Aerospace and Defense Review : News

OHB, once a novice in satellite manufacturing, stands today in the role of the incumbent, has constructed 22 of the 26 Galileo satellites in orbit. The remaining competitors, Airbus and Thales Alenia Space Italy had built the first four satellites, which were used to validate the concept for the larger constellation. The European Space Agency (ESA) is in the process of selecting two new companies to build the second generation of Galileo navigation satellites under contracts that will be signed in early 2021. The ESA-led competition, arranged on behalf of the European Commission, places rising German manufacturer OHB, which also built the first generation of Galileo satellites, against European heavyweights Thales Alenia Space and Airbus Defense and Space. “The intention is to retain two suppliers in a dual-source mode providing these satellites,” stated Paul Verhoef, ESA director of navigation. The agency will initially order two satellites apiece from the selected provider. The follow on contracts will cover the next 12 satellites in a constellation that will eventually consist of 24 active satellites and up to six spares. [vendor_logo_first] OHB, once a novice in satellite manufacturing, stands today in the role of the incumbent, having constructed 22 of the 26 Galileo satellites in orbit. The remaining competitors, Airbus and Thales Alenia Space Italy had built the first four satellites, which were used to validate the concept for the larger constellation. OHB is currently building the final 12 Galileo first-generation satellites under what the agency calls Batch 3. The new batch will help sustain the constellation until the second-generation satellites are in orbit. The first two of those 12 are expected to be launched on an Arianespace Soyuz in 2021. OHB executives stated that they are optimistic that ESA will select the company to build second-generation Galileo satellites. “We see the probability to win, to be one of the two contractors involved in the dual sourcing, significantly above 50 percent,” said Lutz Bertling, OHB chief strategy and development officer. “It’s very unlikely that somebody with such a heritage competing with two other companies that have zero heritage would not be selected.” The company bested an Airbus and Thales Alenia Space consortium in 2011 to build the Galileo first-generation constellation and has held its position as the prime contractor for the satellites ever since. Bertling stated that the Galileo second-generation satellites would be around 2,400 kilograms, approximately three and a half times the size of the current satellites. The Galileo second generation will be more complex and technologically superior, which means, OHB still expects to see a revenue increase even if it has to split manufacturing with a competitor. See also:  Top Space Technology Companies ...Read more

ALM is seen by the defense and other advanced industries to minimize costs and lead times while enhancing the efficiency of their goods and supply chains. Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) or 3D-printing is known as groundbreaking technology that can significantly improve the defense industry’s operations and military capabilities. Along with a range of other advances (unmanned and autonomous robotic systems, cyber capabilities, data mining, targeted energy weapons, and human performance modification), ALM is expected to change the fight. Fit for Small and Customized Production Small or one-off” production with ALM is cheaper than with conventional methods. Since there are no economies of scale on the manufacturing side, standardization is no longer a requirement. The simplicity of design, too, is no longer needed to comply with economic constraints. ALM’s highly complex parts are feasible, faster, and require less material to enhance engineers’ imagination and product efficiency. Quick Development and Reactivity ALM can have a fundamental effect on the defense industrial base by accelerating the transition rate from the prototype to production. “Agile” assembly lines and shorter lead times for design changes would give military technology a competitive advantage. On-demand additive manufacturing increases supply chain responsiveness and decreas es inventory, obsolescence risks, and overall costs. Scalability adds to the response. If there is a sudden need to double the output volume, the addition and plugging of ALM machines would easily increase the capacity. See Also: Top Drone Tech Solution Companies Pairing 3D-Printing and Printable Electronics Among military applications , unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – also known as “drones” – can gain most from printable electronics. They are low-volume development units, likely to be tailored to meet the requirements of the missions. ALM and lightweight design allow UAS to operate on longer flights and broader ranges. UAS can already take advantage of ALM to some degree. For example, ALM encourages light-weighting through lattice structuring design or topological optimization. It allows the UAS to carry out longer flights and operate in more comprehensive ranges. Printing and customizing UAS on-site would lead to more functional and cheaper mission-specific vehicles available on the war scene. Advantages of “Near-The-Battlefield” Production In military operations, ALM enables small-scale production of powerful platforms to be readily available to armed forces. “Mobile Labs” are stationed in combat camps to produce fast parts for the surrounding battlefield. If technology matures further in multi-material deposition and adaptive material solutions, the parts could be printed in situ from available materials. Self-sufficiency is undoubtedly a tactical advantage in the military. It makes sense to put ALM closer to the frontline during the war. By promoting a closer connection of military field experience with engineers’ technological skills, ALM may make a real contribution to preserving the superiority of military equipment. After the battle, ALM will significantly assist local communities and promote disaster relief or restoration by printing personalized parts and maintaining strategic equipment. Top Cryogenics Companies  : (  Renaissance Scientific ,  Empire Magnetics ,  Cryogenic Systems and Parts  ) ...Read more

With the increase in automation, the demand for electrical power also increases. Many companies around the world are looking for ways to meet peak power demands by not affecting engine performance. Avionics is a type of electronics system and equipment that is specifically designed for use in aviation. Engine controls, flight control systems, communications, navigation, lighting systems, boost systems, threat detection, electro-optic (EO/IR) systems, weather radar, and systems that will handle various missions and flight management tasks are all part of the avionics installed in an aircraft/spacecraft. Multiple functions are integrated into advanced avionics systems to manage costs, improve performance, and simplify maintenance. Here is a list of some different avionics technologies and concepts that are shaping the industry's future. Digital Environment Simultaneous Localization and Mapping, or SLAM, is a new technology that has made its way into avionics. The main idea behind SLAM is the instantaneous translation of data from the real world into the virtual world via sensors for the processing of actions and interfaces. Another area of avionics where SLAM will be used is aircraft flight simulation. Companies that make flight simulators are incorporating virtual reality technology to simulate training that keeps up with advances in avionics system technology. Pilot training will be reshaped in the future by physical peripherals as well as VR data. Electrical Power Generation With the increase in automation, the demand for electrical power also increases. Many companies around the world are looking for ways to meet peak power demands by not affecting engine performance. There might be a time in the future when fuel cells combined with high-energy capacity lithium-ion batteries will help in assisting with supplemental power requirements of an aircraft and will replace the auxiliary power units. It is also predicted that the electrical systems could replace the extremely heavy and complex hydraulic systems that control the landing gear and light controls in most aircraft today. Computing and Security Military and defense are already being driven by improved computing capabilities and secure communications. The majority of technologies developed for the military, such as radar, have found commercial applications. It won't be long before these avionics technologies follow suit. The ability to securely transmit and receive large amounts of data has yet to evolve. For avionics, this means that as the global communication breach grows, so does the risk of an aircraft system being hacked. Because of the increased cyber-security threats, it is expected that avionics and in-flight entertainment systems will be equipped with anti-hacking technologies in the near future. Avionics systems are becoming more reliant on computer servers. The basic principles of Lean Technology have played a significant role in revolutionizing avionics efficiency. Avionics' future will necessitate highly certified and trained technicians, as well as regulatory authorities. The authorities of the future face the challenge that technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate and that specialized experts are required in addition to the electrical or mechanical knowledge that was previously required. To ensure that any regulations are in line with the requirements of modern avionics, regulatory authorities and end-users must work together. Automated Operations The future avionics system will have a promising collaboration with autonomous operations. Autonomous aircraft systems are based on three important elements; • Safe operation • Improved operational performance • The capability of making money Sensor or data fusion will have a significant impact on autonomous operations. Sensor fusion is the merging of data from numerous sensors to produce an accurate status picture of an aircraft in any environment. This technology has advanced significantly in military development, but more integration is needed for the aviation industry as well as commercial applications. ...Read more