Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1505220
72 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I AUGUST 2023 dependent on electronics to carry out assigned missions. is particular application is near and dear to me as I was a member of the Land War- rior Development Team at my former com- pany, Pacific Consultants, where, in 2000-01, our small company of engineers and scientists demonstrated the concept of a local area net- work of soldiers wearing Smart uniforms, each with computers, radios, and heads-up dis- plays to enhance situational awareness of team members. One significant benefit was prevent- ing fratricide (which has unfortunately been the cause of far too many friendly fire casualties in former conflicts) by identifying friendlies on the display. Additional capabilities included gun sight cameras and night vision capabili- ties. e ultimate objective has always been to improve both the soldier's performance and safety on the battlefield. More advanced sys- tems will include integrated sensors for moni- toring vital signs, hydration levels, and envi- ronmental factors. Making the warrior safer and more effective is crucial. Aboard the Aircraft Another area of interest is flexible displays and control panels where FHE technologies can be used for aircra and spacecra. Advan- tageously, flexible displays can be integrated into not just flat, but also curved surfaces, providing critical information to pilots or crew members, while saving valuable cockpit space. Antennas and Sensors Likewise, conformal antennas and sensors are another area of interest, as FHE technolo- gies facilitate the creation of conformal anten- nas and sensors that can be seamlessly inte- grated into the surface of military vehicles, aircra, and naval vessels. Having confor- mal antennas can improve aerodynamics and reduce the overall weight of the vehicle while maintaining essential communication and sensing capabilities. UAVs D rone s and unmanned aer ial vehicle s (UAVs), as well as unmanned autonomous ground vehicles, are beneficiaries of FHE. ey make the UAVs lighter in weight, more efficient, and more mission capable. Flexible electronics enable unique design possibilities, leading to more advanced and more stealthy UAVs for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other military applications. e ongoing conflict in Ukraine has, for better or worse, become a proving ground of these increasingly important war-fighting technologies. Flex-hybrid electronics, again like their tra- ditional flexible circuit kin, are well suited to ruggedizing electronic systems in military and aerospace environments. It is well known that electronic components in mil-aero applica- tions must withstand harsh conditions, includ- ing shock, vibration, and extreme tempera- tures. Flexibility is a key feature in mitigating such conditions. Health Monitoring Health monitoring is not just for the human soldier, it is also a concern for aircra of every sort. us, interest in "smart skins" and aircra structural health monitoring is being targeted for and enabled by FHE where flexible sensors both monitor and detect damage, fatigue, or stress in real-time, enhancing maintenance and safety. In recent years, prognostics has become an increased area of interest in both mil-aero and consumer environments; FHE tools will undoubtedly see increased use. Electronic Warfare With the ever-increasing reliance of elec- tronics by militaries around the world, elec- tronic warfare (EW) systems are, unsurpris- ingly, also of ever-increasing interest. Flex and flex-hybrid electronic technologies can foreseeably be used in EW systems for intelli- gence monitoring and gathering as well as for other electronic countermeasure applications.