Ocean Aero Teams with Forcys for Triton Payload
Ocean Aero, a pioneer in autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUSVs), has announced a strategic partnership with Forcys, a leading provider of advanced marine technology solutions. Under this new collaboration, Forcys will supply Ocean Aero’s Triton AUSV with state-of-the-art navigation and sonar systems, further enhancing the vehicle’s capabilities.
The Triton, renowned as the world’s only environmentally powered AUSV, operates entirely on solar and wind energy. This innovative design enables the Triton to achieve speeds of up to five knots and maintain submersion for up to five days at two knots, making it a versatile tool for a range of applications, including defence operations.
Forcys will be integrating two key technologies into the Triton: the SPRINT-Nav Mini, the world’s smallest hybrid acoustic-inertial navigation system developed in collaboration with Sonardyne, and the Solstice multi-aperture sonar (MAS) from Wavefront Systems, which is leading the field for Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems. These advancements are set to significantly boost the Triton’s performance and operational efficiency.
Dan Zatezalo, General Manager and Head of Global Sales at Forcys, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to collaborate with Ocean Aero as their payload provider for defence applications. Their innovative Triton platform perfectly complements our technology, and we are confident that this collaboration will deliver outstanding results. We look forward to advancing autonomous ocean defence technology together.”
Bob Marthouse, COO of Ocean Aero, highlighted the importance of the performance-to-power ratio in their selection process: “The efficiency of our payloads is crucial to achieving our mission objectives. Forcys’ technology has proven its worth in our recent missions, particularly the Solstice MAS, which impressed our team with its performance. This partnership is set to drive significant advancements in our capabilities.”
With Forcys’ extensive expertise in marine defence technology and Ocean Aero’s groundbreaking Triton AUSV, the new partnership is poised to make a significant impact in the field of autonomous maritime operations.
Costain Secures Extension to Defence Contract
Costain has been awarded a contract extension to its existing framework agreement with a major defence contractor, reinforcing its role in supporting key UK defence projects. The extension, valued in the six figures for a six-month period, will see Costain continue to provide essential project management consultancy, risk management, and planning services.
Under this renewed agreement, Costain will deploy its experienced project delivery and controls specialists into critical roles within the defence contractor’s organization. This move underscores Costain’s long-standing commitment to delivering effective and practical solutions that support the UK’s strategic defence systems and infrastructure.
Bob Anstey, Defence and Nuclear Energy Sector Director at Costain, highlighted the importance of the extension: “Our strong relationships with defence contractors are integral to maintaining and upgrading essential defence infrastructure. This extension not only reflects our dedication to meeting customer needs but also our role in ensuring the resilience and effectiveness of UK defence capabilities. By providing top-tier professionals and fostering robust supply chain partnerships, we are committed to supporting the UK’s defence mission.”
Costain’s track record of excellence in the defence sector continues to bolster its reputation as a key player in enhancing and sustaining vital defence infrastructure.
Airframe Designs, LeoSat, Reliasat,& 21Aero Launch Satellite Antenna
Airframe Designs has made a significant stride in satellite communications with the introduction of a cutting-edge Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) designed to revolutionize the In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) market. The advanced antenna was unveiled by LeoSat Solutions at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, a collaboration that includes UK joint venture partners Reliasat, 21Aero, and Airframe Designs.
This new antenna is set to transform the IFEC landscape with its innovative design focused on low weight, low drag, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness. The technology promises to offer superior performance compared to existing solutions, thanks to its advanced ESA capabilities that include extremely low beam switch times and a broad operational range with minimal signal loss.
Jerrod Hartley, CEO of Airframe Designs, highlighted the impact of this development: “The debut of our SATCOM antenna mock-up at the Aircraft Interiors Expo marks a key moment in satellite communications. LeoSat Solutions’ new antenna showcases significant performance improvements and reflects our dedication to innovation. Our goal is to reshape the IFEC sector with this advanced technology, providing unmatched performance and sustainability.”
The antenna features a single-beam ESA that supports over 60 degrees of viewing angles and is designed to be lightweight, with an estimated weight of around 20kg. Its flat, low-profile design reduces drag and is optimized for various applications, including satellite, aviation, and remote ground communications, as well as emerging 5G systems. The system also emphasizes environmental and economic sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint and offering an affordable Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) package for retrofitting.
With capabilities exceeding 400Mbps and scalable panels based on specific needs, this new antenna represents a major advancement in antenna technology, setting new standards for operational efficiency and environmental impact in the aviation sector.
DE&S Li-Fi Pilot by Consolite, Centiant, and UK Strategic Command
A groundbreaking data connectivity pilot is underway at DE&S’ Defence Munitions Gosport site, showcasing the potential of Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technology to enhance collaboration and efficiency in highly specialized environments. This initiative seeks to address the connectivity challenges faced by staff working with complex weapons and munitions.
Currently, staff at Defence Munitions sites across the UK face significant productivity issues due to the prohibition of mobile internet and standard Wi-Fi, which are restricted due to safety concerns associated with radio transmissions near stored munitions. This lack of connectivity limits access to online technical resources, impedes real-time collaboration, and affects training and information sharing.
The Li-Fi pilot, managed by DE&S Digital and UK Strategic Command Defence Digital in partnership with Consolite Technology Ltd and Centiant International Ltd, is evaluating how this innovative technology performs in a high-security, explosive atmosphere environment. The trial at Defence Munitions Gosport is assessing the usability, performance, and stability of Li-Fi, which transmits data via light rather than radio waves.
Nick Rice, CEO of Consolite Technology, commented on the pilot: “Wi-Fi can be problematic in military settings due to safety and cybersecurity concerns. Li-Fi offers a radio frequency-free solution that is ideal for explosive environments like Gosport. It provides faster data speeds and enhanced security, demonstrating significant benefits in this trial.”
Tom Brickell, Defence Digital Innovation Architect at UK Strategic Command, noted the transformative impact of Li-Fi: “Introducing Li-Fi to our specialist environments has unlocked new possibilities, such as video conferencing with manufacturers, which is a major advancement for Defence Munitions.”
Steven Hodson, DE&S Digital Team Leader, praised the collaborative effort: “This pilot highlights the benefits of DE&S Digital and UK Strategic Command working together to deliver innovative solutions. It underscores our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance our mission capabilities.”
That’s it for this week folks, Hope you have a great week.