Lockheed Martin Integrates Latest Ground Control Station Technology with Fury Unmanned Aerial System

Fury UAS

ORLANDO, Fla., May 13, 2014 – To increase expeditionary capabilities in its long endurance Group 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently fielded its newest Expeditionary Ground Control Station, or “xGCS” ®, for use with the Fury UAS.

Following its development and manufacturing in Huntsville, Ala., xGCS shipped and was integrated with Fury in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The first xGCS unit was delivered in early 2014 and has completed initial flight testing in preparation for upcoming Fury UAS deployments.

The small and rugged xGCS provides all processing and communications support electronics needed for Fury UAS ground control operations, as well as all supported payload tasking, processing, exploitation and dissemination. Because the xGCS is reliable, powerful and suitable to the most remote deployment locations, it delivers unprecedented flexibility to the Fury UAS.

“The Fury UAS is an expeditionary platform with best-in-industry capabilities,” said Jay McConville, director of business development for Lockheed Martin’s Fury UAS. “It is an Advanced Group 3 UAS with significant increases to endurance, payload capacity, communications capability, and advanced mission management. Often times our warfighters are struggling with the ‘tyranny of distance.’ Fury gives them a toolset to tackle these challenges.   For these reasons we needed a ground control hardware implementation that was rugged, light-weight, and incredibly powerful.  The xGCS has met all of our requirements and expectations.”

To ensure maximum processing power and deploy-ability, Lockheed Martin applied 20 years of UAS ground control system manufacturing experience to the system. The xGCS is comprised of a mixture of military-rugged and commercial-off-the-shelf hardware within a rugged framework configuration. xGCS is expandable, easy to upgrade and features a small physical profile for use in a variety of mission control configurations. It can support multiple UAS platforms, and can host any standard ground control software suite utilizing its virtual machine technology.

The xGCS is capable of simultaneously running the Sharkfin® UAS mission management system and the VCS-4586® product suite, both brought into the Lockheed Martin portfolio in 2012 when the corporation acquired Chandler/May, Inc. and CDL Systems, Inc.  The acquisitions added to Lockheed Martin’s five decades of experience in unmanned and robotic systems for air, land and sea. From the depths of the ocean to the rarified air of the stratosphere, Lockheed Martin’s unmanned systems help our military, civil and commercial customers accomplish their most difficult challenges.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

Fury UAS

Fury is a long-endurance, survivable Unmanned Aircraft that brings strategic capabilities to the tactical warfighter. With the largest payload capacity and volume among runway-independent UAS’, and its advanced heavy fuel propulsion system, best in class power generation, and low signature design, Fury 1500 is capable of supporting any ISR and IEW requirement. Fury 1500 – The Best Value Aircraft for ISR and IEW

Features

• Low Acoustic and Visual Signatures
• Long Range – Maximum Time on Station
• Advanced Mission Management and Control with SharkFin®
• Runway Independent – Rail Launched/Net Recovered
• Heavy Fuel Propulsion System
• Adaptable and Reconfigurable
• “Special Mission” Shielded Avionics
• Flexible Data Link Solutions to Support Varied Mission Requirements
• High levels of Payload Power

Source: Lockheed 5/13/2014

Lockheed Martin Introduces Vector Hawk, Latest Addition to Small Unmanned Aircraft System Family

ORLANDO, Fla., May 13, 2014 – Designed for versatility and affordability, the new Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] Vector Hawk addresses a broad set of unique missions and operating needs within a single system. With a gross takeoff weight of only four pounds and a vertical profile of only four inches, Vector Hawk boasts best-in-class payload capacity, speed and endurance.

“We are proud to deliver Vector Hawk, a waterproof system that provides leading edge multi-mission capabilities in all environments,” said Kevin Westfall, director of Unmanned Solutions at Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems and Training business. “The Vector Hawk can be field reconfigured to multiple missions including fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and tilt-rotor enabling VTOL with transition to fixed wing flight. Our fixed wing variants may be hand or tube launched, and VTOL and tilt-rotor variants may be launched from land or water surfaces.” 

Vector Hawk features fully autonomous flight, landing and fail-safes.  It is inaudible at operational slant ranges.  The data link features a high bandwidth software defined radio, mesh networking (including 3G, 4G, and LTE cellular), over-the-air reconfiguration, and is capable of employing a variety of waveforms. With an open architecture, reconfigurable variants, adaptable data link, and scalable payload, Vector Hawk is engineered for unmatched capability.

Lockheed Martin has five decades of experience in unmanned and robotic systems for air, land and sea. From the depths of the ocean to the rarified air of the stratosphere, Lockheed Martin’s unmanned systems help our military, civil and commercial customers accomplish their most difficult challenges.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2013 were $45.4 billion.

Source: Lockheed Martin

Hybrid Quadrotor Debut at AUVSI 2014

Arcturus has introduced the Jump-15, a Hybrid Quadcopter UAV at AUVSI 2014. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update

A new ‘hybrid Quadrotor’ concept developed by Latitude Engineering has been applied to several fixed-wing UAV systems, converting them into vertical take-off and landing capable, while retaining a significant part of their original endurance and payload carrying capability. The company applied for patent for its technology and is already licensing it to UAV manufacturers.

atitude, the developer of the Hybrid Quadrotor concept is showing at AUVSI 2014 a larger, more refined platform – HQ50, which will be capable of flying 24 hour mission with an eight pound payload. Additional vertical lift for this platform is achieved by utilizing tandem rotor configuration. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update.

The Hybrid Quadrotor (HQ) is an innovative airframe technology that the combines the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities of a quadrotor and the efficiency, speed, and range of a normal fixed-wing aircraft. The concept enables designers to deliver air vehicles with longer mission endurance while eliminating the need for runway preparation and landing facilities for launch and retrieval. Latitude has demonstrated the system utilizing the Cloud Cap Technology’s Piccolo Autopilot we have enabled a role-expanding capability for unmanned systems.

Latitude has developed its own Hybrid Quadrotor drone, the HQ20, capable of carrying a two-pound payload on five hour mission, and is currently working on a larger platform, HQ 50, that will increase the payload to eight pound and mission endurance to 24 hours. Additional vertical lift for this platform is achieved by utilizing tandem rotor configuration.

Another variant of the system has been demonstrated in a concept conversion of the Sensintel SilverFox B4, also displayed at AUVSI.A similar solution was developed with Arcturus using the T-15, modified into the ‘Jump 15′ introduced by Arcturus at AUVSI 2014.

Arcturus plans to apply the JUMP technology to the entire family of Arcturus aircraft, allowing for precision vertical take off and landing VTOL while retaining long-endurance, large payload capacities that cannot be achieved with comparable rotary wing platforms. The quad rotor system is fully integrated with the autonomous flight control and Piccolo autopilot command center software, enabling fully autonomous flights from launch to land. Reducing flight preparation to less than 15 minutes, the entire mission can be supported by a two man crew.

According to the system’s developers, the HQ VTOL system is intended only for launch and recovery and not for ‘hover and stare’ type missions. Examples of missions that suit HQ include delivering medical supplies to remote areas, placing sensors on ice, or picking up samples from a collection team in the field. The company is also working on shipborne applications for the technology.

Another concept design displayed at the AUVSI 2014 is the Sensintel SilverFox B4 using HQ technology. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update

Another hybrid multirotor application based on a pure electric version of the Albatross, developed by the Texas based Dronetech UAV, utilizing the Veronte autopilot system. The version currently flying is using electrical propulsion only, but a scaled up version designed by the company would weigh 25 kg, of which 15 lbs will be available for payload. The vehicle will use six engines – a 2.5-3 hp main engine, an electrical engine designed for self recovery in case the main engine fails (since it will be a non certified engine), and four electrical motors used for vertical lift. This hybrid Albatross will have mission endurance of 12 hours. The company is considering the aircraft to be able to deploy from vessels at sea and position the drone for maritime surveillance applications. A larger version powered by an internal combustion main engine would have an endurance of 60 hours, carrying payloads weighing up to 110 pounds.

Another Hybrid Quadrotor is the Albatross, developed by DronetechUAV using the Veronte autopilot. The Hybrid Albatross will be able to fly 12 hour missions off ships, carrying 15 pounds of payloads. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update

 

 

 

 

Stark Aerospace showcase StarkLite 200 AT AUVSI UNMANNED SYSTEMS 2014

Stark Aerospace recently announced StarkLite 200, a high performance, multi-sensor, miniature electro-optical payload for sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems).

The payload will be on display at the 2014 AUVSI Unmanned Systems exhibition in Orlando, Florida, at the IAI North America, Booth #951. The payload provides enhanced image capabilities for mini and micro UAVs and other observation systems. By using innovative technology, StarkLite 200 matches the capabilities of bigger payloads in a very small package. It is small, light-weight, and robust with features previously available only on larger, more expensive payloads.

StarkLite 200 is a miniature, 2-axis gyro stabilized payload equipped with a visible camera, a thermal camera, a laser pointer and a 10MP still capability and has continuous zoom, LOS data measurement and multiple observation and tracking modes. StarkLite 200 is the latest addition to Stark Aerospace portfolio of high performance multi-sensor electro-optic payloads. It compliments Stark’s current product line of payloads and meets a demand in the market for sUAS or hand launched UAS payloads.

The payload was developed by NextVision, an Israeli company with whom Stark has an agreement to market, produce and support the StarkLite 200 payload in the U.S. market.

There’s additional information at the Stark Aerospace infosite located at http://starkaerospace.com/

Source: SATNEWS

AUVSI UNMANNED SYSTEMS 2014. AUVSI Time Lapse 2013

Publicado el 09/05/2014

Source: AUVSI

Sagetech announced a new contract with U.S. Navy to estimate the development of a Mode 5 military aviation transponder

 

 

Sagetech Corporation announced a new contract with the U.S. Navy Identification Systems Branch to estimate the development of a Mode 5 military aviation transponder. Sagetech, an innovator in miniature avionics, will estimate the cost and schedule to adapt its existing 3.5-ounce civil XP transponder to add Mode 5 encrypted IFF (identify-friend-foe) technology and make it small enough to be carried by unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) like the AAI Aerosonde aircraft, Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle, and AeroVironment Puma, which all weigh less than 50lbs.

“Our Micro-Mode 5 transponder is an order of magnitude smaller than alternatives — it’s a game changer,” explains Sagetech President Kelvin Scribner. “We are very excited about working with the Navy on this project and we’re committed to developing a Micro-Mode 5 prototype this year.” 

Aviation transponders work in conjunction with air traffic control (ATC) radar systems to locate and identify aircraft, facilitating airspace management. Transponders are especially important for small UAS which are too small to be seen by ATC radar unless they have a transponder. Mode 5 transponders are a militarized version of civil transponders. Mode 5 interrogations are used by fighter aircraft to electronically determine if an unidentified aircraft or “bogey” is friendly or enemy.  The Mode 5 protocol includes encryption and secret codes that change daily. NATO forces are presently upgrading all military aircraft from Vietnam era Mode 4 to Mode 5, which employs greater sophistication.

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars saw the proliferation of small UAS, proving invaluable to battlefield commanders. Because existing military IFF transponders weigh several pounds, they could not be carried by small UAS. Sagetech’s lightweight XP series of civil transponders solved the basic problem of airspace management by making small UAS visible to ATC radar, though not providing military IFF functionality.  Now that small UAS are becoming mature military systems, new requirements mandate the replacement of civil transponders with military IFF versions. 

Stop by Sagetech’s booth #928 during the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Unmanned Systems 2014 Trade Show (May 13-15) in Orlando, FL to learn more about the Mode 5 Transponder and other projects. For more information, email Mode5@SagetechCorp.com. 

About Sagetech Corporation 
Sagetech Corporation has been a disruptive innovator in miniature avionics since 1998. It builds the world’s smallest transponder for the UAV market, and has long provided engineering and manufacturing services to the military and civilian aviation industry. Its tiny aviation transponders transformed how small unmanned aircraft are employed by making them visible to air traffic control radar. Sagetech’s Clarity ADS-B receivers provide unprecedented integrated functionality for general aviation. Sagetech operates out of three facilities in Hood River, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington.?For more information about Sagetech, visit http://www.SagetechCorp.com, call (509) 493-2185, or email Mode5@sagetechcorp.com.

Source: Sagetech

L-3 Unmanned Systems Introduces APEX UAS at AUVSI UNMANNED SYSTEMS 2014

SHBURN, Va., May 5, 2014 – L-3 Unmanned Systems announced that it will introduce its Airborne Pursuit and Exploitation (APEX) Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s (AUVSI) Unmanned Systems 2014 conference. L-3’s APEX UAS is a compact, lightweight system designed as a small tactical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, with a capacity to carry multiple payloads simultaneously. It is ideal for close-range ISR missions, first responder calls or over-the-hill reconnaissance missions, low-intensity conflicts and urban warfare operations. APEX will be on display at the L-3 exhibit, Booth 401, at the AUVSI conference, May 12–15 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.

“With APEX, we’re offering today’s warfighters an unprecedented level of capability from a small platform,” said J.R. Gear, vice president of strategic development at L-3 Unmanned Systems. “APEX’s ability to be operated by a very small team and provide multi-mission and payload flexibility brings a new level of capability to expeditionary operators. The system is currently being used by U.S. Forces.”

APEX is an all-electric UAS that provides nearly seven hours of endurance with a range of 100+ km using a high-power series Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery system and is runway-independent and expeditionary. Operated by a team of three people, APEX reduces the need for a large operational footprint, while providing the equivalent ISR capability offered by larger UAS platforms. L-3’s APEX employs a parachute recovery system, eliminating the need for a runway or specific recovery device, and utilizes a pneumatic rail-launched system. Unique to the UAS is an electro-optical/cooled infrared gimbal payload, which provides both day and night surveillance and reconnaissance capability.

Based in Ashburn, Va., L-3 Unmanned Systems is an industry leader in the design, development and manufacture of specialized Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), C4ISR collection and dissemination systems, and ruggedized command and control systems. To learn more about L-3 Unmanned Systems, please visit the company’s website at www.L-3com.com/uas.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 employs approximately 48,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aerospace systems and national security solutions. L-3 is also a leading provider of a broad range of communication and electronic systems and products used on military and commercial platforms. The company reported 2013 sales of $12.6 billion. To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s website at www.L-3com.com.

Source: Genaero