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RIDGEFIELD, Conn. August 14, 2003. Markland Technologies announced a status update on two research and development programs being undertaken for the United States Department of Defense; the Cargo Inspection CRADA for the United States Air Force, and the Gas Plasma Antenna Radar SBIR for the United States Navy. Both research programs have recently accomplished significant milestones critical to the commercialization of the technologies.
Cargo Inspection CRADA for the United States Air Force
The Cargo Inspection CRADA involves the use of acoustics to detect illicit materials located in cargo. The research program is being carried out with the assistance of government scientists at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL). The program is divided into three phases. Phase 1 of the program was just completed, consisting of the collection of raw acoustic data from a container utilizing common packing materials and surrogate explosives.
The data collection was performed on a cardboard container, which was filled with common materials such as salt, sugar, flour, packing materials and simulated explosives. The experiment consisted of eight different target samples. Acoustic energy pulses were generated with a highly directional parametric airborne audio source. The reflected acoustic signals were received off the cardboard container by a laser Doppler vibrometer. Therefore, each of the thousands of acoustic measurements made, were done completely by non-contact acoustic means. The collected data is currently being analyzed. Markland scientists will create acoustic models for propagation of sound in cardboard containers from this data set. The next phase of testing involves acquiring acoustic signatures for various types of actual explosive targets.
Gas Plasma Antenna Radar SBIR for the United States Navy
The Gas Plasma Antenna Radar SBIR involves the use of ionized gas plasma to develop the next generation of US Navy antenna. Plasma radar antennas have many desirable features for military applications, including the ability to be reconfigured, improved stealth, and better shielding. The goal is to create a re-configurable plasma radar antenna, which can operate in close proximity to other radar antennas without mutual interference.
The objectives of this SBIR funded research program are as follows:
Evaluate the feasibility of gas plasma antennas to reduce size, weight and cost of future US Navy radar systems.
Analyze the effectiveness of gas plasma to reduce the interference between co-located radar systems.
Access the suitability of replacing existing phase shifters and wave-guides with plasma devices.
Determine the applicability of replacing metal elements with plasma substitutes on flat parabolic reflectors for enhanced radar performance.
To this point multiple tasks have been completed in this SBIR research program and the company has applied for additional SBIR funding from the US Navy to further this effort.
Robert Tarini, Chairman of Markland Technologies stated," Although the process is lengthy, we are very pleased with the progress the research scientists have made in our emerging technologies and the resulting data we have collected to date. Our portfolio of patents gives us a powerful tool to achieve our goals for developing these emerging technologies strategically or independently. We anticipate the commercialization to result in revenue flow to complement our existing product and services revenue base."
Military & Aerospace Electronics
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