Category: Military

Robinson Helicopter Company Acquires Ascent AeroSystems, Adding Tactical Uncrewed Solutions Portfolio

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) has acquired Ascent AeroSystems, now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Robinson Helicopter Company. This acquisition reinforces Robinson’s dedication to scaling innovation, accelerating new rotorcraft developments, and supporting diverse missions worldwide. By leveraging the expertise and resources of both companies, Robinson reinforces its leadership in the future of vertical flight systems and utility missions.

Ascent AeroSystems, recognized for its efficient and compact coaxial helicopter drones designed for industrial, public safety, and defense applications, brings a wealth of technological synergies that align with Robinson’s strategic vision for growth and expansion into new markets. Through the acquisition, Ascent can now grow and scale by building its UAVs at Robinson’s cost-effective, vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Torrance, CA.

Ascent AeroSystems’ expertise in autonomous electric flight technology and modular design philosophy will enhance Robinson’s offerings. The integration of emerging technologies and a diverse ecosystem of payloads, power sources, and launch methods will further enhance the company’s mission-focused offerings, including crewed-uncrewed teaming and interoperability across product families.

“This strategic acquisition is in line with our vision to broaden our offerings and meet increasing global demand for enhanced mission capabilities in law enforcement, public safety, firefighting, utility, and defense,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “Ascent’s advanced technologies and versatile designs complement our ability to be the preeminent choice in global rotorcraft.”

Ascent AeroSystems’ unique cylindrical, coaxial airframes stand out from competitors in each weight class, offering unparalleled flight performance, payload capacity, and reliability compared to conventional multirotor configurations. Included on the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS Cleared List, the flagship Spirit is a compact, modular, rugged, all-weather platform engineered to operate reliably in the most challenging environments, including high wind, heavy rain, sleet, snow, and blowing sand. The larger NX30 offers more than twice the payload capacity in a heavy lift variant, or it can be configured with additional batteries for flights exceeding an hour.

“Drones based on consumer-grade electronics will never be able to provide the safety and dispatch reliability needed to support operations at scale,” said Peter Fuchs, Ascent AeroSystems’ CEO. “They will ultimately require a type certificate for the aircraft, a production certificate for the factory, an operating certificate for the network, and a maintenance certificate for the repair station. That is the standard that has provided the foundation for civil aviation for the last eight decades. It’s a rigorous process, and there are no shortcuts. The laws of physics and aerodynamics favor coaxials, and with Robinson’s fifty years of experience, there is now no better domestic source for reliable, mission-critical UAV platforms.”

UAS are increasingly integrated into traditional rotorcraft operations in sectors including defense, public safety, agriculture, energy, utilities, construction, logistics, shipping, and surveying. Ascent AeroSystems will maintain its headquarters near Boston.

Kaman Measuring Highlights Family of Precision Measuring Systems for Free Space Optical Communication

The Measuring Division of Kaman Precision Products is highlighting its family of precision differential non-contact eddy current measuring systems for free space optical communication. Widely used in commercial and military imaging and communication satellites, interplanetary exploration vehicles, laser targeting, night vision, and optics stabilization systems, the differential inductance transducer systems have a proven track record of outstanding performance. Kaman says its measuring systems provide reliable high resolution position feedback, ensuring that a reflected laser beam finds its target hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. The differential measurement family includes the KD-5100+ high reliability displacement measurement system, the commercial grade DIT5200L differential impedance transducer, and the KD-5600 digital differential measuring system.

The KD-5100+ features a stable design, extremely small size, and low power consumption, making it ideal for laser communications satellites and ground stations, image stabilization systems, and directed energy systems for ground, shipboard and airborne applications. With its small package size – only 2 x 2.12 x 0.75 inches thick – the KD-5100+ is an ideal solution for meeting SWaP-C requirements. It is manufactured to Mil-PRF-38534 Class H, with MIL-SPEC components used throughout the electronics.

The KD-5600 digital differential measuring system is a highly accurate and easy to use precision system featuring improved communication and convenience. Kaman has brought together its custom sensors, signal processing, analog to digital converter, and custom calibration system to deliver the precision KD-5690 system. This system provides true digital, high bandwidth, and high linearity, with a high end communication bus for fast data transfer.

Also on offer is the DIT-5200L which offers true differential for common mode rejection at an economical price. Capable of subnanometer resolution with high sensitivity (up to 10v/mil, 39 mV/μm) and outstanding linearity (up to 0.1 percent full range), this product provides a powerful solution for a diverse set of applications that demand exacting precision. The commercial based, fully analog product is built to IPC A-160 Class 3 standards. Depending on the program requirements, it also offers the opportunity for commercial-off-the-shelf up screening. The I/O is on a 9-pin mini-D connector, and the input power connections are reverse voltage protected.

WISER Systems, Inc. Unveils New Software Analytics at MRO Americas 2024

WISER Systems is unveiling its latest graphical user interface (GUI) enhancement for its ATLAS, the enterprise-wide live positioning system. The company says its new GUI is a testament to their commitment to innovation and enhanced customer usability in real-time asset tracking.

The enhanced GUI features improved search functionality, enhanced graphical features for better visualization of thousands of tagged items, upgraded tag reassignment capabilities for faster throughput and enhanced tag rules and notifications.

ATLAS provides precise, wireless location tracking for hundreds to thousands of tagged items in real-time, even within densely packed metallic environments. This advanced system maintains high accuracy while minimizing infrastructure requirements, ensuring easy installation and usage.

Companies of all sizes can benefit from deploying WISER ATLAS site and campus-wide, enabling seamless association of work orders or part numbers with tags via the WISER mobile/desktop app. This association facilitates instant tracking throughout and beyond manufacturing facilities, capturing processes indoors and outdoors.

Utilizing proprietary UWB Redundant Radio Location & Tracking (RRLT) technology, WISER’s ATLAS addresses Industry 4.0 priorities such as smart manufacturing, operational improvements, warehouse management, inventory control, supply chain logistics, and yard management.

Mark Dirks, chief revenue officer at WISER Systems, emphasized the significance of the new GUI enhancement, stating, “Our enhanced GUI will significantly improve the user experience with WISER’s ATLAS. It revolutionizes asset tracking by enabling real-time, high accuracy tracking of thousands to tens of thousands of work orders and assets simultaneously, even in challenging industrial environments. The system offers unparalleled accuracy with minimal infrastructure requirements, making it a cost-effective solution with rapid return on investment.”

WISER Systems’ dedication to innovation continues to propel advancements in real-time asset tracking, empowering companies to optimize operations and achieve greater efficiency.

Abaco Systems Unveils SBC3513L: Next-Gen 3U VPX SBC optimized for FPGA-Based TSN Endpoint Solutions

AMETEK Abaco Systems announced the release of the SBC3513L Single Board Computer (SBC), a groundbreaking solution optimized for the growing demands of modern military and industrial applications. Developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard, the SBC3513L delivers exceptional yet balanced processing power and optional FPGA-based Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) Endpoint capabilities for mission and safety-critical systems.

“Our approach is to develop products which support TSN as flexibly as possible, combining Abaco’s FPGA hardware with FPGA IP Cores to create TSN Switched Endpoints in our SBCs,” said Alan Hislop, division vice president of business development & sales for AMETEK Abaco Systems. “We believe the FPGA-based approach will be key to delivering both full TSN compliance and the 10G bandwidth requirements of major new programs such as the US Army’s Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture (GCIA), Future Vertical Lift (FVL) applications, aviation upgrades, and technology insertion.”

Featuring the Intel Xeon W processor, 100GbE data plane, and onboard Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ FPGA for additional programmable capabilities, the rugged SBC3513L offers exceptional performance and reliability for demanding command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (C5ISR) applications. With its seamless upgrade path and advanced thermal management design, the SBC3513L sets a new standard for rugged computing solutions in space-constrained environments.

AAR Breaks Ground on MRO Facility Expansion in Oklahoma City

AAR broke ground on the expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Oklahoma City earlier on April 5, 2024.

More than 150 representatives from AAR, Alaska Airlines, state and local government, and partner organizations supporting the efforts gathered to celebrate groundbreaking on AAR’s new three-bay facility that is being constructed adjacent to the Company’s existing facility at Will Rogers World Airport.

The new facility has been designed to provide AAR an additional 80,000+ square feet of hangar and warehouse space and to accommodate all 737 variants, including the 737-10. AAR’s growth in Oklahoma City supports a recently expanded maintenance commitment from Alaska Airlines, a valued customer of AAR for more than 20 years. The new airframe MRO facility is expected to be operational in January of 2026.  

Considerable funding for the project was made possible through a grant secured by Oklahoma legislators, with the balance expected to be funded through rent concessions from the airport.

Speakers at the groundbreaking celebration included John M. Holmes, AAR’s Chairman, President and CEO; Don Wright, Alaska Airlines’ Vice President of Maintenace & Engineering; Grayson Ardies, State Director of Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission; Lt. Governor Matt Pinell; Senator Paul Rosino; Jeff Seymour of Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development; Terry Salmon, Chair of the Oklahoma City Airport Trust; and Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City Director of Airports. 

Holmes shared, “Today’s groundbreaking has been made possible thanks to collaborative efforts across AAR and Alaska Airlines, partnerships with Oklahoma City Airport Trust, and state and local representatives who are passionate about expanding aviation in Oklahoma. We are especially excited about creating 200 additional full-time careers with AAR, which we expect to fill through local technical schools and workforce development partners who create opportunities though aviation-centric programming, such as Choose Aerospace.”

“The Oklahoma City Airport Trust is excited to partner with AAR to expand its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operation at Will Rogers World Airport. This expansion of AAR’s MRO operation provides more hangar capacity at OKC, along with more aviation jobs for our community,” said Jeff Mulder, Oklahoma City’s Director of Airports.

“This groundbreaking isn’t just about constructing a hangar. It’s about cultivating an excellent experience for all involved. JE Dunn is honored to bring our construction expertise and leadership and partner with The Oklahoma City Airport Trust (OCAT) to support the business growth happening in our city,” said Jason Bishop, JE Dunn’s Vice President – Oklahoma City, who is leading the construction effort.

DDC-I and North Atlantic Industries Announce DAL A BSP Support for Safety-Critical Deos RTOS Running on NAI’s 68PPC2 T2080 Multi-core OpenVPX Single Board Computer

DDC-I, a leading supplier of software and professional services for mission- and safety-critical applications, and North Atlantic Industries, a leading provider of embedded systems for mil/aero applications, today announced the availability of DDC-I’s Deos™ DO-178C Design Assurance Level A (DAL A) verified FACE-conformant real-time operating system and a DAL A Board Support Package (BSP) for NAI’s 68PPC2 T2080 PowerPC OpenVPX single board computer. The BSP provides complete DO-178C/ED-12C DAL A verification evidence, including high assurance boot, multiple Ethernet channels leveraging the T2080 DPAA, PCIe, SATA flash storage, I2C, serial, real-time clock, watch dog timer, SPI, USB, and GPIO, greatly accelerating the development, deployment, and certification of high-performance safety-critical applications for avionics systems.

DDC-I’s approach to building safety critical software mirrors North Atlantic’s approach to configuring boards, with an emphasis on modular, scalable portable DAL-A verification. Deos utilizes a DAL-A linking loader that allows OS binary components and their artifacts to travel separately. NAI’s Configurable Open Systems Architecture™ (COSA®) utilizes highly modular, portable components that can be added or removed, and reapplied to other system configurations with maximum reuse of DAL-A artifacts. This shared commitment to modularity, portability and reuse enables avionics designers utilizing Deos and the COSA architecture to reconfigure their I/O systems with minimal impact on hardware, software and DO-178 recertification.  

“Our SafeMC multi-core technology and reusable verification evidence make Deos an ideal environment for developing, certifying and deploying high-performance, FACE-conformant, safety-critical avionics applications targeting the 68PPC2 and COSA architecture,” said Greg Rose, Vice President of Marketing at DDC-I. “Our SafeMC technology provides unique solutions to address the AC 20-193 multi-core objectives, delivering best-in-class performance and determinism for safety-critical applications running on NXP PowerPC multi-core processors.”

“Deos running atop the 68PPC2 gives avionics developers an integrated platform that combines high-performance multi-core performance with a best-in-class safety-critical RTOS,” added Lino Massafra, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at NAI. “Developers requiring the highest level of design assurance now have a rugged, flexible, off-the-shelf solution with configurable I/O and DAL-A evidence in a compact, low-power package that accelerates deployment of safety-critical systems.”

Deos is a safety-critical embedded RTOS that employs patented cache partitioning, memory pools, and safe scheduling to deliver higher CPU utilization than any other certifiable safety-critical COTS RTOS on multi-core processors. First certified to DO-178 DAL A in 1998, Deos combines DO-178C DAL A artifacts with FACE® Technical Standard support that encompasses the Safety Base and Safety Extended Profiles for the Operating System Segment (OSS). The Safety Base Profile features hard real-time response, time, and space partitioning, and both ARINC-653 and POSIX interfaces. The Safety Extended Profile, which adds support for TCP/IP communications, multi-process support, and expanded POSIX capability (80 extra functions), is a superset of the functionality required by the Safety Base and Security Profiles.

SafeMC technology extends Deos’ advanced capabilities to multiple cores, enabling developers of safety-critical systems to achieve best in class multi-core performance without compromising safety-critical task response and guaranteed execution time. SafeMC employs a bounded multi-processing (BMP) extension of the symmetric multi-processing architecture (SMP), safe scheduling, and cache partitioning to minimize cross-core contention and interference patterns that affect the performance, safety criticality and certifiability of multi-core systems. These features enable avionics systems developers to address issues that could impact the safety, performance and integrity of a software airborne system executing on Multi-Core Processors (MCP), as specified by the FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-193.

The 68PPC2 is a 3U OpenVPX™ NXP® T2080 PowerPC single-board computer that can be configured with up to two NAI smart I/O and communications function modules. Featuring an NXP QorlQ® T2080 Quad Core e6500 Processor running at 1.5 GHz, and consuming less then 25W, the 68PPC2 is ideally suited for rugged Mil-Aero applications that accelerate deployment of SWaP-optimized systems in air, land, and sea applications. The 68PPC2 comes equipped with eight Mbytes of DDR3 SDRAM and 32 Gbytes of SATA II NAND Flash. It also features PCIe, USB, I2C, TTL, and RS-232 interfaces, as well as an optional SATA II for external access to up to 2 Gbytes of expansion memory.

Tide Rock Acquires CABLENET Aerospace, Supplying the Space, Aircraft, and Military Industries

Tide Rock, an unlevered buyout firm with a portfolio of diverse economically resilient B2B businesses, acquired CABLENET Aerospace, a contract manufacturer for the aerospace, military, space and OEM industries in Denver, Colorado.

Since its founding in 1990, CABLENET has been supplying the space aircraft and military with quality work in high priority applications.

“We are now uniquely positioned to provide a more complete outstanding service to customers in broad markets where mission-critical solutions are required,” said CABLENET Aerospace CEO and CTO Ray Assayesh. “I am excited to collaborate with the larger team to uphold our commitment to delivering exceptional service and products.”

CABLENET specializes in turnkey applications for GSE (ground support equipment), EGSE (electronic ground support equipment) and space launch infrastructure, including test tooling design, engineering, manufacturing, and prototyping to customer specifications. The company’s 20,000-square-foot facility features state-of-the-art equipment, utilized to manufacture products of the highest quality, with quick delivery.

CABLENET will become a division of Tide Rock company, Interconnect Solutions Company (ISC), a vertically-integrated manufacturing company, specializing in electromechanical assembly, custom overmolded solutions and interconnects for mission-critical aerospace, military, defense and life sciences projects.

“CABLENET serves demanding customers in cutting-edge fields where the stakes are high and quality is essential,” said ISC CEO Nick Kendall-Jones. “Their capabilities complement ISC’s strong reputation in enterprise-level, mission critical interconnect and electromechanical solutions. Together, we can bring more complex and sophisticated solutions to the most demanding customers.”

“We are excited to welcome CABLENET to the Tide Rock family,” said Brooks Kincaid, president of Tide Rock. “CABLENET has earned a strong reputation with its aerospace and defense customers, including many of the leaders in their respective industries. We look forward to adding their advanced skills and experience in critical applications to ISC and to expanding ISC’s footprint into Colorado, a major aerospace hub..”

The acquisition allows CABLENET to add its expertise and service to the growing enterprise customer base of ISC, as well as benefit from complementary businesses, a press announcement stated.

Astronautics Selected by Nova Systems for Secure Airborne Mission System

Astronautics Corporation of America’s AeroSync Max, a wireless air-ground communications system (AGCS), has been selected by Nova Systems for more than 20 additional installations on its airborne C4ISR mission systems solution for Leonardo AW139/189 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters deployed in a search and rescue (SAR) role with customers in Europe.

For the Nova Systems application, Astronautics’ AeroSync Max acts as a secure data gateway that within seconds captures, filters, and converts mission system data into data formatted for the aircraft’s flight management system (FMS), acting as a secure pipeline towardsthe FMS.  Similarly, AeroSync Max acts as an avionics data gateway between surveillance equipment and the mission system.

“Astronautics is proud to continue supporting Nova Systems with a tailored AeroSyncMax solution that enhances mission capabilities for the C4ISR system on Leonardo AW139/189 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters,” said Matt Frei, Astronautics’ director of connected aircraft solutions. “The AeroSync Max will provide critical and timely mission data and security needed to support life-saving SAR efforts.”  

Astronautics and Nova Systems first partnered on an airborne C4ISR mission system solution for operational service with Leonardo AW139 helicopters deployed on a SAR and airborne law enforcement role with a European customer. 

Lincoln Electric Launches Sprinter 180Si 

Lincoln Electric introduces the Sprinter 180Si stick welder. This versatile machine delivers superior arc performance for stick welding combined with advanced TIG functionality, all wrapped up in a portable, lightweight package, thanks to the newest inverter technology. 

The 180Si is designed with a maximum output of 180 amps to enable exceptional stick welding quality. Operators can weld up to 5/32-inch electrodes (6010/7018) and can even choose a dedicated 6010 mode for cellulosic stick electrodes. 

But the 180Si is more than just a stick welder. It also delivers 200 amps for TIG welding and offers a variety of advanced TIG features: 

  • Pulse mode with options ranging from .1-100 pulses per second 
  • A choice of high-frequency or lift start options at the push of a button 
  • TIG-ready capabilities with an 8-pin connector for foot pedals, hand amptrols and other devices  

The 180Si is also portable and versatile. Weighing in at less than 20 pounds, it goes anywhere easily and the dual-input voltage enables the operator to plug into any common power supply. Once it’s up and running, the simple user interface provides an easy-to-read seven-segment display and easy push-button controls. And it all packs up neatly in an ergonomically designed case with a handle and shoulder strap that make it easier to carry and move – around the shop or to any location. 

Stick or TIG, in the shop or on the move, the Sprinter 180Si is ideal for welders of every kind – home hobbyist, professional, or both. And it’s ready for every type of work – maintenance and repair, farm, light industrial, shipbuilding and more. 

Get out and run with the Sprinter 180Si stick welder. 

Zulu Pods Awarded Phase 2 Contract by U.S. Army to Continue Development of its Loss of Lubrication Technology

Zulu Pods has been awarded a Phase 2 contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) via FirePoint Innovations Center. The award will continue the partnership between ZPI and the Army focusing on further development of ZPI’s novel loss of lubrication pod technology, the ZPod, aimed at enhancing rotorcraft combat survivability during loss of lubrication events for the next generation of military helicopters.

In Phase 1, ZPI conducted instrumented tests on its internal high-speed rig that culminated in the successful validation of its technology through a simulated loss of lubrication event. The tests demonstrated mitigation of bearing failure and performance degradation by delivering minimum oil over time through a static ZPod, upgrading the technology readiness level to TRL 5.

In Phase 2, ZPI will work closely with two major aerospace engine OEMs to continue lubrication testing on bearing hardware, begin digital product integration through engine interface design, and deliver an engine ready prototype for testing and evaluation by the end of 2024.

The ZPod serves as a small decentralized, self-contained, and self-energized emergency oil system independent of the oil pump’s ability to adequately circulate oil to critical mechanical components, thus offering pilots the necessary time to carry out evasive landing maneuvers to safely land the rotary wing aircraft in the event of loss of lubrication.