Aerospace, Military & Defence
Modern military technology requires uncompromising resilience as forces advance
E
very military mission is built on four fundamental values: Command, Communications, Control and Computers. These pillars sit alongside Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) services to ensure operative legitimacy and success. To achieve this, the right supporting technology must be in place to tackle any potential challenges. Adrian Roche, application engineer, Aerospace & Defense at HUBER+SUHNER, explores the changing demands of C4ISR applications as warfare continues to evolve.
Increasing demand There are four segments within the C4ISR market – land-based, airborne, naval and space-based. Each of these presents unique challenges and opportunities and includes a broad spectrum of systems and applications. Vital products and services utilised within these C4ISR markets include radio and communications systems, satellites, navigation / mapping, radar, surveillance technology, secure data transmission, intelligence and research, telemetry systems and many more. Several factors are at play when considering the increasing demand for
Alongside this, the growth of asymmetric
warfare and soldier-modernization is propelling demand for man-portable C4ISR systems. In urban areas, deployed US and allied soldiers face circumstances where the enemy is hidden, familiar with the territory and has the advantage of being able to choose targets at will. Many countries have created a connected battlefield, equipping soldiers with advanced C4ISR systems for improved situational awareness.
Environmental and situational challenges
C4ISR systems and techniques provide the defense sector with integral support in collecting and sharing vital intelligence about adversaries, complex hostile environments and homeland / border control requirements. They are essential for improving efficiencies – reducing mission time – and enable command to receive and analyse progressively larger and more accurate volumes of data and information to make quicker, better-informed decisions. For infrastructure and personnel, this
can result in additional pressure when transmitting, analysing, storing and redistributing such large sums of mission- critical data in a reliable and secure way.
hardware, in land-based combat vehicles, operate between 1 MHz and 20 GHz. A wide frequency range with high shielding effectiveness is required to avoid interference. In many mobile platforms, Electromagnetic pulse (EMI) protectors need to be utilised to protect equipment against lightening electromagnetic pulse (LEMP) and nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP). This also prevents lightning
obsolete. As technology advances, funding must also be made available for upgrades.
The front line of defense HUBER+SUHNER has an extensive cutting- edge, defense-oriented product portfolio and a reputation as a global leader in the manufacture and supply of radio frequency, fiber optic and low frequency cabling, components and bespoke integrated solutions. Overcoming obstacles in the defense
sector, our solutions are optimised for successful mission-critical operations. In such an increasingly complex sector, we must also adapt and respond to market demand. With this in mind, we offer technologically advanced solutions with customisable designs. For example, custom-designed naval solutions with o-rings and glass seals for maximum performance in the most extreme conditions. This ensures that our technologies are application-appropriate and enduring under the severity of combat without the extra costs of full system replacement and modification.
robust C4ISR systems in these areas. As Governments shift focus, a need to quickly mobilise and increase military operations is emerging. At the same time, military personnel operational safety and security and efficiency must be maximised, reducing mission completion time. There is also an increasing need for better battle-space awareness and network-centric warfare. With operations often taking place in close quarter, populated, urban combat scenarios, the ability to quickly and correctly identify friend or foe and locate any threats within the civilian population is of paramount importance.
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The diverse environments in which the applications operate present additional challenges. For example, airborne applications across fighter jets, helicopters, high altitude aircrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles need to be ultra-low-weight, ruggedized solutions that can withstand extreme environmental factors and load factors up to 10g.
Naval applications must be waterproof and meet strict flammability and smoke density requirements inherent across submarines and ships. In addition, materials must meet military requirements for salt fog testing. Field-mountable communication equipment, such as navigational aids, jammers and satellite communication
strikes to the equipment. Command and control centres formed of mobile shelters and bunker infrastructures must comply with stringent shielding specifications, with each point of entry compromising the system’s screening effectiveness. Solutions that ensure long-term screening effectiveness and provide the lowest transfer impedance are needed to protect sensitive equipment against EMP and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Aside from these unique situational challenges, common challenges such as equipment lifespan and processes, and economic factors must be considered. Maximising the full potential of these C4ISR systems can only be achieved for as long as the current technology does not become
Marching into the future As C4ISR is the backbone of defense and security infrastructure, there is no doubt there is a growing market for C4ISR. With new challenges arising and the continuous evolvement of warfare and technological capabilities, demand will also change. Limits that have yet to be considered or tested will need to be overcome efficiently and effectively. Systems and components will need to become more discreet, secure, portable, resilient, lightweight, responsive, and so on. To achieve this required innovation and realise the full potential of these technologies, growing investment and a focus on research and development will be key.
hubersuhner.com Components in Electronics March 2020 17
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