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Aerospace

Advancing Embedded Systems with VITA 93: A New Era in Modular I/O for Aerospace and Defense

In this article, system architects and design engineers will learn how evolving embedded system requirements are driving the need for flexible mezzanine solutions. Additionally, the challenges of traditional mezzanine standards and their impact on system design are outlined.

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Articles
RF & Microwave Electronics

Centralized Computing in Next-Generation Army Vehicles

As we move toward an era of autonomous vehicle warfare, technology will need to remain a top priority to ensure mission success and the safety and security of military personnel and civilians alike. Read on to learn what this means.

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Articles
Photonics/Optics

Next Level Rugged Fiber Optic Interconnects: A New Era of High-Speed Data Transmission in Defense

In addition to the high level of complexity, the upcoming generation change from fifth- to sixth-generation fighter jets poses major challenges for component suppliers and accelerates the pace of technological competition. Read on to learn more.

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

How Will TSN Ethernet Impact the Future of Embedded Computing?

Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) Ethernet is a real-time networking capability that is being developed by a growing number of embedded computing companies for the earliest stages of adoption by aerospace and defense manufacturers and their suppliers. Read on to learn more about it.

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

A Supercomputer for Aerospace and Defense Systems Modeling and Simulation

In February 2024, Cadence launched a new generation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the introduction of the Millennium M1 CFD Supercomputer. Read on to learn more about it.

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Articles
Defense

The Unusual Machines Approach to Low-Cost Drones and Drone Components

Headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Unusual Machines describes itself as a “classic American technology company born from garage tinkerers and hobbyists, focused on serving the emerging drone industry with unique and innovative products.” Read on to learn more about Unusual Machines' drone dealings.

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

Fully Rugged Mobile PCs Provide an Edge on the Battlefield and Beyond

DARPA pioneered satellites, the internet, drones, and human-computer interfaces. Now that work is enabling the next round of revolutionary technologies, including AI, edge and cloud computing, and the Internet of Military Things for a wide variety of C4ISR applications. Read on to learn more.

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Articles
Defense

Affordable Mass: Embracing a New Strategy for Advancing Defense Capabilities

Affordable mass refers to the ability to rapidly produce large quantities of effective, cost-efficient munitions and systems. It’s not about cutting corners but about optimizing every facet of the production process, from design to deployment. Read on to learn more about it.

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Articles
AR/AI

5 Startups Developing AI for Defense Application

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being adopted and deployed across the global aerospace and defense industry in a wide variety of software and hardware-defined applications right now. Read on to learn about five startups developing new and novel AI and ML technologies for aerospace and defense applications.

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Products
Sensors/Data Acquisition

New Products

See the new products, including EIZO Rugged Solutions' Condor VC300xX, an XMC form factor Ultra High-Definition (UHD) video capture card for C5ISR applications; new R&S NRPxE power sensors from Rohde & Schwarz; Q-Tech Corporation's new AXTAL GHz Series of high-performance/ultra-low noise/high-frequency crystal oscillators and modules; Concurrent Technologies' TR MDx/6sd, which is a compute intensive rugged Plug In Card; Samtec's LL043 Series Nitrowave™ high-performance microwave cable assembly; and more.

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Articles
Energy

Notre Dame’s New Boundary Breaking Mach 10 Quiet Wind Tunnel

The University of Notre Dame opened its new Large Mach 1 Quiet Wind Tunnel — the first and only hypersonic research facility of its kind — in November 2024. Notre Dame researchers describe the new facility as serving several immediate purposes, including to help address hypersonic testing backlogs at Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. Read on to learn more about it.

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Articles
Software

The Art of Reverse Engineering Yesteryear for Aerospace and Defense Data Storage Drives

The failure of electromechanical drives has been placing, and continues to place, the reliability of many computer-based systems in use in the aerospace and defense industries at risk. Read on to learn how the industry can ameliorate this.

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Articles
Materials

Shape-Shifting Antenna Poised to Transform Communications

By leveraging cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques and shape memory alloys, researchers have created an antenna that can change its shape based on its temperature. This technology has transformative potential in a wide range of military, scientific and commercial applications. Read on to learn more.

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Articles
Weapons Systems

British Army Completes First Test of Drone Killing Radio Frequency Weapon

British soldiers have successfully trialed for the first time a game-changing weapon that can take down a swarm of drones using radio waves for less than the cost of a pack of mince pies. The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) development system can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea. Read on to learn more about it.

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Articles
Materials

Manufacturing Spotlight: Machining Complex Parts and Materials for Space Flight and Exploration

This is the first article in a new section of Aerospace & Defense Technology called “Manufacturing Spotlight,” where we will cover some of the latest machines, tools, and other technologies being used by aerospace and defense industry design and manufacturing engineers. The first topic in this new section is “Machines,” specifically the computer numerical control machines. Read on to learn more.

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Briefs
Aerospace

Atomic Fountain for Research in Quantum Sensing Nears Completion of First Phase

Dr. Frank Narducci, Chair of the NPS Department of Physics, and his Ph.D. student U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jens Berdahl, are nearing completion of the first phase of construction in what will be a superlatively precise atomic-based instrument. Read on to learn more about it.

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Application Briefs
Manufacturing & Prototyping

Autonomous Undersea Vehicle Completes 100-Hour Demonstration

Anduril Industries is trying to define the next frontier of autonomous maritime operations. Just as the Dive-LD set a new global standard for Large-Diameter Autonomous Undersea Vehicles (LD-AUV), the Dive-XL, Anduril’s commercial Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV), is setting a new global standard for what is possible for vehicles of this size. Read on to learn more.

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Application Briefs
Manned Systems

Updated High-Pressure Turbine Kit for A320neo Engine

In December, the Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency certified the updated high-pressure turbine hardware durability kit for the CFM LEAP-1A engines that power Airbus A320neo family aircraft. Read on to learn more about the durability kit.

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Application Briefs
Software

Quantum Processor Unit Manufacturing

STMicroelectronics has signed a new collaboration agreement with French quantum computing startup Quobly to produce quantum processor units at scale. This collaboration is set to make large-scale quantum computing feasible and cost-effective. Read on to learn more.

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Application Briefs
Aerospace

Excalibur Flight Test and Modification

Leonardo, 2Excel and the Ministry of Defence recently announced that the flight test aircraft ‘Excalibur’ Flight Test Aircraft (FTA) has successfully completed its first phase of modification and flight testing. The milestone saw Excalibur, now equipped with new side and belly pods, assessed for stability during flight. Read on to learn more.

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Briefs
Manned Systems

A Swarm of Sensors, Rovers and Astronauts Explore the ‘Moon’

Researchers at the German Aerospace Center have developed a new approach to networked communications that could theoretically occur on the Moon or in environments on Earth where conventional communications are unavailable. Read on to learn more.

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Briefs
Green Design & Manufacturing

Army Researchers Examine Nanotechnology for Climate Solutions

As part of the Nano4 EARTH initiative, a national challenge launched by the White House and the National Nanotechnology Initiative, researchers are exploring how innovations at the nanoscale can lead to groundbreaking solutions for a more sustainable future. Read on to learn more about it.

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Briefs
Design

Airman Brings Fuel Sampling Innovation to Eglin, Possibly Air Force

An innovation, known as the single-point nozzle adapter, or SN, removes two-thirds of the time and steps required to take a fuel sample from multiple fuel sources, such as trucks and mobile stations. It also removes almost any chance of direct exposure, from spillage or spray to the hazardous chemicals that make up the fuel. Read on to learn more.

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Briefs
RF & Microwave Electronics

Revolutionizing the Waves: A Breakthrough in Surf Observation Technology for Sailors and Marines

The Office of Naval Research Global TechSolutions program — which sponsors the development of rapid prototype solutions based on direct requests from Sailors and Marines — worked with scientists and engineers from the Naval Research Laboratory and the U.S. Army’s Engineering Research and Development Center to create the latest advancement in surf observation technology. Read on to learn more.

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Products
RF & Microwave Electronics

New Products

See the new products, including EIZO Rugged Solutions' Condor™ GR5S-AD5000 – a 3U OpenVPX form factor video graphics and GPU output card; Sandvik Coromant's GC1230, a new grade for indexable milling; Teledyne FLIR's ITAR-free Vue® TV128+ camera module; WAGO’s updated 750-1632 Proportional Valve Module; and much more.

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Articles
Aerospace

Acquiring and Telemetering Test Data from Hypersonic Platforms

Hypersonic aircraft and ordinance developments are becoming more common, and the unique vehicle designs present several challenges for flight test applications. Many of these challenges can be addressed using existing hardware and techniques. Read on to learn more about it.

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Articles
Electronics & Computers

Analog Transformation Complements Open System Designs to Optimize Modern Defense Systems

Miniature, modular, and intelligent gateways can be embedded into analog components to replace and re-imagine old firmware and analog mitigation circuitry. These new, embedded gateways promise to bring open architecture deeper into the tactical edge and realize a new level of agility throughout the lifecycle of a system, from design through sustainment of hybrid digital and analog systems. Read on to learn more.

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Articles
Manufacturing & Prototyping

These Speedy Cold Spray Machines Can 3D Print Vehicle Parts in War Zones

As “point of need” additive manufacturing emerges as a priority for the Department of Defense, Australian 3D printing provider SPEE3D is one of several companies demonstrating that its machines can rapidly produce castings, brackets, valves, mountings and other common replacement parts and devices that warfighters often need in an on-demand schedule when deployed near or directly within combat zones. Read on to learn more.

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Articles
Physical Sciences

Making a Material Difference in Aerospace & Defense Electronics

Laminate materials are indispensable in the manufacture of boards and flexible circuitry for aerospace and defense electronics. Their unique properties address stringent demands, ensuring systems perform reliably under extreme conditions. Read on to learn more.

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