A view from inside: technology once again took centre stage at the AUSA convention in October 2007. A veritable barrage of up-armoured, desert-painted vehicles, robots, drones and mules (OK, one mule) elbowed each other for floor space, whilst much was afoot in the electronics sector.

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One could hardly trust one's vision with the breadth of today's new and developing technologies and equipment on display at the US Army's premier exhibition.

Current thinking sees two sensors in today's thermal devices. In this vein, Flir Systems' Recon III has one instant-on, uncooled long-wave channel for fast situational awareness and another hi-resolution, large format 640 x 480 mid-wave InSb sensor. This capability is coupled with a digital compass, internal GPS, laser pointer, modular laser rangefinder and a quick-disconnect extender lens. Just prior to the exhibition Flir Systems had signed a five-year, $ 48 million indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract to supply Recon III systems to the US Naval Surface Warfare Center. Deliveries under this award will extend into 2012.

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ITL Optronics, a subsidiary of the Mikal/Soltam group, displayed its Explorer target acquisition and observation system along with a host of other electronics. The Explorer uses a closed-circuit Stirling micro cooler with a 320 x 256 InSb FPA at 3 to 5 [micro]m in the infrared channel and a 1280 x 1024 CMOS sensor for the day channel. An SVGA colour Oled display is standard with the unit featuring an eye-safe laser rangefinder, digital magnetic compass and GPS, with an option to embed command and control multitasking capability.

From Sights to Sounds

Tadiran subsidiary Talla-Tech relayed that the US Army had purchased its Tacter-31M multi-purpose rugged computer, for which the company entered into full production at the beginning of 2007. The dismountable computer is fully sealed and even works underwater. Not simply in a tank of water, but << works underwater in certain sea states >>, the author was told. This gives rise to speculation concerning special operations applications but company representatives were reticent about divulging any specifics. Talla-Tech has so far sold around 1200 of the Tacter family but the -31M variant features a wireless touch screen, which could allow another team member or commander to monitor the 'tethered' display.

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Harris offered a private tactical networking demonstration, illustrating perimeter or unattended sensor security capabilities, situational awareness, messaging and video conferencing. The system trail began with its Falcon Watch sensor system, relaying information locally through a series of Falcon III manpack radios and long-distance transmission, which provides message alerting through the company's RF-7800W broadband Ethernet radio (for, as company officials explained, << the last tactical mile >>).

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The company reported that a few hundred Falcon Watch systems have been sold to date, with the first production delivery in August 2006.

On 8 October the US Army awarded Harris with a $42 million order for AN/PRC-117F multi-band manpack radios, along with Falcon II AN/VRC-103(V) adapter systems. Kevin Kane, Director Business Development for Harris, mentioned, << The PRC-117 is still in its prime, but its IP capabilities are very important to today's and tomorrow's requirements >>.

The AMTI division of SAIC shared that the radio amplifier market literally exploded after the events of 11 September 2001. The company produces between 80 and 90% of its products for the special forces market, with a 20-watt soldier-wearable amplifier being their newest product on display. Several thousand 623-gram, 20-watt amplifiers have been ordered by [units the company could not disclose], with deliveries to be completed by the time these words are printed.

AMTI suggests its amplifiers are radio manufacturer independent for equipment operating in the 30 to 512 MHz range and are interoperable with non-US equipment. A 50-watt wearable AMTI amplifier is under development and should be available within two years.

Win-T Update

Born out of the lack of a communication backbone during Operation Desert Storm, when rapidly moving units literally outran their network capabilities, the Win-T programme is slated to be the US Army's on-the-move, high-speed, high-capacity network backbone linking tactical ground units with commanders and out to the Global Information Grid.

The development team is being led by General Dynamics and includes Lockheed Martin, received a $ 921 million contract in September 2007 to continue development and accelerate delivery of Win-T capabilities to the current Army force. Also in September General Dynamics Satcom Technologies was awarded a $ 24 million contract from the US Army to provide satellite communication earth terminals and support services for the Joint Network Node-Network programme (Win-T Increment 1). Increment Two--the mobility phase that will replace the current Mobile Subscriber Unit systems will see equipment deliveries in late 2008 for limited user tests and fielding in 2009. Increment Three is scheduled to align with the Future Combat System (FCS) programme and provide testing in 2011 with the FCS form factor fielded with FCS spinout in 2014. Increment Four has not yet been awarded but focuses on technology insertions that enable 'protected' satellite communication.

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The Interactive Electronic Technical Manual frame work from General Dynamics C4 Systems uses the Internet and a browser to connect the database to the user. All modules of the electronic gear--which includes graphics, front/back-panel connectivity and actionable relationships--reside in the database library. Any action on the user's part activates the simulation for instant feedback (e.g. turning the wrong switch disconnects the radio). The system was initially built for the JNN (Joint Network Node) but was brought into Win-T programme for Increments 1 and 2.

Lockheed Martin's Multifunction Utility/Logistics and Equipment vehicle Mule engineering evaluation unit was making its presence known by virtue of its sheer size and the load it packed. Field testing of the system began in early 2007 and preliminary results proved that the load was more important than mobility, therefore the (independently-driven) tyre arms that were before capable of 360[degrees] rotation are now restricted to a 180[degrees]arc. The Mule (nicknamed Animal by the evaluation unit) can travel up to 50 km/h, is sling-load transportable by UH-60 helicopter or can be carried internally by C-130 or CH-47. The vehicle has a diesel-electric propulsion and run-flat tyres with a central inflation system. At present three variants are being developed for the Future Combat System programme: Transport, Armed Robotic Vehicle--Assault (Light) and Countermine.

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ITT announced that in September 2007 it had received a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to deliver its generation 3 AN/PVS-14 monocular to the US Navy and Coast Guard, with all deliveries to be completed by 2012. The current iteration of the monocular is waterproof to 20 metres for up to one hour (another special operations implication?), which was one of the (potential $ 37 million) contract's specific requirements that the system to actually 'operate' (and not simply survive) under said condition.

The company also provided the author with information concerning the VIS (Visual Information Systems) side of the house, but this report can be found elsewhere in this issue under the article titled << Stray Not from the Paths >>.

Keeping an eye to the television is sometimes the best form of intelligence gathering, this according to BBN Technologies, manufacturer of the BBN Broadcast Monitoring System. The system monitors any satellite feed and creates a continuous, searchable archive of international broadcasts for 90 days. The real-time audio stream is automatically transcribed into English from a variety of languages.

A list of specific terms and phrases can be entered when searching the archive, and that list can be saved for continuous monitoring and alerts. Simply clicking in any searched text, translation, transcript or thumbnail retrieves the associated video for review.

Current monitorable languages include modern standard Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, western hemisphere Spanish and now Farsi. The system has been deployed with the US Department of Defense since 2004.

New Belgian LRWS 

FN Herstal proudly displayed its new Light Remotely Operated Weapon Station designed for vehicle or stationary, perimeter-defence mounts. The LRWS supports the Minimi 5.56 M249, the Minimi 7.62 and the Mag 7.62 M240 on a universal, soft recoil cradle. The unit includes a colour CCD camera with a zoom facility for target detection and recognition out to 3000 metres, a thermal infrared or light intensifier sensor, laser rangefinder and ballistic computer and will interface with a large variety of third-party sensors. The stabilised weapon mount can be trained from -60 to +80[degrees] in elevation and 360[degrees] panoramic. Installation requires 510 mm above-deck height and less than 85 kg above-deck weight.

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Firescout's First Class Ride

With much focus being placed today on special operations forces and aerial drones, Northrop Grumman representatives at the show 'hinted' at the possibility of using a Firescout drone for emergency Combat Search and Rescue (Csar), or as was shared with the author, << No mission profile possibilities have been ruled out >>. The wing compartment << could >> be used to deliver meds or ammunition << in a pinch >>, and there is definitely room on the skids for stretchers or passengers (load capacity is almost 115 kg per side), but after having explained precisely this option to one senior US Air Force Pararescueman (PJ), the reply was, << The situation would really have to be critical for me to climb onboard >>; and PJs are not known for hesitation. The first low-rate initial production (Lrip) schedule was planned to be discussed by end-2007, with plans for actual Lrip and delivery in 2009. Eight live production models are ready for delivery, but not scheduled to go out the door until 2014 (although Northrop Grumman officials relate that production can easily be accelerated). Units are currently scheduled to go into the FCS experimental brigade at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

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From Analogue to Digital

Xenonics Supervision digital night vision device uses a CCD sensor to register light in a digital format, which, as the company explains, provides extremely clear images throughout a wide range of night-time conditions. The ruggedised handheld monocular, which enjoyed its debut at the show, features a x2 to x8 digital zoom, an HDTV display, automatic gain control (no blooming) and an ultra-sensitive infrared sensor. The company also detailed that, due to the performance of the Supervision, it is an optimum solution for jungle operations.

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What a Blast!

In development for over ten years, the Shockride energy-absorbing bench seats from Armorworks are a field-installable solution that the company said will be finished testing before end-2007 and ready for production orders shortly thereafter. The Shockride energy attenuating driver and troop seats (middle and right) are currently in production for 400 US Army and Marine Corps RG33 Mrap (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles under a $45 million contract from BAE Systems.

Sharing the Armorworks booth was Nutty-buddy, a sports groin protector company, with its new ballistic groin protection cup--one section of the anatomy that has had limited attention in the body armour sector. The Kevlar units, available in four sizes, are anatomically shaped for men or women and allow full 'movement' while providing complete protection. Male variant is shown.

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Explored and photographed by Johnny Keggler