COTS Journal, December 2025

December 2025, Volume 27 - Number 11 cotsjournalonline.com

The Journal of Military Electronics & Computing

Building the skills behind AUKUS: why people, not submarines, define alliance strength EMI Filters: A Foundational Safeguard for Military and Aerospace Electronics

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COTS (kots), n. 1. Commercial off-the-shelf. Terminology popularized in 1994 within U.S. DoD by SECDEF Wm. Perry’s “Perry Memo” that changed military industry purchasing and design guidelines, making Mil-Specs acceptable only by waiver. COTS is generally defined for technology, goods and services as: a) using commercial business practices and specifications, b) not developed under government funding, c) offered for sale to the general market, d) still must meet the program ORD. 2. Commercial business practices include the accepted practice of customer-paid minor modification to standard COTS products to meet the customer’s unique requirements —Ant. When applied to the procurement of electronics for the U.S. Military, COTS is a procurement philosophy and does not imply commercial. Office environment or any other durability grade. E.g., rad-hard components designed and offered for sale to the general market are COTS if they were developed by the company and not under government funding.

SPECIAL FEATURE 16

Building the skills behind AUKUS: why people, not submarines, define alliance strength By Professor Yiannis Ventikos, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (Australia)

DEPARTMENTS 6

Publisher’s Note

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The Inside Track

SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT 20

EMI Filters: A Foundational Safeguard for Military and Aerospace Electronics By John Elliott, Media Relations Specialist on behalf of Johanson

COT’S PICKS 24

Editor’s Choice for December

Cover Image: Frosty Fuel Air Force Capt. Jacob Reisler and Tech. Sgt. Jacob Walen refuel an LC-130 Hercules at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica Credit: Air Force Lt. Col. Jacob Papp

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COTS Journal | December 2025

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE By John Reardon, Publisher & CEO of COTS Journal

The Edge Imperative: SWAP, Standards, and the Reality of AI Deployment

In recent months, a familiar narrative has emerged in top-tier financial and news publications, designed to cast a shadow on the rapid ascent of new-era defense technology companies. Headlines focusing on isolated testing setbacks,a rudder failure here, a software glitch there,are presented as evidence of systemic failure in the Pentagon’s pursuit of AI-driven weaponry. This is a classic playbook, one we observed during the market disruptions caused by SpaceX, AWS, and Palantir. These reports, often leveraging the same fragmented sourcing and factual errors, present cherry-picked anomalies as cautionary tales, conveniently stripped of the necessary context of modern technology development. At COTS Journal, we understand that this narrative is funda-

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COTS Journal | December 2025

mentally misleading. It misrepresents the nature of innovation and, more importantly, obscures the vital progress being made in pushing the envelope on Edge Computing within the defense industry. The reality is that these very “setbacks” are not indicative of failure, but are the hallmarks of a healthy, iterative development cycle that is essential for achieving the technological superiority required in a contested battlespace. The Impact on Edge Computing and the Push for SWAP Optimization The relentless drive to deploy sophisticated autonomy and AI capabilities at the tactical edge is the defining characteristic of mod-

ern defense procurement. This shift demands systems that are not just performant, but are highly optimized for Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP). Companies pushing the envelope on Edge Computing are forced into a development model that prioritizes rapid iteration and constant, real-world testing. This is the only way to field systems that can operate effectively under the severe constraints of a forward operating base or an uncrewed platform. SWAP-optimized systems are inherently difficult to perfect in a lab. They are designed to operate with minimal resources in austere conditions. Testing these systems involves pushing them to their limits, which invariably leads to failures in controlled environments. A technology that appears flawless has simply not been pushed hard enough. The iterative model, while making an easy target for critics, is essential for identifying and resolving the unexpected edge cases that lab testing cannot predict. The Role of Standard Products and the Future of AI Standards This iterative approach is also a powerful forcing function for the adoption of Standard products and the evolution of AI standards within the defense industry. The need for rapid development cycles and seamless integration necessitates modular, open-architecture components that can be quickly swapped out and refined. When multiple systems from diverse vendors must integrate for the first time, issues surface. These are rarely failures of individual components but rather misalignments between non-standard data formats or communication protocols. The very process of “failing fast” and integrating complex systems at the edge is driving the industry toward robust, common standards. This ensures interoperability and accelerates the path to continuous authority to operate, allowing rapid deployment of security and performance updates. The current media scrutiny is not a sign of the industry’s failure; it is a sign of its progress. The constant testing, the occasional public failure, and the rapid refinement are an unavoidable part of building the resilient, SWAP-optimized, and AI-enabled systems needed for the future fight. We at COTS Journal remain committed to tracking this progress and celebrating the innovation that this rigorous process affords.

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Inside Track Inside SHIELD: How MDA’s $151B Acquisition Vehicle Is Building the Industrial Backbone for the “Golden Dome” Missile Defense The Missile Defense Agency’s newly stood-up Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program is already reshaping the industrial landscape for U.S. homeland missile defense. Announced as a 10-year, multiple-award IDIQ with a $151 billion ceiling, SHIELD is the acquisition vehicle intended to feed the administration’s “Golden Dome” vision — a nationwide, multi-layered architecture to detect and defeat ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missile threats. What MDA engineered with SHIELD is less a single big contract award and more a flexible, deep bench. On Dec. 2, the agency issued the first tranche of staggered awards to 1,014 qualifying offerors, creating a broad competitive pool MDA can task rapidly for prototyping, testing, sustainment, and production orders across 19 work areas. That approach signals an appetite for speed, modularity, and experimentation — essential if Golden Dome must integrate sensors, interceptors, C2, space layers, and commercial satellite data at pace. From an industry point of view, SHIELD’s

structure democratizes opportunity. Large primes and niche specialists now sit sideby-side in the same vehicle — a deliberate play to draw commercial innovation into a traditionally prime-heavy market. Early public reporting and award notices list names familiar to both defense and commercial tech markets: Booz Allen Hamilton, Viasat, BAE Systems, General Atomics, Accenture Federal Services, CACI, Siemens Government Technologies, Davidson Technologies, and dozens of small-to-midsize engineering, software, and AI firms. Hundreds more — from systems integrators to cyber, AI, and training-tech companies — populated the 1,014 roster. Expect the task-order competitions to reveal which players actually capture the lion’s share of hardware, software, and systems integration work. Strategically, SHIELD/Golden Dome is ambitious and politically visible. The program ties together legacy interceptors and sensors with new concepts (hypersonic tracking, persistent space sensing, advanced discrimination) and a contracting vehicle designed to accelerate acquisition cycles. That creates big opportunities — and risks. Vendors will need to demonstrate not just technical performance but production scalability, supply-chain resilience, and the ability to integrate with legacy DoD systems and commercial partners.

Denmark Selects Lockheed Martin TPY-4 Radar to Strengthen NATO Deterrence and Regional Defense The Danish Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) has selected Lockheed Martin’s TPY-4 next-generation ground-based air surveillance radar to enhance Denmark’s long-range air defense capabilities. Denmark is the fifth nation to adopt the system, joining a growing group of NATO partners integrating advanced radar technology. “This is a major step forward in integrated deterrence,” said Rick Cordaro, vice president of Radar and Sensor Systems at Lockheed Martin. “The TPY-4 radar’s advanced capabilities strengthen interoperability

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COTS Journal | December 2025

across allied air-defense networks, ensuring Denmark and its regional partners can respond rapidly to evolving threats.” The delivery of three TPY-4 radars, with an option for a fourth, will strengthen the Royal Danish Air Force and support NATO’s collective security. This state-of-the-art, solid-state, phased-array radar detects and tracks airborne targets in real time, and its open-architecture design enables seamless integration with existing air and missile defense systems. TPY-4 enhances interoperability among Denmark, regional partners, and NATO forces, helping allies maintain a technological edge in a rapidly evolving threat environment. Designed for mobility, reliability, and global deployment, Lockheed Martin radars are used by more than 45 nations across six continents.

The

Inside Track Boeing Delivers B-52 with New Radar to U.S. Air Force for Testing • •

Modernization efforts will advance platform capabilities into the 2050s and beyond New radar improves B-52’s situational awareness, target prosecution, and aircrew survivability

Boeing has delivered the first B-52 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) flight test aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for testing with the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The test aircraft was fitted with an APQ-188 active electronically scanned array radar system, akin to those on fighter aircraft. The RMP upgrades are a critical part of the B-52’s broader modernization efforts that will keep U.S. global strike capability ahead of threats through 2050 and beyond.

Collins Elbit Vision Systems’ Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ Achieves Key Milestone With U.s. Navy Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS), a joint venture between Elbit Systems of America and Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, has successfully completed the Critical Design Review for the Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ (HMDS+), tailored specifically to meet the United States Navy’s requirements under the

The testing at Edwards AFB follows ground integration and initial system functional checks completed at Boeing’s San Antonio facility. “The new radar will significantly increase B-52 mission effectiveness by improving situational awareness, speeding target prosecution and enhancing aircrew survivability in contested environments,” said Troy Dawson, vice president of Boeing Bombers. “This phase of the program is dedicated to getting it right at the start so that we can execute the full radar modernization program.” Data gathered during testing will inform subsequent developmental test phases and

the planned retrofit of the 76 operational B52 aircraft. RMP also includes two Display and System Sensor Processors as its mission computers to integrate the radar with B-52 systems, along with two large 8×20-inch high-definition touchscreens at the Nav and Radar Nav stations for radar imagery, control, and legacy displays, and two fighter-like hand controllers for radar operation. The system features upgraded cooling, providing liquid cooling for the radar and engine bleed-air heating for very cold conditions.

Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS) program. This program focuses on adapting and integrating the advanced Zero-G HMDS+ into the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, ensuring these aircraft benefit from enhanced operational capabilities that align with the U.S. Navy’s mission needs. The Zero-G HMDS+™ is a sixth-generation helmet-mounted display system that provides a fully immersive, high-definition view of the battlespace. This enables aircrew to make split-second decisions at high speeds with superior situational awareness, enhancing mission effectiveness and survivability. Captain Joseph Kamara, Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA-202) program manager, said, “Aircrew health and safety is our number one priority. The Zero-G, integrated through our IJHMCS program, promises to relieve aircrew of neck and back strain and greatly improve ejection safety.” “We are excited to be at the leading edge of safety and technology, and this important milestone is a critical step to-

ward deploying this capability for our F/A-18 and EA-18 aircrew.” The Zero-G HMDS+ builds on CEVS’ legacy of delivering fourth- and fifth-generation HMDS. It combines combat-tested tracking and low-latency technologies with a cutting-edge display to deliver accurate, real-time information. The superiority of the Zero-G HMDS+ is in its ability to fuse mission data, sensor video, and weapon system information while serving as a primary flight instrument. “Zero-G is providing sensor fusion at the edge,” said Luke Savoie, Elbit America’s President and CEO and CEVS board member. “This system is critical technology, while remaining lightweight.” “As fighter aircraft level up, their HMDs need to as well. Zero-G provides unmatched head-up, sixth-generation battle management capabilities.” “When our team began working on the Zero-G HMDS+, our goal was to provide aircrew with the safest, most advanced helmet system on the market,” said Collins Aerospace’s Daniel Karl, co-general manager of CEVS. “This milestone confirms our helmet is ready for the next phase of development and brings us one step closer to delivering this advanced capability to naval aviators.”

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Inside Track Blighter Adds Proprietary & Dynamic Radar Target Tracker To BlighterNexus System Blighter, a pioneering designer and manufacturer of ground-based smart electronic-scanning micro-Doppler radars for border surveillance and coastal security, has added a proprietary dynamic radar target tracker module to its integrator-friendly BlighterNexus AI-assisted multi-sensor connectivity & processing system. BlighterNexus Track is designed specifically for Blighter radars and instantaneously converts the target plot data from the electronic scanning radar into single tracks that show the position, size, speed, and heading of surface and low flying targets. According to Blighter, the tight integration of the new tracker with the radar’s signal processing unit has led to enhanced detection capabilities, reduced false alarm rates, and a tracker that is much easier for operators and integrators to set-up and configure. The new tracker is also truly dynamic due to Blighter’s unique Kalman filtering approach, which enables real-time adaptability

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across different target types while maintaining high tracking accuracy even in noisy or cluttered environments. The tracker also uses probabilistic data association algorithms to reduce false track creation rates and improve the probability of track formation. BlighterNexus Track, part of the BlighterNexus platform, can run on any industrial-grade PC and features a web-based interface for easy remote configuration and monitoring. It is functionally compatible with Blighter’s existing third-party tracker application. Mark Radford, co-founder and chief technology officer (CTO) at Blighter, says: “With BlighterNexus Track, our engineers have not only improved the all-in-one detect-track-classify capability of our radars but have also simplified setup and configuration to reduce training and operational costs for our customers.” “As a market leader, we will continue to innovate and provide best-in-class mission-critical radars and sensor fusion software for our customers in defence, homeland security, critical national infrastructure, and energy sectors worldwide.” Blighter’s non-rotating, solid-state, low SWaP (size, weight and power) electronic scanning radars provide uninterrupted rapid

COTS Journal | December 2025

surveillance over a wide area, detecting moving vehicles/vessels, persons (including ‘crawlers’) and near ground aerial threats at ranges of up to 32 km. The radars’ compact and modular design enables rapid deployment on towers and vehicles, as well as on dismounted portable systems on tripods. BlighterNexus Track is one of around 30 licensable modules within the BlighterNexus System, a groundbreaking software platform that simplifies radar-to-command and control (C2) system integration. It is designed to reduce the training and operational burden on systems integrators seeking to incorporate Blighter’s smart/cognitive ITAR-free 2D, 3D, and 4D radars into their C2 systems. In addition to the tracking function, there are sensor connector modules to enable low-latency integration of cameras, radio direction-finding (RDF) equipment for drone detection, and other geosensors. For integrators who want to fuse and cognitively assess data from multiple sensors, a Fat-Pipe module allows all radar data to be flooded out of BlighterNexus into an external AI system if preferred.

The

Inside Track archTIS Acquires U.S. Data Security Firm Spirion to Accelerate Global Expansion and Expand Data-Centric Security Offering

Acquisition of a leading Data Security Posture Management software provider expands archTIS’ U.S. footprint, strengthens its intellectual property, and broadens its data-centric security offerings. archTIS Ltd (ASX:AR9, OTCQB:ARHLF), a global provider of data-centric software solutions for the secure collaboration of sensitive information, today announced the completion of its acquisition of U.S.-based Spirion LLC, a leading provider of sensitive data discovery and classification solutions. This strategic acquisition positions archTIS as a global leader in the rapidly growing data-centric security and zero-trust architecture market. By merging Spirion’s vast expertise and technology for data discovery and classification – a vital component for maintaining data integrity and compliance – with archTIS’ award-winning ABAC technologies, the combined entity is poised to offer a comprehensive suite of solutions that effectively manage and secure sensitive information. With the acquisition complete, archTIS gains direct access to Spirion’s portfolio of over 150 enterprise customers in healthcare, financial services, government, and education, predominantly in North America. Spirion’s U.S.based team of 38 employees, including experienced executives and technologists, has joined the archTIS team, significantly expanding its presence in the U.S and domain expertise in data protection. Daniel Lai, CEO and Managing Di-

rector of archTIS, stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Spirion and its customers into the archTIS family. This marks a new chapter in our growth story — one that enhances our technical capabilities, expands our vertical market presence, and solidifies our position in the critical U.S. market. The integration of Spirion’s data discovery platform with our secure collaboration and access control technologies creates one of the most comprehensive zero-trust data-centric security portfolios available today.” Spirion’s Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) offerings are highly complementary to archTIS’ Data Access Governance (DAG) solutions. The foundational access control, secure collaboration, and data protection capabilities of archTIS’s products will be enhanced by Spirion’s advanced data discovery, classification, and remediation. Spirion CEO Kevin Coppins has assumed a new leadership role as archTIS’ Executive Vice President, Commercial Enterprise Solutions, and General Manager of the Americas, overseeing strategy and operations for the combined entity’s commercial business, targeting enterprise, education, and local government accounts. Additionally, Ryan Tully, Spirion’s Chief Product Officer, has assumed the role within archTIS, leading the overarching vision, strategic direction, and tactical execution to successfully launch and expand the Company’s products across new and established markets. Kevin Coppins, Spirion’s CEO and incoming archTIS EVP of Commercial Enterprise Solutions and GM, stated, “Joining archTIS is a pivotal moment for our customers, employees, and the entire data-centric security market. Together, our industry-defining solutions create the enterprise data control point, the critical juncture where data-related decisions are made, policies are enforced, and workflows for data security, compliance, and usage converge”. The new DSPM capabilities enable archTIS to offer more comprehensive, zero-trust data-centric security solutions across a broader range of cloud, on-premises, and hybrid enterprise tools.

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Inside Track Cubic Announces Collaboration with SNC to Redefine Naval Aviation Training for U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) Competition The Freedom Trainer provides a digitally designed, modern, and cost-effective aircraft. Cubic Defense, the world’s leading provider of advanced air combat training, is honored to be part of SNC’s Freedom Trainer team of distinguished industry partners for the U.S. Navy UJTS competition. Freedom promises uncompromising training excellence, cost efficiency, and advanced capabilities as the only aircraft capable of Carrier touch-and-go and Field Carrier

Echodyne Radars Selected by Zone 5 Technologies for Counter-Drone Defense Solutions EchoFlight ® and EchoShield ® Radars Enhance Zone 5 Paladin C-UAS Interceptor Solution Echodyne, the radar platform company, announces that Zone 5 Technologies, a UAS and technology development company founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA, has selected Echodyne as its radar provider for its Paladin Low Collateral Effects Interceptor (LCEI) drone. The Paladin is an autonomous UAS interceptor solution equipped with a quick-swap payload and an advanced battle management system that neutralizes UAS threats – the first of its kind to be added to the Department of Defense (DoD) Blue UAS Cleared List. As adversary drone threats rapidly evolve, accurately detecting, tracking, and neutralizing hostile drones is critical for force protec-

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Landing Practice (FCLP) to Touchdown. “The SNC Freedom Trainer Jet exemplifies how leveraging the capabilities of mid-tier companies can lead to superior training solutions,” stated Russ Marsh, President, Cubic Defense. “We are proud to be part of the agile and proven team bringing innovation, speed with discipline, impeccable engineering, and on-cost and accelerated deliveries to revolutionize naval aviation training.” “SNC’s Freedom Trainer boasts a range of key features that set it apart as the premier choice for UJTS. In addition to meeting the U.S. Navy’s traditional, rigorous landing requirements, this innovative aircraft offers significantly reduced lifecycle costs, with engine-related expenses 40% lower than those of the U.S. Navy’s current trainers and half the cost of land-centric trainers. Its advanced design and robust reliability, with an airframe life of 16,000 hours, eliminate the need for unplanned Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP), while still allowing for 30-40% longer average sortie duration.” SNC Cubic’s contribution will include Synthetic Inject to Live - Live, Virtual and Constructive (SITL-LVC) and Simplified, Planning, Execution, Analysis, Reconstruction (SPEAR). SITL-LVC training is a revolutionary approach to training and simulation. Integrating computer-generated (synthetic) elements, or scenarios,

into live training exercises, SITL-LVC augments the realism and complexity of the training environment and enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the training experience. The SITL-LVC solution has been validated in operational U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fighter aircraft during over 97 sorties, distinguishing Cubic as the lone company to demonstrate the ability to inject virtual and constructive synthetic entities into live fighter cockpit displays at Large Force Employment (LFE) scale. SPEAR is a proven common data model and data collection platform that provides a comprehensive, congruent common operational picture during live and post-mission training by seamlessly integrating data from LVC feeds, multi-domains, kinetic and non-kinetic effects, and objective and subjective data with analytics. The solution provides unparalleled insights and optimization opportunities for mission rehearsal, real-time training enhancement, post-mission debriefs, and resource management. SPEAR enables next-level learning for exercise participants and has achieved demonstrated success at major international training events, including Checkered Flag, Red Flag, Cobra Warrior, and Talisman Sabre.

tion and mission success. Paladin needed a radar sensor that could deliver highly accurate airspace data with the lowest size, weight, and power (SWaP). Zone 5 selected EchoFlight airborne MESA® radar for its ideal combination of ultra-low SWaP and superior performance, enabling Paladin to navigate the airspace and achieve mission success. “The UAS threat is evolving at an unprecedented pace on today’s battlefield. At Zone 5, our mission is to provide warfighters with Counter-UAS solutions that protect them not only from today’s challenges, but from the threats of tomorrow,” said Kyle Woo, Director of Multi-Mission Systems at Zone 5. “Echodyne has consistently delivered on their promise—radars with unmatched reliability, superior performance, and the adaptability to keep pace with our adversaries.” Mounted on the front of the interceptor, EchoFlight provides highly accurate airspace situational awareness data to precisely track adversary drones. Zone 5 also deploys ground systems using EchoShield, Echodyne’s market-leading medium-range radar that accurately detects and precisely tracks all UAS

at low altitude to inform Paladin’s situational awareness and decision-making. “Echodyne is excited to work alongside Zone 5 to improve mission outcomes and enhance warfighter safety in a rapidly evolving battlefield flooded with drone threats,” said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. “As the UAS threat continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, integrating Echodyne radars with cutting-edge solutions like Zone 5’s Paladin is how we win on the modern battlefield.”

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Inside Track Spectra Defense Technologies to Deliver Advanced Mission Computing Systems for NextGeneration Ground Vehicle Modernization Galleon Embedded Computing (Galleon), a Spectra Defense Technologies (Spectra) business unit, today announced it was selected to provide comprehensive, ruggedized mission computing systems to support ongoing modernization efforts for next-generation ground vehicles across the defense community. Ground vehicle programs are increasingly moving toward open-architecture systems, digital engineering, and design approaches that can easily scale as mission needs evolve. These efforts require onboard computing that can handle large volumes of sensor data, enable real-time processing at the edge, and integrate smoothly across a wide variety of platform designs. Galleon’s mission computing portfolio is designed to meet these needs and provides integrators with trusted, field-tested, customizable solutions that will enable warfighters to maintain a long-term capability advantage across the modern battlespace.

DIU, JIATF-401, USNORTHCOM, US ARMY Announce Winner for C-UAS Low-Cost Sensing Challenge The winning solution demonstrates scalable, cost-effective sensor technology to strengthen the Nation’s layered defense and advance DOW’s strategic priorities. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in close collaboration with U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401), U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, announced top-performing solutions for the Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Low-Cost Sensing (LCS) challenge. MatrixSpace Inc. has been selected as the overall winner and will receive the top award of $500k. In addition, the top three performers following the overall winner will each receive $100k in recognition of their performance: Guardian RF, Hidden Level, Inc., and Teledyne FLIR Defense. The selected systems secured a place among the 10 finalists who advanced to live testing during USNORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak 25.2 exercise, outperforming 115 submissions. The system

“We are honored to be a part of these critical next-generation ground vehicle efforts,” said Ray Munoz, Chief Executive Officer, Spectra Defense Technologies. “This work demonstrates Spectra’s leadership in delivering mission-proven and future-ready computing solutions for ground platforms, and we remain focused on helping integrators reduce development timelines, integrate new capabilities more easily, and scale vehicle architectures quickly. Our High Performance Recorder (HPR) solution, combined with Galleon’s proven XSR product family and Network Attached Storage (NAS) technologies, will give ground vehicle platforms the high-speed data management and information advantage they need as modernization efforts accelerate across the defense community.” As part of this next-generation ground vehicle initiative, Galleon will deliver a family of rugged data-serving and mission-computing solutions that includes its established XSR technology, a high-performance computing architecture designed for harsh environments with removable storage, encryption-ready configurations, and a compact form factor suited for vehicle-mounted applications. The company will also deliver its NAS solution, a ruggedized capability designed for deployed systems that enables secure, high-density data access across vehicle subsystems, supports simultaneous users, and offers flexible network connectivity options. Galleon

will also deliver the HPR, a next-generation recording system that supports significantly higher data rates, advanced sensors, and the fast, reliable data handling required for modern ground vehicle missions, including support for multi-channel high-speed Ethernet interfaces, removable high-capacity storage modules, and ruggedized operation in harsh environments. Together, these solutions provide high storage density, enhanced performance, and alignment with open standards that are central to next-generation vehicle architectures.

demonstrated capability in detection, classification, localization, scalability, cost, and integration readiness. “Small UAS threats are evolving faster than traditional acquisition cycles, and meeting that challenge requires capabilities that can be deployed at speed and scale. The selected solutions show how commercial innovation can strengthen our layered defense - delivering affordable sensing that we can field widely, adapt quickly, and keep the warfighter ahead of the threat,” said David Payne, Acting Director of DIU’s Autonomy Portfolio.

munication protocols. Finalists were not informed which platforms or profiles they would be tested against, ensuring performance was measured under realistic, unscripted, and operationally relevant conditions. Evaluated by experts and end-users, against a rigorous selection criteria, challenge winners differentiated themselves by demonstrating tailored technical strengths, high performance against threat-representative UAS targets, and demonstrating a cost-effective architecture enabling deployment at scale across fixed, mobile, and austere environments.

A Scalable, Distributed Approach to Counter-UAS Sensing The LCS challenge, launched in May 2025, was designed to complement exquisite sensor systems by identifying emerging technologies that enable broad, distributed, and resilient sensing architectures. During FP 25.2, the ten selected finalists demonstrated solutions spanning radio frequency passive detection, active radar, acoustic sensing, optical and infrared modalities, and hybrid systems. These technologies collectively showed potential cost savings of 50–80 percent in total cost of ownership, while still meeting key coverage and performance requirements for C-sUAS defense. During live testing, vendors were evaluated against a variety of small UAS flown both individually and in coordinated multiples, employing diverse com-

COTS Journal | December 2025

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Inside Track Silvus StreamCaster 4400 Enhanced MANET Radio Receives Department of Defense (DoD) Certification for Secure U.S. Military Drone Operations

DoD’s innovation unit and AUVSI, a leading autonomous innovation industry group, validate expanded portfolio of Sil-

SPEAR-1 MISSION - Advancing Critical Space Technologies for National Security The SPEAR-1 Mission (Space Power and Energy Advanced Recon) is an In-Space Development and Test (ISDT) spacecraft designed to accelerate the transition of next-generation space technologies from research to operational readiness. By enabling rapid maturation of power systems, communications, space domain awareness tools, and resilient satellite architectures, SPEAR-1 directly supports U.S. national security and strengthens technological readiness in contested space environments. The program is funded and managed by the Operational Energy Prototyping Fund (OEPF) under the Department of Defense and executed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), with technical oversight from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC). This collaboration ensures that cutting-edge technologies can be validated and fielded faster, strengthening U.S. leadership in space. Built on the proven heritage of NearSpace

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vus NDAA-compliant radios for secure use in unmanned missions. Silvus Technologies (Silvus), a Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) company and a global leader in advanced wireless networking solutions, today announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has added the StreamCaster 4400 Enhanced (SC4400E) mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) radio to its Blue UAS Framework, a rigorous testing and certification program that approves technologies for use in U.S. military unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations. The Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has also added the SC4400E to its Green UAS Cleared Components list, certifying it meets rigorous cybersecurity and supply chain standards for commercial drones and components. “The Blue UAS Framework and AUVSI Green UAS certification validate that the SC4400E MANET radio meets the rigorous standards for secure, mission-critical connectivity demanded by today’s leading-edge unmanned systems operating in the world’s most challenging and contested

environments,” said Neema Daneshvar, vice president of Product, Silvus Technologies. Powered by Silvus’ proprietary Mobile Networked MIMO waveform, SC4400E radios create a scalable connected mesh network that can link hundreds of nodes, from drones to ground radios, to stream high-bandwidth video, voice, and sensor data back to command with extreme range. The radio is designed to easily integrate into fixed infrastructure or into vehicular, maritime, airborne, or unmanned systems, supporting missions across air, land, and sea. The SC4400E provides access to Spectrum Dominance 2.0, an ever-expanding suite of electronic warfare (EW) defense capabilities, including Low Probability of Intercept/Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD), Anti-Jamming, and Advanced Threat Protection. These capabilities help deliver secure, protected communications in congested, contested spectrum environments without sacrificing performance, even under electromagnetic attack.

Launch’s commercial TROOP (Train Rapid on Orbit Payloads) platform, SPEAR-1 provides a reliable, flexible on-orbit testbed for demonstrating critical capabilities at accelerated timelines. TROOP enables rapid, repeatable testing of systems and subsystems, providing cost-effective means of getting research into space. This makes TROOP ideal for sensor testing or a wide range of commercial and government missions. TROOP provides all the vital flight components (EPS, EyeStar radio, battery, flight processor, etc.), so you can focus on your payload.

NSL provides a payload emulator that lets you verify your payload integrates with the BUS. Then, because of the onboard EyeStar S4, you have access to your payload data 24/7 via the NSL Console. NearSpace Launch (NSL) is proud to partner with OEPF, NRL, and SSC to design, build, and deliver the SPEAR-1 spacecraft. With more than a decade of flight heritage and over 1,000 systems and subsystems operating in orbit, NSL brings unmatched speed, reliability, and mission assurance to national security programs. “NSL is uniquely positioned to rapidly mature, test, and deploy advanced technologies that directly enhance mission assurance and national security” said Matthew Voss, President of NearSpace Launch NSL’s established portfolio—including innovations such as the Black Box mission-assurance system and EyeStar satellite radios—provides SPEAR-1 with proven communication, telemetry, and oversight capabilities essential for highstakes national security missions. The SPEAR-1 award reflects NSL’s expanding role in delivering rapid, resilient, and cost-effective space solutions to government partners.

COTS Journal | December 2025

BEHLMAN LEADS THE PACK AGAIN! FIRST PROVEN VPX POWER SUPPLIES DEVELOPED IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE SOSA™ TECHNICAL STANDARD

Behlman introduces the first test-proven VPX power supplies developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard. Like all Behlman VPXtra® power supplies, these 3U and 6U COTS DC-to-DC high-power dual output units feature Xtra-reliable design and Xtra-rugged construction to stand up to the rigors of all mission-critical airborne, shipboard, ground and mobile applications.

VPXtra® 1000CD5-IQI

VPXtra® 800D-IQI

> 6U power module developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard > Delivers 1050W DC power via two outputs > VITA 46.11 IPMC for integration with system management

> 3U power module developed in alignment with the SOSA Technical Standard > Delivers 800W DC power via two outputs > VITA 46.11 IPMC for integration with system management

The Power Solutions Provider SOSA™ and logo design and The Open Group Certification Mark™ are trademarks of The Open Group in the United States and other countries.

: 631-435-0410

: sales@behlman.com

: www.behlman.com COTS Journal | December 2025

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SPECIAL FEATURE

BUILDING THE SKILLS BEHIND AUKUS: WHY PEOPLE, NOT SUBMARINES, DEFINE ALLIANCE STRENGTH 16

COTS Journal | December 2025

By Professor Yiannis Ventikos, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Monash University (Australia) When defence analysts discuss AUKUS, the trilateral security pact between Australia, the US, and the AUKUS, they often focus on the nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSNAUKUS) platform. But the real challenge isn’t steel, uranium, or zirconium for that matter. It’s the human capital required to operate, maintain, and eventually build these systems safely. More specifically, it is the onshore sovereign capability in terms of human capital that lends our partners the confidence that highly sophisticated, highly sensitive systems will be utilised and deployed as they should. AUKUS represents one of the most

complex systems-engineering collaborations in history. The exact number of parts in a modern nuclear submarine is, of course, classified, but it is safe to say that it is in the several millions. Success in operating such complex technological assets depends heavily on developing a skilled, future-ready workforce capable of sustaining nuclear propulsion, advanced materials, and precision manufacturing. Without this, the alliance risks delays, cost overruns, or compromised safety standards. The submarine clock is ticking. When Australia takes delivery of its first nuclear-powered submarines from the United States, the nation must be

able to operate the nuclear reactors independently, notwithstanding transition periods. The problem is urgent these skills cannot simply be imported, and countries worldwide are grappling with shortages of qualified nuclear engineers, reactor materials specialists, and propulsion experts. Australia also aims to deliver its first domestically built submarine, based on UKUK designs, in the 2040s. Construction must start by 2030, leaving less than a decade to establish a workforce capable of handling reactor specifics, manufacturing, and integration. Any delay in developing human capital will cascade directly into delivery risk.

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The solution is to invest immediately in education, research, and workforce development. A saying says: “The best time to plant a tree is twenty-five years ago. The second best time is now”. It is urgent and imperative to infuse the entire knowledge chain with resources and purpose if we are to catch up. This involves bolstering the number of undergraduates and apprentices in relevant domains, all the way to supporting specialised PhD programs in nuclear materials engineering, training engineers in advanced manufacturing for reactor-grade components, and building expertise in thermohydraulics, corrosion, metallurgy, and control systems, and everything in between. None of these components can be neglected, or the ecosystem simply does not work - there are ample examples

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of this worldwide. So, systematic workforce preparation is essential to close the skills gap in time for operational readiness, and this preparation needs to start now. From collaboration to capability The AUKUS pact is already spurring unprecedented collaboration between universities, defence agencies, and industry across three nations. Over the past five years, our researchers have received approximately US $170 million in defence-related research funding spanning propulsion, advanced materials, and systems engineering. Trans-Pacific partnerships with Stanford, Caltech, NASA, and the US Office of Naval Research focus on advanced propulsion architectures, highlighting the mutual capability building that underpins the alliance. This is not, and

COTS Journal | December 2025

cannot be, and should not be, passive technology transfer: instead, it is an active process of synchronised R&D and workforce development. Everyone will benefit from this: we are reminded that, currently, bottlenecks in the production of adequate numbers of nuclear submarines already affect the US Navy, as far as American needs alone are concerned. A recent initiative, the Victorian Materials and Manufacture Research Cluster, aims to connect global primes with regional SMEs. The cluster develops high-value materials, additive processes, and digital manufacturing standards essential for nuclear-grade component certification. Modeled partly on the UK’s Defence Materials Experimentation program, it demonstrates how distributed R&D networks can accelerate

qualification cycles and reduce technology readiness gaps. An industrial systems challenge Producing a Ship Submersible, Nuclear (SSN) is among the most demanding feats of engineering. Each vessel requires integration across propulsion thermohydraulics, metallurgy, and rugged computing for onboard control and diagnostics, to mention only a few of the subsystems at play. The AUKUS build cycle will drive rapid evolution in manufacturing precision, sensor fusion, and validation frameworks across Australia’s industrial base. While Rolls-Royce Submarines Ltd will supply the propulsion plant for SSNAUKUS, there are sovereign opportunities to fabricate reactor water-circuit components and other high-assurance

instrumentation. Developing this capability requires not only sophisticated equipment but sustained knowledge exchange, shared simulation tools, and cross-disciplinary collaboration - exemplifying a distributed experiment in industrial resilience. Why people matter most The challenge of AUKUS mirrors that of 21st-century alliance systems: integrating industrial bases, removing export and communication barriers, synchronising education, and aligning scientific priorities across borders. Yet its benefits extend far beyond submarines, or even beyond defence. The computational modelling, materials characterisation, and autonomous systems work feeding into AUKUS will also underpin advances in quantum

sensing, hypersonics, and cyber-resilient systems. For Australia, it is a once-in-a-century industrial upgrade opportunity; for the United States, a reinforcement of allied capability in the Indo-Pacific. Ultimately, AUKUS will succeed not because of submarines but because of the engineers, scientists, and technicians it empowers - the people who ensure these technologies remain safe, effective, and adaptive for decades. Professor Yiannis Ventikos is Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Monash University, Australia. He has led major collaborations in defence innovation and co-founded First Light Fusion in the UKUK.

COTS Journal | December 2025

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SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT

EMI Filters: A Foundational Safeguard for Military and Aerospace Electronics

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COTS Journal | December 2025

By John Elliott, Media Relations Specialist on behalf of Johanson Dielectrics Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is an unavoidable consequence of modern electronic systems. Whenever electronic equipment operates in the presence of strong electromagnetic fields, unwanted currents can be induced in conductors, distorting signals, disrupting timing, or corrupting data. In consumer electronics, such disturbances may manifest as momentary glitches or degraded performance. In military and aerospace systems, however, the consequences are far more serious— mission degradation, loss of high-value assets, or risks to human safety. As defense and aerospace platforms become increasingly dependent on dense, high-speed electronics, EMI mitigation has evolved from a secondary design consideration into a foundational system requirement. EMI filters, though passive and often overlooked, form one of the first and most critical lines of defense in preserving signal integrity and operational reliability.

These platforms concentrate a wide variety of electronics in close proximity: switching power supplies, high-speed digital processors, RF transmitters, data converters, and communication modules often coexist alongside sensitive GPS receivers, inertial navigation units, and imaging or radar payloads. Each subsystem can act as both a source and a victim of electromagnetic noise. Without effective EMI suppression, interference can propagate through power and signal lines, causing degraded performance, false readings, intermittent faults, or complete system failure. EMI filters are specifically designed to block or redirect high-frequency noise before it reaches vulnerable circuits, ensuring that essential signals remain clean and stable.

High-Reliability Requirements in Defense and Aerospace The term “high reliability” carries particular weight in military and aerospace electronics. Components are EMI in High-Density, High-Frequency Systems Modern military and aerospace platforms—ranging expected to operate consistently under extreme and offrom unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellites to ten simultaneous stresses, including wide temperature advanced radar installations and crewed aircraft—rely swings, constant vibration, mechanical shock, humidheavily on high-frequency communications and pre- ity, radiation exposure, and variations in atmospheric cision electronics. Navigation systems, real-time situa- pressure. In such environments, even brief interruptions can tional awareness sensors, secure data links, and radar subsystems must operate reliably in electrically noisy have cascading effects. A momentary power disturbance in a drone operating beyond visual line-of-sight, environments.

COTS Journal | December 2025

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for example, may trigger fail-safe modes, interrupt a reconnaissance mission, or result in asset loss. In missile guidance or satellite systems, corrupted data or timing errors can compromise mission objectives entirely. Compounding the challenge, many military systems operate in intentionally hostile electromagnetic environments. Jamming, spoofing, and exposure to high-powered radar or electronic warfare signals place additional stress on power and signal integrity. EMI filters help maintain stable electrical pathways, enabling sustained operation even in electromagnetically contested scenarios. Radar systems illustrate the importance of effective filtering particularly well. Radar receivers often process extremely weak reflected signals that can be easily masked by internally generated noise or interference from nearby electronics. EMI filters help isolate sensitive receiver paths, preserving detection sensitivity and accuracy. In phased-array radars, filtering also supports phase and amplitude consistency across large numbers of transmit/receive modules, which is essential for precise beamforming. How EMI Filters Work At their core, EMI filters are passive networks of inductors and capacitors arranged to attenuate unwanted high-frequency energy. Inductors allow direct current (DC) and low-frequency signals to pass while impeding higher-frequency noise. Capacitors provide low-impedance paths that divert high-frequency interference to ground or back toward the source. Unlike general-purpose commercial components, military- and aerospace-grade EMI filters must maintain their electrical characteristics under severe environmental stress. Degradation of a capacitor dielectric, saturation of an inductor core, or mechanical failure of an internal connection can all compromise filtering effectiveness, allowing noise to bypass suppression mechanisms. To mitigate these risks, high-reliability filters use stable dielectric materials, temperature-compensated magnetic structures, and controlled internal geometries to minimize parasitic inductance and capacitance imbalance. Manufacturing processes typically include stringent inspection regimes, lot traceability, and electrical screening well beyond commercial norms. Many components are encapsulated, potted, or housed in metal enclosures to enhance mechanical robustness and provide additional electromagnetic shielding. Compliance with standards such as MIL-STD-461 22

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for electromagnetic compatibility and related military performance specifications further ensures that filters perform predictably in demanding applications. Advanced Filter Architectures As electronic systems become more compact and operate at higher frequencies, traditional discrete filtering approaches can become insufficient. This has driven the development of advanced filter architectures that combine multiple functions into single components. One such approach is the monolithic multilayer ceramic EMI filter, which integrates EMI suppression and power decoupling into a compact surface-mount device. Unlike conventional capacitors that offer limited incidental filtering, these components are engineered specifically for broadband noise suppression across both differential-mode and common-mode interference. By employing balanced internal electrode structures, some monolithic filters achieve exceptionally low equivalent series inductance (ESL). Opposing current paths naturally cancel inductive effects, enabling effective attenuation across a wide frequency range—from the kilohertz region into the gigahertz domain. This makes them well suited for high-speed data lines and power rails in dense avionics layouts. Such architectures can significantly reduce the number of discrete capacitors and inductors required on a board, simplifying layouts and improving high-frequency performance. In size- and weight-constrained systems, the ability to consolidate filtering functions can offer substantial benefits in reliability and manufacturability. Filtered Connectors and Feedthrough Solutions Another critical area of EMI control lies at system interfaces. Cables and connectors can act as unintended antennas, picking up or radiating interference as signals and power cross enclosure boundaries. Filtered connectors address this challenge by integrating capacitive or inductive elements directly into the connector body. Discoidal and planar filters are commonly used feedthrough solutions in military and aerospace systems. Discoidal filters, characterized by their ring-shaped geometry, provide circumferential grounding paths that offer consistent, low-inductance connections to ground. This geometry is particularly effective for suppressing high-frequency interference in radar, secure communications, and power distribution applications.

Planar filters, by contrast, use flat, multilayer constructions that allow many filtered lines to be integrated into a single compact assembly. These devices are often used in sensors, transducers, and high-density connectors where space efficiency and mechanical strength are critical. By filtering noise at the point of entry or exit, these solutions prevent EMI from propagating deeper into the system, complementing board-level filtering strategies. Miniaturization and System-Level Benefits Across all classes of EMI filters, miniaturization remains a key driver. Smaller passive components help engineers meet strict size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints while accommodating growing system complexity. Reduced component mass also improves survivability, as smaller structures generally tolerate vibration and acceleration better than larger ones. In space applications, compact, high-quality passives are better suited to withstand thermal cycling, radiation exposure, and vacuum conditions when designed with stable materials and robust geometries. As a result, ad-

vances in EMI filter technology directly support broader system-level goals of reliability, longevity, and mission assurance. A Critical but Often Invisible Role EMI rarely appears as a single, obvious failure mode. More often, it manifests as intermittent faults, degraded performance, or reduced margins that only emerge under specific operating conditions. For this reason, EMI filters play a largely invisible yet indispensable role in military and aerospace electronics. By preserving the integrity of power and signal pathways, high-reliability EMI filters enable precision navigation, accurate sensing, secure communications, and dependable control—even in environments saturated with electromagnetic noise. As electronic warfare, system density, and operational complexity continue to increase, the importance of well-engineered EMI filtering will only grow. In applications where failure is not an option, these passive components remain a quiet but essential safeguard for mission success.

COTS Journal | December 2025

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December 2025

COT’S PICKS Two Versions of ROLEC’s handCASE for Machine Control, Robotics, and Defense Electronics ROLEC’s handCASE (IP 66/IP 67) handheld enclosures for machine control, robotics, and defense electronics can now be specified with a choice of lids and battery options. These rugged diecast aluminum enclosures are ideal for industrial and military applications where devices must withstand harsh environments while remaining comfortable to hold for extended periods. Robust handCASE can be specified with or without a battery compartment (4 x AA

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or 2 x 9V). Two versions are available: S with an ergonomically bevelled lid, and R with a narrow-edged lid to maximize space. Both tops are recessed to protect a membrane keypad or front plate. Inside, there are threaded screw bosses for PCBs or mounting plates. Custom colors are available on request. They include weather-resistant powder coatings(F9) with WIWeB approvals and camouflage colors for military applications. These coatings are also available in a wet-painted finish. They meet all military requirements, including the defense equipment standard VG 95211.

COTS Journal | December 2025

December 2025

COT’S PICKS New SOSA-Aligned 3U VPX SBC Features Intel Tiger Lake-H Xeon-W CPU and 100GbE Acromag’s newest VPX processor board follows the SOSA I/O-intensive profile to provide high-performance computing and a broad range of I/O interfaces for rugged embedded systems.

Abaco Systems Introduces SBC3801. SOSA Aligned 3U VPX Secure Single Board Computer with NSA-Certified Abaco Systems announces the launch of the SBC3801, a next-generation, SOSA-aligned

XPedite8270- 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processor-Based 3U VPX-REDI Module with 64 GB of LPDDR5 and Microsemi® PolarFire™ SoC FPGA The XPedite8270 is a secure, high-performance, 3U VPX-REDI single-board computer aligned with the Sensor Open System Architecture (SOSA) standard. Based on the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 series (formerly Raptor Lake-P) of processors, the XPedite8270 is an ideal choice for applications requiring maximum data and information protection, high performance, and power savings. The XPedite8270 is a secure, high-performance, 3U VPX-REDI single-board com-

The new VPX7600 3U OpenVPX SBC is powered by Intel’s 11th Generation Tiger Lake-H Xeon W-11000E processor and aligns with the SOSA I/O-intensive profile. An XMC mezzanine site and a wide variety of I/O peripherals offer great flexibility. Intel’s E810 Ethernet controller supports 100GbE on the data plane and 10GbE on the control plane. An NVMe SSD provides up to 1TB of M.2

data storage. Backplane I/O includes 2.5 GbE, DisplayPort, USB 3.2, SATA III, RS232/RS422, and GPIO. Conduction-cooled and air-cooled with front I/O versions are available. “This processor board packs a high-performance workstation-class CPU, 100GbE, and other high-speed I/O interfaces on a 3U VPX card to support defense, aerospace, and scientific applications,” suggests Robert Greenfield, Acromag’s Director of Business Development.

3U VPX Secure Single Board Computer (SBC) designed to deliver uncompromised security and performance for mission-critical applications. This SBC3801 integrates SecurShield™ Agent based on technology from General Dynamics Mission Systems, enabling a programmable hardware root of trust for advanced cybersecurity protection in a rugged design for deployment in harsh environments. SecurShield TM combines CM2.0-compliant technology with an AMD FPGA fabric, Arm cores, and protected key storage, providing a robust foundation for secure computing in defense and industrial environments. This architecture ensures that sensitive data and cryptographic operations remain protected against evolving threats, while maintaining

compliance with the latest security standards. Applications include: • Software Defined Radios (SDR): Secure, high-speed signal processing for tactical communications • Guided Munitions: Embedded security for precision strike systems • Data in Transit (DIT) & Data at Rest (DAR): Encryption and secure storage for sensitive mission data • Multi-Function Crypto Applications: Consolidated cryptographic operations on a single platform • Smart Munitions Security: Hardware root of trust for next-generation weapons Systems

puter aligned with the Sensor Open System Architecture (SOSA) standard. Based on the 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 series (formerly Raptor Lake-P) of processors, the XPedite8270 is an ideal choice for applications requiring maximum data and information protection, high performance, and power savings. The XPedite8270 integrates SecureCOTS™ technology with a Microsemi® PolarFire™ System-on-Chip (SoC) FPGA to host custom functions that protect data from modification or observation, providing an ideal solution when stringent security capabilities are required. The XPedite8270 provides fast, efficient I/O with one 40GBASE-KR4, two 10GBASE-KR, and one 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet port. It supports 64 GB of LPDDR5 ECC SDRAM in addition to numerous I/O ports, including

USB 2.0, PCI Express, RS-232 or RS-422/485 serial, and DisplayPort video through the backplane connectors. The XPedite8270 provides additional expansion capabilities by including an integrated XMC site. This XMC site consists of a x4 PCI Express connection to the Intel® Core™ i7 processor and X12d, X16s, and X8d I/O mapped directly to the VPX backplane connectors.

COTS Journal | December 2025

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December 2025

COT’S PICKS VICOR Spacechips drives imaginative new AI-enabled satellite applications Radiation-tolerant, high-current-density DCDC converter modules power the AI1 transponder for innovative computing applications. The demand for smaller satellites with sophisticated computational capabilities and reliable, robust onboard processor systems to support the fiveto ten-year duration of a mission is pushing the limits of the latest ultradeep submicron FPGAs and ASICs and their power delivery networks. These high-performance processors have demanding low-voltage, high-current power requirements, and their system design is further compounded by the complexities of managing thermal and radiation conditions in space. In response, Spacechips has introduced its AI1 transponder, a small onboard processor card containing an ACAP (Adaptive Compute Ac-

New 12-slot LXI/USB chassis delivers the highest PXI slot density and the lowest cost-per-slot Modular LXI chassis from Pickering Interfaces enable more compact, affordable test platforms. Pickering Interfaces, the leading supplier of modular signal switching and simulation solutions for use in electronic test and verification, has announced a new compact 12-slot LXI/USB modular chassis: the 60-107-001. The highest PXI slot-density chassis for PXI and PXIe modules, it provides 12 hybrid-compatible slots in a 2U form factor. It can be controlled via USB or LXI (Ethernet), eliminating the need for a ded-

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celeration Platform) AI accelerator. The smart, re-configurable receiver and transmitter delivers up to 133 tera operations per second (TOPS) of performance that enables new Earth-observation; in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM); signals intelligence (SIGINT); and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and telecommunication applications to support real-time, autonomous computing while ensuring the reliability and longevity to complete more extended missions. “Many spacecraft operators simply don’t have sufficient bandwidth in the RF spectrum to download all of the data they’ve acquired for real-time processing,” said Dr. Rajan Bedi, CEO of Spacechips. “An alternative solution is accomplishing the processing in-orbit and simply downlinking the intelligent insights.” Today’s low-Earth-orbit observation spacecraft can establish a direct line of sight over a specific region only about once every ten minutes. If satellites were trained to fill those blind spots using AI algorithms, emergency management

teams could make faster, better-informed decisions when direct line-of-sight communication with Earth is not possible. Spacechips is harnessing these powerful artificial intelligence compute engines to enable in-orbit AI to address a variety of Earth-bound and space-related problems: • Tracking space debris to avoid costly collisions • Monitoring mission-critical spacecraft system health • Identifying severe weather patterns • Reporting critical crop production rainfall data

icated PXI controller or an embedded PC. The USB-compatible and LXI-compliant interfaces enable the chassis to be controlled directly through standard interfaces commonly found on most PCs, providing a very cost-effective route into modular test and measurement applications. “Featuring a fully hybrid PXI/PXIe backplane and controllable via Gigabit Ethernet or USB 3.0, the chassis occupies only a 2U rack-height form factor—making it ideal for space-restricted applications,” said Lee Huckle, Chassis Product Manager at Pickering Interfaces. “Offering the highest slot density and the lowest cost-per-slot of any PXIe hybrid chassis currently on the market, it addresses a real need in the test and measurement space for more compact, scalable, and affordable modular test platforms.” This chassis provides engineers with the flexibility to build high-density systems without the overhead of traditional PXI controllers—all in a form factor that fits benchtop environments and maximizes the efficient use of valuable rack space. It supports up to 12 single-slot 3U Pickering PXI or PXIe switching, simulation, and instrumentation modules in just 2U of rack height—thanks to its horizontal module orientation and embedded controller, which eliminates the need for a system slot. The chassis can also accept modules

up to 4 slots wide, including Pickering’s BRIC4 ultra-high-density switching matrices. A transverse cooling system eliminates the need for the usual rack-mount chassis requirement of 1U of adjacent empty rack space for airflow, allowing a second chassis to mount directly above and provide a combined total of up to 24 modules in only 4U—20% more than Pickering’s 4U 42-927 20 module-slot PXIe hybrid chassis, the previous market-leader for PXI/PXIe module density. “This new chassis is designed to meet growing demands in functional and production testing that require low-cost test system expansion,” added Huckle. “This is particularly beneficial for existing PXI systems with limited spare chassis slots, which usually necessitate the purchase of another costly PXI chassis and controller. Our new LXI/USB chassis enables engineers to scale existing PXI systems more cost-effectively—providing a flexible modular platform that enables the consolidation of a vast array of switching, simulation, and instrumentation resources in minimal rack space.” User-friendly OLED displays provide LAN status and IP address information, while an intelligent fan control system automatically adjusts cooling based on thermal load, ensuring optimal operating conditions.

COTS Journal | December 2025

December 2025

COT’S PICKS Spectrum Control Achieves CMMC Level 2 Certification

Spectrum Control, a global leader in signal protection, conditioning, and processing that enables modern defense and aerospace systems, has achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) advanced standard for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information

SiTime Takes on GNSS Threats, Unveiling Jamming- and Spoofing-Resilient Precision Timing Solution Endura Super-TCXO Delivers Superior Holdover and Ruggedized Performance for Aerospace, Defense, and Industrial Applications SiTime Corporation (NASDAQ: SITM), the Precision Timing company, launched the Endura® temperature-compensated oscillator (Super-TCXO®), ENDR-TTT, for position, navigation, and timing (PNT) applications. Engineered for superior holdover – uninterrupted operation when GNSS is not available – and resistance to jamming and spoofing, ENDR-TTT is an ultra-stable, low-power product for GNSS receivers in aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. “SiTime’s Endura Super-TCXO, ENDR-TTT, allows us to create a multi-layer anti-spoofing methodology,” said Paul McBurney, GNSS expert, CTO, and co-founder at OneNav. “The first layer minimizes the search window, preventing spoofing because signals outside the window are never tracked. The second layer addresses huge search windows, such as in the first acquisition, where spoofers can be tracked. In this case, the

(CUI). This independently verified certification demonstrates Spectrum Control’s ability to safeguard sensitive defense and aerospace data in accordance with NIST SP 800-171, reaffirming Spectrum Control’s decades-long commitment to the military and aerospace markets. CMMC is a framework established by the DoD to enhance the cybersecurity posture of its supply chain. It aims to ensure that defense contractors and subcontractors implement appropriate cybersecurity practices to protect sensitive information, such as CUI, from cyber threats. Perfect Compliance Score Achieved Spectrum Control was awarded the certification after a comprehensive independent assessment done by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). Spectrum Control achieved a perfect compliance score—exceeding baseline CMMC Level 2 expectations—with no exceptions or open Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M). The company is now fully prepared for programs requiring verified CUI spoofer signals can be identified and removed due to SiTime’s ultra-stable reference clock.” When GNSS signals are unavailable or degraded—including due to signal jamming or extreme environmental conditions—holdover maintains local timing stability to enable uninterrupted network operation. The ENDR-TTT Endura Super-TCXO provides up to 20x longer holdover and 20x better PNT accuracy, dramatically improving spoofing resistance. “SiTime’s ENDR-TTT Endura Super-TCXO accelerates GNSS recovery by narrowing the resynchronization window, reducing spoofing and setting a new standard for ruggedized Precision Timing,” said Piyush Sevalia, executive vice president of marketing at SiTime. “Our latest product delivers a powerful combination of superior performance, low power, and small size, which leads the industry for PNT applications.”

protection under DFARS 252.204-7021. “Cybersecurity is mission-critical. Our CMMC Level 2 certification ensures that every Spectrum Control solution is delivered to our customers through secure, compliant, and resilient systems,” said Rich Sorelle, CEO of Spectrum Control. “Further, we are committed to continuous improvement to ensure ongoing compliance and resilience.” Investing in the Defense Market By earning CMMC Level 2 certification, Spectrum Control is now among an elite group of defense manufacturers with full-scope, error-free accreditation. As a pre-qualified partner, Spectrum Control can be more efficiently onboarded with major defense primes for federal programs. Partners can also have confidence that it is compliance-ready, as the certification demonstrates that Spectrum Control is one of the few suppliers fully certified at CMMC Level 2.

• • •

better resistance to shock. 0.004 ppb/g typical g-sensitivity; up to 50x better than quartz alternatives. ±0.5 ppm 20-year aging—eliminates field recalibration. Optional I2C/SPI digital pulling capability for system frequency fine-tuning.

Additional features for SiTime ENDR-TTT Endura Super-TCXO include: • ±50 ppb stability over temperature (FvT); up to 10x better frequency stability over temperature versus quartz alternatives. • -55ºC to +125ºC operating temperature range. • 30,000 g operational shock; up to 20x

COTS Journal | December 2025

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December 2025

COT’S PICKS MetroStar and ActionStreamer’s IRIS Certified Intrinsically Safe by UL, Set for USAF-Wide Deployment MetroStar, a premier provider of AI-enabled solutions for the federal government, announces that the Integrated Respirator Information System (IRIS), developed in partnership with ActionStreamer, has received Intrinsically Safe Certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), clearing the path for expanded deployment across the United States Air Force (USAF) and Department of Defense (DoD). Developed to enhance mission-critical operations in hazardous environments, IRIS is currently being rolled out by ActionStreamer— under MetroStar’s guidance—to fuel tank maintenance teams working on KC-135 and C-130 aircraft, two vital airframes in the U.S. military’s global mobility fleet. Designed specifically for aircraft maintainers operating in confined, hazardous environments, IRIS combines full-face respirators, POV video cameras, and secure con-

TECHWAY is bridging the FPGA and GPU worlds In today’s world of high-performance embedded computing, systems need to handle massive data streams in real time, making every nanosecond matter. TECHWAY is pushing these limits by integrating NVIDIA’s GPUDirect® RDMA technology into its PCIe FPGA platforms, providing a direct and highly efficient data path between acquisition hardware and GPU processing. This approach opens the door to a new

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nectivity to deliver real-time visibility and twoway communication during fuel tank inspection. “With UL certification now in hand, IRIS stands as a true force multiplier for sustainment teams working in hazardous environments,” said Bob Lento, CEO of ActionStreamer. “This milestone reflects years of collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and validates our commitment to delivering purpose-built technology that improves safety, readiness, and mission effectiveness.” The system was battle-tested through the USAF Spark Tank innovation program, sponsored by the USAF Logistics Innovation Tesseract team, and is now fully mission-ready, moving from concept to wide-scale implementation across the DoD. In a recent USAF evaluation, the IRIS system was projected to save over 35,000 labor hours annually, reduce sustainment costs by $15 million, and increase aircraft availability by more than 7,000 mission-ready days. These outcomes highlight the operational value of integrating wearable video systems with cloud-based, AI-enabled collaboration tools in aircraft sustainment operations. “As the former logistic leader, I know firsthand the challenges our maintainers face in confined, high-risk

environments,” said Cedric George, Major General (Ret.), VP of DAF Strategy & Growth at MetroStar and Former Director of Logistics at the USAF. “The deployment of IRIS is a game changer for safety and communication and for driving measurable gains in aircraft availability and mission readiness. At MetroStar, we’re honored to help bring this innovation to the field and support the Air Force’s transformation toward smarter, AI-enabled sustainment.” With its planned deployment across KC-135 and C-130 maintenance teams, IRIS is setting a new standard for fuel tank inspections and maintenance, helping sustainment leaders increase fleet availability, reduce safety risks to our valued people, and streamline workflows without compromising mission readiness.

generation of responsive, low-latency applications across defense, aerospace, industrial systems, AI acceleration, and embedded vision. TECHWAY’s PCIe solutions, built on AMD/ Xilinx® Kintex-7 and UltraScale+® FPGAs, integrate GPUDirect® RDMA as a native feature within a unified Development Kit. This typical PCIe architecture is shared across all TECHWAY boards, enabling developers to seamlessly move between FPGA platforms while maintaining the same software environment. This consistency simplifies integration, shortens development cycles, and strengthens longterm maintainability. With the TECHWAY driver compiled with the NVIDIA kernel module, data is sent directly from the FPGA card’s memory to GPU memory over PCIe, bypassing both the host CPU and system memory. This significantly reduces latency and improves overall data transfer efficiency, enabling real-time processing and advanced applications such as AI, image, and signal processing directly on incoming data. A key advantage of GPUDirect® RDMA is

its ability to shift processing workloads from the FPGA to the GPU. The FPGA can then focus on real-time data acquisition and essential front-end tasks such as packetization and preprocessing, before streaming data directly into GPU memory. GPUDirect® RDMA also fully leverages the GPU’s massively parallel architecture, high-bandwidth GDDR memory, and optimized processing cores. These strengths make the GPU particularly effective at handling large datasets and repetitive, high-throughput operations, making it ideal for fast, adaptive data processing in demanding environments. By combining a TECHWAY FPGA board with an NVIDIA GPU, the system achieves maximum computing efficiency while minimizing FPGA logic usage, all while maintaining consistently low data-transfer latency with GPUDirect® RDMA. This approach also makes TECHWAY’s FPGA product range suitable for most field applications, providing the flexibility and performance required across a wide variety of field applications.

COTS Journal | December 2025

December 2025

COT’S PICKS TASKING and LDRA Announce Advanced Data and Control Coupling Capabilities to Measure Hidden Timing Interference in Multi-core Applications LDRA tool suite now identifies and quantifies the impact of timing coupling interference to help developers comply with worstcase execution time (WCET) requirements of multi-core guidelines such as AC-20-193 LDRA announced that its tool suite now supports advanced analysis of timing-coupling interference on multi-core architectures. These new capabilities build on LDRA’s existing data coupling and control coupling tools, giving developers deeper insight into multicore behavior and enabling them to mitigate timing issues better. Data, control, and timing coupling are critical as multi-core processors are increasingly used to run embedded applications for aerospace and defense, automotive, industrial controls, IoT, and space applications that must adhere to strict functional safety and reliability standards. Industry guidelines, such as the FAA’s advisory circular AC 20-193, describe factors that can increase execution times in multi-core systems. When execution times exceed worstcase bounds, the system can become nonde-

terministic and unsafe. To measure execution time, developers evaluate the impact of data coupling and control coupling between tasks. However, they must also measure complex timing-coupling interference that can arise between tasks running on different cores. Timing coupling is a hidden cause of interference that can increase a system’s worst-case execution time (WCET) due to contention for shared processor resources, such as bus interconnects or cache memory, in multi-core architectures. Even when tasks executing on different cores have no direct data or control coupling, interference can occur on shared resources, such as shared cache memory. For example, L1/L2 caches may be shared between cores. Tasks with larger data sets tend to use these shared resources more extensively, increasing the probability of interference and reduced efficiency even when there is no direct data or control coupling at the task level. “Hidden interference at the multi-core level can be significant,” said Ian Hennell, Operations Director, LDRA. “In a study we collaborated on with the United States Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center Multi-Core Processing & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, timing coupling interference resulted in up to a 40% increase in mean execution time. Now, armed with the ability to identify sources of timing coupling interference, their engineers can focus their development efforts where they will have maximum impact.” Knowing where and why interference aris-

es, as well as potentially how much it occurs, enables developers to target their efforts and more quickly mitigate timing-coupling interference. Rather than trying to optimize code for performance, developers can adjust a task’s data set size or usage to reduce its impact on cache efficiency when running on other cores. The LDRA tool suite offers full support for both 32- and 64-bit instruction sets and addresses requirements traceability, coding standards compliance, and static and dynamic coverage analysis. These new timing coupling capabilities, together with LDRA’s industry-leading data coupling and functional coupling tools, give developers unprecedented access and insight into system behavior and operation of even the more complex systems. “LDRA’s time coupling capabilities are unique among embedded development tools,” said Christoph Herzog, Co-CEO/CTO, TASKING. “When the LDRA tool suite is combined with TASKING’s winIDEA and TASKING’s BlueBox debugger or virtual ECU simulator, developers have access to a comprehensive set of complementary static analysis, dynamic analysis, and unit/integration testing solutions that provide detailed run-time data. This enables the industry’s most thorough worst-case execution time analysis. In this way, OEMs can feel confident that their complex embedded systems comply with even the most stringent industry standards.”

COTS Journal | December 2025

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December 2025

COT’S PICKS FARO® Expands its 3D Measurement Portfolio with the HandySCAN BLACKTM Elite Handheld FARO, a business of AMETEK®, Inc., the global leader in 3D measurement, imaging, and realization solutions, announces the addition of the HandySCAN BLACKTM Elite Handheld 3D Scanner to its 3D measurement portfolio, marking the first major initiative in its alignment with metrology leader Creaform. Now part of AMETEK’s Ultra Precision Technologies Division, alongside Creaform, FARO expands its portable measurement offering to serve better quality assurance, product development, and inspection applications. The HandySCAN BLACK Elite is a metrology-grade scanner renowned for

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its exceptional accuracy, speed, and ease of use across a variety of part sizes, materials, and finishes. Delivering up to 1.3 million measurements per second with 22 blue laser lines plus an additional deep-hole line, the HandySCAN BLACK Elite offers 0.025 mm (0.0009 in) accuracy and 0.1 mm (0.0039 in) resolution within a 200 to 450 mm (7.9 to 17.7 in) working distance. Dynamic referencing maintains consistent precision even when both the scanner and object move during measurement, and is backed by ISO 17025-compliant accredited calibration laboratories, ensuring traceable, repeatable results that meet rigorous quality standards. Enhanced features such as smart resolution, automatic shutter adjustment, and optimized laser-line alignment enable perfor-

COTS Journal | December 2025

mance on complex, high-contrast surfaces. AI-driven target detection, real-time feedback, and live mesh visualization streamline data acquisition, ensuring superior scan quality with minimal effort. Advanced mesh enhancement algorithms refine scan results automatically for reliable 3D data ready for processing. Weighing only 2.1 lb, the HandySCAN BLACK Elite is one of the lightest, most compact scanners in its class. It minimizes physical strain, reduces operator fatigue, and sets up in under two minutes, making it ideal for any environment, from the shop floor to the field. Its compact form factor allows storage in a standard suitcase, simplifying transportation and deployment. Manufactured in North America, the scanner is supported worldwide by a customer service network for reliable, localized assistance.

COTS

ADVERTISERS

Index

Company

Page #

Website

Annapolis Micro Systems. . . . . .

IBC

. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .www.annapmicro.com

Behlman Electronics. . . . . . . . . .

15/BC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.behlman.com

Dolphin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dolphinics.com/COTS

Highland Technology. . . . . . . . . .

24

. . . . . . . . . . . . .www.highlandtechnology.com

Mercury Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IFC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.mrcy.com

nVent. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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. . . . www.nVent.com/schroff/varistar-cp-mil

ODU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

IBC

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.odu-aerospace.com

PICO Electronics, Inc. . . . . . . . .

4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.picoelectronics.com

SOLDIER SYSTEM CONNECTORS

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