Commercial Aviation

Nexteon Technologies Completes First Commercial Aviation Cyberattack Detection Flight Test

Nexteon Technologies, Inc., a leader in advanced aviation technologies, announced today that it has completed the first in-flight test simulating a cyberattack on an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)-equipped aircraft. During the 30-minute flight, Nexteon’s SecureTrack™ technology was able to successfully detect and characterize the intrusion and generate security alerts.

The test was conducted on July 26 in the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) airspace by a team that included Nexteon’s industry partners SeRo Systems, The Innovation Laboratory and DragoonITCN. The flight test team worked in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under its Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Nexteon. While in flight, the aircraft used the FAA’s patented Virtual Target Generator (VTG) test tool (U.S. Patent No. 8,604,965) to intentionally create and transmit a series of inaccurate position reports in the aircraft’s ADS-B Out signal. The SeRo advanced surveillance technology detected the spoofed signal and displayed alerts to the ground analysis team for the entire duration of the simulated attack.

“This has been an incredible success for Nexteon and a validation of the technology,” said Rob Kaimowitz, Chief Executive Officer of Nexteon Technologies. “We have made great progress, and reaching this milestone was a collaborative effort that would not have been possible without our government and industry partners.”

“The SeRo team is excited to participate in this groundbreaking test,” added Dr. Matthias Schäfer, Managing Director of SeRo Systems. “This achievement is the culmination of a decade of research and development, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to showcase SecureTrack’s capabilities.”

“We are all proud of this accomplishment, and I would like to thank the flight test team and all of our employees for their dedication and commitment to Nexteon’s vision. They have proven that this technology is an enabler that will deliver cybersecure, precise and GPS-resilient tracking and monitoring data that can help optimize the global airspace,” added Kaimowitz.

The Innovation Laboratory and DragoonITCN support Nexteon’s flight tests by providing avionics and flight services, and advanced test equipment, respectively. The tests are conducted using Nexteon’s prototype ground-based receiver network, which covers the northeastern seaboard.

About Nexteon Technologies
Nexteon Technologies is modernizing global aviation with best-in-class talent and technologies. Its innovative SecureTrack™ surveillance and SmartRoutes™ dynamic route optimization solutions enable more efficient, greener and more secure global aviation for ANSPs, commercial and general aviation fleets, and government agencies. The company was founded in 2017 as Route Dynamics Corp and changed its name to Nexteon in 2021.

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Hanwha at WDS 2024: Pioneering Global Defense Capabilities and Partnerships for Vision 2030

PR Newswire | February 05, 2024

The defense affiliates of Hanwha Group, including Hanwha Aerospace, Hanwha Systems, and Hanwha Ocean, will be participating in the World Defense Show 2024 (WDS 2024), held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 4th to 8th Feb. With geopolitical crises increasing security demands in key Middle East regions, Hanwha Group is set to present defense capabilities on land, in the air, at sea and in space to protect customers from various threats. Under the slogan 'Opening the Future of Advanced Engine', Hanwha will explore long-term partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has made localization of the defense sector a key objective in Vision 2030. Hanwha will present its advanced aircraft engines, AESA radars, and aviation electronics equipment at the exhibition's center, as well as unveil a roadmap for the development and production of next generation engines beginning in the 2030s, leveraging the manufacturing capabilities accumulated over the previous 40 years. Hanwha aims to fortify a partnership that not only meets customer's immediate defense needs, but also foster long-term resilience and innovation in the defense sector. The company is committed to integrating advanced defense technologies into the customer's needs. An official from Hanwha stated, "The collaboration aims to significantly contribute to the growth and modernization of the local defense industry, while also fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. Hanwha takes pride in our ongoing commitment to delivering deterrence solutions to key regions with urgent needs." Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East region, Hanwha will present the cutting-edge submarine KSS-III, offering unparalleled capabilities to mitigate emerging threats to maritime security. Also, the unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned surface ships will deliver innovative defense solutions to navigate the diverse security challenges in the region. In the face of rapidly changing regional security landscape, Hanwha will present the K9A1 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) equipped with exportable engine, multipurpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle(UGV), Redback armored vehicle, TIGON 6x6 wheeled armored vehicle, Chunmoo Multi Rocket Launcher, M-SAM and various air defense systems, meeting regional needs with its diverse portfolio of Land Systems solutions. Hanwha will also exhibit hyper connected tactical solutions to sensor and neutralize aerial threats, including Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR), Multi-Function Radar(MFR), and anti-drone systems. The company will also showcase advanced air defense solutions equipped on Korean Fighter Jet, ranging from Active Electronically Scanned Array(AESA) Radar to Infra-Red Search and Track, strengthening defense capabilities to detect threats across different domains. Hanwha has decades of experience designing, developing, testing successfully manufacturing modern defense solutions. The company is adopting a cooperative approach to support the localization of key products, a private cooperation aimed at expediting the achievement of the customer's objectives.

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