07 July 2021
by Pat Host
AeroVironment has developed a new ground control solution (GCS) called Crysalis that will provide command and control (C2) of compatible company unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their payloads.
The user interface and hand device for AeroVironment's new Crysalis ground control solution for the company's robotic products. (AeroVironment)
Crysalis is an integrated, software-based system built around three elements – software, hardware, and antennas. Crysalis was designed to make operating AeroVironment robotic systems easier. Crysalis is cross-platform compatible with Android, Microsoft Windows, and Linux operating systems.
Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment president and CEO, told reporters on 6 July that while the company will not force customers to use Crysalis, all of the company's systems will be interoperable and integrated with Crysalis. Nawabi said the vision for Crysalis in the future is to be interoperable with the company's advanced ground robotic solutions and non-AeroVironment assets. Mark Graybill, company chief software engineer for UAS, said on 6 July that the company is developing a Crysalis software development kit to allow third parties to add support for their own radios, vehicles, and, if necessary, their own user interface.
29 March 2024
by Oishee Majumdar
In a recent demonstration to the ADF, Fleet Space Technologies applied the Beagle waveform technology to deliver push-to-talk capabilities using its Centauri 4 LEO satellite (pictured). (Fleet Space Technologies)
South Australia-based Fleet Space Technologies has used communications waveform technology Beagle to demonstrate satellite-enabled push-to-talk (PTT) capabilities to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Janes understands Beagle is a design framework developed by Australian company Safety from Space to generate efficient radio frequency (RF) signals that can transmit small and large amounts of data. The radio signals are carried on electromagnetic waves and the data is encoded and mapped using modulation techniques to determine the form. The waveform generated is specified by a complex mathematical representation.
The Beagle waveform was applied on Fleet Space's Centauri 4 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite to deliver tactical PTT during the demonstration, which was announced by the company on 12 March. The demonstration was conducted as part of Defence Space Command's (DSpC's) ASCEND2LEO programme, which aims to develop a LEO satellite communication (satcom) system leveraging Centauri satellites to deliver tactical voice and data transmission where connectivity is limited.
29 March 2024
by Michael Fabey
The USN CNO noted the need for the development of directed energy weapons, such as the laser system shown in this artist's rendition. (Lockheed Martin)
Recent US Navy (USN) operations in the Red Sea have underscored the importance of logistics, according to Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the USN chief of naval operations (CNO).
Adm Franchetti also noted the importance of developing new weapons and related capabilities to match emerging threats.
The CNO made the comments during a discussion for Defense One that was shown online on 27 March.
“I've focused a lot especially on contested logistics and the need to think creatively about how to resupply our ships that are out there on the pointy end,” Adm Franchetti said. “We've been able to do that.”
29 March 2024
by Akhil Kadidal
The first production Tejas Mk 1A takes off from the HAL airport in Bangalore on 28 March 2024. (HAL)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has test-flown its first production Tejas Mk 1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is unlikely to get the aircraft until mid-2024, an industry source told Janes .
According to HAL, the first production aircraft, serial no LA-5033, conducted an 18-minute successful sortie from the HAL airport in Bengaluru on 28 March. HAL intended to deliver at least one Tejas Mk 1A to the IAF by February 2024, a deadline that was subsequently moved up to 31 March. Janes understands that the handover of LA-5033 to the IAF could possibly require at least two additional months.
An industry source told Janes that the delay in delivery is because of ongoing “disruptions in the supply chain” for the programme.
AeroVironment has developed a new ground control solution (GCS) called Crysalis that will provide co...
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