Military & Aerospace
Army considers operating “Sky Warrior” remotely
February 4, 2010 8:38 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe Army is mulling the possibility of operating its largest UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) remotely. They’re considering “split-based” operations--part of the company would deploy in-theater, while the other would communicate remotely via satellite. The situation exposes a cultural rift between the Air Force and the Army.
Handheld Vector Network Analyzer Touts High Accuracy
February 4, 2010 5:40 am | Agilent Technologies | Product Releases | CommentsAgilent Technologies’ N9923A FieldFox RF Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is presented as the world's most accurate handheld VNA. The FieldFox RF VNA provides 0.01 dB/degree Celsius measurement stability to minimize drift errors, and it offers
Department of Defense Schools Recieve BOXLIGHTs
February 3, 2010 9:17 am | News | CommentsBOXLIGHT in partnership with Alpha Sum Business Machines has announced the delivery of nearly 1000 GSA approved projectors sent to military K-12 Department of Defense schools located around the United States and Puerto Rico. “The initial order of Seattle X30N’s and accompanying accessories began shipping to over 80 schools in mid-January,” said Chad Harrison, BOXLIGHT Business Development Manager. “With an open, year-long bid, we anticipate the number of projectors to approach the 1500 mark.”
Magnalight.com Adds More Powerful LED Infrared Flood Lights and Spot Lights
February 2, 2010 4:51 am | Larson Electronics Llc | Product Releases | CommentsLarson Electronics’ magnalight.com offers several new infrared LED emitter lights for military, security and commercial applications. Ranging from ultra-compact infrared LED trailing lights and grill lights to 240 watt infrared LED light emitters for the military MRAP, MATV and HUMVEE vehicles, magnalight.com continues to develop new infrared LED lights that feature low amp draw and high light energy output.
“ChemBot” takes cue from The Terminator
February 2, 2010 4:13 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsIt can morph from a liquid to a solid state, but can’t form “knives and stabbing weapons.” It can squeeze through tight spaces, join with others, and expand in size. No, it’s not the T-1000, but a new “chemical robot” created by the Pentagon. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Association (DARPA) sought to create a “ChemBot” that could perform the following functions...
The ECN Roundtable - Harsh Environment Needs
February 1, 2010 10:38 am | Articles | CommentsGiven the improved performance of modern parts and packaging, how much certification and categorization does a product intended for operation in a harsh environment require?
Blind Mateable Connectors Can be Cleaned More Than 2500 Times
February 1, 2010 4:59 am | Product Releases | CommentsITT Interconnect Solutions has expanded its family of sealed, miniature, lightweight connectors for modern and "future soldier" applications with a "Super Clean" version. Also suitable for medical use, the Nemesis SC connectors are
Bomb-detecting “divining rod” banned for export
January 29, 2010 8:57 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThey say truth is stranger than fiction. Since 2008, Iraq’s military and police have utilized a divining rod (err, a “bomb detection device”) known as the ADE 651 to detect explosives. The ADE 651 has undoubtedly cost countless lives. Thus, justice was served when its creator, Jim McCormick, was arrested on suspicion of fraud.
“Smartgun” locks out unauthorized users
January 29, 2010 8:00 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsA gun owner’s worst nightmare is his own weapon being turned against him. The Armatix “Smartgun” concept presents a novel solution—fingerprint identification, combined with biometric authentication (paired with a wristwatch) makes the weapon useless in the wrong hands.
Resistor Networks Are Configured in Isolated and Bussed Circuits
January 29, 2010 6:14 am | Product Releases | CommentsTT electronics BI Technologies has developed two SON (aka QFN or DFN) eight-pad packaged sample kits. Designated SFN08AKIT and SFN08BKIT, the sample kits include four or seven ultra-stable thin film resistors configured in isolated and bussed circuits, respectively. Each sample kit contains
NASA sets shuttle launch with future in doubt
January 28, 2010 11:33 am | News | CommentsNASA managers on Wednesday settled on February 7 to kick off their final year of shuttle flights, uncertain about what programs will follow. Endeavour is targeted for launch at 4:39 a.m. EST, on a 13-day mission to deliver a final connecting hub and viewing port to the International Space Station.
Air Force museum unveils Reaper exhibit
January 28, 2010 10:47 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsSince 2007, the MQ-9 Reaper RPV (Remotely Piloted Vehicle) has been on the front lines of the war on terror. It scored its first kill in October ’07, and has served a crucial role ever since. On Monday, the National Museum of the Air Force officially unveiled its new MQ-9 Reaper exhibit.
New Speakers Announced for FAA Space Transportation Conference
January 27, 2010 8:21 am | News | CommentsThe conference, co-sponsored by AIAA, is organized around the theme of “Igniting the Space Economy,” and will feature high-level speakers and panels examining all areas of the commercial space transportation sector, and how NASA and America’s commercial space firms can thrive within it.
Secure SSD BGA Provides Fast Data Erase
January 26, 2010 5:01 am | Product Releases | CommentsWhite Electronic Designs Corporation has introduced a secure Single Level Cell (SLC) NAND SSD that provides compact, secure and reliable data storage for embedded military applications in rugged and extended temp environments. The product is available as a 4 GByte, 22 mm x 27 mm plastic ball grid array (PBGA) package and supports
Quartz Crystal Said to be World’s Smallest
January 25, 2010 12:09 pm | Product Releases | CommentsStatek Corporation announced the release of its ultra-miniature, low-profile CX18 crystal. With overall dimensions of 1.55 mm x 0.95 mm x 0.35 mm, and a typical weight of 1.8 mg, Statek’s CX18 is asserted to be the smallest and lightest surface-mount crystal in the world. The CX18 has a
Power Modules Boast Desirable Thermal and EMI Performance
January 25, 2010 5:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsNational Semiconductor introduced three products in its SIMPLE SWITCHER power module family. The LMZ-Series of power modules provide the efficiency of a synchronous switching regulator with the simplicity of a linear regulator, eliminating the
'Avatar' Coming to Life at Keesler AFB
January 22, 2010 8:31 am | Blogs | CommentsThe new blockbuster movie "Avatar" seems total fantasy, yet Keesler Air Force Base already is using avatar technology in a pilot cyberspace program.
Computer-on-module Uses Mobile-ITX Form Factor
January 21, 2010 9:45 am | Product Releases | CommentsVIA Technologies introduced the VIA EPIA-T700: said to be the first product based on the recently announced Mobile-ITX form factor. It measures 6 cm x 6 cm and is designed for a range of ultra-compact embedded devices in medical, military and in-vehicle applications. The VIA EPIA-T700 can
Microscan Dedicates Nashua Satellite Facility
January 20, 2010 9:04 am | News | CommentsMicroscan, a global technology leader for precision data acquisition and control solutions, headquartered in Renton, WA, announces the dedication of its satellite facility, the Northeast Technology Center, in Nashua, NH. The company invited a select group of key customers and media to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dedication of the Technology Center.
FAA Conference to Focus on Igniting the Space Economy
January 19, 2010 5:32 am | News | CommentsThe conference, co-sponsored by AIAA, is organized around the theme of “Igniting the Space Economy,” and will feature high-level speakers and panels examining all areas of the commercial space transportation sector, and how NASA and America’s commercial space firms can thrive within it.
GaN HEMT MMIC Power Amplifier Suits Military, Medical Apps
January 13, 2010 4:44 am | Product Releases | CommentsCree, Inc. released a GaN HEMT MMIC power amplifier, the CMPA0060025F, which offers 25 W output power over an instantaneous bandwidth of 20 MHz to 6 GHz. This product is appropriate for military and ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) applications that require
Florida airport gets commercial spaceport license
January 12, 2010 11:17 am | News | CommentsCAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - The sky's no longer the limit for Cecil Field airport in Jacksonville, Florida. The airport was awarded a federal license on Monday to fly commercial space vehicles being designed to ferry tourists, researchers and others beyond Earth's atmosphere.
NASA: February launch still on despite bad hoses
January 12, 2010 9:48 am | News | CommentsNASA is still shooting for a shuttle launch next month, despite bad hoses for a new room at the space station. Endeavour is supposed to blast off Feb. 7 with the Tranquility module. It's a chamber that will provide additional living quarters at the International Space Station.
Moisture-Resistant Resistors Offer TCR Options Down to 15 ppm
January 6, 2010 11:15 am | Product Releases | CommentsStackpole Electronics expanded its RNCS Series of resistors with TCR options down to 15 ppm. The RNCS Series is a reliable moisture-withstanding thin film chip resistor series designed for applications requiring
IF and RF Digital Attenuators Feature High Resolution
December 31, 2009 5:11 am | Product Releases | CommentsHittite Microwave has introduced two SMT packaged high resolution 6-Bit and 7-bit digital attenuators for automotive, broadband, cellular/3G, WiMAX/4G, military and test & measurement equipment applications from DC to 6 GHz. The HMC792LP4E digitally controlled GaAs MMIC digital attenuator operates from DC to 6 GHz, and can be programmed to provide up to
