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Archive for the ‘Digitization’ Category

Tactical NAV

Monday, March 7th, 2011

In what may well be the ultimate expression of the DIY ethos, Army CPT Jonathan Springer developed the Tactical NAV app for iPhone. In fact, he invested a considerable amount of his own money in the concept. Based on service as a Battalion Fire Support Officer in the 101st, he spend months developing the app which uses the phone’s inherent GPS to track the user’s location and correlate in a number of ways with other elements of information. For example, using compass and map data, photos can be not only date-time stamped but with geo-location as well. Another unique feature for this app is that it uses the Military Grid Reference System and is designed to geolocate within 24 feet. CPT Springer engineered a couple of other great features into Tactical NAV such as a compass lock function and one-button night-mode function for low light conditions. Finally, it makes sharing of route tracking and waypoint plotting as simple as sending an email.

Please be aware that there is another app that was released a few days after this one with the similar name of Tactical Navigator. It is NOT the same thing at all.

For more info visit www.tacticalnav.com. It is available on iTunes for the iPhone.

Cassidian Wins Big with Euro Future Soldier Programs

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

Over the past two days, Cassidian (EADS Defence & Security) has announced two separate awards to deliver Future Soldier technologies to European Armies.

First, they were awarded a 20 million Swiss franc contract by the Swiss defence procurement authority Armasuisse for advanced production engineering of the IMESS programme (Integrated and Modular Engagement System for the Swiss Soldier). Cassidian’s Warrior21â„¢ system has been undergoing testing with Swiss forces since 2007. Interestingly, the contract also calls for the installation of IMESS network into Swiss Duro and Piranha vehicles.

On the 2nd of March, Cassidian announced that they had been commissioned by Germany’s Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) to deliver a further 400 units of the Future Soldier System (Infanterist der Zukunft) in its basic version (IdZ BS) for use by troops heading to Afghanistan as part of ISAF. This new delivery will raise the Bundeswehr’s total number of IdZ BS equipment sets to 2,900.

According to Cassidian:

An IdZ BS system for equipping an infantry squad (ten soldiers) consists of an identical basic configuration for all soldiers (including modular bullet-proof vest in protection class I to IV, C4I equipment including NaviPad for situational awareness and transmitting messages, target data and images, night vision device, tactical radio) and various special items (such as laser range finder, camera, thermal image sighting device).

www.cassidian.com

TacPad from c2rfast

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Late last year, Level Peaks Associates was gracious enough to let us check out a couple of products from c2rfast.

We shot this quick look video of the TacPad Chest in order to give you an idea of how the technology works. We’ve seen other products in the past that rely on chemlights or even powered light but they don’t illuminate the entire surface like this. Powered by a CR123 battery, it provides a back lit writing surface for tactical applications. c2rfast has taken great care to develop multiple products to accommodate various applications of the technology.

To learn more follow the jump. (more…)

CamoScience App Coming in April

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

Released at last week’s AUSA Winter Symposium in Orlando, FL, the CamoScience(tm) App from MW Research and Development, Inc will be relased in April. It is designed for use with smartphones and mobile touchscreens (including the upcoming iPad 2) and converts photos into camouflage designs.

CamoScienceâ„¢ is a photo application that turns site-specific photography into what its inventor calls “Photographic Camouflage.”

“‘Photographic Camouflage’ is the term I coined four years ago to describe any ‘camera-derived’ camo design,” said K. Dominic Cincotti, MW Research and Development President.

“Right now, we’re focused on special ops and first responders Apps,” Cincotti said. “They know what challenges they face and how quickly they want their problems solved. We also have our eyes on app developers who, like us, are interested in innovative problem solving. “If you’re in one of those categories, get in touch,” he said.

CamoScienceâ„¢ will also let users design Photographic Camouflage into a touch-screen grip for the iPad 2. Touchscreen grips provide functional, hand-traction grip to keep your iPad 2 safely in your grasp while mobile. This is accomplished with an extremely thin, adhesive graphic “skin,” with a unique frictional, micro-terrain.

We have almost no details about this technology other than their press release. We will update you as we get additional information.

HD@militarywraps.com or alternate for App Dev: CamoScience@gmail.comwww.militarywraps.com

A Demonstration of QinetiQ Ears SWATS

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2011

Last week we mentioned that Blackheart International is now offering QinetiQ North America’s Ears Shoulder Worn Acoustic Targeting Systems (SWATS) gunfire detection system. We found this video that gives you a good idea of the system and what it does. It is becoming increasingly popular and the Army and Marine Corps have just awarded QinetiQ an IDIQ contract for the systems.

www.bhigear.com

BHI Offering Ears SWATS Gunshot Localization Systems

Friday, February 18th, 2011

You may recall that in December of ’09 we wrote an article on the Boomerang Warrior, an individual gunfire detection system. Well, the QinetiQ North America Ears® family of gunshot localization systems is the “other” technology from the Army’s program and ultimately, the one the Army fielded. Now, Blackheart International has secured the rights to offer it for sale to military and law enforcement customers.

An acoustic range and bearing system, QinetiQ’s Ears detects and pinpoints hostile gunfire in a fraction of a second and audibly reports the range and bearing of the shooter’s position (e.g., “Shot, 400 meters, 3 o’clock”). As the situation unfolds, Ears keeps track of the shooter’s position relative to the changing location of the user and provides on-demand visual and audible updates. In addition, the Ears device simultaneously records latitude and longitude of the shooter’s position to facilitate coordination with other military resources that might be needed to deal with the threat. The Ears SWATSâ„¢ (Shoulder-Worn Acoustic Targeting System) version is mounted on the user’s non-firing shoulder and provides audio cueing as well as a visual display. The technology is also available in Ears-VM (vehicle-mounted), Ears-FS (fixed site), Ears-MC (mobile checkpoint) and Ears-UG (unattended ground) configurations.

www.BHIgear.com

ONR Introduces Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Named Fast-Tint Protective Eyewear (FTPE), this new LCD-based technology introduced by the office of Naval Research for the Naval Special Warfare community is designed to dynamically change from dark to clear in half a second according to Stephanie Everett, ONR’s TechSolutions program manager. The technology is based on work designing laser eyeshields for aircrewmen who risk being dazzled or blinded by lasers.

“Currently, warfighters are using a set of interchangeable lenses that require them to stop and manually switch lenses to adjust the goggles to a particular light environment,” Everett said. “But they can’t take the time to stop and remove and replace the lenses.” According to information provided by ONR, the glasses meet the American National Standards Institute’s ballistic impact safety requirements.

The goal is obviously to get the wearer to keep his eyepro on whether inside or outside. However, as was pointed out to me by an industry insider, there’s a big difference between passing ANSI and the MILPRF 31013 milspec ballistic requirement. Thus far, LCDs haven’t been able to do it.

ONR’s TechSolutions department has already delivered the first 30 sets with promises of 100 more. The actual technology comes from Ohio-based AlphaMicron’s e-tint.


The photo came from jamesvaughanphoto.blogspot.com who shot it for AlphaMicron.

Further information on the e-tint technology can be found at www.alphamicron.com.

Soldier Technology US Conference & Exhibition

Sunday, January 30th, 2011

Be sure to attend the Soldier Technology US Conference & Exhibition THIS WEEK, January 31st – 3 February 2011 in Crystal City, Virginia. Now, in its 4th year, Soldier Technology will host 48 military and government decision makers who have confirmed to deliver requirement and program briefs, and lessons learned including:

• Brigadier General Peter N Fuller, Program Executive Officer, PEO Soldier
• Lt General Micheal Vane, Director, US Army Capabilities Integration Center
• Colonel Wil Riggins, Project Manager, Soldier Warrior, PEO Soldier
• Brigadier General Jess Scarbrough, Program Executive Officer, Program Executive Office, Chemical Biological Defense
• Major General (ret’d) Robert Scales, Former Commandant, US Army War College

The conference features Lightening The Load and Situational Awareness Focus Days. Download the full agenda here.

In addition to the conference program, the exhibition will hold over 50 exhibitors from system integrators such as: Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and QinetiQ and innovative solutions providers including: eMagin, Schott and Ultra Electronics.

Soldier Systems readers are entitled to a 15% discount to attend the show – quote code: 12607.004_SSY_1 when registering. You can register here.

If you require further detailed information please call Saima Qureshi on +44 (0) 20 7368 9465 or email soldiertechnologyus@wbr.co.uk.