Military & Aerospace
Outsourcing the ''final frontier''
February 18, 2010 12:31 pm | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe proposed 2011 NASA Budget takes human spaceflight in a bold new direction. Along with scuttling the Constellation Program, and investing in heavy-lift rocket systems, the proposal leans heavily on the private sector. The International Space Station received clemency through at least 2020, and with the Space Shuttle retiring in 2010, the US will need reliable means of orbital transportation.
Military lifts ban on flash media
February 18, 2010 11:24 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsTwo years ago, DOD banned all “flash media” devices in an effort to contain the “Agent.btz” computer virus. In 2009, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said, “I do not see the thumb drives going back here in the immediate future.” Yet a year later (nearly to the day), the ban has been lifted.
Power Modules Address Power Supply Challenges
February 12, 2010 9:09 am | Product Releases | CommentsIntersil Corporation announced the ISL8204M and ISL8206M, the newest members of its family of compact power modules. The ISL8204M and ISL8206M are complete switch-mode power supplies in a single compact surface-mount package. Included within the module is a
VME SBC Uses Freescale MPC8572E Processor
February 12, 2010 7:09 am | Product Releases | CommentsExtreme Engineering Solutions announced the availability of XCalibur1531, a 6U VME single board computer with Freescale Semiconductor’s dual-core MPC8572E PowerQUICC III processor. This SBC is appropriate for
Astronauts install space station's last hub
February 12, 2010 4:20 am | News | CommentsThe shuttle Endeavour crew bolted the last connecting module onto the International Space Station on Friday, completing more than a decade of major construction on the outpost. During the first of three spacewalks planned during Endeavour's 13-day mission, astronauts Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick prepared the 18-tonne module to be transferred from the shuttle's cargo bay to the station.
First Russian launch from French Guiana delayed-agency
February 12, 2010 4:18 am | News | CommentsThe first launch of a Russian space rocket from a site outside Moscow's control has been delayed while engineers test a service tower, Interfax news agency reported on Friday. A modified Soyuz cargo ship had been due to take off before the end of this year from Europe's spaceport in French Guiana.
Quad Channel Clock Generator FMC Card Features Low Jitter
February 11, 2010 4:52 am | Product Releases | CommentsCurtiss-Wright Controls Embedded Computing has introduced an FPGA Mezzanine Card (FMC/VITA 57) module, the FMC-XCLK2. The quad channel clock generator card features low jitter and phase matched outputs. It is available in both air-cooled and conduction-cooled rugged versions, and is said to
Pack mule robot could aid soldiers, marines
February 9, 2010 5:19 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe military is constantly seeking the right balance between preparedness and maneuverability. Theoretically, we could turn foot soldiers into walking arsenals with nearly-impenetrable armor, but they wouldn’t be very mobile. Boston Dynamics may have a solution...
Security chip that does encryption in PCs hacked
February 8, 2010 11:30 am | News | CommentsDeep inside millions of computers is a digital Fort Knox, a special chip with the locks to highly guarded secrets, including classified government reports and confidential business plans. Now a former U.S. Army computer-security specialist has devised a way to break those locks.
New Federal Climate Change Agency Forming
February 8, 2010 8:47 am | News | CommentsThe Obama administration on Monday proposed a new agency to study and report on the changing climate. Also known as global warming, climate change has drawn widespread concern in recent years as temperatures around the world rise, threatening to harm crops, spread disease, increase sea levels, change storm and drought patterns and cause polar melting.
Space Shuttle blasts off on last night flight
February 8, 2010 4:06 am | by MARCIA DUNN | News | CommentsEndeavour and six astronauts rocketed into orbit Monday on what's likely the last nighttime launch for the shuttle program, hauling a new room and observation deck for the International Space Station.
Rugged Control Unit Features Natural Convection Cooling
February 5, 2010 1:15 pm | Product Releases | CommentsAitech Defense Systems now offers the NightHawk RCU, a rugged, compact Intel Atom-based, self-contained control unit that weighs 4.5 lbs. This light weight, combined with a slim profile and natural convection/radiation cooling that dissipates up to
Russian cargo ship docks at International Space Station
February 5, 2010 7:39 am | News | CommentsA Russian cargo ship delivered food, water, fuel and other supplies to the International Space Station on Friday, space officials said.
IBM to provide cloud computing solution for Air Force
February 5, 2010 6:21 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | Blogs | CommentsThe Air Force has enlisted “Big Blue” itself, IBM, to develop a worldwide cloud computing infrastructure. The architecture would encompass nine major commands, nearly 100 bases, and 700,000 active military personnel around the world. Essentially, “cloud computing” refers to software applications and other functions that are “rented” online rather than hosted on company servers.
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.
