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From the NIE:
"The system was chosen to participate in the Network Integration Evaluation 14.1 as a 'System Under Evaluation,'" said Jeff Faunce, deputy, Experiments Division, USASMDC/ARSTRAT Battle Lab. "WASP was employed in NIE 14.1 by four signal Soldiers supporting live maneuver elements. The primary mission of WASP was to enable network extension by elevating radio payloads to altitudes up to 1,000 feet."
http://www.army.mil/article/115882/SMDC_helps_WASP_fly/
From 2009:
“Jeff Faunce, deputy for experiments, Army Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab, calls the stratospheric platforms the “long pole in the tent” for delivering this handheld device to warfighters. But Faunce allows that, while aerostats are not the ultimate solution to the aerial element of the TactiCell configuration, they make a perfect testbed because they at least provide mobile cell coverage over a particular area. “In that class of vehicle, up in the stratosphere, we are hopefully closer rather than further away [from a solution],” he states.”
http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=node/2101
The aerostats are a nice appetizer .. but the Argus is coming & so is the Strat!
Imo ; )
Thanks Bearslayer, great article. The SMDC must really like the WASP acronym or it’s a very positive sign that they’ve named this version of the BiB "WASP" .. as I was looking for more tid-bits on the WASP within the SMDC and found this:
From 2002:
“Office: U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
A--Widebody Airborne Sensor Platform (WASP) Prime Sensor System (PSS)”
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=7def70e6d92d03289370a7d2ad42c7e4
From 2009:
"WASP Wide-body Airborne Sensor Platform"
http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2009/budget_justification/pdfs/03_RDT_and_E/Vol_2_MDA/24_PB09%20ACRONYM%20LIST.pdf
As Turbodog says .. contracts showing $$$$$ are needed to get the share price moving .. but we have products that are being used & testing is ongoing with others. It will be interesting to learn what is happening with the Argus & how Avetec is making out with the Stratellite : )
Another recent article on the Army communications network & how working together is important:
"New Radios, Waveforms Move Military Communications Into the Sky
October 1, 2013
The U.S. Defense Department has spent the last decade developing a family of multiband programmable radios and waveforms designed to move voice, data and video with the goal of connecting small tactical units with larger battlefield networks. Much of this work has focused on supporting warfighters on the ground through vehicle and man-portable radios. But the services now are looking at other ways to connect troops by installing the new radios in aircraft.
This Joint Aerial Layer Network consists of a variety of aerial platforms such as jets, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and aerostats serving as nodes in a larger network. The aerial nodes would help extend the range of ground-based tactical radios and allow for better communications between troops on the ground and the aircraft supporting them. There are a number of Defense Department efforts now under way, primarily directed by the Army, that are seeking to further develop and build out the aerial layer.
Whether on the ground or in the air, the Defense Department’s goal is getting information to the warfighter, Maj. Gen. Dennis Moran, USA (Ret.), vice president for government business development with Harris RF Communications, says. He notes that what is emerging out of the ashes of the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program is an architecture that connects forces from the brigade level down to tactical command posts and small units at the very edge of the network. The next goal for the Defense Department is to integrate aircraft into this architecture.
To better fit into airborne applications, the Army is developing its Small Airborne Networking Radio (SANR) and the Small Airborne Link 16 Terminal (SALT). Both radios are outgrowths from the former JTRS program. All of these various radios will take advantage of existing Defense Department communications and networking standards to weld the airborne architecture into place, Gen. Moran says.
The primary waveform in use by ground forces is the soldier radio waveform (SRW), which is used at the company and tactical levels, and the wideband networking waveform (WNW) mid-tier to connect the upper and lower levels of the military Internet. Gen. Moran notes that the SRW is a relatively mature waveform that is now being deployed by the Army in Afghanistan.
The SRW is currently being integrated into Army helicopters such as the Bell OH-58 Kiowa. The service is using the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) events held at Fort Bliss, Texas, and the nearby White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to study how the waveforms work on different networks. Gen. Moran notes that the Army has been studying SRW interactions for the last two NIEs.
A goal of the work at the NIE is to find appropriate network management processes for the waveforms, Gen. Moran says. This will allow an aircraft to move seamlessly between different battlefield networks to provide communications as well as developing operational concepts. Military users have been requesting the installation of tactical radios into helicopters, he says, adding that the airborne domain is somewhat behind the ground domain in terms of networking capabilities.
The benefits of waveforms such as the WNW and SRW are that they are arrows in the quiver of military spectrum planners, Gen. Moran explains. “The beauty of these radios is that they’re multiband radios,” he says, noting that their ability to handle different bands allows for greater operational flexibility and interoperability. Additionally, these systems can handle useful legacy waveforms like Link 16.
Link 16 has proven itself over the years, says Jeff Perry, vice president of business development at Harris Corporation. He notes that the Army hopes to install SALT systems into its attack helicopters once the technology is mature. SALT and SANR systems will allow Army and Marine Corps tactical aircraft to have a common situational awareness capability with Air Force platforms. While Link 16 is very useful, Perry believes that upcoming generations of radios and waveforms will be more robust and flexible at entering and leaving the various battlefield networks they encounter.
In operations in Afghanistan or at the NIE, Gen. Moran notes that the Army has demonstrated repeatedly that having an advanced communications node such as the Warfighter Information Network-Terrestrial or radios using WNW/SRW waveforms provides commanders with a major advantage. As this moves to the aerial layer, the issue will be determining the best platform to install nodes on: aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles or aerostats, and determining what is most efficient to use, he says.
The Defense Department is looking at the aerial layer from a joint basis, Perry says. The military is examining many different ways to get information to warfighters. Some of the capabilities that the Defense Department is looking into to do this include onboard data processing to deliver a finished product to warfighters, as opposed to a stream of raw data that sucks up bandwidth, he explains.
As the need for streaming video from aerial platforms to ground forces becomes more important, the Air Force is experimenting with a variety of waveforms and Link 16. Such capabilities would support the service’s air to ground controllers, who guide in air operations from the ground, because the need for real-time video from aircraft orbiting the battle zone is becoming more important, Gen. Moran says. These capabilities could also be used to transmit data to other aircraft or a relay aircraft serving as a flying node. “It’s all about getting information into the cockpit or from the cockpit down to the controller to make a combat decision,” he remarks."
http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=node/11799
I believe Indy shared an article on aerostats & the renewed interest / importants in theatre. The Army was looking for a smaller aerostat & tested a few different platforms overseas .. before we supplied Launcher systems & then whole units to the REF .. overseas. Imo the Bib’s being used in the REF & @ Fort Polk are but a smaller envelope .. but the same set-up / operationally as the ones BAE & the SMDC had ordered & passed on to the recent NIE.
Here is a little more on General Dynamics & WIN-T network:
“General Dynamics Keeps Cool Amid Talk Of Scaled Back WIN-T Inc 3
The maker of Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 3 said last week that the Army's plans to focus solely on network operations capabilities in the next phase of the program, rather than aerial tier communications, could ultimately be a positive step.”
http://defensenewsstand.com/
“The foundation of the Soldier’s Network and a top priority of the Army’s modernization plan, WIN-T Increment 2 provides commanders with mission command on the move and is currently deployed with the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan. A technology advancement planned under the new Increment 3 contract and planned for integration into Increment 2, will be an additional line-of-sight communications layer. The additional layer thickens the WIN-T network using an unmanned aerial vehicle or other airborne platform to increase communications flexibility and capacity that are vital to highly dispersed forces operating in isolated areas.
The backbone of the Soldiers’ Network, WIN-T Increment 2 and Increment 3 comprise the centerpiece of Army’s network modernization strategy, which includes the AN/PRC-154A Rifleman and AN/PRC-155 two-channel Manpack tactical radios, Nett Warrior and mission command on-the-move capabilities such as the Command Post of the Future (CPOF).”
http://www.generaldynamics.com/news/press-releases/detail.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1811=18806
“Prime contractor General Dynamics and partner Lockheed Martin lead a team of communications, network systems and platform integration experts that includes BAE Systems, Harris Corporation and L-3 Communications.”
http://investorrelations.gd.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=85778&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1101364&highlight=
“the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Polk”
http://www.nola.com/military/index.ssf/2013/06/fort_polk_to_retain_combat_bri.html
From our US-Technik partner:
“Fort Polk LA .. Units rotating through JRTC before deployment will utilize the BIB systems as part of their training for aerostat employment once arriving in overseas theaters of operations.”
http://www.us-technik.com/home.html
I think General Dynamics is “cool” with the aerial tier .. because they already know our aerostats are already in the mix .. imo
“the Army would much rather depend on a $300K antenna/repeater carried on a trailer behind a humvee than on one that needs to be lifted by a $6MM manned aircraft"
"Army To Scale Back WIN-T Increment 3, Cutting Aerial Capabilities :
An Army network modernization official said the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 3 is poised for significant downsizing due to funding constraints triggered by sequestration."
http://defensenewsstand.com/
“The NIEs might have less in them, but they’re going to be a heck of a lot more focused; ... we’ve gotten dramatically smarter on how to pick out” what technologies and capabilities to include, Hughes said.
While the Army tries to work through funding issues and decide how many NIEs to have and how to structure them, there are already developmental efforts being put on hold.
The status of the next version of the WIN-T tactical network that the 4th BCT is using in Afghanistan is still up in the air, for example.
“We have valid requirement” for the upgraded network known as “WIN-T Increment 3,” Hughes said, but the money might not be there.
“Within the next six months to a year, we’ll know where we’re going with Increment 3, but right now we’re just trying to figure out what we can afford.”
http://www.c4isrnet.com/article/M5/20131029/C4ISRNET06/310290017/Army-Network-Proves-Mettle-Afghanistan
Thanks WW .. Here are a couple more articles on the NIE .. & a paragraph from each that caught my attention:
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/March/Pages/Army%E2%80%99sAcquisitionofBattleNetworkSlowedDownbyRedTape.aspx
“Hundreds of products have been evaluated, but the Army so far has only purchased systems that already existed — known as “programs of record” — and had been funded before NIE got started.”
http://breakingdefense.com/2013/02/industry-army-fix-nie-network-integration-evaluation/
“Over the last decade, the military’s procurement system — especially in the Army — has split in two: a “rapid equipping” express lane rushed urgently niche capabilities to the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, be they network technology or uparmored vehicles, while equipment intended for general use lumbered along through the traditional bureaucratic traffic jams.”
From 2012 .. about the NIE but sounds like something Indy has said:
“Army spokesman Paul Mehney said NIE leaders are aware of these concerns and take them seriously. But he cautioned that contractors should not expect huge orders, as the Army has shifted its procurement strategy to a “buy fewer, more often” approach. Instead of purchasing massive quantities of a single product, the Army wants to incrementally upgrade the force, one brigade at a time. That means companies will receive smaller orders, but the upside is that more companies get a chance to bite at the apple.”
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/archive/2012/March/Pages/Army%E2%80%99sAcquisitionofBattleNetworkSlowedDownbyRedTape.aspx
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There is an image of the STMPAS at the bottom of this link within Universal Solutions International website. It looks to be tied to a Anchor .. guess that's why they wanted the launcher’s etc?
July 26, 2012 .. “Rapid Equipping Force displays new technology at Pentagon”
“Many of the prototypes on display only have a few copies currently available. For example, according to REF public affairs officer Ali Sanders, only two samples of the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System, or STMPAS -- a large balloon-like machine used for surveillance -- exist in the world at this time. That small-scale manufacturing is what gives the REF its flexibility, Sanders said.”
"We do things on a test basis," she said. "If it's something that the Army appreciates and they want to use more often, they'll field it out for all the Army."
http://www.usi-inc.net/70-rapid-equipping-force-displays-new-technology-at-pentagon
04/09/13 .. “Lighter Than Air Systems Provides Aerostat Launcher Sub-Systems to Support the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force”
“Air Systems Corp. ("LTAS"), has provided seven critical aerostat launcher electric main winches and spare components to support the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System ("STMPAS") for the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force ("REF").”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1164/lighter-than-air-systems-provides-aerostat-launcher-sub-systems-to-support-the-u-s-army-rapid-equipping-force
09/25/13 .. “Lighter Than Air Systems Receives Order for Aerostat Systems to Support the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force”
“Lighter Than Air Systems Corp. ("LTAS"), has received an order from prime defense contractor Universal Solutions International for five custom aerostat systems and subcomponents to support the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force ("REF"). The aerostat systems and related components will be delivered directly into active overseas operations to support U.S. military troops in staged shipments beginning within 30 days”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1234/lighter-than-air-systems-receives-order-for-aerostat-systems-to-support-the-u-s-army-rapid-equipping-force
Kinda weird that this info is also on the Universal Solutions International website .. considering it was through BAE & the SMDC that the WASP’s were sent?
"2013-10-07 .. LTAS Aerostat Platforms to Be Used in U.S. Army Network Integration Experiment"
http://www.usi-inc.net/in-the-news
It was through GTC because WSGI isn’t registered to do so .. & before they bought LTAS
Pg 26:
“We have not yet attempted to register as a contractor with the U.S. Government (although our subsidiaries GTC and LTAS have done so and have done business with various departments of the Government)”
Jan 17 / 2013:
“Global Telesat Corp. ("GTC"), has been awarded a $605,000 contract from the United States Department of Defense for a set of Blimp in a Box™ ("BiB") aerostat systems”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1143/global-telesat-awarded-united-states-department-of-defense-contract-for-blimp-in-a-boxtm-aerostat-systems
Apr 1 / 2013:
"World Surveillance Group Acquires Defense Contractor Lighter Than Air Systems"
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1144/world-surveillance-group-acquires-defense-contractor-lighter-than-air-systems
You don’t know Indy’s real identity? Many of us do Neomania
I would be very surprised if he had anything but the best intentions for us
I think he was a shareholder before he started working hand-n-hand with the company?
imo .. as long as he isn’t trading on his insider information there shouldn’t be a problem. He’s very cautious what he mentions? I remember a post where he mentioned consulting with his company’s council on being able / when to buy WSGI shares.
I think he felt he wasn’t suffering enough grief from the naysayer’s when he first started posting .. he wanted to feel the pain from the losing faith longs too .. jk
With the forever declining share price .. it shouldn’t be too hard to show how much money he’s lost with us
Lopsided posted a link (thank you) about the Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) :
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=92881779
This is said within it:
“The Army conducts NIEs twice a year. Each NIE typically involves around 3,800 soldiers and 1,000 vehicles, and up to 12,000 square kilometers of territory, and approximately 6 weeks in duration. The two categories of the key participating systems during the NIEs are Systems under Test (SUT) and Systems under Evaluation (SUE), and each is subject to differing levels of scrutiny.
SUTs are from an ongoing acquisition program (sometimes referred to as a program of record) that are formally determined to be ready for operational testing in order to inform an acquisition decision. 7This operational testing is subject to review and is conducted with the production or production-like system in realistic operational environments, with users that are representative of those expected to operate, maintain, and support the system when fielded or deployed.
• SUEs are provided by either industry or the government. They are either (1) developing capabilities with sufficient technology, integration, and manufacturing maturity levels to warrant NIE participation; or (2) emerging capabilities that are seen as next generation war-fighting technologies that have the potential to fill a known gap or improve current capabilities. SUEs are not subject to formal test readiness reviews, nor the same level of testing as the SUTs. SUEs are operationally demonstrated and receive a qualitative user evaluation, but are not operationally tested and are not the subject of a formal test report (as SUTs are).
Aside from their role in the agile process, NIEs also provide the Army with opportunities for integration, training, and evaluation that leads to doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities recommendations; and the refinement of tactics, techniques, and procedures related to the systems tested.”
We know that the two “WASP”s that are being used / tested @ this NIE .. are platforms that we delivered to the SMDC :
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1254/aerostat-platforms-provided-by-world-surveillance-groups-lighter-than-air-systems-subsidiary-to-be-used-in-u-s-army-network-integration-experiment
So, could our aerostat’s / “WASP”s .. that are being used .. that were sent from the SMDC .. be considered within a “program of record” / “ongoing acquisition program”? I’d say yes!
Or, even though they’re to provide “beyond the line-of-sight” capabilities @ the NIE .. are they just there under the lesser SUEs .. where they’re tested but not really tested? Hmm I think not
imo
ps.. It would’a been a nice location to showcase the Argus .. under the SUE’s .. huh Indy ; )
"On March 22, 2011, Sanswire Corp. (the “Company”) entered into a Settlement Agreement (the “Agreement”) with TAO
Technologies GmbH (“TAO”), Dr. Bernd-H Kroeplin (“Kroeplin”) and Global Telesat Corp (“GTC” and together with the
Company, Tao and Kroeplin, the “Parties”) pursuant to which the Parties agreed to, amongst other things, the following:
• To terminate all existing agreements between the Parties (the “Old Agreements”);
• That TAO and Kroeplin are to keep all cash and shares of the Company’s Common Stock previously paid to them and
that the Company is to ship back to TAO the old STS 111 (SD34) airship;
• To discharge $2,474,753 in debt owed by the Company under the Old Agreements;
• To cooperate to wind down and dissolve the joint venture, Sanswire-TAO Corp., which was formed on June 8, 2008;
• To negotiate the potential terms of a revised relationship among the Parties for the next 60 days;
• To a mutual non-disparagement clause and a mutual release and covenant not to sue for any claim related to the Old
Agreements and for any claim that may exist currently;
• The Company warranted that to its knowledge, it is not using any trade secret rights of TAO or Kroeplin and that it will
not intentionally develop products that use any trade secret rights of TAO or Kroeplin, nor will it intentionally infringe
any patent of TAO or Kroeplin in any country where such patent is valid; and
• That the Parties will not use the name, logo or trademarks of any of the Parties in any commercial activity or promotional
or advertising materials, including on its website."
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/sec-filings/content/0001144204-11-017623/0001144204-11-017623.pdf
I remember hearing from someone close to the company that Mr. Kroeplin had 21 million shares @ one point .. but I really don’t know
Our Argus was redone / re-mastered to not infringe on Kroeplin’s design .. as we wait to hear of Patent approval .. imo
Thanks Rattle .. Here are some details on the Argus or what was:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=78148557
I thought someone did said say at one point that the payload would be mounted on the second section .. but now that Indy & friends are playing with it .. we wait patiently to see what becomes
I love that it could be “Autonomous or remote manual control from ground or satellite communications” .. one of these days ; )
WW .. I agree that there is a size difference between the BiB’s / “WASP” .. but Indy once commented on the burdensome task of laying out ground sheets for your envelope before adding in your lifting gas? I believe the size difference in these envelopes isn’t so great that an extra fold in the material couldn’t be managed?
imo these larger aerostat envelopes are all box-able .. simplicity is everything
Rattle .. (imo) I’m pretty sure this “ACPS” that our Aerostat will be hosting is an updated communications package from Harris that was co-developed by BAE. I think our recent BiB / WASP involvement with BAE & the SDMC is a carry-over to this NIE & a direct result of years of development. @ 62lbs ( in 2011 ) it may be too heavy for the Argus ... but going forward who knows (IJO)?
“the ACPS hosts the Highband Networking Waveform, the Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform and the Soldier Radio Waveform”
Highband Networking Waveform = Harris Corp
http://govcomm.harris.com/solutions/products/defense/hnw.asp
Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform = Harris Corp
http://www.smtonline.com/pages/zone.cgi?a=78678
Soldier Radio Waveform = DoD voice and data waveform standard
http://harris.com/view_pressrelease.asp?act=lookup&pr_id=3468
The development:
August 18, 2009 — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has received a contract update from Lockheed Martin to continue development work on wireless networking technology under Increment 3 of the Warfighter Information Network–Tactical (WIN-T) program. Harris successfully completed recent major testing and evaluation milestones on the U.S. Army's WIN-T program and is continuing work on the next generation of military tactical communications systems. Harris is a member of the WIN-T team led by General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin.
WIN-T Increment 3 significantly extends the capabilities of the current Increment 2 Line-Of-Sight (LOS) wireless networking technology. Harris is responsible for key LOS radio system components for Increment 3 that, once awarded, will extend the scope of the Harris work on WIN-T and bring the company’s total award value to more than $130 million from 2007 to 2012. The follow-on production program is expected to include hundreds of systems per year between 2012 and 2021.
"Harris has been on the Lockheed Martin WIN-T team since 2002 and continues to be a valued and critical team member on both Increment 2 and Increment 3," stated Amy Krause, Lockheed Martin WIN-T Portfolio Manager. "LM looks forward to continuing to work with Harris in support of WIN-T new business in 2009 and beyond." Under the continuing Increment 3 contract, Harris will complete development, test and qualification of the Highband Digital Transceiver (HDT) modem hardware and multiple variants of the Highband RF Unit (HRFU) antenna.
"Increment 3 will demonstrate more of the potential power and unique capabilities of the Highband Networking Waveform for the Army's WIN-T platform," said Wes Covell, president of Defense Programs for Harris Government Communications Systems. "By implementing more advanced processing capabilities and enhanced antenna technology, this new system delivers twice the throughput and provides greater range performance compared to Increment 2, in order to broaden the Army's full range of secure, mobile networking requirements as it continues its transition to a network-centric fighting force."
Harris successfully completed the Development Test (DT) and Engineering Field Test (EFT) with General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and the WIN-T program office using the Highband Networking Radio (HNR) at Fort Huachuca, in preparation for an Increment 2 Limited User Test (LUT) event which was recently executed at Fort Stewart and Fort Lewis. This is a major milestone in the WIN-T Increment 2 program, which precedes Increment 3 in the successive technology deployment strategy of the WIN-T program. An order for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) using the HNR is projected to be placed by WIN-T later this year. Co-developed by Harris and BAE Systems, the HNR hosts the Harris-developed Highband Networking Waveform, which implements robust, agile, full-mesh, ad hoc networks for terrestrial and airborne applications. An advanced version of the Highband Networking Waveform will run on Increment 3 hardware platforms.
The Highband Networking Waveform enables selection of the best communications path, and creates a self-forming, self-healing network where nodes can enter and exit without need for fixed network infrastructure or operator intervention. The network is adaptive and distributed, requiring no central node to control it. Increment 3 will take greater advantage of the potential capability of the Highband Networking Waveform compared with Increment 2.
Achieving burst rates of up to 54 Mbps, the HNR integrates directive-beam technology with mobile, ad hoc mesh networking. The HNR has been implemented on a variety of terrestrial mobile and fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and airship platforms, including piloted aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Applications of the Highband Networking Waveform and the HNR extend to a variety of scenarios, including terrestrial tactical communications augmented by air-to-ground and air-to-air nodes, as well as air-and-missile defense missions. These technologies also can be used to extend the battlespace network into the maritime force contingent, connecting expeditionary forces, near-shore support and blue-water platforms. WIN-T Increment 3 will deliver significantly more powerful networking to the warfighter when it begins deployment, currently planned for 2013.
http://govcomm.harris.com/seaport-e/view_pressrelease.asp?act=lookup&pr_id=2774&pf=1
June 27, 2011— Harris Corporation's (NYSE:HRS) Highband Networking Radio™ created the mobile, wideband communications network infrastructure for various mission scenarios at the Empire Challenge 2011 , which showcases emerging intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies that support warfighters at the tactical edge
In the airborne application, the HNRe2 was used to pull sensor data and streaming video from the aircraft to the mobile node and then distribute the data to a wireless access point, from which it was disseminated to dismount smartphone devices. In addition, the HNRe2 network was used to remotely control the Firebird aircraft and its ISR payload devices. Weighing just 62 pounds, the HNRe2 payload was installed or changed from another payload on the Firebird airframe in just 30 minutes. HNRe2 network burst rate capacity between nodes can vary from 6 Mbps to 54 Mbps.
The HNRe2 provides an IP-based network, with links capable of throughput rates up to 30 Mbps, for VoIP, video, and C4I services. The radio works equally well in fully mobile or fixed applications. Using a directive beam antenna and the Highband Networking Waveform (HNW), the radio can automatically create the entire network using a single frequency. The HNRe2 system permits simultaneous use of the same frequency between node pairs that are not in each other's RF path.
Applications of the HNR extend to numerous scenarios, including terrestrial tactical communications augmented by air-to-ground and air-to-air nodes, as well as air-and-missile defense missions. The waveform and radio also can be used to extend the battlespace network into the maritime force contingent, connecting expeditionary forces with near-shore support and blue-water platforms.
http://govcomm.harris.com/seaport-e/view_pressrelease.asp?act=lookup&pr_id=3259&pf=1
WW .. maybe the smaller BiB unit was hosting a lighter ISR / IED payload only .. & a larger BiB platform is needed for the heavier SMDC communications equipment? .. but I think the paragraph below from the recent NIE article has an interesting fact that could be very beneficial for our BiB capability as this “airborne AN/PRC-152A” used as an “aerial layer extension” weighs only 11lbs. Maybe now ISR & communications payloads could both sit on the same BiB / platform?
http://download.harris.com/app/public_download.asp?fid=2417
“The Army also will continue work on the aerial layer extension of its communications networks during the upcoming NIE. This part of the network consists of using radios installed on manned and unmanned aircraft to extend the range of ground units’ radios. Besides extending the range of radios in ground vehicles, the airborne AN/PRC-152A and AN/PRC-177G radios will be used to provide additional connectivity to the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) network, which forms the communications backbone for the event.”
http://www.afcea.org/content/?q=node/11741
A little more info:
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=90750450
http://www.aerialproducts.com/surveillance-systems/kingfisher-wind-capable-aerostat.html
http://www.aerialproducts.com/surveillance-systems/kingfisher-aerostat-launchers-winches-deflation-devices.html
Again:
Aerial Products Corporation (APC)
11653 Central Parkway, #209
Jacksonville, FL 32224
USA
http://www.aerialproducts.com/apc-news-and-misc/about-aerial-products.html
Lighter Than Air Systems Corp
11653 Central Parkway, #209
Jacksonville, FL 32224
USA
http://www.ltascorp.com/contact-us.html
I believe the BiB’s come in various sizes:
“The Blimp in a Box™ (BiB) is a lighter than air (LTA) system designed to provide semi-persistent, mobile ISR. The system is self contained on a trailer and can be towed behind an MATV or MRAP or operate from the bed of a pickup truck.
BiB Systems range from the low cost BiB 50 for forestry and traffic management to the very sophisticated, cooled thermal MWIR, gyro-stabilized, all-weather BiB Systems model 250 for border security and strategic asset protection.
BIB SYSTEM SERIES OVERVIEW
BiB 50 – Wide area visual for situational awareness in a small package. System is vehicle hitch-mounted with unstabilized and stabilized camera gimbals.
BiB 100 – Gyro-stabilized, single and dual sensor gimbals. Self-contained launcher with optional host trailer.
BiB 250 – Highly-stabilized dual sensor systems with uncooled (LWIR) and cooled thermal (MWIR) configurations. Long stand-off range with human detection at 3+ km. DHS, Military, Federal and State Agencies. Critical infrastructure protection, Combat Outposts (COP), border security. Self-contained launcher and extended Helium storage for high-altitude operations .”
http://www.ltascorp.com/bib.html
“LTAS aerostat launcher systems are proprietary, in-house designed, turn-key systems that are self contained and mounted to a compact trailer”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1174/lighter-than-air-systems-provides-initial-aerostat-launcher-system-and-aerostats-to-bae-systems-to-support-the-u-s-army-space-and-missile-defense-command
“LTAS delivered two complete, trailer-mounted aerostat launcher systems to the SMDC Battle Lab, who referred to them as the Winch Aerostat Small Platform ("WASP").” .. BiB’s to me .. WASP to SDMC
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1254/aerostat-platforms-provided-by-world-surveillance-groups-lighter-than-air-systems-subsidiary-to-be-used-in-u-s-army-network-integration-experiment
imo
Thank you .. lots to think about
It’s not right but that’s what happening
I wanted 500 000 shares @ .0125 why would someone then sell me those 500 000 shares @ .011 when they could have gotten more money from me? Why would someone want the share price to drop & lose money to do it?
Wed Oct 2nd .. I placed an order before the market opened for 500 000 @ .014 but wasn’t filled. I had requested “an all or nothing” .. but with the recent high volume days I was kinda surprised it wasn’t filled
The next morning I made the same request “all or nothing”.. but I lowered my bid to .0125 .. considering that’s where the share price closed the day before. My order was filled this time .. but @ .011
Posters & WSGI have filed claim to wrong doing .. I don’t follow level 2 or know that much about TA but something doesn’t seem right to me .. when shares are being sold lower than what I’m willing / offering to pay.
With all that is happening .. I am very happy to get my shares at such a low price .. but something doesn’t seem right .. imo
Enjoyed the article Indy thanks.
You’ve shared with us the importance / significance of these smaller tethered platforms & the multi-functional roles or variety of sensors / equipment they can hoist. With their ease of use & how they can be towed behind / above the mobile platoon or float unattended @ a FOB during the night / day passing along desired intel .. It’s hard to imagine our tethered platforms not being used .. everywhere!
With communication equipment or sensors getting smaller all the time .. it’s easy to imagine an Argus type platform operating above an area of interest as well. You for-told of the Army’s LEMV program demise. Setbacks in other LTA programs of record .. have left us in a favourable position imo .. as you said in regards to our LTA UAS “we have a working proto-type for petes sake” .. how could they (everyone!!!!!) not be curious to its performance in this NIE?
Fun times my friend .. good luck to you & all you do : )
BAE have been working with the ARMY SMDC for some time .. bringing new concepts into operations. Around the same time BAE received our first Aerostats they received another contract extension. With our July shipment update announcement we were told we supplies more than just Aerostats. There is a recent job posting below that mentions low – mid altitude airships ; )
“October 10, 2006 .. BAE Systems has been awarded the Concepts and Operations for Space and Missile Defense Integration Capabilities (COSMIC) contract for $132 million from the U.S. Army.”
“October 30, 2011 .. The U.S. Army’s decision to extend without competition its contract with BAE Systems for space and missile defense research may give the company access to more than $100 million in new orders.”
"May 28 2013 .. BAE Systems has been awarded a contract extension to continue the provision of support services for the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command's (SMDC) Future Warfare Center (FWC).
Covering supply of research, engineering, and technical services, the $85m contract modification has been awarded as part of the agency's Concepts and Operations for Space and Missile Defense Integration Capabilities (COSMIC) programme.
Services provided under the contract will be used for development and understanding of missile defence methods and technologies.
BAE Systems Mission Support Solutions senior director Tom White said the latest contract continued the company's long-standing relationship with the Space and Missile Defense Command.
"The support we provide to the Future Warfare Center helps accelerate the development and fielding of Space and Missile Defense capabilities and forces," White said.
A wide range of engineering and technical services, including the development and integration of electronic systems for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, have been provided by the company under COSMIC indefinit-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract since October 2006.
Work is scheduled to be carried out at the company's facilities in Alabama and Colorado over the next two years.
FWC is responsible for development of the army's space and missile defence doctrine and concepts, evaluation of requirements, and vertical integration of doctrine, organisations, training, materiel, personnel, and facilities activities across ballistic missile defence systems elements.
Additional responsibilities include the management of high-performance computer centres, threat scenario design, command and control engineering, as well as advanced concept technology demonstration programmes."
http://www.army-technology.com/news/newsbae-continue-support-us-army-cosmic-contract
"04/16/13 .. ("LTAS"), has provided the initial trailer-mounted aerostat launcher system and six aerostats to BAE Systems to support the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command ("SMDC"). The LTAS self contained, compact, trailer-mounted aerostat launcher system and aerostats have been delivered and are undergoing testing and evaluation for various mission profiles to support and enhance critical communications for the Army. Utilizing the LTAS aerostats, the SMDC is able to extend encrypted communications up to approximately 20 miles using standard battlefield radios. LTAS expects to deliver the second aerostat launcher system to BAE Systems in the second quarter 2013."
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1174/lighter-than-air-systems-provides-initial-aerostat-launcher-system-and-aerostats-to-bae-systems-to-support-the-u-s-army-space-and-missile-defense-command
"07/30/13 .. LTAS and US Technik jointly worked on the LTAS tactical aerostat systems operated by the U.S. Army's Space and Missile Defense Command ("SMDC") Battle Lab and worked with WSGI and LTAS by providing training and operations support for the Blimp in a Box systems to the U.S. Army. Subsequent to the operations and training on the initial SMDC aerostat system, LTAS delivered a second complete trailer-based launcher system along with two additional aerostats to SMDC. LTAS has also received orders from SMDC for upgrades to the two systems for a communications related payload system, powered tether and various other components.
US Technik is a veteran owned, small business corporation headquartered in Colorado Springs"
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1214/world-surveillance-group-and-lighter-than-air-systems-enter-into-sales-and-operations-support-agreement-with-defense-contractor-us-technik
"BAE: Project Manager
Job Description
This position will provide project management for Missile Defense Missile System task orders supporting the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC) Design Development, Demonstration and Integration (D3I) contract
The position is based in Huntsville, Alabama.
The D3I Program is focused on supporting the USASMDC/ARSTRAT’s objectives for design, development, demonstration and integration space and high altitude and missile defense capabilities. Space and high altitude programs will include platforms (e.g high altitude air ships high altitude aircraft, and satellite buses across multiple mission areas), payloads, ground stations, communications and space control. Missile defense will include platforms (including UAVs, low and mid altitude airships, aircraft and others), ground systems, sensors, missile systems, high energy laser and high power microwave systems, and operational and range testing."
https://www.theladders.com/job/jobboard?cr=6223784&pl=s4-O1
http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-u.s.+army+space+and+missile+defense+command
I can imagine a BAE systems involvement in the Ohio consortium .. imo ; )
It was BAE who created the ARGUS-IS too .. taking apart 368 cell phone's .. if only the processing didn’t have to be done on-board hmm
It looks as though A-T Solutions was brought in by BAE .. to do something a little different but the platforms have a similar set-up? Maybe that recent article about the future need of a 100 person work-force / larger manufacturing facility has some merit .. if our platforms are to host such a variety of packages ; )
“WASHINGTON,July 26, 2012 — A-T Solutions Inc., a global, industry-leading anti- and counterterrorism professional solutions firm headquartered in the Washington area, announced today the company is part of the BAE Systems winning team that has been awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity multiple-award contract from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Systems Integration and Management Center (FEDSIM) in support of the Department of Defense’s Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization Operations Support Services.
“We are excited to continue supporting JIEDDO to enable successful execution of their mission,” said Dennis Kelly, president and CEO of A-T Solutions. “Our team of experts is dedicated to providing support in operations, analytical and combat support as well as information technology sustainment.”
BAE Systems was selected as one of five awardees for the JIEDDO OPS program, which has a ceiling of $900 million over five years, if all options and subsequent task orders are exercised and executed. BAE Systems was recently awarded Task Order 1 for Counter-IED Operations Integration Center Training Support, where A-T Solutions will be providing personnel in this collaborative effort.
The Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization was established as a deputy secretary of Defense-directed initiative with the mission to reduce the effectiveness and lethality of IEDs to allow free¬dom of maneuver for joint forces, federal agencies and partner nations in current and future operating environments.”
http://www.a-tsolutions.com/news/press_releases/pr_20120726.aspx
“Lighter Than Air Systems Provides Initial Aerostat Launcher System and Aerostats to BAE Systems to Support the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1174/lighter-than-air-systems-provides-initial-aerostat-launcher-system-and-aerostats-to-bae-systems-to-support-the-u-s-army-space-and-missile-defense-command
“Can GTC build portable ground stations, or do they have to be stationary?”
Here is an image & info on our Easton / GTC ground station .. it’s large but has only one dish:
http://content.stockpr.com/snsr/media/67af2c30664a7c45c5136a5f3026bd08.pdf
Here is some info on regular Globalstar ground stations and how they operate:
“The Globalstar gateways are a very important port of the ground segment which includes Ground Operations Control Center (GOCC), Globalstar Data Network (GDN) and Satellite Operations Control Center. Each gateway or ground station is owned and operated by a service provider which receives transmissions from orbiting satellites and switches the calls to the appropriate ground network.
Gateways have three to four dish antennas, remote operating controls and a switch station. With the switches and complex hardware on the ground it is easier to maintain and upgrade the network than it is for Iridium, their software and switches are located on the satellites.
Globalstar utilizes a standard T1/E1 interface to the existing PSTN/PLMN systems giving seamless integration with local landline and wireless networks. Encryption is provided giving a peace of mind that voice and signal security is safe.”
http://www.globalsatellitecommunications.com/globalstar/network.html
From 2006 .. (pg 5) GTC & GSAT talk of “Man portable Appliques”
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919742/000114420411054273/v235078_ex10-39.htm
In 2008 .. when GTC & GSAT first came calling this was said:
"The agreement provides GTC with an opportunity to invest in Sanswire and calls for Sanswire to study the integration of GTC's satellite simplex data transmission systems, called "appliqués," with Sanswire's LTA platforms to allow data communications in areas of the world not yet covered by Globalstar's gateway earth stations. In this role, the Sanswire LTA platforms would act as a surrogate Globalstar ground station."
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/31/global-telesat-chooses-sanswire-for-technology-integration-study-investment
This was released @ the 2011 shareholder’s meeting:
WSGI / GTC SYNERGIES ( pg 10 )
< "a portable GTC appliqué could be flown in the pod bay of WSGI UAV to provide ground station capabilities in remote areas where no other ground station exists or coverage is unreliable
< GTC equipment could be flown on a WSGI UAV to provide an aerial satellite replacement capable of providing an entire telecommunications platform in areas struck by natural disaster or countries lacking infrastructure"
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919742/000114420411042071/v229662_ex99-1.htm
Gran .. I’m not a techie but Believe anything is possible ; )
I find it interesting / encouraging that this upcoming NIE event (A) we will be enabling beyond-line-of-sight communications. Originally the SMDC wanted an elevated platform to host standard battlefield radios (B) but then requested an upgrade from us (C)
(A) The “Army's Network Integration Experiment ("NIE")” .. two complete, turn-key trailer-mounted aerostat launcher systems previously delivered to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command ("SMDC") enable persistent, on-demand beyond-line-of-sight communications in support of ground forces maneuvers.”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1254/aerostat-platforms-provided-by-world-surveillance-groups-lighter-than-air-systems-subsidiary-to-be-used-in-u-s-army-network-integration-experiment
(B) It was April 16 / 13 that the first .. “LTAS self contained, compact, trailer-mounted aerostat launcher system and aerostats have been delivered and are undergoing testing and evaluation for various mission profiles to support and enhance critical communications for the Army. Utilizing the LTAS aerostats, the SMDC is able to extend encrypted communications up to approximately 20 miles using standard battlefield radios.”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1174/lighter-than-air-systems-provides-initial-aerostat-launcher-system-and-aerostats-to-bae-systems-to-support-the-u-s-army-space-and-missile-defense-command
(C) It was July 30 / 13 when we learnt of the second SMSD Aerostat being delivered .. but upgrades were done:
“Subsequent to the operations and training on the initial SMDC aerostat system, LTAS delivered a second complete trailer-based launcher system along with two additional aerostats to SMDC. LTAS has also received orders from SMDC for upgrades to the two systems for a communications related payload system, powered tether and various other components.”
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1214/world-surveillance-group-and-lighter-than-air-systems-enter-into-sales-and-operations-support-agreement-with-defense-contractor-us-technik
About the NIE:
“The Army is seeking only those solutions that address the specific identified gaps, that are at the representative model or prototype system stage and that have been tested in a relevant environment.
The identified gaps are: Brigade/Battalion Command Post (CP) Mobility and Scalability, Network Visualization on the Common Operational Picture (COP), Aerial layer Network Extension – Provide assured access for terrestrial network, Integrated Network Assurance – Network Access Control”
Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/100046/us-army-issues-sources-sought-notice-support-network-integration-evaluation-141#ixzz2go1GF0vv
We were told this a while back:
< GTC equipment could be flown on a WSGI UAV to provide an aerial satellite replacement capable of providing an entire telecommunications platform in areas struck by natural disaster or countries lacking infrastructure"
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/919742/000114420411042071/v229662_ex99-1.htm
Maybe this GTC equipment is being hosted to 2000’ to provide the same level of capability? Or does the Army just need to confirm that the “standard battlefield radio” .. being hoisted upon a tethered aerostat does in fact work in a large test environment??
Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) is a related term often used in the military to describe radio communications capabilities that link personnel or systems which are too distant or too fully obscured by terrain for LOS communications. These radios utilize active repeaters, groundwave propagation, tropospheric scatter links, and ionospheric propagation to extend communication ranges from a few miles to a few thousand miles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-line-of-sight_propagation
GLTA
Hi Rattle .. yes (WOO HOO), it looks like there is a new product available that does in fact switch between satellite providers:
“The Q-Pro satellite data modem marks the dawn of a new age in global remote asset tracking.
The Q-Pro is the _rst and only solution on the market that provides the customer with a uni_ed
communications protocol to communicate across multiple global satellite and terrestrial
networks. From the customer’s viewpoint, the footprint, processing and connections remain
constant, while the network is selected based on the customer’s requirements for a particular
environment, and then changed based on new circumstances.”
http://www.gtctrack.com/Content/files/Quake_QPRO.pdf
The applications show vehicle, boat & aircraft .. I don’t see high altitude balloons .. but I remember Mr. Phipps said “anything is possible .. with money”
http://www.gtctrack.com/Products
Welcome Insighter ..
The recent news developments have me wanting to help “mop up some of those cheap shares” Insighter : ) I placed an order before the market opened this morning for 500 000 @ .014 but wasn’t filled. I had requested “an all or nothing” .. but with the recent high volume days I’m kinda surprised it wasn’t filled
He’s why Indy showed face too .. yet he’s still here : )
“Tony has powerful friends--that is how I got hooked in.”
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=78342733
Some LTA projects have fallen by the way-side .. but some are moving forward & up-ward:
"Trident's confidence in the Ohio LTA UAS Consortium is based on the Consortium's proven and strong credentialed team members, and the dedication of all members to create a low, mid, and high-altitude lighter than air UAS industry in Ohio," said Drew West, CEO and President of The Trident Group, Ltd.
Doug Armstrong, President and CEO of EWA GSI stated, "We made a strategic decision to invest in Ohio to support the Air Force and the Ohio/Indiana UAS Test Center and we are pleased to be involved in the Ohio LTA UAS Research, Development and Commercialization Consortium."
Greg Carter, Director of Air Force Programs at EWA GSI added, "Our participation in the Consortium will be a great opportunity to support WSGI with engineering and test expertise as well as advance Ohio as a UAS leader."
"Avetec is eager to explore the possibility of using our core competency of modeling and simulation to assist WSGI with their goal of developing unmanned stratospheric airships in Ohio," stated James Mainord, Avetec Business Development and Legal Director."
There was a time when announced intentions would quietly be removed from the website .. but those days have been replaced with steady progression of evolution .. a slow one but we’re making progress.
“Anything worthwhile takes time” ; )
Here is an article from last year .. with some insight on the Army’s REF want / need of these smaller tethered platforms:
http://www.sellingtoarmy.info/content/us-army-rapid-equipping-force-looks-small-business-innovation-aerostat-technology
“The U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF), in conjunction with units in Afghanistan, saw a need for smaller airborne surveillance craft (aerostats) to provide tactical persistent surveillance at remote Command Outposts (COPs). Three small businesses responded to the REF’s Broad Agency Announcement with proposals for innovative solutions to tactical aerostats: Carolina Unmanned Vehicles, Inc., Raleigh, NC; Silicis Technologies, Inc., Westfield, IN; and Information Systems Laboratories, Inc., San Diego, CA. The REF procured systems from each of the three vendors and conducted an assessment of the capabilities, eventually settling on all three systems as a family of tactical aerostats to support different altitudes/payloads throughout the Afghanistan area of operations.
The REF conducted a limited objective experiment (LOE) at Fort Benning's Maneuver Battle Lab. The purpose of the LOE was to obtain Soldier feedback on both the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostatic Systems (STMPAS) (Carolina Unmanned Vehicles, Inc.) and ALTUS (Silicis Technologies, Inc.) The invaluable responses from the Soldiers allowed the vendors to make adjustments to the systems prior to their deployment.
Two REAP-XL systems (Information Systems Laboratories, Inc.) have been deployed and in operation in Afghanistan for approximately eight months, where they have undergone further assessment by Soldiers. One STMPAS and two ALTUS systems are currently on their way to Afghanistan and are expected to be deployed by the end of August 2012. A total of 12 aerostats from these three companies are expected to be deployed in Afghanistan by November, 2012. Once employed, these aerostats will enhance unit persistent surveillance capabilities. Small units will have the ability to monitor their immediate area, recon beyond obstacles and remotely identify targets of interest. The systems will provide early warning of threats and insurgent operations, further protecting the Soldiers at the COPs.”
So, when we learn that:
Apr 9, 2013 .. WSGI ("LTAS"), has provided seven critical aerostat launcher electric main winches and spare components to support the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System ("STMPAS") for the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force ("REF").
Sep 25, 2013 .. WSGI ("LTAS"), has received an order from prime defense contractor Universal Solutions International for five custom aerostat systems and subcomponents to support the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force ("REF").
Maybe .. things are finally starting to go our way .. phew : )
Ooops .. that’s: to not only be invisible on radar but visually too : /
Thanks Bagelboy .. I’m not familiar with all this either but I think your “roots-blower is more of a pump rather than a compressor?
“Roots-type supercharger are generally much more aligned with those of the reciprocating internal combustion engine.
Strictly speaking, a Roots-type supercharger is a pump rather than an air compressor, and while more modern mechanical units may include a small amount of internal compression, generally speaking these machines have no internal compression inside them; the increased intake plenum or boost pressure is created solely by the restriction to flow in the engine”
https://www.highpowermedia.com/blog/3320/the-roots-supercharger
Imo .. the reciprocating internal combustion engine would have difficulties operating @ 65 000’. That your “Root’s-blower” could be used as means to add air into the ballast bags when operating at lower altitudes.
I think the jet engine technology is needed:
The lack of atmospheric pressure @ 65 000’ has the oxygen molecules spaced too far apart .. the air needs to be compressed in order to get a large enough collection of oxygen molecules together .. so the engine can fire properly
I think the ISR / communications equipment will require a large supply of power .. that power could be geared / generated from the jet engine tech
IMO
ps .. we’ve read that the Argus platform has a lower radar signature ‘cause of the materials that it’s made of? I think it would be pretty cool & an added layer of stealthiness if we could somehow generate enough heat onboard to mix with the colder atmospheric temps up there to create a cloud type cloaking image .. to not only be visible on radar but visibly too ; )
“From the Foxhole to the Stratosphere”
Imo .. if you read through IJO posts you would have read for the last while that the Argus is way too important / special .. to just be sitting doing nothing!
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=88328478
Maybe when we first heard of our EWA Teaming Agreement back in Nov of 2012 and it was said .. “The teaming agreement provides for the companies to develop, test, manufacture, market, sell and support a variety of WSGI's UAVS and aerostats, including its Blimp in a Box, for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, detection of improvised explosive devices, and other applications.” .. that the continued commercialization HAS been already happening?
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1123/world-surveillance-group-enters-into-teaming-agreement-with-united-states-defense-prime-contractors
‘Cause it would seem we are missing that 20 000’ / middle-ground step .. as we jump to the stratosphere?
"Avetec is eager to explore the possibility of using our core competency of modeling and simulation to assist WSGI with their goal of developing unmanned stratospheric airships in Ohio," stated James Mainord, Avetec Business Development and Legal Director."
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/company-news/detail/1224/world-surveillance-group-establishes-consortium-teaming-agreement-to-further-develop-and-commercialize-argus-one-airship
“Based on input from researchers in the United States
Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of
Energy, Avetec defined a Grand Challenge: capture the behavior of
a turbine engine in a high-fidelity, physics based turbine engine model.
The modeling and simulation tools required to do this can then be used to
construct a virtual engine test cell. Industry and DoD can use the virtual engine
test cell to reduce physical testing, cost and development time for bringing new
turbine engine technology to market; track and manage engine performance; and
maintain and operate aircraft fleets.”
http://www.avetec.org/about/docs/Avetec_Stakeholder_Report.pdf
"Avetec’s Applied Research program has three areas of expertise: virtual modeling and simulation, data driven computing, and complex systems integration. Through our expertise in this area, we offer the following services:
• Advanced propulsion conceptual design
• Complex system design, analysis, and optimization
• Model-based systems engineering
• Test bed for decision support in fleet management
• Scientific consulting services
• Modeling and simulation research in propulsion system analysis and aging aircraft sustainment
• Turbomachinery gridding, process, and research
• Thermodynamic analysis of turbine and unique internal combustion engines
• Hardware in-the-loop testing
• Unmanned aerial vehicles/systems (UAV/UAS) engine design and simulation
Applied Technical Computing and Data Intensive Computing Environment (DICE)
Avetec’s Applied Technical Computing and DICE program provides an independent, representative test environment comprised of geographically distributed sites located in high performance computing (HPC) centers. DICE sites are connected by high-speed, real-world wide area networks. DICE provides the platform to identify, test, evaluate, and validate new and emerging technologies designed to enhance the use and management of HPC data."
http://www.avetec.org/about/docs/Avetec_Capability_Statement.pdf
We know that the Argus use’s a fan venting system to in-take / out-take oxygen .. as a means of lowering / raising itself .. as oxygen is still readily available @ 50% up-to 20 000’ .. but due to lack of atmospheric pressures the higher you go .. the oxygen levels diminish down to only 1%.
Imo through Avetec’s creative genius .. a smaller gas turbine engine will be created for the stratospheric platform .. so the air compressor component side of the engine can generate the Argus-type platform .. where adding / venting oxygen .. plays such a dynamic role in its operation.
Here are some posted thoughts on this process:
“The Compressor Section of a jet engine does exactly what it says; it takes a volume of air and through compression, effectively "increases" the oxygen molecules present in the "reduced" compressed volume of air before entering the burner section, so that AFTER COMPRESSION, there's plenty of oxygen molecules available for combustion … The percentage of Oxygen in a parcel of air is approx. 20%..ALWAYS!!!...meaning: if there were 100 molecules of oxygen at sea level, and 500 molecules of "other gases" the 20% is satisfied......if, however, we are at 70,000 feet and the pressure is very reduced the air "expands" due to that reduced pressure in order to fill a given volume....as the air expands, the molecules are "diluted" and now there are maybe 2 oxygen molecules in the same volume, of air, along with only 10 molecules of "other" gases...(DON'T FORGET!!..YOU ARE APPROACHING THE VACUUM OF OUTER SPACE.....SOON THERE WILL BE NO AIR AND NO OXYGEN!!!) .........but the RATIO is the same,eh? 20%!!.........but do you think your body or the combustion section of that engine could operate on 2 molecules of oxygen? And the air that you are breathing is NOT the same air that's outside the airplane at 40,000.....THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH MOLECULES OF OXYGEN IN THAT AIR!!......IT HAS TO BE COMPRESSED TO CONCENTRATE THE OXYGEN MOLECULES!!.......perhaps 50 volumes of air are compressed by the engine to get enough oxygen molecules now into that SINGLE volume of air such that there is sufficient oxygen.”
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071201004148AAdIiUo
The Google-loon project even mention taking up extra air / oxygen in their “Stratelite technology” balloons .. with the hopes of venting.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=89290206
But .. @ only 1 % availability .. a simple intake vent / valve may have a tough go of it?
Thanks Glenn, Tony, Indy & all involved @ WSGI to keep this dream alive ..
; )
Well .. they were interested .. what happened?
From the “Army Science Board”:
“Lighter than Air (LTA) platforms have great potential.”
“Major recommendations include: assign proponency for LTA to the Aviation Center; retain proponency for High Altitude LTA platforms at SMDC; accelerate
Medium Altitude LTA (untethered) prototypes for joint CSR experiments; invest to mature High Altitude LTA airship CSR platforms; form LTA Integrated
Product Team (IPT) of technologists, material developers, and combat developers; conduct an integrated Analysis of Alternatives for CSR platforms mixes.”
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA492129
Harris and their role within the Army’s WIN-T program mentions testing on airships:
“Achieving burst rates of up to 54 Mbps, the HNR integrates directive-beam technology with mobile, ad hoc mesh networking. The HNR has been implemented on a variety of terrestrial mobile and fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and airship platforms, including piloted aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Applications of the Highband Networking Waveform and the HNR extend to a variety of scenarios, including terrestrial tactical communications augmented by air-to-ground and air-to-air nodes, as well as air-and-missile defense missions. These technologies also can be used to extend the battlespace network into the maritime force contingent, connecting expeditionary forces, near-shore support and blue-water platforms. WIN-T Increment 3 will deliver significantly more powerful networking to the warfighter when it begins deployment, currently planned for 2013.”
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harris-corporation-to-supply-advanced-wireless-networking-technology-for-armys-win-t-program-62246387.html
Sorry Nil but I haven’t stopped over here for a bit .. with the lack of price movement
Hope you’re feeling better soon
“Most, if not all, of the work is done. There is a working prototype for Pete's sake. This appears to be more about aligning it with new markets and clients and having a base to push into the upper troposphere and then stratosphere. There is probably also an opportunity to add new technology and capabilities to the FL200 level and below. That is how I read the agreement anyway.”
Thank you for helping our company & all that you’ve shared with the board(s) .. you are a pleasure
Best wishes to you & my fellow shareholders .. this is get’n good
Ps .. “(Kevin doesn't create E/O sensors in his shop!).”
Did he forward my email to you?
; )
I emailed Mr. Mitchell the other day with a few questions .. he said:
“Plans said the company plans to move — Florida recently passed an anti-drone law — and he indicted the frontrunners are Texas and Ohio. No decision yet.”
From Mitchells article:
“He called the GOED in May but it took a week to reach anyone.” ...
Florida passed the “Anti Drone law” April 17:
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/15166-florida-legislature-passes-flawed-but-forceful-anti-drone-bill
It sounds like Plans was @ the N2S2 site:
“Some of the things that Nevada has that we liked is the fact that we were there before. We were there flying at Mercury, even though I was stepping over rattlesnake holes …” Plans said.
http://investorshub.advfn.com/boards/read_msg.aspx?message_id=91240616
Why would he be there .. shooting video / picture of the Argus? & friend of Mr. Pruett?:
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20121022/NEWS05/310280047/Cocoa-Beach-City-Commission-Seat-2-Barry-Plans?nclick_check=1
"Mr. Pruett served three terms as City Commissioner for Cocoa Beach, Florida from 2003 to 2012"
http://ir.stockpr.com/wsgi/board-of-directors
Or Maybe Mr. Plans is just another rabid shareholder .. trying to help out
This too .. tells us which platform:
"Barry Plans, who handles government affairs and is project manager for WSGI, said the firm plans to open a manufacturing facility for one of its line of blimps called Blimp in a Box, which would immediately hire 100 workers."
I heard Ohio was in the mix also : )
Here's something .. but I don't know if it helps : )
http://www.dice.com/job/result/10265408/270586?src=2