Armada’s monthly roundup of all the latest news in the military communications product, programme and operational domains.
Hurricane hunters
KenCast is supplying its Fazzt software to the US Air Force’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron located at Keesler airbase, Mississippi. The software will improve communications for the squadron’s Lockheed Martin WC-130J turboprop freighters. These aircraft collect meteorological information, particularly regarding hurricanes. According to a company press release KenCast has partnered with R4 Integration to provide a capability to enhance these aircraft’s transmission of meteorological data. While KenCast supplies the software, R4 Integration installs this onboard the planes. The initiative forms part of a wider effort by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to improve hurricane forecasting. Better forecasting should help enhance preparedness for such extreme weather. A written statement from KenCast revealed that all WC-130Js will receive KenCast’s software. “KenCast’s technology enables real-time reliable data transmission directly from the centre of the storm to the base, delivering information that can be crucial in saving lives, amid severe weather,” said the statement. The use of Fazzt by the WC-130Js means it is no longer necessary to wait until the conclusion of a mission before a WC-130J can share its data. Sometimes these missions can be over eleven hours’ duration.
Persistence pays off
On 9th July Persistent Systems announced it had won a $1.3 million contract from the US Navy to supply the company’s MPU5 radios and antennas to the force. A press release announcing the news said the hardware will be delivered to support “expeditionary and littoral operations.” Specifically, the radios and antennas will provide secure networking for navy Uninhabited Surface Vehicles (USVs). Personnel and USV ground control stations will also receive these systems. The radios will be outfitted with Persistent Systems’ Wave Relay mobile ad hoc networking waveform. The company’s July contract follows a similar $3.6 million contract it was awarded to integrate MPU5 radios with navy sensors. A Persistent Systems spokesperson told Armada that the contract covers the supply of a few dozen of the radios. A similar number of antennas, rugged displays and controllers will also be supplied. The spokesperson added that deliveries will begin by the end of the year and that the radios will equip Hydonalix’ Reckless, Emily and Amy USVs.
New MMW comms
Peraso has launched its new PRM2136X millimetric wave wireless platform for the provision of secure communications, according to a company press release. The company says the PRM2136X provides communications across a 57 gigahertz/GHz to 63GHz waveband. In a written statement supplied to Armada, Peraso disclosed that PRM2136X “evaluation units have been supplied to research and development groups in the US military and to companies associated with various militaries.” The statement continued that the PRM2136X “is a small 20mm x 45mm printed circuit board module containing the Peraso Baseband and RF (Radio Frequency) chipset and integrated antenna. The module communicates with the host and receives power from a USB 3.0 interface.” The PRM2136X has a useful range of circa 500 metres (1,640 feet) providing around one gigabit-per-second of data throughput.
by Dr. Thomas Withington
