In the Air, on the Ground, on Your Wrist

October 08, 2014

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Cybersecurity experts will hack and crash a remote-controlled drone helicopter as part of Raytheon's showcase at this year's Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C. The Waltham, Massachusetts-based defense contractor will also show technology including wearable computers for the battlefield and discuss products such as missile defense radars and precision weapons.

The helicopter demo will show how Electronic Armor, a Raytheon-built anti-hacking system, can detect even slight tampering with the controls of an unmanned aircraft. One helicopter will have the system and fly safely; the other will not.

"We're trying to illustrate the destructive nature of what can happen in an operational environment," said Brian Stites, a former U.S. Navy submariner and cryptologist who will run the helicopter demonstration. "The aviators and the helicopter pilots get it right away."

Other products Raytheon is bringing include:

• Distributed Common Ground System-A Lite: A wearable computer that provides soldiers with a wrist-worn display of battlefield information – including the location of enemy and allied forces.
• 3-D Audio: A sound system for pilots that uses a full 360-degree stereo field to warn warfighters of the exact direction of incoming threats. The system also makes radio channels sound as if they're coming from different directions.

Raytheon representatives also plan to discuss several developments, including:

• A joint announcement with the U.S. Army to discuss the Army's new electronic warfare battle management program.
• The anticipated December 2014 deployment of JLENS, the Army's missile-defense radar blimp, at Aberdeen Proving Ground in northern Maryland. JLENS is being launched to defend the Washington, D.C., region against cruise missiles, drones and aircraft.
• Incorporation of a laser spot tracker into the guidance system of the Excalibur artillery shell.
• Full-rate production of the TALON laser-guided rocket, a precision weapon co-developed with the United Arab Emirates.
• A milestone for AN/TPY-2, a mobile ballistic missile defense radar.
• The creation of a Raytheon Patriot scholarship for U.S. Army soldiers
• Pending delivery of 42 Precision Extended Range Munition Rounds to the U.S. Marine Corps for testing.

Raytheon's booth also will feature military artist Jim Ryan, who will sign copies of his latest print depicting soldiers in the battlefield.

"The Annual AUSA National Meeting and Exhibition provides a tremendous opportunity for Army leaders to discuss their concepts, strategies, requirements, priorities, and issues," said Galen Jackman, Vice President of Army and Special Operations Forces Programs. "This is a unique opportunity for us to gain direct insight into the Army customer's future needs."

Source : Raytheon Corporation (NYSE: RTN)