DRS unveils its Android-based SCORPION family of rugged handheld computers

News Report

As illustrated in a recent press release, Finmeccanica's DRS Technologies announced that its Tactical Systems division will launch the Scorpion family of rugged handheld computers at the next AUSA ILW Winter Symposium and Exposition. DRS developed the Scorpion handheld computers for dismounted command and control and improved situational awareness for U.S. Soldiers and Marines.  The product, which is a result of a Broad Agency Announcement contract for the Joint Battle Command-Platform Handheld System, is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) handheld computer running the Android operating system and interfaces with tactical radios for the exchange of information on the battlefield.

The Technology

DRS' Scorpion family of handheld computers provides first responders and dismounted organizational leaders a task and mission configurable handheld computing solution. Configurable to meet the demands of the dismounted Warfighter, the computer features the latest Android operating system and is equipped with a dual core processor and robust memory and storage capacity. The modular design of the product allows for future enhancements and additions such as information assurance implementation, extended battery life, an RFID reader, and a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS.

Features of the Scorpion handhelds include a high resolution 4 inch multi-touch display which allows users to easily pan and zoom without the use of a function key, an 8 megapixel camera, and FlexCharge which provides the user the ability to charge the device while interacting with tactical radios.

References: DRS (1,2)

Contract Award: General Dynamics to provide additional Mission Planning Systems for U.S. Navy aircrafts

News Report

As announced by U.S. DoD, General Dynamics was recently awarded a $20,585,146 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract to exercise an option for the full-rate production of 80 Type 3 Advanced Mission Computers (AMC) for the U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F and E/A-18G aircraft.

The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

The Technology

General Dynamics' Advanced Mission Computer is the nerve center of the Super Hornet, providing situational awareness and combat systems control to the flight crew. A ruggedized, high-performance/high-reliability integrated information processing and mission & display-processing system, the AMC relies on a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS), open systems architecture. It performs general purpose, input/output, video, voice and graphics processing and is designed to operate reliably in the extreme environmental conditions of today’s high-performance fighter aircraft.  The AMC is also able to process the high-speed data flows from the latest in sensor technology, and it communicates with aircraft systems over several databuses, including MIL-STD-1553, fibre optic Fibre Channel, and Local PCI.

The Context

General Dynamics has been delivering AMCs for the F/A-18 since 2002.  Since then, the nature of the work on this program has expanded from production for newly produced aircraft to include supplying Navy efforts to retrofit operational aircraft.

A $30.6 million contract was awarded to General Dynamics on March 2010 for the production of 118 Type-3 AMS for the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircrafts.

In the meantime, on November 2011 the U.S. Navy selected Boeing to jointly develop a new Type 4 Advanced Mission Computer (AMC) system for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. The Type 4 AMC system will offer improved aircraft performance and image and mission-processing functions, and is scheduled to replace the existing Type 3 AMC. The new system will better position the war-fighters for future U.S. Navy Flightplan capability upgrades, i.e. technology insertion plan to ensure the modernisation of the aircraft ahead of future threats.

References: U.S. DoD (1), General Dynamics (2), Naval Technology (3), Avionics Intelligence (4)

API's SST Lightweight Liason Kit provides secure portable communications

News Report

As reported in a recent press release, API announced the availability of its new secure, portable communications suite, the SST™ Lightweight Liaison Kit. At just 24lbs (11kg) the Lightweight Liaison Kit is a discreet, lightweight, rugged sealed case-based suite. It is completely customizable and designed to incorporate the customer’s choice of cryptography, in addition to the secure laptop, satellite terminal, scanner, power, and communications interfaces.

Comments

“The Lightweight Liaison Kit is designed to be easily carried as an inconspicuous, ultra-portable personal computing and communication solution,” said Matthew Richards, Managing Director, SST, “A key component is the rugged TEMPEST Level A laptop -- at just 6lbs (2.8kg), it’s a revolution in design and weighs about half a normal TEMPEST laptop.”

References: API Technologies (1)

Contract Award: Panasonic to support digitization of Brazilian Military Police

News Report

As reported by Brazilian Blog Forcas Terrestres, Panasonic has been awarded the sale of ruggedized Toughbook U1 computers to the Military Road Police of Parana (Policia Militar Rodoviária do Paraná).

The Military Road Police of Parana is the first in Latin America to exploit ruggedized portable computers, integrated with applications developed for remote access in cloud computing, in order to modernize the state highway patrol with the use of technology. Panasomic computers were delivered in December, a period of greater movement on the roads, to enhance the security of the population.

The Product

The Toughbook U1 Essential is the original member of the Toughbook U1 family, and is the clear alternative to legacy Windows Mobile solutions when there is the need for mobile workers to operate in the field. The equipment exploits rugged modular design, and a host of integrated options like GPS, Gobi™ mobile broadband, 2MP camera, barcode readers, enhanced outdoor screen viewability, processing power and Windows 7 support.

Comments

"The acquisition of computers includes the launch of our online consultation service, which will facilitate access to real-time information, such as police reports and tracking of stolen vehicles, reducing the inspection time from 20 to 5 minutes," said the Secretary for Infrastructure and Logistics, José Richa Filho.

According to Secretary, "with the system, you may take proceedings against offenders in the online site, and registration will be immediately stored in the system of fines, facilitating access to police databases."

References: Forcas Terrestres (1), Panasonic (2)