Electronic Military & Defense magazine was developed for engineers, program managers, project managers, and those involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for military, defense, and aerospace applications.
Issue link: https://electronicsmilitarydefense.epubxp.com/i/78772
From The Editor Navigating The Defense-Budget Minefield Welcome to the latest issue of Electronics Military & Defense magazine, where we leverage the abundant technical know-how from the VertMarkets Electronics Group of websites to update you on the latest in defense technology. Since our last issue, there has been tremendous uncertainty regarding U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) spending, since the Pentagon's budget has been reduced by $492 billion over the next 10 years. This shrinks the DOD budget from $645.6 billion in FY2012 to $614 billion in 2013 (-4.9%), and procurement from $120.6 billion to approximately $108.5 billion (-10%). Making matters worse, the threat of additional spending cuts in the coming years still looms, as debt reduction pressures likely will continue to mount. Not all the news is so grim. Market analysts have identified several bright spots in the defense sector. For example, the Teal Group projects worldwide UAV spending to increase from $6.6 billion annually to $11.4 billion in the next decade, totaling just over $89 billion over those 10 years. In our feature article, UAVs And Electronic Payloads: Navigating Turbulent Times, Bright Skies Ahead (page 8), I discuss the market forecast for UAVs and their payloads, and look at several current and future UAV platforms and the payload opportunities they provide. We also included a complementary UAV piece on page 38 entitled Technical Challenges For Small UAV Payloads, which examines the high-level issues payload engineers face when considering delivery of video from small UAV platforms. Communications could be another area for growth, as the ability to share real-time information at every level of the command chain remains a central goal of the military. In this issue, we have a pair of articles that demon- strate how advances in technology are helping to make this possible. Embedded Antennas For Tactical Military Applications (page 14) explains how the embedded antenna technology in commercial mobile devices can be leveraged for use in military applications. The Rising Role Of Pan/Tilt Systems in Military Communications (page 20) provides an interesting look at how automated pan/tilt systems are enabling a new class of configurable, portable, and flexible communication systems. Other articles in this magazine present new approaches to addressing longstanding design challenges. For example, Countermeasure Characterization And Development Using Standoff Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging (page 26) explores how this method is enabling intelligence agencies to gather more strategic information than was previously available through standard thermal imaging technologies. Effective Capture, Measurement, Analysis, And Emulation Of Radar Jamming Signals (page 30) presents two techniques for radar jamming emu- lation. Finally, be sure to check out the advanced electronic solutions presented in our product and services guide that begins on page 48. For further information, I invite you to visit the 10 industry-specific websites in the VertMarkets Electronics Group (www.vertmarkets.com/electronics): RF Globalnet, Photonics Online, Aerospace Online, Embedded Technology.com, ElectronicsWeb, Fiber Optics Online, GovCon, Semiconductor Online, Test and Measurement. com, and Wireless Design Online. These information-rich sites will help you stay current with industry news, learn about research and desi gn strategies that apply to your mil-aero projects, and source electronic products and services. We are dedicated to meeting your information and product needs online and in future issues of Electronic Military & Defense magazine. Paul Kruczkowski Editor paul.kruczkowski@rfglobalnet.com 6 Electronic Military & Defense ■ www.vertmarkets.com/electronics