General Dynamics C4 Systems Taps GE Network Gear for BCT Modernization

GE Intelligent Platforms has received the first in a series of orders that are expected to total approximately $2.5 million from General Dynamics C4 Systems for a quantity of GE’s rugged NETernity 3U CompactPCI CP923RC-M Ethernet Switches. The switches will be used as the communications hub for command and control systems deployed as part of the U.S. Army’s Brigade Combat Team Modernization (BCTM) program (Figure 1). The technology provides fast, reliable data interchange between computing subsystems on a range of vehicles including unmanned air and ground vehicles.

The NETernity CP923RC-M 10-port fully managed layer 2/3 Gigabit Ethernet switch is designed to be deployed on platforms that are subject to extremes of temperature, moisture, dust/sand and vibration, making it ideal for demanding applications in harsh environments. The CP923RC-M features support for IPv6, the Internet Protocol that will be at the heart of networks of the future with its much larger addressing capability—making it “future proof”—together with capabilities that greatly simplify network administration. BCTM is the U.S. Army’s principal modernization program. Its purpose is to build a versatile mix of mobile, networked BCTs that will leverage mobility, protection and information to conduct effective operations across the spectrum of conflict.

GE Intelligent Platforms
Charlottesville, VA.
(800) 368-2738.
[www.ge-ip.com].

AFRL Awards Software Security Contract to GrammaTech

GrammaTech has been awarded a multi-year, $12.9 million contract focused on improving software security. GrammaTech will lead the development and demonstration effort, working with subcontractors Raytheon Company, the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. This team brings together world-class expertise in software analysis, security and development. The effort is part of the Securely Taking On New Executable Software of Uncertain Provenance (STONESOUP) program, an initiative of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) Office of Safe and Secure Operations and administered by the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL).

The production of software increasingly involves contract software engineers and off-shore suppliers because it is often prohibitively expensive to generate a major system completely in house. Accordingly, security-conscious users require ways to assure that the software they utilize performs no malicious actions. GrammaTech will apply its deep expertise in source and machine code analysis to discover and remediate software problems through static analysis and automated, high-coverage testing. The company will provide both program-analysis technology and research expertise.

GrammaTech
Ithaca, NY.
(607) 273-7340.
[www.grammatech.com].

Parvus Gets VME Ethernet Contract for Navy Seahawk Helicopter Program

Eurotech subsidiary Parvus Corporation announced a follow-on contract with Lockheed Martin Systems Integration – Owego to supply rugged VME Ethernet switch cards for the Navy’s MH-60 R and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters (Figure 2). For more than six years, Parvus has supplied rugged VME Ethernet switches in support of the Navy helicopter program. The latest follow-on contract for a few hundred units is expected to be fulfilled during 2010.

Rugged Ethernet switches are critical to the Seahawk’s multiple missions as the switches interface with a variety of instrumentation systems used on board the helicopters. The VME Ethernet switch being delivered to Lockheed Martin is similar to Parvus’ new COTS COM-8000—an ultra-rugged, conduction-cooled 6U single-slot VME Ethernet Switch card compliant with IPv6 traffic and developed for command and control / situational awareness subsystems. To meet stringent U.S. Naval Helicopter environmental and performance requirements, Parvus qualified the VME switch card to extreme temperature and vibration profiles experienced on the platform.

Parvus
Salt Lake City, UT.
(801) 483-1533.
[www.parvus.com].

Universal Display Provides Wrist-Mounted Displays for Army Field Testing

Universal Display has delivered eight wrist-mounted phosphorescent OLED displays built on thin flexible metal foil to the U.S. Army Communication Electronics Research and Development Engineering Center (CERDEC) for evaluation and testing. The wrist-mounted displays were also showcased at the U.S. Army’s C4ISR On-the-Move testing environment last month at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where they received positive feedback from senior leaders who make critical research, development and acquisition investment decisions.

The prototype wrist-mounted flexible OLED display devices (Figure 3) were designed and built as part of a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) funded program to develop a thin, lightweight and ruggedized communications device. During simulated exercises at the Fort Dix facility, the wrist-mounted devices were shown depicting a number of different sources of information, including a real-time unmanned air vehicle (UAV) video feed and various other images received through computers running different applications. These devices have the potential to provide soldiers with advantages in the field that could mitigate risk and improve operational performance. The eight units each contain a 4.3-inch QVGA full-color, full-motion AMOLED display using amorphous-Silicon (a-Si) TFT backplanes designed and fabricated on thin metallic foil by LG Display. The front planes were then built on top by Universal Display using its high-efficiency, full-color PHOLED technology and materials.

Universal Display
Ewing, NJ.
(609) 671-0980.
[www.universaldisplay.com].

ISS Awarded a $25 Million Software Tool Contract by Air Force

Intelligent Software Solutions (ISS) has been awarded a $25 million task order by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, for software development activities. The new 12-month contract is an additional task to the existing $500 million program, which was awarded to ISS in two increments last year. The program involves the use of ISS’ Web Enabled Temporal Analysis System Tool Kit (WebTAS-TK), which enables users to process, analyze and visualize large amounts of intelligence data from many disparate sources, in multiple form factors.

The new task order will provide for software development activities associated with numerous Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security customers. These activities focus on the development of both thick client as well as rich Internet applications (RIA), and the exploration of cloud computing technologies and their utility in the DoD information exploitation and analysis space. In addition to providing a vehicle for many software development efforts, this program enables ISS to maintain its ongoing support to combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as on-site support at many locations around the United States and internationally.

Intelligent Software Solutions
Colorado Springs, CO.
(719) 457-0690.
[www.issinc.com].

Air Force Chooses Getac Rugged Notebooks for QEB Program

Getac announced that the U.S. Air Force (USAF) has selected Getac rugged notebook computers as part of its Quantum Enterprise Buy (QEB) program. The Air Force Information Technology Commodity Council (AF ITCC), which includes top Air Force officials, evaluates vendors’ submissions for the QEB and their ability to deliver quality enterprise computing in the toughest of environments. The B300 rugged notebook and V100 rugged convertible computers (Figure 4) have proven themselves for three straight QEB program awards.

The all-new Getac V100 Convertible features the latest Intel Core i7 Processor running at 1.2 GHz with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.26 GHz that increases overall performance by nearly 50 percent from the previous generation. The Getac B300 rugged notebook is powered by a 2.0 GHz Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost Technology up to 2.8 GHz that increases overall performance by nearly 67 percent from the previous generation. As part of the QEB, NCS Technologies will manufacture and provide Getac’s B300 rugged notebook and V100 rugged convertible computers to the USAF. The Getac B300 and V100 rugged computers will be included in the QEB program beginning immediately and continue through the end of 2010.

Getac USA.
Irvine, CA.
(949) 681-2900.
[us.getac.com].

Boeing Taps Christie Projection System for Apache Simulator Upgrade

Boeing has selected the Christie Matrix StIM simulation projection system for a multi-million dollar program to upgrade an initial 18 Apache Longbow (Figure 5) Crew Trainer (LCT) simulators. To date, ten simulators have been completely retrofitted, with additional LCTs contracted throughout the year. In addition to its ground-breaking Night Vision Goggle (NVG) training capabilities, key reasons for selecting the Christie Matrix StIM were the superior image quality, long life and low maintenance costs of the system.

Christie worked with Boeing during the design phase to ensure that the projection system met the program requirements. Currently deployed worldwide and used for in-theater training, the LCT is a full mission, high-fidelity flight simulator that provides training for individuals, crews and maintenance test pilots. Its new image-generator technology allows for the display of more realistic “out-the-window” scenes in real time. It features two cockpits, one at either end of a transportable trailer, that lets the training pilot and co-pilot fly in tandem. The cockpits utilize five screens each, for a total of 10 Christie Matrix StIM projectors per simulator.

Christie Digital Systems.
Cypress CA.
(714) 236-8610.
[www.christiedigital.com].