Grant Anderson

📰 On recent aerospace news: Bell Textron Inc. has been selected for Phase 1B of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program. The SPRINT program intends to design, build, and fly an X-plane, an experimental aircraft to demonstrate enabling technologies and integrated concepts necessary for a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the next generation of air mobility platforms. In Phase 1A, Bell executed conceptual design review and will move into preliminary design efforts for the SPRINT X-plane. Read more: https://hubs.ly/Q02Bxdmx0 #manufacturer #bostoncenterless #manufacturing #contractmanufacturing #machining #manufacturers #manufacturingindustry #industrial #industrialmanufacturing #aerospace #defense

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AeroVironment has entered into an agreement with Parry Labs to advance the development of the P550 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS). The partnership will integrate digital engineering, software, and mission system hardware into AV’s upcoming P550, purpose built for the U.S. Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program. Parry Labs’ team of MOSA leaders and digital systems experts have created a foundational platform using an open and intelligent software stack, SWaP-C optimized hardware, and a digital engineering environment for collaborative build, test and integration. Designed with MOSA principals from inception, AV’s P550 UAS is perfectly aligned to adopt solutions from trusted partners such as Parry Labs to maximize warfighter capability and mission flexibility. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gcsQ3R_U

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A top Pentagon official told Congress that U.S. hypersonic missile defense systems are "inadequate" at least in part due to struggles that the United States Department of Defense is facing due to the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The space and missile defense deputy assistant secretary, revealed the concerning vulnerability during an exchange with the Senate Strategic Forces Subcommittee. If Russia were to launch a hypersonic missile from the western city of Murmansk, the U.S. would face issues deflecting it, the secretary said in response to a question "The truth is, we have no defense for hypersonic missiles, yes or no?"  "You are the Commander of an aircraft carrier in the Greenland gap. A hypersonic missile launch from Murmansk [travels] 6000 miles per hour. What do you do?" "We have some systems in the terminal stage, but we need more. You are correct, that our hypersonic defenses are inadequate," he responded. The Fiscal Responsibility Act, passed last year to avoid a government default, places limits on discretionary defense spending. The law, combined with the pressures of inflation, has posed challenges for the Defense Department. "What we faced in this year and in the budget this year, it was difficult with the Fiscal Responsibility Act we had to work with. We had to pay bills and had to go in on the personnel, salaries, health care, inflation costs," he said. THE NYX (TM) Hypersonic Missile Defense Platform (shown) can address this inadequacy immediately. #hyperfast #HYPERIANAerospace #airsupremacy https://hyperianaero.com/ #NGAD #hypersonic #missiles #usnavy #airforce #usarmy #spaceforce #HYPERJet #HYPERMissile #HYPERBomber #HYPERLiner #hydrogen #aerospace #spaceflight #airsuperiority #NASA #BLACKSTAR

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Joby Aviation, Inc. has announced the acquisition of the autonomy division of Xwing Inc., an industry leader in the development of autonomous technology for aviation. Xwing became the first company to receive an official project designation for the certification of a large unmanned aerial system (UAS) from the Federal Aviation Administration in 2023, and the first to receive a United States Air Force Military Flight Release in 2024. “Autonomous systems are increasingly prolific in the private sector, and bring potentially game changing advantages to the Air Force as well,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the United States Department of the Air Force. “We created Autonomy Prime to keep up with this shift, and to stay engaged as a partner while this technology evolves, so that we can adapt and evolve along with the private sector, maintaining our competitive advantage.” The acquisition brings Joby to the forefront of aviation autonomy, and the company expects the technology to play an important role in accelerating the execution of existing contract deliverables with the United States Department of Defense and expanding the potential for future contracts. Read more here: https://ow.ly/926150S8MAb . . . #AFWERX #Prime #AutonomyPrime #USAF #DAF #DoD #UAS #FAA #acquisition #autonomoustechnology #aviation #innovation

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Fairmont attended the 39th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs last week, where the US Space Force (USSF) released its Commercial Space Strategy. While the recently-released DoD Commercial Space Strategy focused more on policy, the USSF strategy takes more of an acquisition perspective and lays out four criteria that will inform USSF decision-making on the utilization of commercial space solutions: (1) Operational Utility, (2) Feasibility, (3) Resilience by Design, and (4) Speed to Fielding. These strategies have been in the works for some time, and while they don't really break any new ground, they do represent an important formal codification of various efforts taking place across the DoD.    Visit https://bit.ly/3JnTP4T to learn more about the USSF Commercial Space Strategy. #SpaceIndustry #SpaceForce #CommercialSpace #NationalSecurity #Innovation #TechnologyIntegration

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Giving local and federal authorities the ability to defend against drones is absolutely critical and I'm glad Congress is acting. That being said most CounterUAS systems interfere with GPS. We need to be careful that what we do to defend against drones does not accidently impact safety critical systems in aviation, automotive, e911, as well as essential applications is agriculture, financial networks, communications networks, etc. When this hopefully moves forward we will need standards and certifications on the design, capability, and use of these systems.

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One of our systems engineering offerings that has been getting some attention is our System Safety Engineering Services. Safety must be built into the systems. It can't be added after the fact. We can mentor and support your team through the whole product lifecycle - from proposal to development to certification and delivery. #systemsafety #882E #aerospace

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📢Big news for the CUAS industry! The Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024 is making waves, and while it is limited, there's still plenty to be optimistic about. 📜 For example, extending the Counter-UAS authorities for the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security until October 1, 2024. ⌛ This Act lays the groundwork for significant enhancements in airspace awareness and protection. It’s a pivotal moment for us to build on, but the clock is ticking, and these next five months are crucial for shaping a safer airspace environment. Read on for sections of the Act that may impact the Counter-UAS mission>> https://lnkd.in/dmTqFfgy #CUAS #FAA #AirspaceSecurity #DroneSafety #DroneSecurity #DroneThreat

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🚀 Innovation Alert! Celebrating a major milestone at McChord AFB with the successful Operational Test of Jet Dash! Kudos to visionary Airman, Jacob Sullivan, for spearheading this initiative and the 62nd Maintenance Group for all the support and feedback. Jet Dash revolutionizes the management of Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE), much like a commercial food delivery app, from order to drop-off, you can keep track of your AGE equipment. What This Means: Jet Dash is specifically designed to accelerate the deployment and management of AGE, which is crucial for maintaining and operating aircraft efficiently. The Impact: By efficiently managing and dispatching AGE, Jet Dash significantly reduces delays and improves in-transit visibility, streamlining ground operations at McChord AFB. 🔗 Huge thanks to Team PA at McChord for their coverage of this project: https://lnkd.in/dX4Ch28r #JetDash #Innovation #McChordAFB USAF Photo By: Airman 1st Class Kylee Tyus

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The United States Air Force, through AFWERX, has awarded Target Arm Inc. a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 contract. Entitled, “Enhancing Air Force Autonomous Systems with Sensor Fusion Engine (SFE) for Greater Precision, Efficiency, and Extended Operational Range,” this contract is said to signify a major stride in advancing aerial autonomy capabilities. Find out more > > https://hubs.ly/Q02xV1Zt0 Jeffrey McChesney, CEO of Target Arm, said; “The Department of Defense and numerous commercial entities are increasingly recognizing the unparalleled precision and localization capabilities offered by our Sensor Fusion Engine. With sub-millimeter accuracy, our SFE addresses a critical need within the drone industry, empowering military and commercial users alike to precisely track their drones relative to their surroundings. “We are witnessing remarkable interest across various sectors, particularly with Air-Air Refueling, where our SFE is poised to help revolutionize autonomous drone operations.” Read more on the Defense Advancement website. #autonomous #autonomy #aerospace #tech

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Certainly! Let's explore how Lockheed Martin's mobility research and development (R&D) programs intersect with the scenarios we discussed earlier: 1. **Assured Autonomy and Systems:** - Lockheed Martin's ATL (Advanced Technology Laboratories) focuses on autonomy, robotics, and artificial intelligence³. Their work in assured autonomy aligns with the adaptability needed for spaceflight and underground living. Autonomous systems can handle resource management, adapt to changing conditions, and operate efficiently in confined spaces. - Overlay: Imagine a diagram showing an autonomous system managing resources in a small space—whether a van, underground shelter, or spacecraft. 2. **Command, Control, and Understanding (C2&U):** - ATL's C2&U research involves understanding complex systems and decision-making³. In close quarters, effective command and control are critical. Whether in a van or a bunker, efficient communication and decision processes matter. - Overlay: Visualize a network connecting van occupants, bunker residents, or astronauts, emphasizing communication hubs and decision nodes. 3. **Spectrum Operations:** - ATL explores spectrum operations, including communication, radar, and electronic warfare³. In confined environments, managing electromagnetic spectrum usage is vital. Vans, bunkers, and spacecraft all rely on communication frequencies. - Overlay: Show overlapping frequency bands representing different systems—van communication, bunker sensors, and spacecraft telemetry. 4. **Cybersecurity:** - ATL's cyber research addresses security threats and vulnerabilities³. In close quarters, protecting data and systems is crucial. Vans, bunkers, and spacecraft all face cyber risks. - Overlay: Depict a shield protecting interconnected devices in various scenarios—van electronics, bunker control systems, and spacecraft avionics. 5. **Hypersonics:** - While hypersonics primarily relate to high-speed flight, the underlying technology has applications in various domains. ATL's hypersonics research contributes to cutting-edge propulsion and materials³. - Overlay: Represent hypersonic airflow around a van, a bunker entrance, and a spacecraft reentering Earth's atmosphere. Remember, Lockheed Martin pioneers advancements in AI-driven technologies, which can enhance all these areas³. Their work contributes to global security and technological transformation. 🚀🌎🔍¹³ Source: Conversation with Copilot, 6/7/2024 (1) Advanced Technology Laboratories | Lockheed Martin. https://lnkd.in/gSWTBnde. (2) . https://lnkd.in/g4JcNp5u.

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Update from last week's SC-228 meeting! 🚀 Experts gathered at RTCA in Washington, DC to track progress from our working groups and hear a usage update report from the Federal Aviation Administration Government Authorized Representative. Follow for more advancements in Minimum Performance Standards for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems!   #RTCA #UAS #AviationStandards

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