US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
Curtiss-Wright has been selected by Raytheon to provide its winch system technology to deploy the new Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) being developed for the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, the company announced on 21 September.
Raytheon has been contracted by the US Navy to develop the VDS that will be deployed from the LCS to locate and track submarines.
The ship-deployed sonar system design is identical for both LCS variants. It features reduced weight to minimise ship impact and increase manoeuvrability. The new design also provides the opportunity for increased payloads.
Lynn Bamford, SVP and GM, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, said: ‘Curtiss-Wright’s INDAL business unit will contribute its decades of towed sonar winch and handling system expertise to Raytheon’s VDS team to develop an innovative and lightweight winch solution for LCS.
‘The reliable and cost-effective VDS technology will enable the navy to rapidly introduce this new anti-submarine capability to meet the LCS mission.’
Under this agreement, Curtiss-Wright joins Raytheon's team that will advance the VDS design to a full Pre-Production Test Article by late 2018.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.