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.
DRS Technologies has announced that its Imaging and Targeting Solutions Company (ITS) has been awarded a multi-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the US Department of Defence (DOD) for production of the Spot on Target (SPOTR) long-range day/night thermal sight. The contract, with a $40 million potential value, was announced 4 June, 2012.
The contract will see ITS qualify and manufacture the SPOTR thermal sight. The SPOTR weighs less than 2 lbs, and employs an ultra-compact integrated Dewar cooler assembly (IDCA) to produce a large, 640 x 480 pixel image. The system offers 'true see-spot capability in a single-sensor, single-optic design', according to the company.
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.