The Microsystems Technology Office of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has released a request for information on what it is calling “military critical clouds.”

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“The current situation is that head-borne protection and functional capabilities have not been designed as an integrated platform using Soldier-centric design principles. This has prevented the optimization of weight, balance and sub-component integration” noted Don Lee, Project Engineer, Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. He went on to say, “This development contract supporting the Helmet Electronics and Display System – Upgradeable Army Technology Objective is expected to develop integrated headgear system technologies to include upgraded ballistic and impact protection, integrated CBRN mask, full face protection, and integrated heads-up display and sensor inputs for actionable information to Soldiers and Marines. We anticipate the final outcome will be tools and technologies that will allow the U.S. Army and USMC to field well-balanced, optimized headgear systems that will provide improved head protection, allow for increased situational awareness, and increased mission performance allowing our Soldiers and Marines to be the decisive edge on the battlefield.”

This new helmet design will integrate a trauma liner, communication system, heads-up display, CBRN mask and enhanced night vision goggles. The fully integrated and fully modular system will also feature a visor and mandible guard option designed to provide better blunt force, blast and ballistic protection than a helmet shell alone.

“As the nature of combat has changed, the type of trauma seen on the battlefield has also changed with increasing numbers of soldiers suffering from head and traumatic brain injuries, whether caused by blunt force, blast or ballistic impacts. Based on extensive head protection systems research and development, Revision believes it has the technological, scientific and impact testing knowledge to design a new helmet and head protection system that can help to reduce brain injuries while also providing lighter weight and superior ballistic head protection. The battle against soldier head injuries is on. Our aim is to develop the very best protection that new design, materials and processes can bring to those who are serving the country” said Jonathan Blanshay, CEO of Revision Military. He continued, “Through the experience gained and global market-leading position achieved in a relatively short period of time with the eyewear business, Revision is confident that expansion into cutting-edge, integrated head protection systems for the military is a natural growth step. We are honored to have been selected for this crucial Natick developmental project.”

Revision’s contract announcement comes at a pivotal time in the company’s history. In late 2010, the company announced an official corporate name change—from Revision Eyewear Ltd. to Revision Military Ltd.—to encompass its new head protection business. In June 2011, the company began operations at its new, Composite Center of Excellence and later this fall, the company expects to launch Batlskin™, its first generation, fully integrated, modular soldier protection system.

ABOUT REVISION
Revision develops and delivers purpose-built protective soldier equipment for military use worldwide. The company, which began with eyewear, has expanded to face and head protection and continues to develop their capabilities for integrated, performance-enhancing soldier systems. To that end, Revision brings the most advanced expertise, state-of-the-art facilities and finest technical minds. Clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, the Canadian Department of National Defence, the Netherlands Defence Materiel Organization, the Swiss Federal Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. Privately owned and ISO 9001:2008 certified, Revision’s operational headquarters is located in Essex Junction, Vermont, USA, with additional offices in the Netherlands and Canada. For more information, visit www.revisionmilitary.com, write info@revisionmilitary.com, or call +1 252-288-5805.

New technologies are reducing the weight of equipment soldiers carry into battle, powering military bases, and creating a fleet of electric vehicles.

More > http://cleantechnica.com

The primary responsibilities of the OPNAV N86 Surface Warfare Directorate are to manage the integration of capabilities and resources to support the Navy’s surface combat fleet. Kratos will provide critical concept of operations analyses, development of operational requirements, subject matter experts and critical budget and finance support. In addition, Kratos will coordinate program input and support between other government agencies, foreign services, academia, technical activities, laboratories, warfare centers, and industry. Work will be performed in the Washington, D.C. metro area and is expected to be completed by August 2012.

Tim Harmon, Vice President for Kratos’ Military Services Business Unit, said, “We are extremely pleased to receive this sizable award and to continue our long-standing support for the OPNAV N86 Surface Warfare Community. Our analysts provide valuable subject matter expertise and financial management to support decisions made by the most senior members of the Navy leadership in developing and executing program budgets.”

David Carter, President of Kratos’ Defense Engineering Solutions, said, “Kratos is one of very few companies with a near 20-year history supporting the OPNAV staff, and we look forward to continuing and building that relationship during a time of increased fiscal scrutiny.”

“They boost the competitiveness of American industry, and they raise our nation’s overall energy efficiency,” Lynn said during a keynote speech at the Army and Air Force Energy Forum.

New developments in energy historically have bolstered the nation’s military edge, Lynn said. The shift from wind to coal in the 19th century revolutionized naval power, and nuclear energy in the 20th century transformed submarines and aircraft carriers, he noted.

More > http://www.defense.gov

Navy Vice Adm. William E. Landay III oversees DoD’s execution of the State Department program that has delivered more than $96 billion in Defense weapons systems, equipment and services to other countries and international organizations in the last five years.

Foreign military sales have averaged $30 billion for each of the last three years, up almost three-fold from the 2005-2008 timeframe, Landay said. In addition, many customers who once were willing to forego fast delivery to keep the bottom line as low as possible now want their goods and services as fast as possible, often to support current operations.

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The connections will be for the Government Protection Bureau’s Iridium 9505a and Sailor SC4000 satellite telephones, the company announced.

Satellite phone services will be used in conditions where traditional communication is difficult or impossible, for example due to a lack of adequate infrastructure on the ground. This is particularly important during GPB officials’ foreign missions.

TS2, a Polish company that has provided satellite broadband service for U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, said GPB officials on foreign missions can now use encrypted communications and data transmission systems, which operate independently of local telecommunications infrastructure.

Furthermore, satellite communications systems increase the level of security, which is particularly significant in areas of military action and wherever an immediate response is vital.

The Iridium satellite network is one of the most reliable telecommunications systems, accessible from virtually anywhere in the world. The orbital parameters, combined with a high number of coordinated satellites, allow constant access to telecommunications services from anywhere on Earth, it said.

The company also offers communications using the satellite constellations of Thuraya, Inmarsat, Eutelsat and Intelsat.