Aerospace and Defense Review : News

Implementing ERP systems in the defence manufacturing industry opens up formidable opportunities to elevate productivity scale and reduce cost expense accordingly.                The role-play of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is highly crucial in the defence sector, owing to their ability to streamline operations and thereby enhance efficiency in the arena. As a comprehensive software solution, this very approach integrates a series of functions like finance, procurement, inventory and project management, and human resources (HR) capabilities into a centralised platform. Harnessing ERP into the defence manufacturing space delivers varied benefits for enterprises thriving in the arena, like an informed decision-making module, cost controllability, and improved operational readiness. An ERP-driven defence manufacturing sector opens up formidable opportunities like enhancing visibility and transparency while allowing organisations in the arena to efficiently manage their complex supply chains and multiple projects in real time. Generally, opting for enterprise resource planning systems delivers timely insights and analytics to a business, allowing its stakeholders to efficiently monitor and track operations, resources, and budgets. This very visibility contributes on an increased scale to informed decision-making while identifying the bottlenecks that may typically arise in the arena. Hence, it aims for a proactive resolution of these issues. Alongside this, streamlined procurement and critical management of supply chains have emerged as feasible advantages for adopting real-time ERP solutions. That is, defence organisations often deal with large amounts of diverse and specialised equipment, spare parts, and similar construction materials. The procurement process facilitated and supported by an ERP system extends from requisition to purchase order creation while considering vendor management. Meanwhile, the very approach aims at contributing to optimised inventory management by ensuring the sufficient availability of critical assets. It also aims to reduce excessive stock and associated costs accordingly.  Implementing an enterprise resource planning system often enhances project management capabilities in the defence space. For instance, large-scale defence projects often involve numerous stakeholders, complex schedules, and stringent compliance requirements, so opting for efficient ERP aid in the required tools for project planning, scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking. It allows project managers to monitor their project status effectively and critically manage risks, in addition to optimising resource utilisation. This, in turn, facilitates improvised feedback and accuracy in completing tasks at the desired time within the budget, per critical compliance with regulatory standards.  ERP systems often enforce and support financial management in the defence manufacturing space, assisting organisations with robust financial controls, budgetary compliance, and accuracy-driven cost tracking. Hence, the technique aims to structure and deliver comprehensive financial modules for the effective management of budget, costs, centres, contacts, and financial reporting while right-tracking costs and managing expenditures with transparency and accountability-driven financial operations. ...Read more

As part of its partnership with Xona Space Systems, Orolia provides simulation and testing products powered by Skydel to support the Low Earth Orbit constellation of Xona. "Offering a new generation of satellite navigation and timing services allows receiver manufacturers to develop entirely new capabilities for end users," said Brian Manning, CEO of Xona Space Systems. "Xona's mission is to enable modern technologies to operate safely in any environment, anywhere on Earth. Having market-proven simulation solutions are critical to support the development of these new applications and technologies, which is why we are excited to be working with Safran to provide next-generation GNSS simulation tools to our partners and customers." A West Henrietta Safran Electronics & Defense company, Orolia, revealed their partnership with Xona Space Systems to enable Skydel-powered simulation and testing products to support Xona's Low Earth Orbit constellation. A commercial constellation of dedicated LEO satellites enables Xona's PULSAR service - a high-performance positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) service. A PULSAR service enhances global PNT security, resilience, and accuracy by augmenting existing GNSS and operating as an independent constellation. With modern signal structures and security techniques, Xona's high-power signals add resilience to challenging RF environments. With proven expertise in technologies that support sovereignty, Safran Electronics & Defense is one of the global leaders. This company builds products and services that enable aerospace and defense players to observe, make decisions, and guide their operations using a combination of human and artificial intelligence; as part of its support of fellow Safran companies, Safran Electronics & Defense shares its electronics skills and expertise with them. "Our Skydel GNSS simulation engine will provide support for Xona's PULSAR signals and satellite constellation to offer OEMs, developers, and integrators a unique tool that enables early testing and validation of Xona's LEO PNT signal performance," said Pierre-Marie Le Véel, GNSS Products Director with Safran. ...Read more

Anti-drone systems are developed to identify and neutralise drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As the popularity of drones is only increasing, the probability of their misuse is also at par, resulting in the creation of anti-drone systems. Anti-drone systems are developed to identify and neutralise drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As the popularity of drones is only increasing, the probability of their misuse is also at par, resulting in the creation of anti-drone systems. These systems employ detection sensors and countermeasures to ensure the prevention of impermissible use of drones in sensitive locations or events. Elaborating on CUAS Counter unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS) pertains to technologies and methodologies used in detecting, tracking, and neutralising drones, or UAVs, that pose a threat. CUAS is primarily utilised in law enforcement, military, and other security applications to defend against unauthorised drones being utilised for malicious purposes. Typically, CUAs systems consist of a combination of communication systems, sensors, and countermeasures to detect and counter potential UAV threats. CUAS uses multiple technologies to facilitate its functions. Jamming Systems: It uses radio frequency (RF) jamming to interfere with a drone's control signals or GPS navigation, which constrains its controls and forces the drone to land. Radar and Other Detection Systems: These systems utilise RF, acoustic, radar, and visual sensors to detect and track drones. Drone-hunting: Some countries train and use birds, such as eagles or falcons, to intercept and capture suspicious drones mid-air. Netting Systems: Some systems are built to use nets to capture drones mid-air and descend them safely. Laser System: These systems target and disable drones’ communication systems, therefore, damaging them. CUAS is vital to prevent the malicious use of drones, as the popularity and availability of drones are on the rise. The Working of CUAS CUAS works in specific steps: Detection: CUAS first recognises drones in airspace by using RF, radar, acoustic, and visual sensors. Different types of sensors are used to detect drones at different ranges and altitudes. Identification: After the detection of the drone, the type of drone is identified, and is classified as to whether it poses a threat or not. This can be identified by analysing the drone’s communication signals, either visually or electronically. Tracking: After identification, the drone’s location and movement are tracked using the CUAS system. This is done by using sensors such as GPS, camera, or radar. Threat Assessment: By observing the drone’s behaviour, and other factors, it is analysed to determine if the drone poses a potential threat. Neutralisation: In scenarios where the drone does pose a threat, the CUAS systems make use of countermeasures to neutralise it. This may include jamming the drone’s control signal or GPS navigation, using nets to capture the drone, or disrupting its communication systems. Post-op Analysis: Next, the CUAS system analyses the data in the drone to better its performance in future operations CUAS can be operated by itself or manually, based on the system used and its requirements. Therefore, CUAS is becoming increasingly important to limit the misuse of drones for malicious practices. ...Read more