Flatvision Industry News

What is IFSEC?

Taking place on the 13-16 May 2013 at the NEC Birmingham, IFSEC International is the largest event for the security industry, bringing together the entire security buying chain in one place.

IFSEC International is the biggest marketplace of its kind, attracting more than 650 leading solution providers, from 100 countries.

Eurotunnel and Siemens have tested the Vectron locomotive in the Channel Tunnel as part of an effort to increase cross-Channel rail freight.

The tests were intended to assess the locomotive’s compatibility with Channel Tunnel systems and safety rules, as Eurotunnel expects that open-access freight operators will be able to use TSI-compliant four-axle locomotives as well as six-axle models.

The Vectron locomotive, in standard configuration and hauling wagons with a total weight of 1,350t, entered the tunnel via the French portal and completed a series of traction, braking and pantograph tests.

The Vectron exited the tunnel at Folkestone before returning to France for a second phase of tests.

The test runs confirmed that the standard four-axle locomotives can operate without any problems in the Channel Tunnel and will be capable of hauling rail freight between the continent and the UK.

Groupe Eurotunnel deputy chief executive Michel Boudoussier said that the company’s cooperation with Siemens will open the way to new international rail freight flows, which will in turn reduce CO2 emissions.

(For full article please see: http://www.railway-technology.com)

The European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has said that it is on track to deliver its badly needed new A400M transport plane to the French air force in the second quarter of this year, after its latest problems with engines were resolved.

“We have overcome this engine problem, which had delayed certification” of a cutting-edge plane that could mark a big step forward in logistics capacity for the eight countries that have bought it, Airbus Chief Executive Fabrice Bregier told a news conference in Toulouse, southern France.

Test flights that had been suspended for several months were “resumed in November, and we totaled 300 test hours in 26 days,” Bregier noted. “The first delivery to France was pushed back slightly from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2013,” he said.

France in particular needs to get the A400M into service, as its limited airlift capacity was demonstrated again by the conflict in Mali, where Belgium, Britain, Denmark and Germany have extended help delivering material and troops from France and contributing African countries.

The four-engine aircraft was designed to replace C-130 Hercules and C-160 Transall cargo planes and can perform three major roles, according to Airbus, including tactical missions that require the ability to land at “austere airfields,” such as soft or rough strips as short as 750 meters (2,500 feet) with a payload of up to 25 tons (55,000 pounds). That makes the plane suited for direct deployment on humanitarian aid missions to disaster-hit regions.

In a strategic role, the plane can fly up to 8,700 kilometers (5,400 miles) with a payload of up to 37 tons (81,600 pounds), including disassembled helicopters or two heavy armored vehicles, and reach altitudes of up to 40,000 feet (12,000 meters).

Finally, the A400M can be adapted in two hours for use as an air refueling tanker able to serve two planes or helicopters at a time. In an airdrop capacity, the transport plane can operate from as high as 40,000 feet for special operations purposes to as low as 15 feet for low-level load deliveries, Airbus said, and “can carry more paratroopers than any other Western-built military aircraft,” with 116 fully equipped soldiers.

A total of 174 of the planes have been ordered to date, with four currently in the final assembly stage and scheduled for delivery this year.

(For full article please see: http://www.defensenews.com)

The UK Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth-class (QE) aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has been fitted with the first Rolls-Royce marine gas turbine, MT30, at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyard in Scotland.

Rolls-Royce Marine president Tony Wood said the installation of the first MT30 engine marked a significant milestone in the Queen Elizabeth-class construction programme.

Each of the two Queen Elizabeth-class frigates, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, will be equipped with two 36MW MT30s to provide power equal to two thirds of the 109MW.

Designed to provide cost-effective propulsion, the compact, lightweight MT30 is a twin-spool, engine based on the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 aero engine technology.

Currently undergoing construction at shipyards around the country, the two aircraft carriers are scheduled to enter service in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

(For full article please see: http://www.naval-technology.com)

A new technology known as Rail Technical Strategy (RTS) has been unveiled in the UK to increase the capacity of the rail network and enable operators to efficiently run more trains over the next 30 years.

Network Rail and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) have collaborated with the RSSB and the rest of the industry in the Technical Strategy Leadership Group (TSLG) to set up a strategy to make the most of existing technologies.

They also aim to promote new ideas in areas that have the potential to transfer technology from other sectors to railway applications such as nanotechnology.

Network Rail technical director and chair of TSLG Steve Yianni said that the company knows that the approach has to be complete, from the way the track relates to the trains and the trains to the signalling and hence it cannot work on one part of the system without affecting another.

The new RTS technology is likely to have an impact on the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), which is being jointly developed by Network Rail and ATOC in association with RSSB and the rest of the industry.

By allowing traffic management to move inside the trains and reduce the number of control centres, a large amount of cost can be saved as the lineside signalling maintenance has an expenditure of around £100m per annum.

Network Rail has been developing automated methods of lineside inspection, including plain line pattern recognition and remote asset monitoring.

About 40% of trains run by operators in the UK are already fitted with diagnostic technology that enables the vehicles to detect potential faults as they develop.

(To view full article please see: http://www.railway-technology.com)

Airbus Military has conducted a test flight of the first wingletted C295 medium transport and surveillance aircraft.

The test flight was carried out at Airbus Military’s facility in Seville, Spain.

The winglets – short extensions to wingtips of the aircraft – are expected to enhance the aircraft’s performance during take-off, climb and cruise phases of flight through improvement in the lift-drag ratio.

Additional potential in-service benefits include enhanced hot and high runway performance, increased range and endurance, as well as lowered operating costs.

The flight data is currently being analysed by the company, and together with data from future flights, will serve as the basis for a decision on incorporation of winglets into the C295 design.

If found to be beneficial, the winglets are anticipated to be installed onboard newly developed C295 aircraft, and can also be offered as a retrofit option to its existing operators, Flight Global has reported.

Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW127G turboprop engines, the C-295 is a tactical military transport aircraft designed to carry out tactical airlift, search and rescue, and maritime patrol and environmental surveillance missions in all weather conditions.

(To see full article please view: http://www.airforce-technology.com)

Why visit?

The Emergency Services Show and Conference 2012 is one of the key events for emergency services professionals, indeed anyone involved in emergency planning, response or recovery, both in the UK and abroad.

From strategic planners and first responders to the manufacturers and suppliers of equipment used by these leading professionals, the show brings together everyone involved in an emergency, over an action packed two days.

As a visitor to the show you can:

* SOURCE equipment and services from over 400 specialist suppliers, showcasing the latest innovations in the industry

* DISCOVER how you can make vital cost saving efficiencies on behalf of your organisation

* LEARN from industry experts by attending the supporting one-day conference

* NETWORK with like-minded individuals to share information and good practice, together with discussing resources, framework agreements, income generation and outsourcing

* WITNESS exciting live demonstrations

* MEET with up to 100 end users exhibiting within the Emergency Response Zone. This Zone (essential for operational staff and emergency planning officers) is made up of other Category 1 and 2 Responders, Professional, Government and Voluntary organisations, offering perfect networking opportunities to affiliated organisations.

* CONSIDER innovative and creative ways of working with your peers in the future.

(To register or find out more please visit: www.emergencyuk.com)

Flatvision have further developed our existing versatile range of IPPMW displays introducing a whole host of new features and optional monitor enhancements including:

* Sunlight readability

* LED backlight

* Wide operating temperature capability; and

* Touch-screen interactivity

Target  Applications:

IP65-Sealed Panel Mount Monitor Demonstration

* Marine & Avionics applications

* Wet Area Applications

* Public Transport areas (Airports/Train Stations)

* Digital Signage

* Information displays

* Control Rooms

* Military Command & Control Console Displays

 

For further information on our IP-Sealed Panel Mount Range please feel free to view our comprehensive range of products available on our  website – and should you require a customised version do not hesitate to give us a call (01782) 567979 or send over a quick email and a member of our experienced sales team can assist you with potential options available to you.

For more information on our ‘IPPMW’ range of displays….

Are you an Emergency Services professional currently on the look-out for displays for a service vehicle application? - Then check out our ‘Mobile’ range.

These days with the advent of LCD technology being available at much lower cost than it was 5 years ago, LCD monitors are being deployed for use within a wide variety of applications that require the facility of a compact sized yet rugged-style monitor.

The variety of applications that these displays can be used for is constantly expanding and one industry sector that has experienced tremendous growth in recent years is the emergency services sector.

All of our ‘Mobile’ series are E-Mark certified making them an ideal choice for use within emergency service vehicles such as:

* Police cars – enabling them to have far more in-car access to real-time information

* Ambulances – allowing for accurate patient monitoring during transportation to and from hospital

* Response vehicles – providing the ability to access police databases and automatic number plate recognition technology

Here at FlatVision we have utilised our extensive displays experience to create transportation-specific displays that are rugged, easy to use and resistant to extreme temperatures, as well as providing optional extra features such as touch-screen interactivity.

Key Features Available Include:

* Optional sunlight readability

* Ultra low-power LED backlight

* Wide operating temperature capability

* Shock / vibration proof

* Touch-screen technology

* Multiple input configurations as required

For more information on our ‘Mobile’ range please take a look at our website or feel free to give us a call on: (01782) 567979 to discuss any potentional questions or enquiries you may need our help with.

The U.S. Army announced that production of the first five Mine Resistant Ambush Protected prototype vehicles equipped with Capability Set 13 is complete and the vehicles have shipped from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center, located in Warren, Mich., to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., where they will undergo safety release testing.

Capability Set 13, validated as part of the Army’s Network Integration Evaluations (NIEs), is the Army’s first fully-integrated package of radios, satellite systems, software applications, smartphone-like devices and other network components that provides integrated connectivity from the static Tactical Operations Center to the commander on-the-move to the dismounted soldier and will begin fielding in October 2012 to two Brigade Combat Teams in the 10th Mountain Division.

TARDEC, with support from the Red River Army Depot, Program Manager MRAP, the Communication and Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center and the System of Systems Integration Directorate, completed the design, integration and production of the five prototype vehicles in a mere six months -reducing the normal prototyping time line by six-eight months in order to meet the aggressive schedule the Army set for Capability Set 13 fielding.

The vehicles are equipped with the latest Army tactical radios, mission command software and the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical satellite communications suite. These vehicles will provide soldiers and commanders with mobile networking, or mission command on the move, allowing them to take valuable network capability with them as they maneuver around the battlefield.

The remaining MRAP production assets to support the October fielding Capability Set 13 are currently being integrated and produced at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in Charleston, S.C., with some being shipped to APG throughout August and September for additional safety release/network verification testing prior to arriving at 10th Mountain Division in October.

(For full article please see: http://www.asdnews.com)