Target-tracking systems rely on algorithms that plot the movement, speed and position of threats, while filtering background noise that obscures this data or produces false alarms. Algorithms have been formulated that address most tracking needs with varying degrees of success, but it appears that no single algorithm has thus far been able to meet every tracking need, especially when it comes to distinguishing one or more dynamic targets from background noise.
The continuing debate over the Air-Sea Battle (ASB) concept is complicated by the fact that it involves three separate strands of discussion. First, it is about the future shape, size and equipment of the U.S.'s armed forces and allies, as more than a decade of land warfare against irregular adversaries begins to wind down.
Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Research Laboratory of Electronics have developed a technology that permits a laser rangefinder to gauge depth by using 1/100th the light of a conventional lidar system and produce images with a scant 1/900th of the light. The rangefinder does this by detecting single reflected photons, rather than the many photons required by conventional lidar.
There's just no pleasing some people. But that can be good. Consider this: The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) wants to make high-tech electronics disappear after use. In fact, it created a program for this last year called VAPR (Vanishing Programmable Resources). On Jan. 31, Darpa awarded IBM a $3.45 million contract to develop “transient electronics” as a deployable technology. The devices must perform like commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics, but, unlike COTS devices, cannot be constructed to last for years.
Qualification of Italy's new Black Shark Advanced (BSA) heavyweight torpedo took a big step forward on Jan. 28 when the weapon was launched for the first time by an Italian navy submarine in the Gulf of La Spezia (here the BSA is loaded onboard the Scire). Developed by WASS, a unit of Finmeccanica, the BSA incorporates technologies that will make it relevant on submarines or surface ships for 20 years. These include a lithium-polymer battery and multiple launch capabilities. The January test was by water-ram expulsion, which uses high water pressure to expel the torpedo.
Amy Svitak (Beijing and Paris), David Hambling (London), David Eshel (Tel Aviv)
A growing number of satellite-based automatic identification systems (AIS) make it easier for maritime surveillance to tie ship-tracking data with high-resolution satellite imagery. Used with AIS, space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical remote-sensing platforms determine not only the presence of ships, but their identity, position, speed, heading, load, size and type.
Researchers have adapted dolphin sonar—used with “bubble nets” to herd fish—to a new radar concept that eliminates clutter while searching for concealed explosives or surveillance equipment on land. Twin Inverted Pulse Radar (Twipr), developed in England at the University of Southampton, with input from University College London and Cobham Technical Services, zeros in on electronic circuitry. Prof.
Integrating interoperable open architectures (IOA) in new and existing platforms offers benefits across defense procurement. The time between identifying an operational requirement and getting it fielded would be minimized; subsystems could be integrated without bulking up platforms; and procurement costs could be cut, if only obsolete or superfluous components are removed and replace.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani cleverly opened a gap between the White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, with a recent diplomatic charm offensive that seems intended to ease economic sanctions against Iran that were imposed as punishment for its ongoing nuclear program.
Few actions are more critical in combat than dropping mortar shells on target. U.S. Marine Corps mortar crews will soon have access to a portable sight that mounts to the upper barrel of a 60-mm mortar and substantially improves accuracy, especially at night. The lightweight device—it reportedly can be carried in a shirt pocket—which is still in the prototype stage, is called the Fire Control Unit (FCU). It was developed by the TechSolutions program of the U.S. Office of Naval Research, along with L-3 Insight Technologies.
Researchers in the Aerospace Medicine and Vestibular Research Laboratory of the Mayo Clinic have found an early way to detect hypoxia before dangerous and life-threatening symptoms appear. Symptoms have historically been the most reliable way of discovering hypoxia, which is, of course, oxygen deprivation in blood and tissues that affects pilots flying at high altitude (also deep-sea divers).
Despite repeated attempts to kill programs related to the acquisition and maintenance of U.S. aircraft carriers, the fleet continues to rule the seas and anchor naval strategy. But with sequestration, continuing resolutions and other budgetary concerns, carriers remain big financial targets. Rear Adm. Thomas Moore, the Navy's program executive officer for aircraft carriers, recently discussed the challenges of keeping CVN-78 Gerald Ford construction and other programs on track with Naval Editor Michael Fabey.
Three years of work in bomb-detection technology has paid off for the U.S. Office of Naval Research, which in 2010 funded a five-year, $7 million multi-university pro-gram to detect improvised explosive devices (IED) from safe distances. Researchers developed a system that uses a sonic beam from a phased acoustic array to identify IEDs and differentiate between those with low- and high-yield explosives. A paper delivered last month by Prof.
The U.S. Navy wants to develop an onboard sensor that provides ships engaged in resupply at sea forecasts of environmental conditions, wave motions and ship movements such as pitch, heave and roll. The objective is to base materiel transfer decisions on the best available data to increase safety and efficiency. A research partnership of industry and academia, led by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Div., tested hardware and software last month for the Environmental and Ship Motion Forecasting (ESMF) system.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory recently announced the success of an initiative with industry to restore adequate amounts of domestically manufactured primary beryllium metal. The primary or high-purity beryllium is produced at a reduction plant in Elmore, Ohio, operated by Brush Wellman. Access to a reliable domestic supply of primary beryllium, which is processed into “pebbles” for use in high-tech applications, is vital to U.S. defense. Beryllium is one of the lightest metals on Earth and six times stiffer than steel.
British Army Maj. Gen. (ret.) Jonathan Shaw, CB, CBE Born: 1957 Education: Sedbergh School; Trinity College, Oxford; Army Staff College 1989-90, Royal College of Defense Studies 2006
David Eshel Tel Aviv, Christina Mackenzie Paris and Bill Sweetman Washington, Christina Mackenzie (Paris), Bill Sweetman (Washington)
Vehicle protection technology has made enormous strides since the improvised explosive device (IED) threat emerged in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with the use of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and ballistic threats. The V-hull concept pioneered in South Africa was adapted and modernized for different conditions. New materials were introduced, starting with ceramics that had previously been confined to tank armor, progressing into sophisticated ceramic and plastic hybrid systems, and much stronger transparent materials.
Technical realities, the impact of the global economic crisis and other pressures on defense budgets have slowed but not stopped the development of “future soldier” systems worldwide. The need to provide soldiers with the kind of connectivity and situational awareness they routinely use when out of uniform is more urgent than ever. Some of the key goals, such as reducing the size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements of the equipment a soldier carries, have not changed, but cost is more important.
After spending much of the past decade pushing its ground equipment to the limit to meet combat needs during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the U.S. Army is taking more measured steps in rebuilding its fleets. Consider the approach in development of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), a program the service shares with the U.S. Marine Corps, to replace the High Mobility, Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee) that has been in service since 1985.
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are proven intelligence gatherers and terrorist hunters, but military and civilian organizations conducting stability operations around the world say drones may be as valuable for keeping the peace.
The days of front-loading equipment programs with costly prototypes and field trials may be over—at least if a simulator developed by Chemring Technology Solutions (CTS) gains wide acceptance for research and development initiatives. The U.K.-based company, whose focus is defense and security technologies, recently developed the Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) simulator, which provides a fully immersive environment for preliminary testing of concepts and prototypes.
A Stuttgart, Germany-based research team working on building artificial blood vessels with 3-D printers recently took another step forward by developing gelatin “bio-inks” that can be sprayed through inkjet nozzles without clogging them.
One problem in war is that enemies do not stand still to be dispatched with one shot. Hence, the importance of hitting moving targets. Rifle practice in this area, though, is rare—even the U.S. Marine Corps falls short. This could be changing, however. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) tested techniques for accurately engaging moving targets last month in Quantico, Va. Marines fired M-4 carbines and M-27 infantry automatic rifles at life-size plastic mannequins on tracked robots moving at 4-8 mph.
