X-2 Technology – a Major Pillar for Sikorsky’s Future Success

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Mar 5, 2007

Sikorsky’s X2 Technology demonstrator conducted a successful ground test in November 2006. The X2 Demonstrator is scheduled to take flight in 2007. Jeffery Pino Sikorsky Aircraft President considers this new technology is one the major pillars for the company’s future growth.

He also noted that Sikorsky’s recent announcements regarding strategic business relationships in the Mid-east, Europe, and Asia underscore its objective of bolstering its leadership position in the global aerospace market. “Thanks to the support of our customers worldwide, we are on track to double our revenues for the 2003 – 2008 timeframe, and given the projected strength in the military, commercial, and service and support markets, we expect this growth to continue. The number of products we have in production has grown from just three in 2000 to 10 today, with another six active development programs in work. Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), had $3.2 billion in revenues in 2006.

Sikorsky’s X2 refers to an integrated suite of technologies that improve the performance of coaxial helicopters, resulting in a new generation of helicopters that will be able to fly at up to twice the speed of current helicopters, while retaining all the desirable flying qualities of a helicopter at low speed, without any in-flight configuration transition. This suite of technologies includes advanced blade technologies to significantly increase lift without increasing drag, fly by wire, active vibration control, advanced hub drag reduction, and an integrated propulsion system that intelligently controls the power shared by the aft propulsor and the main rotor. The main X shaped coaxial rotor will be slowed during high speed flight to keep the rotor tips below supersonic speeds.

X2 Technology can also be applied to conventional speed coaxial helicopters without auxiliary propulsion, enabling even greater lift and hover efficiency.

Warfighters to Gain Access to Strategic Intelligence

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Mar 5, 2007

Warfighter Gain Access to Strategic Intelligence via Tactical Networks A team developing the led Distributed Common Ground System – Army (DCGS-A) has developed and demonstrated technology for users of the U.S. Army’s battlefield networks that allows access to actionable intelligence from virtually anywhere in the field.

Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) and teammates General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAI) were chartered by the U.S. Army to integrate multiple, existing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems into the DCGS-A ‘portal’ like system. Further developing the operating model, the team demonstrated and tested a new query based model enabling users to access the vast information resources available with DCGS-A, including the Army’s Joint STARS Common Ground System, the Joint STARS Work Station, the Human Domain Work Station, the Digital Terrain Support System, the Integrated Meteorological System, the V3 Joint Intelligence Operations Capability – Iraq (JIOC-I) work suites and selected components of the Navy’s DCGS Multi-Intelligence Segment integrated with the DCGS Integration Backbone (DIB).

X-2 Technology – a Major Pillar for Sikorsky’s Future Success

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Mar 5, 2007

Sikorsky’s X2 Technology demonstrator conducted a successful ground test in November 2006. The X2 Demonstrator is scheduled to take flight in 2007. Jeffery Pino Sikorsky Aircraft President considers this new technology is one the major pillars for the company’s future growth.

He also noted that Sikorsky’s recent announcements regarding strategic business relationships in the Mid-east, Europe, and Asia underscore its objective of bolstering its leadership position in the global aerospace market. “Thanks to the support of our customers worldwide, we are on track to double our revenues for the 2003 – 2008 timeframe, and given the projected strength in the military, commercial, and service and support markets, we expect this growth to continue. The number of products we have in production has grown from just three in 2000 to 10 today, with another six active development programs in work. Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), had $3.2 billion in revenues in 2006.

Sikorsky’s X2 refers to an integrated suite of technologies that improve the performance of coaxial helicopters, resulting in a new generation of helicopters that will be able to fly at up to twice the speed of current helicopters, while retaining all the desirable flying qualities of a helicopter at low speed, without any in-flight configuration transition. This suite of technologies includes advanced blade technologies to significantly increase lift without increasing drag, fly by wire, active vibration control, advanced hub drag reduction, and an integrated propulsion system that intelligently controls the power shared by the aft propulsor and the main rotor. The main X shaped coaxial rotor will be slowed during high speed flight to keep the rotor tips below supersonic speeds.

X2 Technology can also be applied to conventional speed coaxial helicopters without auxiliary propulsion, enabling even greater lift and hover efficiency.

Upgraded British Attack Submarine Rejoins the Fleet

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Mar 5, 2007

HMS Talent, the recently upgraded Royal Navy attack submarine has rejoined the active fleet. The nuclear powered submarine went through a £386 million upgrade, which included enhancement of its combat system with the introduction of the new Sonar 2076 systems and fresh reactor core.

T-class submarines are equipped with the PWR1 reactor which needs refueling on average twice during a submarine’s service life. Talent was built by Vickers SEL and launched in 1988. HMS Talent is the third of the Royal Navy four Trafalgar class submarines to complete the upgrade program – the largest ever carried out on UK attack submarines. HMS Torbay and Trenchant. HMS Triumph is currently in the process of undergoing her upgrade.

Sikorsky Unveils S-92 SAR Model Destined for the UK

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Mar 5, 2007

Sikorsky unveiled yesterday at Heli-Expo the first S-92 helicopter dedicated to Search and Rescue at the world’s largest helicopter gathering. The new aircraft is entering service for the United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency in 2007. The SAR configuration includes two internal auxiliary fuel tanks of 210 gallons each.

Additional options include an Automatic Flight Control System with auto-hover capability, FLIR, dual rescue hoist, full sliding-door with bubble window, cargo hook, search-light and loud hailer. The spacious cabin is designed to offer the utmost flexibility for installing a triple medical litter kit, one or two aux fuel tanks, folding utility seats and ample storage. It is the first of four SAR helicopters to be delivered to the MCA for use primarily in the Highlands and Islands of the UK. The helicopter is owned and operated by CHC Helicopter Corp.

FLY-K – Lightweight Indirect Fire Weapon System

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Mar 4, 2007

FLY-K weapon system is a lightweight 52mm indirect fire weapon system designed to fire 52mm mortar bombs from a quiet, low-signature launcher, at distances up to 800 meters. The multiple-launcher system can be used as a squad-support weapon, on mounted platforms or in dismounted and portable configuration.

Designed to support Special Operation Forces, FLY-K uses a closed combustion chamber to capture all propulsion gases, thus eliminating flash, smoke or heat emissions and produces low acoustic and visual signature (52dB at 100 meters). The FLY-K will not reveal its firing position, even at night. FLY-K can be launched from a hand-held single launcher or a 12 bomb launcher pack. A single HE round weighing 650 – 805 grams has a lethal radius of 16 meters, while a salvo of 12 rounds effectively covers an area 50 meters by 100 meters at maximum range. An FLY-K launcher with 20 rounds weighs less than 20 kg. The hand launcher weighs 4.5 kg, has a range of 750 meters and can fire up to 30 rounds per minute.

IAI’s Ramta Introduces UGVs for Heavy Engineering Work

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Mar 3, 2007

Another field of activity pursued by unmanned ground systems are the heavy engineer vehicles. In the past, robotic systems were implemented in such vehicles, but such functions were primarily used in remote control operation, requiring special expertise and complex manipulation of the vehicle’s systems. By utilizing the latest, digital control and remote vision, autonomy and control are elevated to a new level which enables operators to use the systems as effectively as they were operating it from the cockpit.

Such systems are currently in development at Israel Aerospace Industries’ Ramta Division, with team members InRob Ltd. (OTC BB:IRBL.OB) and Israel Tractors and Equipment, Ltd. the Caterpillar dealer in Israel. This industry team has recently introduced two integrated ground systems, the robotoc Mini-Cat and the robotic D9T heavy bulldozer.

As part of the robotic Mini-Cat program, the team developed a dedicated robotic control system to convert Caterpillar’s Multi-Terrain Loader (MTL) type MTL 257 B (also known as the “MiniCat”), into an unmanned platform for use in military, para-military, law enforcement, and civilian operations. The vehicle has been integrated with a military-qualified robotic control system control system, developed by InRob into the MTL. The ergonomic remote control unit utilizing a tough touch screen, developed specifically for this platform, is providing the operator full control of typical complex tasks in real time. All the functions provided by the manned MTL 257 re enabled via remote control, including state of its scoop, health of the power pack, view from vehicle-mounted cameras, etc.

The new robotic MTL will fill the strong demand for a UGV of this type by performing a broad range of engineering and debris-clearing applications while providing customized solutions using the most advanced technology.

Ramta is also working on a much heavier unmanned vehicle – the robotic controlled D9T bulldozer. This project is a jointly-funded program between the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and IAI Ramta. The program is under development over the past two years with first systems planned to be completed for testing in 2007. The IDF is already operating robotic D9 dozers, developed at Ramta under an earlier program. The new robotic D9T will be more advanced. The IDF has already ordered the first conversion kit with the first D9T expected to become operational by the end of 2007. The robotic dozer uses the latest in digital command and control technologies to interface with the onboard computer. The new platforms is both automated functions and semi autonomous features to handle heavy explosive charges and dangerous obstacles without risk to human life.

Elbit Expands Range of Autonomous Ground Vehicles

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Mar 3, 2007

The IDF is testing various types of Israeli built unmanned ground vehicles, among them, autonomous navigating robotic vehicles used for security missions and a portable robot designed to support infantry units in urban warfare.

At AUSA Winter symposium, March 2007 Elbit Systems unveiled its lastest UGV known as the Versatile, Intelligent and Portable Robot (VIPeR). This robot is designed to support infantry forces in combat operations. The company developed the prototype version under an Israel Ministry of Defense Resrearch & Development Directorate (DRDD) funding and supplied several systems for evaluations by the IDF.

The small robot which has exceptionally high mobility in urban terrain, based on a new, patented integrated wheeled/track system developed by Galileo Mobility Instruments Ltd., powered by two electrical motors, and a “scorpion tail” which elevates the payload and stabilizes the platform, enabling the vehicle to rapidly advance and maintain a steady course of movement over rough terrain. (view a video of the prototype developed by Galileo). In handling obstacles, it is climbing steps or crawling into confined subterranean spaces and caves. With compact dimensions and only about 11 kilograms weight and 30×40 centimeters size (excluding the tail) the new robot can fit into the soldier’s backpack and become a standard equipment of future infantry units. Initial users will most probably be the Special Forces but eventually the IDF plans to field VIPeRs with its infantry platoons. The new robot can be equipped with a standard suite of visual and acoustic sensors and could also mount various effectors, such as a probe, pistol, 9mm mini-Uzi or grenade launcher, or a more capable electronically initiated light weapon (such as a “metal storm” launcher.

Unmanned Patrols

Unlike the ambitious US plan to develop and deploy highly autonomous combat robots as part of the FCS program, the Israeli approach is more pragmatic, considering the contributions of such autonomously navigated vehicles in rather limited, mission-specific tasks. These will initially include perimeter security and border patrols and could later be enhanced to specific roles in force protection. In 2006, the IDF conducted an operational test of several unmanned systems, designed to conduct partly autonomous security and patrol missions, as part of border and security operations along the separation zones between Israel, the west bank and Gaza strip. The IDF tested several locally developed systems, including the Guardium, developed by IAI, AvantGuard, developed by Elbit. Under the encouragement of Israel’s MOD the two companies estabished a joint venture called G-NIUS, to harness their combined resources in the UGV field, to offer a cost effective, partly autonomous security system to be based on UGVs, that could relieve some of the pressure from the troops engaged with routine security operations along the country’s borders and securing the perimeters of military bases and installations. By May 2008 the IDF received the first batch of Guardium UGVs scheduled to enter fully operational service along the countrie’s borders by the year’s end. Some defense analysts argue that the abscence of such systems actually triggered the latest Lebanon War in 2006, as Hezbollah guerillas ambushed an IDF patrol killing four soldiers and abducted three from one of the disabled vehicles. Such missions could be effectively performed by unmanned vehicles without putting human soldiers in danger.

UGVs are part of a comprehensive unmanned ground system, based on the Tomcar chassis, a locally built off-road recreational vehicle, equipped with autonomous navigation, and obstacle sensing and avoidance sensors which both feed the control system. The vehicle can travel autonomously from point to point, following a pre-planned mission, employing its video and acoustic sensors to monitor a specific sector, and investigate objects of interest. The vehicle can negotiate various scenarios, with pre-planned responses, with or without human intervention. Such capabilities have already matured at Elbit in other programs. According to Tal Yeshaya, Head of Elbit Ground Systems, Israel, the company could utilize its robotic vision, obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities gained by its subsidiary ElOp subsidiary, through the development of laser radar obstacle avoidance capability for helicopters, which have now matured into the LORD system. When deployed, such robotic vehicles will become “triggers” which could discriminate between innocent and peaceful activities along the perimeter, to hostile or suspicious actions, based on the target’s responses.

Peripheral Vision

As the vehicle performs its mission, its operations are constantly monitored at the command post, where human operators are standing by to intervene when required.

According to Yeshaya, one of the most critical tasks for such system is the creation of “remote situational awareness”, where the remote vehicle can accurately “paint” a realistic and comprehensive situational display. Elbit is introducing several new capabilities to provide such capabilities, including the development of a hemispherical display, based on several video cameras covering 360 degrees. The images generated by each camera are automatically superimposed and “sewed” to create the digital, hemispheric picture which is transmitted back to the command post. Signal processing of a continuous sequence of such images enables more advanced capabilities, such as motion detection, object and obstacle tracking, etc. This hemispheric view also enables the vehicle and operator to point the main payload to investigate specific targets of interest. These capabilities were also implemented by the company in a parallel program, developed to enable tank and AFV crews to maintain full situational awareness while safely operating inside the vehicle, under the armor protection. Similar to the UGV application, this program also integrates sensors, external sensors and remotely operated systems to enable human operators to effectively conduct operations without maintaining direct visual or physical contact with the target.

QuickMEDS – Airborne Delivery System

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Mar 3, 2007

QuickMEDS, an “express delivery System” was developed by Dynetics in partnership with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Engineering, and Development Center ( AMRDEC) . The system provided a capability to deliver emergency supplies and materials to isolated ground forces, using unmanned aerial vehicles. QuickMEDS is a hollow, guided pod carried by a UAV. It guides to a point directly over the intended recipient and deploys a deceleration parachute prior to ground impact. A production pod will weigh about 10 lbs (4.5 kg). and will have a payload capacity of 10 lbs (4.5 kg), enabling small UAVs such as Shadow 200 to carry such pods. Drop tests from altitude of 2,000 ft (600 m’) demonstrated total system error levels of about 33 ft (10 m’).

Phazotron Zhuk AE AESA Radar

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Mar 2, 2007

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On the parked MiG-35 visting VIPs could get a closer look at the Russian latest AESA radar – the Zhuk-AE AESA, developed by Phazotron NIIR Corporation. India is already operating the BAR phased array radar on its Su-30MKI and has specified AESA as a critical element of the MRCA platform. This radar was developed with modular approach, enabling upgrading existing Zhuk ME/MSE radars, into the phased array equipped MFE/MSFE standard, deployed in MiG-29/Su-27 platforms.

This 3cm (X-band) radar. The Russians designed their radar to produce linear power output at the range of 6-8 watt, to address available power (provided by the aircraft) and performance (range). The radar uses multiple four channel transceivers modules generating an output of 5watt per channel, installed on a liquid cooled base plate to dissipate the generated heat. If a specific transceiver is overheated, it will be switched off by the radar computer until it cools down.

Zhuk-AE can detect aerial targets at ranges up to 130 km (head on) in both look-up or look down modes. Look-up tail-on detection range is 50km (40km look down). The radar can track 30 aerial targets in the track-while-scan mode, and engage six targets simultaneously in the attack mode.

The radar provides target designation data for various Russian made missiles such as the R-27R1(R1E0, RVV-AE, R-73E, Kh-31A, Kh-35E and R-27T(TE) missiles. The radar can distinguish and count closely flying targets as well as identifying targets with known signatures. Close maneuvering combat mode optimizes the system’s performance to provide effective vertical scans, coverage of the HUD field-of view, and slew to follow the helmet sighting angles. Special optimization is also provided in the helicopter detection mode, detecting and attacking slow-flying and hovering targets. In the air/surface mode the radar supports ranging, mapping and tracking of moving targets, The radar supports real-beam, Doppler beam sharpening and focused synthetic aperture modes, offering different map scale expansion, map ‘freezing’, and tracking of four targets, including ground or sea-surface moving targets. It has a sea-surface search mode. The Zhuk AE can detect a destroyer size target at a range of 200 km.

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EL/M-2052 AESA Radar

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Mar 2, 2007

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The Israel’s Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary Elta is developing an AESA version of its airborne fire control radar family designated EL/M-2052. This radar utilizes an array of transmit/receive solid-state modules designed to dynamically shape the radiation pattern using ultra-low side-lobe antenna. The radar supports pulse doppler and two axes monopulse guard channel, providing all aspect, look-down shoot-down performance, operating simultaneous multi-mode air-to-air superiority and advanced strike missions. The radar is based on solid-state, active phase array technology enabling the radar to achieve a longer detection range, high mission reliability and a multi-target tracking capability of up to 64 targets. It can also support high resolution target identification and separation, performing raid assessment at long range. as well as surface moving target detection and ranging. In the anti-shipping role the new radar provides long-range target detection, classification and tracking.

With high peak power the radar support simultaneous multi-mode operation. It can detect targets at very long range while tracking up to 64 targets, and, simultaneously engaging several targets with missiles. In ground attack missions the radar supports mapping, navigation and high resolution imagery (SAR), supported with Real Beam Map (RBM) and Doppler Beam Sharpening (DBS) modes. The EL/M-2052 is designed as a modular system, with built in growth capability, computation and memory reserves. Its weighs about 130 – 180kg and consumes 4 – 10KVA, depending on the design configuration.

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U.S. Fighters Mature With AESA Radars

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Mar 2, 2007

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In the year 2000, the USAF fielded its first modified F-15Cs equipped with APG-63(V)2 AESA radars. Since then this radar evolved into the more compact APG-63(V)3, currently scheduled for Singapore’s F-15S. Raytheon continued the development of AESA radars and optimized the design with the AN/APG-79 developed and currently being fielded with the US Navy/Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. While AESA radars are distinguished by their simultaneous multi-mission performance, Raytheon claims to be the first to offer true simultaneous, air-to-air and air-to-ground modes, utilizing highly agile beam interleaving in near-real time, providing the pilot and air-crew unprecedented situational awareness and tactical flexibility. Utilizing a unique resource manager, the APG-79 automatically schedules tasks to optimize radar functions and minimize aircrew workload. Therefore, the radar can continue scanning while communicating with other aircraft and capturing ground imagery, and can simultaneously guide multiple weapons to multiple targets widely spaced in azimuth, elevation and range.

Northrop Grumman is developing several fourth generation AESA radars for several platforms. The AN/APG-77 is operational with the USAF/Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor since January 2006. The AN/APG-81 developed for the F-35 Lightning II (JSF) and AN/APG-80 developed for the F-16 Block 60, built for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – this model is also offered with the F-16 proposed for India’s MRCA program. APG-81 will introduce new capabilities yet unsupported by other AESA systems, including detection and tracking of both fixed and moving ground targets. It was the first time the actual radar is displayed in public.

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RBE2 – AESA for the RAFALE

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Mar 2, 2007

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Thales has developed the RBE2 AESA, an enhancement of the multi-function radar installed on the Naval Rafale. This radar is already designed to accomodate AESA front end. Thales launched the development of an AESA derivative for the Rafale in 1997, the program began developmental testing with Rafale aircraft in 2003 and 2004.

As of April 2007, Thales AESA RBE2 entered production engineering, following the conclusion of a series of flight tests on Mirage 2000 test-bed aircraft. Integration and testing of the AESA radar on board the Rafale are planned for the second quarter of 2007. Series production start-up is scheduled for late 2010. In October 2006, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) and the industry team behind the Rafale program agreed to a roadmap that will deliver Rafale fighters equipped with a new generation of sensors, including the AESA RBE2 radar, to the French Air Force and Navy by 2012.

Thales has been working with United Monolithic Semiconductors (UMS), a Franco-German enterprise owned by EADS and Thales, developing and producing microwave T/R modules. UMS optimized the gallium arsenide modules forming the radar’s antenna.

AESA design offers electronic scanning of the radar beam on both plans, (vertical and horizontal) offering new capabilities beyond the reach of conventional radars. These systems enable the simultaneous designation of multiple targets to different air-to-air missiles, while performing searches in directions completely independent of the target tracks. The level of situational awareness provided by AESA radar far exceeds anything available with conventional radars. RBE2 uses electronic scanning technologies to improve the aircraft low-altitude penetration capability by generating 3D ground map covering a wide area forward of the aircraft, supporting terrain following and maneuvers in the horizontal plane within the area scanned by the radar. The radar will also offer a high resolution ground mapping mode.

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AESA – The AGile Radar

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Mar 2, 2007

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AESA radars offer significant gains in reliability. By focusing power at specific directions, the pilot can gain more detection range providing “first detect” for air-to-air engagements, enabling first shoot/first kill by missiles fired Beyond Visual Range (BVR) mode. The longer standoff range also allows more time for persistent target observation, information sharing, tactical analysis and commander assessment before critical decisions are made.

AESA radars are emitting not only radar signals, but can also be employed for non traditional ISR, as well as electronic attack. For example, some of the elements can transmit and receive signals modulated with datalink waveform, transferring large amounts of data (such as live video or aerial imagery) over high bandwidth datalinks. Similar techniques can be used for electronic attack, to jam or deceive electronic systems operated by enemy forces.

The mechanical scanning systems used in previous systems were prone to failures, which grounded the entire aircraft. The new systems use solid-state technology and electronic scanning, to replace the mechanical systems but also introduce multiple elements to replace the single channel design of previous systems. Therefore, AESA radars can sustain certain degree of failure without grounding the aircraft or disabling the entire radar system. Furthermore, when designed with modular approach, AESA radars can be gradually upgraded, by replacing the solid-state receive/transmit modules based on Gallium-arsenide semiconductors technology with more advanced elements, thus significantly improving performance.

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Unmanned Patrols

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