The British Army’s close combat soldiers will soon receive SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH Smart Weapon Sight Fire Control System, a cutting-edge weapon sight that will give them a tactical advantage countering uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
An initial order for SMASH sights has been agreed under the new five-year Framework Agreement, worth up to £20 million for delivery to Operational readiness units across the Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) community by the end of this year.
Providing dismounted soldiers with the ability to achieve a high probability of a hit against micro and mini UAVs, SMARTSHOOTER’s SMASH technology enhances every mission’s effectiveness through the ability to accurately engage and hit ground, aerial, and naval, either static or moving targets during both day and night operations. Employing AI, computer vision and machine learning, the SMASH family of fire control systems include handheld operated, remotely controlled, and robotic systems, e.g., UGV, UAS, mounted systems that ensure precise hit capabilities, enhance forces’ situational awareness, and reduce costs – by significantly lowering training burden in both time and ammunition.
This kinetic Counter-Small Uncrewed Air Systems (C-sUAS) capability will initially be fitted to the SA80 A3 assault rifle and can also be fitted onto other in-service individual weapons. The contract Yorkshire-based Viking Arms Ltd, has the potential to allow further sights to be delivered over the next few years to dismounted close combat operators across the Army, Navy and RAF, based on operational and readiness commitments. This work contributes to sustaining the company workforce – supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.
Michal Mor, SMARTSHOOTER CEO: “We are delighted to cooperate with Viking Arms Ltd. for this significant project,. We are confident that the SMASH precision fire control systems that revolutionize the dismounted combatants’ battlefield effectiveness, are an ideal fit for the cUAS operational requirements of the British Army, providing a pin-point accurate kinetic interception capability that is not dependent on the user’s combat stress and in fact reduces their cognitive load.”
Drone attacks on UK critical infrastructure “relatively small but possibly significant.”
Drone attacks on UK critical infrastructure have been added to the UK’s National Risk Register. The likelihood level is relatively small but the impact could be significant.
According to the text of the report: “The use of drones has increased significantly in recent years, both for business and pleasure purposes. UK law now dictates that registration with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is mandatory for operators of drones over 250 grams and all drones other than toys that are fitted with a camera. It is illegal to fly in an airport’s flight restriction zone unless specific permissions have been granted. There are multiple ways in which a drone could be used maliciously.
“In 2018 a sighting of a drone at Gatwick airport resulted in significant disruption to flights. Work is ongoing between various government departments, the CAA, industry, and police to maintain risk analysis and continually strengthen mitigations against future malicious drone incidents.
Scenario
“One planning scenario is based on the malicious use of a drone at an airport, which could cause disruption and safety concerns. It should be noted that drones are a novel vector to commit crimes and attacks. We actively plan for all types of potential disruption and threat that may result from negligent, criminal, or terrorist use of drones, not just that of airport disruption.
Key assumptions for this scenario
“Assumptions vary by scenario, however for the airport disruption scenario described above: It is assumed for the purposes of the assessment that the airport is operating at pre-COVID levels. The risk would not concur at the same time as another major event and the perpetrator is assumed to have malicious intent.
Response capability requirements
“Relevant capabilities will vary by scenario. For the airport disruption scenario described above: Specialised police counter-drones capabilities would be required to respond to the incident. Police work, alongside further investigative methods (for example forensic scrutiny of a downed drone), would be used to identify and apprehend malicious users.”
For more information
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1175834/2023_NATIONAL_RISK_REGISTER_NRR.pdf
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)