Unmanned Technology Trends in the Mil/Aero Market Place

In the wake of a crushing recession, the worst economic times since the great depression, coupled with the fact that the United States is in the process of drawing-down its combat role in both the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones, it seems readily apparent that in the absence of a new and serious threat, U.S. defense spending will remain flat, and perhaps even trend downward in the next few years. The ripple effect of the steady unraveling of the previous administration's defense policy is already making its way across the military and aerospace industry.

The current international political climate has fostered a critical need for the United States military to demand more innovative solutions, for its shrinking budget, from defense contractors across the boards. Fortunately, this demand seems to be in sync with the fact that the military and aerospace industry remains as one of the key drivers of technological advancement. The best and the brightest from the mil/aero tech community are indeed at the vanguard of America's military future.

One tangible proof-point for this increasing need for cutting-edge technology in advanced weaponry can be seen in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which is bristling with hi-tech innovation, developed by major defense contractors Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems. Most experts are of the opinion that what will spell the difference between victory and defeat in future combat scenarios will be advanced and reliable technology that outpaces the enemy.

Perhaps the hottest trend that is spreading across the military and aerospace technology community is that of a new and innovative generation of unmanned vehicles; Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV). Today, there is an increasing shift toward the military adopting and implementing ruggedized technology in the pursuit of weapons system development, and unmanned vehicles are at the tip of the technological spear.

There are a growing number of manufactures and suppliers of leading-edge solutions to the global military/aerospace community. In addition, with a greater emphasis on the reliance of new technologies as a means to ensure that the U.S. maintains its military superiority, these companies are playing a vital role in responding to the unique and demanding needs of key defense contractors that address these challenging and changing requirements.

The military and aerospace market segment is indeed an arena where failure is simply not an option. Enhanced technology has ushered-in a new era of remote control warfare that makes it possible to observe, monitor, and strike an enemy from a safe distance.

Miniaturization, longer life cycles, and immunity to shock, vibration, and harsh environments are the key components that figure prominently in current and future technology developments for these application and platforms.

Among the field of today's interconnect solutions providers is Hypertronics Corp., who is keeping pace with the changing demands of the military community. Working in close concert with various major defense contractors, in development of customized interconnect systems are playing a paramount role in making certain that complex unmanned aerial and ground weapons systems work reliably whenever, and wherever, deployed.

Currently, UAVs and UGVs perform both reconnaissance and attack missions, and have proven their value, time and again, in saving lives and improving the level of intelligence and defense capability through their controlled systems architectures.

As the unique requirements of the military/aerospace arena continue to shift and change with the demands of the times, a broad range of companies will continue to work in tandem with design engineers from across the industry. These efforts are to make certain that America continues to maintain its technological edge and military superiority in an uncertain world.

Hypertronics Corp.
Hudson, MA
hypertronics.com