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.
The Rapid Reaction Tunnel Detection (R2TD) system, developed by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC), has the ability to ferret out enemies hiding below the tunnels, it was announced on 21 June.
The R2TD system detects the underground void created by tunnels and the sounds of people or objects like electrical or communications cabling inside tunnels. It is equipped with ground penetrating radar using an electromagnetic induction system.
The system also features a variety of sensors to detect acoustic and seismic energy.
The detection equipment data can then be transmitted remotely to analysts who view the data in graphical form on computer monitors. The system can be carried by a soldier or used inside a vehicle to scan suspected tunnel areas.
ERDC has upgraded the system to a higher power cable-loop transmitter to send signals deeper into the ground. The improvements have resulted in the ability to detect deeper tunnels and underground heat and infrastructure signatures, which can discriminate from the normal underground environment.
Besides the active tunnelling detection system, a sensing system employs a linear array of sensors just beneath the surface of the ground to monitor and process acoustic and seismic energy. These can be monitored remotely.
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.