Catalogue highlights high-tech design

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 25, 2005

ADC's role in developing cutting edge technologies for defence and the environment has led to development of a new catalogue highlighting a wide range of high-tech applications.

ADC's role in developing cutting edge technologies for defence and the environment has led to development of a new catalogue highlighting a wide range of high-tech applications.

"Our expertise in miniaturised and remote monitoring systems, as well as new materials and materials handling techniques have led to numerous innovations with huge potential benefit to the military", says ADC president Alex Deyhim.

"We are extremely proud to contribute significantly to the advancement, reliability and safety of our military".

ADC's Shot Counter (SC) design enables monitoring the number of rounds fired, plus other conditional parameters such as firing cadence and barrel temperature, enabling accurate end of life predictions for weapon barrels and other consumable weapon components based on actual usage data.

Optimum performance maintenance programs can be developed from this information.

The shot counter is applicable to the M16 and numerous other currently deployed weapons.

To make steel-reinforced concrete bridges more reliable and safe from deterioration and collapse, ADC's silicon based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices can monitor moisture, temperature, pH, as well as the concentration of chloride, sodium and potassium ions within the concrete.

"These devices provide critical data for evaluating concrete performance from its freshly mixed stage to its casting, through the concrete's service life, to its period of deterioration and repair", says Eric Johnson, VP of Research at ADC.

The company's state-of-the art HMMDET counter shooter technology detects the azimuth/direction of the shooter, as well as range and elevation of the gun fire event, and is adaptable to numerous HMMVW vehicle configurations.

Designed to meet the needs of the digital battlefield, the HMMDET platform operates over domestic, international and DSCS (defence satellite communication system) networks and provides a graphic user interface to either an LED light system or ruggedised laptop and is easily transferable between vehicles without specialised technical support.

ADC's materials and materials handling expertise is showcased in two innovative programs.

Development of a new synthetic rope addresses the desire for a new generation of materials for running rigging with comparable tensile and axial strength but significantly reduced weight from those currently deployed.

And design of a new ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transfer system aims for safe and rapid transfer of cargo and vehicles in conditions as severe as sea state five.