Military Tech

(Credit: A0A)

Here's a must-have accessory for any soiree off Somalia, the ArmourFloat personal flotation device.

Not only does the Armour Float Ballistic Vest keep even an unconscious wearer afloat, but its new lightweight, hard-plate armor is designed to defeat most assault rifle threats--with no negative effect on the vest's buoyancy, according to Armour of America, a division of Arotech Corporation.

This Underwriters Laboratory-certified PFD is approved by the US Coast Guard, and the Coasties use it as well, according to AoA.

The hardy preserver comes with reflective tape on the shoulders, an emergency strobe light pocket, ammo clip pockets, shotgun shell holders, a large overlapping front, and side panels that provide ballistic protection over the entire chest, back, and shoulders. It's listed as up to NIJ Level IIIA.

"Commercial ship liner sailors are now exposed to hazards similar to Navy sailors, and our ArmourFloat vests can help protect their lives," says AoA's Richard Karst.

Here's one endorsement deal that has Capt. Richard Phillips written all over it.

(Credit: Raytheon)

Does a "Star Wars" missile defense work? We may soon find out, if the rocket launch planned by North Korea starts to veer anywhere near Japan, instead of disappearing harmlessly into the stratosphere, as is hoped.

Japan says it will station the destroyers Kongo and Chokai in the Sea of Japan off North Korea. Both vessels will be armed with SM-3 ballistic-missile defense systems, in case the rocket malfunctions or wanders close to any of its islands, according to the Japanese Kyodo news agency.

"If it is capable of reaching Japan, then it goes without saying that we will react," Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada announced. "We have been making preparations, including ballistic-missile defense, for any incident which could affect Japan. If it will affect Japan, then it will be our target."

Shooting down an intercontinental ballistic missile outside the Earth's atmosphere, under live conditions, would be another major test for both the Raytheon SM-3, aka "Son of Star Wars," and Japanese resolve (PDF).

The SM-3 has already had success hitting a target outside the Earth's atmosphere. Just over a year ago, the U.S. Navy fired an SM-3 at a failed spy satellite (photos) and blew it out of the heavens (video).

If let loose, this would be the first time anything of "Star Wars" lineage--the Reagan-era missile defense notion--has been fired in anger, not under test conditions. But there's a lot more at stake than the future of a gold-plated $8.9 billion missile defense system. There's face--and the potential loss thereof.

If Japan takes a shot and misses, it suffers "international humiliation" and ridicule for going all-in with the SM-3. On the other hand, if it scores a bull's-eye, not only North Korea, but also China, will be afraid--very afraid, according to analysts and pundits awaiting the show of high-seas brinkmanship.

Japan and the United States have cooperated closely on the SM-3 program, and Japan was the first nation to procure the missile.

North Korea has said the purpose of the rocket launch is put a satellite into orbit; others believe it is to demonstrate an intercontinental nuclear ability to reach out and touch Alaska.

(Credit: MOD)

Bucking the open-source trend, the British Royal Navy has developed a modified version of Microsoft Windows XP and has begun installing it on its fleet of nuclear submarines.

The new Submarine Command System Next Generation (SMCS NG) employs standard multifunction consoles with double LCD screens, linked with "commercial grade" cables and software to internal Ethernet local area networks (LANs) aboard each sub.

Ever thrifty, the spit-and-baling-wire Brits went with Windows in part because it was cheaper to maintain. The use of commercial off-the-shelf technology is expected to save the U.K. taxpayers up to $32 million over the next 10 years -- or about one-thousandth of the operating costs of a Vanguard class submarine, according to one estimate.

"This is a fantastic achievement," Capt. Pat O'Neill said in a press release. "From speaking to operators and maintainers, I know how much they like SMCS NG. BAE Systems' work is proof that we can get commercial off the shelf technology to sea quickly and support it affordably."

The Royal Navy, working with defense contractor BAE Systems, installed an entire Windows SMCS NG LAN on the HMS Vigilant in a mere 18 days, according to BAE.

Training time is faster as well. Given that Windows runs on approximately 85 percent of the world's PCs, there is a good chance sailors are familiar with it. However, so are hackers -- both the amateur and the cyber warfare pro variety. Not a problem, according to BAE, since all hack-prone elements of Windows "were tended to during the modification."

Meanwhile the Yanks, citing better security and more versions to choose from, continue to go all-in with Linux to boot up both warships and the long awaited Future Combat Systems. But then, they still drive on the wrong side of the road.

(Credit: SkySails )

For the first time, the US Navy is using a new breed of sailing ship to deliver military equipment, a move that can potentially reduce fuel costs by 20 percent to 30 percent, or roughly $1,600 a day per ship, according to the ship's owners.

The Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC) has chartered the "kite-assisted", fuel-saving 400-foot MV Beluga to deliver Air Force and Army cargo to from Europe to the US.

The MV Beluga uses a paraglider-shaped, SkySails-System, which supplements its conventional, internal combustion engines. The sail is basically a huge, computer-controlled kite that soars 100 to 300 yards into the air, using the wind to tow the ship at the end of a long tear-proof, synthetic rope.

The SkySails System is operated by the crew from a workstation on the bridge. All the steering and flight path adjustments are done automatically. "Emergency actions" are taken care of with a "push of a button." But the SkySail is only deployed offshore, outside the three-mile zone and traffic separation areas--just in case.

Unlike conventional sails, the kite has no superstructures that can get in the way of loading and unloading dockside, or scrape the bottom side of bridges as it sails under. The kite folds up, and can be stowed in an area the size of a telephone booth, according to developer SkySails of Hamburg, Germany. And, the SkySail can "generate two to three times more power per square meter sail area than conventional sails," according to the company. The environmental benefits have yet to calculated.

Though wind power was not a factor in awarding the contract, the shipping company was likely "able to capitalize on fuel savings to make its offer more competitive," according to MSC. "MSC values innovation that leads to cost savings," said Captain Nick Holman, of Sealift Logistics Command Europe.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office is looking for a submersible aircraft design and invites you to come up with a concept.

Performance requirements call for an aircraft that can cover 1,850km by air or 185km by sea, or 22km underwater in eight hours or less. And this is not some miniature pool hopper; DARPA wants it to be able to carry a crew of eight and a 2,000lb payload.

(Credit: Terra Tigershark)

Speculation on design suggests an old-school snorkel to provide air supply for the power plant while your flying fish is in submerged mode, but don't rule out nuclear power or dilithium crystal for that matter.

Be advised, difficulties with developing such a platform will arise from the diametrically opposed requirements that exist for an airplane and a submarine, DARPA helpfully points out. Your concept should not only identify the technological limitations that need to be overcome to produce a swimming plane, you also need to provide proof that it's doable.

"In addition to the conceptual design studies, performers need to outline experiments or computational models that will be used to demonstrate that the major technological limitations can be overcome," DARPA warns, while admitting that "prior attempts to demonstrate a vehicle with the maneuverability of both a submersible and an aircraft" have, unfortunately, been unsuccessful.

One plan is to use the submersible aircraft to infil small SF teams off the coastline and then hang around for pick-up, a service already provided fairly effectively by surplus submarines.

It happens every time. The mainsail cover is off, and it's freshening nicely. Then the boss calls begging you to get online and placate one of her key accounts. Luckily, she's seen fit to spring for the fully salt/fog-certified B300 ruggedized notebook.

What distinguishes this rugged, watertight, vibration- and drop-shock resistant PC--besides the sealed ports and connector cover--is the finish. According to manufacturer Getac, it protects everything from hinges to the keyboard to the electrical innards from salty corrosion, thus allowing you to telecommute from deck to dune.

(Credit: Getac)

The B300 was recently certified under standards set by the Department of Defense MIL-STD-810F - 509.4, according to Getac. Certification consists of 24 hours exposure to a 5 percent salt/fog mix, and 24 hours to dry off. Then it's back into the chamber for another 24 hours, 5 percent exposure, and so on for 4 days total. (Watch a video of a water sprinkler hosing down the keyboard.)

"Salt is one of the most aggressive chemical compounds in the world," said Getac President Jim Rimay. "Salt will quickly corrode a computer's exterior (and) impair vital electrical system functions. The B300 addresses these issues with its salt/fog certification and elevates it to an elite status among ruggedized computers for safe and uninterrupted operation in any location, especially in coastal regions of the world."

The B300 includes Giga LAN and 802.11a/g/n; Bluetooth 2.0, EV-DO and optional GPRS/EDGE networks, and integrated GPS, plus a number of security features like a fingerprint scanner and optional smart-card reader.

Also helpful for catching up--the B300's super-bright 1200 NITS screen with optional night vision and the 12 hour battery life.

At just over $3,000 retail you can pick up an extra one to stash in the trunk with your wetsuit.

(Credit: USCG)

You can't really say you have a private beach until you've installed a SM 2000 Underwater Surveillance System by Kongsberg to keep out the riffraff.

The system is designed to protect commercial piers, government and military vessels, cruise ships, terminals, and other high-value assets, but it'll work just as well for your hideaway surf break. You know it's good if the oil sheiks buy it. Kongsberg installed an integrated system at a "High-Value Seaside resort" in the United Arab Emirates; the exact location is classified.

The U.S. Coast Guard just picked up $2 million of Kongsberg gear to enhance its Integrated Anti-swimmer Systems (IAS) program at the nation's ports. The purchase follows the initial IAS contract worth $3 million.

Using software and sonar the system can detect and differentiate between "malicious swimmers and divers" and other targets, such as marine life and debris, at up to 1000 meters, according to the British Columbia-based company. A processor "captures a wide acoustic swath" to positively identify and localize the threat, then notifies security (PDF).

You'll be relieved to know that the Coast Guard and the EPA have concluded that the system will not "adversely affect threatened or endangered species or critical habitat." Whether a diver could do enough damage to justify the multimillion-dollar investment is open to debate.

Someone poaching in your favorite abalone patch? A frogman can be warned that he is in a restricted area and should surface immediately by "underwater loudhailer." If that doesn't work, deploy the "nonlethal interdiction acoustic impulse," an underwater shockwave emitter--which, despite its name, can be set on stun or kill.

Propelled by a servo-actuated two-link tails and flapping pectoral fins, a new breed of robofish programmed to swim in schools may soon be used to track oil spills or wildlife such as whales, according to researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle.

By mimicking a fish's natural propulsion mechanics these "autonomous fin-actuated underwater vehicles" are able to swim in any direction, make tight turns, and even go backwards, researchers say. The university is testing three of the vehicles in an indoor freshwater tank equipped with a four-camera tracking system to supplement data collected by onboard sensors.

(Credit: University of Washington)

One of their challenges is how to coordinate the artificial fish so that they work together. But radio signals don't travel well underwater, forcing robots in previous experiments to surface periodically to receive orders from central command or, worse, be being linked by cable.

These fish are more independent--controlling and coordinating their own actions using onboard microprocessor for collecting data and computing control commands, a pressure sensor for gauging depth, and a 3D compass all powered by NiMH rechargeable batteries. When they do need to communicate with one another, they use sonar-like "pings" from acoustic modems.

The three fish in this latest experiment kept it together despite losing roughly half of the information packets, which shows the system is relatively robust. "With a group of vehicles you can get more data collection at the same time than with just one. You get better spatial distribution and cover more area," Kristi Morgansen, a UW roboticist, told New Scientist.

The military thinks it's a good idea too. The U.S. Office of Naval Research wants to fund its own fishy version that would use cameras to gather data and then share the intel via sonar. Eh, herding whales sounds like more fun.

(Credit: DOD)

The Pentagon has awarded defense heavyweight Lockheed Martin the contract for next-stage development of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), a new-generation radio technology that will replace dozens of legacy systems throughout the U.S. military (PDF).

Initial design and development costs for this phase, called Airborne Maritime and Fixed Station, will run $800 million to $1.2 billion, with a potential $10 billion more for full production later. Boeing and Lockheed Martin worked on separate preliminary designs for the new programmable, tactical radio system, but only Lockheed nailed the contract.

The Department of Defense initiated the JTRS program in 1997 to bring military communications into the network-centric digital age. The program, which could ultimately result in the replacement of hundreds of thousands of radios, has been plagued by massive cost overruns (PDF) and lack of vision. This contract signals a major step forward.

Incorporating advanced software and network capabilities for secure voice, text, and video communications that can operate across the frequency spectrum, the AMF JTRS is expected to enable any ad hoc mobile wireless network of vehicles and planes to connect instantly using the Wideband Networking Waveform.

That is, if it's not obsolete by the time it hits the quartermaster's shelf.