All articles by Ky Nikitha
Ky Nikitha
The new battleground
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investing in cyberdefence, announcing in May 2019 additional funding for the British Army to stand up new cyber operations centres across the UK. Grant Turnbull looks at the threats that these new units would be up against, and how the army can play its part in strengthening the UK’s defensive and offensive cyber capabilities.
New maritime frontiers
The UK’s use of military drones has, until now, largely been confined to the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles by the Royal Air Force. The establishment of the technology accelerator NavyX, however, indicates a growing interest among British military planners in both surface and submersible assets. Michael Shaw talks to Dr Sidharth Kaushal, research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, about how the Royal Navy’s growing interest in maritime drones is the latest manifestation of a desire to accomplish more at sea with fewer servicemen and women.
A swarm welcome
Advances in drone technology and robotics are playing a key role in front-line connectivity, with their use in large numbers enabling the development of swarm research and development. Andrew Barnett speaks with Dr Timothy Chung, programme manager in the Tactical Technology Office (TTO) of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) about how these improvements are providing better visibility and intelligence.
Through the looking glass
Virtual reality (VR) continues to expand in the military sector, driving further investment in new technologies that enable the creation of authentic, detailed digital environments. Will Moffitt speaks to Cem Kumsal, civilian training technologies staff officer at NATO, about how VR is opening up new training strategies, testing emotional resilience, and engaging a younger generation of recruits.
Take aim at the future
In May, the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory announced that it was working with UK industry and the US Navy to explore advanced energy storage options for British warships. Grant Turnbull finds out how the project is taking technology from the motorsport world and adapting it to power the next generation of naval laser weapons and railguns.
Taken to extremes
2019 has seen heatwaves occur across the globe, and a new report forecasts that servicemen and women in the US will have to become even more accustomed to working in extreme heat in the future. Grace Allen discusses the report, its implications and measures that the military is taking to combat temperature rises with Shana Udvardy, climate resilience analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
Model army
Getting the right supplies to the troops that need them is one of the most fundamental aspects of military life. Computerised models can help, but older varieties are too slow and inaccurate to really make a difference. Andrea Valentino talks to Dr Joseph Myers, the US Army Research Office mathematical sciences division chief at the Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory and Professor Brandon McConnell of North Carolina State University, about the limitations of current modelling systems, and how a new approach could transform military logistics.
Ready to fire
Innovative technologies and methodologies are being employed in the development of mortar systems with high accuracy and improved ease of operation. Andy Tunnicliffe discusses advances in this area, as well as the advantages presented by proven solutions, with Major Michael Johnsson, a mortar specialist in the Danish Artillery Regiment.
Change with the times
As technology platforms advance, they require updating far faster than the military vehicles in which they operate. Open architecture can provide the flexibility required to help respond to this challenge. Andrew Barnett discusses these advancements with Daniel Ota, open architecture expert and team lead at the Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE.
In defence of the internet
Cyberdefence is becoming increasingly prioritised at NATO. Grace Allen talks to Ian West, cybersecurity chief at the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency, about its work to counter cyberthreats, the value in collaboration and reducing siloisation, and how to integrate and share sensitive data securely.