September 2024 on DefenseAdvancement.com saw significant developments in the defense, military, and security sectors.
Check out the top five most read articles on Defense Advancement in September:
1. Portable sUAS to Enhance U.S. Army Reconnaissance Capabilities
Performance Drone Works (PDW) has been selected to provide its flagship C100 quadcopter, a Group 2 small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), in support of the U.S. Army Directed Requirement for Company-Level sUAS.
The C100 will be fielded to unit elements across the Army to enhance fire and maneuver in near-peer and contested operating environments.
PDW’s C100 supports the U.S. Army’s medium-range reconnaissance (MRR) requirement for a modular, Soldier-portable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) sUAS capable of providing effects across reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communications relay, and kinetic and non-kinetic payload delivery.
At InterGeo 2024, Honeywell showcased its N580 + HRVS (Honeywell Radar Velocity Sensor) system, a low SWaP-C solution designed to solve GNSS-denied navigation in land vehicles.
The Honeywell HGuide N580+HRVS represents a significant leap in navigation technology. This advanced system combines multiple sensors and sophisticated algorithms to provide accurate and reliable navigation data without relying on GNSS signals.
What sets Honeywell’s N580+HRVS apart from other GNSS-denied navigation solutions is its comprehensive approach to sensor fusion and real-time processing. Its rugged design also ensures it can perform in the most challenging environments, making it a reliable choice for critical applications.
3. Jamming & Spoofing Risks Grow in Aviation
CAST Navigation has delved into the growing number of jamming and spoofing events in aviation, and discussed why they pose a risk to civil aviation, and the response from regulators.
CAST Navigation’s GNSS/INS simulators allow manufacturers to test equipment under varied lab conditions. Scenarios can replicate GNSS situations anywhere, anytime. Adding CAST’s jammer module introduces active interference into testing.
Configuring simulators with jammer capability gives engineers precise control over simulated interference sources, including waveform types, power levels, and trajectories.
Output isn’t limited to single-element Fixed Reception Pattern Antennas (FRPA). CAST Jammer generates independent outputs for up to eight antenna elements in Controlled Reception Pattern Antennas (CRPAs) systems.
4. Hydrus Micro-AUV: Revolutionizing Naval Defense Operations
Advanced Navigation‘s Hydrus, a compact yet powerful AI-driven underwater drone, offers advanced capabilities for underwater intelligence gathering. It’s a dual-use system designed for various tasks, from monitoring changes in marine environments to conducting vessel maintenance and detecting underwater mines.
One of Hydrus’ key advantages is its autonomy. Equipped with sophisticated navigational technologies like Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), ultra-short baseline (USBL) systems, and an Inertial Navigation System (INS), it can navigate complex underwater environments while avoiding collisions and detecting obstacles.
Its 4K 60FPS camera further enhances its utility by capturing high-resolution video and geo-referenced images, making it ideal for tasks that are too hazardous, monotonous, or dirty for human divers.
5. Successful Long-Range Flight Trials for Reconnaissance sUAS
Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, recently completed a successful seven-hour flight test of its hydrogen fuel-cell-powered SKIRON-XLE.
Purpose-designed for long-range reconnaissance missions, the SKIRON-XLE is a Group 2 small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS).
The sUAS completed the flight test at an airfield in Virginia to showcase its enhanced endurance capabilities.
