Energetics Magazine - Chemring Group PLC

World leading, innovative productsfor land, sea, air and space systemsCounter-IED | Countermeasures | Munitions | PyrotechnicsChemring is a global group that specialises in the manufacture of hightechnology products for protecting people and platforms. We operate infour main market sectors: Counter-IED, Countermeasures, Munitions andPyrotechnics, and deliver leading edge capability and expertise in theCBRNE, cyber and homeland security markets.www.chemring.co.ukDelivering global protection

NEWS5MoD acceptsRoke ManpackElectronicWarfareSystem intoserviceThe UK Ministry of Defence(MoD) has accepted Roke’sElectronic Surveillance andCountermeasures Systeminto service as a core capabilitywithin the British Army andRoyal Marines.Alloy contract awardsAlloy Surfaces has been awarded contracts worth in excess of $18 millionfor the manufacture of its decoy devices. Customers include the UnitedStates Air Force and Navy and the Finnish Air Force.NIITEK awarded $32 millionadditional HMDS IDIQdelivery ordersNIITEK has been awarded two additional delivery orders totaling$32 million to provide spares for both the US Army and US Marine Corps.These delivery orders are issued as part of the multi-year Husky MountedDetection System (HMDS) Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract that was awarded on 30 April2012. This contract not only provides the US Army with the ability toprocure spares and replacement systems to replenish theatre sustainmentstock, but also provides the ability to serve future system requirementsfor the US Marine Corps and potential Foreign Military Sales. The potentialvalue of the IDIQ contract is $579 million, with performance into 2013.Biological detection systemscontract awardChemring Detection Systems (CDS) announced that it had been awardeda $49 million contract to supply biological detection systems to the USArmy and US Navy. The award was made by the Edgewood ContractingDivision of the Aberdeen Providing Grounds Contracting Command forover 100 Joint Biological Point Detection Systems (JBPDS) and InitialFielding Packages. The systems will be installed on Navy ships such asthe USS Ross (DDG 71) and in the Stryker Nuclear Biological ChemicalReconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV).The JBPDS provides automatic detection and identification of airbornebiological agents at very low levels, triggers local and remote warningsystems, and communicates threat information over standardcommunication systems. JBPDS is manufactured in CDS’ Charlotte, NCfacility. The systems are due for delivery between December 2012 andDecember 2013.NEWSBRIEFINGLong term partneringagreementChemring Countermeasureshas been awarded a fiveyear long term partneringagreement worth £21 million,with options for a further£38 million over the contractperiod. The contract is for arange of different infra-red (IR)and radar frequency (RF) typesof airborne expendable decoyflares for the UK MoD, that areused by the Royal Air Force,Royal Navy and British Armyto protect a number of fixedand rotary wing aircraft fromthe threat of IR and RF guidedmissiles. Deliveries of theseflares began in May 2012 and willcontinue through to March 2017.Hi-Shear supplies MissileFiring System for thePatriot AdvancedCapability Missile ProgrammeA production contract worthin excess of $10 million hasbeen awarded to Hi-Shearfor the supply of its innovativeElectronic Safe/Arm Fuze(ESAF) for use on the USArmy’s Patriot AdvancedCapability (PAC-3) Missile.The PAC-3 Missile, producedby Lockheed Martin, is ahigh-velocity, surface-to-airmissile capable of interceptingand destroying aircraftand incoming tacticalballistic missiles.Hi-Shear’s ESAF is a dualfunction, high enhancementfuze, and is a critical componentof each missile.NIITEK awarded$5.9 million contractNIITEK has been awarded a$5.9 million firm fixed pricecontract from MBDA Italia S.p.Afor the supply of the “MineBuster” Ground PenetratingRadar (GPR) systems andlogistics support to the CALIFE3 Italian Army Program forthe Italian Ministry of Defense.Deliveries under the contractwill be made by October 2013and will support the ItalianArmy’s Route Clearance Mission.Spring 2013www.chemring.co.uk

Spring 2013 6Product in FocusDelivering global protection

Product in FocusHi-Shear pyrotechnicdevices contribute tothe successful landing ofCuriosity on the Red PlanetHi-Shear Technology (Hi-Shear) was a contributor to the successfullanding of the NASA Mars Science Laboratory’s Curiosity Roveron Mars in 2012.7Spring 2013Hi-Shear supplied over 200 high reliability separationnuts, cable cutters, pin-pullers and NASA StandardInitiators to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for themission, including ground test and flight units.The MSL programme was designed to help scientists andengineers prepare for future human missions to Mars.The landing required more than 80 pyrotechnic eventsthrough three stages of separation to make a successfullanding. As the Mini-Cooper sized vehicle entered theMars atmosphere at 13,200mph, several pyrotechnicactuated devices executed the cruise stage separation ofthe aeroshell. The second stage provided further slowingby pyrotechnic deployment of a supersonic parachute.As the vehicle approached one mile from the surface atapproximately 180mph, additional pyrotechnic eventsenabled further separation and deceleration with finalpyrotechnic activity facilitating a safe landing of theCuriosity Rover on the Mars surface.This was not Hi-Shear’s first opportunity to be part ofsuch an historic event. Hi-Shear previously providedpyrotechnic devices facilitating the landing of two othersmaller Mars Rovers; Spirit and Opportunity. NASAStandard Initiators, NASA Standard Detonators andother pyrotechnic hardware fundamental to thelift-off of many launch vehicles and deployment ofsatellites are part of Hi-Shear’s core business.www.chemring.co.uk

Spring 2013 8Product in FocusChemring EnergeticDevices instrumentalin returning F-22fighters to flightThe Joint Combined Aircrew System Tester (JCAST) and AltitudeCombined Aircrew System Tester (ACAST) provide the warfighterfast and reliable testing capabilities for various aircrew equipmentincluding flight helmets, oxygen masks, man-mounted regulatorsand Anti-G garments.The extended flight envelope of the stealthy F-22 Raptorsubjects the pilot’s body to extremes in altitude andG-Forces. As the aircraft performs its manoeuvres, thepilot’s body requires different levels and pressures ofoxygen. Failing to get sufficient oxygen will cause the pilotto suffer hypoxia, and in seconds can render the pilotunconscious. Too much oxygen can cause damage to thelungs and other membranes in the body. To avoid eitherof these conditions, the F-22 pilot’s flight gear is equippedwith a regulator that controls the rate and pressure of theair to his mask and a G-Suit to constrict the flow of bloodaway from the brain. JCAST and ACAST were designedto ensure the pilot’s critical life support equipment isfunctioning properly before take-off.Chemring Energetic Devices is now in full rate productionand delivering JCAST and ACAST to the Air NationalGuard, US Air Forces in Europe, and the Air CombatCommand. The deliveries represent $3.8 Million in sales,and more importantly, these testers assure the pilot thathis or her mission critical equipment is in good workingorder prior to launch.The JCAST is a self-contained, menu driven, softwareupgradeable tester which provides pneumatic andelectronic test capability for all US Air Force (USAF) flightequipment. The ACAST is a barometric chamber poweredby the JCAST to perform “pressure breathing at altitude”testing of man-mounted regulators. Earlier this year,the JCAST and ACAST aided the Air Force in returningthe F-22 Raptor to flight by allowing pilots to thoroughlyinspect their man-mounted regulators and other flightequipment prior to flight. The testers are Air CombatCommand and Air National Guard approved to performtesting on F-22 and F-16 flight equipment. Additionally,they provide test capability for all other USAF Fighter,Bomber, Transport and Rotary aircraft flight equipment.Delivering global protection

Spring 2013 10CHEMRING IN ACTIONEjector seat systemChemring provides several components for theACES II ejector seat system used in the F-22.Chemring Energetic Devices supplies theMortar Cartridge, Gyro Spin-Up Gas GeneratorCartridge, Drogue Parachute SeveranceAssembly and Thermal Battery for the systemwhich is made by the Goodrich Corporation.Testing equipmentThe F-22 has a complex life support system.The fleet was grounded for four months in 2011due to problems with its pilot oxygen systems.Our Joint Combined Aircrew System Tester(JCAST) and Altitude Combined Aircrew SystemTester (ACAST) developed by Chemring EnergeticDevices now provides the US Air Force with fastand reliable testing capabilities for various aircrewequipment including flight helmets, oxygen masks,man-mounted regulators and Anti-G garments.Delivering global protection

Spring 2013 12INVESTMENT FocusDelivering global protection

INVESTMENT FocusAustralian countermeasuressite now operationalChemring Australia is proud to announce that it now has a fullyoperational countermeasures facility, with first deliveries of flaresto the Australian Defence Force achieved.13Spring 2013In 2008, Chemring Australia won a major contract withthe Australian Defence Department to produce anddeliver a wide range of expendable countermeasuresand pyrotechnics. As part of the contract, Chemringhas established a state of the art countermeasuresmanufacturing facility at its Lara site, 60km outsideMelbourne. Chemring Australia is now the only producerof air-launched countermeasure flares, which areused by all aircraft that are deployed operationally byAustralia and its allies, in the Southern Hemisphere.The establishment of this facility was enabled by thesignificant transfer of product and manufacturingtechnology from the United Kingdom and the UnitedStates of America, with support from ChemringCountermeasures and Kilgore Flares critical to its success.The facility is the most modern coutermeasures facilityoperating anywhere in the world, and incorporates newmanufacturing techniques and significant degrees ofautomation. Hazardous material production is completelyautomated, with there being no requirement foroperators to come into contact with materials until thefinal product assembly stage. Not only is this providingfor the highest standards of safety, but also results inhighly predictable product performance and qualityyield. In the establishment of the facility, ChemringAustralia and its manufacturing partner, CCB Envico,and process partner, Sage Automation, used techniquesand processes not used before in Australia. After alengthy commissioning stage, the facility was declaredfully operational in July, with the delivery of its 20,000thproduct to the Defence Department.Key to the establishment of the facility was not onlyits ability to manufacture existing UK and USA IR flareproducts, but the role it could play in future technologydevelopment. The plant incorporates a specialisedresearch and development capability that is able toprove new concepts and develop countermeasuresolutions specifically for the Australian DefenceForce’s requirements.The ten year contract with the Australian DefenceDepartment and the establishment of the new facility hasresulted in the employment of an additional fifty staff atthe Lara site and has opened up significant opportunities,including the manufacture of Joint Strike Fightercountermeasures for the global market.www.chemring.co.uk

Spring 2013 14Product in FocusMars Rover hidesand seeks in ChileRoke Manor Research has been heavily involved with theStarTiger SEEKER project, which was a six month study withthe aim of developing a prototype Mars Rover to autonomouslynavigate through 2km of Mars-like terrain per day over athree day period (6km in total). It was based at the RutherfordAppleton Labs in Harwell and involved six partner organisations:RAL Space, Scisys, LAAS, MDA Space, BAE Systems and Roke.Autonomy for Mars Rovers would greatly increase theirrange (currently a maximum of 200m per sol – a sol is aMars day). As the communication time from Mars to Earthmay be greater than 20 minutes, human control is a slowprocess. The Martian environment limits the sensorsthat can be used for navigation purposes (there is noGPS or global magnetic field), and the launch costs andmass/power constraints of space missions make complexsensors such as LIDAR impractical. An image processingsolution was therefore used for robot localisation(determining its local motion and absolute position on amap) and for obstacle detection.Roke’s contribution was the DROID algorithm, whichwas used to calculate the Rover’s change in positionand orientation between successive images. Thesemeasurements were then fused with other sensorreadings (such as inertial measurements) and used todetermine the vehicle’s change in position over time.Estelle Tidey from Roke has been involved with the projectfrom day one and the recent field trials which were carriedout in the UK at a range of locations: the Mars Yard atRAL, a nearby red sand quarry, and a beach at Weston-Super-Mare for longer distance trials. The final projecttrial took place in the Atacama Desert in Chile over a twoweek period ending with three days of evaluation by thecustomer (ESA). This site was selected due to its closeresemblance to the Martian environment, lack of rainfall,and good logistics, due to the presence of the ESO ParanalObservatory where the team stayed during the trial.On the first day of the trial, the robot travelled just overa kilometre, which revealed several issues related tothe larger distances from base camp and the deserttemperature and terrain (such as communicationsdrop-outs). The second day was spent solving theseissues, leaving day three for an ambitious attempt totravel the total 6km distance. By sundown on this day,the robot had travelled 5.05km on the ground (7km takinginto account elevation changes), coming close to the goal,despite having to stop twice for extended periods due tocomputer equipment overheating.The trials in the UK and Chile generated 100s of GBs(Gigabyte) of valuable data including images, maps, wheelodometry, IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) measurementsand GPS (Global Positioning System) ground truth, whichwill be useful for testing the performance of imageprocessing algorithms in upcoming Roke projects.We also made useful contacts in the field of spacerobotics and gained an insight into the specific challengesof working in this area. A paper describing the outcomesof SEEKER was presented at the i-SAIRAS conferencein Turin in September.Delivering global protection

Product in Focus15Spring 2013www.chemring.co.uk

Spring 2013 16CHEMRING PEOPLEHRH The Duke ofKent Visits RokeManor ResearchRoke Manor Research (Roke), was delighted towelcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent toits world-class electronics engineering facilities.His Royal Highness had a tour of the facilities, meeting some of the highly skilled staff who make Roke one of theUK’s leading developers of ground-breaking technologies for the defence, national security telecommunicationsand healthcare markets. He also viewed demonstrations of Roke’s recent product developments, includingRESOLVE, a portable system which allows soldiers to rapidly locate the enemy in the battlefield, and which wonThe Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Innovation.Both defence and technology innovation are subjects of interest to The Duke as his military career spanned21 years. His Royal Highness is also President of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a British defence andsecurity think-tank; and President of the Royal Institution of Great Britain, an organisation devoted to scientificeducation and research.Chemring Countermeasurescelebrates students successHelen Fowler joined the Production EngineeringDepartment at Chemring Countermeasures (CCM)in October 2011 as part of a working gap year beforetaking up her place at Nottingham University to studyProduct Design & Manufacture Engineering.Alongside her placement at CCM, Helen completed aCMI Level 3 First Line Management. This involved threeresidential weekends at City Bristol College.Helen reached the semi-final (South West England)of The Lloyd’s Register Educational Trust (LRET)Contribution to Industry Award for her work on:• Improvements to and re-design of a part of theautomated Squib Machine (good part catch tray)• Improvements to Discer ToolingShe was awarded the prize of ‘Chartered ManagementInstitute – Best Overall Student, South West England’.Donna Proctor (Training Officer), Liam Ryan (Advanced Apprentice), Simon Darling (CCM Managing Director), Helen Fowler (Year in IndustryStudent) and Matthew Wade (Advanced Apprentice)Delivering global protection

IN THE COMMUNITY17HUGE congratulations are inorder for Ripley DetachmentChris Bridge, Regional Manager at Chemring Defence, organised asponsored walk for Ripley Detachment, C Company, Derbyshire ArmyCadet Force, who on 16 September completed an Honour Walk from theirdetachment in Ripley, Derbyshire to the National Memorial Arboretumin Staffordshire. All funds were being raised for the British Legion PoppyAppeal. The walk was in honour of a local man, Drummer Thomas Wright,who was the last enlisted Worcestershire and Sherwood Forester to losehis life before the regiment became the Mercian Regiment as it is knowntoday. The cadets covered over 40 km, and have so far raised over £3,200but are continuing to raise funds until Armistice Day.UKAYRoC YouthRocketry ChallengeChemring was again the Platinum Sponsor for the Youth RocketryChallenge this year. The Perse School of Cambridge beat 19 otherteams to become national Youth Rocketry Champions in May 2012 atBruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Leicestershire. Terry Bridgewater(Director of Safety) attended to help with judging and prize giving.With a height of 803 feet and a duration of 39.8 seconds, the PerseSchool rocket had a winning score of 13 points. The team later faced theUS and French champions at the Farnborough Airshow on Futures Day,13 July 2012, at the Farnborough International Airshow.Both the French and US launches landed within the 43-47 secondsallowed for the mission, so there was an anxious wait for the final result.Tim Peake, the UK astronaut, announced France as the winners.OTHERSTORIESChemring Detection Systemssupports KinderMourn’sHope Floats Duck RaceKinderMourn’s Hope FloatsDuck Race is more than “justanother fundraiser.” Out of the18,000 sunglass-wearing rubberducks that splashed into the USNational Whitewater Centre’schurning rapids, thousands weredonated in memory of a lovedone. These yellow ducks remindgrieving children, bereavedparents, and all of us that hopedoes float. Chemring DetectionSystems’ staff have beensponsors for this incredible eventsince it began. The 8th annualHope Floats Duck Race raisedmore than $92,000.KinderMourn (www.kindermourn.org)has provided counseling servicessince 1978 for parents who haveexperienced the death of a childand for children grieving thedeath of a loved one.Congressman opensnew APOBS faciltiesCongressman Southerland,US Representative for Florida’s2nd District, toured ChemringOrdnance’s new APOBS facilitieson 16 March, and participatedin a ribbon cutting ceremony tocelebrate the expansion.“I just want to thank you for youreffort here,” Southerland saidduring the ceremony, “we do notnegotiate with the safety of ourwarfighters.” He and his staffwere very impressed with thefacilities and hard work of thoseinvolved with the programme. Hepledged to return when APOBSis fully in production.Dragon Boat RaceTwo boats from ChemringDefence took part in the DragonBoat Challenge at Nottingham.Both teams did extremelywell and a good day was hadby all those who attended.£235.00 was raised for theRainbows Hospice.Spring 2013www.chemring.co.uk

Spring 2013 18Product in FocusTarget Identificationand TrackingVisual Target Analysis (VTA) is the world’s first moving targetindicator system, which tracks and maps vehicles and personnelin real-time from surveillance footage. Developed by Roke ManorResearch, VTA is a software tool that turns video footage from anycamera sensor into actionable intelligence. From fully integratedstabilised platforms to commercial CCTV feeds, VTA reducesworkload and increases target detection.Modern surveillance systems generate many hoursof footage which need to be monitored by trainedoperators to identify targets of interest. Long durationUAV surveillance missions, where the operator needs toanalyse the data in real-time are particularly demanding.Small UAV platforms can be very unstable, producingshaky video which makes it harder to see what’s goingon. In such situations, where fatigue and screen fixationoccur, an important event, which may only last a fewframes, can easily be missed. VTA eases the workloadof operators while ensuring targets are identified.VTA assists in two key ways.Improve Situational Awareness• Real-time Operation – VTA works in real-time to ensuredata is converted in to actionable intelligence• Stabilisation – videos are image stabilised to allow theoperator to identify objects more easily• Automatic Alerts – VTA automatically alerts operatorsto moving objects in a scene• Increased Coverage – where the human eye fails,VTA can still identify moving objects, allowing a widercoverage area to be monitored• Track History – the track history of an object can beoverlaid onto a map, or mosaic image, to place eventsin a wider context• Pattern of Life – compares previous footage with acurrent video feed to identify changes in behaviourReducing the Data Deluge• Reduced Workload – more surveillance footage canbe monitored by fewer operators• Video Replay – recorded video can be filtered tohighlight sections where targets were tracked.Replayed video is stabilised and contrast enhancedfor clarity to aid in mission debriefings• Video Search – recorded tracks are automaticallytagged with metadata (e.g. location, speed, direction)for fast recallVTA is offered as a shared library for Windows and Linux,and is suitable for use with visible band and infrared videoimagery. A clearly defined Application ProgrammingInterface allows its functionality to be integrated in aswift and cost effective manner.For more information about VTA and to take theMoving Target Challenge visit www.roke.co.uk/vtaDelivering global protection

Product in Focus19Spring 2013www.chemring.co.uk

Spring 2013 20Product in FocusUSAAlloy Surfaces Company, Inc.121 North Commerce DriveChester Township, PA 19014Tel: (610) 497 7979Email: Sales@AlloySurfaces.comChemring Detection Systems, Inc.4205 Westinghouse Commons DriveCharlotteNC 28273Tel: (980) 235 2200Email: info@chemringds.comChemring Energetic Devices, Inc.2525 Curtiss StreetDowners GroveIllinois 60515Tel: (630) 969 0620Chemring Energetic Devices, Inc.47600 180th StreetClear LakeSouth Dakota 57226Tel: (605) 874 2631Chemring Ordnance, Inc.10625 Puckett RoadPerry, FL 32348Tel: (850) 584 2634Hi-Shear Technology Corporation24225 Garnier StreetTorrance, CA 90505Tel: (310) 784 2100Email: marketing@hstc.comKilgore Flares Company LLC155 Kilgore DriveToone, TN 38381Tel: (731) 658 5231Email: contact@kilgoreflares.comNon-Intrusive Inspection Technology, Inc.23031 Ladbrook DriveDulles, Virginia 20166Tel: (703) 661 0283Email: marketing@niitek.comUKChemring Countermeasures LtdHigh PostSalisburyWiltshire SP4 6ASTel: +44 (0)1722 411611Email: info@chemringcm.comChemring Defence UK LtdWilne MillDraycottDerbyshire DE72 3QJTel: +44 (0)1332 871100Email: info@chemringdefence.comChemring Energetics UK LtdArdeer SiteStevenstonAyrshire KA20 3LNTel: +44 (0)1294 487007Email: info@chemringenergetics.co.ukChemring Energetics UK LtdLeafield WayCorshamWiltshire SN13 9SSTel: +44 (0)1225 810771Email: info@chemringenergetics.co.ukChemring EOD LtdOrdnance HouseBlackhill RoadHolton HeathPooleDorset BH16 6LWTel: +44 (0)1202 628155Email: sales@chemringeod.comRoke Manor Research LtdRomseyHampshire SO51 0ZNTel: +44 (0)1794 833000Email: info@roke.co.ukHead OfficeChemring Group PLCChemring House1500 ParkwayWhiteleyFarehamHampshire PO15 7AFTel: +44 (0)1489 881880Email: info@chemring.co.ukBelgiumMecar S.A.Rue Grinfaux 507181 Petit-Roeulx-lez-NivellesBelgiumTel: +32 (0)67 876 411Email: marketing@mecar.beFranceCIRRA S.A.285 Rue Helene BoucherBucF-78530 BucTel: +33 1 39 56 50 09GermanyChemring Defence Germany GmbHVieländer Weg 14727574 BremerhavenTel: +49 (471) 393-0Email: info@chemringdefence.comItalySimmel Difesa S.p.A.Via Ariana Km 5,200034 Colleferro (RM)Tel: +39 06 97 09 2400Email: info@simmeldifesa.comNorwayChemring Nobel ASHigh Energy MaterialsEngeneveien 7N-3475 SaetreTel: +47 32 27 86 00Email: sales@chemringnobel.noAustraliaChemring Australia Pty Ltd230 Staceys RoadLaraVictoria 3212Tel: +61 3 5220 8500Email: info@chemring.com.au© Chemring Group PLC 2012The information in this document is the property of Chemring Group PLC and may not be copied or communicated to a third party or used for anypurpose other than that for which it is supplied without the express written consent of Chemring Group PLC. This information is given in good faith basedupon the latest information available to Chemring Group PLC; no warranty or representation is given concerning such information, which must not betaken as establishing any contractual or other commitment binding upon Chemring Group PLC or any of its subsidiary or companies.Delivering global protection