Cambridge Network Defence Special Interest Group

Opening

On Thursday 18th November 2010, Marshall hosted the inaugural event for the Cambridge Network Defence Special Interest Group (SIG). The event was a huge success with over 50 local companies attending and staying for the duration. Jim Pennycook, Wing Commander for the MoD, commenced proceedings by explaining the theories behind the Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) and describing the funding stream for innovative ideas that is open to all companies. This was followed by an in depth account of the imminent challenges that face our troops on a daily basis.

Following on from a lively lunch and networking session, Marshall Land Systems, Marshall Aerospace and Cambridge Consultants conducted sessions on each company’s achievements to date in terms of supporting the military sector and plans for future developments. A number of companies were given with the opportunity to present an ‘elevator’ pitch to Marshall, Cambridge Consultants and the MoD.

Cambridge Consultants

The afternoon session commenced with Dr Hugh Burchett of Cambridge Consultants providing a brief presentation on design approaches that can be used to deliver systems with low burden on the soldier in terms of power consumption, size and weight, whilst still maintaining ease of use. This was illustrated with the Prism200 through wall radar which has been developed by Cambridge Consultants and deployed successfully by Special Forces around the world; please see below.

Prism200

Please click here for the presentation on Prism200

Marshall Land Systems

Marshall SDG, a Marshall Land System’s company, then presented their robot system platforms; Trakkar® and Questar®. TRAKKAR®, below left, is a multi-role autonomous 4 x 4 platform with a 250 kg payload that has outstanding cross-country mobility. In its present configuration, it can carry up to six fully laden military bergens (each weighing 40kg) or other equipment. TRAKKAR® has ‘follow-me’ technology which enables the vehicle to follow its human controller across the ground as the unit moves forward.

QUESTAR®, below right, is an agile, modular reconnaissance surveillance UGV. QUESTAR® can be remote controlled or fully autonomous depending on mission requirements. It has a footprint of 900mm length and 590mm width and can scale slopes of up to 40º. QUESTAR® has an endurance of up to 1 ½ hours and a range of 3km with a top speed of 30kph with an economical cruising speed of 20kph.

TRAKKAR QUESTAR

Cambridge Consultants Part 2

Building on from his earlier presentation, Hugh Burchett described the challenges to sensor designers in developing systems to detect Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Using project examples, Hugh outlined how a profound understanding of sensing physics, optimisation of hardware and software using statistical processing techniques, and a combination of sensing approaches, can resolve the most challenging of sensing problems.

Cambridge_Consultants

Please click here for the presentation on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Marshall Aerospace

Marshall Aerospace concluded the day by presenting the challenges of mounting sensor systems and data links on various air platforms ranging from UAV’s to the Hercules air platform. Each has their associated technical intricacies such as performance, survivability, system integration of components and equipment mounted in harsh environments. Furthermore, Marshall Aerospace discussed the dissemination and exploitation of the gathered data, widening the debate on ensuring that the data is presented to a decision maker in a near real time scenario.

Close

To conclude the day’s activities, guests were invited to see some of the intricate engineering projects undertaken in the Marshall Aerospace hangars and laboratories. Guests were also invited to see the large scale risk reduction work which utilises flight simulators developed in house by Marshall Aerospace engineers and scientists.