As we have seen some battery technologies can be dangerous. In this article Sal Palma discusses how new fuel cell technologies can be just as deadly.
Read the article here.
© Sal Palma, 2009. All rights reserved August 4, 2009
Archive for the ‘Comms’ Category
Fuel Cells or Molotov Cocktails?
Sunday, August 16th, 2009nPower Personal Energy Generator
Thursday, August 13th, 2009Developed by Tremont Electric based in Cleveland, Ohio the nPower Personal Energy Generator (PEG) is very lightweight, ultra rugged, and completely silent. The PEG weighs a mere nine ounces packed into a nine inch long cylinder that harvests kinetic energy from the human stride and turns it into 2.5 watts of electricity.
The commercial technology has been adapted for military use and undergone limited evaluations by the Army, Marines and a Joint customer. There are currently two militarized versions of the device and they’re developing some additional versions for specialized use. The first version powers a handheld device (ie, a Garmin GPS, iPod, etc) and the other is a backpack-mounted version that can power a Toughbook, a radio, or other tech a warfighter may have. Both of these devices can, in theory, provide power indefinitely, as long as you’re moving. Current systems are crafted from Anodized Aluminum but plans are afoot to transition to Carbon Fiber in order to shave weight.
The military handheld device comes in two sizes. The first is nine inches long, nine ounces, and power output at 5 watts and the second is six inches long, weighs seven ounces, and power output at 2.5 watts. It can be mounted to PALS webbing.
Additionally, they have demonstrated a larger backpack mounted laptop device. It is envisioned to be comprised of two larger units running in parallel inside of a dedicated backpack. To work successfully it demands more mass so a minimum load of 30 lbs is required. While it is heavier, it will produce up to 100 watts.
The PEG offers a couple of operational advantages not realized with many other technologies. It is temperature independent so it will work in arctic and desert environments with no modification. Additionally, it has no thermal signature like fuel cells, which means it cannot be detected in the Infrared spectrum.
Tremont Electric was recognized by Business Week as one of America’s most promising start ups.
Visit Tremont Electric for more info. Tremont Electric is represented by Technical Applications Group.
IR Callsign Patches
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009Tidewater Tactical is now offering reversible IR Callsign Patches. They are Black on one side and Tan on the other. The Tan side is solely IR reflective and the Black combines Glow in the Dark alpha-numerics with an IR reflective cut out. They laser cut the ID’s alpha-numerics from the face fabric whether Cordura or IR tape. The outer edges of both sides are color matched hook tape so that the panel may be affixed to uniforms.
The patches are available from Tidewater Tactical.
Note, these products are protected by ITAR and cannot be exported.
Zinc Air Batteries
Friday, August 7th, 2009Other than the fact that they are lightweight and reliable, the single greatest thing about Zinc Air batteries is that they are not HAZMAT. That alone is worth its weight in gold. Imagine a life with out the trials of dash twos. And now, with the video just released by Blackheart International, we know just how hazardous traditional lithium batteries can be.
Leaders are beginning to seriously discuss the Soldier’s load and engineering tools like SWAP (Size, Weight, and power) analysis used to look at aircraft and vehicles are beginning to be applied to the grunt. When you stack an 8180/U battery up against a 5590/U using those criteria, the Zinc Air technology wins hands down. What’s more, they are safer and as the video demonstrates, will continue to provide power even when damaged by projectiles. The 12/24 Volt 8180/U battery has an NSN and is available from Blackheart International. Additionally, there are numerous adapter cables available to help you use the battery with a variety of communication and electronic devices.
Digital Ears Invisio X50
Monday, July 20th, 2009The Digital Ears X50 is a digital in-ear bone conduction headset system with built-in active hearing protection. It uses bone conduction which captures vibrations caused by speech which travel up the jaw bone to the ear. This helps eliminate ambient noise and produce clearer voice signals. Additionally, the system features electronic hear-thru and impulse noise protection (Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 23db) with volume control for enhanced hearing. Finally, the X50 is designed for dual communication with radio autosensing and full-duplex/VOX capability. Consequently, unlike other Invisio products, the X50 is designed to worn in both ears.
The ear piece features the Soft SpringTM which adapts to the contours of the ear to provide a secure fit and enhance comfort as well as compatibility with helmets, eyewear, and protective masks.
The interface box seen above features switches for On-Off Open Mic Selector, PTT Button, Volume Up & Down, and Hear-Thru & Mic Volume Selector.
The X50’s fit is secure enough that it has been used regularly for Military Free Fall operations.
The X50 is available from Television Equipment Associates. For more information visit swatheadsets.com.
Silynx Communications, Inc.
Monday, June 22nd, 2009
Soldier Systems Daily is proud to welcome Silynx Communications, Inc. as a new sponsor. Silynx is a world leader in miniature, software defined, tactical hearing protection, communication headsets. Their headsets are used by elements of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), US Army, USMC as well as international SOF. Silynx specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced and innovative software based noise protection communication headsets. Their name really sums up who and what they are – Silynx combines SI for silent communications and LYNX, a solitary wild cat that is known for its strength, precision, and stealthiness.
The C4OPS is Silynx’s premier headset featuring 20m immersibility and an excellent man machine interface. The user receives voice prompts from the system in a clear female voice and can monitor up to 3 radios/intercoms simultaneously using the same headset. Additionally, the C4OPS provides hearing protection (ANR & INR) and hearing enhancement. The modular system is designed for ease of repair without putting the entire system down. The heart of the system is the Main Control Box and this allows each user to customize the system to their requirements, whether that means wearing an Eagle headset, Peltor ear muffs, the standard foamies that come with the system or custom molds. When the system is only connected to one radio, the user has dual hearing through both ears but if the user connects to dual comms he receives primary in the left ear and secondary in the right. If the user then connects to an intercom/3rd radio then the user monitors this third connection via both ears. The C4OPS is a PC programmable system which allows the user to customize his system and integrate upgrades as they are produced. Check out the “Build Your Own” web page.
For us, two things really stand out about Silynx. First, their system is software based so changes can be rapidly made to the system without having to purchase new components and other vendor’s components can be integrated into the system.
For more information please visit www.silynx.com.
Introducing Juggernaut Defense, LLC
Friday, May 29th, 2009
Specializing in soldier-borne equipment design & engineering, Juggernaut Defense, LLC is a full-spectrum design consultancy dedicated to the military, law-enforcement, and public safety communities. Since 2000, Juggernaut Defense has been involved in many successful programs which have provided superior survivability, communication, and lethality systems to Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Special Operators fighting in both OIF and OEF. Juggernaut Defense (located in Scottsdale, Arizona) was spun off by Chris Stalzer in November 2008 from Juggernaut Design to focus its business toward government and military design problems.
Check out their website to learn about some of the projects they have already completed. www.juggdef.com
Harris Wins $20 Million Contract from Poland
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009Harris Corp. has announced that it has been awarded a $20 million contract from the Polish Ministry of National Defense to provide its Falcon II and Falcon III tactical radios to Poland’s land and special operations command forces. Earlier this year the Estonian military purchased $5 million worth of Falcon III multiband radios from Harris.
The U.S. Army issues the Falcon III as the An/PRC-150. It provides secure voice and data communications in the HF-SSB/VHF-FM bands.
This win literally comes on the heels of a $600 million award from the U.S. Army to modernize SATCOM terminals.
