Technology
Case Study
Figure 4: AAI's SUAV
communications infrastructure. WIN-T elements utilize terrestrial and satellite communications to provide the warfighter with communications capabilities that are mobile, secure, survivable, seamless, and capable of supporting multimedia tactical information systems in the warfighter's battle space.
Harris Corporation, as a member of a team led by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin, has designed and is delivering the WIN-T increment 2 system, the radio system of the WIN-T tactical communications node (see Figure 2). This node is part of a highly secure network backbone for high-speed communications for voice, data, and video on the battlefield. The WIN-T tactical communications node incorporates an automated antenna pointing system to establish rapid-setup, line-of-site links. The system utilizes a high-performance pan/tilt system that provides fast, accurate pointing to align antennas automatically. The WIN-T increment 2 system has successfully completed testing and is entering full-rate production for 2013.
AAI's Ground Control Station — Advanced UAV Ground Control
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, has developed the Expeditionary Ground Control Station (EGCS), a man-portable, net- centric open-architecture system that can provide command and control of multiple unmanned aircraft. Thanks to a directional antenna system, the EGCS provides near real-time, full-motion video. The combination of a small UAV with a portable ground station is a significant step to delivering the modern net-centric battlefield, providing real-time video to forward operations.
The EGCS is being used with Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MEUAS) II for the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and as part
22 Electronic Military & Defense ■ www.vertmarkets.com/electronics
of the U.S. Navy ISR Services contract to be deployed by the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. The EGCS allows portable command and control operations. This multi-mission-capable system is ideal for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations.
Figure 5: AAI's EGCS utilizing tracking pan/tilt.
BETSS-C – Forward-Force Protection Protecting Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) overseas is a critical, 24/7 job. The mid-range thermal imager