Search Results for: "BEI+Precision+Systems+Space+Company"
BAE Gets Deployment Approval For APKWS
Relevance Score: 3.344 2010-04-12 16:09:00
BAE Systems informed about a milestone for its next-generation precision weapons technology following a deployment approval from the U.S. Navy. BAE has been working in partnership with the U.S. government on its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System, or APKWS. Thursday BAE informed the Navy has approved the precise weapons system as ready to be deployed. The production-ready approval for APKWS, which is expected to be initially integrated with the AH-1W Cobra helicopters to offer aviators a next-generation precision weapon against soft and lightly armored targets, demonstrates that all objects for the program have been met. The Navy decision marks a milestone achievement for BAE. "We have demonstrated APKWS' maturity by taking it through the full range of operational and environmental challenges it will face in theater," Capt. Brian Corey, program manager for the Navy's direct and time-sensitive strike programs, informed in a statement. "APKWS performed like a champ throughout flight tests and will make a significant contribution in allowing aviators to fulfill their missions."
Missile-tracking Satellites Launched On Demo Flight.
Relevance Score: 2.934 2009-10-03 11:32:31
A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket roared to life and thundered away from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Friday, successfully boosting a pair of experimental missile-tracking satellites into orbit for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. A United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket blasts off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Friday carrying two Missile Defense Agency tracking satellites, part of a $1.5 billion technology demonstration mission. With its roots in the old "Star Wars" program, the goal of the $1.5 billion Space Tracking and Surveillance System mission is to demonstrate the ability to detect and track enemy missiles from launch, through the so-called mid-course phase of flight to atmospheric entry, delivering more accurate targeting data for interceptors. "The purpose of these satellites is to enable acquisition and precision tracking from space, tracking of a sufficient quality to enable an interceptor to close the fire control loop, that is, to be able to determine a fire control solution based on information from space," stated Rear Adm. Joseph Horn, deputy director of the Missile Defense Agency. The results of the demonstration mission, he added, "will guide our decisions on the development of an affordable, continuously available, operational, precision-track space sensor constellation." Running two days late because of bad weather and a small ground system fuel leak, the Delta 2 blasted off at 8:20 a.m. EDT from launch complex 17B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, 20 minutes late because of morning rain showers. NASA managed the launching for the Missile Defense Agency. Built by Northrup Grumman Aerospace Systems, the two solar-powered satellites boosted into space by the Delta 2 trace their heritage to President Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, which envisioned a constellation of missile-tracking satellites in low-Earth orbit. The original tracking satellite concept evolved into the "Brilliant Eyes" program, which later was transferred to the Air Force and ultimately became part of the Space-Based Infrared System, or SBIRS. SBIRS had two components: satellites in geosynchronous orbit intended to replace aging Defense Support Program - DSP - early-warning spacecraft, and a constellation of tracking satellites in low-Earth orbit. Brilliant Eyes was redesigned to become the lower-altitude component of the system. Work on two demonstration satellites was started under the Brilliant Eyes program and later put on hold in favor of a different approach. In 2002, mission managers decided to press ahead with the demonstration satellites under management of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. A schematic showing how new missile-tracking satellites, working with gound- and sea-based sensors, can track an enemy missile through all phases of flight, delivering precision targeting data for interceptors. The 2,200-pound satellites are equipped with horizon-to-horizon missile detection sensors and a narrow-angle tracking telescope that can follow an enemy missile in flight, even during the mid-course phase of flight when it is most difficult to detect. The sensors were built by Raytheon. By combining tracking data from two spacecraft, computers can assemble a three-dimensional view of a missile's trajectory and quickly provide targeting information to future interceptors. At least that's the idea. The new spacecraft will spend two to four years carrying out a series of tests to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technology, working in concert with two earlier experimental satellites. Whether the STSS demonstration program will spur funding and development of an operational constellation remains to be seen. "The greatest hedge against missile defense threats of all ranges remains a highly available, early missile-tracking capability from space," Horn informed. "With the successful launch of these two demonstrator satellites, we enter into an orbit checkout period after which we plan to use both targets of opportunity and dedicated targets to demonstrate STSS capabilities." The requirements for an operational constellation are not yet defined, Horn said, but "what we expect to learn from these two demonstrators is exactly that, the (number) of satellites necessary to support a constellation and provide that continuous precision tracking information."
Nimiq 5 Has Liftoff Appointment In Baikonur.
Relevance Score: 2.804 2009-09-02 20:13:20
Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has provided a communications satellite built for Telesat to the Baikonur Space Center in Kazakhstan, where it is planned to launch on September 18th aboard an ILS Proton Breeze M vehicle delivered by International Launch Services (ILS). "Nimiq 5 is the fifth completed high-power satellite that Space Systems/Loral has shipped for launch this year," said John Celli, President and Chief Operating Officer of Space Systems/Loral. Nimiq 5, a direct broadcast satellite, is designed to deliver a variety of HD and specialty DTH television services in North America. The satellite has 32 high-power Ku-band transponders and is based on the Space Systems/Loral 1300 space-proven platform, which provides the flexibility to support a broad range of applications and technology advances. "Space Systems/Loral is right on track in delivering our satellite," said Dan Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Telesat. "Nimiq 5 is an important addition to our North American broadcast fleet and we look forward to the launch with ILS next month and the start of commercial service."
Space Debris A Concern In Satellite Launch
Relevance Score: 2.789 2010-01-04 12:23:57
Only 20% of the 12,000-odd artificial objects, including satellites, are operational in space, but unwanted "debris" are causing a lot of problem in launching new ones. There are around 12,000 satellites and other artificial objects in the space, out of which only 20% are active. Satellites have a life of 15-20 years, and then they get lost in space. "The others (artificial objects) along with some other unwanted materials, make space debris. These debris cause a lot of problems in the launching of new satellites."
Preventing a Space Pearl Harbor: SBSS Program to Monitor the Heavens
Relevance Score: 2.612 2010-01-19 11:20:11
In January 2001, a commission headed by then US Defense Secretary-designate Donald Rumsfeld warned about a possible “space Pearl Harbor” in which a potential enemy would launch a surpise attack against US-based military space assets, disabling them. These assets include communications satellites and the GPS system, which is crucial for precision attack missiles and a host of military systems. “The US is more dependent on space than any other nation. Yet the threat to the US and its allies in and from space does not command the attention it merits,” the commission warned. One of the systems that grew out of the commission’s report was the Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) project, which is developing a constellation of satellites to provide the US military with space situational awareness using visible sensors. Recent developments for the project include a $30 million contract for Boeing to provide maintenance and operations services for the SBSS logistics infrastructure… SBSS Concept The SBSS system is intended to detect and track space objects, such as satellites, anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, and orbital debris, providing information to the US Department of Defense as well as NASA. The SBSS is a stepping stone toward a functional space-based space surveillance constellation. The SBSS is a follow-on to the Mid-Course Space Experiment/ Space-Based Visible (MSX/SBV) sensor. The initial SBSS satellite is expected to improve the US government’s ability to detect deep space objects by 80% over the MSX/SBV system. The MSX/SBV system was a late 1990s missile defense test satellite; by 2002 most of its sensors had failed. However, 1 small package called the SBV sensor was able to search and track satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO) using visible light. This sensor lowered the number of “lost” objects in GEO orbit by a factor of 2. Building on the success of the MSX/SBV visible sensor, the SBSS Block 10 will further develop the technology and replace the SBV sensor. Block 10 will involve the developement of 1 satellite as a pathfinder for a full-constellation of space-based sensors. The SBSS Block 20 constellation is expected to include 4 satellites when fully developed. The SBSS constellation is expected to be operational in FY 2013. However, delays have plagued the system. In late 2005, an independent review team found that the program’s baseline was not executable; that the assembly, integration, and test plan was risky; and that the requirements were overstated. The SBSS program was restructured in early 2006 due to cost growth and schedule delays. The restructuring increased funding and schedule margin; streamlined the assembly, integration, and test plan; and relaxed requirements. The launch of the initial satellite was delayed and costs increased by about $130 million over initial estimates. Northrop Grumman, the prime contractor for the SBSS system, awarded a Boeing-led team that includes Ball Aerospace and Harris Technologies a contract to develop and deploy the Block 10 SBSS Pathfinder satellite and ground system. Boeing expects the initial satellite to be launched in 2010 aboard a Minotaur 4 rocket made by Orbital Sciences.
Russia Launches New Military Satellite Into Space
Relevance Score: 2.612 2010-01-30 21:48:43
Russia launched a new military satellite with a Proton-M rocket into space on Thursday for improving the space communication facilities. Alexei Zolotukhin, a spokesman for the Space Forces reported that it was a Raduga-series satellite and it was sent from Bajkonur space centre in Kazakhstan. It is reported that Russia operates a constellation of about 60-70 military satellites with reconnaissance, missile early warning and other capabilities.
Air Force Selects Space Micro Inc to Develop Software Defined Radio for Space
Relevance Score: 2.600 2010-02-17 10:31:27
Space Micro Inc, an innovator of radiation hardened microelectronics for space applications, announced today that it has been awarded a $100,000 by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract. The contract is to develop space communications hardware that is compatible with a wide variety of existing communication systems and is not susceptible to the damaging effects of radiation in space. This reconfigurable hardware, called the Micro Software Defined Radio (µSDR™) will be ideally suited for several Air Force satellites to support the various ground forces and aircraft around the world. Traditional software defined radios have major problems in radiation environments, such as those that exist in space. The µSDR™ will be scalable, reconfigurable, and radiation hardened against the harsh space environment, making it suitable for long term satellite use. The µSDR™ will incorporate will incorporate Space Micro’s proven radiation mitigation techniques along with innovative new solutions that will drastically improve the reliability and functionality of software defined radios in space.
Textron Defense Systems Is Able To Deliver More Than 100 Kilowatts With J-HPSSL High-Power Laser
Relevance Score: 2.594 2010-03-15 17:30:07
Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, informed that its Directed Energy Weapons business line has successfully tested its Joint High-Power Solid State Laser (J-HPSSL) laboratory demonstration device at average power levels in excess of 100 kilowatts. The J-HPSSL program, which is funded by the Joint Technology Office under contract with the U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command, was awarded to Textron Defense Systems in late December 2005. Textron Defense Systems' J-HPSSL leverages the company's proprietary THINZAG(R) solid state laser technology. As a single-aperture power oscillator, the THINZAG optical configuration delivers an extraordinary path for scaling solid state lasers to high average power for use in the most stressing mission applications and severe environmental battlefield conditions. "Our THINZAG technology enables us to achieve and sustain high laser power and beam quality in a compact, ruggedized configuration suitable for the operational environment," informed Dr. John Boness, Textron Defense Systems vice president, Directed Energy Weapons. "As a result, this technology offers the promise of bringing reliable and precise directed energy weapons from the laboratory to the field -- from an exciting possibility to a confidence-building reality for warfighters." "Our Directed Energy Weapons group has a broad base of laser expertise, firmly grounded in the company's long history of laser technology research and development," informed Senior Vice President and General Manager Mark Catizone of Textron Defense Systems. "Having reached this high average power goal, we enthusiastically look forward to additional successes as our THINZAG technology continues to mature." Textron Defense Systems has decades of laser technology expertise, dating back to its earliest predecessor, the Avco Everett Research Laboratory. Today, the company participates in two of the largest solid state directed energy weapon development programs in the United States: the Joint Technology Office J-HPSSL program and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System, or HELLADS, program. About Textron Defense Systems Textron Defense Systems employs advanced technology and industry expertise to develop and manufacture state-of-the-art smart weapons; airborne and ground-based sensors and surveillance systems; and protection systems for the defense, aerospace and homeland security communities. Its innovative systems for the military provide precision effects, actionable intelligence and force protection. About Textron Systems Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than 50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons, piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. About Textron Inc. Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to deliver consumers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com
A Higher-Tech Hog: USAF A-10C Upgrades and Refurbishments
Relevance Score: 2.551 2009-06-17 11:05:56
The Precision Engagement modification is the largest single upgrade effort ever undertaken for the USA’s unique A-10 “Warthog” close air support aircraft fleet. While existing A/OA-10 aircraft continue to outperform technology-packed rivals on the battlefield, this set of upgrades is expected to make them more flexible, and help keep the aircraft current until the fleet’s planned phase-out in 2028. When complete, A-10C PE will give USAF A-10s precision strike capability sooner than planned, combining multiple upgrade requirements into one time and money-saving program, rather than executing them as standalone projects. Indeed, the USAF accelerated the PE program by 9 months as a result of its experiences in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is DID’s FOCUS Article for the PE program, and for other modifications to the A-10 fleet. It covers the A-10’s battlefield performance and advantages, the elements of the PE program, other planned modifications, related refurbishment efforts to keep the fleet in the air, and the contracts that have been issued each step of the way. In the latest updates, the A-10C program’s $2 billion re-winging effort became a higher priority, as wing cracking became a problem for the entire A-10 fleet.
Army astronaut heads for International Space Station, embraces social media to share story
Relevance Score: 2.519 2009-07-17 15:32:42
Want to know what it's like to be an U.S. Army astronaut? Here's a chance to find out. The Army has set up a special Web site for the public to ask Army astronaut Col. Timothy Kopra a question. Col. Timothy Kopra launched into space on the July 15 shuttle mission to the International Space Station, where he will remain as a flight engineer for Expedition 20 - now ongoing - throughout the next six months. Kopra is one of four active Army astronauts in the detachment belonging to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command. To ask Kopra a question go to: http://www.goarmy.com/space. To find out more about Army astronauts go to: http://www.facebook.com/usarmyastronauts.