Pentagon Railguns
Success in the global military-technical confrontation is ensured only by those countries where they profess a strategy of technological advancing of competitors. An indispensable condition for an effective response to the challenges of potential adversaries is the prompt introduction of breakthrough ideas as a key element of the defense scientific and technical reserve (NTZ) in creating promising and non-conventional weapons.
The level of defense research and related technologies has been and remains the most important factor determining the development of means of warfare in the long term. In this regard, it is of practical interest to analyze the innovation policy of the United States, aimed at implementing a new strategy for ensuring military superiority.
Strategic agility
In November, the Pentagon initiated a set of activities called the Defense Innovation Initiative (DII) to counter the growing threats to national security in the military sphere and ensure technological superiority in November. The main goal is to identify the unique ways, directions of advanced equipment of the US Armed Forces in the XXI century and the formation of a system of sustainable funding for research. DII involves a complex of works in six main areas.
The first is related to the formation of a plan of long-term research aimed at identifying promising areas for the creation of new types of weapons and military equipment, that is, new military technologies and effective methods for their use - the Long-Range Research and Development Plan (LRRDP). From December 2014 to August 2015, proposals were collected in such scientific and technological areas as space, underwater operations, strike operations and air superiority, air defense (AD) and missile defense (PRO), and some others. The first results of the examination of the information received are reflected in the draft budget of the US R & D for the 2017 fiscal year.
The second direction is devoted to the reform of the Reliance XXI system - a procedure for integrated (interspecific) planning of applied research (budget category R & D of the US Department of Defense - BA2) and technological developments (budget category - BA3) of the Pentagon. One of the results of the reforming of Reliance XXI was the selection of 17 areas (Communities of Interest), which are the overall planning of research and development programs of the US Department of Defense.
The third direction - “Ensuring global leadership in innovation for defense needs” involves promoting the development of the scientific community engaged in defense work, training qualified personnel for the planning, acquisition and management of the life cycle of weapons and military equipment, as well as stimulating the influx of young professionals. The complex of relevant activities in the formative stage.
Three other areas include the development of approaches to conducting exercises and command-staff training (war-gaming), reducing the testing time of innovative technologies, improving the art of war (tactics and strategies for the use of the US military taking into account technological innovations), identifying, adapting and implementing effective business -models in the planning, development and procurement of IWT (Innovative Business Practices). As part of the latter, the third and third program to improve the system of defense acquisitions, R & D and management of the life cycle of weapons and military equipment - Better Buying Power 3.0 was formed.
The results of the activities of the US DOD on DII are reflected in the formation of a new (third) strategy to ensure the military superiority of the United States - the Third Offset Strategy. This refers to potential adversaries with modern means of countering (blocking) access to their own or controlled territories (Anti-access / Area Denial - A2 / AD). The A2 / AD is a complex of weapons, including high-precision weapon (WTO), defense systems (anti-space, anti-air, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine) and electronic warfare (EW). Absolute superiority is understood as the unconditional achievement of military success in all areas - space, air, on land and sea, in cyberspace.
According to military experts, previous US military superiority strategies were successfully implemented in the Cold War. The first was based on nuclear weapons and their means of delivery. The second is on the synergistic effect of the use of the WTO, information-intelligence systems, missile / defense systems and technologies for reducing the visibility of weapons and military equipment. It is believed that the first theoretical rationale for technology that provides military superiority, given by William Perry (William J. Perry) when he was the US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Development. It should be noted that Offset strategies are based on providing the US with global technological leadership in the military-technical sphere and are a kind of invitation to eventual opponents to participate in the arms race.
According to the concept of the US military, the new strategy under the symbol “Quickness” should focus on the following tasks: large-scale and complex use of the capabilities of robotic complexes, operations using low-profile long-range aircraft, submarine warfare using autonomous complexes of heterogeneous technical means, design of weapons and military equipment with their accelerated integration into a single system.
Five areas of R&D have been identified: autonomous machines and systems capable of continuous self-learning; human-machine interaction technologies that provide effective decision support; new technical means to improve the efficiency of human activity; technologies for the interaction of groupings from crewed weapons and military equipment and robots; semi-autonomous weapon systems that operate effectively in conditions of large-scale use of electronic warfare by the enemy.
In the 2016 fiscal year, a one-year project started, aimed at accelerating the introduction of technologies that ensure the implementation of the new strategy of excellence (Defense Technology Offset), with the amount of funding 75 million dollars. The key areas of the project include directed energy weapons (high-power laser weapons and microwave weapons), hypersonic weapons and high-speed projectiles, cyberspace operations technology, autonomous complexes of diverse technical means intended for submarine warfare, big data analysis technologies (Big Data ).
Silicon Valley Residency
To support the measures envisaged by the DII, and to accelerate the processes of forming a scientific and technological foundation for the implementation of the third military superiority strategy, the United States Defense Department has formed new divisions: Defense Innovation Unit Experimental - DIUx, Strategic Capabilities Office) and the Defense Innovation Board (DIB).
DIUx was formed in 2015 year as a separate structural unit of the US military, based in Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley). Its main tasks are: strengthening ties with the scientific community and attracting new high-tech companies to participate in defense research and development projects; monitoring the performance of innovative companies located in Silicon Valley, and prompt identification of the prospects for the achievements obtained in the interests of the US Armed Forces; performance of representative functions of the US DoD in this area. George Duchak, who previously headed the Information Systems Directorate of the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (ARL), has been appointed head of the unit. Organizationally, DIUx enters the office of Assistant US Secretary of Defense for Research and Development.
DIUx is positioned as an innovation hub, designed to most fully realize the potential of high-tech companies to ensure US superiority in the military sphere. The expediency of finding this unit in Silicon Valley is due to the following. First, it is one of the three largest US technology centers (with centers in New York and Washington). From San Francisco to San Jose there are several thousand institutions (headquarters and representative offices of companies, development centers, etc.) engaged in world-class projects.
Secondly, the research and development ordering system created by the Pentagon did not allow to quickly identify innovative breakthroughs that are emerging in the main technological centers of the country. In this regard, it is noteworthy that in the summer of 2016, the DIUx representative office in Boston was opened (in the territory that received the conditional name Eastern Silicon Valley).
In 2015 – 2016 fiscal years, no budget allocations were made for commissioning work for the DIUx Experimental Division. But already in the cycle from 2017 to 2021, it is planned to annually allocate approximately 30 million dollars for applied research (work category BA2).
To introduce successful business practices, Pentagon will expand its cooperation with the venture capital company IQ-Tel. In the 2017 fiscal year, approximately 40 million dollars are allocated to finance its pilot program. Initially, the company created in 1999 on the initiative of the CIA was represented as an NPO. Now its main task is to serve the interests of the country's intelligence community in the development and implementation of advanced technologies (mainly information and computing) using a variety of mechanisms (approaches, principles, methods, models, etc.) of venture investment. IQ-Tel has proven itself to be a highly successful, high-profit organization implementing innovative public-private partnership projects in the field of national security.
In March 2016, the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) was formed in the office of the US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Technology, Armaments Acquisition and Logistics (USD AT&L), the main task of which is to find organizational mechanisms and best business practices. ensuring the effective development of the US Armed Forces based on technological innovation. In fact, there was transferred part of the functions of the Committee for the Study of Business Processes in the Interests of the US Defense Department (Defense Business Board - DBB), concerning the development of recommendations for improving the organization, planning and financing of R&D based on best commercial practices.
The Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) was formed in summer 2012. The main task is to accelerate the implementation of the scientific and technical groundwork of the US military department in breakthrough areas of AME development. SCO was officially presented as an institution ordering secret innovative developments. The office is in the organizational structure of the USD AT&L apparatus and is subordinate to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for R&D (ASD R&E). William Roper, who previously served as MDA chief designer for systems integration, has been appointed director of the new division. Since its inception, SCO has funded 15 R&D projects (project categories BA3 and BA4), focused on solving 23 priority tasks of AME development. The Pentagon leadership recognized the activity as successful. Therefore, it is planned to allocate almost $ 2017 million for the implementation of projects in the 902 financial year. About 36 percent of the total budget allocation is planned to go to support development for the US Navy.
When coyotes fly
The main activity of SCO is focused on three priority areas for creating prototype weapons and military equipment: upgrading existing products to solve new problems, integrating systems to enhance synergy, integrating commercially available technologies and innovative developments.
In the first area, SCO’s activities are focused on the following.
1. Participation in the development of an anti-ship supersonic missile with a range of more than 6 kilometers (maximum speed - approximately 174 M) based on the SM-370 SAM (RIM-3,7 ERAM, Raytheon). The test results of this variant of the SM-6 were recognized by the military authorities as successful. It is expected that this year will begin placement of the sample on warships.
2. Execution of works (on the Strike-Ex project) to create the Tomahawk anti-ship variant of the Kyrgyz Republic based on the TLAM Block IV E modification. The rocket in this version is capable of hitting mobile ground targets based on information received from the communications satellite and re-targeting (on-board re-planning flight task in flight) and send to the command post review photos.
3. The program of the next torpedo upgrade Mk 48 Mod 7AT (FMS). It is planned to create two versions of the APB-6 / TI-1 and APB-7 / TI-2 torpedoes Mk 48 of the new modification Mod 8.
4. Participation in the modernization of the operational-tactical missile system ATACMS with the unitary warhead (program for extending the ATACMS SLEP warranty period). Presumably, part of this work, like the Strike-Ex project, is focused on replacing the onboard electronics of the rocket, the control system, including the inertial navigation system and error correction tools, as well as updating the automation (including the explosion point maintenance system) warhead.
5. The project of the accelerated creation of prototypes based on the use of technology of ultrafast body throwing - Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System - HGWS (the former name of the project - Land-and-Sea-Based Powder Guns). Prior to 2022 years planned jointly with the orders the agencies Navy and the Army work on prototypes gun mounts firing subcaliber high-speed corrected projectiles (High Velocity Projectile - HVP) ship 127-mm Mk45 in versions Mod 2 (barrel length - 6858 mm) and Mod 4 ( barrel length - 7874 mm), naval 155-mm Mk51 AGS (Advanced Gun System), ACS M109A6 PIM and towed 155-mm howitzers M777A2. The project provides support for the development of an experimental model of a stationary ground-based complex with an electrodynamic system of hyper-speed projectile throwing of a HyperVP (HyperVelocity Projectile) rail type (Land-Based Rail Gun - LBRG). In the 2014 – 2015 financial years, the SCO Directorate funded preparations for conducting experimental studies of the LBRG complex, located on the territory of the Navy test center on Wallops Island (Virginia). The HGWS project is based on a scientific and technical background, formed during the implementation of an extensive complex of fundamental, applied research and development, focused on the development of ultra-high-speed body throwing technologies (projects HyperVP, EMRG, LBRG, etc.).
An example of system integration to enhance the synergistic effect is the SCO Sea Mob project, which is focused on increasing the autonomy of unmanned surface boats (BNK) and ensuring their group actions in anti-mine and anti-submarine defense. The base platform, apparently, was the BNK of the CUSV (Common USV) project, created under the program of purchasing target modules for LCS class ships. According to the statements of the Americans, the BUS CUSV autonomous navigation system will be able, with minimal operator involvement, to ensure navigation safety of the vessel (at speeds up to 25 – 30 nodes) in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) . It is understood that collision risk assessment methods, control algorithms, which provide maneuvering methods for avoiding collisions and planning safe movement, comply with the requirements of COLREGS.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Payloads project can serve as an example of SCO's third priority activity - "Combining Commercially Available Technologies and Innovative Solutions". It is focused on finding "mature" technical solutions aimed at accelerating the implementation of the results of the Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology (LOCUST) program. It, ordered by the US Navy ONS (Office Naval Research - ONR), provides for the development of technologies for performing combat missions by groups of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a low cost of "life cycle". Under the LOCUST program, in particular, the technologies for the group synchronized launch of the UAVs of the Coyote project from containers and ensuring their interaction in flight were improved. One of the tasks being worked out for the grouping of such devices is the search, detection and tracking of moving targets (ground and sea), as well as the issuance of target designations for corrected ammunition or anti-ship missiles. The UAV of the Coyote project was developed by Advanced Ceramics Research (now renamed Sensitel and part of BAE Systems Corporation). Coyote belongs to the class of single-use abandoned vehicles and, due to its design (wings and rudders open in flight), it is launched from containers accepted for the supply of the US Armed Forces, for example, from a 127-mm TPK sonobuoy installed from an aircraft (Orion P3, P-8A Poseidon) or submarines. The device takes payload modules with a total weight of up to 2,2 kilograms. To detect submarines, a variant of equipping with a miniature magnetic anomaly detector has been worked out. The average cost of one Coyote UAV without a payload module does not exceed $15. Now BAE Systems (Sensitel) offers a version that provides the ability to reuse UAVs. It should be noted that Drones of this project were acquired by the command of the naval aviation U.S. Navy to test the use of robotic systems.
The American Defense Innovation Initiative focuses primarily on achieving qualitative changes in the technical equipment of the US Armed Forces in the coming years. The new structural divisions created in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for R & D should speed up the processes of forming the NTR to realize the third strategy of American military superiority.
It can be said that the Pentagon’s innovation policy in the military-technical sphere is characterized as follows: “first revealed a new scientific direction (scientific idea)” - “first initiated research” - “first obtained results” - “first assessed the feasibility of implementing the obtained results during modernization existing and the creation of promising and unconventional models of weapons and military equipment ”.
This should initiate a response to improve the domestic scientific and technical reserve, which under no circumstances should become the “stepchild” of the state defense order. There is no shortage of new ideas in our country.
The level of defense research and related technologies has been and remains the most important factor determining the development of means of warfare in the long term. In this regard, it is of practical interest to analyze the innovation policy of the United States, aimed at implementing a new strategy for ensuring military superiority.
Strategic agility
In November, the Pentagon initiated a set of activities called the Defense Innovation Initiative (DII) to counter the growing threats to national security in the military sphere and ensure technological superiority in November. The main goal is to identify the unique ways, directions of advanced equipment of the US Armed Forces in the XXI century and the formation of a system of sustainable funding for research. DII involves a complex of works in six main areas.
The first is related to the formation of a plan of long-term research aimed at identifying promising areas for the creation of new types of weapons and military equipment, that is, new military technologies and effective methods for their use - the Long-Range Research and Development Plan (LRRDP). From December 2014 to August 2015, proposals were collected in such scientific and technological areas as space, underwater operations, strike operations and air superiority, air defense (AD) and missile defense (PRO), and some others. The first results of the examination of the information received are reflected in the draft budget of the US R & D for the 2017 fiscal year.
The second direction is devoted to the reform of the Reliance XXI system - a procedure for integrated (interspecific) planning of applied research (budget category R & D of the US Department of Defense - BA2) and technological developments (budget category - BA3) of the Pentagon. One of the results of the reforming of Reliance XXI was the selection of 17 areas (Communities of Interest), which are the overall planning of research and development programs of the US Department of Defense.
The third direction - “Ensuring global leadership in innovation for defense needs” involves promoting the development of the scientific community engaged in defense work, training qualified personnel for the planning, acquisition and management of the life cycle of weapons and military equipment, as well as stimulating the influx of young professionals. The complex of relevant activities in the formative stage.
Three other areas include the development of approaches to conducting exercises and command-staff training (war-gaming), reducing the testing time of innovative technologies, improving the art of war (tactics and strategies for the use of the US military taking into account technological innovations), identifying, adapting and implementing effective business -models in the planning, development and procurement of IWT (Innovative Business Practices). As part of the latter, the third and third program to improve the system of defense acquisitions, R & D and management of the life cycle of weapons and military equipment - Better Buying Power 3.0 was formed.
The results of the activities of the US DOD on DII are reflected in the formation of a new (third) strategy to ensure the military superiority of the United States - the Third Offset Strategy. This refers to potential adversaries with modern means of countering (blocking) access to their own or controlled territories (Anti-access / Area Denial - A2 / AD). The A2 / AD is a complex of weapons, including high-precision weapon (WTO), defense systems (anti-space, anti-air, anti-missile, anti-ship and anti-submarine) and electronic warfare (EW). Absolute superiority is understood as the unconditional achievement of military success in all areas - space, air, on land and sea, in cyberspace.According to military experts, previous US military superiority strategies were successfully implemented in the Cold War. The first was based on nuclear weapons and their means of delivery. The second is on the synergistic effect of the use of the WTO, information-intelligence systems, missile / defense systems and technologies for reducing the visibility of weapons and military equipment. It is believed that the first theoretical rationale for technology that provides military superiority, given by William Perry (William J. Perry) when he was the US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Development. It should be noted that Offset strategies are based on providing the US with global technological leadership in the military-technical sphere and are a kind of invitation to eventual opponents to participate in the arms race.
According to the concept of the US military, the new strategy under the symbol “Quickness” should focus on the following tasks: large-scale and complex use of the capabilities of robotic complexes, operations using low-profile long-range aircraft, submarine warfare using autonomous complexes of heterogeneous technical means, design of weapons and military equipment with their accelerated integration into a single system.
Five areas of R&D have been identified: autonomous machines and systems capable of continuous self-learning; human-machine interaction technologies that provide effective decision support; new technical means to improve the efficiency of human activity; technologies for the interaction of groupings from crewed weapons and military equipment and robots; semi-autonomous weapon systems that operate effectively in conditions of large-scale use of electronic warfare by the enemy.
In the 2016 fiscal year, a one-year project started, aimed at accelerating the introduction of technologies that ensure the implementation of the new strategy of excellence (Defense Technology Offset), with the amount of funding 75 million dollars. The key areas of the project include directed energy weapons (high-power laser weapons and microwave weapons), hypersonic weapons and high-speed projectiles, cyberspace operations technology, autonomous complexes of diverse technical means intended for submarine warfare, big data analysis technologies (Big Data ).
Silicon Valley Residency
To support the measures envisaged by the DII, and to accelerate the processes of forming a scientific and technological foundation for the implementation of the third military superiority strategy, the United States Defense Department has formed new divisions: Defense Innovation Unit Experimental - DIUx, Strategic Capabilities Office) and the Defense Innovation Board (DIB).
DIUx was formed in 2015 year as a separate structural unit of the US military, based in Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley). Its main tasks are: strengthening ties with the scientific community and attracting new high-tech companies to participate in defense research and development projects; monitoring the performance of innovative companies located in Silicon Valley, and prompt identification of the prospects for the achievements obtained in the interests of the US Armed Forces; performance of representative functions of the US DoD in this area. George Duchak, who previously headed the Information Systems Directorate of the United States Air Force Research Laboratory (ARL), has been appointed head of the unit. Organizationally, DIUx enters the office of Assistant US Secretary of Defense for Research and Development.
DIUx is positioned as an innovation hub, designed to most fully realize the potential of high-tech companies to ensure US superiority in the military sphere. The expediency of finding this unit in Silicon Valley is due to the following. First, it is one of the three largest US technology centers (with centers in New York and Washington). From San Francisco to San Jose there are several thousand institutions (headquarters and representative offices of companies, development centers, etc.) engaged in world-class projects.
Secondly, the research and development ordering system created by the Pentagon did not allow to quickly identify innovative breakthroughs that are emerging in the main technological centers of the country. In this regard, it is noteworthy that in the summer of 2016, the DIUx representative office in Boston was opened (in the territory that received the conditional name Eastern Silicon Valley).
In 2015 – 2016 fiscal years, no budget allocations were made for commissioning work for the DIUx Experimental Division. But already in the cycle from 2017 to 2021, it is planned to annually allocate approximately 30 million dollars for applied research (work category BA2).
To introduce successful business practices, Pentagon will expand its cooperation with the venture capital company IQ-Tel. In the 2017 fiscal year, approximately 40 million dollars are allocated to finance its pilot program. Initially, the company created in 1999 on the initiative of the CIA was represented as an NPO. Now its main task is to serve the interests of the country's intelligence community in the development and implementation of advanced technologies (mainly information and computing) using a variety of mechanisms (approaches, principles, methods, models, etc.) of venture investment. IQ-Tel has proven itself to be a highly successful, high-profit organization implementing innovative public-private partnership projects in the field of national security.
In March 2016, the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) was formed in the office of the US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Technology, Armaments Acquisition and Logistics (USD AT&L), the main task of which is to find organizational mechanisms and best business practices. ensuring the effective development of the US Armed Forces based on technological innovation. In fact, there was transferred part of the functions of the Committee for the Study of Business Processes in the Interests of the US Defense Department (Defense Business Board - DBB), concerning the development of recommendations for improving the organization, planning and financing of R&D based on best commercial practices.
The Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) was formed in summer 2012. The main task is to accelerate the implementation of the scientific and technical groundwork of the US military department in breakthrough areas of AME development. SCO was officially presented as an institution ordering secret innovative developments. The office is in the organizational structure of the USD AT&L apparatus and is subordinate to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for R&D (ASD R&E). William Roper, who previously served as MDA chief designer for systems integration, has been appointed director of the new division. Since its inception, SCO has funded 15 R&D projects (project categories BA3 and BA4), focused on solving 23 priority tasks of AME development. The Pentagon leadership recognized the activity as successful. Therefore, it is planned to allocate almost $ 2017 million for the implementation of projects in the 902 financial year. About 36 percent of the total budget allocation is planned to go to support development for the US Navy.
When coyotes fly
The main activity of SCO is focused on three priority areas for creating prototype weapons and military equipment: upgrading existing products to solve new problems, integrating systems to enhance synergy, integrating commercially available technologies and innovative developments.
In the first area, SCO’s activities are focused on the following.
1. Participation in the development of an anti-ship supersonic missile with a range of more than 6 kilometers (maximum speed - approximately 174 M) based on the SM-370 SAM (RIM-3,7 ERAM, Raytheon). The test results of this variant of the SM-6 were recognized by the military authorities as successful. It is expected that this year will begin placement of the sample on warships.
2. Execution of works (on the Strike-Ex project) to create the Tomahawk anti-ship variant of the Kyrgyz Republic based on the TLAM Block IV E modification. The rocket in this version is capable of hitting mobile ground targets based on information received from the communications satellite and re-targeting (on-board re-planning flight task in flight) and send to the command post review photos.
3. The program of the next torpedo upgrade Mk 48 Mod 7AT (FMS). It is planned to create two versions of the APB-6 / TI-1 and APB-7 / TI-2 torpedoes Mk 48 of the new modification Mod 8.
4. Participation in the modernization of the operational-tactical missile system ATACMS with the unitary warhead (program for extending the ATACMS SLEP warranty period). Presumably, part of this work, like the Strike-Ex project, is focused on replacing the onboard electronics of the rocket, the control system, including the inertial navigation system and error correction tools, as well as updating the automation (including the explosion point maintenance system) warhead.
5. The project of the accelerated creation of prototypes based on the use of technology of ultrafast body throwing - Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System - HGWS (the former name of the project - Land-and-Sea-Based Powder Guns). Prior to 2022 years planned jointly with the orders the agencies Navy and the Army work on prototypes gun mounts firing subcaliber high-speed corrected projectiles (High Velocity Projectile - HVP) ship 127-mm Mk45 in versions Mod 2 (barrel length - 6858 mm) and Mod 4 ( barrel length - 7874 mm), naval 155-mm Mk51 AGS (Advanced Gun System), ACS M109A6 PIM and towed 155-mm howitzers M777A2. The project provides support for the development of an experimental model of a stationary ground-based complex with an electrodynamic system of hyper-speed projectile throwing of a HyperVP (HyperVelocity Projectile) rail type (Land-Based Rail Gun - LBRG). In the 2014 – 2015 financial years, the SCO Directorate funded preparations for conducting experimental studies of the LBRG complex, located on the territory of the Navy test center on Wallops Island (Virginia). The HGWS project is based on a scientific and technical background, formed during the implementation of an extensive complex of fundamental, applied research and development, focused on the development of ultra-high-speed body throwing technologies (projects HyperVP, EMRG, LBRG, etc.).
An example of system integration to enhance the synergistic effect is the SCO Sea Mob project, which is focused on increasing the autonomy of unmanned surface boats (BNK) and ensuring their group actions in anti-mine and anti-submarine defense. The base platform, apparently, was the BNK of the CUSV (Common USV) project, created under the program of purchasing target modules for LCS class ships. According to the statements of the Americans, the BUS CUSV autonomous navigation system will be able, with minimal operator involvement, to ensure navigation safety of the vessel (at speeds up to 25 – 30 nodes) in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) . It is understood that collision risk assessment methods, control algorithms, which provide maneuvering methods for avoiding collisions and planning safe movement, comply with the requirements of COLREGS.
The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Payloads project can serve as an example of SCO's third priority activity - "Combining Commercially Available Technologies and Innovative Solutions". It is focused on finding "mature" technical solutions aimed at accelerating the implementation of the results of the Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology (LOCUST) program. It, ordered by the US Navy ONS (Office Naval Research - ONR), provides for the development of technologies for performing combat missions by groups of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a low cost of "life cycle". Under the LOCUST program, in particular, the technologies for the group synchronized launch of the UAVs of the Coyote project from containers and ensuring their interaction in flight were improved. One of the tasks being worked out for the grouping of such devices is the search, detection and tracking of moving targets (ground and sea), as well as the issuance of target designations for corrected ammunition or anti-ship missiles. The UAV of the Coyote project was developed by Advanced Ceramics Research (now renamed Sensitel and part of BAE Systems Corporation). Coyote belongs to the class of single-use abandoned vehicles and, due to its design (wings and rudders open in flight), it is launched from containers accepted for the supply of the US Armed Forces, for example, from a 127-mm TPK sonobuoy installed from an aircraft (Orion P3, P-8A Poseidon) or submarines. The device takes payload modules with a total weight of up to 2,2 kilograms. To detect submarines, a variant of equipping with a miniature magnetic anomaly detector has been worked out. The average cost of one Coyote UAV without a payload module does not exceed $15. Now BAE Systems (Sensitel) offers a version that provides the ability to reuse UAVs. It should be noted that Drones of this project were acquired by the command of the naval aviation U.S. Navy to test the use of robotic systems.
The American Defense Innovation Initiative focuses primarily on achieving qualitative changes in the technical equipment of the US Armed Forces in the coming years. The new structural divisions created in the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for R & D should speed up the processes of forming the NTR to realize the third strategy of American military superiority.
It can be said that the Pentagon’s innovation policy in the military-technical sphere is characterized as follows: “first revealed a new scientific direction (scientific idea)” - “first initiated research” - “first obtained results” - “first assessed the feasibility of implementing the obtained results during modernization existing and the creation of promising and unconventional models of weapons and military equipment ”.
This should initiate a response to improve the domestic scientific and technical reserve, which under no circumstances should become the “stepchild” of the state defense order. There is no shortage of new ideas in our country.
Information