DoD Estimates New Missile Defense Program To Cost $17.7B 

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has a fresh estimate for how much its new ballistic missile defense program will cost over the next decade-plus, now that the department’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office has wrapped up its review of the effort.

Source: DoD Estimates New Missile Defense Program To Cost $17.7B « Breaking Defense – Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

Pyreos announces gunfire detection sensor

Pyreos has chalked up a significant design win with Safe Zone Technologies Inc which supplies gunfire detection systems for indoor spaces.In this application ezPyro infrared detectors are used for high-speed muzzle-flash detection and analysis. The Pyreos sensor is integrated into a very small networked multi-sensor solution which is easily installed within public buildings such as retail stores, schools, and offices. Pyreos began shipping ezPyro sensor subsystems in volume to Safe Zone in late 2019. The design-in cycle lasted just four months and benefitted from Pyreos’ extensive range of reference boards, APIs, engineering application support, and comprehensive design information. ezPyro’s analysis speed, low cost and small form factor were all key factors in Safe Zone’s selection.

Source: PYREOS ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL SUCCESS IN GUNFIRE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION WITH SAFEZONE – Pyreos

Insulin-injection device maker CeQur brings in $115M to launch J&J-licensed product 

Marlborough-based CeQur, a maker of insulin delivery devices, has raised $115 million in capital as it gears up to launch its wearable insulin injector later this year.

Source: Insulin-injection device maker CeQur brings in $115M to launch J&J-licensed product – Boston Business Journal

Electronics in Space: Satellite Components 

Is rocket science really that hard? The adage, “it’s not rocket science,” would have you believe so. And, spoiler alert: it’s true – even for aerospace engineers. Rocket science, being in space, and making satellites are very difficult endeavors. This article examines why space is an extremely challenging place for electronics systems to be. We’ll look at how we have overcome some of the most challenging parts of getting to and being present in space, and highlight some of our top tried-and-true, space-ready components products.

Source: Electronics in Space: Satellite Components | Arrow.com

From Automotive, Distributors See Increased Opportunities

Some distributors say their sales to the automotive supply chain are rising because of semiconductor shortages, rising electronic content in cars and the trend towards electric vehicles. Automotive represents a small percentage of electronics distributors’ overall sales, but distributors say there has been a sharp increase in demand by automakers and their key systems suppliers and contract manufacturers fueled by severe shortages of some semiconductors.

Source: FROM AUTOMOTIVE, DISTRIBUTORS SEE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES

Key Driving Forces Changing Automotive Electronics Systems 

This column is an overview of key driving forces that are changing automotive electronics systems.The figure below summarizes my views of the most important technologies changing automotive technologies. I used an earlier version of this figure during my keynote speech at the EE Times’ virtual conference called Roadmap to Next-Gen EV & AV. All conference presentations and exhibitor information are now available on demand. My presentation was on March 24, 2021. If you want to see and listen to my presentation this link will get you to the registration page.

Source: Key Driving Forces Changing Automotive Electronics Systems – EE Times Asia

Biden Arms Sale Freeze Likely To Thaw, Including UAE’s F-35s 

BEIRUT: The UAE is likely to receive its first F-35s by 2027, Bilal Saab, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and former Pentagon official in charge of security cooperation in the Middle East tells Breaking Defense.

Source: Biden Arms Sale Freeze Likely To Thaw, Including UAE’s F-35s « Breaking Defense – Defense industry news, analysis and commentary

Boston Dynamics unveils a new robot designed to move boxes in warehouses 

Boston Dynamics is best known for its robot dog Spot, a machine designed to work in a range of environments, from offshore oil rigs to deep underground mines. But in recent years, the company has increasingly focused attention on the logistics space, and today is unveiling a new robot with just one application in mind: moving boxes in warehouses.

Source: Boston Dynamics unveils Stretch: a new robot designed to move boxes in warehouses – The Verge

European AI Spending Will Reach $12B in 2021 

LONDON, March 24, 2021 — The International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Artificial Intelligence Spending Guide estimates that spending on artificial intelligence (AI) will reach $12 billion in 2021 in Europe and will continue to experience solid double-digit growth through 2024. Automation needs, digital transformation, and customer experience continue to support spending on AI, even in times when COVID-19 has impacted negatively on revenues for many companies.

Source: European AI Spending Will Reach $12B in 2021 as the Technology Remains Resilient Throughout the Pandemic, says IDC

Lockheed Martin secures $2.77B U.S. Army contract 

Lockheed Martin has been awarded a ~$2.77B hybrid (cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price) contract. The contract is for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (‘GMLRS’) Alternative Warhead rocket pods, GMLRS Unitary Warhead rocket pods, Low-Cost Reduced Range Practice rocket pods, cybersecurity services, integrated product support and other services. Work locations and funding to be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2024.

Source: Lockheed Martin secures $2.77B U.S. Army contract | Seeking Alpha

Raytheon Technologies secures $518.44M AMRAAM Contract

Raytheon Technologies has been awarded a ~$518.44M firm-fixed-price, incentive contract for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (‘AMRAAM’) Production Lot 34, with priced options for Lots 35 and 36.Contract provides for the production of the Lot 34 AMRAAMs, Captive Air Training Missiles, guidance sections, AMRAAM Telemetry System, initial and field spares, and other production engineering support hardware and activities. Work to be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed Dec. 31, 2023. The contract involves unclassified Foreign Military Sales.

Source: Raytheon Technologies secures $518.44M Air Force contract | Seeking Alpha

Pison Technology raises $7M in Series A funding

A tech startup that launched in 2016 is planning to double its headcount in New England after raising new investment funds.MIT spinoff Pison Technology, which has around 40 local employees, closed a $7 million round this month to bring its total funding to $11 million, according to CEO Dexter Ang.A MassChallenge Boston alum, Pison Technology is developing a wrist sensor that enables hands-free control of electronics. The device, which is the size of an Apple Watch, captures neuromuscular signals on the surface of the skin and combines them with machine learning algorithms to interpret how people intend to move their hands, and transmits those signals to a smartphone to control digital devices.Led by Lavrock Ventures, the Series A round saw participation from returning investor In-Q-Tel, a nonprofit investment arm of the CIA, and Bose Venture Capital.

Source: Pison Technology raises $7M in Series A funding, plans to hire in Massachusetts – Boston Business Journal