside.com 1-888-444-1644 [ 24Untitled-5 ] COTS1Journal September 2010
8/16/10 4:13:51 PM