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Cobham Launches New Integrated Communications Products

Tuesday, September 12th, 2017

Launched at DSEI, Cobham’s new Integrated Communications Environment (ICE) products optimise the performance of multiple radios operating simultaneously on a single platform

DSEI, UK: Cobham today announced that they have launched a new Integrated Communications Environment (ICE) product range which provides major improvements to existing communications systems on platforms. The new ICE products include a multi-radio interference cancellation system and new high-performance multi-port V/UHF antenna.

The integration of multiple radios and other communications systems on a single platform or in a congested environment causes Radio Frequency (RF) interference which can dramatically reduce the effective radio range. This increasingly operational problem is being exacerbated by the increase of on-board communications systems which can mean they are competing for data and spectrum allocation.

David Bulley, VP and General Manager of Cobham Antenna Systems said “Cobham has been at the forefront of RF interference cancellation technologies for over 20 years with proven field performance. As communications systems on platforms have become increasingly complex our expectations of them has also heightened; Cobham’s new ICE products allow users to streamline their communications systems without affecting performance or range which makes a critical difference during operations.”

The ICE 7201 interference cancellation system not only restores radio performance and operational range, it also facilitates enhanced frequency planning for operations, enabling closer separation between channels resulting in a significantly greater number of useable radio channels for a given spectrum allocation. Simultaneously, the GD2049 high performance multi-port V/UHF antenna enables the overall antenna count on land platforms to be reduced through the introduction of two VHF ports with high port-to-port isolation.

The combination of Cobham’s two new market-leading technologies allows for optimised co-site integration of radios whilst also reducing the number of antennas required on a platform. The result is a significantly improved communication effectiveness and a reduction in the cost and ‘real estate’ of the antennas required.

The new ICE 7201 system and GD2049 antenna will be exhibited on the Cobham stand, S6-150, at DSEI London, 12-15 September 2017.

www.cobham.com

Cobham’s new GD2049 multi-port antenna installed on a Thales Hawkei vehicle at MSPO Poland. © Image supplied courtesy of Thales

Tags: Cobham
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INVISIO Announces a New Product Category for Communication in Vehicles

Tuesday, September 12th, 2017

Stockholm, September 12, 2017

INVISIO today announces a new product category for communication in vehicles. The first product announced will be an intercom system that will be commercially available to customers in defense and security in the second half of 2018.

The development of this new innovative product category has been going on for some time and is based on needs and requirements from key customers. The first product within this category will be presented at the important defence and security event, DSEi in London, on September 12-15, 2017.

“This is a step to further strengthen INVISIO’s role as the leading supplier of communications and protection solutions to the world’s defense and security forces. We have close contact with our customers and our innovations are a direct result of interacting with them and understanding their needs. Their experiences and our know-how is the perfect combination for developing a unique solution that is new to the market. We are well positioned in the industry and believe that this new product category over time will provide significant business opportunities for INVISIO, contributing to our journey of continued growth and development,” said Lars Højgård Hansen, CEO, INVISIO.

INVISIO has previously developed a unique and innovative series of communication and hearing protection systems aimed at dismounted users. These different systems have generated great interest and are now sold to a wide range of customers within the global defense and public safety communities, where the need for reliable, safe and easy-to-use products is very high. INVISIO has in a short period of time become the market leader for this type of systems.

With the intercom system, INVISIO’s product offering is expanded to include a full range of products for communication and hearing protection in mounted and dismounted operations.

“With the intercom system, INVISIO is bridging the gap between the dismounted and mounted soldier. Allowing for simplicity, modularity, and flexibility to fit the communication needs of the soldier either mounted in the vehicle or on the go regardless of operational requirements”, said Carsten Aagesen, SVP Sales & Marketing, INVISIO.

The INVISIO Intercom makes it possible for multiple users and radios to be connected simultaneously while using their existing soldier system. Seamless plug and play integration between control units, intercoms, headsets and interface cables are key to the versatility of the INVISIO System, as it allows for deployment of new equipment without the need for updating existing INVISIO Systems. The Intercom is small, lightweight, and highly mobile to establish Intercom anywhere.

www.invisio.com

Tags: Invisio
Posted in Advertiser, Comms, DSEi, Press Release | 1 Comment »

Velocity Systems – 30L Pack Cover and VS17 Panel

Friday, August 25th, 2017

30L Pack Cover

The 30L Pack Cover is a lightweight, water and abrasion resistant pack cover designed to camouflage or protect your pack from harsh elements. The pack cover features an easily adjustable drawstring and cord lock closure, an oval slide fastener for attachment to our 30L Summit Pack, and single layer and reversible pack cover options. It is made of 70 Denier Ripstop Nylon material and offered in Coyote Brown, Ranger Green, and MultiCam with optional reversible Multicam Alpine.

VS17 Panel

The VS17 Panel is used to identify friendly forces personnel and equipment from either the air or ground. The panel can be attached to vehicles, rucksacks, hand-held or laid-out on the ground to provide visual identification. The large and small VS17 Panel Marker come equipped with tie down loops and the medium comes with tactical toggle fasteners for attachment to the 30L Summit Pack. The VS17 Panel is made of a high-visibility Fluorescent Orange & Cerise 200 Denier pack cloth that is lightweight, water and abrasion resistant. Dimensions: Small: L24”x W24” | Medium: L31”x W10” | Large: L70”x W20”

100% made in the USA

Tags: Velocity Systems
Posted in Advertiser, Comms, Load Carrying | 3 Comments »

Warrior East 17 – INVISIO Overview

Wednesday, August 16th, 2017

I know it seems a bit odd to post about Warrior East, but this video, with an overview of INVISIO’s offerings, was just released.

invisio.com

Tags: Invisio
Posted in Advertiser, Comms, Warrior Expo | Comments Off on Warrior East 17 – INVISIO Overview

AFCEA TechNet Augusta 2017: Panasonic Toughbook and Tablet

Monday, August 14th, 2017

Panasonic’s Toughbook lineup is ubiquitous on the battlefield, dating back to the CF-27 series laptop. The venerable CF-31 and CF-19 laptops are subcomponents of numerous C4ISR systems fielded by DoD and allied forces.

The new CF-33 and CF-20 are the replacements for the CF-31 and CF-19 and feature detachable screens for use as tablets. The screens have proprietary Panasonic technology to allow use with almost any sort of glove to include NBC and cold weather gloves.

The FZ-X1 Tough Tablet is a 5″ Android tablet that’s rated to 30 minutes submersion, 10 foot drops, and operation down to -4F. Both touchscreen and programmable hardware hot-keys allow access to any application. Of particular note is the user replaceable battery, allowing for a long service life. Business card for scale.

Front

Side

Rear. Of note, the camera module can be replaced with a bar code scanner.

The CF-20 and CF-33 are 10.1″ and 12″ laptops with detachable screens. The keyboard base functions as a docking and port base as well as home for additional battery power. The signature front mount carry handle of the Toughbook line has been moved the rear to serve as a stabilizer when the screen is tilted back now that most of the “guts” have been moved into the detachable screen section.

The CF-31 will remain in legacy production for the near-term to fulfill existing requirements but expect it to be phased out after another hardware refresh cycle.

Finally, the Toughpad FZ-M1 7″ Windows tablet is available along with the larger Toughpad FZ-G1 10″ tablet. A matching pair of Android based tablets are also available. The devices are fully ruggedized and targeted at medical and maintenance applications.

A full line of Windows and Linux drivers and APIs are available directly from Panasonic to allow customized application from a single vendor with the complete TDP.

Panasonic Business Solutions

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AFCEA TechNet Augusta 2017: Samsung and Juggernaut

Monday, August 14th, 2017

Spotted in the Samsung suite at AFCEA TechNet 2017 were these mounts and cases by Juggernaut for the new ruggedized Samsung lineup.

Wrist Mount

The Wrist Mount can hold most Juggernaut cases and uses a BOA fastener to quickly adjust tension.

Chest Mount

The chest mount uses a hinged polymer PALS panel that allows the device’s viewing angle to be adjusted or fully stowed and closed. Of note is that the hinge uses a blackened stainless steel pin for durability.

Knee/Thigh Mount

Finally, Juggernaut offers a thigh mount case for tablets. Here is the ruggedized case for Galaxy Tab series Android tablet. This would be particularly useful for forward observers, communicators, and during vehicular insertion in low-profile vehicles.

Juggernaut Case

Samsung Knox

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INVISIO Awarded Two-Year Contract from the US Department of Defense and Receives First Order of USD 7.4 million

Tuesday, August 8th, 2017

INVISIO (IVSO) has been awarded a two-year IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) for communication and hearing protection systems. The award is for up to USD 13 million and the first order has been received for USD 7.4 million. Initial deliveries are expected to take place in 2017. This is the first direct award for the INVISIO US subsidiary since it’s formulation in late 2016.

The DoD has awarded INVISIO a two-year contract for the supply of advanced communications and hearing protection systems to American forces. The INVISIO systems provide enhanced communication capabilities in noisy environments while protecting the users hearing, which gives operational benefits and increased security for the users.

www.invisio.com

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Army bans use of a COTS UAS system

Saturday, August 5th, 2017

Urgent operational usage of commercial electronic equipment is nothing new. Early in the GWOT, FRS “walkie talkie” equipment was frequently purchased by individual troops or with unit funds to address a shortage of comms at the squad level. Later, theater orders were issued prohibiting their usage due to grievous OPSEC/COMSEC issues and this shortfall was addressed with TPE (theater provided equipment) issue of ICOM and other commercial radio systems.

In a similar vein, Army organizations have procuring commercial hobbyist UAV systems to provide situational awareness and ISR capabilities “on the cheap.” However, such systems introduce a multitude of operational and cyber vulnerabilities. For the most common systems made by DJI, telemetry, audio, video, and locational data is sent back by default to the Chinese manufacturer.

On 2 August, the US Army prohibited the use of DJI drones:

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF, G-3/5/7

400 ARMY PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20310-0400

DAMO-AV

MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD

2 August 2017

SUBJECT: Discontinue Use of Dajiang Innovation (DJI) Corporation Unmmaned Aircraft Systems

1. References:

a. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) report, “DJI UAS Technology Threat and User Vulnerabilities,” dated 25 May 2017 (Classified).

b. Navy memorandum, “Operational Risks with Regards to DJI Family of Products,” dated 24 May 2017.

2. Background: DJI Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) products are the most widely used non-program of record commercial off-the-shelf UAS employed by the Army. The Army Aviation Engineering Directorate has issued over 300 separate Airworthiness Releases for DJI products in support of multiple organizations with a variety of mission sets. Due to increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products, it is directed that the U.S. Army halt use of all DJI products. This guidance applies to all DJI UAS and any system that employs DJI electrical components or software including, but not limited to, flight computers, cameras, radios, batteries, speed controllers, GPS units, handheld control stations, or devices with DJI software applications installed.

3. Direction: Cease all use, uninstall all DJI applications, remove all batteries/storage media from devices, and secure equipment for follow on direction.

4. Point of Contact: Headquarters, Department of the Army G-3/5/7 Aviation Directorate, 703-693-3552

JOSEPH ANDERSON
Lieutenant General, GS
Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7

Exploitation of data collected by these drones can provide an adversary with a inductive picture of friendly force operations, locations, and tempo. Much like watching surges in pizza deliveries to headquarters buildings at night, an adversary can infer forward operations by spikes in data traffic.

While the technical specifics are beyond the scope and span of SSD, this decision is still quite relevant to our readership.

For further information, check out this article from our peers at SUASnews.

Posted in Aviation, Comms, Disruptive Tech, Gadgets, ISR | 4 Comments »