Unmanned Systems

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

January 3, 2025 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

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03 Jan 25. Defence hints at Aussie Apaches to team up with loyal wingman-like drones. In a statement to The Australian, a Defence spokesperson said future drone investments would “work together and complement crewed systems.”

The previous federal government announced in 2022 that it would spend $8 billion on a new fleet of 29 AH-64E Apaches to replace its troubled Taipan and Tiger fleets.

However, critics have argued that the war in Ukraine has highlighted how vulnerable traditional crewed aircraft can be to surface-to-air missiles or cheap drones.

“The AH-64E Apache carries a range of sensors, munitions and weapons well beyond that of an uncrewed platform and provides the critical step change in capability to enable the teaming of crewed-uncrewed aerial systems,” said Defence.

“Crewed attack helicopters will remain an essential part of the Australian Defence Force’s capability mix to support land force operations across a range of operational scenarios.”

The US Army still operates the Apache, but can now partner them with Gray Eagle drones, which give pilots in the helicopter the ability to control the uncrewed vehicle from 100km away and even fire its weapons.

The Gray Eagle is the largest drone in the US Army’s arsenal of weapons, can fly for up to 25 hours and dispatch four Hellfire missiles.

“Unmanned aircraft help to take away the unknown on the battlefield because they can fly out from the Apache and allow the Apache pilot to see over the horizon,” said the US Department of Defence’s Program Executive Office.

“Any additional capabilities we can provide above what we have now will only make it better for our Apache pilots. The response from the field is that soldiers really like it.”

Australian Aviation reported in 2023 how Australia would spend $700 million upgrading RAAF Base Townsville to become the new home of the Apache fleet.

The investment includes renovations and the construction of new facilities to accommodate the helicopter and crew, which will arrive from 2025.

The Apache’s arrival forms part of one of the biggest shake-ups in Australia’s helicopter fleet in a generation, which will also see Defence acquire 40 UH-60M Black Hawk, an additional12 MH-60R Seahawk/Romeos and four additional CH-47F Chinooks.

Australia has also pioneered the use of teaming drones with crewed aircraft, with Boeing currently manufacturing the ‘Ghost Bat’.

The UAS, unveiled to the world in May 2020, is the first military aircraft designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years.

It uses AI to help both crewed and uncrewed aircraft in mid-air, hence its previous Australian project name, Loyal Wingman.

Eight prototypes have already been created, and three ‘second-generation’ prototypes of the Ghost Bat are expected to be completed by the end of this year. (Source:Google/ Defence Connect)

02 Jan 25. Baykar confirms Akinci deliveries to UAE. The Turkish company Baykar announced on 1 January that it has delivered at least two of its Bayraktar Akıncı twin-engine unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In a statement listing its major achievements in 2024, it said at least one Akinci was delivered to the UAE in January with at least one more delivered in December. In contrast to most of the other deliveries it listed for the year it did not release photographs to show the Akıncıs in the UAE.

The UAE’s Akıncı order was not previously announced but Haluk Görgün, the president of Türkiye’s Defence Industry Agency, said in October 2023 that Turkish-Emirati co-operation on the UAV and Baykar’s smaller Bayraktar TB2 was unprecedented in quantity and quality.

The Baykar statement also noted it had signed a strategic alliance with the UAE’s Edge group and carried out test-firings of that company’s Desert Sting 16 small guided bomb in January. These developments were announced by Edge at the time, when it released a video showing a Desert Sting 16 being dropped from a TB2 during testing in Türkiye.

Baykar’s end-of-year statement also announced that Akıncıs had been delivered to Pakistan in July and Azerbaijan in November, releasing photographs showing the UAVs in those countries. Both Azerbaijan and Pakistan have previously confirmed they had received Akıncıs.

The statement did not mention Akıncı deliveries to Burkina Faso even though that country’s president officially handed over at least two to his military on 8 April or Mali, which displayed two in November. (Source: Janes)

02 Jan 25. Gulf of Guinea navies turn to drones for surveillance. Coastal countries in Africa face a variety of maritime threats. These include trafficking; illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing; illegal immigration; and piracy. But countries often lack the resources to monitor and protect their maritime domains.

The task these countries face is enormous. If added together, Africa’s coastal countries are responsible for more than 13 m square kilometers of ocean, far beyond what they can patrol with vessels and traditional aircraft. Sub-Saharan African countries have a total of 420 vessels categorized as “surface combatants,” meaning ships designed for warfare on the open water. This is a significant increase since 2008, when that total was 158, according to a database produced by The Military Balance. But experts say the growth was driven by a handful of countries, and most still struggle to patrol their waters.

In light of this, nations are looking for cost-effective alternatives to expand their reach. Several Gulf of Guinea states, including Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire, have turned to drones to improve maritime security, a choice that allows them to bridge a capability gap.

The relative affordability of tactical drone systems can offer savings compared to the high cost of extended sea missions that require ships and large numbers of personnel. Drone platforms equipped with advanced avionics offer operational flexibility thanks to their payloads, which can carry various sensors such as day and night infrared cameras and radars. Their light weight makes them easy to transport and adaptable to many mission conditions. But drones are not a cure-all. They have weaknesses, including a limited range, relatively slow speed and the fact that they fly at low altitudes, which increase their vulnerability to anti-aircraft weaponry. Despite limitations, they are quickly becoming indispensable tools in the field of intelligence collection and surveillance.

A Tool Showing its Value

Militaries have used drones dating to 1937, when the U.S. developed the first radio-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), known as the Curtiss N2C-2 Fledgling, and used it for target practice. The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research developed the first surveillance drones used in Africa. They were flown over what was then Rhodesia in 1978.

Today, drones represent a critical and versatile operational asset for intelligence gathering. Tactical drones address capability gaps such as persistence, autonomy and compatibility with the onboard weapons system, according to a 2010 paper, “Rotary-wing Tactical Drones in Contemporary Engagements,” published by the Foundation for Contemporary Research. Monitoring vessel traffic in an area can be done in record time thanks to the considerable endurance of the drones. Drones also can carry automatic identification systems, which have become one of the main tools for maritime domain awareness. These tools make it possible to identify and classify unrecognized radar echoes, which provides a more complete real-time picture to professionals working in maritime operations centers.

Pirates tend to operate far from shore. A naval force alone cannot cover these areas. The use of a tactical drone with many hours of endurance will widen the areas monitored. For example, the use of aerial drones by the Premier-Maître L’Her of the French Navy was essential in locating the tanker Monjasa Reformer, which was attacked on 25 March 2023. Similarly, drones are integrated into a nation’s system for monitoring maritime and land borders.

Drones represent a force multiplier to support law enforcement at sea and deter crime. Visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations are one of the main missions carried out by warships in connection with the fight against maritime crime. Paired with the use of other naval assets, drones can significantly increase the individual capabilities of vessels during VBSS operations, according to a 2019 paper written by French Navy Rear Adm. Benoit de Guibert. Drones make it possible to have a clear and immediate view of the boarding, to follow the progress of it, and assess risks during these operations.

In the event of contact with pirates or tracking of a pirated ship, the drone allows continuous monitoring. This possibility of remotely monitoring a captured ship is all the more important in hostage-taking, when it is imperative not to provoke an extreme reaction from pirates toward their victims. In addition, the information collected during interventions becomes useful for self-assessment and after action reviews. With the risks inherent in VBSS operations, being able to provide feedback is essential to improve the effectiveness of the team. This efficiency is essential, especially when human life is threatened and urgent actions become necessary.

A growing number of African navies are investing in drone technology. Côte d’Ivoire recently acquired two offshore patrol vessels that will be paired with drones for use at sea. Nigeria relies on drones for its counterpiracy and maritime security project known as Deep Blue. The Seychelles uses two long-range surveillance drones with artificial intelligence to protect its fisheries. The Ghana Navy and the Ghana Boundary Commission use drones to track suspicious vessels and monitor the country’s maritime borders.

UAVs are being used for a variety of maritime tasks such as border patrol, port security, search and rescue, and ship and cargo inspections.

Limits and Constraints on Drone Use

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea defines states’ rights and obligations in maritime spaces. In its Article 19, the convention does not guarantee “innocent passage” for vessels that “launch, land or take on board” a military device in the territorial sea of a state. From a legal point of view, it becomes difficult to classify drones in a category that can benefit from the right of innocent passage, although the provisions are not explicit on this fact. As a result, the use of aerial drones for maritime surveillance is restricted to areas of sovereignty and areas where the law of the high seas applies — that is to say in the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone and the high seas. Thus, during operations in which transnational criminals are involved, rigor is required to avoid violating the airspaces of other parties, particularly during operations close to borders or zone limits.

The development of computing and communications technologies strongly supports drone development. In a world where these technologies break down barriers, cyber risks have increased. The use of drones at sea often relies on navigation and satellite data. Disruptive practices can jeopardize the platform. One of the most common is “GPS spoofing,” which occurs when a GPS device is diverted from its coordinates, according to a report titled, “Can a new wave of drone tech make Africa’s seas safer?” published by the Institute for Security Studies. This spoofing can cause accidents as serious as ship strikes, which could be interpreted as an act of war. In addition, terrorists can use cyberattacks to take control of equipment by deprogramming then reprogramming it. Finally, data collected by the sensors is sensitive and must be protected to avoid disclosure of classified information. Consequently, naval forces need to enact procedures for assessing and reducing cyber risks related to the use of drones in their operations so they do not compromise missions and equipment security.

The Navy of the Future

The use of drones in the Gulf of Guinea can optimize traditional naval resources and help navies be more flexible and quicker to respond to threats. The advantages linked to their use particularly relate to maritime security operations, such as VBSS and other missions requiring naval forces to have intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities. But adopting new technology can have disruptive effects on navies. One consequence could be a loss of interest and investment in vessel-based surveillance missions, especially in the Gulf of Guinea where resources are limited. It must, therefore, be remembered that new tools should be adopted to make the overall fighting force stronger, not to replace it or make it obsolete. As de Guibert wrote: “It is important not to submit to new technologies, it’s better to master them to construct the Navy of the future.”

With proper planning and understanding, new technologies such as drones can be an important tool in helping naval professionals carry out their mission of providing safety at sea for commerce, travel, conservation and recreation to thrive.

Written by Lieutenant Commander Djaiblond Dominique-Yohann Kouakou, Côte d’Ivoire National Navy.

Kouakou is an officer in the National Navy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. He has more than 15 years of service and commands a warship. He has an engineering degree in naval operations from the Royal Naval School of Morocco. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in maritime affairs from the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden. He is passionate about securing the seas with a particular emphasis on maritime technology.

Republished with permission from Africa Defense Forum and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

23 Dec 24. US DARPA completes at-sea refuelling test for NOMARS USV Defiant. The NOMARS FAS method allows for refuelling without any human presence on the USV, although the refuelling vessel is manned.

The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has successfully completed an initial at-sea refuelling test for the No Manning Required Ship (NOMARS) programme’s Defiant uncrewed surface vessel (USV).

This vessel is engineered for fully autonomous operation without human crew members.

The Uncrewed Maritime Systems Program Office (PMS-406) and USV Squadron 1 (USVRON-1) of the US Navy executed the test using two experimental USVs, Ranger and Mariner.

The goal was to tackle the challenges of fuelling at sea (FAS) without personnel on board.

Traditional FAS operations depend on human involvement to manage equipment, which imposes design limitations and potential risks during personnel transfer to USVs in adverse weather conditions.

The NOMARS FAS method allows for refuelling without any human presence on the USV, although the refuelling vessel is manned.

This system aims to replicate standard refuelling procedures to ease the transition for Military Sealift Command (MSC) oiler crews.

The DARPA has collaborated with MSC’s Taluga Group to guide the FAS system and its operational concept development.

During the test, the USV Ranger was outfitted with a receiving station indicative of the one planned for NOMARS USV Defiant while the USV Mariner was equipped with a custom-designed refuelling station by Serco, the programme’s prime contractor.

The trial successfully demonstrated all aspects of the system’s operational concept, including the transfer and connection of the refuelling probe and the simulation of fuel transfer using water. (Source: naval-technology.com)

31 Dec 24. ‘Safe and evidence-led’: New guidance for smaller Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency to uphold safety while supporting development.

The UK has become one of the leaders internationally in upholding the safe operation of smaller Remotely Operated Unmanned Vessels (ROUVs) with new guidance published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Marine Guidance Notice (MGN) 705 (M), which comes into force today (31 December 2024), sets out a pathway for operation of the rapidly growing number of hi-tech ROUVs between 2.5 and 4.5 metres in length.

It puts the UK among the first in the world to formally set out the scope of regulation and operators’ obligations in this emerging category, as well as the MCA’s commitments to well-founded oversight that keeps people safe.

Publication is the first step since extensive consultation began in 2022 with a range of maritime industries.

The core of MGN 705 (M) is a two-year general exemption for eligible ROUVs. It runs alongside research commitments by the MCA to ensure future updates are underpinned by firm evidence and clear criteria.

Key obligations are set out for owners and operators, such as for eligible ROUVs to be under constant supervision by a human able to take control at any time.

A safety assurance assessment must be declared before operation, and speed will be limited to 6 knots or planing speed, whichever is lower. Other safety requirements cover vessel visibility, anti-fouling, and remote camera capability.

The MCA has committed to reviewing MGN 705 (M) by 31 December 2027 to ensure the conditions remain supportive for ROUV technology to progress safely.

MCA Code Vessel Lead Rob Taylor said: “The welfare of people at sea is our priority, whatever the vessel. Through MGN 705 (M) we will continue to support the development and safety of ROUVs and take swift regulatory action where the evidence leads. This is not the end of the process. We will continue to listen and respond to new technology and feedback. Our aim is to maintain regulations that are proportionate, consistent, evidence-led and, most importantly, keep people safe.”

Read Marine Guidance Notice 705 (M) by visiting MGN 705 (M) Remotely operated unmanned vessels (ROUVs) of 2.5 metres to less than 4.5 metres in length overall. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

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Our patented Floating Body Armour is unique, versatile and sensibly protects both you and your life jacket, under the soft and hard armour. Designed to be low bulk, it`s massive 275 newtons of buoyancy is self-righting. We say it will “save your life twice”.

Our range of Boat Stopping Systems, provided a layered non-lethal stopping capability against all sizes of vessels, including unmanned threats. So you can stop and search, defeat pirates from boarding, prevent terrorists from getting near your vessel or close off quickly a waterway, port or maritime borders.

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 30, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

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19 Dec 24. A British-led team of engineers has taken a leap forward in the race to harness the stratosphere for earth observation and communications, completing a new series of test flights of BAE Systems’ High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS), PHASA-35, in quick succession. During the first flight at Spaceport America in New Mexico, US, in recent weeks, the solar powered aircraft flew for 24 hours climbing to more than 66,000 feet and cruising in the stratosphere, before successfully landing in a serviceable condition, meaning it was ready to fly again just two days later.

This is a major milestone in the development of PHASA-35, named after its 35 metre wingspan, demonstrating its ability to be launched, flown, landed, potentially reconfigured and then relaunched again so quickly.

Designed by BAE Systems’ subsidiary Prismatic Ltd to operate above the weather and conventional air traffic, PHASA-35, has the potential to provide a persistent and stable platform for uses including ultra-long endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Bob Davidson, CEO, BAE Systems’ Prismatic, said: “These latest flight trials are a significant step forward in proving PHASA-35’s capability for operations and a real moment of pride for our entire team. We’re committed to continuing to develop PHASA-35 at pace to make it available for operational activity as soon as 2026.”

The latest trials also saw the aircraft carry an active intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance sensor, known as a software defined radio, developed by BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business. This weighed more than twice as much as the previous payload it had flown to the stratosphere with.

At Prismatic’s site in Alton, Hampshire, UK the PHASA-35 team has now built the next iteration of PHASA-35. The new model has more than twice the onboard solar power generation and storage capacity than the current version. These modifications are expected to allow it to demonstrate stratospheric missions of increasing duration and complexity from next year onwards.

Prismatic sits within FalconWorks, the advanced research and development arm of BAE System’s Air sector.

Dave Holmes, Managing Director, FalconWorks at BAE Systems, said: “These latest trials draw on a huge amount of collaboration between Prismatic, the wider BAE Systems business and industry partners, including Honeywell and the UK Met Office.

“They demonstrate the credibility and capability of the system for operational use.”

The PHASA-35 team will now use data from these most recent trials to further improve and mature this novel technology.

The latest flights took place from Spaceport America in New Mexico, flying in the White Sands Missile Range, and are sponsored by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center. These test flights at White Sands Missile Range were coordinated and directly supported by personnel attached to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division, Detachment White Sands.
PHASA-35 also has the potential to be used in the delivery of communications networks including 4G and 5G and could be used in a wide range of applications, such as disaster relief and border protection, as a cost effective alternative to traditional airborne and satellite systems.
It has a 35-metre wingspan and carries a payload weighing up to 15kg, uses a range of world-leading technologies including advanced composites, thermal management, and photo-voltaic arrays to provide energy during the day which is stored in high performance rechargeable cells to maintain ﬂight overnight.
PHASA-35 forms part of a wider array of UAS capability which BAE Systems is developing to offer customers flexibility in range, payload and cost.

About BAE Systems

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of around 100,000 people in more than 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

27 Dec 24. Palladyne AI Achieves Key Milestone with 1st Small Drone Autonomous Tracking Flight. Palladyne AI Corp. (NASDAQ: PDYN and PDYNW) (“Palladyne AI”), a developer of artificial intelligence software for robotic and unmanned platforms in the industrial and defense sectors, today announced that its Palladyne™ Pilot AI software platform has achieved a key developmental milestone with the successful first flight of a third-party small drone that demonstrated the ability to identify and prioritize terrestrial targets of interest and then interface with the drone’s autopilot software to follow the prioritized target autonomously.

Palladyne AI had previously successfully demonstrated the Palladyne Pilot AI platform’s ability to identify and prioritize targets on stationary nodes and with hovering drones. Last week’s test flight was the first to successfully integrate with third-party autopilot software to autonomously control the drone’s navigation while identifying, prioritizing, tracking, and following the desired target.

“Our first autonomous flight with Palladyne Pilot was able to track and follow a target, successfully demonstrating how powerful our AI platform can be by automating those functions where algorithms and machines excel while still leaving ultimate control in the hands of humans,” said Dr. Denis Garagic, co-founder and CTO, Palladyne AI. “Once we complete commercialization of Palladyne Pilot — which we expect to happen by the end of the first quarter of 2025 — small, economical drones will finally offer some of the same intelligence capabilities that larger, multi-m-dollar unmanned systems have had for years.”

The Palladyne Pilot AI Software Platform for UAVs transforms unmanned, tactical systems into highly efficient, autonomous force multipliers capable of persistent target tracking, dynamic collaboration, and enhanced situational awareness. With advanced perception, learning, and autonomous capabilities designed to reduce operational burden while dramatically improving mission effectiveness for military and defense operations, Palladyne Pilot stands ready to support and deliver mission effectiveness and success.

The development and continued advancement of Palladyne Pilot is the result of multiple contracts with the U.S. Air Force. From inception, Pilot was designed to be a collaborative sensing platform for small drone platforms and is one of the pillars, along with Palladyne IQ, of Palladyne AI’s technology offerings..(Source: ASD Network)

24 Dec 24. Polish acquisition of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for the protection of Homar-K (K239 Chunmoo) divisional fire module launchers. On December 24 this year at the Armament Agency, in the presence of the Secretary of State at the Ministry of National Defence Paweł Bejda, an agreement was signed for the acquisition of unmanned aerial systems for the protection of the divisional fire modules of the Homar-K launchers.

The subject of the contract concluded between the State Treasury – Armaments Agency and WB Electronics SA is the delivery of twelve sets of FORCE PROTECTION unmanned aerial systems, used for air reconnaissance and air cover of the Area of Operations of the HOMAR-K multi-rocket launcher division. Additionally the order also includes the completion of 72 HOMAR-K launchers and CD-10s fuel dispenser tanks with communication equipment, and the acquisition of a batch of UKART-2 universal artillery calculators for the needs of the K9 howitzer DMO. The order value amounts to over PLN 499 m gross, and deliveries will be made in 2025-2028.

Each FORCE PROTECTION set includes: two sets of four mini FlyEye unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, five sets of four micro X-FRONTER* UAV platforms and 44 sets of FP-SPECTRE radio-electronic reconnaissance systems. The agreement also covers the implementation of training as part of the training package and the delivery of elements of the logistics package.

* X-FRONTER is a mini-class unmanned aerial vehicle designed to conduct airborne image reconnaissance. This includes the implementation of tasks in the scope of: identification and recognition of targets; assessment of the effects of strikes; protection of troops; support of information activities; conducting reconnaissance; and support of operational activities. It allows for conducting covert operations from the air by performing observations in the visible and infrared bands, day and night, at any time of the year. (Source: joint-forces.com)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 19, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

18 Dec 24. UK looks to protect funding for rapid Watchkeeper UAV replacement. Lt. Gen. Robert Magowan did not elaborate further on the replacement effort but did note that the Watchkeeper retirement will allow the MoD to still save “quite a lot of money” that would otherwise go toward support costs for the aircraft.

The United Kingdom has learned from watching Ukraine that its Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle is “no longer fit for operational purpose,” but the ministry of defense is committed to protecting funding that will go towards its replacement, according to a senior official.

“We are working really hard with the army and ensuring they’re funded to deliver the sorts of drone capability in 2025 to replace the drone [Watchkeeper] that’s being retired,” Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Military Capability) Lt. Gen. Robert Magowan told lawmakers from the UK Defence Committee on Tuesday.

In November, London said it had decided to scrap 46 of the British Army medium-altitude, long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) drones as part of sweeping equipment cuts aimed at delivering savings of £500 million ($632 million) over the next five years.

Magowan’s comments on the lack of operational utility offered by Watchkeeper are in keeping with those of John Healey, UK Secretary of Defence, who justified the early retirement of the aircraft on grounds that “technology has overtaken” it.

Magowan did not elaborate further on the replacement effort but did note that the Watchkeeper retirement will allow the MoD to still save “quite a lot of money” that would otherwise go toward support costs for the aircraft.

As previously reported, the Watchkeeper program has suffered years of delays, cost overruns and a series of test and operational crashes. As of September 2022, the UK had spent £1.31 billion on the program, according to a lawmaker statement. It initially entered service in 2014, supporting Afghanistan force protection efforts, but has rarely been deployed on military operations since that conflict. In October, Watchkeeper was operated with upgraded sensors in Estonia, as part of Exercise Athena Shield, according to a British Army statement. (Thales UK, manufacturer of the Watchkeeper, told FlightGlobal in November that while London’s decision to cut the platform was “disappointing,” the company said it was “proud of Watchkeeper’s success in Afghanistan, support to Border Force and, most recently, being deployed in Estonia.”)

Elsewhere in Tuesday’s hearing, lawmaker questions prompted additional revelations from Magowan across a number of other key programs, including plans to replace 17 Royal Air Force-operated Puma medium lift helicopters, also axed under the latest round of military cuts.

He said that a “range of capabilities” are currently being explored that could “plug gaps” when the rotorcraft, which are permanently based in Brunei and Cyprus, are retired in March 2025. The UK has already committed to the acquisition of six Airbus H145 Jupiter helicopters to replace the Puma’s in 2026, so it appears that Magowan is suggesting an interim or stop-gap acquisition could be approved. He did not share additional details.

The Puma’s premature withdrawal from service from Brunei and Cyprus has previously drawn concern from Airbus. In November, the company noted in response to the move that, though it welcomes the H145 business, “we regret the likely impact on the UK’s defence industrial base, with the potential loss of skilled engineering roles and wider consequences for the aerospace supply chain.”

Magowan also said that the £1 billion ($1.3 billion) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) program, designed to source a successor for a separate fleet of Puma aircraft, is “playing out now,” adding “there’s one bidder left and that bidder has significant investment in the in the UK.”

The single bidder is presumably a reference to Leonardo, the only manufacturer to put forward a bid after Airbus and Lockheed Martin both walked away from the competition in August because of requirement problems and fears linked to not receiving “adequate long-term returns.”

In a program update last week, Maria Eagle, UK minister for defence procurement, said that “there are no plans to change the extant New Medium Helicopter procurement process.”

She added, “The New Medium Helicopter competition remains sensitive, and the evaluation and approval process must complete before further details, including aircraft numbers, can be confirmed.”

The previous Conservative government had said the procurement could be “up to” 44 airframes, but Breaking Defense has reported industry expects the real number to be around 30 platforms, and FlightGlobal recently reported it could be as few as 23.

NMH contract award is set for next year, but the UK’s Strategic Defense Review (SDR), due for release in mid-2025, could complicate matters because it has been designed to evaluate national defense priorities and equipment planning.

Also in the hearing Magowan said that the BAE Systems Bofors Archer, an interim self-propelled howitzer, is set to enter service with the British Army in “early 2025,” while the UK and Germany are in “close negotiations” on the longer term solution, expected to be the KNDS Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) 52 cal. Wheeled Artillery System. (Source: Google/Breaking Defense.com)

18 Dec 24. Red Sands III exercise in Saudi Arabia: Rheinmetall Canada demonstrates its drone defence capabilities at ultra-short ranges. A Rheinmetall system for combating drones at ultra-close range has demonstrated its effectiveness in a joint exercise with representatives of the U.S. Army Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces. The Red Sands III exercise took place in September 2024 at the Shamal 2 firing range in north-eastern Saudi Arabia and focused on countering uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS).

The multinational exercise provided a challenging environment for assessing C-UAS solutions. At the same time, it enabled technology developers and operational personnel to work together to close capability gaps. The exercise was preceded by successful qualification tests, which took place in the United States in the summer of 2024.

Designed as the last line of defence against small low-flying and fast-moving drones, Rheinmetall’s ultra Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) system offers an engagement range from 50 to 800 m. The Mission Master XT uncrewed ground system (UGS) serves as the carrier platform.

Developed by Rheinmetall Canada, the system consists of the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Multi remote-controlled weapon station with a twin Dillon Aero M134D minigun, a radar, an electronic optics package and an artificial intelligence (AI)-based target acquisition and tracking system. This advanced layered defence system is capable of engaging multiple threats with formidable fire power. It offers multi-domain capabilities that execute with precision when detecting, tracking and engaging aerial and ground threats.

Rheinmetall’s ultra SHORAD system mounted on the Mission Master XT

Strong performance despite harsh desert conditions

In the final phase of Red Sands III, five challenging scenarios were set up to simulate real-world threats. In all scenarios, participants’ capabilities were assessed against Group 2 and 3 multi-rotor drones as well as Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft. Rheinmetall’s ultra SHORAD system demonstrated superior capabilities, scoring hits on all drones and successfully neutralizing every multirotor drone on the first pass. This performance was only matched by Rheinmetall and participants with costly advanced missile systems.

Even under the extreme conditions of the Saudi Arabian desert – where temperatures sometimes reached up to 45 °C – Rheinmetall’s ultra SHORAD system excelled thanks to its rapid operational readiness and its resistance to weapon interference, overheating and interruptions to the power supply. Earlier exercises at Fort Drum NY, USA, also demonstrated the system’s resilience in high humidity and heavy rain. Another outstanding feature is the system’s AI-driven tracker, which detects and classifies drones long before they are engaged, even in dusty conditions and poor visibility.

In addition to its operational success, Rheinmetall’s system proved to be extremely efficient. With a low cost per engagement, it represents a sustainable and economical solution.

A benchmark for the future development of CUAS

The exercise – an example of the partnership between the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces and U.S. Army Central Command – provided a valuable platform for assessing and refining systems in real-world scenarios. “We are proud to have played a critical role in enhancing operational readiness and fostering innovation to effectively counter emerging threats,” said Alain Tremblay, Vice-President Business Development and Innovation at Rheinmetall Canada. Rheinmetall’s performance at Red Sands III underscores the company’s leadership in providing reliable, adaptable and cost-effective solutions that meet the evolving requirements of modern defence operations worldwide.

17 Dec 24. Kratos Conducts First Flight Of Thanatos UCAV. Kratos Defense and Security recently completed the first flight of its Thanatos stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicle, proving out the aircraft’s basic design as the company now focuses on flying a fully integrated system.

Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, tells Aviation Week the company hopes to learn more about the system as it evolves over the next 6-12 months. The company would not say when the first flight occurred, just that it was within the past several months.

Kratos unveiled the Thanatos design in November 2023 when company CEO Eric Demarco said in an earnings report that the company hoped to have a contract within a year. The design shows what appears to be a single-engine UCAV with two inlets and a single exhaust. The aircraft does not have a vertical tail and horizontal stabilizers, showing the company’s stealth approach.

Fendley said during a Dec. 7 interview at the Reagan National Defense Forum here:

“The air vehicle for Thanatos is now effectively proven. We’re not trying to figure out does the airplane fly, we’re now trying to figure out does the integrated system tick the mission box.”

Kratos says it has strong interest in the upcoming increment of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. The first increment awards went to Anduril and General Atomics. Fendley says members of the CCA class of aircraft show the ability to augment what is being done with fifth-generation fighters and with offboarding systems from fourth-generation fighters to make them more survivable. For example, that would include a “high initial focus” on electronic warfare to provide greater standoff for fourth-generation fighters like Boeing F-15s and Lockheed Martin F-16s.

The company points to its ongoing work with both the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) and Air Force with its XQ-58 Valkyrie.

Fendley says the Valkyrie program is focused on

“integrating different operational mission sets” in testing, including flights during a recent Emerald Flag exercise in October. During that mission, the XQ-58A passed targeting data to USMC Lockheed Martin F-35Bs to “close the kill chain” for the first time, he says.

The Marines have expressed interest in ultimately fielding a system like the XQ-58, he says.

One aspect that Kratos argues is operationally relevant is that the Valkyrie is runway independent, having been launched both on rockets and last year using a trolley.

“The DOD has come back and said runway independence is king,” he says. “It’s gone back and forth, back and forth, but now it’s pretty much in ink.”

That said, Kratos also is working on a conventional takeoff and landing system with retractable year, he says.

The company is designing its UCAV offerings with manufacturing feasibility in mind. For example, the company was asked what it would take to conduct a 1,000-unit production run for its Valkyrie. That study has shown propulsion likely would be a choke point, as Kratos would look to use both in-house designed engines and those from partners. The finding was the production run would take “not very long, [but] the engines were the constraint,” he says.

The company builds its own engines for targeting drones and other small uses, and in July announced a collaboration with GE Aerospace to develop scalable uses on systems including CCAs.

“We build to manufacture right from the start, and that’s a pretty good advantage for us, both in our own systems and to be able to work with others who might want to develop their own system,” Fendley says.

Kratos said that it hopes to have a contract for Thanatos by next year, and said that the project was one of a number of “new programme opportunities” that would require additional investment in 2024, but that could then contribute to significant growth for the company in 2025.

This funding profile may fit with the USAF’s plan to mount a competition to pick one or more CCA designs in the 2024 Fiscal Year (which runs from October 1) with work due to start on the initial batch of those aircraft beginning could begin in Fiscal Year 2025.

It may be entirely coincidental that the CGI concept art released by Kratos includes a US Air Force logo on the rear fuselage, leading some to conclude that the aircraft could be tied to the USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme. (Source: UAS VISION/Aerospace Global News; Aviation Week)

17 Dec 24. The UK-based autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) developer ACUA Ocean has successfully completed the test launch of the USV Pioneer from its base at Turnchapel Wharf in Plymouth. The launch of the USV Pioneer is a milestone achievement for ACUA Ocean as it sees its maiden vessel go to water for the first time.

The Pioneer-class programme began life in 2022 through funding from the UK Department of Transport’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition with initial concepts and designs developed by naval architect John Kecsmar of Ad Hoc Marine Design, a global leader in small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) vessel design.

The launch is a major milestone for the Pioneer-class since completing its design phase in February 2024 before commencing build at Aluminium Marine Consultants (AMC) on the Isle of Wight in March.

The launch marks just nine months from initial hull fabrication commencing to vessel in the water for trim, stability, and incline testing. Key to the design of USV Pioneer is its unique SWATH design which provides for significantly enhanced stability in higher sea states.

USV Pioneer’s rapid design, development and launch meets two critical requirements for commercial and security end users. It meets the increasing need to rapidly deploy the latest equipment and technology rather than multi-year procurement and build cycles of traditional vessels, while also bringing greater seakeeping stability and operational persistence not currently found in smaller monohull USVs capable of collecting data and deploying sensor and system payloads.

Digital simulations and scale wave tank testing undertaken by academics at the University of Southampton and the Wolfson Unit have shown the USV Pioneer, at 14.2m length and 25t gross weight, outperforms the stability and seakeeping capability of a monohull vessel over 10 times its displacement and 3 times its length.

Following the successful launch, the USV Pioneer now enters a three-month period of sea trials and crucial regulatory checks ahead of demonstrations in March 2025. As part of the sea trials, ACUA Ocean will be working alongside Lloyd’s Register towards her Maritime and Coastguard Agency Workboat Code approvals.

Commenting on the launch, ACUA Ocean Co-Founder Neil Tinmouth said, “This launch marks another major milestone in the journey for USV Pioneer and is testament to the team both at ACUA Ocean and the dozens of partners and subcontractors who have spent the last nine months delivering on this pioneering, world-first, vessel. Although there is still a long road ahead, this is a proud moment, and highlights a wider paradigm shift in British maritime innovation not seen for many years.”

16 Dec 24. German Navy tests BlueWhale underwater drone for covert ship tracking. The Germany Navy has tested the BlueWhale underwater drone as a candidate platform for what the sea service envisions as a future fleet of unmanned vessels for combating enemy submarines.

Officials staged the two-week experiment last month in the Baltic Sea, which has become something of a microscope of global tensions. NATO, Russian and Chinese vessels routinely criss-cross the shallow body of water, as vital communications cables and energy pipelines lie on the seabed.

The German sea service explicitly envisions an anti-submarine warfare role for the BlueWhale vehicle, made by Israel Aerospace Industries. Equipped with various cameras as well as active and passive sensors, the drone can spot submarines, surface vessels and sea mines — notably, without emitting signals of its own that would alert targets that they are being tracked, according to the Germany Navy.

“This a capability currently only available via manned submarines, which makes it significant for maritime surveillance,” officials wrote in a statement posted on the Navy’s website.

The BlueWhale drones fall into the category of large unmanned underwater vehicles, weighing in at 5.5 tons, with a length of almost 11 meters and a diameter of over 1 meter.

German naval-systems specialist Atlas Elektronik participated in the recent test, which service leaders consider a stepping stone towards their “Marine 2035+” strategy. The plan envisions accelerating the development of unmanned technology and quickly integrating new drones into the sea service’s command-and-control schemes.

Asked about the approach to integrating a non-NATO system into German and alliance naval operations networks, Dror Bar, vice president of IAI and CEO of subsidiary ELTA Systems, told Defense News there were existing interfaces to fall back on during the drill.

Those were developed in cooperation with Atlas last year for two NATO exercises hosted by Portugal, the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems (REPMUS) and the Dynamic Messenger events, Bar said.

Interest by NATO nations in underwater and surface drones as complements to manned naval warfare has increased significantly in recent years. Officials envision them as unattended sensors for repelling enemy warships or monitoring the health of critical infrastructure on the sea floor. (Source: Defense News)

16 Dec 24. Mayman Aerospace, a portfolio company of UAE EDGE Group/SDF is proud to announce the commencement of flight testing for the full pre-production model of the RAZOR P100, the groundbreaking base model for a family of dual-use, multi-function Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) aircraft. This milestone marks a significant leap forward in autonomous aerospace technology.

Designed to transport a payload of 100 pounds up to 240 miles, the AI-guided RAZOR P100 is poised to transform both military and civilian operations. The aircraft’s potential use cases include contested cargo delivery, target drone operations, cruise missile capabilities, missile range extension, disaster recovery, offshore energy servicing, long-line sea rescue, medical transport, and more. The RAZOR P100’s range, payload, and speed make it an unparalleled asset for defense, commercial industry, and civilian/government market sectors.

Mayman Aerospace is currently operating under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract with the U.S. Department of Defense, further demonstrating the strategic importance of this innovative platform.

Founder and CEO David Mayman expressed his excitement about the RAZOR P100: “The RAZOR P100 is a transformative aerospace technology driven by intelligent AI/ML, resilient comms and navigation that will give battlefield commanders, industry leaders, and civilian officials unprecedented flexibility to use low-cost, ultra-fast, highly compact, and fully autonomous Air Utility Vehicles in ways never before imagined or possible. We are excited to open this entirely new frontier of autonomous AI-driven VTOL aerospace.”

The RAZOR P100’s specifications underscore its revolutionary capabilities. Achieving speeds of up to Mach 0.75, the aircraft requires a takeoff and landing footprint of just 10×10 feet and measures a compact 77 inches from nose to tail. It can be launched in minutes by a two-person crew without the need for specialized equipment or prepared surfaces. Additionally, its plug-and-play modular design ensures quick and easy field maintenance, further enhancing its operational efficiency.

The successful initiation of flight testing represents a pivotal step toward full production and deployment. With the RAZOR P100, Mayman Aerospace is paving the way for an entirely new category of versatile autonomous VTOL solutions, setting the stage for a future where flexible, fast, and cost-effective air mobility is accessible to all.

16 Dec 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces the sale of three MQ-9B SkyGuardian® Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems to the Polish Ministry of Defence. The MQ-9B is the newest model of RPA produced by GA-ASI, and will serve as the foundational intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform for Poland. The sale to Poland also includes two Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) and three years of GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions.

MQ-9B delivers exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system.

“The purchase of MQ-9B SkyGuardian will deliver persistent multi-domain situational awareness, which is vital to Poland,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “SkyGuardian is a critical security tool and GA-ASI is proud to continue to build on its strong partnership with Poland.”

In 2022, Poland began operating MQ-9A Reapers as part of a lease agreement with GA-ASI. The success of those missions opened the door for the purchase of the MQ-9B aircraft.

The Polish National Defense Ministry said: “In the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, a contract was concluded for the supply of MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned reconnaissance systems, which will increase the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces in the field of ISR.”

First customer deliveries of MQ-9B began in 2022 to the U.K. Royal Air Force. Contracts have also been signed with Belgium, Canada, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has additionally supported various U.S. Navy exercises this year, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

13 Dec 24. BAE Systems Australia Conducts First VTOL Flight of New STRIX System. BAE Systems Australia’s (BAESA’s) STRIX Uncrewed Aerial System has conducted its first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flight, with the company saying the flight was made using the aircraft’s autonomous onboard system.

STRIX is a multidomain, multirole unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) being developed for deep strike, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), and electronic warfare (EW).

The objective of the test flight, which was conducted in late October, was to “test the fundamental ability of BAE Systems’ Vehicle Management System (VMS) to control a novel VTOL configuration during launch, sustained hover, and recovery”, the company said.

BAESA described the VMS as the “brain” of STRIX. “The VMS conducted STRIX flying fully autonomously,” a company spokesperson told Janes on 12 December.

“The system is also capable of human-in-the-loop and human-on-the-loop operation. BAE Systems has … artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities as part of its software stack,” the spokesperson added.

According to BAESA, the VMS has been matured on other “novel uncrewed configurations”. These include the Boeing MQ-28A Ghost Bat collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) and the M113 Optionally Crewed Combat Vehicle (OCCV).

“During these trials, the STRIX team successfully tested both the body and the brain, culminating in the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flying fully autonomously with a remote pilot providing safety overwatch,” BAESA said.

The tests took place at Henderson shipyard, south of Perth, in Western Australia.(Source: UAS VISION/Janes)

13 Dec 24. Quantum Systems Certified as Bundeswehr Training Centre for UAS. Quantum Systems was certified as a training facility by the German Armed Forces Aviation Office (LufABw) on 10 December 2024 and is now offering training on unmanned aerial systems from the Family of Systems for members of the German Armed Forces.

The rare certification of a civilian company for military training is another milestone for the German drone champion and sets new standards in simulator-based training of drone pilots and in the training of drone instructors with a train-the-trainer programme.

The new training from Quantum Systems has a two-stage structure, with the first stage involving training new drone pilots with no previous experience and the second stage involving the training of experienced drone pilots as instructors as part of a train-the-trainer programme. The latter is an innovation in the LufABw’s training process in order to scale up the number of available drone pilots in the armed forces more quickly.

A further innovation is the support of preparatory and accompanying simulator training, which currently accounts for around 20% of training and could comprise up to 80% of training in the future. Quantum Systems is thus a pioneer in simulator-supported training on unmanned aerial systems for the German Armed Forces. Thanks to the company’s own Learning Management System (LMS), prospective drone pilots and Bundeswehr instructors can cover part of their training remotely, which reduces the practical training time to ten working days. To maintain their skills and learn technical innovations, Bundeswehr course participants must attend an annual refresher course.

The VECTOR system is currently being introduced into the Bundeswehr under the name FALKE. Certification as a training centre covers all systems in the Quantum Systems Family of Systems and is not limited to FALKE.

“Together with the Bundeswehr Aviation Office, Quantum Systems is setting new standards in the training of drone pilots and instructors. Our two-stage certification approach and the additional support of simulator technology and distance learning allow us to train the personnel required to operate unmanned aerial vehicles for the Bundeswehr quickly and in a resource-efficient manner. We are proud to be the pioneer for the use of drones in the Bundeswehr.“ Sven Kruck, CRO, Quantum Systems

(Source: UAS VISION)

13 Dec 24. Ascent Aerosystems Spirit Awarded AUVSI Green UAS Certification. Ascent AeroSystems, a leading manufacturer of compact, high-performance, coaxial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone systems, announced today that its flagship Spirit platform has been named to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Green UAS Cleared list.

AUVSI’s Green UAS program builds on the standards set forth by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and reinforced by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS program. Green UAS is designed to help commercial and non-DoD agencies confidently procure NDAA-compliant UAS that meet the security, supply chain, and operational requirements for critical public safety, infrastructure, and industrial operations. It is currently the only non-DoD method proving the same level of verification and certification for cybersecurity and NDAA supply chain compliance as Blue UAS.

“Transitioning the Spirit to the Green UAS Cleared List further demonstrates Ascent’s commitment to its current and future government customers, and to the manufacturing and cybersecurity discipline necessary to support mission critical UAV operations at scale,” Ascent AeroSystems’ cofounder and CEO Peter Fuchs said. “The Green UAS Cleared List, created and maintained by AUVSI in collaboration with DIU, assures customers that the Spirit will continue to meet the government’s stringent supply chain and security standards even as DIU’s small UAS qualification program continues to evolve.”

Green UAS certification is a fully vetted signal to industry and operators that the America-made Spirit is a safe and secure platform for a wide range of mission profiles. Offering more capability, greater payload flexibility, and unmatched operational availability versus other UAVs in its class, Ascent’s Spirit is a compact, reliable, all-weather, high-performance platform.

“Ascent AeroSystems’s successful completion of the Green UAS process verifies that their coaxial drone platform meets the highest levels of cyber and supply chain security,” said Casie Ocaña, Director, Trusted Programs at AUVSI. “AUVSI is committed to supporting the growth of technology supply chain that ensures robust availability of safe, secure drone solutions. The Spirit’s demonstrated effectiveness and Ascent’s ability to manufacture at scale aligns with our mission to expand accessibility to vetted UAS that serve security-sensitive sectors.”

The Green UAS certification process included a review of the Spirit’s inherent security—including all components and subcomponents, supply chain risk management with continuous monitoring, remote operations security and connectivity, and a review of the company’s corporate cyber hygiene.

Ascent AeroSystems has taken a holistic and proactive approach to cybersecurity hygiene based on the NIST-800 171 standard and is prepared for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 certification as the program rolls out. (Source: UAS VISION)

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13 Dec 24. Insitu Launches UAS Center of Excellence in the UAE. Insitu, a Boeing Company, has announced the opening of its new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence (COE) at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The state-of-the-art facility will localize UAS Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), training, and other essential services for the UAE Armed Forces. This represents a major milestone for the company’s growth and commitment to building a sustainable defense industry, driving local content, and creating in-country value in the UAE.

“We’re thrilled to open the UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi,” said Insitu President and CEO Diane Rose. “This new facility will strengthen our partnership with the Tawazun Council, enhance the support we provide, and create frequent opportunities for collaborating with other Emirati companies across the defense ecosystem.”

Majed Al Shamsi, Director of Economic Programs at Tawazun Council, said: “This center represents a bold step forward, offering a space where cutting-edge unmanned systems technology will take shape. It aligns seamlessly with our national vision, championed by the leadership of the UAE, to position our nation as a global leader in advanced industries. Through this partnership, supported by the Tawazun Council and the Ministry of Defense, we are paving the way for a future defined by technological breakthroughs and enriched by shared expertise.”

By localizing MRO and training services, Insitu’s UAS COE will create value by reducing the cost, complexity, and turnaround time for activities that were previously performed overseas. It will also generate employment opportunities for a skilled workforce and facilitate the participation of local suppliers in the value chain.

With offices in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and now the United Arab Emirates, Insitu manufactures a family of runway-independent, long-endurance UAS including the ScanEagle, Integrator, and Integrator Extended Range, which have logged nearly 1.5 million flight hours supporting the armed forces of more than 35 nations. (Source: UAS VISION)

13 Dec 24. British Army Market Exploration Seeks Revolutionary Uncrewed Systems. The UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new Market Exploration called ‘Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems’. Run on behalf of the British Army, this Market Exploration is seeking to identify Uncrewed Systems (UxS) with extended range capabilities. The aim is to discover cutting-edge UxS technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above that could potentially be deployed within the next 12 months. Current events have demonstrated the importance of UxS in modern conflict and have shown that relatively low-cost UxS solutions can defeat more expensive systems. The UxS space is evolving at a rapid pace and, therefore, platforms and components must undergo rapid iterations to keep up with the latest battlefield adaptations and requirements. This Market Exploration reflects the growing importance of uncrewed systems in defence strategies and the need for agile, innovative solutions in the face of evolving global security challenges.

Do you have an innovation that could be of interest to the British Army? Read the full Market Exploration document and submit a proposal.

What technologies is this Market Exploration seeking?

The British Army is actively pursuing cutting-edge technologies to enhance their operational capabilities. A key initiative of this endeavour is the development of an uncrewed Deep Recce Strike platform capable of operating at ranges greater than 80 kilometers. This platform should also be able to deliver shorter-range one-way effectors onto designated targets.

In addition to its strike capabilities, the system needs to have the ability to incorporate sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) functionalities. These features will enable the identification of dynamic targets and facilitate post-strike Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA).

The British Army is seeking a solution that allows for rapid development, testing, production, deployment, and iterative improvement. To ensure longevity and adaptability, the platform should feature a modular design, providing resilience against advancements in Counter Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining operational effectiveness in EW-contested and GPS-denied environments.

Innovation capabilities that only rely on the supply chains of the UK and its allies are preferred.

UK Ministry of Defence Guidance – Market Exploration Document: Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems

Summary

On behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), DASA is running a Market Exploration to identify technologies from across industry at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above or ideally capable of integration within the next 12 months.

The information obtained from this Market Exploration will be reviewed to identify technology areas suitable for further research and development, as well as potential procurement opportunities. At this stage, there is no commitment to launch a subsequent competition.

Details of your submission will not be shared outside of UK MOD.

Background

The British Army is pursuing a goal to double its lethality by 2027 and triple it by 2030. As part of this drive, there is a strong focus on developing new and novel technologies to be integrated into the wider force.

Current worldwide events have demonstrated the importance of UxS in modern conflict. Relatively low-cost UxS solutions can defeat more exquisite systems. This increases survivability of personnel and other crewed platforms.

The UxS space is evolving at a rapid pace. Therefore, platforms and components must undergo rapid iterations to keep up with the latest battlefield adaptations and requirements.

What we want

The British Army is seeking an uncrewed Deep Recce Strike platform capable of operating at ranges greater than 80km. This platform should also be able to deliver shorter-range one-way effectors onto targets identified by the User.

A further requirement is an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability for identifying dynamic targets and conducting Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA) following effect delivery.

The User requires the ability to rapidly develop, test, produce, operate, and iterate the system. The platform should be modular to provide resilience against technological advancements in Counter Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Focus should be given to operating successfully within EW contested and Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environments.

Details of supply chain resilience should be included in your submission.

A forecast cost indicator of the platform and associated software/modular add-ons is requested for consideration.

We are keen to seek innovation capabilities that predominantly rely on the supply chains of the UK and its allies.

What we don’t want

Technologies below TRL 4 are not required as this does not typically support integration within a 12-month timeline unless this can be shown in the submission.
We are not interested in literature reviews, paper-based studies, consultancy or non-technical solutions.

How to submit a Market Exploration Submission to DASA

Responses to this Market Exploration must be submitted via the DASA submission service, for which you will need to register. We recommend you use a Google Chrome browser to access the DASA submission service.

You will be asked for a title and short summary of your innovation, along with questions related to your organisation, your idea and technology maturity. We are seeking to understand what and how much further development is required for a complete solution to meet requirements, or whether a combination of separate solutions is required. The information you provide will assist in developing a statement of requirements for potential future activities.

Submissions must be submitted by Midday 12:00 (GMT) on 4 February 2025. We are unable to accept any submissions after this point.

Please only provide details of one product/capability per submission. If you have a number of potential solutions, please submit multiple forms.

If you have any questions please email with “Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems Market Exploration” in the subject line. (Source: UAS VISION/UK Defence and Security Accelerator )

11 Dec 24. Dassault’s Neuron Combat Drone Resumes Operations. According to information published by Challenges magazine on December 4, 2024, after a decade of successful trials and a brief period in storage, the Neuron stealth combat drone demonstrator, developed by Dassault Aviation, is set to resume operations. This strategic decision marks a critical step in the advancement of French aerial capabilities as the Ministry of Armed Forces prepares for the deployment of a future stealth drone to operate alongside the Rafale fighter jet in its F5 configuration, planned for the early 2030s. The Neuron, a flying testbed, demonstrated its capabilities between 2012 and 2022, completing 170 test flights. These trials validated groundbreaking technologies, including advanced stealth features, controlled autonomy, and integration into connected command environments. Currently stored at Air Base 125 in Istres, the drone will soon be restored for a new series of tests. The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) is expected to grant Dassault Aviation a contract to reactivate the demonstrator, reaffirming France’s standing among global leaders in combat drone development. Developed through an ambitious European partnership involving six countries—France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Greece, and Switzerland—the Neuron is more than a technological program. It has enabled European engineering teams to sustain and enhance advanced technological expertise. Its achievements include precision strikes from an internal weapons bay, stealth evaluation against radar and infrared threats, and autonomous air-to-ground missions. The program also highlighted the efficiency of an innovative industrial management model based on integrated digital collaboration among European partners. The Neuron’s return coincides with a significant announcement: the development of a combat drone to complement the Rafale F5, the future iteration of France’s flagship fighter jet. Scheduled for operational readiness by 2033, this drone will embody next-generation military technologies. Drawing on the Neuron’s advancements, it will feature advanced stealth capabilities, close collaboration with piloted aircraft, and autonomous control with human oversight. This integration is designed to enhance the French forces’ technological edge in future conflicts. France’s strategy places it as a key player in the evolving competition for combat drone technology. While the Neuron remains a demonstrator, it lays a foundation for industrial and operational sovereignty. By combining autonomous drone capabilities with piloted platforms, this initiative redefines aerial operations, making them more adaptable, responsive, and resilient. This effort goes beyond technology validation. By reactivating the Neuron and advancing a new stealth drone, France demonstrates its foresight in addressing the demands of modern warfare. These innovations provide an immediate edge in aerial dominance while establishing a framework for the next generation of integrated systems, where drones and aircraft collaborate in swarms to navigate increasingly complex and digitalized battlefields. This technological ambition also highlights opportunities for broader European cooperation to remain competitive on the global stage. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)

09 Dec 24. China’s Replica of Original Shahed-136 Drone Bought from Israel. China continues to actively promote its long-range kamikaze drone, the ASN-301 (also known as JWS-01), in the global defense market. This platform has drawn significant attention due to its resemblance to the Shahed-136 UAV. A promotional video released during Airshow China 2024 highlighted the ASN-301 drone’s ability to neutralize radar systems. Unlike typical kamikaze drones, this system is designed to specialize in air defense suppression, equipped with a passive radar-seeking guidance head. This functionality sets it apart from Iranian Shahed drones, which are primarily employed to strike pre-identified static targets. The ASN-301 drone first emerged publicly in 2017 during a military parade marking the 90th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army. Since then, it has been consistently featured in exhibitions, though there are no confirmed export contracts to date. Despite visual similarities to the Shahed drone, the ASN-301 UAV is derived from Israel Aerospace Industries’ Harpy drone, not Iranian technology. In the 1990s, China legally acquired 100 Harpy drones for $55 m, gaining valuable insights into their design and operational capabilities. The narrative took a turn in 2004 when China sent the drones to Israel for modernization. However, the U.S. intervened, pressuring Israel to halt the upgrades and retain the drones. This led to diplomatic tensions, with the U.S. threatening to exclude Israel from the F-35 program. Ultimately, the drones were returned to China unmodified, prompting Beijing to reverse-engineer the system. The ASN-301 drone mirrors several features of the Harpy UAV, including its deployable antennas for radar detection, which can be mistaken for stabilizers. It is noteworthy that the Harpy drone was not an entirely original Israeli development. Its concept is believed to have been inspired by earlier systems such as Germany’s DAR (Die Drohne Antiradar) and South Africa’s ARD-10 UAVs. Other countries have also drawn on the Harpy drone’s design. In 2023, Taiwan’s NCSIST unveiled the Chien Hsiang, a system nearly identical in appearance and function to the Harpy drone. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense Express)

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FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 6, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

03 Dec 24. NATO draws up plans for its own fleet of naval surveillance drones. The NATO alliance has begun planning for its own fleet of unmanned boats meant to help protect critical undersea infrastructure across the Baltic and Mediterranean seas.

Following a pattern of undersea cable damage across European waters in the last year, with the most recent disruptions happening just weeks ago, top NATO officials have begun envisioning a capability that would allow the alliance to have permanent eyes above and under the waterline.

In an interview with Defense News, Adm. Pierre Vandier, the alliance’s Norfolk, Virginia-based commander for concepts and transformation, likened the idea to police CCTV cameras installed on street lights in urban trouble spots for recording evidence of crimes.

“The technology is there to make this street-lighting with USVs,” he said, using the military’s shorthand for unmanned surface vessel.

Vandier said his team is in the early stages of developing a USV fleet so that “NATO can see and monitor daily its environment.”

The first step would be to achieve this at a surface level, and then later under water.

The new project has already received “great support” from the central command of all NATO maritime forces, known as MARCOM, and the alliance operational headquarters of SACEUR, Vandier added.

While many details still need to be hashed out, officials believe they can equip the drone formation with fielded platforms that are known to work, leaning on experiments done by the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 59.

“There is no name [for now], just USV Fleet,” Vandier told Defense News. “In fact, it already exists, so somehow it’s not very risky. The U.S. has enforced Task Force 59 in the Gulf for years, so everything is known and sold, so it is much more a matter of adoption than technology.”

Launched in 2021, TF 59 is a unit dedicated to integrating unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of operations. It operates out of Bahrain and includes drones as well as other uncrewed vehicles working alongside manned ships.

In January, a new sub-unit was established, called Task Group 59.1, whose focus is on testing and upgrading industry systems to bolster maritime security across the Middle East region.

As of last month, the unit has trialed, upgraded and experimented with more than 23 different unmanned systems.

The task group took part in exercise Digital Talon in early November, during which it succeeded at remotely launching a loitering munition at sea and tested the vertical take-off and landing of drones from a USV.

According to Vandier, the goal is to launch the drone surveillance fleet before the next NATO Summit, which will be held in the Netherlands next June.

“We are to experiment with the first talks about this and then work with the allies to find a proper way to make this happen,” he added.

The most recent incidents of undersea cable disruptions took place on Nov. 17 and 18, when a cable of a telecommunications company between Lithuania and Sweden was cut, and a cable connecting Finland and Germany was damaged.

Investigations of the incidents are still ongoing. (Source: Defense News)

02 Dec 24. European defence technology start-up Helsing has unveiled its first attack drone as the AI specialist seeks to capitalise on rising demand for autonomous weapons driven by the war in Ukraine. The company is pitching its new drone, which is already being used in Ukraine, to the UK and other Nato allies. Helsing says it can produce tens of thousands of the AI-enabled drones a year at a lower cost than existing systems, using advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. Nato “urgently requires technology to protect the integrity of the eastern flank”, said Gundbert Scherf, co-founder of Helsing, in reference to the military alliance’s members in eastern and central Europe. The company believes that if deployed at scale along borders then the new drones, dubbed HX-2, will be able to act as a “counter-invasion shield” against enemy forces on the ground. Ukraine has underlined the shift in modern warfare from the use of traditional hardware such as tanks, guns and munitions to more software-defined technologies, in particular autonomous systems, to enable troops to outsmart the enemy. One of the challenges Ukraine’s armed forces have encountered is Russian electromagnetic jamming, which disrupts GPS and communications between drones and their operators. An HX-2 drone Helsing said its HX-2 drones, which are able to fly up to 100km, will be equipped with software that will enable them to search for, re-identify and engage targets even without a signal or a continuous data connection. A human operator will retain control at all times. Helsing, founded in 2021, was valued at €4.95bn during its latest funding round in the summer, which was led by General Catalyst and included Accel and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The company has pledged to set up a manufacturing facility in the UK as part of a £350mn investment in the country over the next five years Helsing hopes to emerge as one of the winners from the British government’s strategic defence review and plans for a new defence industrial strategy, which aims to include input from technology companies as well as the industry’s traditional giants. Defence secretary John Healey, unveiling the plans for the new strategy on Monday, said the government needed to learn the lessons from Ukraine where the “pace of innovation is measured in weeks, not months”. Helsing has already signed partnership deals with some of Europe’s established defence contractors, including Germany’s Rheinmetall and Sweden’s Saab, to integrate AI into existing platforms such as fighter jets. The start-up is also working with Airbus on AI technologies that will be used in manned and unmanned systems. Business School Insider, premium, Mondays. (Source: FT.com)

29 Nov 24. Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer Completes Successful EUDAAS Demonstration. The European Detect and Avoid System (EUDAAS) demonstrator, integrated into Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer, completed its final test flight at Trapani airport, validating advanced sensors, digital flight controls and smart technologies for safe integration of large remotely piloted aircraft into European air traffic alongside other crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

Leonardo announced the successful completion of a landmark demonstration with its Falco Xplorer uncrewed aerial system, which took off from Trapani Birgi (Italy) airport to validate the European Detect and Avoid (DAA) technological demonstrator, part of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) funded EUDAAS project.

The event, attended by high military and industry representatives from the five contributing member states (Sweden, Italy, Germany, France and Spain), marks a pivotal milestone for integrating large uncrewed aircraft into the European airspace alongside crewed aircraft, meeting critical needs in both civil and military sectors.

The in-flight demonstration concluded a technological development cycle that began four years ago in Europe under Saab’s coordination, with the involvement of aeronautical excellences supported by a highly qualified European ecosystem of 10 partners from the member states.

With Leonardo’s dedicated engineering support from Ronchi dei Legionari, the EUDAAS project has advanced cutting-edge technologies that enable uncrewed aircraft to operate in non-segregated airspace, an innovation expected to enhance air traffic safety and efficiency across Europe. The Falco Xplorer’s role as the European flying test bed underscores Leonardo’s dedication to the advancement autonomous flight and artificial intelligence capabilities.

The in-flight activities conducted at Trapani confirmed the effectiveness of the technical solutions developed for DAA demonstrator, including advanced sensors, innovative digital flight control algorithms and smart systems. These systems provide traffic awareness, remain well clear, and collision avoidance capabilities, enabling the uncrewed aircraft to operate safely and efficiently in A-G class airspace. They achieve this by detecting and avoiding both cooperative and non-cooperative air traffic, performing necessary maneuvers to prevent conflicts while reducing the workload for operators.

The DAA system represents a game-changing capability for the aviation sector, aligning with ICAO standards. This advanced system, incorporating both cooperative and non-cooperative sensors, a central processing computer and a DAA display for pilot guidance, provides a solid framework for the safe and reliable operation of unmanned aircraft across multiple airspace classes.

Leonardo’s Falco Xplorer demonstrated its advanced DAA capabilities, showcasing how uncrewed aircraft can be integrated into standard air traffic management systems, a confirmation to Leonardo’s leading role in innovative aerospace solutions. The results of this demonstration are expected to have long-term positive implications, enabling uncrewed aircraft to serve as reliable assets in support of diverse community and operational needs across Europe.

Building on these achievements, the EUDAAS consortium is moving forward to the follow-up project, “EUDAAS2”, to start 1st December 2024 under the EDF 2023 framework. With the continued support of the European Commission EDF and the five member states and funding, the EUDAAS consortium will complete the full suite of DAA functionalities at the highest technology readiness levels, including the definition of European standards in EUROCAE WG-105 as the base for the future certification of the system. The robust collaboration among the European institutions, member states and industry partners underscores the commitment to advancing European defense and aeronautical innovation for a safer, more connected future.

With the Falco Xplorer’s success in EUDAAS, Leonardo reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of uncrewed aviation and ensuring safer skies.

Falco Xplorer Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), which has achieved approximately 100 test flights and reached the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) milestone in its Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) configuration, is a state-of-the-art system. Building on the proven legacy of the Falco Evo, the Falco Xplorer is designed to meet dual-use requirements, providing 24/7, all-weather persistent regional surveillance. It is equipped to support a wide range of missions for both military and governmental applications. Looking ahead, Falco Xplorer roadmap includes the integration of a new engine and multiple armaments, aimed at enhancing its performance. Full Operational Capability (FOC) will be reached by 2026, solidifying the system’s position as a cornerstone of modern surveillance and defence solutions.

About the EUDAAS project

The EUDAAS project is dedicated to developing and validating a European Detect and Avoid (DAA) solution for the safe integration of large military Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) into European airspace. This initiative aims to ensure RPAS can operate seamlessly alongside both crewed and uncrewed aircraft. Additionally, EUDAAS focuses on advancing the maturity of non-cooperative sensor technologies, enabling RPAS to be utilized more broadly and flexibly than is currently feasible.

The consortium driving these activities comprises the following organizations: Saab AB (Sweden, coordinator), Centro Italiano Richerche Aerospaziali CIRA S.C.P.A. (Italy), Diehl Defence GMBH & Co. KG (Germany), Deutches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (Germany), Hensoldt Sensors GmbH (Germany), Indra Sistemas (Spain), Leonardo S.P.A. (Italy), Safran Electronics & Defense (France), Thales Six GTS France SAS (France), Onera (France) and Eurocontrol (Belgium). Additional participants include Thales AVS SAS (France) and Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (Germany). The project is supported by the Ministries of Defence of Sweden (lead nation), Italy, Germany, France, and Spain, which provide funding alongside contributions from the European Commission.

The EUDASS project has received funding from the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) under grant agreement EDIDP-ISR-DAA-2019-020-EUDASS. The total programme budget amounts to €30 m, with €21m funded by the EU grant. (Source: UAS VISION)

04 Dec 24. DJI FLIP with Compact Folding Design Leaked. The next addition to DJI’s lineup of compact folding drones has been revealed in leaked images, videos, and FCC filings. The new DJI Flip, which has propeller guards similar to the DJI Neo, will have a folding design that resembles the HoverAir X1, according to a video shared by reliable leaker Jasper Ellens on X. DJI’s current folding drones, including the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 3, feature collapsing propellers and arms that fold towards the sides of each drone’s body. The guarded propellers on the DJI Flip appear to instead fold downwards in the leaked animation, resulting in all four of them being neatly stacked to help make the drone smaller and easier to transport when not being flown. The addition of propeller guards will not only make the DJI Flip safer for novices to fly, but its larger propellers and their ducted design could also make the new drone quieter, according to DroneXL. Other features spotted in the leaked image and animation include a camera on a three-axis gimbal, landing leg supports under the front propellers, support for DJI’s O4 video transmission system, and an “advanced LiDAR array matching the DJI Air 3S’s sensor capabilities,” says DroneXL The new leaks follow technical details and the first look at the DJI Flip revealed in FCC filings last week by Jasper Ellens. The Flip will ship with a 3,110mAh battery — larger than the DJI Neo’s 1,435mAh that allows the smaller drone to fly for up to 18 minutes. That’s also larger than the 2,590mAh that ships with the DJI Mini 4 Pro and the DJI Mini 3’s 2,453mAh battery, which gave both of those drones flight times of 34 to 38 minutes. What’s still unknown are pricing details or when the DJI Flip will launch, although DroneXL suspects it could be announced as early as January 2025. Jasper Ellens also believes the Flip will be DJI’s replacement for the Mini 5 or Mini 5 Pro that was expected to debut sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. (Source: UAS VISION/The Verge)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

November 22, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

20 Nov 24. Red Cat Selected for US Army Short Range Reconnaissance Program. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. has been selected as the winner of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record. The production selection was made after a test and evaluation process of Teal’s next generation sUAS, completed by the Army Project Management Office for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, Army Maneuver Battle Lab, Army Test and Evaluation Command, and Army Operational Test Center.

“This is a powerful moment in time, coming after five years of blood, sweat, and tears put into SRR by our incredible team. The long-awaited production selection marks a new era for our company and the future of American drones,” said George Matus, founder of Teal and CTO of Red Cat. “We were selected based on soldier feedback, technical performance, volume manufacturability, and system cost. Our top priority now is to start ramping production of the next generation system, recently announced as the Black Widow and WEB, and give warfighters the tools they need to be successful on the modern battlefield.”

“Warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two years, with a significant shift towards drone technology, exemplified by the SRR Black Widow. It is an honour to support the U.S. Army by delivering the Black Widow to our warfighters. We believe this advanced technology will enable the Army to shape the battlefield, save soldiers’ lives, and serve as a powerful tool in their arsenal,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. “This long-term contract will give us the capability to continue to improve the Black Widow, scale production and improve margins.”

“Both the operational and tactical levels of war and maneuver of combat elements have evolved significantly over the past couple of years,” said Paul Edward Funk II, retired Four-Star Army General and Red Cat board member. “Operational success today depends on the ability to seamlessly move data across the battlefield. From a tactical perspective, small unmanned aerial systems that are rucksack portable are playing a vital role in Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance, as well as surgical strike capabilities based on the real-time needs of the warfighter.”

The SRR contract selection builds on significant momentum for Red Cat, with the acquisition of FlightWave Aerospace, the announcement of the ARACHNID family of systems, and the creation of the Red Cat Futures Initiative.

The company is focused on ramping production of Teal’s next generation system to meet the Army’s currently stated acquisition objective for 5,880 systems, which is subject to change over the 5 year period of performance. Red Cat is also preparing to meet increased demand across the rest of the U.S. DoD, federal government, and allied countries, to support operators and warfighters globally. (Source: UAS VISION)

18 Nov 24. Qinetiq Germany Delivers Uncrewed Aerial Training Services to the German Armed Forces. QinetiQ Germany has demonstrated the first successful flight of a Rheinmetall Delta B15 target drone in Todendorf as part of the German Uncrewed Aerial Training Services (ATS).

This flight is the first step in QinetiQ’s partnership with Rheinmetall in Germany in the Ground-based Air Defence (GBAD) segment.

The Delta B15 has been chosen to meet the new GBAD requirements and is continuously being updated to address emerging threats, including the widespread use of SHAHED one-way drones. The Delta B15 target drone will fulfill the requirements of NATO and the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) partner nations, providing essential training for systems currently deployed in Germany.

QinetiQ will use the Rheinmetall Delta B15 drone in Germany starting in 2025, with a future roadmap for operations at sea with the German Navy.

Matthias Grögor, Head of Strategic Business Development (Germany), said: “In cooperation with Rheinmetall, QinetiQ Germany can expand its market position in the relevant procurement programs of our customers in Germany. This means that we are actively preparing today for the arrival of newly procured weapon systems, always with an eye on current threats and an outlook to 2035. The cooperation is part of our holistic Global Threat Representation Life Cycle approach, which we at QinetiQ implement worldwide as a service provider in exercises from operational analysis to implementation.”

Mark Robert Henning, CEO of Rheinmetall Technical Publications GmbH, Business Unit Rheinmetall Product and Airborne Solutions, said: “We are thankful to have been chosen by QinetiQ to supply the new target drones playing an active role in the European Sky Shield Initiative. We look forward to intensifying our collaboration in this field, based on our extensive experience in target solutions for ground-based air Defense training on the one hand and unmanned systems on the other. The sophistication and diversity of airborne threats are ever-evolving. We at Rheinmetall are continuously anticipating these advances and are developing solutions to cope with these.” (Source: ASD Network)

15 Nov 24. Poland boosts drone purchases, to start unmanned aircraft inspectorate in January. Poland has ordered 52 FlyEye surveillance drones in a contract worth 100m zlotys ($24.49m), its defence minister said on Friday, adding that a drone military inspectorate being set up by the Polish army would start work in January.

“We will develop drone forces … in all domains in which drones can operate,” the minister, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said, while signing the drone purchase deal.

The drone inspectorate will coordinate strategy for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as unify the training of their operators. FlyEye drones, produced by Polish company WB Electronics, are designed to conduct image reconnaissance from the air both in daylight and using thermal imaging at night. (Source: Reuters)

18 Nov 24. Pentagon announces new batch of drones for Replicator program. The Pentagon unveiled a new round of aerial and maritime drones for Replicator, a massive effort to fast-track the delivery of unmanned weapons systems to the services.

Included in the batch are multiple drones from the Army’s company-level small unmanned aerial system, or UAS, program. The service had selected the Ghost-X, made by Anduril Industries, and the C-100, made by Performance Drone Works.

In a release, the Pentagon said these will offer versatile weapons for the units in the field, useful for targeting or surveilling the enemy.

Replicator will also include Anduril’s Altius-600, a one-way attack drone on contract with the Marine Corps, and the enterprise test vehicle, or ETV. The latter drone has long been rumored as a Replicator candidate, with requirements like a 500-nautical mile range that fit the program’s parameters.

The Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit are considering four vendors for the ETV: Anduril, Integrated Solutions for Systems Inc., Leidos Dynetics and Zone 5 Technologies.

Wednesday’s statement marks the second — and most specific — time the Pentagon has disclosed what systems it’s buying for the program. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced Replicator last year at a tech conference in downtown Washington, pledging to field thousands of cheap drones by August 2025, or within two years.

Hicks has said her goal is to deter China, which has a far larger population and manufacturing sector. In part due to that aim, the Pentagon hasn’t listed much of what it’s buying through Replicator. Before this week, the Defense Department had only publicly acknowledged one drone included in the program: AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600, another one-way attack drone.

Such furtiveness has at times chafed companies hoping to compete for funding. The Defense Department secured $500 m for fiscal year 2024, with the same amount included in the defense budget request for fiscal year 2025, which Congress hasn’t yet passed.

In Wednesday’s statement, the Pentagon said that it considered 500 commercial firms for Replicator, awarding contracts to 30 companies. A further 50 are included as subcontractors.

In a separate release, Anduril said it was “rapidly” increasing production of its Altius and Barracuda drones in order to meet the Pentagon’s demand.

“The Replicator initiative is demonstrably reducing barriers to innovation, and delivering capabilities to warfighters at a rapid pace,” Hicks wrote in the statement, which notes that other systems in the program remain classified.

The deputy has long argued that Replicator is a way of doing business rather than a discrete program. Buying and fielding systems at a faster pace has long been a challenge under the strictures of Pentagon bureaucracy, and Replicator is meant to offer a faster path for urgent needs.

The second phase of the program will focus on weapons that can counter the kind of cheap drones Replicator is now buying — a particular issue for American forces in the Middle East, who have spent the last year shooting down cheap weapons fired by Iran-backed militants using far more expensive interceptors.

To make sure Replicator drones can work together, the Pentagon is relying on commercial firms to provide what Hicks’ statement calls “integrated enablers,” or software that can coordinate “hundreds of thousands” of assets.

The statement said these will be able to resist jamming, which has destroyed countless drones during the war in Ukraine.

The Pentagon has also committed to announcing those awards at a later date. (Source: Defense News)

15 Nov 24. British Army and UK police using drones made by sanctioned Kremlin supplier. China’s Autel Robotics is accused of aiding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The army is using drones from a Chinese company that has been sanctioned for supplying the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine, it has emerged. The Ministry of Defence has purchased drones from Autel Robotics, which was last week added to the sanctions list with measures including an asset freeze.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, was last month seen piloting an Autel drone at an army base used to train Ukrainian recruits, alongside Jon Healey, the Defence Secretary.

The drones have also been used by police forces in Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire. All the vehicles were purchased before the sanctions were imposed.

Autel, one of the world’s biggest drone manufacturers, says its drones are not designed for military use, but they have been widely used on both sides during the war in Ukraine.

The Foreign Office took action against Autel last week as part of its largest sanctions package against Russia in over a year.

It said the company had been involved in “destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine”.

The US added the company to a trade blacklist in the summer. It said that in addition to supplying Russia with drones the company had sought to “acquire US-origin items applicable to unmanned aerial vehicles to be used by Chinese military entities”.

Widely available to buy

The Ministry of Defence said it had purchased a small number of Autel drones to help train Ukrainian troops.

“No Chinese technology is used for core MoD business,” a spokesman said.

“A small number of Autel drones have been purchased to train Ukrainian recruits, primarily to replicate the threat they will face from Russian drones.

“Significant mitigation measures are in place to protect MoD personnel and equipment that include no audio or visual recording from the drones and no connecting to MoD devices.”

The MoD said it had no plans to buy more Autel drones. Its use of the vehicles was first reported by Bloomberg.

Ms Reeves was photographed piloting an Autel Evo drone last month as the Chancellor visited the Stanford Training Area in Norfolk ahead of announcing a £2.2bn loan to Ukraine.

Nottinghamshire Police announced in 2022 that it had purchased two Autel Evo II 640T drones, used for activities such as surveillance and search and rescue operations.

The drones are also widely available for consumers to purchase in the UK.

Many police forces around the UK use drones from Chinese manufacturer DJI, which has faced restrictions in the US.

(Source: Daily Telegraph)

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

November 15, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

15 Nov 24. JFD expands Indian Navy underwater capabilities partnership. JFD’s DSRV has capacity for a crew of three plus up to 16 rescuees. With an integrated dry mating skirt, Lithium Polymer battery system and 108 hours of life support the DSAR-500L is capable of mating at angles of up to 60 degrees and operating in currents of up to three knots.

JFD, the submarine rescue and escape training subsidiary of UK-based maritime engineering and energy company James Fisher and Sons plc, announced on 14 November that it had signed a new contract that aims to boost the Indian Navy’s underwater capabilities.

The new contract represents a “significant” expansion of its ongoing partnership with the Indian Navy, which can be traced back to as far as 2018 with the award of a 25-year all-inclusive maintenance support service agreement.

“Through our long-term Submarine Rescue System contract, we have built a strong foundation with the Indian Navy enabling us to understand their challenges and anticipate and respond to their evolving needs,” said JFD Managing Director Rob Hales.

“We are honoured to further enhance this partnership and support the [Indian] Navy with advanced underwater solutions and expertise to support their mission success now and into the future,” added Hales.

The company has previously delivered two complete ‘flyaway’ submarine rescue systems to the Indian Navy. Each system comprises its free-swimming DSAR-650L submarine rescue vehicle (SRV), launch and recovery system (LARS), a Transfer Under Pressure system, an SMD Atom intervention remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and an EdgeTech 4200 series towed side scan sonar, as well as associated logistics and support equipment.

JFD describes the Indian Navy’s submarine rescue systems as ‘third generation’ which represents an improvement in Time to First Rescue (TTFR) performance while ensuring a robust and reliable design at the same time.

As part of this effort, the company had conducted extensive air transportability trials for the third-generation submarine rescue system with the Indian Air Force’s Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft. The trials proved the functionality of the ground handling equipment provided by JFD to interface with the IL-76, enabling the safe loading and unloading of all elements of the submarine rescue system.

JFD noted that it has a presence on both east and west coasts of India to offer responsive support to regional contracts. (Source: AMR)

14 Nov 24. South Korea carries out inaugural launch of fixed-wing UAV from Dokdo class. South Korea has for the first time launched a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from one of its Dokdo-class helicopter carriers.

This strengthens suppositions that the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) will eventually transition its Dokdo-class ships into sea-based carriers for medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs as well as helicopters.

In a 13 November post released on its official social media channel, the RoKN described the inaugural launch as part of ongoing efforts to introduce new technologies and concepts that can be applied in combat situations.

The UAV and its various support systems were loaded on the first-of-class ROKS Dokdo on 4 November, where it was eventually assembled in the days leading up to the inaugural flight on 12 November, said the RoKN.

Prior to its flight, the UAV was transported to the flight deck via the vessel’s elevators, presumably to assess the ship’s overall ability to handle operations associated with fixed-wing UAVs.

After it was launched, the UAV flew for about one hour over the Sea of Japan (East Sea) while maintaining communications with Dokdo .

Also carried out as part of the flight was a “mock landing operation” alongside Dokdo, which presumably refers to a flypast manoeuvre that assesses the UAV’s ability to undertake final approach procedures with the carrier.

Subsequently, control of the UAV was handed over to the RoKN’s naval air command unit in Pohang, South Korea, where it eventually landed. (Source: Janes)

13 Nov 24. Pentagon buys two new types of drones under Replicator initiative. The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it will add two new types of drones and more networking software to its ambitious Replicator initiative aimed at rapidly putting thousands of drones in the hands of the military. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks said the Anduril Industries Ghost-X and the Performance Drone Works C-100 UAS were selected under the Replicator program to help fill the Army’s Company-Level Small UAS effort.

The Replicator initiative, announced last year, is an ambitious effort to quickly muster and deploy large numbers of cheap drones by August 2025. The Pentagon targeted spending $500 m annually on the plan to network and task thousands of cheap, smart combat drones for any future conflict.

The Replicator 1 initiative was designed to be a “pathfinder” to a new way for the Pentagon to quickly solve a hard problem, something which President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration may use to streamline defense acquisition. (Source: Google/Reuters)

15 Nov 24. China’s ZIYAN Unveils Intelligent Drone Solutions at Milipol Qatar. At the Milipol Qatar Summit, China’s ZIYAN, alongside local partner MANNAI Corp, highlighted emerging security trends and unveiled an intelligent, cost-effective UAS platform tailored to evolving industry needs. ZIYAN participated in the Milipol Qatar Summit & Exhibition 2024, one of the foremost worldwide stages for security technology and solutions. Concentrated on delivering heightened capabilities for industry customers, ZIYAN leverages its product strengths to empower sectors such as border and coastal safeguarding. Utilizing its self-developed intelligent awareness framework, ZIYAN expands the drone capacities to optimize operational productivity at a reduced cost, showcasing a cutting-edge UAS solution tailored to evolving security requirements. ZIYAN’s Shadow S3 long-endurance Unmanned Helicopter, which has a Level 7 wind resistance and a top speed of 100km/hour, was on display at the center of the Ministry of Interior’s (MOI) booth – one of the company’s customers in Qatar. Looking ahead, ZIYAN states that it is resolute in advancing innovative UAS technology, bringing adaptable, impactful solutions to fulfill the dynamic exigencies of the global security landscape. (Source: UAS VISION/ZIYAN)

13 Nov 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) logged another aviation milestone on Nov. 12, 2024, when its Gray Eagle STOL aircraft took off from a South Korean warship and landed at a ground base – the first-ever such mission for an aircraft of this type. Working with our GA-ASI’s in-country partner, Hanwha Aerospace, Gray Eagle STOL launched from the South Korean navy’s amphibious landing ship Dokdo underway at sea off the coast of Pohang, South Korea. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) then flew to Pohang Navy Airfield and landed normally.

Gray Eagle STOL – which stands for short takeoff and landing – is the only medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft of its kind with the ability to operate from large-deck warships such as amphibious ships and aircraft carriers, as well as short and unimproved fields on land. The test with the South Korean military further validates the aircraft’s capability and versatility.

“We applaud the South Korean navy for its foresight in examining the unique capability of GE STOL for its fleet. This demonstration illustrates the ability of the GE STOL to safely operate on many types of aircraft-capable ships, which opens myriad new ways our allies can use this UAS to support multi-domain naval operations,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.

Hanwha Aerospace is engaged with General Atomics to support national defense with proven, state-of-the-art technology suited for a multi-domain warfare environment, contributing to global security alongside allied nations in response to rapidly growing threats.

“The demonstration is a crucial step in verifying how the GE STOL can contribute to defense capabilities, and I am honored to witness this alongside the Republic of Korea Navy, to whom I extend my deepest gratitude for conducting the test,” said Hanwha Aerospace CEO and President Jae-il Son. “Hanwha is fully committed to making bold investments, fostering collaboration, and providing steadfast support in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) business.”

The Ministry of National Defense for the Republic of Korea is initially evaluating GE STOL for its ability to meet its emerging military requirements. South Korean navy, army and other officials were asked to evaluate Gray Eagle STOL and supported the test.

“The demo highlighted the versatility of STOL aboard a warship, in the Dokdo, designed not for fixed-wing aircraft but solely for helicopters. Gray Eagle STOL’s flight proves that navies can add significant new capability without costly major modifications to their existing warships,” said South Korean Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Yang Yong-mo.

Gray Eagle STOL is highly common with the classic Gray Eagle aircraft, substituting a different engine, wings, control surfaces and landing gear. Gray Eagle STOL is General Atomics’ name for the production variant of the historic aircraft demonstrator known as Mojave.

In November 2023, GA-ASI and Mojave performed a demonstration of STOL takeoff and return landing aboard an aircraft carrier in an event with the UK Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales, which is smaller than a typical U.S. aircraft carrier at 932 feet long (284m) and 240 feet wide (73m). The Dokdo class is considerably smaller than the Prince of Wales, only 653 feet long (199m) and 102 feet wide (31m).

13 Nov 24. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Announces Additional Replicator All-Domain Attritable Autonomous Capabilities. Building on the Department’s growing autonomy portfolio, selections focus on scalable production of class-leading systems across multiple domains and critical enabling software.

Today, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced additional capabilities selected for accelerated fielding as part of the Replicator initiative. This second tranche, or Replicator 1.2, will include systems in the air and maritime domains, as well as integrated software enablers that will enhance the autonomy and resilience of other Replicator systems.

These capabilities add to the first tranche of selected systems announced earlier in 2024 and further contribute to the Department’s goal of fielding multiple thousands of all-domain, attritable autonomous (ADA2) systems to warfighters by August of 2025 — or within 24 months of Deputy Secretary Hicks launching the initiative.

“The Replicator initiative is demonstrably reducing barriers to innovation, and delivering capabilities to warfighters at a rapid pace,” said Hicks. “We are creating opportunities for a broad range of traditional and nontraditional defense and technology companies, including system vendors, component manufacturers, and software developers, to deliver critical capabilities that our warfighters need, and we are building the capability to do that again and again.”

Collectively across both tranches, more than 500 commercial firms were considered for Replicator hardware and software contracting and major subcontracting opportunities. Contracts have been awarded to more than 30 hardware and software companies, of which 75 percent are non-traditional defense contractors, in addition to more than 50 subcontractors.

Included in Replicator-1, Tranche 2 (1.2) is the Army’s Company-Level Small UAS effort, which has selected the Anduril Industries Ghost-X and the Performance Drone Works C-100 UAS. These systems will enable Army maneuver companies to conduct multiple tasks with rapidly reconfigurable, attritable, modular payload capabilities to execute reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions.

“Ukraine has demonstrated the value of small, attritable drones on the battlefield,” said Gen. Randy A. George, the Chief of Staff of the Army. “The delivery of commercially available Company Level Small UAS with support from the Replicator initiative will allow American soldiers to rapidly experiment, learn and innovate with these systems. The advancement of battlefield technology requires us to innovate faster than ever before.”

The Department is also scaling loitering munitions through fielding and expanded experimentation of the Anduril Industries Altius-600 as part of the U.S. Marine Corps Organic Precision Fires program. This system complements the Switchblade-600 loitering munition produced by AeroVironment Inc. that was included in the first tranche of Replicator.

“Replicator is helping Marines experiment with a portfolio of systems that deliver organic, loitering, beyond-line-of-sight precision strike capability,” said Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith. “Expanded experimentation with these systems will inform future Organic Precision Fires efforts and enable refinement of our Force Design, concepts and doctrine.”

Additionally, the Replicator initiative has selected the U.S. Air Force’s Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV). Over the next year, the Air Force and DIU will partner with multiple vendors to develop and demonstrate design variants. Four vendors are currently providing prototypes: Anduril Industries, Integrated Solutions for Systems Inc., Leidos Dynetics, and Zone 5 Technologies. Select ETV prototypes will be accelerated to scaled production.

“The ETV’s modular design and open system architecture make it an ideal platform for program offices to test out new capabilities at the sub-system level, reducing risk, and demonstrating various options for weapon employment,” said Gen. Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. “We are excited to be a part of Replicator 1.2 and to increase the speed of the ETV effort.”

Replicator 1.2 also includes additional systems that remain classified, including low-cost long-range strike capabilities and maritime uncrewed systems.

The Department’s autonomy efforts, including Replicator, are also leveraging resilient decision-making architectures for collaborative autonomy teaming, or ‘integrated enablers’ capable of coordinating hundreds or thousands of unmanned assets in a secure shared environment. These ‘integrated enablers’ are enhancing the ability of Replicator systems to operate and collaborate autonomously, and to remain resilient in the face of jamming and other countermeasures. The Department is acquiring many of these integrated software enablers using Commercial Solutions Openings led by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) that streamline and accelerate onramps for commercial industry. Announcement of these awards is forthcoming.

“Combining cutting-edge hardware with cutting-edge software — the capabilities and needs of each pushing the bounds of what is possible with the other — is at the heart of the very best of technology in the commercial sector,” said Doug Beck, Director of DIU. “Replicator is harnessing this same synergy, ensuring we can adopt commercial best practices to iteratively develop, test, and ultimately field autonomous systems, both individually and collectively, at scale.”

Selected capabilities fill both operational and scaling gaps and will be fielded by August 2025 to meet the ambitious goals of the Replicator initiative. (Source: U.S. DoD)

13 Nov 24. JSW Defence & Shield AI Forge Strategic Partnership To Bring Cutting-Edge Military Aircraft Technology To India.

JSW Group To Invest $90m Over The Next Two Years

JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd., part of the $24bn JSW Group and Shield AI, Inc, a leading U.S defense technology company, today announced a strategic partnership to indigenize and manufacture Shield AI’s “V-BAT,” a Group 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This collaboration marks a significant step in boosting India’s defense capabilities by bringing in world-class UAS technology to the country.

As part of the partnership, the JSW Group will invest around $90 m in the next two years, with $65 m allocated in the first 12 months to establish JSW’s global compliance program, a manufacturing facility to ensure proper technology licensing, and training of manpower. This investment will enable JSW to establish a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for manufacturing, assembling and testing V-BAT aircraft. This effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub for Shield AI.

The V-BAT is a fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), long endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) platform, currently deployed by multiple armed forces around the world, including the United States’ Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs). It provides cutting-edge ISR functionality in a highly tactical system, capable of being forward deployed in complex and adversarial territory in order to provide a range of flexible solutions to special forces, front-line infantry, armored and artillery units. V-BAT has a unique patented ducted design with the advantage of a small logistics footprint and ease of rapid deployment.

Parth Jindal of JSW Group said, “Our collaboration with Shield AI is in keeping with our commitment to induct mission-critical technologies for deployment by the Indian Armed Forces and play an integral role in indigenizing defense technology in India. Through this partnership, we will be able to supply indigenous V-BATs at scale, provide flight operator training, and end-to-end maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) services to the Indian Armed Forces. The JSW Group has always believed in bringing world class products and services with State-of-the-Art technology into India and this partnership is yet another milestone in this journey.”

Sarjan Shah, Shield AI’s Managing Director for India, said, “Shield AI has been an early mover on investing deeply in India, in line with both governments’ desires for a closely integrated defense supply chain between the US and India. This partnership with JSW has been crafted over a multi-year period to transform the depth, scale and scope of India’s indigenous capabilities in the field of military unmanned systems. We look forward to doing a lot more with our partners in India.”

“Shield AI is excited to enhance the Indo-US strategic partnership through collaboration with JSW Group, strengthening our commitment to deploy cutting-edge UAS technology globally and harness India’s vast engineering and manufacturing talent. India, designated as a Major Defense Partner by the United States in 2016 and elevated to Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status in 2018, is one of only two countries with this designation—the other being the UAE, where Shield AI also has offices,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s President, Co-Founder and a former Navy SEAL.

“JSW recognizes the same thing Shield AI does: that Group 3 UAS drones like the V-BAT can accomplish the same missions as many helicopters and larger Group 5 UAS drones for a fraction of the price. As the market shifts from expensive, exquisite aircraft to swarms of lower-cost, AI-piloted UAS drones, this collaboration builds upon Shield AI’s significant U.S. investments, enhances global distribution, and supports continued expansion of U.S. operations.” (Source: ASD Network)

13 Nov 24. The Parrot Anafi USA is a Remotely Piloted Air System used by the British Army for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance. Lightweight and compact, the Parrot Anafi is capable of being launched by patrols in under one minute and offers increased situational awareness.

The British Army uses this microdrone to improve situational awareness and oversight for ground forces. It is a compact, foldable drone that can be used for a variety of missions, including:

Reconnaissance – soldiers can use the ANAFI USA to track their own positions, locate enemies, and share that information with their squad.
Complex missions – it can maintain a connection with video, telemetry, and command and control for up to 32 minutes.
Sensitive operations – it has a secured wireless link and SD card encryption for highly confidential missions.

Also able to operate in adverse weather conditions, the Parrot’s forward looking infra-red camera provides greater fidelity of imagery and detail. It also features a 32x zoom, 4K HDR video and thermal imaging capabilities designed around two cameras, one 21-megapixel and a 16 megapixel.

Sergeant Adam Barnes, of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, has used the Parrot extensively. He said:

“For where the British army’s use of drones is currently, the Parrot Anafi USA is brilliant in its use as a small and lightweight reconnaissance drone and for helping in directing fires from mortars and guns. From rifle companies to support company it is increasing our unit’s effectiveness ten-fold.”

Soldiers must complete a three-week course to qualify as a pilot for the Parrot drone. The British Army also has a racing club to encourage interest in FPV drones.

With the upcoming compatibility with battlefield software ATAK, users will be able to see which drones are friendly and which are not, avoiding confusion during battle.

Sgt Barnes adds: “The use of drones is forcing us to think more about electronic warfare’s importance and how other aspects of the military can be affected by this and teaching us how to combat and avoid becoming victim to it.” (Source: ASD Network)

13 Nov 24. Exail Selects ST Engineering iDirect’s Manufacturing Competence Center as Strategic Partner for Belgian-Dutch Navy Program.

Leveraging MCC’s expertise in cutting-edge electronics for underwater minesweeping drones.

ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications, announced that its Manufacturing Competence Center (MCC) has been selected by Exail, a leading high-tech industrial champion specializing in cutting-edge robotics, maritime and navigation technologies, to deliver the electronics for the underwater drones of the joint Mine Counter Measure Program (MCM) of the Belgian and Dutch navies.

Recognized for its experience in building custom electronics for different high-tech industries such as government and defence, space, medical and high-end programs, including for the European Space Agency (ESA), ST Engineering iDirect continues to set standards in advanced manufacturing.

The replacement Mine Counter Measure program (rMCM) was awarded to Belgium Naval & Robotics, a Naval Group-Exail consortium initiated to provide Belgium and Dutch navies with new mine warfare capabilities based on a unique stand-off approach, including surface, underwater and aerial drones.

“We are delighted that Exail has chosen us to manufacture the electronics for its underwater drones, bound for use by the Belgium-Dutch Naval groups,” said Danny De Smet, Sales and Marketing Manager at ST Engineering iDirect’s Manufacturing Competence Center. “This partnership recognizes MCC as a leading manufacturer of electronic high-reliability assemblies, and we look forward to showcasing the immense capabilities of our state-of-the-art facilities, like our Erpe-Mere plant, to build critical solutions for the EU government and defence markets.”

“ST Engineering iDirect’s MCC facilities and its team’s unrivalled knowledge, are truly second-to-none. Working with them to deliver our electronic boards will enable us to bring our innovation to life,” said Steven Luys, Chief Executive Officer at Exail. “By collaborating with another Belgian-based enterprise, not only are we working to enable more autonomy in the EU supply chain, but we are also illustrating the talent we have to offer in such critical and demanding markets here in Belgium and across Europe.”

ST Engineering iDirect’s MCC located in Erpe-Mere, Belgium, is well-known for its excellence in delivering electronic high-reliability assembly, testing and repair services. Its capabilities were awarded the esteemed Factory of the Future title four consecutive times since 2015. Factories of the Future invest in digitisation, personnel, smart processes and products, as well as in world-class manufacturing.

(Source: ASD Network)

11 Nov 24. Euroatlas unveils Greyshark AUV. German engineering and defence firm Euroatlas unveiled its new Greyshark autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition, held in Paris from 4 to 7 November. Speaking to Janes at Euronaval, Eugen Ciemnyjewski, managing director of Euroatlas, and Stefan Spindler, sales engineer/key account manager at Euroatlas, said that the new AUV can be used for a variety of tasks including critical underwater infrastructure (CUI) protection, patrolling, and mine warfare. The AUV can be used in the CUI protection role to detect failures on civil infrastructure such as pipes and cables. Greyshark can also be used to detect adversary vessels and is capable of patrolling in a set pattern at sea or in harbour. The AUV can be launched from a harbour or a larger surface vessel. Greyshark is also capable of operating in a swarm of up to six AUVs and can be used to detect mines. It can interface with other Greysharks or with other ships and submarines, scouting ahead for over-the-horizon reconnaissance to check for threats and avoid the endangerment of other ships or submarines. (Source: Janes)

13 Nov 24. Russia Tests Mysterious Air-Launched Drone. Russia is reportedly working on a new and enigmatic drone under the auspices of Rostec subsidiary United Aircraft Corporation.

This new project, dubbed the Unmanned Transport Module, is being developed for air-launch from under the wings of the Su-57 Felon, Russia’s flagship fifth-generation stealth fighter.

The concept for this drone, which some media outlets are calling the Su-71K, blurs the lines between an unmanned aerial vehicle and a stealth cruise missile.

Official documents describe the Unmanned Transport Module as an air-launched UAV with the capability to engage a variety of stationary and moving targets under complex counteraction conditions. Its onboard systems are said to include advanced automatic target recognition and decision-making processes based on artificial intelligence and neural networks, which suggests that the platform is designed for highly autonomous operations.

According to available information, the drone features a fuselage housing a warhead, advanced optical and navigation sensors, and a power plant system consisting of a nozzle and air intake. The UAV also includes a swept wing design, a twin-fin all-moving tail unit, and an onboard intelligent search and guidance system. These components collectively make the Unmanned Transport Module resemble a stealthy version of a traditional cruise missile, suggesting a hybrid approach that aims to combine characteristics of both drones and guided missiles.

Reports indicate that the Unmanned Transport Module will be externally carried by its launch aircraft, the Su-57 Felon, and will have the ability to be controlled from the ground or by the Su-57 pilot. This dual-control capability is expected to allow for flexible mission re-tasking during flight, offering the capacity for coordinated strikes based on real-time intelligence.

Media sources have noted that the initial concept for the drone has undergone significant revisions, shaped by Russia’s experience during its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The war has led to considerable losses in Russia’s aerial assets without achieving substantial strategic gains. As a result, the drone project has been adapted to better reflect lessons learned in combat—emphasizing survivability and flexibility in a complex, contested environment.

Analysts familiar with the project suggest that the Unmanned Transport Module is, in essence, a “smart” cruise missile with remote guidance capabilities. Such features make it adaptable to evolving battlefield scenarios, providing either autonomous strike options or real-time input from human operators to adjust its flight path as needed. The system reportedly employs multiple communication channels for guidance, which allows the mission to be modified by either the aircraft operator or a ground-based control team.

Currently, it is known that three prototypes of this mysterious drone have been constructed and have undergone testing at Akhtubinsk Air Base, one of Russia’s major aviation test facilities. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)

08 Nov 24. BAE Systems’ Herne XLAUV technology demonstrator gears up for first in-water demonstrations. BAE Systems, in partnership with Canadian marine technology company Cellula Robotics, is poised to start the first in-water capability demonstration of its Herne extra large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV) in the coming week.

Speaking to Janes at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, held from 4-7 November, Tom O’Neill, business development, BAE Systems Maritime Underwater, said the initial sea trials are set to start on 11 November and will continue for a two-week period.

The demonstration will take place at a facility on the south coast of England in front of a selected audience that includes international customers and industry partners.

The aim of the demonstration is to showcase BAE Systems’ advanced autonomous capabilities in an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) scenario.

BAE Systems joined forces with Cellula Robotics in 2023 to fast track the development of a militarised version of Cellula Robotics’ 12 m-long Solus-XR that could be used to test the ‘brains’ of BAE’s concept for an XLAUV.

O’Neil said development of the prototype has taken place at Cellula Robotics facilities in Vancouver, and the XLAUV arrived in the UK in August 2024 to continue the setting to work of the different payloads and system solutions that will be showcased during the next two weeks.

The initial ISR configuration is focused around a mission package for basic navigational purposes and mission autonomy, including an electro-optical/infrared camera and electronic surveillance and communications systems that will be managed by the company’s Nautomate intelligent autonomous control system. (Source: Janes)

08 Nov 24. Saab’s Autonomous Swarm Technology Used in Landmark AUKUS Trial. Saab’s Autonomous Swarm technology recently featured in the ground-breaking Project Convergence 2024 trials, consisting of one month in the United States. A large UK team, comprising 40 employees from Saab-owned BlueBear and UK MOD Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) personnel, demonstrated the ability to deploy interoperable AI within Autonomous Swarms of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS).

AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, held trials that demonstrated the pivotal role of BlueBear’s technology in collaborative, networked, swarms of UAS. BlueBear’s AI enabled Centurion™ mission system provided the ability for a single operator to command a diverse swarm of autonomous UAS.

At the core of BlueBear’s AI-enabled autonomy solution is the ability to ‘hot-swap’ AI from any supplier in an autonomous systems-of-systems. This technology is key to unlocking the game-changing potential of deployed networked sensors and effectors in an integrated multi-domain battlefield.

BlueBear’s RedKite and Ghost UAS, were used in tandem with Centurion™, by the tri-nation AUKUS team to rapidly retrain and deploy AI algorithms, that enabled the payloads and UASs.

”The AUKUS trials marks a significant increase in our ability to interoperate with allied nations, both at mission and core technology levels. Significant investment from both the UK Government and Saab’s BlueBear have allowed us to collectively mature and de-risk high-value technologies that are imperative in modern warfare,” says Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director, Saab UK.

The AUKUS trial was the culmination of Autonomy and Open Architecture work consistently funded by Dstl over two decades. Find additional details of the trials on gov.uk.

Saab acquired BlueBear in August 2023, as its rapid capability accelerator innovating new technologies and integrating them across Saab’s portfolio. (Source: ASD Network)

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07 Nov 24. Insitu’s Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit Satellite Control for Integrator UAS has 2,000 Nautical Mile Range. Insitu, a Boeing Company, is now leveraging Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) control for its Integrator Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS). This capability enables Integrator to fly up to 2,000 Nautical Miles (NM) point-to-point with 27.5 hours of endurance, the longest range/endurance of any small UAS in its class.

Integrator with P-LEO SATCOM capability can be controlled from anywhere in the world. This new capability adds another SATCOM option for Integrator, alongside current Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) SATCOM on Integrator, providing end users with even more options for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) control.

“We are excited to bring this game-changing capability to the battle-tested Integrator UAS platform,” said Insitu Vice President of Engineering, Programs and Flight, Justin Pearce. “With a range of 2,000 nautical miles, Integrator can easily fly from Guam to Okinawa in one sortie and operate from small naval vessels anywhere in the vast INDOPACOM theater. This is the type of capability Combatant Commanders have been waiting for, and Integrator offers a lower cost, attritable, persistent long range ISR option when flying large Group 5 UAS is too risky or too expensive,” he added.

Integrator’s new P-LEO SATCOM control capability is available for approved customers and can operate with the Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES) Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) kit, which enables launch and recovery from small ship decks in gusty winds and heavy seas, as well as from expeditionary land sites. Unlike tail-sitter aircraft, FLARES VTOL system does not need operators to hold the UAS on launch or catch the UAS on recovery, ensuring maximum safety.

P-LEO does not occupy any of the six currently available payload bays, ensuring that Integrator’s 1,000+ multi-intelligence configurations remain available to customers. Best-in-class payload options include communications relay, Electronic Warfare (EW), multi-spectral optics, AI-assisted wide-area search, and kinetics. With 40lb of field-swappable payloads across six bays, it is the most flexible and capable UAS in its class.

Integrator is battle-proven, with thousands of combat hours in the most challenging conditions including GPS-contested airspace and extreme climates. It is currently being further weatherized for operations in the Arctic and High North.

Insitu’s current UAS product line includes ScanEagle and Integrator, both VTOL-capable with FLARES. Insitu UAS offer a full suite of command, control, and data processing solutions including INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, and an open architecture Common Ground Control Systems. (Source: UAS VISION)

06 Nov 24. Thales and Exail partner to deliver next-generation autonomous underwater vehicle mine detection capabilities for French Navy’s SLAMF Mine Countermeasures programme. Thales and Exail have been selected by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to deliver eight, plus eight more in option, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV).This extended version of the A18-M AUV will integrate the SAMDIS 600 sonar for the SLAMF program (the French Armed forces programme, supervised by the DGA, which aims at renewing the French Navy mine warfare capabilities with massive use of unmanned systems).

06 Nov 24. Saab Brings New Autonomous Capability to Naval Vessels. Saab presents Autonomous Ocean Core, a ready-to-use autonomous control system to provide autonomy capabilities to surface and subsurface naval platforms in military and civilian missions.

Autonomous Ocean Core is a vessel agnostic control system with an open architecture, designed to make vessels autonomous to enhance their mission success at sea. It provides baseline autonomy, including vessel control, to platforms on or below the ocean surface and allows operators to add additional capabilities continuously without losing built-in safety functions.

With Autonomous Ocean Core integrated, un-crewed vessels can operate on missions such as mine detection and clearance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as electronic warfare.

The system has different modes for maneuvering on a mission, each supporting precise control and operational flexibility based on the mission’s need. Furthermore, the system can be can be configured to operate in three different manners, each tailored to specific operational needs and safety requirements.

The system is ready to perform tasks right out of the box, with or without added functionality. With safety assured, it provides a solid foundation for expanding autonomy capabilities through Saab’s continuous development and third-party collaborations.

“The development of naval unmanned and autonomous units is progressing, enhancing capabilities for maritime security operations. Autonomous Ocean Core can boost key operational strengths for the dull, dirty, dangerous and dear. This control system gives our customers a tactical edge, increasing availability and efficiency and becoming less dependent on active manpower,” says Mats Wicksell, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s Business Area Kockums.

Saab’s leadership in autonomous systems include Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) and Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) working with seabed infrastructure, anti-submarine warfare training and mine hunting. (Source: ASD Network)

07 Nov 24. U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® Demonstrate First Live Control of an Uncrewed Air Vehicle by UMCS and MDCX™.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) collaborated with the U.S. Navy and General Atomics (GA) in a first-ever live control flight demonstration of an uncrewed system by the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS).

Powered by the Skunk Works® MDCX™ autonomy platform, the UMCS controlled a GA MQ-20 Avenger uncrewed air system (UAS) as it completed a live fly mission. This demonstration is a pathfinder that helps to advance the complex technology necessary to enable crewed and uncrewed teaming as envisioned for programs such as CCA and others.

The flight test is a significant milestone in the development of UMCS, setting the stage for the Navy’s future unmanned aviation operations.

MDCX™ enabled the U.S. Navy Air Vehicle Pilots at Patuxent River, Maryland to control the MQ-20 during its flight in California.

“Skunk Works is proud to collaborate with the Navy to bring its Carrier Air Wing of the Future vision to life,” said John Clark, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. “The MDCX made it possible to rapidly integrate the MQ-20 ‘autonomy core’ with the UMCS, demonstrating common control capability and third-party platform integration.”

“Autonomous collaborative platforms that are mission capable with technologies that have been demonstrated at high readiness levels and the maturation of those technologies is just one of the focus areas for GA-ASI,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “This collaboration with the USN and Lockheed Martin advances the UMCS’s beyond line-of-sight capabilities, while demonstrating the maturity of our Tactical Autonomy Core Ecosystem (TacACE).”

“This was a huge step for unmanned naval aviation,” said Lt. Steven Wilster, MQ-25 AVP. “This demo showcased UMCS’s first live control of an unmanned air vehicle, and it was great to be part of history in the making. The team is paving the way for integrating critical unmanned capability across the joint force to combat the high-end threat our warfighters face today and in the future.”

The U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps are collaborating via a Tri-Service Memorandum of Understanding on critical sub-systems for CCA platforms. The Navy leads the U.S. Department of Defense in developing a common control architecture and ground control station (GCS) for these systems. This work is being done in collaboration with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, leveraging decades of operational experience delivering GCSs underpinned by the U.S. government’s Open Mission Systems architecture for third-party platform integration for optimal interoperability.

The Navy will refine UMCS’s requirements based on data from this demonstration and conduct further flight tests to advance command and control technologies, autonomy and crewed-uncrewed teaming.

07 Nov 24. On November 5, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) used its MQ-20 Avenger® Unmanned Aircraft System to perform commanded autonomy maneuvers as part of a demonstration with the U.S. Navy (USN). The USN used its MD-5 Ground Control Station (GCS) with Lockheed Martin’s MDCX™ autonomy platform to command and control the jet-powered UAS. Working collaboratively with the USN and Lockheed Martin, the GA-ASI team successfully executed the flight demonstration over a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) datalink.

The USN’s Unmanned Carrier Aviation program office PMA-268 used GA-ASI’s MQ-20 as a surrogate to demonstrate how its Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control Station (UMCS) can command a variety of unmanned aircraft. The MD-5 GCS was operated from the USN’s test facility at Patuxent River, Maryland, while the MQ-20 was flown out of GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in El Mirage, California.

This flight was the first time a GA-ASI UAS completed bi-directional communications using the UMCS operation codes while performing autonomous behavior. The procedure was completed using the PLEO datalink.

“This effort was a prime example of industry partners and government agencies working together to perform important new capabilities,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “The team efficiently and safely demonstrated aircraft flight control from another government agency’s control station. Using GA-ASI’s Tactical Autonomy Core Ecosystem (TacACE) software, the team not only executed airborne commands, but did so in a safe, controlled environment.”

The demonstration was part of an effort to advance technology for future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). GA-ASI initiated the demonstration between PMA-268 and Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works to demonstrate connectivity between the Navy’s UMCS and GA-ASI’s MQ-20 Avenger. MQ-20 is a jet-powered platform used extensively as a CCA surrogate test bed for autonomous UAS technology development. GA-ASI was recently selected for the U.S. Air Force’s CCA program.

31 Oct 24. Ditch Tanks for Drones Says Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Eric Schmidt, the billionaire investor and former CEO of Google, said it’s time for the US military to do away with tanks, artillery and mortars in favor of aerial drones similar to the ones that he is building to help Ukraine.

“I read somewhere that the US had thousands and thousands of tanks stored somewhere,”

he told the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

“Give them away. Buy a drone instead.”

Schmidt’s comments were reported by Bloomberg News.

Schmidt is listed by Bloomberg Bnaires Index as the 51st richest person in the world with a fortune valued at $33.3 bn as of Wednesday. The former Google boss said that the Russia-Ukraine war has shown how “a $5,000 drone can destroy a $5 m tank.”

Earlier this year, Forbes reported that Schmidt is the founder of White Stork, a military startup that is building a “kamikaze drone” which is designed to loiter on the battlefield before being dispatched to destroy its target.

“White Stork” is also a reference to a species of bird that is commonly found in Ukraine, where Schmidt has taken on a significant role in helping the country’s defense efforts to repel the Russian invasion.

The company has been developing a mass-producible drone that uses artificial intelligence to zero in on a target even in environments were communications have been interrupted by GPS jamming, according to Forbes.

In July of last year, Schmidt penned an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal touting drones as “the future of war.

According to Schmidt, Ukrainian forces have “succeeded” because of their deployment of drones — this despite the fact that Russia has a 3-to-1 advantage in soldiers as well as air superiority. While Ukraine has incurred heavy losses, it “has continually out-innovated the enemy.”

Schmidt served as Google’s CEO from 2001 to 2011, a time of rapid growth for the California-based technology company. He later became executive chairman for Google, and in 2015, for its new parent company, Alphabet, before resigning as chairman in 2018. (Source: UAS VISION/New York Post)

04 Nov 24. British Army Takes Drones Seriously. From delivering stores to high-speed racing, soldiers have had their eyes firmly on the sky as the use of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) gathers pace in the British Army.

While the latest technology was being tested by the Experimentation and Trials Group (ETG) on Salisbury Plain, soldiers were enjoying the thrills and spills of First Person View (FPV) drone racing at events in London and Colchester.

An assault on Imber village by 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment used a wide range of drones able to fulfil varied roles, as well as technology to counter the threat of drones.

Troops laid mines from a Spike Firefly UAS to ambush enemy vehicles, received supplies and evacuated a casualty on a Malloy T400 heavy lift drone, flew Parrot Anafis to observe the ground ahead, and dropped small munitions from DefendTex D40s.

Enemy drones flying over the 2 R YORKS troops were jammed using DroneShield equipment and shot out of the sky with the Smartshooter SMASH sight, which mounts on the standard issue SA80 A3 assault rifle and uses image processing software to target UAS. A blast from a shotgun provided a low-tech last line of defence.

This is my first major exercise since leaving training and it has been an eye opener, seeing how all the kit we have here works, and how it would come together in a real scenario

– PRIVATE CHARLIE BUGBY, 2ND BATTALION THE ROYAL YORKSHIRE REGIMENT

D40 operator Private Charlie Bugby said:

“This is my first major exercise since leaving training and it has been an eye opener, seeing how all the kit we have here works, and how it would come together in a real scenario.”

ETG Commander Colonel Toby Till said the widespread use and varied applications of UAS mean that commanders at every level “need to be looking up as much as they are looking down”.

“We have a range of sensors, a number of drones of all sizes, and importantly got the network that can take those feeds,” he said. “There is a whole series of effectors, particularly FPV drones which take a real niche skill to be able to operate, and we are learning from our partners across defence how to operate those.”

Drone racing is a way for soldiers to learn the challenging skill of flying FPV drones, which are flown using a virtual reality headset and lack the GPS and stabilization software fitted to conventional drones. This makes them much harder to fly, but simpler to construct and maintain and less vulnerable to jamming.

Private Blake Summerville raced for 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment at the 1st (UK) Division drone racing competition, held in Colchester as the first event of its kind organised by the Army.

“The pilot is in total control of an FPV and you have to understand how the drone banks when it turns and be more precise in use of the controls,” he said. “It is quite hard to learn, and it takes a lot of time to build your experience and muscle memory.

Competing against others gives you an idea of your own skills – and I feel that I am at a good level for the time that I’ve been flying.”

With five units entering teams, the event was open to soldiers enrolled on the jHub Drone Academy, which is training a cadre of FPV UAS pilots. It is part of Project Lewes, the Army’s work to integrate new technologies and capabilities into its existing forces to improve lethality.

Organiser Major James Metcalfe, of Headquarters 16 Air Assault Brigade, said the aim was to “kickstart interest in a sport among our soldiers, to develop the skills that will provide a military capability”.

At the highest end of competition, the Military International Drone Racing Tournament was held at Armoury House in London. The third ever staging of the event, and first in Britain, saw military teams from across the globe race FPV drones over, under and around obstacles at speeds of over 125mph.

Racing drones are built by their operators and their simplicity – a carbon fibre frame with motors on each of four spokes, controlled by three small circuit boards mounted in the middle – is part of their military applicability.

Lieutenant Colonel Karl Eze, a reservist in the Honourable Artillery Company and leader of the tri-service British team, highlighted “the asymmetric capability of the technology”.

Participants sat during a round of the FPV Drone races.

Participants gathered at the Honourable Artillery Company, Armoury House, London for the 3rd ever Military International Drone Racing Tournament and the first to be held in the UK. The Tournament had been organised by Lt Col Karl Eze of the Honourable Artillery Company.

The drones are not simply a packaged product, purchased and flown. Each drone in this Tournament is hand made. Competitors build their own, going to the large online community for assistance but mostly they have learnt by watching “How To” videos on social media.

One of the Competitors, Corporal Luke Crossley of the Royal Engineers for the past 12 years, got into FPV (First Person Video) drone racing as recently as March this year, having done a military course in November the year before, he took the opportunity and built his own drone.

FPV drones differ from the drones you may be more used in that they have none of the ‘bells and whistles’ no gyroscopic stabilisation,

Easily and relatively cheaply assembled in large numbers, FPV drones have proved themselves on the battlefields of Ukraine and the Middle East as a one-way precision strike capability. Carrying small explosive charges, drones’ range of up to 12 miles and agility means they can punch above their weight, such as flying through an open hatch to destroy an armoured vehicle by exploding inside it.

While lacking explosives, the tournament’s spirit of competition was strong, with the Australian Defence Forces team winning and the British finishing a close second. With Chief of General Staff General Sir Roland Walker presenting prizes, the importance of drone technology in how the Army will fight in the future could not have had a stronger endorsement. (Source: UAS VISION/British Army)

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29 Oct 24. C2 Robotics, Thales Australia partner to enhance Speartooth LUUV capabilities. Melbourne-based C2 Robotics has partnered with Thales Australia to enhance the capabilities of its Speartooth large unmanned underwater vehicle (LUUV).

Thales Australia will supply its sonar sensor system for Speartooth, Thales and C2 Robotics announced on 28 October.

Marcus Hellyer, C2 Robotics’ director of strategy, told Janes on 30 October that the Thales sonar can enhance the “autonomy, reliability, and safety” of Speartooth.

“Essentially the sonar will allow Speartooth to more accurately detect and avoid obstacles including other vessels. This will contribute to increasing users’ trust in the Speartooth system and expanding the range of missions it can conduct and the range of environments it can operate in,” Hellyer said.

Hellyer added, “We are confident that integration work can begin quickly. Thales is supplying an existing sonar that is already in production. Due to its small size, the integration doesn’t have significant space, weight, or power requirements that would need us to alter Speartooth.”

Hellyer did not provide more details about the Thales sonar system that will be integrated into Speartooth. Thales Australia had not responded to Janes request for more information about the sonar system at the time of publication.

C2 Robotics has been collaborating with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to develop Speartooth. The LUUV is available in two prototype lengths, 8m and 11m, with a focus on containerised deployment. (Source: Janes)

25 Oct 24. EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Baykar, Turkiye’s global leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and artificial intelligence technology, have signed a Cooperation Agreement at SAHA Expo 2024. Formalised by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, and Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar, during the event, this agreement establishes a framework to strengthen ties, enhance capabilities, and expand market presence for both companies.

Under the terms of the agreement, the cooperation will centre on integrating EDGE’s guided munitions and payloads onto Baykar’s advanced UAS platforms, with Baykar leading the integration efforts. EDGE will provide technical assistance, including designing, manufacturing, and supporting the necessary equipment for successful integration. This initiative aims to meet market demand swiftly and effectively, ensuring supply chain security and delivering high-performance solutions for their customers.

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, said: “This agreement with Baykar represents a significant milestone in further strengthening our established collaboration. By integrating our advanced solutions onto Baykar’s proven UAS platforms, we can respond swiftly to evolving market demands while further enhancing the capabilities we deliver to our customers. Additionally, this partnership underscores the strategic importance of working with Türkiye’s well-established companies and leveraging its robust defence ecosystem. Together, we are reinforcing our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology with agility, efficiency, and innovation, while ensuring secure and resilient supply chains.”

Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar, said: “Today, alongside the CEO of EDGE, one of the largest defence organisations in the UAE and one of the top 30 in the world, we signed an agreement between BAYKAR and EDGE to integrate EDGE-developed smart munitions into our platforms and for joint cooperation. In recent years, the UAE and Türkiye have built significant defence relations, with the UAE being Türkiye’s largest trade partner in the Middle East. I would like to extend my gratitude for this agreement, with the hope that it will contribute to the independence and security of both nations.” (Source: Defense Arabia)

28 Oct 24. Russia Discloses Information About Upgraded Privet-82MK2 UAS. The Russian army received the modernized Privet-82MK2 UAS, which the Russians themselves position as a “kamikaze drone”. The enemy claims the high efficiency of this system. Russian propaganda media write about this with reference to the commander of the Sovy (engl. – Owls) drone group of the 88th “Espanyola” brigade flying battalion with the call sign “Sokol”.

According to reports, over the past three months, the upgraded Privet-82MK2 UAV has made more than 100 sorties, the success rate of which is estimated at 60%. It is currently impossible to verify the validity of such a thesis, as well as to fully trust this information. According to the Russians, this drone is used to launch strikes on observation posts, dugouts, temporary deployment points and other targets on the battlefield.

The enemy claims that the drone allegedly proved itself positively “by a set of characteristics”:

it is resistant to means of electronic warfare
thanks to the autopilot, it can overcome difficult areas
it can be configured to perform different types of tasks.

It is claimed that the enemy is using this drone in the area of Chasovoy Yar. The working range of the Privet-82MK2 UAV is up to 8-12 km, the maximum range is 30 km.

The modernized Privet-82MK2 drone was presented for the first time this summer at the Army-2024 propaganda forum in Russia. One of the “innovations” implemented in this UAV is the possibility of taking off with the camera turned off – so that the enemy, in case of interception of the video signal, cannot determine the place of launch.

The maximum speed of the UAV is up to 140 km/h, the cruising speed is 90 km/h. The drone can carry up to 5.5 kg of payload – for example, it can be armed with an 82-mm mortar bomb. This UAV is launched with a help of a catapult. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense Express)

28 Oct 24. Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has announced a strategic investment and collaboration with Near Earth Autonomy (Near Earth) to support multiple autonomous rotorcraft program pursuits, including the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC). Honeywell is teaming with Near Earth, which has been selected by the USMC to lead one of the teams demonstrating optimized logistics using rotorcraft, through an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) under the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium (NASC). In the ALC program, Leonardo Helicopters, Near Earth and Honeywell will showcase uncrewed rotorcraft capabilities for contested environments on Leonardo’s AW139 helicopter.

The agreement will help accelerate the development of autonomous flight and supports Honeywell’s portfolio alignment to three compelling megatrends: the future of aviation, automation and the energy transition.

“Uncrewed aircraft are a vital means of keeping service men and women out of harm’s way in contested environments. But they must also be advanced enough to reliably and efficiently perform their missions, even in GPS-denied environments. Together with Near Earth, we’re seeking to advance the reliability and functionality of autonomous technology and build products that support autonomous operations globally,” said Matt Milas, President, Defense & Space, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “By focusing on retrofitting existing platforms we’ll be able to deliver rapid, scalable solutions.”

The ALC program will leverage the extensive collective aviation expertise of the three companies to deliver advanced autonomy solutions, enabling uncrewed operation of rotorcraft for logistics and casualty evacuation missions for the USMC. This initiative, part of the USMC Aerial Logistics Connector program, focuses on developing an unmanned logistics system to provide support in contested environments, with operational aircraft targeted by 2030. Honeywell and Near Earth aim to help deploy these solutions rapidly and at scale.

“The ALC program is focused on achieving assured autonomy on an unprecedented scale,” said Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth. “We are excited to partner with Honeywell, a leader in avionics and flight control, to create a comprehensive system for aerial logistics that can rapidly be put into commonplace use.”

“Leonardo Helicopters is excited to introduce the USMC to the world-class AW139 helicopter for this next-generation FVL mission,” said Scott Volkert, Dir. of USMC Programs for Leonardo Helicopters.

This collaboration with Near Earth allows Honeywell to explore additional opportunities for rotorcraft and UAS beyond the USMC initiative.

28 Oct 24. USMC Deploys ‘Loyal Wingman’ Drone in Joint Force Test.

A test Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned combat aerial vehicle deployed recently in a first-ever joint force data link integration test during Emerald Flag 2024.

The Marine Corps’ “Loyal Wingman” drone provides targeting data to F-35Bs and other aircraft.

“The XQ-58A effectively demonstrated its capabilities as a forward deployed sensing platform – providing critical threat targeting data to Marine Corps fifth-generation aircraft,”

reads a Marine Corps press release on the integration effort.

Procured by the service under the Penetrating Affordable Autonomous Collaborative Killer, or the Portfolio (PAACK-P) program, which will serve as an experimentation bed for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary (MUX) Tactical Aircraft (TACAIR), the Marine Valkryie drones took flight for the first time last year. Successive flight tests occurred in February and September of this year, with the latter acting as preparation for the service’s data link integration effort at Emerald Flag.

Starting in 2020, the Air Force-led Emerald Flag series of exercises focuses on the joint integration of platforms across the services in a multi-domain environment. The exercise’s activities are centered around Eglin Air Force Base, which hosts numerous test and development components and a maritime testing range. The exercise has also been the site of previous force integration efforts by the Air Force, as seen in the 2022 iteration that included MQ-9A Reaper drones demonstrating their Satellite Communication abilities to conduct cross-country operations in support of Agile Combat Employment.

Elgin has also hosted the Marines for prior testing efforts of Valkyrie under PAACK-P. The base hosted the service’s second flight test, which was called a “key milestone in implementing Project Eagle,” the notional name for the Marine Corps yet-to-be-released 2024 aviation plan.

For the Marine Corps, this year’s iteration of Emerald Flag centered around the Valkyrie as a sensor and its ability to transmit what it saw back to both the service’s F-35B fifth-generation fighters and platforms from other services. Col. Derek Brannon, the branch head for the Cunningham Group within the office of the deputy commandant for aviation, highlighted the integration of Valkyrie with a four-ship of Lightning IIs and other aircraft via tactical data links and digital communication.

“The success of this flight test during Emerald Flag pushed the manned-unmanned teaming concept a step further for the entire Joint Force,” Brannon said.

Valkyrie’s Link-16 capabilities were previously tested and verified during the drone’s third flight test, which also marked the first time the Pentagon “controlled an air vehicle using offboard expeditionary methods.”

“Initial results indicate that the prototype met threshold requirements for autonomously exchanging relevant tactical information. These Link-16 capabilities significantly enhance the Marine Air-Ground Task Force’s ability to conduct integrated and joint operations, contributing to the Marine Corps’ mission to deter conflict and, when necessary, defeat enemies in complex and evolving scenarios,” reads a news release about the September test.

With this latest test, the Kratos drone should only have two more planned tests under the original PAACK-P requirements. The service’s tests aim to examine the viability of the “Loyal Wingman” platform to support the F-35B through autonomous electronic support, AI-enabled assistance to combat air patrols and delivering or supporting long-range fire missions. Kratos demonstrated the platform’s electronic warfare capability in April when one of the drones, in conjunction with two F-35Bs, conducted an electronic attack. The service did not publicly report this test despite it occurring before the third flight test in September.

“This test flight marked the capstone event for the PAACK-P Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve project and proved the tactical utility of uncrewed offboard sensing platforms,”

said Lt. Col. Bradley Buick, future capabilities officer for Cunningham Group. (Source: UAS VISION/USNI News)

25 Oct 24. Trio of Ghost Bat Block 2 variants to be completed next year. A trio of Royal Australian Air Force Block 2 variants of the MQ-28 Ghost Bat are expected to be completed by the end of next year, according to information from manufacturer Boeing Australia.

Boeing has produced a total of eight MQ-28A prototype aircraft, with three RAAF Block 2 variants currently in production and planned to be completed by the end of next year, according to a Boeing spokesperson.

The MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed teaming aircraft are designed to act as a force multiplier in support of advanced multi-mission air combat operations. Ghost Bat development vehicles continue to be manufactured at the company’s Fishermans Bend facility in Victoria.

“The Ghost Bat is designed to act as a force multiplier, providing the Royal Australian Air Force with affordable mass and flexibility in its force mix, while reducing risk to existing crewed assets,” a Boeing Australia spokesperson said.

“We have worked closely with RAAF to mature the concept of operations for MQ-28.

“We have made significant progress in the last two years to mature the Ghost Bat capabilities, and we are working towards being able to deliver an operational capability to the Royal Australian Air Force in the next few years.

“MQ-28 was conceived, produced and tested at record speed, and recently Boeing and RAAF marked more than 100 hours of flight testing and 20,000 hours in the digital environment.”

Earlier this year at the Connect Defence Industry Development Strategy Summit 2024, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy confirmed that there was ongoing interest in both intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles for the uncrewed aircraft, as well as acquiring strike capability. (Source: Defence Connect)

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

October 25, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

25 Oct 24. Czech & Ukraine Firms Develop New Jet Engine for Drones. Czech company PBS Group, in collaboration with Ukrainian firm Ivchenko Progress, has developed the AL-PBS-350, a powerful jet engine designed specifically for unmanned aerial vehicles.

In cooperation with the Ukrainian company Ivchenko Progress, PBS jointly developed a new type of powerful jet engine AI-PBS-350 for unmanned aerial vehicles, which are essential for modern military operations. The supply of engines significantly improves the Ukrainian military’s ability to operate with modern unmanned systems. Supporting Ukraine is one of the priorities for PBS GROUP, the company said in an official statement.

PBS and Ukraine’s Ivchenko-Progress signed agreement to develop the AI-PBS-350 engine to power UAVs and cruise missiles in June 2023.

The AI-PBS-350 jet engine has the following declared characteristics: it delivers a maximum thrust of 3,400 N (765.76 lbf) and weighs 51 kg. The engine has an outer diameter of 298 mm and a length of 706 mm, with an electrical power output of 5.0 kW.

Looking ahead, PBS Group plans to increase jet engine production capacity by 2025, with production expected to grow by nearly 300% between 2023 and 2024. Expansion is planned for both Czech facilities and international branches in the U.S. and India.

Recently, PBS Group defended against a major cyberattack with assistance from Czech intelligence services. These attacks are believed to be part of an effort to destabilize the company’s cooperation with Ukraine. Despite the cyber and media attacks, PBS Group remains committed to supporting Ukraine. These efforts are crucial, and we are fully capable of defending ourselves while continuing our mission, PBS Group Executive Director Pavel Čechal.

PBS Group, led by its owner William Didden, recently completed a U.S. security clearance process, which included compliance checks on trade sanctions and technical abilities, due to its involvement with Lockheed Martin. Following the clearance, the company secured a U.S. government contract and is now working on technologies, such as 3D printing, for Lockheed Martin. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense Mirror)

25 Oct 24. Russia Ready to Start Production of SKAT 350M Advanced UAV. The unmanned aerial system (UAS) SKAT 350M, developed by Izhevsk Aviation Plant LLC (IAZ)—a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov Group—has been officially entered into the register of products manufactured in the Russian Federation.

This major step, achieved under Government Resolution No. 719 of July 17, 2015, allows the SKAT 350M to participate in public tenders and execute government orders, marking progress for Russia’s domestic drone industry.

The expert report confirming the system’s compliance with the requirements to be recognized as a product manufactured in Russia was issued by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Udmurt Republic.

The SKAT 350M is designed for a variety of missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially electronic warfare support. It is believed to be equipped with advanced avionics, sophisticated communication systems, and offers payload versatility to meet various operational requirements. The drone likely has an extended operational range, allowing it to cover vast distances for intelligence-gathering missions.

The inclusion of the SKAT 350M in the official register has several strategic implications. For the Russian military, it is an opportunity to integrate a high-performance domestic drone, enhancing situational awareness and operational effectiveness on the ground. For the Izhevsk Aviation Plant and the Kalashnikov Group, it paves the way for increased revenues through government contracts and greater investment in research and development. This approach also supports Russia’s objective of strengthening its technological independence by reducing reliance on foreign technologies and promoting domestic innovation in critical defense sectors.

The Izhevsk Aviation Plant has a long history in aircraft manufacturing and has recently focused on developing unmanned systems. As an integral part of the Kalashnikov Group—the largest Russian producer of automatic weapons and precision munitions—the plant benefits from extensive expertise and substantial resources in defense technology development.

The adoption of drones such as the SKAT 350M reflects a global trend toward the use of unmanned systems in military applications. Drones offer several advantages, including reducing risks to human pilots in hostile environments, increased economic efficiency over their operational life cycle compared to manned aircraft, and great versatility due to the ability to equip different sensors and payloads suited to various missions.

Government Resolution No. 719, issued on July 17, 2015, establishes the criteria for classifying products as manufactured in the Russian Federation. Compliance with this resolution is essential for manufacturers wishing to participate in government procurement processes. The inclusion of the SKAT 350M under this resolution attests to its adherence to national production standards.

The entry of the SKAT 350M into the Russian register of domestically manufactured products is an important step. It demonstrates Russia’s commitment to improving its military capabilities through indigenous technologies. Of course, this drone will very likely be sent to Ukraine, where massive use will allow us to determine its quality and real impact on the battlefield; it also remains to be seen whether Russia will be able to produce this drone in substantial numbers. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)

24 Oct 24. Chinese company unveils ‘large’ cargo UAV. The China-based Air White Whale aviation startup has rolled out its W5000 cargo-carrying unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). (Air White Whale/Janes)

A Chinese aviation startup has announced the roll-out of a new cargo-carrying unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which the company describes as the largest transport UAV in the country.

The W5000 is a product of Air White Whale, a company based in Changzhou, eastern China. The aircraft was unveiled on 22 October at the company’s Changzhou production factory. According to Air White Whale, the W5000 is a twin-turboprop aircraft with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 10.8 tonnes, a payload capacity of five tonnes, and an inner cargo space of more than 65 m3.

The UAV is about 22.9 m long and has a wingspan of 22.7 m, the company said. Specifications previously published by the company show the UAV is being developed to achieve a range of 2,600 km and a cruising speed of 526 kt and operate at a maximum service ceiling of 6,000 m.

The company said it has applied for an airworthiness certification for the W5000 from China’s Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The first model is expected to be delivered to its user in 2026, the company told state-owned media.

According to Chinese media reports, Air White Whale announced that the W5000 received CNY120 million (USD16 million) during a Series-A funding round in June 2024. It will use the funding to conduct ground-based testing and building assembly capacity while further developing the W5000 prototype, the company added.

The company has previously said the W5000 project was launched in 2021. Images released on Chinese social media in 2023 show the company using a scaled-down model of the W5000 for initial flight-testing.

(Source: Janes)

24 Oct. 24. Russia has Developed Drone Dropping System for PFM-1 Land Mine. Russian forces in Ukraine have started using drones that have received the PFM-1 anti-personnel mine dropping system.

A photo of such a Russian drone was shown by radio technology specialist Serhiy Flesh. The DJI Mavic 3 drone was equipped with the anti-personnel mine drop system, which is now capable of dropping at least 4 PFM-1 mines.

The cassette contains pairs of PFM-1 mines, which are arranged in pairs when they are fired. They will not explode for about 5 minutes after being fired because of the retarder. Then, in the fired state, they need to be pressed with a weight of 5 kg or more to detonate.

Mines can be dropped on the paths of light vehicles. When detonated, they will puncture the wheels of the vehicle.

The Lepestok mine is available in two versions: PFM-1 and PFM-1S. The first version of the mine does not have a self-deactivation device, the second is equipped with a device that ensures the mine’s self-deactivation by detonation after 1-40 hours from the moment of installation.

The mine’s construction is predominantly plastic, with the only metal part being a small aluminum fuse between the two wings.The mine can only be placed in the ground by remote mining equipment. It is only 61 mm long and only 20 mm wide at the widest part.

A person can be injured by a mine explosion by damaging the lower part of the leg. The explosion occurs when a person steps on the mine. The total weight of the mine is 75 g, of which 37 g is the explosive itself.

(Source: UAS VISION/MILITARNYI)

23 Oct 24. Northern Plains UAS Test Site Implementing Project ULTRA Flights for Defense Readiness.

Since it was formed, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) has been a critical partner in Project ULTRA, a multi-entity collaboration that is bolstering the Department of Defense’s (DoD) capabilities within the National Airspace System (NAS).

Just months after the public announcement, the NPUASTS has surpassed significant milestones toward accomplishing the announced goals of Project Unmanned Logistics, Traffic, Research and Autonomy (ULTRA), and is planning and implementing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) flights to support it.

One major development in Project ULTRA is the use of UAS, or drones, for military cargo transport, with demonstration flights continuing from the May announcement through 2025. Flights carrying payloads of at least 55 pounds will travel more than 60 miles from Grand Forks Air Force Base to Cavalier Space Force Station and back.

“We have already led the world in developing drone and counter drone technologies here in North Dakota,” said Senator John Hoeven. “Project ULTRA is the next step, working with private enterprise and leveraging the expertise of our available resources and infrastructure, such as the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, to further our armed services’ missions and readiness.”

The experience and leadership that NPUASTS has in UAS was also a primary reason that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently announced a formal agreement for the Test Site to use federal radar data to advance beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) UAS operations into the NAS. The NPUASTS is the first participant in the FAA Radar Data Pathfinder program.

In the Project ULTRA collaboration, the NPUASTS is the primary execution arm of the initiative, leveraging the extensive flight testing and research capabilities, that will create better operational efficiency of our country’s armed forces. The project, with the support of Sen. Hoeven, brings together Grand Forks County, GrandSKY, NASA, AFRL, MITRE and other industry leaders in a multi-year effort to secure the nation’s defense.

A task order, issued by the DoD, allocates further resources to facilitate the cargo flights through civilian airspace. The NPUASTS coordinates waivers with the FAA, and provides flight planning and mission profiles.

“The flights are a proof of concept for UAS applications,” said Chris Hewlett, Director at GrandSKY. “Project ULTRA demonstrates the valuable nature of having the region’s unique UAS ecosystem in place.”

The NPUASTS has been leading other defense, commerce and safety initiatives within UAS this year, many of which feed into the key objectives of Project ULTRA, including:

Assessing how traditional aviation surveillance systems can help expand UAS access, using the FAA Radar Data Pilot Program.
Helping the State of North Dakota collaborate with Korea Research Association for Unmanned Vehicles (KRAUV), and promoting UAS research and development with a key ally and economic partner.
Successfully conducting test flights of the Kratos Valkyrie UAS and its Trolley Launch System, using the Test Site’s FAA certificate of authorization (COA).
Helping the Grand Forks Fire Department obtaining a Tactical Beyond Visual Line of Sight (TBVLOS) waiver, allowing greater emergency response capabilities in extreme situations.
Having Vantis, powered by the NPUASTS, be accepted by the FAA as the safety mitigation for recurring BVLOS operations, essentially allowing supported repeatable and scalable UAS operations.

Project ULTRA aims to enhance airspace situational awareness and traffic management within the NAS; develop reliable logistical and supply delivery to remote military locations; utilize BVLOS capabilities as service models for DoD installations; integrate Small UAS capabilities to improve quality of life for military personnel and families; and develop Counter UAS technologies to enhance physical security measures at military facilities.

“Through Project ULTRA, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site is helping raise the Department of Defense’s operational capabilities significantly,” said Trevor Woods, Executive Director of NPUASTS. “We are supporting our nation’s defense and pushing the boundaries of unmanned aircraft systems.” (Source: UAS VISION)

23 Oct 24. Saronic unveils latest, largest unmanned vessel, with eye on mass production. The company plans to make “hundreds” of the new drone starting next year, which CEO Dino Mavrookas wants to be available once Navy contracting “catches up.”

Defense tech startup Saronic announced today it is launching its newest autonomous surface vessel, dubbed Corsair, the company’s third and largest unmanned maritime asset aimed at satisfying the Pentagon’s desire for expendable drones produced en masse.

The new unmanned vessel is 24 feet long and, according to the company, can travel 1,000 nautical miles at a top speed of 35 knots with a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds. Saronic also produces 6-foot and 14-foot model vessels that, as company officials describe them, fit the US Navy’s future vision for a hybrid manned/unmanned fleet.

Dino Mavrookas, co-founder and chief executive officer at Saronic, told reporters ahead of the public announcement the company is already planning to manufacture “hundreds” of the new vessel to “meet the demand” the company is predicting, without naming any specific deals.

See how we empower platforms and enable the Navy’s vision of Distributed Maritime Operations.

“We’re building five prototypes, all of which are currently in development,” he said. “We have done live demonstrations already with end users, and we are moving and ramping into high-rate production and manufacturing as we speak. So, we will be building hundreds and hundreds of Corsairs next year with the ability to scale that into the thousands.”

The startup, which was formed in 2022, has largely focused its efforts on developing and manufacturing unmanned surface vessels implicitly aimed at the Pentagon’s Replicator initiative, which seeks to mass produce affordable, unmanned drones that could be deployed in a fight against China.

As Mavrookas described it, Saronic’s advantage in the unmanned vessel market, which has become increasingly saturated in the defense industrial base in recent years, is vertical integration.

“The thing that matters to the Navy … is scale. The first thing that matters is, can you manufacture these at scale in very, very large quantities?” he said. “In order to scale autonomous platforms, you have to be vertically integrated from start to finish. You have to bring the hardware, the software and the manufacturing and production all together under one roof.”

Earlier this year, the Austin, Texas-based firm secured $175m in series B funding in a round led by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Other firms included 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Elad Gil and NightDragon.

When pressed by reporters on if the company’s production was getting too far ahead of the Pentagon’s interest, Mavrookas argued investors would not be cutting checks if the demand signals weren’t clear.

“The Navy has to go in this direction. The buying behavior is changing as we speak, and we’re scaling manufacturing and production with [independent research and development] to meet that demand. So, when the contracting catches up, we’re there to meet it,” he said. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

22 Oct 24. Quantum Systems updating Twister and Vector UAVs. Quantum Systems is extending the endurance of its Twister unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from 75 to 90 minutes, Casey Martin, the company’s head of business development, told Janes on 16 October.

Although Twister remains in the prototype stage, Quantum Systems is conducting demonstrations for potential customers with its existing craft. One such demonstration is to take place imminently in Canada, as the company demonstrates Twister for Canadian special operations forces.

A few changes have resulted from prototype testing, said Martin. The company intends to widen Twister’s fuselage slightly to accommodate more equipment and make the tailfin larger to assist with flight stability, particularly during landing.

The company hopes to release the low-rate initial production version of Twister in the second quarter of calendar year 2025, said Martin, starting with five to ten per month and ramping up to as many as 40 per month. Although the company bid Twister’s inclusion on the US Defense Innovation Unit’s recent Blue List update – the document defines which small UAVs US Department of Defense organisations can purchase off-the-shelf without burdensome additional testing – it was not selected.

Twister was unveiled in 2023. The small UAV has a 4.1 ft (1.2 m) wingspan and weighs 5.5 lb (2.5 kg), including a 350 g payload.

Meanwhile, the company is also working on Vector, which was unveiled in 2019 and has several customers, including Germany and the Netherlands.

One such customer is Ukraine, where at least 300 Vectors have been delivered. Quantum Systems is learning lessons from operations in Ukraine, which the company is rolling into upgrades, said Martin. The next Vector configuration is called R24. (Source: Janes)

17 Oct 24. US Army picking 2 cargo drones to pair with autonomous boats for Project Convergence 2025.

“We’re going to have to figure out how to resupply dispersed formations,” Brig. Gen. Shane Upton, the director for the Contested Logistics Cross Functional Team, told Breaking Defense on Tuesday.

Cargo aerial drones and autonomous boats will team up at next year’s Project Convergence capstone exercise to help the service flesh out future operating concepts and drive investment decisions, according to a senior Army leader.

“The Pacific, by nature, drives you to that. There’s no other option if you start putting a Multi Domain Task Force lethal firing asset on a remote island chain, I have to resupply them with ammo and we may not be able to fly a traditional C-17 or C-130 in there,” the one-star general added. “The enemy will be like: ‘You’re not using that port because I just shot it up and it’s gone.’”

To evaluate the ever-evolving drone market, the service issued a request for information from industry for their heavy-lift options. Upton said 24 companies came back with options that ranged from flying prototypes to more developmental ideas. Based on that feedback, the Army has now picked two drones to participate in its Project Convergence Capstone 5 event next year, though Upton remained mum on which companies will be flying since they still haven’t been notified.

He did, however, disclose that those heavy-lift drones can ferry roughly 1000 pounds up to 300-400 nautical miles.

The plan now, in part, is to use those two different drones along with autonomous boats, to look at logistics options inside the Pacific theater and other parts of the world.

“It’s looking at using them together. … None of the solutions that we’re going to develop for the Army are going to be just for the Pacific, they’ve got to work in Europe,” Upton said.

“We need to be reminded that the only two wars going on right now are one in CENTCOM or one in EUCOM, not in PACOM,” he later added. “We don’t get to choose at the end of this … we’ve got to have these solutions be usable in all those environments.”

The Army plans to use Project Convergence takeaways on the state of aerial cargo drone tech and weigh that against options like integrating an autonomy stack on CH-47 Chinooks, an option Upton said is “easier said than done.” Price points for both avenues will also be a focal point.

“Some of these autonomous aircraft we’re talking about are a lot cheaper per capita than a Chinook,” Upton said. “If we’re going to do logistics over the shore, you have got to be able to scale it.”

“The money they do give us is a lot of money, but you [have] got to be able to buy things and still scale to the requirement you need. We need smaller, movable boats. We need these drones to be able to move that cargo, and you’re not going to be able to spend $50 m, $60 m or $70 m per drone to do this,” he added. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

21 Oct 24. China Develops Osprey-Like VTOL Drone with 2-Ton Capacity. China has announced the development of a large tiltrotor drone capable of carrying up to 2 tons (4,400 pounds) of payload at a maximum speed of 340 miles (547 kilometers) per hour.

Dubbed the Lanying R6000, the United Aircraft-manufactured drone rolled out of its production facility at the Wuhu United Aircraft Production Workshop in southeastern China for the first time on October 11th.

The maximum take-off weight of Lanying R6000 is 6 tons, the maximum commercial weight is 2 tons, it can carry up to 10 passengers, the maximum range is 4,000 kilometers, the fastest cruising speed is 550 kilometers per hour, and the maximum cruising altitude is 7,620 meters.

Because of the complex and innovative tilt-rotor configuration, the production difficulty of the Lanying R6000 is high and the assembly error tolerance is low. Therefore, United Aircraft arranged it to be assembled in Wuhu United Aircraft, the group’s production and manufacturing headquarters and the main strategic fulcrum in East China.

The reasons for choosing to assemble the Lanying R6000 in Wuhu are far more than that.

“The development of the aviation industry depends on a good industrial ecology, and Wuhu obviously has this condition.” The relevant person in charge of Wuhu United Aircraft said that the complete gathering of upstream and downstream enterprises in Wuhu Aviation Industrial Park can not only reduce R&D, procurement and production costs, but also promote technology iteration and increase technological innovation.

“After ten years of development, Wuhu Aviation Industrial Park has now gathered nearly 200 upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain, covering the entire industrial chain including R&D, manufacturing, maintenance, operation, training, logistics, etc. The independent matching rate of key core components of the whole aircraft has reached 100%, basically realizing ‘a domestic general aviation aircraft can be produced without leaving the park’.”

A spokesman for the Wanzhi District Aviation Industrial Center introduced that Wuhu has therefore earned the reputation of “Look at Shanghai for big planes, and look at Wuhu for small planes.”

“Ten years of hard work will test the sword’s edge in one day.” The relevant person in charge of the Wuhu Aerospace (Low-altitude Economy) Special Team said that the city’s aerospace industry has emerged from its cocoon and the low-altitude economy is ready to take off. After ten years of development, Wuhu’s low-altitude economy industry has not only “produced” “fruits” such as the Lanying R6000, but is also moving towards the direction of “being able to manufacture, flying, widely used, and excellent business forms”. (Source: UAS VISION/Wuhu News Network; The Defense Post)

18 Oct 24. Denel launches new rotary wing UAV. As part of its product diversification strategy, Denel Aerospace has announced the launch of a new Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RW-UAS), designed primarily for surveillance, with the ability to provide situational information as well as detailed object or terrain data.

Some years ago Denel approached local universities to take part in the research and development of new generation aircraft: an unmanned helicopter (Prowler) and manned aeroplane (Small African Regional Aircraft – SARA). The Prowler was developed in conjunction with Armscor.

The resulting RW-UAS is day and night operable and is equipped with optical sensors and an optional radar sensor. The standard observation sensors include a thermal imaging camera, high definition colour TV camera, auto tracker, laser rangefinder and designator. The optional radar sensor offers synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imagery as well as ground moving object indicator imagery.

Capable of automatic vertical take-off and landing, the RW-UAS can operate and navigate autonomously, with 10 hours of endurance with the standard payload. With an additional 80 kg payload, the system has a four hour endurance. Maximum take-off weight is 560 kg.

With a fully articulated five-blade main and tail rotor system, Denel notes the system has a low noise profile and can operate from a variety of landing zones, even from the back of a vehicle and vessels, making it competitive in this weight class.

The RW-UAS has an airframe length of 5.9 metres, with a rotor diameter of six metres, and a height of 1.7 metres. It is powered by a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke turbocharged petrol or diesel motor, capable of propelling it to a speed of 200 km/h.

Intended applications include law enforcement, public safety, border patrol, wildlife monitoring, area surveillance, powerline inspection, disaster management, search and rescue, communications relay, and geological surveying.

The aircraft’s flight modes include Autonomous mode, with autopilot control in accordance with a pre-planned flight plan, including auto take-off and landing. Trajectory mode makes use of autopilot, which executes route commands from the Ground Control Station (GCS). A sense and avoid capability is included, along with communications fail mode, which executes an autonomous flight to a predetermined landing point. There is also provision for engine rotor failure, which executes autorotation and an autonomous landing. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

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17 Oct 24. RTX Demonstrates Launched Effects Autonomy at EDGE. RTX businesses, Collins Aerospace and Raytheon, collectively showcased new capabilities at the U.S. Army’s Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event (EDGE). These capabilities enabled launched effects to team and execute a mission, merging collaborative vehicle autonomy with human on-the-loop command. Launched effects is a capability term that describes small, uncrewed aircraft that can be launched from the ground, air platforms, or other vehicles.

The RTX team demonstrated two collaborative autonomy solutions to find, fix, track, target, engage, and assess a broad spectrum of threats:

Collins demonstrated its RapidEdgeTM mission system and software toolset as the “brains” enabling the collaboration between a team of uncrewed aerial vehicles with various payloads that flew as launched effects surrogates.
Raytheon deployed autonomy capabilities previously developed through the Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment government program and showcased Launched Effects capabilities developed for the combat-proven Coyote family of unmanned aircraft systems.

Both solutions were able to share data, seamlessly demonstrating the utility of modular open system architectures and mesh networks.

“RTX’s demonstration at EDGE showed how autonomous sensing and effects can extend the Army’s reach, delivering sensing and effects in anti-access or area denial environments,” said Ryan Bunge, vice president and general manager for Collins’ C4I&A portfolio. “Leveraging capabilities across RTX, we were able to show interoperability between our collaborative autonomy solutions, demonstrating the power and long-term benefits of open system architectures.”

This mission system translated the human operator’s primary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance goals for the team to act on and outline behavioral parameters according to the Army’s playbook for mission execution. The team executed the threat detection mission and decided how best to proceed in real-time, even when command links to the ground operators were severed, validating autonomy for launched effects to help the Army advance this critical capability.

The demonstration was sponsored by the U.S. Army Futures Command Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team to expand the U.S. Army’s targeting, reconnaissance and lethality capabilities through manned and unmanned teaming. EDGE is part of the U.S. Army Future Command’s campaign of learning to drive transformational advancement across the Army’s modernization priorities. (Source: UAS VISION)

18 Oct 24. China unveils large tiltrotor UAV prototype. Private Chinese technology group United Aircraft has revealed a prototype large tiltrotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) called the R6000 Lanying. Its name is directly translated into “Lanthanum Shadow” and apparently inspired after the rare-earth element.

United Aircraft released imagery of the full-scale R6000 prototype in an 11 October social media post, with company staff assembled in front of the aircraft holding a banner which stated: “The first United Aircraft R6000 Lanying rolls off the production line”.

The R6000 is being developed by its subsidiary Wuhu United Aircraft Technology – which specializes in research and development, production, flight testing, maintenance, training and technical support of advanced aircraft – located at the Wuhu Aviation Industrial Park in China’s eastern Anhui province. It was first introduced to the public as a concept at the Singapore Airshow in February 2024.

The R6000 appears to be inspired greatly by the Bell V-280 Valor design with high-mounted wings and wingtip-mounted engine nacelles and three-bladed proprotors. It also adopts similar VTOL to conventional flight conversion arrangement, where the engines remain in place and only the forward section of the nacelle along with the proprotors pivot – unlike the in-service V-22 Osprey where the entire nacelles pivot.

According to specifications released by United Aircraft, the R6000 features a maximum takeoff weight of 6,100 kg and is capable of carrying a payload of up to 2,000 kg. The company also claims that it is capable of attaining a cruise speed of up to 550 km/h in conventional flight mode and can operate out to a maximum range of 4,000 km. Its service ceiling is stated to be 25,000 ft.

“The R6000 offers the take-off and landing versatility of a helicopter while offering up to twice the speed,” the company stated, noted that it is envisioned to transport cargo or even between seven and 10 passengers.

United Aircraft also offers more conventional rotary-wing VTOL UAVs such as the proven coaxial TD220 UAV via its Zhong Hang Zhi Science and Technology Company (ZHZ) subsidiary. (Source: AMR)

17 Oct 24. Red Cat Unveils Arachnid Family of Systems at AUSA. Red Cat Holdings, Inc., a drone technology company building hardware and software for military, federal, and commercial operations, has introduced its ARACHNID family of unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike systems.

Red Cat unveiled the Family of Systems at AUSA 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington D.C.

The ARACHNID family of systems is purpose built for the U.S. Army’s roadmap to integrate UAS and long endurance aircraft in a combined arms fight with synchronized fire and maneuver across various command levels. Red Cat currently addresses the needs of warfighters at the platoon and company level with drones that span capabilities and endurance for short and medium-range operations in air, land, and maritime environments. Future potential partnerships will enable long-range reconnaissance.

Red Cat redefines the future of sUAS for defense applications by combining the capabilities of portable, low-cost, and recoverable ISR drones with precision strike payloads. The company is enabling a shift away from legacy, high-cost UAS to highly interoperable systems that can adapt to a rapidly evolving battlefield. This shift includes layered UAS/LE deployment to shape fires and maneuver, extended reach via networks and autonomy, and reduced cognitive burden with increased safety and survivability for warfighters.

“The U.S. Army has prioritized integrating UAS across military formations from squad to corps and have specific requirements informed by an understanding of emerging real-world threats,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “We are introducing the ARACHNID family of systems to ensure we can react to the rapidly evolving needs of sUAS for short, medium and long range operations. With future partnerships, our drones can be dropped from long endurance aircraft or integrated into unmanned surface vessels to extend reach and penetration at the battlefield’s tactical edge.”

ARACHNID advances Red Cat’s established leadership in the sUAS space and brings enhanced capabilities and tech integrations to its existing flagship products from Teal. To reflect this technology evolution and the capabilities of the newest model that Red Cat developed for the U.S. Army’s SRR Program of Record, the company has rebranded its flagship within the ARACHNID family of systems:

Black Widow (successor to Teal 2) is a highly capable, rucksack portable sUAS designed specifically for operation in Electronic Warfare (EW) environments. A fully modular architecture enables swift adaptation to mission requirements including short range reconnaissance and secondary payload operation. Black Widow is significantly enhanced from the Teal 2 model with longer endurance, EW resilience, and advanced autonomy.

WEB (Warfighter Electronic Bridge) is a Ground Control Station purpose built to operate Red Cat’s entire ARACHNID family of systems for military operations.

WEB is fully integrated with Kinesis and ATAK to provide seamless integration with platforms and enhance mission effectiveness. WEB can also function as a stand-alone GCS for other non-Red Cat platforms, offering multi-domain versatility.

To address the needs of medium-range reconnaissance and persistent strike systems, Red Cat is accelerating the development of its FANG line of First-Person View (FPV) drones. Additionally, Red Cat’s product roadmap includes TRICHON, which will build upon the FlightWave Edge 130 Blue, a military-grade VTOL tricopter for medium-range mapping, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

“The Pentagon’s Replicator initiative established a bold mission to accelerate the deployment of attritable sUAS to the warfighter. In concert with Replicator’s mission we are accelerating the development of our products that will enhance the effectiveness and safety of military and security operations,” said George Matus, Red Cat CTO. “In many ways, domestic UAS innovation has been spurred by learnings in Ukraine and Israel, where drones have clearly demonstrated asymmetric warfare. The ARACHNID family of systems represents what we believe the future of drones needs to look like.”

The new family of systems will leverage ongoing industry collaboration, underpinned by the Red Cat Futures Initiative. Both through Red Cat’s agile internal research and development, as well as robust partnerships, the family of systems will continually iterate with new capabilities across hardware and software. Red Cat has the ability to manufacture these systems at a high production rate with superior quality to meet the demands of our customers globally. (Source: UAS VISION)

15 Oct 24. As part of the U.S. Army’s Vanguard demonstrations that took place in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, on Sept. 17–18, 2024, a Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) provided by the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) showcased several new capabilities, including the integration of an Expeditionary Cyber Chassis (ECC) for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) and Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) with Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radios from Silvus Technologies.

Sponsored by Col. Danielle Medaglia, Product Manager for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, and operated by U.S. Army Soldiers, the GE-ER successfully demonstrated data relay and voice communication over significant distances, extending the range, quality, and speed of data exchanges for ground units. The demonstration also verified the capability of relaying video and chat messages between ground users equipped with Silvus 4200 MANET radios, highlighting the progress being made in enhancing tactical communications and situational awareness.

While utilizing the COMINT system, Gray Eagle was able to detect stationary and moving targets at significant ranges and provide data for analysis to expeditionary intelligence cells. This expansion of Gray Eagle capabilities is due to its open architecture, which exemplifies the Army’s Transformation in Contact (TIC) concept. The Army benefits by using an existing system to reduce risk and impacts while gaining new capabilities without the prolonged timelines of an acquisition new start.

“We’re excited to work with our Army customer to increase the relevance and capabilities of the GE-ER platform,” said Chris MacFarland, sector vice president of Strategic Development for Army Programs. “These efforts of Vanguard to demonstrate new capabilities hosted on CMOSS hardware will improve the Army’s premier UAS platform in supporting advanced UAS operations.”

Built by GA-ASI and operated by the U.S. Army, the GE-ER participating in the exercise represents the future capabilities of the Gray Eagle 25M’s open architecture design, allowing for rapid integration of vendor-agnostic sensors, radios, and payloads needed for Multi-Domain Operations. The ability to fully integrate internally mounted long-range sensors and launched effects, while controlling them with modernized laptop ground control systems, significantly enhances its survivability and lethality. Along with advanced data links, resilient GPS navigation systems, and an upgraded propulsion system, the GE 25M is resilient to electronic threats when deployed in expeditionary and austere locations.

15 Oct 24. ARACHNID™ Family of Small ISR & Precision Strike Systems Introduced at AUSA.

Red Cat Holdings has unveiled the new ARACHNID™ family of unmanned ISR and precision strike systems at AUSA, offering portable, low-cost ISR drones to support warfighters in short- and medium-range missionsBy Sarah

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. a prominent developer of drone technology for military and government operations, has unveiled its product roadmap for the ARACHNID™ family of unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike systems at AUSA 2024.

Red Cat currently addresses the needs of warfighters at the platoon and company level with drones that span capabilities and endurance for short and medium-range operations in air, land, and maritime environments. Future potential partnerships will enable long-range reconnaissance.

Red Cat is working to redefine the future of sUAS for defense applications by combining the capabilities of portable, low-cost, and recoverable ISR drones with precision strike payloads. The company is enabling a shift away from legacy, high-cost UAS to highly interoperable systems that can adapt to a rapidly evolving battlefield. This shift includes layered UAS/LE deployment to shape fires and maneuver, extended reach via networks and autonomy, and reduced cognitive burden with increased safety and survivability for warfighters.

“We are introducing the ARACHNID™ family of systems to ensure we can react to the rapidly evolving needs of sUAS for short, medium and long range operations. With future partnerships, our drones can be dropped from long endurance aircraft or integrated into unmanned surface vessels to extend reach and penetration at the battlefield’s tactical edge.”

(Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

15 Oct 24. Collaboration Formed for Maritime Defense Solutions.

Forcys is set to combine its advanced underwater vehicle systems and sensor payloads with DRASS’ capability to meet the evolving needs of navies, revolutionising underwater operations. Forcys, a global leader in underwater defence technology, and DRASS, a manufacturer of diving systems and underwater vehicles, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionising underwater operations.

Forcys integrates and brings to the defence market world-changing solutions from leading technology partners Chelsea Technologies, EIVA, Sonardyne, Voyis, and Wavefront Systems. These companies are renowned for their innovative offerings in underwater and maritime operations, making them ideal partners for DRASS.

Under this agreement, Forcys’ advanced underwater vehicle systems and sensor payloads will complement DRASS’ capability to meet the evolving needs of navies.

Both companies are committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the underwater domain, leveraging their combined expertise to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to defence markets worldwide.

“We are thrilled to partner with DRASS, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and excellence,” said Antonio J. Belfiore. “This partnership allows us to combine our expertise and provides customers with state-of-the-art systems that enhance operational capabilities and ensure safety and efficiency in underwater missions.”

Luca Biasci, SDV & LUUV Program Manager at DRASS, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, “DRASS has consistently been at the forefront of technological innovation in the underwater domain.

“With this partnership, Forcys’ robust portfolio of advanced payload technologies will be integrated with our Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (LUUVs), RONDA, expanding our suite of solutions to meet the evolving demands of the underwater sector.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

17 Oct 24. Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 demos ASW, MCM and REA. The S-100 demonstrated its uncrewed airborne capabilities during the three weeks of exercise REPMUS 2024. This year, the CAMCOPTER S-100 showed an enhanced sonobuoy dispenser system, deploying both A-size and four G-size sonobuoys to form an ASW barrier.

A second S-100, with Thales BlueTracker communications payload, relayed sonobuoy signals back to the ground station in real time, extending the range of operation.

The Thales M-Cube Mission Management System was used for planning and monitoring, with BlueTracker processing acoustic signals and disseminating underwater target information to the combat management system, demonstrating an integrated ASW capability.

Schiebel equipped the CAMCOPTER S-100 with advanced laser scanners from Riegl, including the VQ-860-G and the VUX-120 LiDARs.

These enabled the S-100 to conduct both bathymetric and topographic mapping, crucial for detecting sea mines for MCM and supporting amphibious operations for REA.

The Thales M-Cube Mission Management System was again used for mission planning and monitoring, with mine clearance divers completing the identification of detected mines, showcasing an end-to-end capability for MCM and REA operations.

Schiebel Group chairman Hans Georg Schiebel said: “Maritime warfare utilising UAS is becoming more and more front of mind for Navies all over the world. Using the latest technology combined with a proven unmanned asset provides an end-to-end solution for ASW that saves valuable time and significantly reduces risks.

“With our 20 plus years of operational experience, especially in the harsh maritime environment flying from ships, and the exceptional technical specifications of the S-100, it is the ideal UAS to showcase the latest unmanned airborne capabilities at REPMUS.”

In 2022, Schiebel, in collaboration with Thales, tested the Camcopter S-100’s ability to relay acoustic buoy surveillance.

(Source: naval-technology.com)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

October 11, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

Oct 10 24. Anduril Unveils Bolt & Bolt-M. 10. Today, Anduril is unveiling the Bolt family of man-packable, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Autonomous Air Vehicles (AAVs) that delivers simple and flexible capability for a variety of missions. Bolt, the base configuration, is designed for man-packable ISR and search and rescue. Bolt-M, the munition variant of Bolt, is designed to arm any ground force with lethal precision firepower, leveraging onboard software to automate the flight behaviors required to accurately track and strike a target, while providing human operators with four simple decisions: where to look, what to follow, how to engage, and when to strike.

Modern conflicts have demonstrated how lightweight, man-portable tactical loitering munitions can provide asymmetric advantage to dismounted forces by leveraging readily-available commercial drone technology to reduce costs and increase production capacity. While effective, first-person view (FPV) drones require highly-skilled pilots to successfully find and strike targets, placing a significant cognitive burden on operators and creating a need for highly-specialized training. Modern ground forces need large numbers of low-cost, lightweight, man portable, and reliable loitering munitions that are capable of delivering outsized performance without requiring specialized operators.

That is precisely what Bolt-M delivers. Designed for ease of operation and rapid deployment in a man-portable package, Bolt-M offers autonomous waypoint navigation and target-agnostic object tracking, customizable standoff distances and engagement modalities, and more than 40 minutes of endurance and 20 kilometers of range to extend the reach of dismounted forces. And, with up to three pounds of munition payload capacity, Bolt-M delivers devastating effects against static or moving ground-based targets, including light vehicles, dismounted personnel, trenches, and more. (Source: ASD Network)

10 Oct 24. Anduril debuts new ‘Bolt’ quadcopter for sensing, strike missions.

“We’re not just kind of rolling this out of the lab for the first time,” said Anduril Chief Strategy Officer Chris Brose. “This has been something that customers have seen and evaluated and tested and used.”

Defense tech startup Anduril Industries today continued its streak of new product launches, unveiling a vertical takeoff and landing quadcopter dubbed “Bolt” that’s already on order with the Marine Corps.

Weighing roughly 12 to 15 pounds depending on configuration, the small, portable drone can be launched by hand and fly roughly 20 kilometers, with an endurance of over 40 minutes, according to Anduril. The base Bolt configuration can conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions or search and rescue, while the armed Bolt-M can deliver an explosive payload of up to three pounds.

“We’re not just kind of rolling this out of the lab for the first time,” Anduril Chief Strategy Officer Chris Brose told reporters Wednesday ahead of the announcement. “This has been something that customers have seen and evaluated and tested and used.”

Learn more about Bombardier Defense

The Bolt is specifically on contract for the Marine Corps’s Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program, being one of a “handful” of systems under evaluation by the service, Brose said. He added that the Bolt will be tested over the next six months to inform a potential acquisition and fielding in fiscal year 2025.

Regardless of the outcome for OPF-L, Anduril believes that “[t]here are multiple global military organizations and programs where Bolt-M is aligned to existing requirements, and we expect the number of relevant programs and opportunities to increase significantly in the coming years,” the company told Breaking Defense. “In round numbers,” Anduril says that “typical Bolt configurations are in the low tens of thousands of dollars,” though that largely depends on payloads and configurations.

Additionally, pointing to the proliferation of relatively cheap, commercially-derived first-person drones in modern conflicts, Anduril argues that Bolt helps fill the US’s need for similar weapons with the help of the company’s Lattice software. The Bolt quadcopter can fly autonomously and be operated manually in GPS-denied environments, Anduril says, with features like customizable engagements.

When in data collection mode, the platform can share information across Anduril’s other platforms and those belonging to third-party vendors to enhance awareness of the battlespace, according to the company. And if an operator using the Bolt-M configuration decides to strike, the weapon can guide itself to the target even if it loses connection with the operator. The Bolt-M can also fly back if an operator decides against attacking a target.

“What we are doing with Lattice is deliver[ing] as much autonomy across that entire kill chain to put that human being on the loop so that they can make better decisions faster,” Brose said. “It’s the processing and fusing of sensor data that’s coming off of those sensors or those vehicles, whether Anduril will build them or others do. It’s the actual orchestration of those systems.”

10 Oct 24. Airbus Helicopters and its partners have conducted a full scale demonstration of a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system developed as part of a project funded by the European Union and code-named MUSHER. The demonstration took place in France and Italy from 30 September to 9 October and involved multiple manned helicopters and unmanned systems connected to a single MUM-T network.

“Operating helicopters and unmanned aerial systems in concert provides valuable additional mission capabilities such as increased situational awareness with UAS sharing video in real time for improved decision-making, all while preserving critical assets and resources,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The success of the MUSHER demonstration is a major step forward for our ambition at Airbus which is to field MUM-T capabilities by bringing European industrial know-how together for the benefit of military and civil customers,” he added.

The experiment was led by Airbus, which deployed the H130 FlightLab as a manned platform and the VSR700 unmanned aerial system (UAS) on a DGA test range. Meanwhile, Leonardo performed the demonstration with a helicopter and an optionally piloted vehicle. Thales, coordinator of the MUSHER project, provided a supervision station and a mission debriefing station. Space Applications Services was in charge of the mission preparation station. Indra led simulation activities in preparation for the demonstration, while ONERA provided studies on crew workload.

The MUSHER demonstration consisted of various scenarios involving the different aircraft flying simultaneously in France and in Italy. The missions were based on concepts of operations defined by the ministries of defense of France, Italy and Spain. One scenario, for example, showcased UAS and manned helicopters for an anti-piracy mission. The UAS was initially conducting a surveillance mission. Once it spotted suspicious activity on a boat, the manned helicopter joined the scene and took full control of the UAS in preparation for an intervention.

The in-flight testing aimed at demonstrating levels of interoperability (LOI) 2 to 4, from direct receipt of UAS data by the manned helicopters and the ground station, to the control and monitoring of the UAS from the helicopters. The demonstration also served to prove that manned helicopters and UAS from different companies and different countries, operating in distant areas, could be integrated within a single MUM-T system.

MUSHER is a project launched in the frame of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) launched by the European Commission in December 2021. The project aims at developing a generic European MUM-T system that can operate robustly in multiple environments (civil, military or mixed), whilst reducing the crew’s workload and delivering maximum capacity in operation.

10 Oct 24. Steadicopter Unveils Golden Eagle RUAS Carrying Spike Missiles. Steadicopter has announced the unveiling of the Golden Eagle HS (Heavy Strike) Rotary Unmanned Aerial System for heavy strike capabilities in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. This collaboration expands the Golden Eagle family capabilities, adding a new attack capability dimension, expanding the system’s operational versatility and reinforcing its proven performance.

The Golden Eagle HS integrates Rafael’s powerful Spike missiles for precision heavy strike missions in tactical operations and close air support missions including border protection, perimeter security, urban warfare, in open area battlefields, ensuring battlespace dominance and maintaining significant deterrence.

The Golden Eagle HS provides rapid and pinpoint accuracy strike capabilities at stand-off range against evolving high-value threats even in dynamic and congested environments. By leveraging maneuverability and mission efficiency, ground forces can operate from safe, stand-off positions day and night, against both stationary and moving targets. When mounted on a tactical RUAV, the powerful spike missile allows for more versatile, longer range, ground attack angles, maximizing firepower output while reducing the risk to infantry, marine corps, special forces, and other tactical ground units.

Equipped with advanced Spike missiles, known for their precision guidance and/or fire-and-forget capabilities and high-explosive warheads, the Golden Eagle HS offers enhanced lethality in a small, low signatures platform while covering vast operational areas of interest, expanding the power, versatility and strategic utilization of assault units. The Golden Eagle HS platforms can be operated in tandem formations, with each RUAV carrying its own missile, ensuring mission continuity even if some units are compromised. This approach enhances operational effectiveness by distributing targets and maintaining strike capability against multiple objectives. With a total takeoff weight of 50 kilograms the Golden Eagle HS can be equipped with Rafael Spike missiles, SR missile for a range of 2.5 kilometers and the LR2 for a range of 5.5 kilometers, enabling real-time mission versatility and immediate sensor-to-shooter capability at significantly large operational radiuses.

The system’s advanced sensor suite, featuring a high-definition day/night EO/IR payload and target tracker, optionally integrated with SightX’s AI advanced technology, ensures seamless target acquisition, tracking, and classification, even in adverse weather conditions and complex terrain. Thus, the system enables an individualized ID per object, ensuring continuous tracking with temporary obstructions or loss of sight within the field of view, and autonomously distinguishing between various targets, whether moving or stationary, human or vehicle-based. This real-time situational awareness empowers ground forces with actionable intelligence, enabling informed decision-making and rapid response capabilities.

“It is a privilege to lead Steadicopter’s exceptional team in the achievement of another significant milestone. The introduction of the Golden Eagle HS, in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. -a global leader in missile technology -represents a modern, tactical solution that meets today’s critical operational demands with unmatched precision and standoff strike capability, without causing collateral damage, while keeping the troops out of harm’s way. This partnership blends Steadicopter’s cutting-edge RUAV technologies with Rafael’s decades of defense expertise, resulting in a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts,” said Itai Toren, CEO of Steadicopter.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Steadicopter in advancing the future of combat, where modern warfare demands innovative and advanced solutions,” A senior Rafael official noted: “This collaboration provides a cutting-edge, standoff warfighting RUAV that may very much reshape modern battlefield and will enable existing and new Spike missile users to utilize them in a new tactical, versatile, and lethal way. (Source: UAS VISION)

08 Oct 24. Naval Group launches robotic boat featuring lessons from Ukraine. Naval Group subsidiary Sirehna has launched an unmanned surface vessel that incorporates lessons learned from Ukraine’s deployment of robotic boats against Russian targets in the Black Sea, according to company officials.

The craft, measuring just under 10 meters in length, is named the Seaquest S and has an endurance of 24 hours. Sirehna plans to offer the vessel optimized for surveillance, electronic-warfare, strike and anti-submarine missions, executives said here during a press trip ahead of the Euronaval naval confab in Paris next month.

Speaking about some lessons Naval Group has taken from Ukraine’s widespread use of naval drones, Pierre-Antoine Fliche, head of drones and autonomous systems product lines, highlighted the speed at which these types of systems need to be upgraded.

“One of the things we’ve learned is the cycle of development in Ukraine, where they go from one version to another every six months, and it’s not only because they are super fast but also because the adversary puts up defenses,” Fliche told Defense News. “That is one of the reasons we purposely built the SeaQuest as a highly modular platform and that we want to develop machine tactics with end-users because we know they will evolve on a six- to nine-month cycle.”

USV technologies have grown increasingly sophisticated, and Ukrainian forces have used a multitude of different systems, most recently arming them with multiple-launch rocket systems, to strike a greater number of small surface, air and coastal targets.

In May, the Ukrainian intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the country has relied on them to a greater extent recently due to their consistent effectiveness.

“This equipment works — that’s the important thing, it gives results … a third of the destroyed combat potential of the Russian Black Sea Fleet is the most decent indicator,” Budanov said in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

According to Naval Group, SeaQuest is currently the only small USV designed to be able to embark onboard frigates and warships.

While the naval drone, which is undergoing sea trials in France, does not yet possess swarming capabilities, Fliche said those could be added later.

Ukrainian officials have predicted that as these types of robotic maritime platforms undergo improvements, they are poised to dominate conventional combat vessels in the future, at least in closed or semi-closed water bodies. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

09 Oct 24. Cuashub.com said today that Russia is adding new drone models to complement Shaheds. Russian forces have been increasingly deploying “unspecified” drone models in their attacks against Ukraine, alongside the more commonly used Shahed drones. According to Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Acting Head of Communications for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, the identification of these drones can only be confirmed after specialists examine wreckage on the ground.

Speaking with Ukrainian media, Ihnat commented on the air battle on the night of October 4-5, when 10 drones disappeared from radar, raising suspicion that they may have been of different, unspecified types. While Shahed drones have been widely used since 2022, they are often neutralised by Ukrainian electronic warfare systems.

The addition of new drone models could complicate Ukraine’s air defence efforts, as these drones are only identifiable once they crash or are examined after being lost from radar.

Russia has increasingly turned to these cheaper, domestically-produced drones in recent months, following a reported shift from importing Shahed drones from Iran to producing them locally. This change follows a report by the UK Ministry of Defence in August 2023 confirming Russia’s domestic production of Shahed-type drones.

In addition to Shaheds, Russia has also begun using drones made of plywood and plastic foam to act as decoys, aiding in identifying Ukrainian air defence systems. These drones, some equipped with cameras and Ukrainian SIM cards to send footage back to Russia, are designed to locate mobile defence groups and machine guns. Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Cherniak highlighted their increasing use to expose air defence locations and film damage caused by Russian strikes.

Ukrainian officials have also identified the use of Gerbera drones, which are produced in three versions: electronic reconnaissance, kamikaze or decoy drones. These low-cost UAVs are reportedly of poor production quality, with some crashing due to technical failures.

The growing use of different drone models highlights Russia’s strategy to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defences, with cheaper drones helping to tip the scales in the battle of cost asymmetry.

Ihnat also called on civilians to report any suspicious objects resembling drones, urging them to avoid taking direct action and instead contact law enforcement or military authorities.

https://cuashub.com/en/content/russia-adding-new-drone-models-to-complement-shaheds/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

08 Oct 24. Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle Program Kicks Off As Part of the Rafale F5 Standard. On this day, Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, announced the development launch of the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) that will complement the future Rafale F5 standard after 2030.

The announcement was made at a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) at the Saint-Dizier air base, in the presence of General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (AAE), and Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

“This stealth combat drone will contribute to the technological and operational superiority of the French Air Force by 2033. It is significant that it is being initiated today, as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Strategic Air Forces and the 90th anniversary of the Air and Space Force: in aeronautics — a highly complex field — the future has deep roots, and innovation is built on experience. Dassault Aviation and its partners are proud to serve the French Armed Forces and the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA). Their renewed confidence honours and obliges us,” declared Éric Trappier.

This UAV will be complementary to the Rafale and suited to collaborative combat. It will incorporate stealth technologies, autonomous control (with man-in-the-loop), internal payload capacity, and more. It will be highly versatile and designed to evolve in line with future threats.

It will benefit from the achievements of the nEUROn program, Europe’s first stealth UCAV demonstrator.

The Rafale F5 combined with the UCAV and their evolutions, like the Mirage IV in its times, will ensure France’s independence and capability superiority in the coming decades. (Source: ASD Network)

09 Oct 24. Dedrone’s Network Delivers the Premier Resource for Drone Public Safety Analytics. With the increasing number of drones in our skies, monitoring their behavior and recording flight violations has become crucial for safeguarding public safety. This is especially important as the role of drones in our economy expands and laws regarding their flight are evolving. For example, the FAA is currently adjusting protocols for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights, with a new rule expected to be announced toward the end of this year. This decision could significantly increase the number of drones in operation and accelerate their integration into first responder systems, delivery services, and law enforcement protocols.

At Dedrone, we are proud to announce the launch of our Drone Violations Database, now providing the public with a view into our extensive Drone Detection Network – the first of its kind, and the only network with the expanse to protect more than 50% of the US population. This powerful resource offers compelling, up-to-date drone violation insights, allowing the public to track drone activity across the United States and uncover striking trends about drone usage. By leveraging Dedrone’s nationwide network, important patterns emerge, ensuring law enforcement, security officials and the general public have better insights into the skies above. Whether you are a drone enthusiast or a professional in the field, our Violations Database can be a crucial source for up-to-date data and trends in drone operations.

Malicious Drone Incidents Increase Every Year

In 2023, Dedrone detected 1,067,112 drone flight violations. By the end of September 2024, Dedrone had already detected over 900,000 violations, putting the US on pace to see a significant increase in violations this year. Dedrone’s “Monthly Drone Violations” charts demonstrate that incursions are up each month of 2024 when compared to the corresponding month the previous year. In May 2024 alone, there were 23,833 more violations than May 2023. The growing number of flights highlights the expanding role of drones in various industries but is accompanied by a concerning rise in violations.

As the number of drone incidents increases, so should the public safety concern. For example, Dedrone’s network identified 678,095 FAA standard 400 feet violations in 2023, which accounts for 63% of all flight violations last year. The 400-foot flight restriction is an important guideline that aids in preventing collisions with crewed aircraft.

Dedrone Leads the Industry in Drone Detection

With the ability to protect the skies of over 50 of the US’s largest cities, Dedrone dominates the industry with the most expansive drone detection network in the US and acts as the only private database capable of processing detections in real-time. Additionally, Dedrone leverages its extensive DedroneDNA drone protocols library to identify nearly 600 individual drone models from over 150 manufacturers and even DIY drones. Dedrone’s active drone detection and identification capability as well as BVLOS enablement is converging toward Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) capabilities with full awareness of our skies. This information gives our customers the ability to fly drones more safely and also enables State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) agencies to protect over 50% of the US population from drone threats including airports, prisons, power plants, stadiums, and more.

The Facilities at Risk

Nefarious drones are increasingly appearing in restricted airspaces, including correctional facilities, airports, stadiums when Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR’s) are in place, and critical infrastructure. While not all flights that enter restricted airspace have ill intent, their presence needs to be monitored, and they have the potential to pose a serious security threat. For example, drones at correctional facilities can be misused for contraband delivery. A particularly concerning trend highlighted by our findings reveals that over 17% of drone activity near correctional facilities in the US involves Autel drones —a notable increase compared to just 3.7% across North America as a whole. This surge in the use of Autel drones around correctional facilities indicates that some pilots may deliberately opt for harder-to-detect options, pointing to malicious intent.

Drones are also an important consideration in a vastly different realm: entertainment. At professional games or concerts, large crowds could be a target for criminal drone operators; for example, a drone dropping harmless baby powder could still cause panic and consequent injuries. Furthermore, our data shows that illegal drone incursions are becoming more frequent each season. Drone violations and delays are not only inconvenient to viewers but put fans, staff, and players at risk and have been identified as a significant concern by major sports associations and security professionals.

Dedrone’s Role in Airspace Security

As the global leader in airspace security, Dedrone is committed to meeting the complex and evolving demands of the drone industry. Our AI-powered solutions are designed to evolve and learn, providing data-driven insights that empower users to secure their facilities from drone threats.

The launch of our Drone Violations Database is driven by our one-of-a-kind, nationwide drone detection network and is a significant step forward in our mission to enhance airspace security. We envision this resource becoming a go-to tool for the public, law enforcement and other stakeholders. By offering up-to-date access to critical drone data and insights, we aim to foster greater awareness and understanding of drone activities in our skies today through the world’s largest drone detection network, helping to prevent incidents before they occur and ensuring people remain safe.

07 Oct 24. Putin Opens Drone Training College in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin inaugurated a college for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specialists at the Rudnevo industrial park in Moscow, state news agency TASS reported.

The Rudnevo educational centre aims to train approximately 3,000 students annually and comes as Russia is increasingly relying on drone technologies in its war with Ukraine.

The new educational facility, designed to train experts in the production of unmanned aerial systems, aligns with Russia’s recent push to bolster its drone manufacturing capabilities, the Russian report says.

Putin was joined at the opening ceremony by First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, and Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov.

The 9,100-square metre building houses 21 high-tech workshops and laboratories, reflecting a new concept for developing vocational education in the capital.

Students will have the opportunity to hone their skills in mechanical engineering, electronics, production automation, and UAV manufacturing.

The curriculum covers all stages of drone creation, from body construction to circuit board installation and programming. (Source: UAS VISION/Microsoft Start)

08 Oct 24. Forcys and DRASS to revolutionise underwater operations.

Forcys brings together leading technologies, offering a comprehensive naval and subsea capability to the world defence market

Forcys, a global leader in underwater defence technology, and DRASS, a renowned name in the manufacturing of diving systems and underwater vehicles, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at revolutionising underwater operations.

Luca Biasci, SDV & LUUV Program Manager at DRASS, emphasizes the significance of this collaboration: “DRASS has consistently been at the forefront of technological innovation in the underwater domain. With this partnership, Forcys’ robust portfolio of advanced payload technologies will be integrated with our Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (LUUVs), RONDA, expanding our suite of solutions to meet the evolving demands of the underwater sector.”

Under this agreement, Forcys’ advanced underwater vehicle systems and sensor payloads will complement DRASS’ capability to meet the evolving needs of navies.

Antonio J. Belfiore, who leads sales in the Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa (EMEIA) region for Forcys, recently visited DRASS headquarters in Livorno, where the final details of the agreement were ironed out.

Forcys

Forcys is a global maritime defence company. Backed by 50 years of expertise in the underwater domain and an in-house developed

06 Oct. 24. USA and Taiwan Look to Boost Drone Collaboration.

Drone companies from Taiwan and the United States are exploring ways to work together in a market dominated by China, bringing together Taiwanese enterprises and more than two dozen American companies and officials recently in Taipei.

Attacks by swarms of drones have become an almost daily occurrence in Russia’s war in Ukraine, with Kyiv and Moscow using unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, to carry out strikes and defend themselves from attacks.

As the threat China poses to Taiwan grows, many see drones playing a crucial role in a potential conflict there as well. China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has tasked his troops to be prepared for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027.

And with Chinese companies dominating the market and critical resources used in making drones, analysts say it is important for Taiwan and the U.S. to find ways to create a China-free supply chain.

At a drone expo at National Taiwan University in Taipei this week, hundreds of Taiwanese producers met with several officials from the U.S. Department of Defense and Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, which serves as the de facto U.S. embassy on the island.

Patrick Mason, the deputy assistant secretary of the Army for defense exports and cooperation, and Andrew Hong, deputy director of the cyber portfolio of the Defense Department’s Defense Innovation Unit, or DIU, spoke at the expo. Mason spoke about

“The Pathway to U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industrial Cooperation” and Hong’s remarks centered on “Defense Innovation with Taiwan.”

For U.S. drone companies, the forum offered the potential to expand business ventures with Taiwan and grow the bilateral trade partnership, according to a statement from the American Institute in Taiwan on Wednesday.

Demand for drone technology in Taiwan is large, especially given China’s drone production prowess. Chinese drone company DJI held 76% of the consumer market for household drones in 2021. These drones have also been deployed on the battlefield in places like Ukraine and Myanmar, a practice that the Chinese government and DJI have condemned.

Hsu Chih-hsiang, an assistant researcher at the Institute of National Defense and Security Research in Taipei, described drones as “combat force-multipliers,” and explained that, even in peacetime, China has already begun sending large drones into Taiwanese territory and even uses small civilian drones to hover in Taiwanese airspace in the Kinmen Islands.

In 2022, former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen made the drone industry a development priority in Taiwan. Since then, Taiwan has established the “Drone National Team” program, subsidizing domestic production of these systems.

Taiwanese Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo revealed in mid-September that Taiwan would procure 3,422 units of six types of domestically produced military drones, including mini-drones, before 2028, and that Taiwan would also separately acquire two types of missile-type attack drones, totaling 976 units, before 2026, to enhance precision strikes and anti-armor capabilities.

Wang Shiow-wen, who is also an assistant researcher at the Institute of National Defense and Security Research, said American support of Taiwanese drone modernization presents an opportunity for Taiwan to break through barriers in production capacity and ensure the security of the supply chain for drones.

Taiwan’s government has set a goal for domestic manufacturers to produce 15,000 drones per month by 2028. That is three times current production levels, according to Taiwan’s government-funded Central News Agency.

Ja Ian Chong, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, said the three most important considerations for the U.S. and Taiwan in the future of drone production without Chinese components are cost, mass production capacity, and the impact that this might have on American and Taiwanese budgets, technology transfer and scientific development.

China strongly opposes collaboration and engagement between Taiwan and the United States, and it was watching the gathering in Taipei closely.

Chinese state media criticized the visit to Taiwan by the delegation of American companies and defense officials, as well as efforts to create a “China-free” drone supply chain.

Liu Heping, a Chinese commentator, said that by attempting to make Taiwan the “democratic drone supply chain center,” the United States and Taiwan were preparing for a “vigorous arms race” with China. (Source: UAS VISION/VOA)

04 Oct 24. Royal Navy controls uncrewed vessels operating more than 10,000 miles away.

Major military experiments are carried out under the AUKUS partnership between the UK, Australia and the United States.
Uncrewed systems operating in Australia were controlled by personnel in Portugal 10,000 miles away.
The aim of the experiments is to bring advanced uncrewed technology to the front line of military operations.

The Royal Navy and allied navies controlled uncrewed vessels operating more than 10,000 miles away in Australia during major experiments in Portugal.

Under the AUKUS defence partnership, the UK, Australia and the United States are working closely together to bring advanced military capabilities to the front-line at ‘an unprecedented pace’.

To that end, the three allies are undertaking a series of experiments – known as Maritime Big Play, with the first completed last month during NATO’s annual tech exercise in Southern Portugal, known as Repmus.

Personnel from the three AUKUS navies remotely controlled vessels in Australia from a command centre in Portugal, carrying out a range of missions.

Together they pushed the boundaries of modern naval warfare, testing a range of uncrewed and autonomous equipment in mock operational scenarios, including dropping payloads from a drone, with the ultimate aim of getting advanced uncrewed technology to those operating on the front line quickly.

The Royal Navy’s Director Develop, Rear Admiral James Parkin, who oversees the Royal Navy’s Autonomy, Lethality, and Innovation accelerator NavyX and leads the teams responsible for developing the technologies and systems of the future Fleet, said: “This year was by far the biggest Exercise Repmus – with the strongest ever Royal Navy contribution to this important event.

“The successes experienced, including proving the ability of all three AUKUS navies to command-and-control vessels on the other side of the world in a tactically realistic scenario, show how close we are to realising our ambition of a genuine team of crewed and uncrewed systems, capable of operating and prevailing everywhere on the planet, from the seabed to space.”

Maritime Big Play included surveillance and reconnaissance using uncrewed systems operating from land and at sea.

Uncrewed Air Systems dropped small bombs to demonstrate how the allies would carry out precision strikes, while they were also used to launch smaller drones as a sort of mothership.

Swarms of uncrewed vehicles worked together to detect, deter and fight off threats under the water, including mines.

The exercise also saw trials by the Royal Navy of the Golden Eagle Puma remotely-piloted aerial system. Nearly double in size compared to the standard Puma, the surveillance and reconnaissance drone has a 15ft wingspan and can stay in the air for up to five hours.

Other key moments saw uncrewed seaboat APAC 24 remotely driven from Royal Navy experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett building on previous tests conducted in the ship’s home port in Portsmouth.

Later this year, AUKUS nations will bring together approximately 30 systems and deploy them for the first large-scale Maritime Big Play demonstration in the Indo-Pacific.

The exercise will include technologies from companies in each of the three nations, with the participation of over 50 industry, science and academic partners. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

04 Oct 24. Jordan’s drone directorate displays Quantum UAVs. The Jordanian Armed Forces (JAF) revealed it has a dedicated Unmanned Aircraft Directorate on 1 October when its chief, Major General Yousef Ahmed al-Hunaiti visited the establishment.

The JAF released photographs showing it is located at the compound in Amman that included General Command’s headquarters before they moved to a new site that was inaugurated in January.

In its coverage of the visit, Jordanian television reported that the directorate is responsible for identifying and delivering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that meet the JAF’s requirements, as well as training personnel to operate and maintain them.

The footage showed various types of UAVs being displayed for Maj Gen Hunaiti that included both the Vector and Scorpion models made by the German company Quantum-Systems.

Already in service with several militaries, the Vector uses three electrically powered propellers to take off vertically, which then tilt forward to turn it into a conventional fixed-wing surveillance UAV. The Scorpion uses the same fuselage, controller, datalink, and sensors as the Vector but has non-tilting rotors.

Maj Gen Hunaiti was also shown an AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma, another type that was not previously known to be in service with the JAF, as well as several smaller multicopters, including one that was shown being flown by an operator wearing first-person-view goggles. (Source: Janes)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

October 4, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

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03 Oct 24. French Navy orders underwater drones for deep-sea surveillance. The French Navy has ordered an autonomous underwater vehicle from Exail that will surveil critical infrastructure at depths of up to 6,000 meters, the company announced.

The architecture of the new drone will be based on the firm’s Ulyx, a vehicle co-developed with Ifremer, the national institute for ocean science and technology. The platform will primarily be used to carry out reconnaissance operations across the seabed, covering sensitive infrastructure like submarine cables, many of which lie at a depth of 6,000 meters.

Ensuring the protection of those assets has proven increasingly difficult, even for major navies. NATO officials have warned that Russia could target undersea cables to disrupt Western activities.

A number of countries have followed closely the development of Moscow’s submarine fleet, as the country possesses the ability to cut cables on the ocean floor.

During a media visit to the FREMM Normandie frigate of the French Navy, organized here ahead of the Euronaval trade show in Paris next month, officers touched on the increased activity seen in recents years in the waters surrounding the Brest naval base, where the ship was stationed.

Last December, two French frigates, the Normandie and the Auvergne, followed closely a Russian submarine that was transiting off the coast of the Brittany town, according to French media.

The transit route is one that Russian submarines are reported to have taken in recent months to reach areas nearby Ireland.

France has identified the safeguard of its sovereignty of the seabed as a key priority in the French investment plan for 2030.

As part of the capability-building process set out in the Ministerial Strategy for Seabed Warfare, adopted in 2022, the French Navy will buy autonomous as well as remote-controlled undersea vehicles

For the latter category, officials selected French vendor Travocean with its DeepSea vehicle.

The new underwater drone will incorporate several made-in-France components designed by Exail, including acoustics sensors and the Phins inertial navigation system.

An Exail representative declined to say when the delivery of the AUV would be, saying only that it would be before 2030. (Source: Defense News)

02 Oct 24. Pentagon taps commercial vendors for low-cost, throwaway drones. Pentagon officials want to build America’s arsenal of cheap, disposable drones, staple weapons of the war in Ukraine, pinging commercial vendors for systems with mass-production potential.

The Defense Innovation Unit released a solicitation this week for one-way, uncrewed aerial systems that can fly at ranges of 50 to 300 kilometers in low-bandwidth, GPS-denied environments.

“Recent conflicts have highlighted the asymmetric impact low-cost, one-way unmanned aerial systems have on the modern battlefield,” DIU said in the notice. “The Department of Defense must be able to employ low-cost precision effects at extended ranges.”

DIU plans to hold a live flyoff demonstration as soon as December to evaluate the proposed systems.

Small, one-way attack drones have featured heavily in recent conflicts — from Ukraine to the Middle East. Since last fall, the Iran-backed Houthi militia group has targeted commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea, using aerial vehicles, uncrewed surface vessels and cruise missiles. Last week, the group launched what the Pentagon termed a “complex attack” on U.S. ships in the region.

On Monday, Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that the Pentagon would focus the next round of its Replicator effort — a process for quickly fielding high-need technology at scale — on countering drone threats like these. But the department also recognizes the impact these systems can have and wants to stock up on its own supply.

“Reliable, affordable, and adaptable long-range UAS platforms that allow for employment at scale will maximize operational flexibility for the joint force,” DIU said.

A DIU spokesperson told Defense News that while the drones the department wants could perform attack missions, it’s also interested in systems that can fly electronic warfare, ISR and communications relay payloads.

According to the solicitation, the vehicles should also be hard to detect and track, have several pathways for two-way communications and be equipped with mission planning software. Critically, the department wants modular systems that can integrate new hardware or software in a matter of hours.

“Proprietary interfaces, message formatting or hardware that require vendor-specific licensing are not permitted,” DIU said.

The notice doesn’t detail how many systems the department might buy and it doesn’t set a cost target. The spokesperson said that omission was intentional because DIU’s selections won’t be based on the cost of a particular drone, but on the cost of the effect the platform achieves.

“The best way to think of what we’re targeting is a cost per effect,” the spokesperson said. “If we launch one $1M platform or ten $100k platforms and generate the same effect, then the cost per effect is the same and that’s what we want to focus on.” (Source: Defense News)

01 Oct 24. US Army Selects LIFT Aircraft and Near Earth Autonomy to Develop Uncrewed Blood Delivery & Casualty Evacuation System. LIFT Aircraft (LIFT) announced today that they have been awarded a contract by the US Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) to design a medical multi-mission modular payload, a container that can carry blood supply and casualty evacuations (CASEVAC).

LIFT has partnered with Near Earth Autonomy (Near Earth) to address one of the Army’s biggest challenges – the need to autonomously perform these functions within the crucial “golden hour,” the critical period immediately following trauma when rapid medical intervention significantly increases survival rates.

MAJ Rickey Royal stated, “The current practice of relying on crewed vehicles to provide blood resupply and CASEVAC in contested areas has significant challenges. The Army has identified a significant need for a modular, multi-mission payload capable of climate control and telemedicine that can deploy via an autonomous aerial and/or ground platform. An autonomous solution enables speed and efficiency in casualty evacuations and delivery of medical supplies.”

This contract is part of the Special Program Awards for Required Technology Needs (SPARTN) program. This program uses Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding as a powerful innovation tool that moves at the speed of business. SPARTN reduces time to contract and time to payment so the Army can bring in the best company with the best solution.

Designed with a priority on swift deployment and integration with existing military operations, the payload system being developed by LIFT and Near Earth is distinguished by its adaptability, facilitating easy incorporation into various transportation methods and ensuring widespread usability. The payload will utilize proven technologies to incorporate vital signs tracking monitors and will be climate-controlled to maintain blood temperatures.

Matt Chasen, Founder and CEO of LIFT, emphasized the impact of the partnership: “After multiple contracts with the US Air Force, we’re thrilled to continue our work alongside the Army with broad implications for the wider Department of Defense. Our selection for this project underscores our readiness to expand into broad defense applications. We are confident that this collaboration will ensure swift, autonomous delivery of blood and evacuation services for casualties, and will ultimately save lives.”

At the culmination of the contract, LIFT will demonstrate the modular medical payload being transported by air and ground vehicles, including LIFT’s HEXA Cargo platform with its own uniquely modular design flown and tested by the USAF.

Near Earth has a history of autonomous aerial systems for medical logistics, including the Army Combat Medic autonomous CASEVAC helicopter program, and blood delivery in Project Crimson which was nominated for the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International

(AUVSI) Xcellence in Mission — Humanitarian Award. Near Earth has also developed aerial autonomy for other significant defense logistics programs, including USMC Logistics Connector with Honeywell and Leonardo, USMC MARV-EL with Kaman, OSD Joint Capability Technology

Demonstration Unmanned Logistics Systems – Aerial with SURVICE Engineering, and USMC Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) with Aurora Flight Sciences.

Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth Autonomy, said, “Our collaboration focuses on integrating proven aircraft, autonomy, and medical technologies to meet urgent battlefield needs. We plan to develop, test, and demonstrate the system over the next 12 months. LIFT’s HEXA and Near Earth’s autonomy systems have a strong synergistic fit. We believe that our approach of combining existing, proven systems is the most efficient way to rapidly revolutionize battlefield medical support while minimizing costs and delays. The sooner we demonstrate the system’s effectiveness and reliability, the sooner it can potentially be out in the field, saving lives.” (Source: ASD Network)

02 Oct 24. For the third year in a row, Thales, worldwide leader in underwater and surface warfare systems, took part in the annual REPMUS1 military exercise hosted in Portugal by the Portuguese Navy, where NATO members were invited to participate.

During this military at-sea exercise, thanks to the sponsorship of the Portuguese, British and French Navies, Thales leveraged its expertise in unmanned systems and digital technologies to unleash the potential offered by both air and surface drones.
Over the years, Thales has demonstrated its capacity to deliver cutting-edge solutions to navies across the world, ensuring a high level of responsiveness and flexibility in anti-submarine warfare, anti-mine warfare, and anti-air warfare detection.

At the REPMUS 2024 exercise, Thales showcased its highly innovative solutions in the field of unmanned systems for naval warfare during real-world conditions. Through its multi-drone management solutions, smart sensors and combat management systems specifically designed for unmanned platforms, Thales is supporting navies to develop new concepts of operations, teaming manned and unmanned systems to carry out naval missions with greater responsiveness and flexibility.

Unleashing the full potential of unmanned systems

From 9-27 September 2024, Thales demonstrated its latest innovations to support concept development and experimentation with new technologies for sponsors in the Portuguese, British and French navies. These span unmanned systems designed for all types of missions, both in the underwater (anti-submarine barriers, critical infrastructure protection and anti-mine warfare), and above water (maritime surveillance and anti-surface warfare). Equipped with high-performance smart sensors and systems, various air and surface drones from Thales and its partners Schiebel and Tekever carried out effective surveillance, tracking and protection missions. An advanced command and control system enabled these drones to achieve their mission efficiently but also operate collaboratively and autonomously, under the control of an operator.

“In recent years, drones have proved to be a game-changer for armed forces. To support them, we bring our unique expertise in drone systems, sensors, communications, digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence, for air, as well as above and underwater. Our teams mobilise all their talent to develop innovative systems that exploit the full potential offered by drones for the benefit of navies, whose missions are evolving rapidly and are increasingly carried out in coalition. This was brilliantly demonstrated during the REPMUS exercises organized by the Portuguese Navy, with the invaluable support of our other partner navies and OTAN invited countries.” Philippe Duhamel, EVP Defence Mission Systems, Thales.

REPMUS demonstrations enabled Thales and partners to:

Highlight the value of modular, multi-mission unmanned systems that comprise unmanned vehicles operating with a range of payloads, integrated with different Command and Control systems to achieve naval mission objectives.
Test and prove the effectiveness of detection, identification and monitoring of threats by collecting and processing, in real time, data from sensors on-board the various unmanned systems with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI) while guaranteeing overall coherence with the Combat Management System.
Successfully federate several air and surface drones, automatically creating mission plans, tasking and ensuring complete supervision.
Increase projection capability through communication systems integrated into unmanned aerial systems to relay operational data, enabling greater responsiveness, a reduction in human resources, costs and environmental footprint, and to demonstrate supervision systems deployed on surface ships.
Experiment with the Royal Navy additional surveillance missions capacities for RWUAS (Multi-Mission Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System) enhancing the system with new capabilities in smart sensors and combat management systems.
Confirm compatibility with NATO interoperability standards, currently under development

Empowering drones through Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The use of AI-boosted sensors and systems improves the ability to detect, identify and track threats in real-time using data collected by sensors. For instance, AI algorithms were used to automatically detect abnormal behaviour in the positioning and trajectory of ships, to analyse images captured by sensors on the Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV), to identify any unusual activities or patterns that may indicate a security threat. This empowerment of drones enables a higher volume of data to be treated as well as continuous situation monitoring, thus saving the armed forces valuable time.

While aerial and maritime drones are undoubtedly valuable assets, they require multiple operators and extensive coordination for effective control. By leveraging AI, Thales increases autonomy among its unmanned systems, enabling them to automatically raise an alert, formulate mission plans and even select the most suitable drone among a fleet as soon as a potential threat is detected. This enables operators to supervise missions in real time. An interface integrates the entire drone fleet and operators can take control of drone systems at any time, keeping humans at the centre of the decision-making process.

01 Oct 24. Skydweller Aero has successfully completed the initial uncrewed autonomous flight test campaign of its Skydweller Unmanned Aerial System. A series of uncrewed flight tests – with the two longest being 16 hours and 22 ½ hours – were launched from the company’s facility at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Mississippi.

This campaign is one more step towards bringing extreme flight endurance to the world, demonstrates the feasibility of remaining airborne for weeks to months using solar energy and batteries, and is another significant milestone in the development of the Skydweller aircraft and its high reliability autonomous vehicle management system.

This campaign was initiated under a Joint Concept Technology Demonstration (JCTD) by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD R&E) and sustained by a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) to evaluate Autonomous Maritime Patrol Aircraft (AMPA).

Dr. Robert Miller, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Skydweller Aero, said: “This flight test campaign is an important achievement and validates our business vision, marking a new era in autonomous aviation. Skydweller Aero is redefining what is possible in the aerospace industry, and the data gathered that validates our models for multi-day fights is a testament to our team’s dedication and innovation. We are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of what uncrewed solar-powered aircraft can achieve and will continue on with our mission to bring perpetual flight to the world.”

Barry Matsumori, President & Chief Operating Officer of Skydweller Aero, said: “We have accomplished a major milestone toward demonstrating the feasibility of perpetual flight by leveraging the trillions of dollars in global research and development investment in solar energy, battery storage, and the handing and manufacturing of extremely strong, ultra lightweight carbon fiber assemblies. As these subsystems improve, we will continue to leverage them for the benefit of our customers.”

Highlights of the Flight:

Uncrewed Autonomous Operation: At high operation tempo, the Skydweller aircraft conducted a series of long endurance flight tests demonstrating potential to perform extreme endurance missions.
Solar-Powered Flight: Powered by solar energy, the aircraft delivers zero carbon emissions with ultra-quiet operations.
High Reliability Autonomous Systems: The flight demonstrated uncrewed operation of Skydweller’s fully redundant autonomous systems and beyond-line-of-sight operations & communication.

01 Oct 24. AeroVironment (AV) flight-tested an upgraded Sunglider™, enhancing its High-Altitude Platform-Station (HAPS) capabilities for commercial and government markets. The result is Horus™ A, the new version of Sunglider for government applications. Horus A is a solar-powered UAS capable of carrying up to 150 lb of payload with 1.5 kW of available power, offering industry-leading stratospheric performance.

Horus A features enhancements in all areas of the aircraft design, avionics, and offers unique features such as additional autonomy to increase mission flexibility and multiple redundant systems for mission assurance. Horus A received airworthiness approval from the U.S. Army and an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate to allow flight testing in the national airspace. These enhancements flow back into the continued development of Sunglider with SoftBank as both companies strive to deliver unrivaled payload capacity and persistence to unlock the full potential of both stratospheric flight and the latest, most capable payloads.

“During this recent Horus A flight, we demonstrated the ability to carry multiple payloads for the U.S. DoD and transmit real-time data, advancing the viability of HAPS for government applications,” said Jeff Rodrian, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of MacCready Works. “This flight marks another milestone in our stratospheric platform’s progress. It underscores AV’s leadership in developing solar-powered, high-altitude systems with significant potential for commercial and government applications.”

Continuing AV’s tradition of industry-defining firsts, Horus A simultaneously operated a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and Tactical Grade Mesh Network radio during the mission portion of the flight. Covering the majority of the flight test points, AV was able to validate multiple new and redundant systems, payload interoperability and performance enhancements. AV also demonstrated the ability to effectively maneuver in adverse and turbulent weather, landing safely, ready to return to the Stratosphere for future longer-duration missions. Horus A’s satellite-based BLOS radio and robust avionics and datalink suite will enable this platform to fill critical defense capability gaps such as resilient communications and network extension, Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT), Space Domain Awareness, long-endurance ISR, and deep sensing. Many of these capabilities can enable swarms of smaller uncrewed systems like Switchblade® 600 to be most effective on the battlefield.

After this recent stratospheric flight, which was supported by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering, and the Rapid Prototyping Programs, AV will continue aggressively progressing Horus A towards operational employment. Through continued partnership with SoftBank, the company aims to offer a robust connectivity solution in the world of 5G and beyond with Sunglider. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

30 Sep 24. In recognition of the development of its innovative Drone-in-a-Box technology, British UAV manufacturer Evolve Dynamics has won a grant competition for an Innovate UK Smart Grant, funded by UK Research & Innovation, part of the UK government.

Drone as First Responder (DFR).

A British company with a proud heritage of innovation and ingenuity, Evolve Dynamics is developing revolutionary self-charging Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) technology that can be used to provide a rapid response to emergency situations. Designed to facilitate eyes-on contact and transmit video and audio feeds to first responder control centres, Evolve Dynamics’ Drone as First Responder (DFR) concept will be able to demonstrate high weather resilience and fly autonomously for up to 45 minutes.

The company’s DFR will be vehicle-mountable or transportable by a single person, in turn reducing the challenges of moving larger uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unlike existing UAVs currently used by first responders, this new innovation will feature vertical take-off, landing and recharging, all of which can take place autonomously, without human intervention.

By simply pressing a button on a handheld Ground Control Station (GCS) like a remote control, first responder operators will be able to send the DFR on a pre-planned route to a specific location. The journey undertaken will rely on radar or GPS and object tracking capabilities for collision avoidance, ensuring the safe arrival and home return of the UAV.

Breakthrough innovation of its type

Evolve Dynamics is the first company to offer a DiaB solution with autonomous charging and an integrated UAV. Developed to operate without risk of any foreign interference, the DFR will offer a high-quality, single-unit solution specifically designed for public safety applications. Recognising technological advances and evolving ways of working, first responders are increasingly utilising UAVs to improve incident response times, which are also helping to reduce costs and free up resources.

By providing first responders with greater situational awareness and surveillance capabilities from a distance, the DFR will help to minimise human-risk and quickly ascertain the required response-level. This in turn will have the potential to reduce response times by 87%, lower eyes-on response costs by £2000 per incident and decrease the number of fatalities and property damage.

Mike Dewhurst, CEO and Founder of Evolve Dynamics stated, “We’re delighted and honoured that Innovate UK has recognised the potential of our Drone-In-A-Box technology. We believe this capability holds immense opportunities and is a truly disruptive technology that can transform the way in which first-responders operate and work.”

With ongoing security concerns in the industry around the production of Chinese-manufactured UAVs, the demand for ‘home grown’ or OECD-produced devices is forecast to grow significantly. As a unique technological concept, the UK is ideally positioned to become a leader in the global public safety UAV market, with further potential for global expansion.

Innovate UK Smart Grants: UK-registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25m for game-changing and commercially-viable R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy. This funding is from Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. The Innovate UK Smart Grant has focused scope and eligibility criteria to support micro, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their partners in developing genuinely new innovations with significant potential for rapid economic return to the UK.

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BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 27, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

20 Sept 24. Portable sUAS to Enhance U.S. Army Reconnaissance Capabilities.

PDW’s C100 sUAS has been selected for the U.S. Army’s Company-Level sUAS initiative, offering portable VTOL solutions to enhance reconnaissance capabilities in contested environments.

Performance Drone Works (PDW) has been selected to provide its flagship C100 quadcopter, a Group 2 small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), in support of the U.S. Army Directed Requirement for Company-Level sUAS.

The C100 will be fielded to unit elements across the Army to enhance fire and maneuver in near-peer and contested operating environments.

PDW’s C100 supports the U.S. Army’s medium-range reconnaissance (MRR) requirement for a modular, Soldier-portable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) sUAS capable of providing effects across reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communications relay, and kinetic and non-kinetic payload delivery.

The C100 enables dismounted, mounted, or airborne maneuver units with extended endurance and payload capacity in a ruggedized and highly deployable form factor.

Weighing just 21 pounds and small enough to fit in a rucksack, the C100 quadcopter empowers units to organically deploy air support, conduct precision strikes, and gather intelligence—all without the need for manned aircraft or external fire support.

Ryan Gury, PDW CEO and Co-founder, commented, “This award is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire PDW team. The world is witnessing the transformative power of quadcopters on the battlefield, whose unmatched agility, precision, and tactical versatility are revolutionizing modern warfare.

“The C100 reduces the reliance on organic fires support from both external or higher headquarters, to further enable the maneuver force with decentralize and dispersed capabilities. We are honored to have been selected for the Army’s Company Level sUAS Direct Requirement, where the C100 will deliver the first wave of these game-changing capabilities.

“The C100 system enables a significant transformation of modern maneuver forces. As we enter a new era of small robotics in warfare, PDW is proud to contribute to the American renaissance in defense robotics.”

General (Ret.) Tony Thomas, former Commander of SOCOM and PDW Chairman of the Board, added, “PDW is delivering the decisive capabilities that give warfighters the upper hand, empowering them with tools to succeed and survive in the most demanding environments.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

26 Sep 24. Lithuania to deliver thousands of FPV drones to its army, Ukraine. The Lithuanian government will supply thousands of locally-made, first-person-view drones to the Ukrainian and Lithuanian armed forces as part of a major investment in a low-cost capability that is reshaping modern combat.

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense has announced a $1m contract with Vilnius-based drone company Granta Autonomy, founded in 2015, for its new GA-10-FPV-AI quadcopter platform.

“The new unmanned aerial vehicles form part of a larger €8m defense procurement initiative involving several additional Lithuanian drone manufacturers,” the Lithuanian authorities said in a press release.

Overall, 2,300 drones will be delivered to the Lithuanian military and 5,000 units will be donated to Ukraine, pooled together from selected Lithuanian companies, with the first deliveries expected to arrive in the war-torn country by the end of this month.

This marks the first time that the Granta Autonomy GA-10FPV-AI platforms will be delivered to both armies, a company representative told Defense News, with almost 1,000 drones included in the contract.

The drones feature a quadcopter frame with vertical take-off and landing capabilities and the ability to carry a maximum payload of 3 kilograms, per company information.

In August, the Lithuanian defense ministry had announced that combat drones manufactured by five Lithuanian firms had passed the tests put together by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to simulate a front-line environment and would be chosen to be sent to troops.

According to the local news network LRT, an initial batch of drone had previously failed such a test.

The GA-10-FPV-AI is advertised as being able to operate autonomously in GPS-denied environments, customizable for different video transmission frequencies and camera types.

Ukrainian FPVs have grown in importance in recent months on the battlefield, hailing successes of striking Russian attack helicopters as well as armored vehicles.

Experts have predicted that the future use of FPVs in combat is expected to involve them operating in swarms or groups to overwhelm adversary defenses on the cheap.

Lithuania has paid attention to these developments, having announced over the summer that its armed forces are undergoing a specialized course at training instructors to operate FPVs as well as plans to equip all military branches with these drones. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

27 Sept 24. Iran Unveils New Shahed-136B Attack Drone.

Iran revealed its latest military advancements, including an upgraded version of the Shahed-136B suicide drone, during a military parade on Saturday.

The unveiling coincides with increasing regional tensions and ongoing allegations that Tehran is supplying arms to Russia.

The Shahed-136B, an enhanced version of Iran’s known one-way attack drone, was showcased at the parade, which marked the anniversary of the end of the Iran-Iraq war. The new variant boasts several significant upgrades, including a larger warhead, a range between 2,500 to 4,000 kilometers, a turbojet engine, and improved stealth capabilities.

The Shahed-136B is thought to be an evolution of the drone supplied to Russian forces for use in Ukraine, though Tehran continues to deny allegations of providing military support to Moscow.

Western governments have frequently raised concerns about Iran’s drone program, with particular attention to its potential impact on regional conflicts, such as the war in Yemen and attacks on Israel, and broader geopolitical dynamics. Tehran, however, maintains that its military developments are defensive in nature. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)

26 Sep 24. Mayman Aerospace has completed successful flight tests at a military base in the Southern California desert of its RAZOR test bed VTOL aircraft. The RAZOR test bed is exactly the same dimensions and weight as the RAZOR P100 and uses the same propulsion, engine gimballing, thrust vectoring and flight control systems.

Supported by our Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract with the US Department of Defence, the fully autonomous flight tests were designed to test avionics, thrust vectoring mechanisms, flight control laws, software, and command and control (C2). It also enables early verification of operating procedures. This series of tests focused on the transition of the engines moving out of hover mode, which is critical for high-speed winged flight. It also added to our history of successful autonomous take-off and landings.

The Mayman Aerospace RAZOR VTOL aircraft is designed with multi-role capabilities. Its proprietary control system enables swift, secure and efficient transportation of critical supplies, bolstering military readiness and resilience in challenging and austere environments. RAZOR aircraft can also be configured to extend the range of small Air-to-Air or Air-to-Surface missiles such as Brimstone or Hellfire, delivering them over 200 miles. The aircraft can then deploy the missile for final target acquisition, enhancing the reach and precision of the missile systems.

Launched vertically without the need of special launch system or infrastructure, RAZOR can act as an ISR, target designation and launch platform. Due to its extreme speed the RAZOR can quickly intercept drones. RAZOR also provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive cruise missiles. Its swift, agile, AI-guided C2/C3 enables precise payload or kinetic impact delivery. This versatile platform ensures efficient operations at a fraction of traditional costs.

The RAZOR UAS revolutionizes battlefield target-intelligence collection, providing rapid, flexible data acquisition. With VTOL capability for deployment in confined areas, projected speeds up to 500 mph, and advanced surveillance technology, the aircraft provides a platform to acquire superior image quality by carrying large gimbal balls at high altitude. As a self-sufficient platform, RAZOR ensures immediate and reliable intelligence, enhancing battlefield decision-making. This aircraft is essential for modern warfare.

David Mayman, Founder and CEO of Mayman Aerospace said:

“Our recent flight tests were 100% successful and we are confident RAZOR will reach speeds greater than 450kts. As a multi-role, dual use technology Razor is already changing the way defense commanders and civilian leaders are thinking about autonomous VTOL applications. We are a software-driven hardware company and our team is achieving performance levels once only dreamed about. We are super excited about the next set of flight tests later this year.”

Dr Manu Sharma, Chief Engineer, at Mayman Aerospace, added: “In these flight tests we flew seven autonomous mission sets and all systems worked perfectly as planned. The primary objective was to validate recent flight-software and control-law updates, with particular attention to the change from hover mode with the engines canted outwards from the aircraft center, to transition mode with all engines canted in the same direction, which is required to get us into winged flight. It is also a benefit to get additional autonomous flight time on the vehicle, take-off and landing in particular, to increase our confidence in the system as a whole.”

These flight tests are a major step forward for Mayman Aerospace and additional test flights are scheduled for later this year.

“At Mayman Aerospace we are pioneering the future of autonomous warfare with our cutting-edge high-speed VTOL aircraft”, noted David Mayman. “We are integrating artificial intelligence within existing intelligence, surveillance, navigation, control, and strategic frameworks to develop autonomous systems that are cost effective, quick to manufacture, relatively expendable and can be deployed in sufficient numbers to meet future battlefield requirements. One of the first casualties of modern warfare will be airfields, and therefore VTOL aircraft will be critical to future conflict success.”

Mayman Aerospace is well advanced in its mission having designed, built and flight tested five full scale prototypes and secured US Dept of Defense contracts. The RAZOR aircraft is fully scalable and the team plans to develop P100, P500 and P1000 variants. Manufacturing and sales of P100 is scheduled to begin in 2025.

27 Sept 24. BAE Systems Australia Set for First Test Flight of STRIX UAS. The first test flight of BAE Systems Australia‘s (BAESA’s) STRIX Uncrewed Aerial System is scheduled for mid-October, with the company citing the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform as a unique combination of operation, range, and payload.

Flight testing for the prototype, X-wing design was approved in July by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and will take place at an undisclosed site in Western Australia.

“Some whiteboard sketches and ideas were thrown around in June/July 2022 but the final design/concept for STRIX was not finalised until March 2023. So, we’ll have gone from concept design to first flight of a first-of-type prototype within 18 months,” Kisa Christensen, director of Red Ochre Autonomy and Sensors at BAESA, told Janes . “We’re taking a staged approach in the lead-up to the first full-blown flight.”

She added,

“We’re starting with the nose-up manoeuvre, then we’ll couple that with a vertical take-off and hover, followed by a vertical landing. The final test flight will implement transition from a hover to conventional flight and then back to hover and a vertical landing. So, the platform’s full flight characteristics will be involved.

“Then we will progress to our next spiral, which focuses on testing the unique hybrid propulsion that powers this concept. This will enable realisation of the full range capability that can be achieved through STRIX’s efficient fixed-wing cruise.”

Developed in collaboration with Australian firm Innovaero, STRIX’s versatility is claimed as one of its assets. Potential multirole mission capabilities include strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, assured targeting, antisubmarine and anti-surface warfare, electronic warfare, and teaming with rotary-wing platforms. (Source: UAS VISION/Janes)

27 Sept 24. Russia has Secret War Drones Project in China, intel sources say. Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in the war against Ukraine, according to two sources from a European intelligence agency and documents reviewed by Reuters.

IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned weapons company Almaz-Antey, has developed and flight-tested a new drone model called Garpiya-3 (G3) in China with the help of local specialists, according to one of the documents, a report that Kupol sent to the Russian defence ministry earlier this year outlining its work.

Kupol told the defence ministry in a subsequent update that it was able to produce drones including the G3 at scale at a factory in China so the weapons can be deployed in the “special military operation” in Ukraine, the term Moscow uses for the war.

Kupol, Almaz-Antey and the Russian defence ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment for this article. China’s foreign ministry told Reuters it was not aware of such a project, adding that the country had strict control measures on the export of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based defence think-tank, said the delivery of UAVs from China to Russia, if confirmed, would be a significant development.

“If you look at what China is known to have delivered so far, it was mostly dual-use goods – it was components, sub-components, that could be used in weapon systems,” he told Reuters. “This is what has been reported so far. But what we haven’t really seen, at least in the open source, are documented transfers of whole weapon systems.”

Still, Samuel Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a Washington-based think-tank, said Beijing would be hesitant to open itself up to international sanctions for helping Moscow’s war machine, and that more information was needed to establish that China was playing host to production of Russian military drones.

The White House National Security Council said it was deeply concerned by the Reuters report of the drones programme, which it said appeared to be an instance of a Chinese company providing lethal assistance to a U.S.-sanctioned Russian firm.

The White House has not seen anything to suggest the Chinese government was aware of the transactions involved, but China has a responsibility to ensure companies aren’t providing lethal aid to Russia for use by its military, a spokesperson added.

The G3 can travel about 2,000 km with a payload of 50 kg, according to the reports to the Russian defence ministry from Kupol, which was placed under U.S. sanctions in Dec. 2023. Samples of the G3 and some other drone models made in China have been delivered to Kupol in Russia for further testing, again with the involvement of Chinese experts, they said.

The documents don’t identify the Chinese drone specialists involved in the project that it outlined and Reuters was unable to determine their identity.

Kupol has taken delivery of seven military drones made in China, including two G3s, at its headquarters in the Russian city of Izhevsk, according to the two separate documents reviewed by Reuters, which are invoices sent to Kupol in the summer by a Russian firm that the two European intelligence sources said serves as an intermediary with Chinese suppliers. The invoices, one of which requests payment in Chinese yuan, don’t specify delivery dates or identify the suppliers in China.

The two intelligence sources said the delivery of the sample drones to Kupol was the first concrete evidence their agency had found of whole UAVs manufactured in China being delivered to Russia since the Ukraine war began in February 2022.

They asked that neither they nor their organisation be identified due to the sensitivity of the information. They also requested certain details related to the documents be withheld, including their precise dates.

‘DOUBLE STANDARDS ON ARMS SALES’

The sources showed Reuters five documents in all, including two Kupol reports to the ministry in the first half of the year and the two invoices, to support their claims of the existence of a Russian project in China to manufacture drones for use in Ukraine. The programme has not previously been reported.

Kupol’s reports to the ministry didn’t give more precise locations for sites related to the project. Reuters was also unable to determine whether the defence ministry gave the company the green light to proceed with the serial production proposed.

Beijing has repeatedly denied that China or Chinese companies have supplied Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine, saying the country remains neutral. In response to questions for this article, the foreign ministry told Reuters that China’s position presented a contrast with other nations with “double standards on arms sales” whom it said had “added fuel to the flames of the Ukrainian crisis”.

The ministry said earlier this month that there were no international restrictions on China’s trade with Russia when responding to a Reuters report that Kupol had started to produce the Garpiya-A1 long-range military drone in Russia using Chinese engines and parts.

The new documents reported here indicate state-owned Kupol has gone further by sourcing complete UAVs from China.

Both Russia and Ukraine are racing to ramp up their production of drones, which have emerged as highly effective weapons in the war.

David Albright, a former U.N. weapons inspector who heads the Institute for Science and International Security research group and has conducted extensive work on Chinese and Russian cooperation on drone production, told Reuters that Kupol could skirt Western sanctions on Russia by setting up a production facility in China where it could access advanced chips and expertise.

But Bendett at CNAS said Beijing had reason to tread carefully: “For a factory to exist officially that builds UAVs for the Russians exposes China to some of the more severe effects of the sanctions, so it’s not clear the extent to which China would be willing to expose itself.”

The Ukrainian government didn’t respond to a request for comment for this article.

COMPARABLE TO U.S. REAPER DRONE?

The G3 is an upgraded version of the Garpiya-A1 drone, according to Kupol’s reports sent to the defence ministry. It was redesigned by Chinese experts working off blueprints of the Garpiya-A1, they said.

Kupol said that within eight months, the project in China would be ready to produce a Chinese-designed REM 1 attack UAV with a payload of 400kg. The two European intelligence sources said this system would be similar to the U.S. Reaper drone.

The sources said another Russian defence firm called TSK Vektor acted as the intermediary between Kupol and Chinese suppliers in the project. They said the Russian firms worked with a Chinese company called Redlepus TSK Vector Industrial, based in Shenzhen, without specifying Redlepus’ role.

TSK Vektor and Redlepus didn’t respond to requests for comment.

A separate document reviewed by Reuters reveals plans involving Kupol, TSK Vektor and Redlepus to establish a joint Russian-Chinese drone research and production centre in the Kashgar special economic zone in China’s Xinjiang province.

Reuters was unable to determine who produced the document, which bore the logos of the three companies, or identify the intended recipient. The 80-hectare “Advanced UAV Research and Manufacturing Base” would be able to produce 800 drones a year, the document said. No timeline was given for when it would be operational.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his military had received around 140,000 drones in 2023 and that Moscow planned to increase this number tenfold this year.

“Whoever reacts faster to demands on the battlefield wins,” he told a meeting in St Petersburg about drone production.

(Source: UAS VISION/Reuters)

26 Sept 24. Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 Supports European Coastguard Functions in France and Belgium.

The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) contracted Schiebel to support multi-purpose maritime operations with its Unmanned Air System (UAS) CAMCOPTER S-100 in La Manche and the southern section of the North Sea.

The operation aimed to assist the maritime authorities of Belgium and France across a variety of coast guard functions including emission monitoring. Stationed at the Gris- Nez Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in the Pas-de-Calais Department of France, the S-100 supported on request both participating countries within an airspace validated by the civil aviation authority depending on the areas flown over.

The UAS provided enhanced support for maritime safety, search and rescue, maritime surveillance, environmental protection and maritime accident and disaster response.

The operationally mature S-100 executed these tasks equipped with multiple sensors, a Trakka TC-300 EO/IR sensor, an Explicit Mini Sniffer for emission monitoring, a Becker Avionics BD406 Emergency Beacon Locator, an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver and a Mode-S Transponder ADSB out.

“We have been supporting EMSA since 2018. The CAMCOPTER also helped in several search and rescue operations. The S-100 saves valuable response time and enables a quick and efficient way of scanning large areas even for very small objects and anomalies at sea,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

(Source: UAS VISION)

23 Sept. 24. ‘Dual-use’ case: Russian attack drone maker evades Western scrutiny. A Russian startup drone manufacturer has cashed in on the exploding demand for unmanned aerial vehicles spurred by the war in Ukraine, selling over 1,000 drones while working to avoid Western sanctions, according to documents reviewed by Defense News.

Integrated Robotics Technologies, located in southeastern Russia’s Bashkortostan Republic, is an example of how Russian companies have switched to a wartime economy orchestrated by Moscow to prosecute the invasion of Ukraine.

IRT is not named in sanctions by Western governments despite touting its lineup of surveillance and attack drones in its advertising materials, a marked switch from a marketing strategy previously aimed at the agricultural and energy markets. A presentation by the Bashkirian government, seen by Defense News, shows that in 2023 alone, IRT produced more than 1,000 UAVs.

The company’s portfolio includes several types of so-called kamikaze drones, cheap and disposable aircraft fitted with an explosive warhead that have become the hallmark of Ukraine war tactics. An operator can plunge them into vulnerable targets from afar with deadly precision. The vendor also markets a set of larger, more complex drones that it claims can stay in the air for 20 hours and cover up to 1,600 kilometers while producing high-quality aerial imagery – useful for energy pipeline inspections but also for surveilling the battlefield from afar.

It is likely that countless companies like IRT exist scattered across Russia. The case underscores the government’s concerted efforts to mitigate the effectiveness of Western sanctions imposed after attacking Ukraine. The campaign, still labeled a “special military operation” in Kremlin verbiage, has been burning through weapon stocks new and old at an unprecedented pace.

With the war in Ukraine in its third year, Russian businesses like IRT have come into the spotlight of Western authorities as they try to restrict the flow of components that could aid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts. In turn, Russia has been finding new ways to sustain its access to vital products, turning to China and setting up front companies in third countries like the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and in Central Asia, UN trade records and government information show.

IRT’s website does not explicitly mention a military dimension to its business, billing its drones instead as civilian tools. However, the company has participated in defense-oriented trade fairs since the war in Ukraine began in 2022.

“As they like to say now, it is dual-use,” quipped a press release by a regional trade show (archived here) covering IRT’s appearance at the event, referring to the company’s ostensibly agricultural tack.

The company did not return an email seeking comment on its defense-related activities.

A technology is dual-use when it was originally developed for civilian purposes but has significant warfare-related applications, says Robert Shaw, the program director for export control and nonproliferation at the California-based James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, a think tank that studies arms control and sanctions.

“IRT’s UAVs seem to fit this definition very well,” he said, “and especially kamikaze drones very clearly have military applications.”

Founded in September 2021, IRT describes itself in public appearances as an innovative company that hopes to advance Russian domestic drone-making abilities. It has hosted aerospace engineering events for local youth and counts around 20 employees, according to public records.

While a private company, Integrated Robotics Technologies has received money and contracts from Russian government entities. Public records show that the regional government of the Republic of Bashkortostan paid IRT eight times for consulting services in early 2022. Governmental support has since expanded through programs to boost domestic UAV production, including plans to build drone-related research centers, launch platforms and factories, all outlined in regional government meetings in 2023 and 2024

The plans are worth tens of bns of rubles (hundreds of ms of U.S. dollars), according to Republic of Bashkortostan government documents.

Eager to tout a local drone champion, officials have kept tabs on the company’s fortunes: IRT had produced 1,049 drones of six different types in 2023 alone, according to a presentation from Jan. 15 of this year. Of these, 332 were of the Scout or Dark Wing varieties, marketed as suicide drones in the company’s product catalog. The company also built 14 long-range surveillance drones of the IRT-5 variety and hundreds of quad- and hexacopters.

It’s unclear to what extent an individual company like IRT would be affected by Western sanctions. On a national scale, though, there are indications that Moscow has struggled with supplanting some parts of its supply chains with local vendors, most notably in advanced semiconductors and similarly specialized components and tools.

Russian customs data seen by Defense News shows a handful of occasions in which Integrated Robotics Technologies has imported drone components and parts for a 3D printer from China.

Companies linked to IRT may also be involved in procuring components on its behalf, making it difficult to gauge the extent to which the company relies on foreign components. For example, the company appears to have close ties to a medium-sized chemical- and laboratory-equipment manufacturer.

“Russian defense-related procurement efforts are using a wide range of third countries to circumvent sanctions,” Shaw told Defense News. He said the procurement of 3D printing components is a notable detail. “Our research suggests that additive manufacturing is a particular area to watch, especially when it comes to UAV and missile production,” he said. Being linked to a chemical company might allow for producing specialized materials for drone-building or polymers for 3D printing, Shaw said.

(Source: C4ISR & Networks)

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19 Sept 24. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully demonstrated the MQ-4C Triton navigation system’s ability to operate at high latitudes deep within the Arctic Circle, delivering on its commitment to provide critical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capabilities in the High North. The test flight proved the system’s ability to operate in the harsh austere environment over the Arctic Ocean. Triton’s advanced technological design makes it the only autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft capable of operating at altitudes above 50,000 feet for durations of more than 24 hours.

The test flight, which began in Deadhorse, Alaska, and flew within 100 miles of the North Pole, utilized Northrop Grumman’s proprietary navigation systems, mission management computer and upgraded operational flight programs to successfully demonstrate Triton’s ability to navigate in the Arctic.
The test aircraft collected navigation data during the five-hour flight and remained within U.S. and Canadian airspace for the duration.
The demonstration also validated ground-based GPS alignment and initialization procedures to enable operations from runways above 70 degrees north latitude.
As a high-altitude, long-endurance platform, Triton is suited for missions in the High North by operating well above Arctic winds and avoiding the range and speed impacts that limit mission performance at medium altitudes.

The MQ-4C Triton is capable of operating at an altitude of over 50,000 feet, enabling it to fly above harsh weather conditions. Credit: Northrop Grumman

Experts:

Jane Bishop, vice president and general manager, global surveillance division, Northrop Grumman: “Flight operations in austere and frigid conditions present unique navigation challenges. Our demonstration highlights Triton’s ability to successfully perform in that challenging environment.”

Capt. Josh Guerre, Triton program manager, U.S. Navy: “Arctic regions are an increasingly important theater of operations with unique threats and environments. We are ready to support those mission sets for domestic and international customers.”

Details:

The flight test follows a similar demonstration conducted over the Gulf of Alaska in June 2023. During the Northern Edge 2023 exercise, Triton’s radar demonstrated its unmatched ability to detect, track and image targets with weapon relevant accuracy and at a survivable range over a high-sea state environment.

As allies consider their options for acquiring uncrewed maritime surveillance aircraft, flight demonstrations prove Triton’s ability to operate in challenging environments. Beyond navigation, surveillance operations in the High North are also challenged by strong winds and high seas. Triton’s higher operating altitude of more than 50,000 feet enables operation above inclement weather that would limit medium altitude platforms limited to 10,000-30,000 feet. Triton’s de-icing and anti-icing capabilities ensure it’s mission-ready and capable of operations in extreme arctic conditions.

Built for the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force, the multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton supports a wide range of missions, including maritime patrol, signals intelligence and search and rescue. These aircraft operate at a higher altitude and have longer endurance than medium-altitude systems. They also incorporate simultaneous multi-intelligence sensor operations that allow them to deliver an exponential increase in mission information.

18 Sept 24. Milkor 380 UAV ushers in a new era for South African aerospace and defence capabilities

South African defence and security solutions provider Milkor is making significant strides with its Milkor 380 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – the largest such aircraft to be designed and built in Africa.

The company has come a long way since its establishment in 1981, when it made a name for itself as the manufacturer of the world’s first six-shot 40 mm grenade launcher. In 2017, the company underwent significant transformation when private investors acquired it. Today, Milkor operates from multiple global offices, including locations in Centurion, Cape Town, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, offering a diverse range of products that includes everything from UAVs to naval vessels and cyber security solutions.

One of Milkor’s most recent notable achievements is the development of the Milkor 380, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) aircraft. This ambitious project involved building everything in-house, from avionics and software to airframes, with the goal of creating a fully South African-developed UAV.

The Milkor 380 was developed from the earlier MA80, an 80 kg demonstrator which flew in 2017. The Milkor 380 evolved into a more capable platform with enhanced systems architecture and first flew on 19 September 2023.

Since then, the prototypes have logged numerous successful test flights, with the South African Air Force (SAAF) overseeing the operational testing and evaluation of two airframes at an airbase in the Western Cape. The UAV has undergone extensive performance assessments, demonstrating its capabilities across a wide range of operational parameters.

Milkor’s Cape Town facility, Milkor Integrated Systems, serves as the hub for the development and production of the Milkor 380. This facility integrates all subcomponents, from avionics and sensor suites to the airframe itself.

Milkor is particularly proud of its in-house composite manufacturing facility. The first prototypes were produced using the composite lay-up process, but this has changed to more advanced composite manufacturing techniques, such as vacuum infusion resin manufacturing, enabling greater precision and durability.

The Milkor 380 boasts impressive specifications, having a wingspan of 18.6 meters and a maximum take-off weight of 1 300 kilograms. The Milkor 380 boasts a maximum endurance of 35 hours (when flying at 60 knots and an altitude of 10 000 feet above mean sea level) and a range of over 2 000 kilometres, making it ideal for long-range missions such as border surveillance, maritime patrols, and even combat operations. Payload versatility allows it to carry an array of sensors or weaponry, making it a versatile platform for both military and humanitarian missions. The maximum service ceiling is 30 000 feet, though this is often limited by the operational capabilities of its onboard sensor systems.

The UAV is equipped with dual redundant Line of Sight (LOS) communications systems that can maintain contact with its control unit for up to 250 km, with seamless transition between Line of Sight and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications, such as SATCom.

Milkor has partnered with leading companies, such as Germany’s Hensoldt, to integrate sophisticated sensor suites, including the ARGOS II HDT Airborne Observation System with laser designator capabilities. These sensors are designed for precision targeting in combat operations and enhance the UAV’s intelligence-gathering and electronic warfare capabilities. The Milkor 380 can carry up to 220 kg of payload, including munitions, communication pods and electronic warfare systems.

While the Milkor 380 is primarily designed for military use, Milkor envisions dual-purpose applications, particularly in the civilian and commercial sectors. For instance, it can be deployed for maritime surveillance, wildlife conservation and humanitarian missions. The company has partnered with Aerodata AG, a German firm specialising in maritime surveillance, to explore the UAV’s potential in monitoring special economic zones and conducting routine maritime patrols. This version is known as the AeroForce 380. Additionally, the UAV’s ability to carry care packages or medical supplies underscores its versatility in humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.

This flexibility has garnered significant interest from international governments as well as the South African Air Force, which has been overseeing the drone’s operational testing.

Production capacity for the Milkor 380 is currently set at eight systems per year, with the sixth airframe currently in production. Plans are to double this to 16 systems per year by the beginning of 2026. This growth is supported by the company’s extensive engineering workforce, which consists of around 350 employees at the Cape Town branch, 80% of whom are engineers. The company is poised to expand further, with plans to hire an additional 150 employees during the next year.

One of the primary challenges facing the Milkor 380 is the lack of clear regulatory frameworks for large UAVs in South Africa. To address this, Milkor is working closely with the South African Air Force, Armscor and the Department of Defence to achieve military type certification for the UAV. Once military certification is secured, Milkor plans to transition to civilian certification, enabling broader commercial use.

With its surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence-gathering and combat capabilities, the Milkor 380 is not just a milestone for the company but also for the African continent, being the largest UAV developed, manufactured, tested and flown in Africa. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)

17 Sept 24. Egyptian Company Unveils MALE Drone and Smart Munitions. Egyptian company Robotics Engineering Systems (RES) showcased its locally manufactured drones and smart munitions at the recent Egypt International Airshow (EIAS 2024), which was held at El Alamein International Airport over three days.

The company’s flagship product, the “6th of October” drone, was a key attraction. It is a multi-mission unmanned aerial vehicle, entirely designed, developed, and manufactured in Egypt. It was first unveiled at the Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2023).

The “6th of October” drone, a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) aircraft, features a sophisticated design with two engines producing 145 horsepower each, an increased main fuel tank capacity compared to previous models, and advanced landing gear with automatic takeoff and landing capabilities.

The drone was displayed armed with guided missiles and smart aerial bombs, enabling it to carry out offensive missions, armed reconnaissance, and border security operations. It boasts a conventional range of 240 kilometres, extendable by deploying multiple ground control stations or satellite control. The drone can remain airborne for over 30 hours and operates at an altitude of up to 18,000 feet. It can fly at a speed of 260 kilometres per hour and land at 120 kilometres per hour. It measures 8.9 metres in length, 5 metres in height, and has a wingspan of 18.5 metres.

The “6th of October” drone is equipped with 13 hardpoints for carrying reconnaissance and surveillance systems, electro-optical and infrared sensors, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR), which can generate 2D or 3D images and maps of terrain. It also features additional fuel tanks.

RES also showcased its range of smart munitions, all manufactured in Egypt for the first time. These included a glide bomb, equipped with aerodynamic control surfaces (wings and tail) and a domestically-made GWD-6 smart munition guidance system that operates in three guidance modes: GPS, inertial navigation system (INS), and electro-optical guidance. It carries a warhead weighing up to 1,000 kilograms and has a range of 50 kilometres.

The company also unveiled long-range standoff munitions. These air-to-ground munitions consist of a 155mm warhead equipped with an aerodynamic control system and the PGK long-range smart munition guidance kit, locally produced by RES. These munitions have a range of up to 80 kilometres. The guidance system weighs 60 kilograms and utilises INS, GPS, and electro-optical guidance.

Finally, RES showcased small-sized smart munitions. These munitions contain 122mm and 155mm artillery shells equipped with an aerodynamic control system and the PGK smart munition guidance kit, manufactured by RES. The munitions have a range of up to 30 kilometres and a guidance system weighing 10 kilograms, utilising INS, GPS, and electro-optical guidance. (Source: UAS VISION/Daily News Egypt)

16 Sept 24. Peregrine Rotary Wing UAS Conducts Initial Royal Navy Flying Trials from HMS Lancaster.

In late August, 700X Naval Air Squadron conducted the first flying trials of the Peregrine RWAUS from HMS Lancaster in the Gulf of Oman.

Secured under the Future Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) programme, the RN selected the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter as the basis for Peregrine. The aircraft will be equipped with the Thales I-Master radar, a compact, lightweight airborne surveillance radar that offers ultra-fine Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, Maritime Moving Target Indication (MMTI) and Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) modes.

Peregrine will operate in the intelligence-gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance role.

The Austrian-made Schiebel S-100 is a very mature platform that has been in service with civilian and military users since 2005, having successfully performed more than 2,000 deck launches and recoveries from ships including in challenging winds and sea states.

During the testing phase, Thales and Schiebel showcased the Peregrine’s exceptional capabilities to the specified requirements. The results have been outstanding, highlighting the program’s steadfast adherence to schedule and the unwavering commitment of both companies to excellence.

The Peregrine Programme, a joint effort between Thales and Schiebel, in conjunction with the UK MOD’s support, is now set to commence its first deliveries, ahead of schedule signifying an important advancement in strengthening the UK MOD’s operational capabilities.

“We are immensely proud of the successful Factory Acceptance Test and the progress achieved in the Peregrine Programme,” stated Hervé Hamy, Vice President ISR Business Line at Thales.“Our unwavering dedication to precision engineering and collaboration with Schiebel has resulted in a cutting-edge solution that will undoubtedly strengthen the UK MOD’s operational capabilities.”

“We have achieved a significant milestone in the Peregrine Programme,” commented Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. “The S-100’s advanced features and proven performance ensure it will be a game-changer in the field of unmanned aerial systems, providing the Royal Navy with an invaluable asset.”

It is extraordinary that it has taken the RN so long to acquire a viable RWUAS. An urgent capability requirement was issued in mid-2022. Thales and Schiebel completed factory acceptance trials of the S-100 and radar integration in August 2023. but it has taken a further year to get this well-proven aircraft to sea. Once fully operational, Peregrine will eventually offer a low-cost alternative or complementary capability to the crewed Wildcat helicopter. It will also greatly add to the situational awareness of the frigate, especially valuable in the complex maritime environment of the Middle East. (Source: UAS VISION/Thales; Navy Lookout)

16 Sept 24. TB2 Automates UAV Payload Delivery and Recovery. A groundbreaking new system is poised to revolutionize and automate UAV operations on the Battlefield and create a Military Multi-Mission Payload system.

TB2 Aerospace has developed the patented DROPS (Drone Recharging Operational Payload System) system which enables fully autonomous UAV capture, delivery and recovery of payloads.

DROPS is a patented multi-mission payload system, designed to fit any UAV, allowing it to autonomously capture, launch and recover payloads without human intervention. The main advantages of DROPS system include:

o the ability to autonomously capture, deliver AND recover/relocate payloads

o transforming any UAV of any size into a Multi-Mission Payload system

o autonomous docking and locking of UAVs and Payloads on UGS and USVs

Imagine a Robo-dog delivered over 60km into the field and when required it can be autonomously recovered by a UAV for recharging, or a UAV-deployed field of smart-mines which can be safely recovered or relocated without the need for handling by a soldier.

With the DROPS system, a UAV can swap mission sets from Tactical Resupply Cargo Pods to Weapons Platform to ISR Sensor to CBRN sampler in seconds, without the involvement of any humans.

TB2 DROPS is unique in that it is platform-agnostic, payload-agnostic and designed to be employed in Groups 1-4 UAVs. Its MOD-Payload Compatible design enables DROPS to seamlessly integrate with almost any VTOL UAV platform, ensuring that it can be utilized across different mission profiles. Now a UAV designed for one role can do multiple roles.

The key to the DROPS system is not just the patented alignment and capture system but the ability to guide the UAV to the Payload in a GPS-denied environment using the payload’s internal Terminal Guidance System (TGS). This system not only guides the UAV over the last 200 ft of the approach but also allows for payload discrimination so that a UAV approaching a cache of payloads can identify which one to capture using the In-Transit Visibility system employed across the DoD.

The team is led by founder, Hank Scott, CEO of TB2 Aerospace, a former Naval Aviator and entrepreneur of several aviation innovations. Explaining the game-changing nature of DROPS, Hank said, “With the DROPS system the military has more flexibility, enabling one UAV for example, to be capable of executing multiple types of mission. It will enable the DoD warfighting to be more expeditionary without putting soldiers in harm’s way. The flexibility in our design also standardizes the interface between the majority of UAV and payload manufacturers.”

DROPS has advantages across the military domains; for example, the Navy will benefit from the DROPS secure docking system which allows autonomous launch, recovery and securing of UAVs and payloads from Manned and Unmanned ships.

The DROPS system also has a patented docking and recharging system. When payloads such as Cargo Pods are docked they are also instantly locked in place with Electro-Permanent Magnets, removing the need for straps or tie-downs, furthering the autonomous nature of operations. When docked, the payloads’ internal batteries are recharged by the patented docking system. Once collected by the UAV this payload battery provides supplemental power to the UAV in flight, reducing UAV downtime and extending UAV range.

One payload designed for the DROPS system is TB2’s patented Cargo Pods, unique in respect of the standardization they bring across the military sector – bringing a set of standard sizes from 5kgs to circa 400kg for CASEVAC Pods (currently under development for a US Army Phase 2 SBIR). The Pods are stackable, lock together like Lego bricks and have their own internal power and avionics.

DROPS is already being recognized by the military, gaining 7 DoD grants over the past two years, totaling over $4m. The team is working closely on research projects with the US Army to develop next-generation capability, from tactical resupply in a Contested Logistics environment to the recovery of critical assets and CASEVAC missions.

Industry is also recognizing the significance of DROPS, with partnership deals announced with manufacturers, such as DASIS in the UK and Quickstep in the US.

Art Boghozian from Amentum, one of TB2’s partners, remarking on the force multiplier effect of DROPS, said, “The integration of the DROPS Cargo Pod and Payloads with our existing support infrastructure is a game changer for military operations. This partnership not only enhances the capabilities of UAVs in the field but also ensures that soldiers can easily access supplies without extensive training, allowing them to focus on the mission at hand.”

TB2 Aerospace will be displaying the DROPS system at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference 16th-18th September, MD, and AUSA 9 -11th Oct in Washington, DC.

13 Sept 24. LIG Nex1 selected for South Korea’s reconnaissance USV programme. LIG Nex1’s reconnaissance unmanned surface vessel. (LIG Nex1)

South Korean defence systems company LIG Nex1 has been selected as the preferred bidder in the country’s programme to develop an unmanned surface vessel (USV) that can be deployed for naval reconnaissance operations. This selection was made by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) on 11 September, the company announced in a statement released the next day.

LIG Nex1 was selected after obtaining high scores across all criteria that were used in evaluating potential bidders, the company said in its statement.

With the selection, LIG Nex1 will now undertake a research and development programme and produce two 12 m USV prototypes by 2027.

Besides surveillance and reconnaissance operations, these USVs must be able to respond rapidly to incidences along the country’s forward operating bases and major ports, LIG Nex1 added in its statement.

Sea Sword

LIG Nex1 has been developing the Sea Sword series of USVs since 2015. The latest iteration in this series that can meet DAPA’s requirements for a 12 m-class USV is the Sea Sword 3, which was unveiled at the Defense and Security Expo Korea (DX Korea) exhibition in November 2020.

The USV displaces about 11 tonnes, has an overall length of 12 m, and an overall beam of 3.5 m. These dimensions are largely similar to the Sea Sword 2, which was unveiled in 2019, but the newer variant can accommodate up to eight personnel instead of two.

In terms of weapons, the Sea Sword 3 USV can be armed with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), incorporating a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun and a 70 mm guided rocket launcher. This weapon system is mounted in the aft section. (Source: Janes)

12 Sept 24. Aussie startup’s small box turns drones into swarm commanders.

The drone will decide if, say, an abandoned car near a road appears to be a threat or not. If it decides it’s not then it wouldn’t “bother the operator. The operator is doing something important,” co-founder Matthew Buffa said. “I’m (the drone) not going to go on the radio and tell him about this random car I’ve seen, which is what autonomous systems do right now.”

In a room full of large ground vehicles, the small box — roughly the size of a thick deck of cards — showed off by Australian startup Breaker doesn’t stand out.

But, the company says, this little box is chock full of artificial intelligence algorithms that can be easily integrated onto a variety of unmanned platforms for a wide range of mission sets.

“We build robots that act like humans. We want them to make it as easy as possible to control multiple autonomous systems across multiple domains,” co-founder Matthew Buffa told Breaking Defense at their tiny boothlet at the biennial Land Forces conference, echoing the firm’s website which features a video of a medium-sized, four-legged robot.

The company, which has been partially financed and assisted by the University of New South Wales’ Founders Defence 10x accelerator program, made its first appearance at Land Forces this year and has attracted a steady stream of the curious and intrigued. Buffa claims the company already has a defense customer, whom he would only describe as a foreign special forces organization that “bought a number of our systems.”

The box, which Buffa called an “autonomy stack,” incorporates six different AI models that can be put into “any autonomous platform.” He compared the effects of their box as similar to the Star Wars robot R2D2, who helps Luke Skywalker pilot and target and shoot, instead of just providing him with reams of information he must decide on.

That natural two-way communication between an operator and a drone is the key of what the company hopes to get at. As Buffa noted, “When you’re under high cognitive load and high stress response, humans naturally tend to do voice.”

That’s a heavy cognitive load if a soldier on a ridge line is trying to control multiple drones. But Breaker’s system, according to Buffa, is designed to have the operator designate a single drone as the leader, have that drone coordinate with the other sensors, and then have that drone come back for final instructions.

For instance, picture a soldier on one side of a ridge line. That soldier gets on the radio and designates one drone the “commander” of the other 10 drones in a swam.

“Drones will then aggregate all the sensors across all 10 platforms, and if they find something interesting, say it’s a supply truck or a vehicle full of operators with weapons, it will inform the operator, we’ve found a vehicle full of operators with weapons this distance, this bearing from your current location,” Buffa explained. “Would you like me to follow them?”

Before deploying the company tries to train the AIs on as many mission types and threats as possible. When they are deployed, he said they “brief the drones, just like any operators for a mission. They get given the brief of what they’re supposed to be doing, and where they’re going and any information. We literally give the same information as natural language text, if it’s a document or a photo or scan of a document, to the drones. They then use that information to make those smart decisions.”

The drone will decide if, say, an abandoned car near a road appears to be a threat or not. If it decides it’s not then it wouldn’t “bother the operator.

“The operator is doing something important. I’m (the drone) not going to go on the radio and tell him about this random car I’ve seen, which is what autonomous systems do right now.”

Buffa adds that offloading the command structure more to an unmanned system should limit the number of human forces needed in the field, which is important given what has been seen on the battlefields of Ukraine, where the RF signals going off drone operators can be traced for a counter-strike by an enemy.

“The issues we saw was that, for every one autonomous system you wanted to play on the field, there’s almost always at least one person who has to carry a lot of equipment, [and] it has to be very loud on the RF spectrum, so these types of systems are just failing in situations such as Ukraine.

“I mean, if you rely on continuous data and continuous video, and that is the fundamental requirement for your autonomy to exist, the minute it goes out, the systems are not helpful.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

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12 Sept 24. US Army picks two companies to get small drones to brigade combat teams. Anduril Industries’ Ghost aircraft, an uncrewed reconnaissance and security aircraft, has been used in Ukraine and other combat areas, and the company recently announced an enhanced version dubbed Ghost-X. (Anduril Industries)

The U.S. Army has picked Anduril Industries and Performance Drone Works to provide Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, or SUAS, to Army units as part of an effort to buy capability fast and get it into soldiers’ hands as the service races to modernize its force.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George has called the effort “transformation in contact,” where the service buys available commercial-off-the-shelf capability and then battle tests it with soldiers, instead of spending decades developing something before fielding it only to discover it is outdated by the time it gets to units.

“Transforming in contact is the way our Army can adapt its formations and get new technology in the hands of soldiers to experiment, innovate, learn, and change at the pace required,” George said in a statement Thursday. “The Company Level Small UAS Directed Requirement effort is a great example of how we are achieving this.”

The program “is another example of the Army’s ability to rapidly move from an idea to a requirement, to a competition, to testing, to contract awards for production,” the Army’s acquisition chief, Doug Bush, added. “This shows the acquisition system can move at the pace needed to support the Army, especially in rapidly emerging technology areas like small uncrewed aircraft systems.”

Anduril and Performance Drone Works will provide the first tranche of systems that will meet the company-level SUAS requirement in a deal valued at $14.42m. The service approved the requirement in June 2023.

Performance Drone Works’ C-100 UAS and Anduril’s Ghost X will give brigade maneuver companies the ability to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition missions. The drones will be reconfigurable with modular payloads and attritable.

The Ghost X drone was spotted earlier this year as part of the Army’s human-machine integration evaluation event at Fort Irwin, California, where it served as the preliminary eyes of an infantry company concealed by the surrounding mountains readying to reclaim a village held by the enemy as part of a live-fire exercise.

The Army is prioritizing the acquisition of small, adaptable and expendable drones as it continues to learn from drone use in the Ukraine and other ongoing wars.

The service was able to move quickly in selecting drones for the first tranche because both platforms are already on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS list of technology approved for Defense Department use, the statement notes. (Source: Defense News)

13 Sept 24. Malaysia and China Explore UAV Technology Collaboration. Malaysia is advancing in the field of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology through a collaborative effort with China, deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. The partnership, spearheaded by MARA Aerospace & Technologies Sdn Bhd and China’s Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies (Beijing) Co Ltd, is aimed at sharing expertise and developing UAV technology locally.

Zahid also highlighted the significant opportunities it will provide for both the local UAV industry and Malaysia’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector.

A key aspect of the partnership is the transfer of technology from China, which is expected to benefit Malaysian TVET students, especially those studying at the University Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Zahid noted that the knowledge gained through this collaboration will equip students with the skills to build UAVs, giving them a competitive edge in the growing field of UAV technology.

Describing the collaboration as a milestone, the deputy prime minister emphasised its potential to revolutionise various sectors in Malaysia, including security and agriculture. UAVs, with their advanced capabilities, will play a crucial role in enhancing border security and agricultural efficiency.

“This technology will change the landscape of how we operate, not just in security but also in agriculture,” he said.

The partnership was formalised with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mara Aerospace & Technologies and Honeycomb Aerospace Technologies. As part of this agreement, the latter will invest RM100 m to establish a UAV manufacturing facility in Malaysia, with operations expected to begin in 2025.

In the initial phase, Honeycomb Aerospace will set up a UAV assembly facility at the UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology campus in Sepang by October. This facility is projected to produce approximately 3,000 UAVs once it becomes fully operational. Zahid explained that Honeycomb Aerospace chose to invest in Malaysia due to the strong domestic and regional demand for UAVs.

The deputy prime minister adds that UAVs are expected to have a wide range of applications, such as enhancing border security with their ability to monitor areas within a 300 km radius. Additionally, they will benefit the agricultural sector, where they can be used for tasks such as seed planting and fertilisation. (Source: UAS VISION/Lowyat.net)

13 Sept 24. Draganfly Unveils New APEX Drone for Military and Law Enforcement. Draganfly Inc. has announced the launch of its newest product, the APEX Drone, designed specifically to meet the demanding needs of military and law enforcement surveillance operations.

The APEX UAV is a direct response to the increasing global demand for a compact, transportable version of the highly respected Commander 3XL. Incorporating feedback from military and law enforcement agencies, the APEX drone is a versatile and powerful solution that offers unmatched portability and modularity without sacrificing performance. Designed and Manufactured in North America, the APEX drone has been built to the high standards of government and military applications, making it an ideal choice for defence and law enforcement missions.

Engineered with up to 45 minutes of flight time and a payload capacity of 5 pounds, the APEX is equipped to handle a variety of mission-critical applications. Its quick-release, exchangeable payload system allows operators to adapt swiftly to changing operational needs. Optional upgrades to onboard computing and communications make the APEX platform a fit for a variety of current and future UAV operations. Available Nvidia onboard computing delivers cutting-edge AI performance to allow users to execute complex AI algorithms and real-time data processing directly on the drone. Additionally, a variety of communication link options are available that include interference-resistant COFDM and multi-channel capabilities, ensuring continuous control and reliable communication in RF-challenged environments.

The APEX drone will debut globally at the Land Forces Conference in Melbourne, Australia, from September 11-13, 2024, where it will be introduced to the Asia-Pacific defence industry. This premier event attracts military leaders, law enforcement, and industry experts, offering a prime platform for showcasing the APEX’s capabilities and fostering connections among global defence leaders.

“The APEX represents a significant advancement in our drone technology, delivering a compact yet powerful solution that directly addresses the needs of our military and law enforcement partners,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “We are excited to showcase the APEX at the Land Forces Conference and are confident that it will set new standards for performance and reliability in the field.”

(Source: UAS VISION)

13 Sept 24. FCC Adopts Initial Rules for ‘Drone’ Operations in the 5 GHz Band. The Federal Communications Commission adopted new rules to enable initial drone operations in the 5 GHz spectrum band for wireless communications necessary to safely control the flights of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

The use of UAS in the United States is growing quickly: during this decade, UAS operations are expected to triple in terms of the number of devices and see the market expand into in the tens of bns of dollars. These tools are aiding in search and rescue missions, helping farmers, inspecting infrastructure, delivering medicine, and even gathering news.

“We are already starting to live in the future we’ve long imagined: uncrewed aircraft systems are fighting wildfires, supporting news gathering, delivering packages, and supporting national security,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “The FCC is working hard to meet the spectrum needs of remote-piloted aircraft activity. We will continue to work with our public and private partners to support the best outcomes for public safety, wireless services, consumers, and our economy.”

This action establishes initial service rules that allow operators to obtain direct frequency assignments in a portion of the 5030-5091 MHz band for non-networked operations. The new rules rely on dynamic frequency management systems to manage and coordinate access to the spectrum and enable its safe and efficient use. These management systems provide requesting operators with temporary frequency assignments to support UAS control link communications with a level of reliability suitable for operations in controlled airspace and other safety-critical circumstances.

To enable operations in the band during the period before the dynamic frequency management systems are in operation, the rules establish an interim access mechanism in which operators seeking to transmit in the band first submit a request to the Federal Aviation Administration for deconfliction and approval, and, upon FAA authorization, complete an online registration form with the Commission. The interim mechanism will be made available to operators after the rules become effective and the Commission has announced by Public Notice that it will begin accepting registrations.

The Report and Order adopted by a vote of the Commission takes the initial step previewed in the National Spectrum Strategy released in November of 2023, in which the FCC will take near-term action to facilitate initial deployment of UAS in the 5 GHz band, in advance of future study of the band in coordination with National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FAA. Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to work on future actions it can take to effectively meet the needs of evolving UAS operations. (Source: UAS VISION/FCC)

———————————————————————————————————————–

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

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Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

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————————————————————————————————————————

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

September 13, 2024 by

Sponsored by The British Robotics Seed Fund

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

11 Sept 24. Kongsberg’s HUGIN Endurance AUV Reaches New Milestone in Autonomous Underwater Missions. Norwegian defense contractor Kongsberg Discovery has marked a significant achievement with its HUGIN Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). The 8-ton, 40-foot AUV successfully completed a multi-week mission, operating at depths of up to 3,400 meters and covering 1,200 nautical miles without human intervention or external guidance. This mission demonstrated the HUGIN Endurance’s ability to navigate independently, returning with an impressive position error of just 0.02% over the total distance traveled. The vehicle also conducted detailed surveys using advanced sonar and imaging technology, confirming its operational endurance and precision.

Launched in 2021, HUGIN Endurance is designed for extended shore-to-shore missions, with a capability of operating for up to 15 days autonomously. This latest milestone reinforces Kongsberg’s reputation as a leader in unmanned underwater technology, supporting both commercial and defense applications. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

12 Sept 24. Piasecki Succeeds First Flight of Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Tilt-Duct VTOL Vehicle. In an aviation milestone, Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) successfully conducted the first flight of its innovative proof of concept tilt-duct Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System Demonstration Vehicle (ARES-DV), marking a significant leap forward in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technology.

The flight event, which consisted of two tethered hover flights, is the first step in a program to demonstrate the potential of ARES to revolutionize autonomous airborne casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), cargo resupply, and provide other multi-mission capabilities in support of small distributed combat units. This flight represents a commencement milestone in Piasecki’s experimental flight test program sponsored by the U.S. Air Force and Army under a $37m Strategic Funding Initiative (STRATFI).

ARES is a modular multi-mission tilt-duct VTOL vehicle that can be operated as an unmanned aerial system (UAS) or with an optional manned flight module. ARES is designed with a small landing footprint to enable shipboard and expeditionary operations as well as provide embedded multi-mission C4I, ISR, combat, and logistics support to small, distributed combat forces operating over extended distances and in complex terrain. Rapidly reconfigurable Mission Payload Modules are supported by a common Flight Module to deliver multi-mission flexibility with significantly reduced overall logistics footprint and cost.

The ARES-DV Flight Module lifted off from Piasecki’s West Helipad in Essington, Pennsylvania, on Friday, September 6, and achieved a sustained hover for a duration of approximately one minute before descending. Upon landing, the team attached the U.S. Army’s Mobile Multiple Mission Module (M4) to the ARES-DV Flight Module, and conducted a second successful one-minute hover, demonstrating the ability of its triplex fly-by-wire flight control system to sustain a stable hover in multiple configurations and a dynamic ground environment.

“Since its origins as a DARPA conceptual design project, Piasecki has led ARES through years of research and development – design iterations, rigorous component testing, system level validation, and more – to mature the technology leading up to today’s landmark achievement. ARES represents another significant milestone in Piasecki’s 80-year history of bringing innovation to flight,” said John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft. “I’d like to thank our Air Force and Army customers as well as our dedicated employees and partners for their continued support as we move forward with the next phases of development. After successfully expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope, we will implement modifications to enable flight demonstration of a fully autonomous CASEVAC and logistics resupply capability. Successful flight demonstration of the ARES proof of concept demonstrator significantly reduces risk and accelerates the development timeline for a family of operational tilt-duct configurations for multi-mission VTOL UAS and high-speed VTOL applications.”

“ARES creates a new baseline for VTOL technology applied to heavy-payload, time-critical logistics crucial for dispersed operations,”

said Barth Shenk, Program Manager at the Air Force Research Laboratory.

ARES features Honeywell Aerospace’s Compact Fly-By-Wire system, an integrated flight control system that is both lightweight and robust. Designed to fit into the limited space available on smaller aircraft, this state-of-the-art system provides safety-critical flight control capabilities typically found in much larger airliners and advanced fighter aircraft. It enables precise handling and stability across a wide range of flight conditions, thereby enhancing safety and performance – and is especially advantageous for VTOLs, where space is at a premium and weight efficiency is paramount.

“The application of Honeywell’s Compact Fly By Wire in the ARES-DV not only showcases the ability of this technology to support a future multi-mission VTOL aircraft but also the great cooperation between Honeywell and Piasecki in a fast-moving program,”

said Dave Shilliday, VP & GM, Advanced Air Mobility, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies.

The hover test flight was funded by an Army SBIR Sequential Phase II contract and by an Air Force TACFI Sequential SBIR II award. In November 2023, Piasecki announced that it was awarded a $37 m multi-year contract by AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation arm, in conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Army Medical Research and Development Command (MRDC), as part of its Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program to accelerate ARES development and flight testing, among other advanced VTOL enabling technologies.

“We are deeply grateful to all our supporters, especially the visionary leadership and commitment of AFRL and TATRC,”

Piasecki added. (Source: UAS VISION)

12 Sept 24. D3IP Facilitates NavyX Autonomy Collaboration. D3IP has successfully facilitated an innovation partnership between the Royal Navy’s autonomy and lethality accelerator and two SMEs to speed up the exploration of autonomous capabilities at sea.

As part of the NavyX mission to achieve Degree 4 Autonomy, D3IP facilitated a more agile process that identified suitable industry partners in a much shorter timeframe than would normally be the case.

D3IP provides innovation as a service by leveraging a diverse collaboration community and access to a wide range of capabilities. We work with Defence, Law Enforcement, National Security, and other public sector organisations to improve outcomes, while also creating opportunities for partners who struggle to access public sector frameworks, including SMEs, academia, subject matter experts, and regulatory bodies.

D3IP carried out discovery work in collaboration with their community to break down the D4 Autonomy challenge and establish the most effective way to proceed. A resulting down-select process then identified two partners – Hadean, a technology company specialising in AI, spatial computing and real-time globally distributed data, and Metaverse VR – who were best placed to collaborate with NavyX and take the challenge forward.

As a result of utilising D3IP’s services, NaxyX was able to plan and advance their innovation work in a much more effective way.

Mike Jenner, NavyX, commented: “D3IP have delivered quality over quantity. There is no way we would’ve got a collaboration like this otherwise. I am getting excited about what could be achieved.”

Paul Pine, Metaverse VR CTO said “We’re delighted to have been selected by D3IP for this project with NavyX. D3IP’s focus on collaboration, agile process and innovative solutions to meet the NavyX challenges speaks to our core business capabilities and how we like to work.

“We are really excited to collaborate with NavyX and Hadean in support of the Royal Navy’s ambitions for Degree 4 Autonomy and to bring our simulation and innovative immersive training expertise in to support the testing and trials on next-gen operational platforms.”

Chris Arthurs, VP Innovation at Hadean, commented, “Hadean is delighted to have been involved in the collaboration with D3IP and the work to find suitable partners for NavyX. The process was very smooth, and we are looking forward to bringing best in class AI and spatial computing to the Royal Navy as it embarks on the training and experimentation for its autonomous fleet.”

A D3IP spokesperson added: “By facilitating greater collaboration with a more diverse supply chain, D3IP is enabling Defence to innovate in a more agile way. That results in better outcomes, whether that is expanding our knowledge and understanding to deliver more informed decision making in the future, or achieving quicker and de-risked innovation pipelines.”

“D3IP is continually expanding and diversifying its collaboration community to support public sector organisations with their challenges, deliver new opportunities for non-traditional supply chain partners, and facilitate greater exchange of knowledge of expertise to enable better outcomes.”

To learn more about D3IP, it’s innovation as a service model, or the D3IP community of collaboration partners, visit www.d3ip.io, email , or message us on LinkedIn.

11 Sept 24. Singapore Army inducts surveillance UAV. The Singapore Army has inducted a tactical surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to enhance situational awareness on the battlefield.

This portable quadcopter named Vesper – developed by California-based Vantage Robotics – was procured by the Singapore Army in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the army announced on Facebook earlier in September.

Vesper can operate in varied weather conditions to conduct persistent aerial surveillance and transmit high-quality video feeds to the ground control station (GCS), the Singapore Army said.

It added that Vesper can be deployed “in a free flying or tethered mode”. Vesper was used by the 5th Battalion of the Singapore Infantry Regiment (5 SIR) during Exercise ‘Panther Strike’, which is the final tactical field exercise of the army’s Infantry Officer Cadet Course.

Images released by the Singapore Army show 5 SIR soldiers using Vesper in a simulated counter-terrorism operation in an urban setting. Vesper can be seen monitoring targets inside a building.

During Exercise ‘Panther Strike’, the Infantry Scouts team launched Vesper to conduct aerial surveillance on targets before the arrival of the infantry forces, the Singapore Army said.

The army added that Vesper could be taken out from its carrying case, prepared, and launched within 90 seconds. Using the information collected by Vesper, commanders were able to make adjustments to their operational plans to enhance mission success. (Source: Janes)

11 Sept 24. US Army selects two ‘attritable’ UASs for company-level recon, surveillance and target acquisition. Anduril’s Ghost X and Performance Drone Works’s C-100 drones were both on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS List. The US Army announced tonight that it has selected two drones, the Ghost X from Anduril Industries and the C-100 from Performance Drone Works, to proceed with its Company-Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft System program.

The dual contracts span a 10-year ordering period, with the first tranche valued at $14.5 m. While both systems are commercially available and not designed specifically for this mission, the Army said it anticipates that future “operational requirements” could drive design changes.

“The directed requirement for a Company Level Small [unmanned aerial system] UAS capability is a priority…based on observations from the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza,” Gen. James Rainey, the head of the Army Futures Command, said in the announcement. “This requirement describes the importance of considering the UAS as a system, not just an air vehicle, and also highlights the importance of adaptability.”

Both drones, described as “attritable” by the service, will be headed for maneuver companies and are designed to carry various payloads for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition missions.

Anduril unveiled the Ghost X in 2023. The system is a dual battery UAS the company says has the ability to carry a 20-pound payload and fly up to 75 minutes with a range of 25 kilometers. Performance Drone Works’s C-100 is a man-packable quadcopter designed to ferry up to 15 pounds, for missions up to 74 minutes.

Both drones were on the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS List — an initiative designed to help the services more quickly select commercial systems that are fully-free of Chinese parts.

“By selecting approved platforms that have been on DIU’s Blue UAS List, this effort demonstrates the value of DIU’s approach to engaging with the commercial market and providing the DoD ready-to-scale solutions at speed,” said DIU Director, Doug Beck.

(Source: Breaking Defense.com)

11 Sept 24. South Korean multirole UAV unveiled. Korean Aerospace Industries’ Compact Multi-Mission Modular UAV was unveiled at the MSPO 2024 defence exhibition in Kielce, Poland, held between 3 and 6 September. (Janes/Andrew White)

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) displayed a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the MSPO 2024 defence exhibition in Kielce, Poland, on 3 September.

The Compact Multi-Mission Modular UAV (CMMAV), which can be reroled with interchangeable payloads for intelligence gathering, communications relaying, and precision strike as a loitering munition, represents a wider collaboration across South Korean defence companies.

South Korean defence firm Poongsan Corporation has designed a 1 kg warhead for the interchangeable precision strike payload, which turns the CMMAV into a loitering munition. South Korean precision munitions and defence electronics producer LIG Nex1 is responsible for the communications payload, while South Korean defence satellite and communications company DS Navcours developed the tactical datalink to control the airframe from the ground.

Confirming the concept remains in “preliminary development”, a company official speaking to Janes at MSPO was unable to confirm the maximum range and endurance of the CMMAV due to the ongoing nature of the project. He did confirm that it has initially been designed to be launched from a ground-based tube launcher designed by South Korean company Preneu.

Additional components include advanced precision flight control, a fire-control system, and the ability of the CMMAV to operate in a swarm configuration supported by “teaming capabilities across multiple domains”, according to company literature.

As of 5 May no flight test had yet been conducted with the CMMAV, which remains in a critical design review phase, the official said, adding that development of the airframe and associated payloads is expected to be completed in 2026. (Source: Janes)

11 Sept 24. US Army to test out 30 new drones and launched effects during EDGE 24. The demo come as two Army officials tell Breaking Defense that the service is reassessing its unmanned needs and looking at new lethal options. This month in the sky over Yuma Proving Ground, the US Army is testing out a slew of drones in an effort to help decide just what the future force needs and pave a path towards acquiring it, according to a pair of one-star generals.

The aviation-focused Experimental Gateway Demonstration Event (EDGE) 2024 kicked off Monday and is expected to run for over two weeks. While details about exactly what tech is being tested this year remains under wraps, the event is focused on examining launched effects and unmanned aerial vehicles. Can they work together? Hold up against electronic warfare jammers?

“We really wanted to pinpoint it down to autonomy and behaviors … inside a contested environment,” Brig. Gen. Cain Baker, the director of the Army Future Command’s Future of Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team, told reporters last week.

“We’ve established, really, some battlefield geometry out there at the brigade, division, corps, against replicated threats, you know, with our live emitters, and now we’re going to ask industry to actually fly a mission set against those threats,” he later added.

In total, the service selected five companies to haul along 30 different launched effects and aerial drones into the Arizona desert for this year’s demo, according to Baker, who did not disclose just who and what made that list. Sister services will also be on hand with their own tech.

The goal, he said, is threefold: explore which capabilities worked well alone, which paired well with other weapons, and how they responded to threats.

“What we’re doing out of EDGE is really informing our next set of requirements for launched effects or UAS,” Baker said.

“The outcome of EDGE really drives our set of requirements and acquisition,” he later added.

Evolving Strategy

As the Army looks to pull demo observations into the acquisition plan, service leaders have been grappling with its aviation weapons portfolio. After moving ahead with several, possibly overlapping, categories like launched effects, loitering munitions and drones, they sought a reset or at least a chance to better nail down each category.

During a recent interview with Breaking Defense, Program Executive Officer for Aviation Brig. Gen. David Phillips said the Army Requirements Oversight Council inked an internal Abbreviated Concept Development Document earlier this summer. While he didn’t detail all the changes in the document, he revealed that the service is officially moving forward with the hunt for a short-range launched effect, studying lethal payloads for the medium-range option, and in a holding pattern for a long-range precision munition.

When it comes to those launched effects — essentially small drones that shoot out of something else mid-flight to collect info or strike targets — the service is eyeing three ranges: short, medium and long. It initially opted to focus work on that middle option, but is now officially moving forward with development of a shorter-range variant.

“That’s executing in parallel,” Phillips said.

As for the medium-range weapon, the service formed a partnership between a handful of companies. Anduril Industries is providing the air vehicle (the Altius 700); Collins Aerospace, the mission system; Aurora Flight Sciences is the integrator; and two other undisclosed companies working on payloads.

The change, here, according to Phillips, is that his shop is now working with the Program Executive Office for Missiles and Space to now moving forward to find the right lethality capability for that medium-range option.

“From our perspective on the launch effect capability … [it] is maturing rapidly, so to bring a warhead lethality capability on to that, would be a feasible approach, and so they’re working on that,” he explained.

The pursuit for a longer-range launched effect is still down the road, according to Phillips, but Baker explained that the Marine Corps is bringing out a similar “lethal” capability to EDGE for the Army to try out and explore connectivity questions, like how far out it can fly.

What isn’t clear is the fate of a helicopter-launched, long-range precision munition (LRPM). The service wants a longer-range weapon to fire off its AH-64 Apache helicopters and is buying and fielding the Spike Non-Line-Of-Sight missile system (NLOS) — made by Lockheed Martin and Israel’s Rafael — as the interim solution. However, it was planning to acquire a long-term solution and hosted a “shoot-off” with three vendors in 2022.

An Army Requirements Oversight Council had been slated to meet earlier this year to discuss the way ahead but that was postponed and possibly folded into that larger Abbreviated Concept Development Document decision point, in part because the service reclassified LRPM as a launched effect.

Phillps didn’t disclose just how LRPM work now fits into the launched effect roadmap but said more decisions will be forthcoming.

“There’s more to be determined based on technological maturity assessments, all those capabilities and discussions from a requirements perspective,” Phillips said. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

11 Sept 24. Successful Maiden Flight for India’s First UCAV. Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace announced the successful maiden flight of India’s first indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B on September 3. The announcement was made at a press conference in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where the first flight was showcased through a video screening.

Equipping India with modern defence capabilities, the UAV is classified as a Medium Altitude 15,000 ft, Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). The FWD 200B is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing. Successfully tested at a classified location, the FWD 200B’s first flight represents the fulfilment of India’s long-awaited dream of producing a combat UAV domestically.

Speaking at the event, founder & CEO of FWDA Suhas Tejaskanda said,

“India is the world’s largest importer of arms in the last five years, and has often paid up to ten times the cost for military technology from countries like the US and Israel. The successful flight of the FWD 200B is not just an achievement for our company, but a victory for the entire nation.”

Making India self-reliant, this landmark achievement follows years of persistent efforts to develop a combat UAV indigenously, overcoming challenges that had previously hindered similar initiatives by leading defence agencies,” he added.

The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, controls systems, electronics are all made in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of 12,000 sq.ft. built on 1.5 acre land, located at Electronic City, Bengaluru.

FWD 200B features a wingspan of 5 metre (16.4 feet) and a length of 3.5 meters (12.1 feet), making it compact yet powerful. Despite its size, the aircraft boasts of an impressive Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW) of 102 kg and can carry a payload capacity of 30 kg, making it capable of conducting significant missions with precision.

Operating at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet and reaching an absolute ceiling of 15,000 feet, the FWD 200B can fly at a cruise speed of 152 km/h, with a maximum speed of 250 km/h. Its operational versatility is further highlighted by its runway requirement of just 300 meters, allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips.

With an endurance of seven hours and a range of 800 km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refuelling or landing.

Taking a leap in India’s defence technologies, the unmanned bomber aircraft is said to be available at a tenth of the cost of imported US Predator drones. FWD 200B pegged to be Nation’s eagle eye is a demonstration to India’s capability to produce world-class defence technology and marks the beginning of a new era of indigenous military technology where our country stands as a leader in unmanned aerial systems reducing reliance on expensive drone imports. The company also plans to launch a 12m wingspan aircraft soon. (Source: UAS VISION/Force)

06 Sept 24. US Army reveals goals for new, large, long-range drone as it weighs industry offerings.

“In our mind, the corps level needs extended sensing and should probably have an extended range UAS. At the division level, they probably need to jump a lot,” said Col. Joshua Ruisanchez.

Military intelligence soldiers assigned to 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, observe a Grey Eagle demonstration from soldiers assigned to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd ID April 16, 2021 at Evan Army Airfield, Ga. (US Army/Maj. Justin Howard)

WASHINGTON — As the US Army examines its options for operating larger drones for surveillance and attack missions in remote locations, it is hoping to nail down an acquisition plan over the next year, according to three service leaders.

In early June the Army released a request of information for a group 4 or 5 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) — meaning drones weighing more than 1,320 pounds. The service is keenly interested in platforms that can fly 500 nautical miles at 20,000 feet up in the air with multiple payloads, and that are capable of short takeoff and landing (STOL).

“This is to determine what the market and what technology has evolved over the past several years. We’ve been watching the space very closely” Brig. Gen. David Phillips, the program executive officer for aviation, told Breaking Defense Wednesday.

Learn how Frontgrade is A GRADE ABOVE. >>

RELATED: Army wants ideas for new large drone for reconnaissance and attack missions

More than 10 responses came in as a result of that early summer solicitation, and the service has begun consolidating the replies, according to Col. Joshua Ruisanchez, the director of the Aviation Capability Development and Integration Directorate. Ruisanchez said he anticipates receiving that analysis around the October timeframe, at which point the Army will begin the process of assembling various options for senior leaders.

The service currently operates the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, but Ruisanchez and Col Nick Ryan, the director for the Army Capability Manager-Unmanned Aircraft Systems, said they are interested in improvements to that drone, as well as other options on the market suitable for soldiers at the corps and division levels.

“In our mind, the corps level needs extended sensing and should probably have an extended-range UAS,” Ruisanchez said. “At the division level, they probably need to jump a lot, not operating from sanctuary, so they probably need something that’s vertical, or the short takeoff and landing, on unimproved terrain. So, we’re looking at a formation-type construct for the future.”

So, is this a Grey Eagle replacement? “Absolutely not,” Ryan said. It’s about examining what the right mix of drones should be at each echelon and based on different theaters, and could potentially lead to a mix of options.

“Is one [drone] better suited to one theater? One better suited to another theater?” Ryan asked. “Those are the options we’re looking at. It’s really analyzing what’s out there.”

Once that initial analysis is complete, it will head up the chain for senior leaders to examine, potentially leading to a final requirements document by the beginning of fiscal 2026.

“We’ll inform senior leaders of the capabilities that are there and then we’ll ask the question of what type of technologies do we want, based on what has been identified? Do we pursue forward within the Gray Eagle or something different?” Ruisanchez said. Part of that calculation, of course, will involve the price tag, and moving away from the Gray Eagle, he added, may cost more or lead to additional airworthiness release work.

“The combination of Iron EagleX and GDIT represents a new chapter in our company’s stated goal of having a ‘generational impact on national security,’” said Michael Grochol, Iron EagleX’s CEO.

By Carley Welch

As for General Atomics, spokesman C. Mark Brinkley said the company is all in for a potential competition and ready to offer options.

“We were excited to see the RFI, and happy to respond with details and plans for our Gray Eagle 25M and Gray Eagle STOL aircraft,” Brinkley wrote in a statement to Breaking Defense Thursday. “General Atomics envisions Gray Eagle 25M and Gray Eagle STOL as a true 1-2 punch for Army aviation moving into the future.”

The Gray Eagle 25M, or the Mojave demonstrator, acted as a “proof of concept” to test capabilities that can be incorporated in future products and shares common DNA with the extended-range version of the Gray Eagle, adding short takeoff and landing capability and the ability to carry a maximum payload of 16 Hellfire missiles — double that of the baseline MQ-1C. First flight of GE 25M occurred in December 2023.

The Gray Eagle STOL is designed to build off the 25M work and allow more flexibility for operating in austere environments.

It’s unclear what other firms have responded to the RFI, but the list is likely to include traditional primes as well as drone-focused startups ready to bid if a competition is launched. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

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04 Sept 24. TEKEVER’s AR5 Drone Deployed to Enhance Maritime Safety in the Gulf of Genoa. TEKEVER, a provider of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and maritime surveillance solutions, has announced the deployment of its AR5 unmanned fixed-wing aircraft to the Sarzana air base in Italy. The aircraft will be operated by the Italian Coast Guard on behalf of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to enhance maritime awareness in the Gulf of Genoa.

The TEKEVER AR5, a high-endurance UAS, is being deployed as part of a contract awarded to the REACT consortium (CLS Group and TEKEVER) by EMSA. The aircraft is equipped with advanced sensors, including optical and infrared cameras, maritime radar, an AIS receiver, and an EPIRB antenna, enabling it to perform a wide range of maritime surveillance tasks.

Key objectives of the deployment include:

Boosting maritime safety and security: The AR5 will provide real-time situational awareness, allowing for rapid response to incidents such as illegal activities, pollution, and distress calls.
Supporting search and rescue missions: The aircraft’s long endurance and advanced sensors will enhance search and rescue capabilities, particularly in challenging conditions.
Protecting the marine environment: The AR5 will be used to monitor whale migration within the Pelagos Sanctuary, contributing to conservation efforts and ensuring the protection of marine ecosystems.

“We are proud to contribute to the important work of the Italian Coast Guard and EMSA in safeguarding maritime safety and security, the AR5’s capabilities make it an ideal tool for addressing the complex challenges faced by maritime authorities today.”

The TEKEVER AR5 is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing maritime awareness and protecting the Gulf of Genoa for years to come. (Source: UAS VISION)

06 Sept 24. Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 Receives First Ever EASA Design Verification Report. The Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 received the first ever Design Verification Report (DVR) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System (RWUAS).

The Design Verification Report (DVR) for the specific category of UAS operations was issued after a rigorous evaluation process, including 300 EASA observed flight hours proving airworthiness, safety and enhanced containment, as well as successfully demonstrating laser safety, cyber security features and HIRF (High Intensity Radiated Fields) resistance.

This EASA report enables the French Navy to issue a “Military Operational Type Authorisation” and facilitates the approval processes for S-100 flight operations in all EASA member states.

“Receiving the DVR is a significant milestone for Schiebel and a major step towards fully certifying the CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS”,

said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

The DVR process was set in place by EASA at the end of 2021 and aims at ensuring safe drone operations in Europe.

About Schiebel:

Founded in 1951 in Vienna, the globally operating Schiebel Group focuses on the development, design and production of the revolutionary CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). Certified to meet AS/EN 9100 standards, Schiebel has built an international reputation for producing high-tech military, commercial and humanitarian products, which are backed by exceptional after-sales service and support. Schiebel has facilities in Vienna and Wiener Neustadt (Austria), Toulon (France), Manassas, VA (USA), Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Shoalhaven (Australia).

About the CAMCOPTER S-100:

Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) is an operationally proven capability for military and civilian applications. The Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAS requires no prepared area or supporting equipment to enable launch and recovery. It operates by day and by night, under adverse weather conditions, with a beyond line-of-sight capability out to 200 km / 108 nm, over land and sea. Its carbon fiber and titanium fuselage provides capacity for a wide range of payload/endurance combinations up to a service ceiling of 5,500 m / 18,000 ft. In a typical configuration, theCAMCOPTER S-100 carries a 34-kg / 75-lbs payload up to 10 hours and is powered with AVGas or JP-5 heavy fuel. High-definition payload imagery is transmitted to the control station in real time. In addition to its standard GPS waypoint or manual navigation, the S-100 can successfully operate in environments where GPS is not available, with missions planned and controlled via a simple point-and- click graphical user interface. The high-tech unmanned helicopter is backed by Schiebel’s excellent customer support and training services. (Source: UAS VISION)

05 Sept 24. New Polish Drone can Reach Moscow. During the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) 2024, taking place in Kielce, WB GROUP presents a new concept of the Warmate 50 strike drone. The Polish drone attracts attention with its size.

The Warmate 50, as its name suggests, is equipped with a 50-kilogram warhead. This is a significant improvement over previous versions of the Warmate drones, which had a smaller payload but were also more flexible. Unlike its predecessors, the Warmate 50 does not have the ability to replace the warhead. This type of approach aims to maximize combat effectiveness at the expense of the flexibility of surveillance functions. It is therefore an unmanned aerial vehicle designed exclusively for strike missions. The new model will be powered by a combustion engine, which will allow it to hit targets hundreds of kilometers away.

Warmate 50 is a development of the previous version – Warmate 20, which has already gained fame on the international stage. Russian media, such as TopWar, commented on the Warmate 20 concepts, noting that Poland is trying to create competition for the Russian Lancet. According to them, Poland is trying to create an “analogue of something that has no analogue”.

Warmate 50 is an example of a solution that is becoming increasingly dominant on the modern battlefield. Thanks to its powerful warhead and long range, the drone can significantly strengthen the operational capabilities of the Polish armed forces, especially in the context of precise strikes on strategic targets. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence 24)

05 Sept 24. Teledyne FLIR Announces SIRAS Drone Promotion for First Responders. Teledyne FLIR, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has announced a limited-time promotion for SIRAS, a professional drone that includes a quick-connect dual radiometric thermal and visible camera payload. First responders, including police, fire, and search and rescue agencies, can now purchase one unit per agency at a significantly marked-down price of $6,995, a discount of more than 28 percent, through the end of the 2024 calendar year.

SIRAS drones are engineered for data security, performance, and affordability, making them the ideal choice for public safety, firefighting, and search and rescue missions. At a significant discount, agencies can replace or add to their existing drone fleet an offering that is purpose-built for safety and security.

“First responders are investing in SIRAS. In recognition of their mission and budget restraints, we want to support the community with this promotion that runs through National First Responders Day and beyond,” said Mike Walters, vice president, product management, Teledyne FLIR. “Especially for those organizations seeking an alternative to drones originating from countries of concern, Teledyne FLIR is proud to offer those on the frontlines a drone that makes their missions swift, safe, and secure.”

SIRAS is an IP-54-rated aircraft with a 31-minute flight time, radar-based front collision avoidance, and backpack portability. With no geo-fencing restrictions, the first responder UAV pilots are in control to determine when and where to fly the SIRAS as the mission demands. The Vue TV128 payload features a 16MP visible camera with 128x zoom to pinpoint details. The integrated 640×512 pixel radiometric Boson provides best-in-class thermal imagery, 5x digital zoom, and temperature measurement of every pixel in the scene.

Designed with cyber security in mind, SIRAS stores imagery and video directly onto an onboard SD card without cloud connectivity features. Additionally, drone pilots are not required to set up an online profile, simplifying operations and minimizing the risk of unintended online data exposure. The aircraft is manufactured in Taiwan, and the payload is manufactured at the Teledyne FLIR facility in Goleta, Calif., USA. (Source: UAS VISION)

30 Aug 24. US FCC adopts initial rules for drone operations in the 5 GHz Band. The US Federal Communications Commission has adopted new rules to enable initial drone operations in the 5 GHz spectrum band for wireless communications necessary to safely control the flights of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS).

“The use of UAS in the United States is growing quickly: during this decade, UAS operations are expected to triple in terms of the number of devices and see the market expand into in the tens of bns of dollars,” said the FCC in a press release. “These tools are aiding in search and rescue missions, helping farmers, inspecting infrastructure, delivering medicine, and even gathering news.

This action establishes initial service rules that allow operators to obtain direct frequency assignments in a portion of the 5030-5091 MHz band for non-networked operations. The new rules rely on dynamic frequency management systems to manage and coordinate access to the spectrum and enable its safe and efficient use, says the FCC. These management systems provide requesting operators with temporary frequency assignments to support UAS control link communications with a level of reliability suitable for operations in controlled airspace and other safety-critical circumstances.

“To enable operations in the band during the period before the dynamic frequency management systems are in operation, the rules establish an interim access mechanism in which operators seeking to transmit in the band first submit a request to the Federal Aviation Administration for deconfliction and approval, and, upon FAA authorization, complete an online registration form with the Commission. The interim mechanism will be made available to operators after the rules become effective and the Commission has announced by Public Notice that it will begin accepting registrations.

“The Report and Order adopted by a vote of the Commission takes the initial step previewed in the National Spectrum Strategy released in November of 2023, in which the FCC will take near-term action to facilitate initial deployment of UAS in the 5 GHz band, in advance of future study of the band in coordination with National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the FAA. Meanwhile, the Commission will continue to work on future actions it can take to effectively meet the needs of evolving UAS operations.”

For more information

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-adopts-initial-rules-drone-operations-5-ghz-band (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

30 Aug 24. MARSS C-UAS selected for DEVCOM Middle East exercise. As part of the preparation for a major demonstration of counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) and air defence capabilities, scheduled for later this month at a Middle Eastern experimentation centre, MARSS and partners demonstrated the NiDAR Command and Control (C2) C-UAS system at a shakedown event sponsored by DEVCOM, held at Fort Drum, New York in August.

The AI-powered NiDAR C2 C-UAS system, featuring rapid integration and sensor / effector agnostic capabilities, was demonstrated to an audience including senior US armed forces leaders, allied and domestic personnel and Department of Defense representatives. MARSS has designed the system to reduce the decision cycle between detection, verification and defeat from minutes to seconds. It includes an EO-IR solution from Current Corp that has been specifically developed to provide improved performance and reliability in the Middle East as well as C-UAS radar solutions from both SRC and Echodyne.

The defeat end of the solution was demonstrated by effectors from EOS and Northrop Grumman, connected by a secure Silvus Technologies radio network and integrated into the MARSS NiDAR platform.

Over the course of the shakedown exercise, the system repeatedly defeated Class 1 and 2 drones at ranges approaching one kilometre. Consequently, MARSS has been selected to demonstrate the system to key partners during the Middle East phase of the exercise, which will see MARSS tackle Class 3 fixed-wing drones at longer ranges. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

02 Sept 24. US Nuclear Security Administration sets out future C-UAS plans. A United States National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) senior official has spoken of the aerial threat to critical infrastructure that has been made easier by the proliferation of commercially available uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). Acting Principal Deputy Administrator Corey Hinderstein was speaking at the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement Counter-UAS Summit in Arlington, Virginia on August 28.

Hinderstein said the nuclear security enterprise must consider the “third dimension of security”. “Whether by overflight from airplanes, balloons, or satellites orbiting the earth, surveillance of our top-secret sites from the air has been a persistent concern. “No amount of signage or canine patrols along perimeter fences can prevent this type of surveillance.”

Threats to nuclear research facilities posed by UAS are “more evolutionary than revolutionary” Hinderstein said, while adding that the purchase, capabilities, and payload capacity of UAS have become more prolific, and that the deployment of many different types of UAS and payloads during current overseas conflicts could a blueprint for domestic activities in the United States.

She also cautioned that the size of the US nuclear security enterprise’s geographical and physical footprint creates unique vulnerabilities. “The Nevada National Security Site outside of Las Vegas alone is roughly 680 square miles – about half the size of Rhode Island. That’s a large area to monitor, and we take the problem posed by UAS very seriously.

“This is not a hypothetical issue for us. Over three days last October, there were five UAS sightings at the southern border of our Nevada site. Four were detected by a counter-UAS platform that was actually still in the research and testing phase, the fifth was spotted by an employee. They appeared to have been launched from a nearby highway, though law enforcement was not able to determine the origins. We are awake to the challenge, and have been taking concrete steps.”

NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Security currently employs a Counter-UAS (C-UAS) device at four of its eight sites and is upgrading the platforms’ hardware, software, and system library, which will extend the system’s life, add camera and radar capability, and enhance C-UAS capability and protection, Hinderstein told the Summit.

“Looking forward, NNSA is transitioning to a next-generation C-UAS that will employ an open-architecture, systems-based approach to address the evolving threat of uncrewed aircraft systems present to NNSA facilities and personnel. We are seeking integrated tools to provide operators with the information they need to make real-time command and control decisions, plan missions, and deploy assets on a single screen.

“Additionally, the next-generation approach to countering UAS must be extensible, flexible, and adaptive, as well as scalable to hundreds of nodes. Open architecture provides the data integration of open and proprietary sensors to allow NNSA to select the best mitigation capabilities: radio frequency, directed energy, kinetic, and radar. By combining these approaches, NNSA doesn’t rely on a single capability. We can also be more nimble in incorporating advanced technology. This flexibility will allow security planners to customise systems for each lab, plant, and site, based on unique local conditions.”

Hinderstein said that, starting next fiscal year, NNSA will also finalise the development of a permanent facility at the Idaho National Laboratory for C-UAS testing and evaluation. “The effort will help security planners identify possible next-generation solutions, outline continuous testing requirements, and bolster the current system, which is nearing the end of its service life.”

NNSA partners with other agencies and departments – such as the Department of Defense as well as academia and the private sector – to explore new C-UAS approaches and share research.

“US Navy Strategic Systems Programs recently accompanied NNSA’s Office of Defense Nuclear Security to a vendor demonstration of a C-UAS with kinetic capability,” Hinderstein said, citing an example of collaboration. “If the system is eventually procured, it will provide both agencies with the ability to not only detect unauthorised UAS, but also the means to interdict the target and mitigate any threat.”

She added that the NNSA and other stakeholders are also combining legislative efforts to pursue common legal authorities to counter the threat from uncrewed systems. NNSA also collaborates with international partners. Hinderstein said that in fiscal year 2024 alone, NNSA conducted 13 technical exchanges on C-UAS across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa, and has collaborated with partners in Europe on four further C-UAS projects.

“One specific example of how this collaboration is bearing is our work with Ukraine. We and experts at Sandia National Laboratories are in the process of testing a kinetic C-UAS that may help Ukrainian counterparts provide additional protection at nuclear power plants, while also analysing domestic experience in hardening nuclear power plants which may have broader application for other critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine. Having completed an initial phase of testing against high-speed drone targets, it was determined that planned testing against larger platforms was no longer needed.

“Another project under development is a Drone Protection Barrier, which has a potential application in hardening response bunkers and other strategic structures to reduce the impact drone-delivered explosives. The team conducted testing of this barrier in August at Idaho National Laboratory.

“We have also funded additional support of the High-Altitude Detection of UAS. The goal of this project is to take the previously developed technology and apply it to detection and tracking of potential threat of UAS near nuclear facilities. Using video imaging systems from commercial satellites or high-altitude UAS, it can detect, localise, and track objects moving towards facilities or locations. The commercial satellite contracts have been successfully put into place. Materials have been purchased and delivered, and building the full systems are in progress. Algorithm and processing work is continuing to progress for upcoming testing.”

In January, the US Department of Energy issued “A Request for Information: Data Standards, Interfaces and Command and Control Capabilities for the Next-Generation Counter Uncrewed Aircraft System (cUAS) Enterprise for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).” The Department said the RFI was the first step in an anticipated large-scale multi-stage acquisition to establish the next-generation, long-term C-UAS enterprise at multiple high security sites.

(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

03 Sept 24. Indian Navy to equip its vessels with defence systems to counter drone swarms. The Indian Navy is to equip its vessels with High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation (HEPF) shells which the Indian Defence Ministry says are capable of neutralising drone swarms. The 30mm HEPF shell has been developed by ARDE, the Pune-based laboratory of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation.

“The features of HEPF shell are similar to the in-service ammunition (HE/I Shell) so that it can be fired from an existing AK-630 Naval gun,” The Ministry of Defence said in a statement. “The HEPF shell yields better fragmentation lethality than the HE/I shell, making it effective for the neutralisation of drone swarms.”

The HEPF shell hardware is manufactured by three Indian firms, adhering to ARDE specifications and subjected to gun firing proof tests in association with the Naval Armament Inspectorate, Jabalpur. The Ministry of Defence said these test results confirmed the suitability of the HEPF shell for its adaptation in the AK-630. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

29 Aug 24. Aurora Flight Science’s SKIRON-XLE completes a 7 hour endurance flight. Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, recently completed a successful seven-hour flight test of its fuel-cell-powered small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS), SKIRON-XLE. The test flight, conducted at an airfield in Virginia, represents a significant advancement in flight endurance for the Group 2 platform.

SKIRON-XLE is part of Aurora’s SKIRON sUAS product line, which also includes the battery-powered SKIRON-X with 3.5-hour flight endurance. SKIRON is a hybrid eVTOL platform, combining electric vertical take-off and landing with fixed-wing forward flight and is compliant with U.S. FAA Part 107 regulations for sUAS operations — the UAS is BVLOS-ready.

For the seven-hour flight, the SKIRON-XLE system included two five-liter hydrogen tanks, an Intelligent Energy fuel cell, a Trillium HD45 EO/IR camera payload, and a Lithium Polymer (LiPo) auxiliary battery. Take-off weight was 54 pounds. Completing the flight test, SKIRON-XLE landed at 7.0 hours with its hydrogen fuel tanks depleted and ample safety margin remaining on the battery.

Aurora first announced the forthcoming SKIRON-XLE, purpose-designed for long range reconnaissance, in June 2024. The vehicle has up to three payload mounting locations — nose, belly and under-wing — and custom payload integration is available. Its ruggedized ground control station features Kutta Technologies’ Unified Ground Control Station (UGCS) software, and a 2.4G 10W radio and tracking antenna provides up to 75 km command and control (C2) link range.

“With this latest flight test, we’ve shown that SKIRON-XLE unlocks the longer flight times that customers are looking for while still being easy to deploy and easy to operate,” said Jason Grzywna, senior director of products at Aurora Flight Sciences. “SKIRON-XLE is a testament to Aurora’s capabilities as an innovator and integrator of advanced flight technologies. We look forward to delivering this game-changing product to customers in early 2025.” (Source: Satnews)

30 Aug 24. UAE’s EANAN Achieves Successful Test Flight of Heavy Cargo UAV. UAE technology company EANAN, an innovator in advanced aerial mobility solutions, successfully completed the significant test flight for its model “RIKAZ” Heavy Cargo Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This marks a major milestone in company’s mission towards commercialising its innovative drone technology, which is poised to revolutionise logistics and transportation in the region.

The EANAN Heavy Cargo Drone underwent testing to evaluate and gain valuable insights into its automated flight controls, navigation systems, the stability of communication systems, ability to handle heavy cargo and the integration of flight operational excellence. The transformative UAV drone can carry a payload of 50kg with its size (3.5m x 1.9m) as well as increase its capacity to 200kg with a flying speed of up to 60 kilometre per hour. Furthermore, it can be charged within 15 minutes at the capacity of 16 kilowatt per hour and have a maximum flying range of 30 kilometre.

These components are essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations in diverse environments. This entails evaluating the UAV’s accuracy in navigation, responsiveness to control inputs, as well as dependability of its autopilot and other autonomous systems.

Ulrich Weckx, CEO at EANAN, stated: “We are proud to have achieved this remarkable milestone, which aligns perfectly with Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in urban air mobility by embracing cutting-edge transportation technologies.”

Mashaal Al Marzooqi, R&D Director at EANAN, stated: “By successfully testing the RIKAZ Heavy Cargo Drone’s communication stability, we have taken a significant step towards comprehending the full potential of UAVs to maintain consistent and secure communication during flight. This is extremely important while managing the UAV’s operations remotely, particularly in complex air traffic environments or when conducting sensitive missions such as delivering emergency or urban cargo supplies.”

The growing eCommerce sector in the Middle East has created a pressing need for faster and more efficient and sustainable delivery solutions. Additionally, the surge for quicker and more affordable logistics and transportation solutions is being driven by government initiatives such as the DEWA R&D Centre and Dubai Future Foundation, which have fostered a thriving ecosystem for drone technology in the region. With its ability to bypass traffic congestion, carry cargo payload and reach remote areas, the EANAN’s Heavy Cargo Drone has the potential to supersede cargo operations, as well as transform logistics and supply chain operations.

EANAN is progressing towards commercialisation by focusing on developing and shifting to a viable model for urban air mobility, in which the EANAN Heavy Cargo Drone is a crucial element. This entails rigorous testing to meet the operational needs and regulatory requirements essential for commercial deployment, particularly in specialised markets such as the UAE, where a high demand for such cutting-edge UAV solutions exists.

EANAN is dedicated to developing a comprehensive fleet of zero-emission aircraft, contributing to achieve Dubai’s vision of a smart and sustainable city. The RIKAZ Heavy Cargo Drone, along with EANAN’s additional GHAITH model, represents the company’s commitment to driving innovation and shaping the future of urban air mobility in the UAE. (Source: UAS VISION)

03 Sept 24. Canadian Military Drones will Face Challenges Operating in Arctic. Canada plans to build a facility for its new drones in the Arctic, but will face more than its share of challenges in operating the aircraft in the far north, air force documents show. The Liberal government announced on Dec. 19 that Canada would buy 11 of the remotely piloted aircraft from a U.S. company for $2.5bn.

The new drones will be stationed at 14 Wing Greenwood, N.S., and 19 Wing Comox, B.C. Original plans called for the drones to have their own forward operating location in the Arctic for two of the aircraft as well as maintenance personnel, Royal Canadian Air Force officers told defence analysts in a September 2022 briefing.

But that has since been changed and the robotic aircraft will now be located as needed at a forward operating base in the Arctic with other Royal Canadian Air Force planes. Those bases will receive new or upgraded hangars as part of efforts to modernize NORAD capabilities.

What hasn’t changed are some of the challenges the drones will face in operating in the far north. Potential problems include icy, remote runways, -35 C temperatures and limits on satellite coverage for the region. The satellites are critical in transmitting flight instructions to the drones as well as for sending surveillance and other data from the aircraft.

“Canada’s environment provides unique challenges,” the briefing pointed out.

Additional challenges centre on the lack of experience among Canadian military personnel in operating larger drones, the documents noted.

The drones will be able to carry different weapons, including 250- and 500-pound bombs as well as “low collateral damage” bombs, according to the briefing on the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) program.

Canada is purchasing the General Atomics MQ-9B Reaper for operations both overseas and domestically. The drones could be used on international missions to conduct surveillance and attack targets, while at home they would have a role on sovereignty patrols, surveillance of large events and gathering information in support of responses to natural disasters, according to the briefing.

The drones were originally expected to be delivered in 2025, but that will be delayed until 2028 as modifications are made to the aircraft to deal with Arctic conditions.

“The need to operate at high northern latitudes, including in the Arctic, requires the use of satellites and aircraft antennas and communication components not previously integrated on the MQ-9,” National Defence spokeswoman Andrée-Anne Poulin explained in a previous email. “Similarly, additional testing and qualification work will be required to ensure the RPAS can be operated and maintained in Canadian climatic conditions.”

Poulin said extra time was also needed so Canadian-made systems could be integrated into the drones.

Uplands will also be the site for a new $65-m military facility to control the drone fleet.

The Ottawa installation, to be ready by 2028, will be around 6,000 square metres in size. It will be home to almost 200 military personnel whose job will be to operate and control the drones flying from the bases in British Columbia and Nova Scotia as well as Arctic locations.

The Canadian Forces and National Defence originally claimed to the Ottawa Citizen that the location in Ottawa for the new building was secret for security reasons.

But that information was false. National Defence outlined details about the Uplands location in publicly available documents that are online. The department also held public consultations on the Uplands location as part of its environmental assessment for the site, government documents show.

The publicly available records outline the construction of the building as well as a parking lot for employees who will work at the Uplands site.

(Source: UAS VISION/Ottawa Citizen)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 30, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

29 Aug 24. US test naval autonomy technologies under AUKUS Pillar II.

The event, which took place in July, comes under the auspices of AUKUS Pillar II – the advanced capabilities segment of the trilateral alliance.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) hosted an event in Thunder Bay, Michigan to demonstrate next generation autonomous systems designed to enhance naval operations.

The event, which took place in July 2024, comes under the auspices of AUKUS Pillar II – the advanced capabilities segment of the trilateral alliance.

Areas of cooperation under Pillar II range from quantum, hypersonics, electronic warfare to deep-space radar. This time, however, the DoD sought to use artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy to improve situational awareness and bolster defensive capabilities exclusively at sea.

One of the objectives was to test the Autonomy Baseline (ABL), a suite of government owned software that uses the Navy’s Uncrewed Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) standard interfaces.

Specifically, this software allowed for greater adaptability and ease of integration on multiple vessels, proving a future warfighter plug and play capability. In this instance, the DoD and an industry team integrated ABL software onto small Uncrewed Surface Vessels (sUSV).

The rapid integration of ABL technology onto these platforms demonstrated simultaneous command of more than 80% of the sUSV platforms tested.

Inter-platform communications

US personnel also tested solutions that enable communication between autonomous systems, traditional naval assets, and command centres.

Tested technologies included Multi-domain Uncrewed Secure Integrated Communications (MUSIC), a software-defined mesh network that uses different communication links simultaneously to orchestrate information sharing across platform and sensor nodes. (Source: naval-technology.com)

28 Aug 24. US: Scrutiny over Chinese drone maker signals increasing compliance risks for defence, tech firms. On 27 August, reports indicated that lawmakers from the House China Select Committee wrote letters to the Department of Commerce earlier in August citing concerns about ties between US businesses and the Chinese drone maker Da Jiang Innovations (DJI). In the letters, lawmakers claim that DJI is using a US-based company, Anzu Robotics, as a ‘passthrough’ to circumvent ‘current and anticipated US restrictions’ on Chinese drone products. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security previously placed DJI on its Entity List. Lawmakers are seeking to increase restrictions on US firms’ collaboration with Chinese passthrough companies. We assess that public scrutiny and reputational risks will likely increase for organisations perceived to be engaged in business with passthrough companies. In extreme cases, this will possibly lead to summons for public Congressional testimony. (Source: Sibylline)

28 Aug 24. Russia to Modernize Yak-52B2 Trainers to Combat Drones.

After Ukraine began using its Soviet-era Yak-52 training aircraft to shoot down Russian drones, Russia also has announced repurposing the same planes in its inventory with specific upgrades.

The modernized Yak-52 training aircraft will be modified to combat drones, Dmitry Motin, head of this modernization project at the Aviasroitel Design Bureau, told RIA Novosti.

“Today, one of the priority projects for our bureau is the modernization of the Yak-52 training aircraft into the Yak-52B2 “UAV countermeasure aircraft” modification. At present, we are expecting to receive an airworthiness certificate from the Federal Air Transport Agency ,” he said.

According to him, the concept of modernizing the aircraft implies the installation of new instrumentation, including a multifunctional display in the rear cockpit.

“The navigation and flight equipment, the electronic warfare system for suppressing communication channels, and the radar will be modernized,” the agency’s source said.

OKB Aviastroitel is working on creating an updated version of the Yak-52, which will allow one of the most popular sports aircraft to be used not only for training flights, but also to combat attack and reconnaissance drones. (Source: UAS VISION/RIA Novosti; The Aviationist)

27 Aug 24. University of Memphis Gets $9m US Navy Contract to Design Drone Facility. Successfully flying a drone in heavy rains or on an extremely windy day is next to impossible. A University of Memphis researcher is looking to improve the odds for such unmanned aerial systems after securing a $9.2m contract to design and construct a facility to develop and test drones capable of operating in adverse weather conditions.

The state-of-the-art facility is being sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division. The facility, which is still in its early planning stages, will be located on President’s Island at the William Morgan Large Cavitation Channel.

The development of the Unmanned Systems Degraded Environment Facility underscores the University of Memphis’ commitment to advancing technological innovation and contributing to national defense efforts.

“This project is the latest in an ongoing effort by the University of Memphis to develop intentional research-focused collaborations with the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock,” said Cody Behles, executive director of research and innovation development at the UofM’s Division of Research & Innovation. “The Memphis Institute for National Defense Sciences at the UofM helps coordinate opportunities in partnership with the offices of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation. Their collaboration and continued support are vital to get projects such as this off the ground.”

The project is being led by Eddie Jacobs, senior researcher at the Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESER) and professor of electrical and computer engineering in the Herff College of Engineering. The University of Memphis will collaborate with fellow researchers at the University of Arizona, the University of Central Florida and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

“The William Morgan Large Cavitation Channel is already a unique facility for testing ship and submarine components,” said Jacobs. “We have the incredible opportunity to help build another unique facility for testing unmanned aerial systems (drones) in this space, greatly expanding the Navy’s ability to develop and test these systems.

“When flying drones, we are often restricted to days that have calm winds and no rain. We will be able to accurately control the wind and generate rain in this new facility,” Jacobs continued. “This will help us design and test drones that can operate under more challenging conditions.”

Jacobs highlighted the future research facility’s potential to enhance the performance of unmanned systems in difficult environments, with far-reaching implications for both military and civilian applications.

(Source: UAS VISION/University of Memphis)

28 Aug 24. FBI Upgrading Drones with Loud Bang Capability for Tactical Missions. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US is looking to acquire non-legal loadable distraction devices to go along with small hand-launched drones.

On August 7, the FBI issued a notice of its intent to award a sole-source contract to Typhon Group Limited, a company based in the U.K., to purchase Sky Hero Loki accessories and attachments.

These devices help confuse and disorient hostage-takers, terrorists, and other threats, especially those hiding within buildings.

“Typhon products have been designed to fit the Sky Hero Loki Mk2 and were the only products to be available from Sky Hero for the Loki. This has caused the FBI to equip the UAS with Typhon payloads,” according to the notice.

Safer Distraction Devices

Sky Hero Loki Mk2 is an indoor tactical UAV system designed for close-quarter scouting missions. It functions in crowded, dimly lit areas to position a camera and microphone for crucial information. This improves team safety by facilitating quick situational awareness and accurate decision-making.

Conventional distraction devices on such drones pose a significant risk of injury and property damage. They can cause collateral damage through fragmentation, with dangerous debris that can harm both people and structures.

These devices are also prone to technical issues such as flash-throughs, fuse failures, and the fuse itself becoming a lethal projectile.

According to UK-based Typhoon, secondary fires are a frequent risk, especially since some devices can burn at extremely high temperatures—up to 2,700 degrees Celsius—making them a serious fire hazard if they land on flammable materials.

Additionally, these devices produce a considerable amount of smoke, which can be toxic. Operator safety is also a concern, as poorly set fuse delays and deviations can increase the risk of detonation mishaps.

Typically, the fuses on these devices are expected to last one to two seconds, but if detonation does not occur within this timeframe, it may not occur at all, heightening the risk to operators who may be exposed to the blast.

To address these challenges, Typhoon has created a variety of reloadable, less deadly distraction devices and products with precise remote control start capabilities.

Innovative Tactical Solutions

The product line (DS-100SH), exclusively developed for the Loki Mk2 tactical drone, includes less lethal stand-alone devices as well as lightweight (100-135 grams), 169dB distraction payload systems for mUAS/UAS and UGV platforms.

The advanced technology behind these devices allows them to be programmed to create various distraction events, such as a “Five Round Burst,” which simulates automatic rifle fire, and a “Single Shot,” which is programmable and user-controlled.

Additionally, the “Shock and Awe” feature triggers all five events simultaneously. This advanced design significantly reduces the risks associated with traditional distraction devices, such as personal injury, fire, fragmentation, and other forms of collateral damage.

According to the Typhon Group’s website, they are also developing new cartridges for the system that can generate various other effects.

As a result, these devices provide a safer alternative for creating tactical distractions with minimal risk to operators and surrounding environments.

According to its makers, distraction devices could be useful in covert operations, counterterrorism, crowd control, Law Enforcement, Close Protection, Aviation, and maritime. (Source: UAS VISION/Interesting Engineering)

28 Aug 24. US RQ-4 Global Hawk Temporarily Deploys to England. A U.S. RQ-4 Global Hawk arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, England, for a temporary deployment Thursday, as part of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa’s efforts to diversify operating locations and enhance integration with NATO Allies.

This marks the first U.S. RQ-4 deployment to England. The deployed U.S. RQ-4 will conduct operations through international and Allied airspace in accordance with international norms and standards.

The deployment also signifies the next step in USAFE-AFAFRICA’s implementation of the U.S. Air Force’s agile combat employment concept, under which aircraft may be dispersed from typical operating locations to alternate airfields to enhance survivability.

The 501st Combat Support Wing at RAF Fairford has routinely supported similar deployments, including when U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress aircraft operated from RAF Fairford for Bomber Task Force 24-3 in June.

The support and execution of these missions demonstrate U.S. commitment to NATO Allies and partners and set conditions for potential future operations in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

The Global Hawk, call sign Forte 12, touched down at RAF Fairford shortly before 10:30 p.m. local time Aug. 22 after a nearly 24-hr. flight from Sigonella, Italy, that traversed much of Eastern Europe and Finland before flying west across Sweden and Norway and down to the UK. The Northrop Grumman-built uncrewed aircraft used newly segregated airspace to descend from its operating altitude of over 50,000 ft. to land at Fairford.

The Global Hawk is the largest UAS to land in the UK, and large crowds were gathered at the end of the runway to see the aircraft land.

According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the flight is the first of two planned for August to ensure that the flight operations comply with the conditions set by the regulator when it finally gave the green light for flights by U.S. high-altitude, long-endurance UAS from the airfield in February.

The UK defense ministry made requests to change the airspace to enable UAS flight operations from Fairford as far back as November 2021. Since then, the CAA has undertaken an extensive consultation exercise to enable the creation of the giant EDG218 segregated airspace complex that will allow the aircraft to ascend and descend to and from its operating altitude. The latest documentation suggests there are concerns that the airspace could affect operations at Birmingham Airport, 50 mi. to the north.

The complex has been created with a 3-hr. window to accommodate arrivals and departures but also to ensure that the airspace is active for a sufficient time to allow for emergency or contingency scenarios. Activation will be by notice to airmen at least 24 hr. prior to operations.

The airspace changes originally were developed to support NATO’s Agile Combat Employment concept to generate sustained combat air power through dispersal, but now will see UAS operate from the airfield around 2-3 times per week, and mainly during the hours of darkness to minimize the effect on commercial air traffic, the airspace changes documents state.

Skies in the area are used around the clock by aircraft descending into and climbing out of London’s airports and transiting from Europe to routes across the Atlantic as well as for flights to Southern Ireland. However, the airspace change documents say that the UK Defense Ministry sees the UAS flights as “strategically and operationally vital” to the government, helping to strengthen bilateral relationships with the U.S. and NATO.

RAF Fairford currently hosts an Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron flying the Lockheed U-2 and is used regularly by Air Force Global Strike Command routine Bomber Task Force deployments into the European theater, having recently hosted a detachment of Boeing B-52s in May. The airfield also accommodates the annual Royal International Air Tattoo. It is expected that the UAS presence eventually will replace the U-2s at Fairford as the type is withdrawn from U.S. Air Force use.

The U.S. Air Force already is routinely flying RQ-4s from Sigonella Naval Air Station in Italy, with many flights being flown in the Black Sea monitoring Ukraine alongside NATO-operated Global Hawks and U.S. Navy-operated MQ-4 Tritons. (Source: UAS VISION/USAFE-AFAFRICA Public Affairs; Aviation Week)

28 Aug 24. Reliable Robotics Performs Automated Cargo Deliveries for US Air Force. Reliable Robotics announced that it recently completed a series of automated missions across airfields in California and Nevada for the Department of the Air Force.

In conjunction with Air Combat Command, Reliable demonstrated aircraft automation capabilities as part of the Agile Flag 24-3 exercise transporting cargo between military bases and airports, some hundreds of miles apart, on demand over the course of a week.

The exercise was designed to be representative of the Indo-Pacific region, demanding agility, readiness and multi-domain operations.

“The Air Force has a unique opportunity to redefine efficiency through autonomous operations, which can enable persistent maneuver in contested environments and simultaneous cargo delivery instead of our current sequential system. Autonomy in small platforms reduces risk and opens up the ability to land in more places including damaged runways or unimproved surfaces,” said Colonel Max Bremer, Mobility COE Senior Advisor, Chief of Special Programs Division, Air Mobility Command.

“Military exercises like Agile Flag provide a venue for us to more closely evaluate how technologies like autonomous systems operate in real missions.”

Automated flights of a Cessna 208B Caravan included autotaxi, autotakeoff, en-route navigation and autolanding. All flights were managed by Reliable’s remote pilot while an onboard pilot monitored. Reliable deployed a mobile control station onsite at Mojave Air and Space Port, which served as a base of operations for the military exercise. The rapid deployment of Reliable’s mobile control station enabled onsite demonstrations of the remote piloting side of the operation for Air Force and NASA personnel.

Over the weeklong exercise, Reliable flew to eight locations, transporting essential cargo. All flights were expedited and scheduled “on-demand,” and did not require deployment of any additional infrastructure for automated flight, demonstrating the additional utility and flexibility automation can provide. Preparation for the exercise required obtaining military airworthiness and flight safety approvals for expanded operations from the U.S. Air Force.

NASA Armstrong executive leadership came to observe Reliable’s Agile Flag operations at Mojave.

“We are excited to see the dual-use automation system Reliable has developed for commercial and defense customers,” said Brad Flick, Center Director at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. “It’s good to see the maturity of their technology.”

Reliable has the only FAA-accepted certification plan for full aircraft automation, and continues to make certification progress. The safety-enhancing automation system features redundancy, high integrity navigation and an “always on” autopilot that is engaged through all phases of aircraft operation.

The system is aircraft-agnostic – Reliable has remotely flown two different airframes uncrewed in civilian airspace, a Cessna 172 in 2019 and a Cessna 208B Caravan in 2023.

“We are proud to participate in military exercises. Agile Flag provided us the opportunity to show how our autonomous flight system benefits defense missions and to demonstrate timely mission readiness,” said Dr. David O’Brien, Major General (Ret.), and Senior Vice President of Government Solutions at Reliable Robotics. “We remain committed to serve and support the U.S. Air Force and other branches of our nation’s military.”

Reliable participated in Agile Flag 24-1 earlier this year, as well as the Golden Phoenix exercise in 2023 and has been collaborating with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX since 2021.

About Reliable Robotics

Reliable Robotics launched in 2017 to bring safe, certified automation systems to commercial aviation. The company’s system enables remote operation of any aircraft type. Reliable’s vision is to transform the way we move goods and people around the planet with safer, more convenient and more affordable air transportation. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, CA and has a distributed global workforce. (Source: UAS VISION)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 23, 2024 by

Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL

http: https://www.bcbin.com/

22 Aug 24. Collaboration to Advance Military UAS & AI Technology.

Astra Systems is working with AGI and Trident Aerospace to bring advanced UAS and AI solutions to the defense sector, leveraging AGI’s 8(a) designation for unique opportunities. Astra Systems has entered a joint venture between Adelanto Group Inc. (AGI) and Trident Aerospace, aiming to redefine the landscape of defense solutions.

The partnership will combine AGI’s commercial acumen and 8(a) designation benefits with Trident Aerospace’s extensive experience in delivering unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

AGI’s involvement provides Astra Systems with significant advantages through its 8(a) designation, enabling the company to access unique government opportunities and benefits. This status allows Astra to conduct operations more effectively in the defense sector, leveraging AGI’s experience as a commercial conduit to drive growth.

Astra Systems will offer its BE-45, a Group 3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a 12-hour endurance and 120 km operational radius, and the BE-50 (ASU-50), an enhanced version boasting a 14-hour flight endurance and larger payload capacity.

Additionally, Astra Systems’ product lineup features the Havoc attack UAS, the Ninja free-falling guided munition, and the Spear loitering munition, each designed to meet specific mission requirements with precision and reliability.

Trident Aerospace will bring its expertise in UAS manufacturing and AI development. This expertise will be further bolstered by a partnership with Neuralio, with the company’s advanced AI technologies set to be integrated into Astra’s systems. Neuralio technology will enhance autonomous operations and decision-making capabilities, providing efficiency and effectiveness in mission-critical tasks.

Astra Systems aims to deliver next-generation defense solutions that ensure mission success and operational superiority. By harnessing the combined strengths of advanced UAS technology and cutting-edge AI, Astra is set to provide innovative and reliable solutions to meet modern defense challenges.

Todd Van Dahlen, CEO of Astra Systems, commented, “We are thrilled to launch Astra Systems and bring together the strengths of Adelanto Group Inc. and Trident Aerospace. This joint venture positions us to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective defense solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients. With our comprehensive range of UAS and munitions, combined with advanced AI capabilities, we are set to revolutionize the defense industry.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

21 Aug 24. Cyberhawk™, a global leader in drone-based inspection and survey services and visual data management software, has been granted a coveted nationwide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This landmark authorization marks a significant milestone for Cyberhawk, paving the way for advanced, efficient, and safe remote drone operations across the continental United States.

The nationwide BVLOS achievement underscores our commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence in the drone industry.

The BVLOS waiver allows Cyberhawk to operate drones beyond visual line of sight without the need for a visual observer, thereby greatly expanding the range and flexibility of its drone inspection, survey and data collection services. This development will significantly enhance Cyberhawk’s ability to support critical infrastructure sectors, including utilities, oil and gas, and capital projects, with robust high-precision aerial inspections and data analytics.

Key Benefits of the BVLOS Waiver:

Increased Efficiency: The BVLOS waiver enables Cyberhawk to conduct longer and more complex missions without line-of-sight constraints, resulting in reduced operational time and costs.
Enhanced Safety: By minimizing the need for ground personnel and reducing exposure to hazardous environments, the waiver improves employee and customer safety.
Greater Coverage: Cyberhawk can now provide comprehensive inspection services over larger areas and in remote locations, ensuring critical infrastructure is monitored and maintained effectively.
Innovative Data Solutions: Leveraging advanced drone technology and data analytics, Cyberhawk continues to deliver actionable insights, helping customers make informed decisions and optimize asset performance.

“We are very pleased to receive this nationwide BVLOS waiver from the FAA,” noted Phil Buchan, Chief Operating Officer of Cyberhawk. “This achievement underscores our commitment to innovation, safety, and excellence in the drone industry. With this authorization, we are poised to deliver our customers even greater value and scalability by providing unparalleled inspection, survey, and data solutions that drive efficiency and enhance safety.”

Scott Lashmit, Cyberhawk’s U.S. Aviation Manager, noted, “With the nationwide BVLOS waiver, we can potentially more than double the amount of surveyed assets collected in a day – saving our customers valuable time and costs. Getting actionable data and images quickly is paramount for our customers to arrive at clear, effective decisions ensuring the integrity and safety of critical infrastructure.”

Cyberhawk’s pioneering approach to drone operations and data analytics has already set new standards in the industry. This latest authorization further solidifies the company’s position as a leader in the commercial drone sector and opens up new possibilities for its customers. (Source: PR Newswire)

Aug 24. America’s Thunderstrike Aviation to Establish European Drone Production Facility in Denmark. The American company Thunderstrike Aviation has just inaugurated a new hangar at HCA Airport. The new hangar will be used for the development and testing of the company’s state-of-the-art drone technology.

At the inauguration of the hangar, it was further announced that Thunderstrike has ambitious plans of further expanding their hangar with a drone production, where they will eventually produce between 200-300 drones a year. The drone production is expected to open in 2025.

This marks a significant milestone for both Thunderstrike Aviation, UAS Denmark Test Center and HCA Airport, further solidifying the area’s position as a leading hub for advanced drone technology.

At UAS Denmark Test Center, we definitely see Thunderstrike as an important addition to the drone ecosystem at HCA Airport just as we see it as yet another milestone in our efforts to advancing the drone technology of tomorrow, says Michael Larsen, Head of UAS Denmark Test Centre.

Strong Drone Ecosystem

Several factors have influenced the decision to place the production facility at HCA Airport in Odense. The region’s highly skilled workforce and the substantial backing from both local and national governments. Odense is also already recognized for its strong robotics and drone ecosystem, and the establishment of Thunderstrike Aviation’s production facility further solidifies its standing as a leader within this area.

The production facility, covering 3,000 square meters, is expected to produce approximately 200 drones annually and employ approximately 30-50 people.

At the inauguration two versions of Thunderstrike Aviation’s Fantom MK2 were on display – a fixed wing (FW) and one with VTOL capacity. The drone technology is engineered for a range of applications, including military surveillance, border patrol, and civil protection. Its advanced capabilities include flight endurance exceeding 30 hours and a maximum span of 3,000 kilometers.

What sets this drone apart is its large size and impressive payload of 45 kilograms. This versatility allows it to accommodate a wide range of equipment, enhancing its overall flexibility.

The construction of the new facility is expected to be completed by next year, with full- scale operations commencing before the end of 2025.

(Source: UAS VISION/UAS Denmark Test Centre)

20 Aug 24. Tengden unveils new twin-engine cargo UAV. China’s Tengden aircraft manufacturer has unveiled and test-flown a new cargo-carrying unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that the company says can transport two tonnes of supplies over long distances.

The UAV flew for 20 minutes during its maiden flight on 11 August at Zigong, Sichuan province, Tengden said in a release on the same day.

Although the company (known in its full form as Sichuan Tengden Sci-tech Innovation) has stressed the civilian applications of the new UAV, the development is of relevance to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Janes assesses. A company official also told state-owned media on 13 August that “multiple variants” of the UAV will be developed “to meet different demands”.

Images of the aircraft in flight show that it is equipped with fixed tricycle landing gear. According to Tengden, the UAV has a length of 13.9 m and a wingspan of 16.1 m. The company describes the UAV (which does not yet have a designation) as “currently the largest domestically produced twin-engine unmanned transport aircraft in China that is under development in accordance with market demand”.

Tengden claimed that the UAV has 12 m 3 of loading space and a commercial load-carrying capacity of two tonnes. According to Tengden, the UAV is capable of “easy loading and unloading”. The aircraft appears to have large dorsal, side-opening doors.

The UAV is being developed to achieve a service ceiling of 7,000 m and a maximum range of 2,000 km, the company added. A dome in the upper-front section of the aircraft’s fuselage could house antennas associated with a satellite communications (satcom) system to support long-range, beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) operations. (Source: Janes)

21 Aug 24. Ghost Shark XL-AUV Arrives in the United States. The Ghost Shark, Anduril’s advanced Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV), has arrived in the United States for the first time. With the first Ghost Shark currently in Australia, this milestone will expand the test envelope for Ghost Shark by enabling concurrent testing on both sides of the Pacific and be available for collaboration with U.S. government partners.

Designed and built in Australia, this Ghost Shark arrived in the United States via trans-pacific flight by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17A, showcasing its rapid and agile expeditionary capabilities. The vehicle was transported to coincide with Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), one of the world’s largest maritime exercises held near the Hawaiian Islands to ensure the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.

Ghost Shark is designed to support subsea maritime missions globally. Ghost Shark is a modular, multi-purpose capability that can adapt to mission requirements, serving as an agile force multiplier. In a new era of strategic competition, a credible naval deterrent force is essential. Developing and fielding autonomous underwater capabilities at scale is critical to maintaining strategic deterrence, and Ghost Shark delivers that capability.

Market forecasts by Region, Spending Element, and End-Use. Current and Future UUV technologies, Country analysis, Market Dynamics, Opportunity and Scenario Analysis, and Leading Companies

Recently, Anduril Australia unveiled the first Ghost Shark prototype a year ahead of schedule and on budget. Early production and testing have been crucial for rapid learning and iteration, enabling Anduril to deliver an operationally relevant capability at the speed required to defeat and deter the emergent threats. Anduril is leveraging technology from its proprietary AUV capability and its Lattice AI-powered software platform to develop Ghost Shark.

In 2022, Anduril signed a co-development contract with the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Science and Technology Group to design and develop three ‘Ghost Shark’ XL-AUVs in three years. This agreement accelerates production and reduces costs compared to traditional large-scale systems and this investment allows Anduril to meet the urgency of the moment at a fraction of the cost of existing undersea capabilities.

“The first prototype was delivered one year early and on budget, and all three will be delivered by June 2025. So, from conception to full realization, less than three years.” Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy

The National Defence Strategy identified uncrewed undersea warfare capabilities as a critical capability for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The advances in this program help address a capability need as well as potentially providing a fleet of low-cost multi-role autonomous vehicles to complement and enhance the current submarine and surface force. This additional Ghost Shark is an example of Anduril investing its own funds in R&D, to cut development timelines and move faster than traditional industry, avoiding the delays and cost overruns typical of cost plus contracts. (Source: ASD Network)

19 Aug 24. A new type of hydrographic survey solution developed for UK MoD has passed FAT. The first of its kind, a containerised remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) solution, developed for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), has now successfully completed Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) – just 6 months after the contract was awarded to Danish subsea engineering specialist EIVA. Through containerisation, this new type of survey solution enables hydrographic surveys with multiple acoustic survey sensors and instruments to be performed from many different host platforms with very short deployment time.

‘The agility with which this total solution has been developed showcases that by combining our efforts with several strong players in the market, we can leverage our many years of experience. Together, we make way for new possibilities in defence and other maritime markets,’ explains Christian Thomsen, CEO of EIVA.

The components of this survey solution include SH Group’s 20’ Cube container module and launch and recovery system for EIVA’s ScanFish L ROTV, which is equipped with Sonardyne’s SPRINT-Nav Mini hybrid INS/DVL and Voyis’ Observer Pro optical camera and Insight Pro laser scanner. Two dedicated computer workstations are built into the container and equipped with EIVA’s NaviSuite software for efficiently processing and analysing the collected data.

‘After visiting EIVA headquarters for the FAT, we were extremely happy with the system developed. The EIVA team have worked hard to deliver a capability that will expand the survey capability of our ships, enhancing survey operations and features within our Future Military Data Gathering programme. We look forward to the next steps including commission testing and training with the Royal Navy’s specialist Hydrographic teams.’ said Lieutenant Commander Mark Butcher Royal Navy.

EIVA is working with Forcys, a global maritime defence company and EIVA’s sister company in Covelya Group, to ensure the solution aligns with the current requirements of Navies for portability, flexibility, scalability and standardisation.

ABOUT EIVA

EIVA, an engineering specialist and Covelya Group company, is a leading provider of innovative solutions for the offshore and maritime industries, offering high-end software and hardware solutions for underwater data acquisition, processing, and analysis. EIVA applies a customer-centric approach to developing industry solutions. By staying at the forefront of technological advancements and understanding the unique requirements of each project, EIVA delivers solutions and tailored systems that optimise efficiency, data accuracy, and productivity.

15 Aug 24. MQ-25 control centre fitting brings autonomous ops to US carriers. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) became the first carrier equipped to command unmanned refuelling drones. The USS George H.W. Bush has been outfitted by the US Navy with the inaugural Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC). Source: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

The US Navy has equipped the USS George H.W. Bush with the first-ever Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC). This installation marks a step towards integrating unmanned systems like the MQ-25 Stingray into carrier operations.

The US Navy has stepped forward in unmanned warfare by installing the first Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). This control hub is designed to manage the operations of MQ-25 Stingray drones, the Navy’s upcoming unmanned aerial refuelling platform. However, the implications of this installation extend beyond refuelling, pointing towards a future where unmanned systems play an increasingly central role in naval operations.

The UAWC is a control room and a fully integrated Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System (UMCS) MD-5E Ground Control Station (GCS), equipped with technology to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the heart of a carrier.

The Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) has been installed aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), enabling air vehicle pilots to oversee upcoming MQ-25 Stingray airborne operations. Source: US Navy photo

The Navy’s plans for the UAWC reflect a shift towards autonomy in military operations. While the MQ-25 Stingray’s primary mission will be aerial refuelling, the UAWC has the potential to manage a range of future unmanned systems, including collaborative combat aircraft that could form the backbone of the “Air Wing of the Future.”

Boeing’s MQ-25 Stingray has completed several refuelling missions with the US Navy, demonstrating its capability as the first operational carrier-based unmanned refuelling aircraft. The MQ-25 T1 test asset has refuelled an F/A-18 Super Hornet, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, and an F-35C Lightning II fighter jet.

“CVN 77’s UAWC lays the foundation for how the US Navy will operate and control unmanned aircraft, and perhaps other unmanned vehicles, with UMCS,” said Capt. Daniel Fucito, Programme Manager of Unmanned Carrier Aviation (PMA-268). “These systems will initially support the MQ-25 but also future unmanned systems such as Collaborative Combat Aircraft that comprise the Air Wing of the Future.” (Source: naval-technology.com)

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UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

August 16, 2024 by

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15 Aug 24. Portable Mini Drones Undergo Rigorous Tests.

Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials at RNAS Predannack in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.

Portable mini drones have been put through rigorous trials at RNAS Predannack, Cornwall.

Under Project TIQUILA, Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.

As a step change in equipment procurement, Project TIQUILA will deliver cutting-edge small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) to UK Forces at pace, whilst also offering spiral capability development opportunities throughout the life of the 10-year project.

In keeping pace with both technological and battlespace advances, Project TIQUILA is currently assessing the STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 with both platforms providing superior ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) for the User Community.

Of specific note, STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 will enable the User to find and accurately locate targets at multiple ranges, across a variety of environments and conditions.

The recent trial was undertaken by an expert team made up of the Joint UAS Test and Evaluation Flight (JUAS TEF), part of 744 Naval Air Squadron (744 NAS), Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) and Defence Equipment and Support’s TIQUILA Delivery Team.

As a key part of capability acceptance, the initial Flight trials provide an essential body of evidence to prove the equipment is capable and that it will provide value for money to both the User and the UK taxpayer. Whilst focussing on the STALKER VXE30 thus far, it is expected that the same sort of rigorous testing will next be conducted on the Indago 4 in due course.

Hannah Haggett, DE&S, said: “The REIVER series, as a vital part of Project TIQUILA, is the latest in a series of important T&E trials as part of the wider TIQUILA enterprise. It is crucial we provide the military with cutting-edge capabilities now but also equipment that can be continually upgraded to keep pace with emerging threats in an ever-evolving, demanding battlespace. Testing early and appropriately will underpin both capabilities and from the evidence generated from the trials thus far, the equipment is high quality and is performing as expected.”

In December 2022, it was announced that more than 250 mini drones would be delivered to the Armed Forces under a contract worth £129 million with Lockheed Martin UK, which supports jobs in Havant and Gloucester as well as across the wider UK supply chain.

Weighing a little over 20kg and with a 4.88 metre wingspan, the STALKER VXE30 Air Vehicle (Av) is an operationally proven, vertical-launched, near-silent drone providing up to eight hours of imaging capability and able to range out to 60km.

Indago 4, a smaller quadcopter type Av, weighing only a little over 4kg, can be folded and carried in a backpack and deployed in just three minutes, with a range of up to approximately 12km.

Similar to the STALKER VXE30, the high-resolution camera system on the Indago 4 provides an exceptional zoom capability to accurately identify people, objects, vehicles and weapons, both in day and night conditions.

Both sUAS are on track and are expected to be operational by the front line by the end of 2024. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

15 Aug 24. Russian Kronstadt Group Presents Grom-U Wingman Drone to Assist Su-35 and Su-57 Fighters.

At the Army-2024 exhibition in Moscow, the Kronstadt Group presented an updated version of its Russian-made Grom supersonic jet unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), informally designated as Grom-U.

This latest version is a modification of the original model, which was first unveiled at the Army-2020 forum. The most significant change in this iteration is the replacement of the initially planned flat-nozzle engine with a conventional engine, likely a decision aimed at reducing production costs. The Grom-U, currently under development, is designed to function as a “loyal wingman” for manned aircraft such as the Su-35 and Su-57 fighters, aligning with contemporary aerial combat strategies.

The most notable change is the replacement of the initially planned flat-nozzle engine with a conventional one, likely an RD-33 or RD-93 engine, potentially with afterburner capability. This change, along with a simpler overall design, seems aimed at reducing production costs, making it more competitive against alternatives like the Su-70B. The updated design is less stealthy than its predecessor but still incorporates measures to reduce its radar cross-section, including an internal weapon bay and an S-shaped intake.

The design of the Grom-U is reminiscent of the Tu-141 Strizh, a Soviet-era operational-tactical reconnaissance UAV developed by OKB Tupolev. The Tu-141, which made its debut in the 1970s, was originally designed for deep reconnaissance missions, equipped with both photo and infrared capabilities. Recently, Ukrainian engineers have weaponized the Tu-141, converting it into a cruise missile used against Russian forces. The Tu-141’s robust engineering and operational versatility, particularly its ability to reach speeds of 1,110 km/h and operate at altitudes up to 6,000 meters, likely served as a historical precedent for the development of the Grom-U.

The Grom UAV was initially introduced as a full-size mockup at the Army-2020 forum and has since attracted attention from both domestic and foreign military delegations, particularly during its updated showcase at the Army-2024 forum. According to the lead designer at Kronstadt, the development of the Grom is driven by the goal of protecting pilots and piloted aircraft by assigning the UAV to undertake high-risk tasks during operations.

Development of the Grom UAV is being carried out for the Russian Aerospace Forces, with the project reaching the preliminary design stage, as confirmed during the Army-2022 forum. The UAV is intended to work closely with manned aviation, executing missions that include precision strikes, reconnaissance, and the suppression of air defenses. Its design emphasizes a tactic where the Grom would fly ahead of a group of aircraft, prompting enemy air defenses to reveal their positions by engaging the UAV. Following the exposure of these defenses, the Grom is designed to coordinate a strike with a swarm of 10-12 Molniya (Lightning) strike drones, which would be launched from a carrier aircraft. This approach aims to neutralize enemy air defenses, facilitating further attacks by manned aircraft such as Su-57 fighters, Su-34 bombers, and the S-70 “Okhotnik” UAV.

The Grom-U is equipped with four hardpoints, two under the wings and two inside the fuselage, allowing it to carry various munitions. These include Kh-38 air-to-surface guided missiles and guided aerial bombs with calibers ranging from 100 to 500 kilograms, along with unguided bombs of similar sizes. The UAV is also anticipated to be capable of carrying the Izdeliye 85 guided missile, which would enhance its strike capabilities. In addition to its own weaponry, the Grom has the capability to control a swarm of up to ten Molniya strike drones, which could be launched from another carrier, thereby increasing its operational flexibility.

Regarding its technical specifications, the Grom-U can carry a maximum combat load between 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms. It is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour, with a cruising speed between 650 and 800 kilometers per hour. The UAV operates at altitudes up to 12,000 meters and has an operational range of 700 kilometers, enabling it to engage targets over considerable distances.

The Grom-U is designed to serve as a “wingman” in the forward attack echelon, working in coordination with manned aircraft like the Su-35 and Su-57 fighters to enhance the effectiveness of aerial operations. Its roles include detecting and engaging tactical and local air defense systems, conducting reconnaissance, and performing electronic intelligence gathering. The UAV’s missions also include the ability to strike surface and land targets at tactical and operational depths, which could be of particular interest to the Russian military.

The “loyal wingman” concept is under development in several countries. Australia is working on Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force. The United States is advancing projects such as Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie and the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative. Meanwhile, Russia and India are developing their own projects, including the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik and HAL CATS Warrior, respectively. Europe has also initiated its own program with Airbus’s Loyal Wingman initiative, which seeks to integrate unmanned systems with European fighter jets.

The Grom-U is part of an integrated aviation weapons system, which includes the UAV itself, a ground control station (operator module), and an aviation armament system (KAB). This system is intended to ensure that the Grom-U can be deployed effectively in various combat scenarios, whether in support of manned aircraft or operating independently. This new variant of the Grom UAV is expected to play a role in the modernization of aerial combat tactics and the operational capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)

15 Aug 24. Anduril Australia set to build Australian Ghost Shark factory. Anduril Australia has announced it will build its first Australian manufacturing facility to deliver Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy and the commercial Dive-XL variant. Anduril’s autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) are designed from the outset to be produced at scale by incorporating a modular design while providing affordable mass through the incorporation of advanced, scalable manufacturing techniques that enable rapid iteration based on specific customer requirements.

To accelerate production readiness of Ghost Shark ahead of a transition to mass production, Defence and Anduril Australia have entered into a co-funded AU$20.1m (US$13.2m) early works contract.

David Goodrich OAM, executive chairman and CEO of Anduril Australia, welcomed this milestone announcement, saying, “The $20.1 m early works contract is a strong signal of government support. It has prompted Anduril to make another significant investment, in the creation of a cutting-edge Australian manufacturing facility with state-of-the-art production systems to manufacture Ghost Sharks right here in Australia. This is the first uncrewed submarine manufactured at scale by the Australian maritime defence technology industry.”

The Commonwealth’s investment of AU$20.1 m is set to be significantly exceeded by Anduril Australia as it invests in expanding the local hiring and rapid scaling of the sovereign supply chain and building infrastructure to transition the Ghost Shark program from prototype to production following further government approval, with first production variant available by the end of 2025.

Anduril Australia’s Ghost Shark supply chain involves more than 42 Australian companies and the early works contract will facilitate investment into the Australian industry supply chain so it can grow and scale alongside Anduril Australia.

“We are thrilled to announce Anduril’s first Australian manufacturing facility for Ghost Shark XL-AUVs. We are excited about accelerating the delivery of Ghost Sharks at unprecedented speed in lock-step with our Defence and Australian defence industry supply chain partners,” Goodrich said.

Ghost Shark is a collaboration between the Royal Australian Navy, Defence Science and Technology Group, Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), and Anduril Australia.

The head of ASCA, Professor Emily Hilder, said, “Ghost Shark is a powerful example of how ASCA can help accelerate capability to our warfighters, bringing together parts of the Defence enterprise as well as Anduril Australia, to help deliver an asymmetric advantage.”

Dr Shane Arnott, senior vice-president engineering, Anduril Industries, added, “Anduril’s maritime division is developing advanced, autonomous undersea capabilities with the best engineering talent in the country. There’s a lot of talk but not enough ‘walk’ in delivering affordable maritime mass. This is Anduril stepping up with another significant investment to show how to get things done.

“Many companies create R&D AUV systems without committing to building the factory in order to scale production, leading to a chicken and egg situation on affordability. We are changing the game by building our first full-rate maritime autonomy factory for Ghost Shark here in Australia,” Dr Arnott said.

This comes following the announcement that the US company had secured US$1.5bn (AU$2.27bn) in investor capital to establish “Arsenal-1” to hyperscale defence manufacturing in the United States.

Ghost Shark is an extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle (XL-AUV) that will provide Navy with a cost-effective, stealthy, long-range, trusted undersea capability that can conduct persistent and disruptive intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike.

(Source: Defence Connect)

14 Aug 24. Ireland issues tender for small rotary UASs. The Irish Defence Forces has issued a tender for 14 small, rotary unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) to equip its Corps of Engineers.

Posted on the European Union (EU) Tendering website on 13 August, the tender requires manportable UASs that are easy to use, capable of delivering high-resolution imagery, and designed with an emphasis on operator safety.

The procurement – valued at approximately EUR600,000 (USD657,132) – is divided into two separate lots and each will result in a separate contract: lot 1 requires commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UASs, while lot 2 seeks UASs with additional data encryption, such as Advanced Encryption Systems (AESs). The supplier will be required to provide accessories, software, and training.

Tenders must be submitted no later than 12 September, with deliveries to Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, by 31 December 2024.

According to the tender, the UASs will be used for a range of purposes including surveillance, survey, inspection, and search and rescue (day and night). The precise applications envisaged for these systems are operationally sensitive. The UASs procured under lot 2 may also have to operate in ‘security sensitive’ locations and/or GPS-denied environments.

(Source: Janes)

14 Aug 24. Cuashub.com said today that Aloft completes FAA onboarding for the LAANC. Aloft has announced the successful completion of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) onboarding process for the latest iteration of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). Since becoming a UAS Service Supplier (USS) in 2018, Aloft has supported operators in recreational, commercial, government and public safety sectors.

The updated version of LAANC introduces several enhancements, particularly benefiting Part 107 operators and those engaged in further coordination requests. These updates aim to streamline the authorisation process and improve communication between operators and Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Key features of the updated LAANC:

Reduced expiration time for further coordination requests

The automatic expiration period for further coordination requests has been shortened from 24 hours to 3 hours. This reduction is designed to provide ATC with increased flexibility to review and approve requests in a more timely manner, expediting the operational workflow for UAS operators.

Enhanced feedback mechanism from ATC

The updated system now allows ATC to furnish specific feedback on denied requests. For instance, if a request is denied due to altitude constraints, ATC can advise the operator to “resubmit 100ft lower.” This targeted feedback mechanism enables UAS operators to adjust their submissions more effectively, potentially increasing the success rate of following authorisation requests.

These features have been developed in response to ongoing advocacy for improved efficiency and utility in the LAANC process, as documented in Aloft’s “State of LAANC” reports over the past few years.

The newly integrated capabilities are currently operational across the Aloft Air Control platform. Operators can access these features through various interfaces, including iOS and Android mobile applications, as well as via the web.

https://cuashub.com/en/content/aloft-completes-faa-onboarding-for-the-laanc/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9krM3AeSnIoVMGmOQ-NXUitP_ruB8jnAzXgvNilUIp_eBbWulvxLFE8W7lXLbfKzuZjwbyJdL6ofkq03u68we4IpbKmpCynuzANHeZjr6nvp0LsyQ&_hsmi=319857008&utm_content=319857008&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

14 Aug 24. Iran Shows Long-Range Drone at Russian Exhibition.

Iran has put its long-range Mohajer-10 drones on display at a defense exhibit in Russia, Iran’s official news agency reported Monday.

U.S. officials have accused Iran of sending drones to Russia, including the Mohajer-10’s predecessor, the Mohajer-6, that Moscow had used in its invasion of Ukraine. Tehran denies this.

Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency said the more advanced system was being shown at the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum, an event that runs from Monday to Wednesday in Patriot Park outside Russia’s capital.

Iran released details of the Mohajer-10 system in August last year, saying it had an enhanced flight-range duration and could carry a greater payload.

A video accompanying that report showed the drone alongside other military hardware, with text saying “prepare your shelters” in both Hebrew and Persian.

According to Iranian media reports, the drone has an operational range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and can fly for up to 24 hours. Its payload can reach 300 kilograms (661 pounds), double the capacity of the Mohajer-6, the reports have added. (Source: UAS VISION/VOA)

13 Aug 24. Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover – with a Cockpit. The first images of Northrop Grumman’s Model 437, an advanced air combat drone that could potentially fill the requirement for the Air Force’s and/or Navy’s “loyal wingman” Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, as well as those of allies, have hit social media. The relatively small tactical jet looks impressive and is very much in line with the concept renderings we have seen of it, aside from one major detail — it has a cockpit.

Yes, that’s right, the Model 437 prototype features a cockpit for a pilot. While this may seem extremely odd for what is supposed to be an advanced unmanned air combat aircraft, it actually makes some sense and it could give Northrop Grumman (NG) an advantage in the red-hot contest to provide hundreds, if not thousands, of highly autonomous drones to the USAF, as well as the Navy.

When concept art was first unveiled back in 2021, the Model 437 was envisioned as working alongside manned aircraft collaboratively, both fighters and larger combat aircraft, including in an asset protection role for the latter. In our initial report on the concept design, which you should read for full context of this article, its general characteristics were stated as follows:

“With regards to the new Model 437 design, it is also expected to have a range of some 3,000 nautical miles when carrying a load of 4,000 pounds of fuel, and will be able to cruise at around 0.8 Mach, according to Aviation Week. The drone has an internal centerline payload bay that is designed to carry up to 1,000 pounds of stores or other systems, as well. The outlet said that a pair of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) or a side-looking radar imaging sensor were two possible loadouts.“

We don’t know if those design goals have changed, but they generally look copasetic with the aircraft in the pictures from Mojave Air And Space Port.

The aircraft, which sports the registry N437VN (certified in January of this year, according to FAA data), features a bowless bubble canopy, a pointed nose with a semi-trapezoidal fuselage, mid-set swept wings, a long dorsal air intake that hugs the rear of the canopy, a distinct chine-line that wraps around the airframe, trailing-link landing gear, and a splayed v-tail adorned in a camouflage pattern.

The aircraft also features a round exhaust and a long air data probe, which is customary for initial flight testing and is also visible on its nose. Once again, it looks very much like the Model 437 renderings, just with a bubble canopy. Overall, paired with its small size, it has a very futuristic, almost movie-prop-like look.

But why build the Model 437 prototype, supposedly a highly autonomous drone, with a cockpit?

Here are the possibilities and our overarching analysis, which is subject to change as we learn more about the state of the program:

Having this initial prototype piloted drastically increases the potential for rapid flight test and development of the Model 437 airframe and concept. The advantages include just accessing airspace pretty much anywhere its owners and potential customers want it to go.

Unmanned aircraft are still quite restricted as to where and how they can operate. A pilot totally changes this massive bottleneck and means the aircraft can be flown wherever it needs to go, to participate in any developmental flights or training exercises, no matter how complex. It can do this unburdened by typical drone airspace restrictions and the need for chase aircraft that can be required in certain situations. Just ferrying to a different location while manned, so it can access airspace where it can fly as if it were an unmanned aircraft, is a giant advantage.

For many tests, having a human onboard can accelerate the speed at which they can be accomplished. At its most basic, initial primary flight testing of the airframe will go far faster with a pilot at the controls. Overall, more risks can be taken when executing autonomous activities with a pilot there to take over and act as a safety backstop if needed.

The X-62 is being used in this exact manner today and it has been highly successful in doing so. But that is an adapted F-16D that is running autonomy agents (software), not a near-production representative CCA-like airframe. This is a huge difference, especially considering one is actually looking to be bought in large quantities, while the other is a one-off test surrogate.

If the Model 437 prototype we are seeing is a dedicated piloted configuration, it’s very possible that NG and SC have another Model 437 prototype airframe in the unmanned configuration, or at least one under construction. Then there is the possibility that the aircraft we see is truly optionally manned. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)

09 Aug 24. Some Replicator tranche 2 systems have already been selected, DIU head says. The Pentagon has selected a unknown number of systems to be part of Replicator’s second tranche, but will be keeping details quiet for the foreseeable future, according to the Defense Innovation Unit.

Doug Beck, director of the DIU, said over 500 companies have expressed interest in being involved in the Replicator program through proposal responses. He added that out of these companies, the innovation hub has selected an undisclosed number of systems to partake in the program’s second tranche.

“We now have two tranches of systems across domains,” Beck said at the National Defense Industrial Association conference Thursday. He added that DIU has “selected some systems already,” however “there’s other things that we are still kind of finalizing.”

Learn more about Bombardier Defense here.

He added that 30 unique prime contractors have been selected across the hardware and software realms, and over 50 subcontractors have signed on.

Though he didn’t disclose the names of the companies or the systems, Beck did offer some teases.

He said the range of companies selected include manufacturers of PRIME sUSV systems, a category he said stands for production-ready, inexpensive, maritime expeditionary small unmanned surface vehicles. He added that out of the other companies involved, one is a venture-backed startup, another is a growth stage software led “nontraditional” company and one is a “more established player.”

It’s been nearly one year since the Replicator program — designed to counter China’s military capabilities by producing thousands of “attritable autonomous systems” across multiple domains by August 2025 — was announced. It has drawn significant attention from industry and Congress, including a healthy dose of skepticism about whether the effort has real weight behind it or is simply grouping together a number of items the department already planned to buy.

Advances in RPA technologies signal a future where aircraft could operate from a variety of austere locations, making it much more difficult to find and target large air bases.

With just one year until the program is scheduled to be deployed, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told the audience at the NDIA conference Wednesday that the program is on track.

“Although we have lots more work to do, we are on track to meet Replicator’s original goal of enabling ‘multiple thousands in multiple domains in 18-24 months’. That is, by the end of August 2025. In so doing, Replicator is demonstrating from the top and across the enterprise how to deliver all kinds of capability at speed and scale,” Hicks said. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

08 Aug 24. Cutting-edge Stalker Mini Drone Undertakes Rigorous Trials. Portable mini drones being delivered to the Armed Forces to provide cutting-edge capability have been put through rigorous trials at RNAS Predannack in Cornwall.

Under Project TIQUILA, Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.

Of specific note, STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 will enable the User to find and accurately locate targets at multiple ranges, across a variety of environments and conditions.

Hannah Haggett, at DE&S said: “The REIVER series, as a vital part of Project TIQUILA, is the latest in a series of important T&E trials as part of the wider TIQUILA enterprise. It is crucial we provide the military with cutting-edge capabilities now but also equipment that can be continually upgraded to keep pace with emerging threats in an ever-evolving, demanding battlespace. Testing early and appropriately will underpin both capabilities and from the evidence generated from the trials thus far, the equipment is high quality and is performing as expected.”

In December 2022, it was announced that more than 250 mini drones would be delivered to the Armed Forces under a contract worth £129 m with Lockheed Martin UK, which supports jobs in Havant and Gloucester as well as across the wider UK supply chain.

Weighing a little over 20 kilogrammes and with a 4.88 metre wingspan, the STALKER VXE30 Air Vehicle (Av) is an operationally proven, vertical-launched, near-silent drone providing up to eight hours of imaging capability and able to range out to 60km.

Indago 4, a smaller quadcopter type Av, weighing only a little over 4 kilogrammes, can be folded and carried in a backpack and deployed in just three minutes, with a range of up to approximately 12 km.

Both sUAS are on track and are expected to be operational by the front line by the end of 2024. (Source: ASD Network)

BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.

The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:

LAND:

BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.

Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.

FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.

SEA;

AIR;

UNMANNED SYSTEMS UPDATE

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