On The Horizon
Written by / Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
CGF 2010 Volume: 2 Issue: 3 (July)
Alion to Provide Coast Guard with HSI Support
Alion Science and Technology won a $9.5 million contract to support the U.S. Coast Guard Human Resources and Systems Integration Office (CG-1B3) as it analyzes human performance factors on the engineering design and development of ship, boat, aircraft and C4IT acquisitions. CG-1B3 is the Coast Guard’s technical authority for Human Systems Integration (HSI); the office partners with the Acquisitions Directorate (CG-9), program sponsors, technical authorities and other stakeholders.
The contract, which runs for one base year with four, one-year options, calls for the provision of major systems acquisition process support, project identification, assistance during the various acquisition phases, and facilitation and documentation support. Subcontractors include DSCI, Harkcon, Novonics and BMT D&P.
“Alion has been an integral part of this critical mission since its inception,” said Greg Bryant, the company’s senior vice president and manager of the Integration Solutions Group. “We look forward to continuing to support the Coast Guard as it integrates human performance criteria, including manpower, personnel, training, human factors engineering and safety and health hazards, consistently throughout the acquisition process.”
Human systems integration takes a humancentric approach to system design and acquisition to reduce life cycle costs and optimize system performance. The Coast Guard has described HSI as a synthesis between system engineering and behavioral science, adding that the discipline is to design a system according to the roles, capabilities and limitations of the humans who must use the technologies. Alion’s work is expected to help the Coast Guard measure performance and improve its ships, boats, aircraft and C4IT systems.
Northrop Grumman Introduces Radar Features for Navigation Systems
Northrop Grumman Corporation recently introduced new naval display features for its marine navigation radar systems. The new naval display options, now available with Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine VisionMaster FT series of naval radars, includes dual-radar input, 600-knot target tracking capability, CCTV interface and stabilized sector transmission.
The dual-radar configuration permits inputs from two separate asynchronous radar units to be shown on a single integrated display. By combining inputs from separate X (I)-band and S (E/F)-band radars, a 360-degree picture can be presented to reveal nearby and far-off targets, and eliminate blind arcs. The radar operator can track targets from both radars in the usual way, with the inputs correlated to provide a single target on the screen.
Other features in the VisionMaster FT naval radar systems include red first strike for identifying fast-moving targets, helicopter approach sectors, freeze frame for periods of radar silence, station keeping, index lines and target intercept.
“Sperry Marine’s BridgeMaster and VisionMaster FT series radar systems are specified as standard shipboard equipment for more than 60 navies and coast guards around the world,” said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of naval systems international at Northrop Grumman’s Naval and Marine Systems Division. “These new enhancements will improve situational awareness and optimize operational effectiveness to satisfy the mission requirements for all classes of naval vessels.”
Man Overboard Indicator Effective Up to 18 Nautical Miles
man overboard indicator system, has been tested to perform at an effective range of up to 18 nautical miles, aiding in swift and lifesaving recovery efforts. Measuring 2.4 by 1.7 inches, and weighing only 2.5 ounces, ORCA TX-104 is significantly smaller than comparable units, allowing for easy integration into a user’s work uniform or floatation device. The device may also be worn as a lanyard.
The technology is activated within 3-to-5 seconds of a man overboard submersion in either fresh- or saltwater. It generates a signal to the ORCA receiver aboard a user’s ship and illuminates its integrated strobe light for improved visibility. Once activated, ORCA TX-104 has a 24-hour battery life.
Factory-programmed to signal all other ORCA receivers within range, ORCA TX-104 broadcasts both its user’s location and identification information. Its beacon can be tracked by any search and rescue assets utilizing radio direction finders, and it provides continuous relative bearing to the user’s location. Currently more than 100,000 ORCA transmitters are in use across a fleet of over 400 U.S. Navy vessels of all classes.
MH-60T Jayhawk Helicopter Arrives
The new MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter was delivered to the Coast Guard Sector San Diego. A replacement for the J model, the aircraft boasts a new cockpit, which replaces older analog instruments with five multifunctional displays that allow both pilots to view a multitude of options. The new cockpit is based on the common avionics architecture system developed for the U.S. Army and incorporates cockpit flight and mission management, and integrates multiple communication, navigation and mission subsystems such as radar, traffic collision avoidance technology, electro-optical/ infrared and hoist camera images to reduce crew workload and improve operational effectiveness and safety.
“This model enhances both the pilot’s and flight crew’s ability to [execute] all 13 of the Coast Guard’s missions without having to continuously reconfigure the aircraft,” said USCG Lieutenant Simon Greene, a pilot stationed at the sector.
Rockwell Marks Delivery of 30,000th ARC-210 Radio
Rockwell Collins recently celebrated the delivery of the 30,000th ARC-210 radio to the U.S. military during a ceremony held at the company’s corporate headquarters in Cedar Rapids. The ARC-210 is now fielded on more than 180 platforms worldwide and is operating in more than 40 countries.
“This program is now a model for government-industry teaming,” said Kelly Ortberg, executive vice president and chief operating officer of government systems for Rockwell Collins. “This milestone is also significant because it represents $2 billion in ARC-210 sales for our company since the program started in 1990.”
Domestically, ARC-210s are installed in a wide range of aircraft and helicopters across the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and other military services. The ARC-210 provides two-way, multi-mode voice and data communications over a 30 to 512 MHz frequency range. It also includes embedded ultra high frequency and very high frequency anti-jam waveforms and other data link and secure communications features, providing the user with total battlefield interoperability and highperformance capabilities in the transfer of data, voice and imagery.
Rockwell specializes in the development and deployment of communication and aviation electronic solutions (flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, information management, simulation and training) for both commercial and government applications.
ScanEagle Exceeds 300,000 Combat Flight Hours
Insitu Inc. reported that its ScanEagle, a low-cost, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, accounted for approximately 22 percent of the 550,000 hours that the U.S. Department of Defense estimated unmanned aircraft flew last year to support combat missions for the U.S. armed services.
“Through these in-theater operations, we’ve proven the reliability of ScanEagle and consistently demonstrated that our systems are ready to execute any mission over land or sea,” remarked Vice President of Emerging Programs Bill Clark. “Our continual commitment to advance our technology contributes to this milestone, distinguishing Insitu within the unmanned aerial system industry.”
Since ScanEagle’s first operational flight in 2002, Insitu has rapidly developed and delivered tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solutions to better serve the warfighter. In response to requests for enhanced nighttime imagery, ScanEagle can be converted to NightEagle to include a cooled mid-wave infrared imager. Other aircraft configuration advancements include a heavy fuel engine for improved safety and ease of military supply chain logistics integration, as well as a muffled engine for reduced acoustic signature. Future deliveries to the warfighter will include digital video data encryption, singlechannel ground-to-air radio relay and heavy fuel engine electronic fuel-injection. These advancements will enable ground forces to see real-time encrypted, secure video and metadata from Insitu unmanned aerial systems using small laptop devices. Additionally, ground forces will be able to relay voice and data with an extensive end-to-end reach. Engine performance will also improve, especially in extreme temperatures and at high altitudes.
“Serving warfighters over the past five years has helped us fine-tune our engineering, production and field services operations,” said Insitu Vice President of Sales and Marketing Alvin Jackson. “The result has been increased agility and enhanced ability to deliver our systems rapidly anywhere in the world. We’ve come to better understand the unique needs of the armed forces and we’re responding with advanced solutions to fulfill those requirements.” ♦