Defense Market

Today’s infantry soldiers increasingly depend on multiple batteries to power weapons, communications devices and GPS equipment. Typical energy storage requirements for the platoon leader include eight different types of batteries. Advancements in ultracapacitor technology can reduce battery weight carried by soldiers by enabling the use of field chargeable devices. Military applications of ultracapacitors include:

• aunmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
• long endurance intelligence & surveillance platforms,
• low voltage power devices powered by energy harvesting sources,
• unattended remote sensors
• burst communication devices
• UPS and auxiliary power units.

The military market is less sensitive to price and places more demands on performance, that’s why the military market is poised for earlier technology adoption, says a new market study Ultracapacitor Market Forecast 2015-2020.

“Quantum Computation and Communication is one of five themes for future logistics innovation identified by the Army Logistics Innovation Agency (LIA) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia”, says the article in Army Logistician. The article, published in the official magazine for Army logistics, marks quantum computing as one of five promising technologies that may improve logistics effectiveness significantly, with logistics functions significantly improved and logistics requirements radically reduced.

Actually it’s impossible to name any field within military domain that will be untouched by advances in quantum computing, implies a recently published market study Quantum Computing Market Forecast 2015-2020. According to this market study, the governments are the major driving force behind investments in quantum computing technology, viewed as:

• a geopolitical game changer;
• a key technology in developing new weapons and breaking into adversary communications;
• the ultimate solution for secure communications.

Relevant info:
IBM Reaches Milestone in Bringing Closer Full-Scale Quantum Computer
Quantum Computing Market Getting Closer and It’s Huge

AAI Corp., Insitu, Inc. and CSC were each awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts for the procurement of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services for the Navy. The cumulative amount for the multiple award contracts (MAC) over a five-year period is $874 million. With the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts, the government will place individual task orders against the MAC for land-based and sea-based requirements. AAI and Insitu are eligible to compete for both sea- and land-based task orders. CSC may compete for land-based task orders.

Tasks performed under this contract will require the contractors to provide 24/7 ISR services, including all planning, coordination, certification, installation, pre-deployment, deployment, logistics, maintenance, flying and post-deployment efforts. The ISR services contract is in direct support of worldwide combat missions including round-the-clock imagery and other sensor capability in support of both sea- and land-based missions.

U.S. Army is conducting tests of a fleet of 16 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in an effort to research efficient, clean and renewable energy sources, and reduce the U.S. military’s dependence on petroleum. The tests are funded by the Army Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center (TARDEC), Office of Naval Research and Air Force Research Laboratories. The military fleet of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles serves as the test platform powered by renewable hydrogen, travels up to 200 miles on a single charge, refuels in five minutes and produces zero emissions. The test data are analyzed to study applicability of fuel cell technology in future military operational platforms.

World Surveillance Group Inc., a developer of lighter-than-air unmanned aerial vehicles (”UAVs”) and related technologies, has demonstrated its Argus One UAV to the U.S. Department of Defense (”DoD”) at the U.S. Department of Energy Nevada Test Site. The Argus One is a mid-altitude, lighter-than-air UAV designed to hover above the earth’s surface for extended periods of time. The uniquely constructed low observable airship is designed to handle surface winds in a more efficient manner than traditional “blimp-like” airships, while delivering a cost-effective solution based on minimal ground and human infrastructure. The recently held flight exercise was the first in a series of flight and testing activities planned for 2012. The Argus One UAV remains inflated inside a hangar facility for further testing, evaluation and demonstrations.