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24 Feb 22. Drone Show Korea 2022. South Korea’s largest exhibition of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) will be held in the southeastern port city of Busan this week, showcasing the latest technologies and models and offering a forum on the industry’s future. Drone Show Korea 2022 will take place at Bexco Exhibition Center from Thursday to Saturday under the theme of “Connected by Drone.” The sixth edition of the annual event, co-organized by the Korea Unmanned Vehicle System Association and BEXCO, will be the largest in its history with the participation of 138 companies and organizations, they said. Korean Air Lines Co. will display a medium altitude unmanned aerial vehicle with a wingspan of 26 meters and defense contractor LIG Nex1 Co. will showcase a hydrogen-fueled heavy-lift transport drone capable of carrying a load of up to 200 kg. Aircraft maker Korea Aerospace Industries will introduce next-generation mobility technologies, including manned-unmanned teaming systems and metaverse solutions. The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will demonstrate an autonomous drone platform. The Army will exhibit a “dronebot” combat system for multi-area integrated operations.
Drone Show Korea will also offer a conference Thursday and Friday on various issues related to UAVs, including new mobility technologies and platforms, regulations, safety, industry strategies and military applications.
A total of 44 experts from South Korea, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and Japan will participate in the sessions.
On the sidelines of the trade show, various events for visitors will be offered, including a drone delivery experience program, a drone art show and drone games.
Drone Show Korea is co-hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of National Defense and Busan Metropolitan City. (Source: UAS VISION/yonhap news)
24 Feb 22. UK Space Agency to co-host Summit for Space Sustainability. The UK Space Agency will co-host a global summit to agree new ways of ensuring a safe, sustainable and secure space environment. The UK Space Agency will co-host a global summit to agree new ways of ensuring a safe, sustainable and secure space environment, including tackling space debris which threatens the satellites we rely on in our daily lives. The 4th Summit for Space Sustainability, hosted with the Secure World Foundation in London on the 22 and 23 June, brings together government, industry and academics from around the world to discuss how to ensure the sustainability of space operations. Orbital congestion created by space debris is one of the biggest global challenges facing the space sector. There are currently around 30,000 pieces of debris in orbit large enough to be tracked from Earth such as old satellites, spent rocket bodies and even tools dropped by astronauts. But there are also an estimated 130 million pieces of smaller debris.
Space debris can stay in orbit for hundreds of years and present a real danger to the rapidly increasing number of new satellites being launched each year which provide vital services, including communications and climate change monitoring.
Science Minister George Freeman said: “As our reliance on satellites for everyday activity grows and the UK becomes a hub of small satellite design, manufacturing and launch, we are at the forefront of ensuring a safe and secure space environment. With more than a thousand satellites launched last year alone, “safe space” means proper governance of space traffic, debris removal, satellite tracking and in-orbit servicing I recently visited the Harwell Space Campus with HRH The Prince of Wales to discuss space sustainability, and the UK Space Agency is working with innovative companies including Astroscale, ClearSpace and SSTL to develop a new national mission to clean up space junk. We are now taking the lead internationally by bringing together experts from around the world to this Summit for Space Sustainability.”
Previous speakers at the Summit for Space Sustainability, include the former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine; Dan Hart, President and CEO of Virgin Orbit; Thelma Krug, Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and Pam Melroy, now the Deputy Administrator of NASA.
Dr Peter Martinez, Executive Director of the Secure World Foundation, a leading US non-profit organisation focused on the sustainable use of space, said: “The existing international governance system for space activities was developed at a time when there were only a few space actors, and the pace of development was slow. Today, we have a much greater number and diversity of actors, and new types of space activities that are raising challenges for the long-term sustainability of space activities.”
The Summit will bring together leaders from government, industry, and civil society to discuss practical solutions to these challenges and to enhance the safety and sustainability of space activities. We are particularly pleased to partner with the UK Space Agency to co-host the 4th Summit for Space Sustainability in the UK because of the UK’s determination and ongoing efforts to play a leading role in international efforts to promote space sustainability. The UK’s National Space Strategy set out a bold vision for the sector and recognises the need for the UK to lead in making space safe and sustainable. The new funding supports the development of underlying technology or data processing capabilities for space surveillance and tracking to support the removal of orbital debris. In the past two years the UK Space Agency has provided £3.7m for UK industry and academia to develop new technology for Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) and debris removal, as well as investing around £16 million on space sustainability through the European Space Agency in 2019.The UK is the largest contributor to ESA’s Space Safety Programme. In 2021 the UK Space Agency worked with the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to support the next stage of international efforts to promote space sustainability and provided funding to research a UK-led mission to remove junk from space. In January the UK Space Agency announced £1.7m for 13 new projects to help track and remove dangerous debris in space. They included an AI-based tool which can take autonomous action to avoid a collision and another which will see multiple small spacecraft fired at debris before taking it into the atmosphere to dispose of it. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 Feb 22. UAE awards Denel Dynamics aircraft maintenance contract. The deal was announced on Monday 21 February, the first day of the UMEX & SimTEX 2022 exhibition being held in Abu Dhabi. The event focuses on unmanned systems, simulation, training, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The event is organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Defence and has attracted 134 companies from 26 countries. Major General Dr Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for UMEX & SimTEX 2022 and the accompanying conference, said: “This strategic event specialising in unmanned systems, and training and simulation systems, is the only one of its kind in the region, as it plays a pivotal role in supporting the United Arab Emirates’ efforts for consolidating its global leading position by utilising innovations to bolster the economy and national and regional stability. This event is held at a time when we are witnessing global challenges and conditions, shedding light on the UAE’s abilities for organising a strategic event of this importance in the advanced technology and defence industries sector.” Amongst the $167m worth of deals announced on Monday, Denel Dynamics was awarded the AED5.597m ($1.5m or R23m) technical support contract. This is for its Seeker unmanned aerial vehicles. The UAE has ordered multiple Seekers over the years, with the most recent contract being announced in March 2021 when the UAE’s Armed Forces ordered a Seeker 400 system for the Presidential Guard at a cost of AED 50m (R204m). The UAE previously ordered AED25 821 190 (R105 m) worth of Seeker 400s in March 2020. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s Arms Transfers database, the UAE bought several batches of Seeker II aircraft in the 1990s and 2000s, Seeker 200s in 2017 and six Seeker 400 armed UAVs in 2018. The Seeker 400 is capable of carrying dual imaging electro-optical/infrared payloads with gimbal diameters of up to 530 mm. Sensor combinations can include a colour daylight camera with zoom lens; infrared thermal imager with step fields of view; day colour or monochrome spotter camera; night spotter camera, laser designator and laser range finder. An electronic intelligence (ELINT) payload is available for detection and location of radar emitters. To provide for multi-mission and multi-roles, optional sensors and specific payloads like synthetic aperture radar (SAR), communications intelligence (COMINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT) and satellite communications can be integrated. The Seeker 400 has up to 16 hours’ endurance and can carry two sensor payloads (weighing a combined 100 kg) at the same time, or guided weapons (such as the Denel Dynamics’ P2 unpowered GPS-guided weapon or Halcon Desert Sting series). (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
21 Feb 22. Autonomous systems integration, UAS threats dominate UMEX conference. The UAE is both investing heavily in a domestic UAV industry and learning first-hand the risks from unmanned systems. Across the globe, national militaries are grappling with the dual challenges of transitioning man-in-the-loop unmanned aerial vehicles towards autonomous systems, while at the same time deciding how to manage the threat of unmanned systems operated by terrorist groups. At this year’s Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX), happening this week in Abu Dhabi, both issues are front and center — not a surprise, given both the United Arab Emirates’ investment in a domestic UAV industry and regional concerns about the use of drones as weapons by Iran-backed militias. On the first challenge, officials and experts talking on panels at the show all agreed that the time has come to put greater focus on autonomy in unmanned systems.
“The UAE has been giving a great deal of attention to UAV technology and currently has one of the biggest regional companies that develop this technology and export it as well,” said Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs. “We have to intensify our efforts to develop defense systems to protect our countries.”
“Integrating unmanned systems in the military starts with the leadership that has to make the decision that time has come to stop doing things the old way, and to do it the new way that is suitable for the integration of the new autonomous technology,” said James Cluff, founding partner and CEO of the US-based SOAR Beyond consultancy.
However, Maj. Gen. Mubarak Saeed Ghafan Al Jabri, assistant undersecretary for support and defense industries in the UAE Ministry of Defense, was direct about the challenges facing such capabilities. “Technological advancement in UAVs is happening at a faster pace than the concept of operations development, which is impacting the integration of these systems.”
Concerns about small unmanned systems being used to attack regional nations was just as dominant a topic on day one, thanks to recent drone attacks by Houthi militias in Yemen against Abu Dhabi. Iran is accused of providing the Houthis with weapons, as well as drones and technology to build them, for use in attacks against Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
“The UAVs have become the weapon of choice for terrorist groups, especially the ones that are supported by states and undermine regional security” Al Bowardi said. “We have to unify our efforts in preventing UAS from threatening our states.”
Omar Suktan Al Olama, UAE minister of state for artificial intelligence, digital economy and remote work applications, echoed those concerns, saying “The UAVs are becoming cheaper and subsequently more accessible to terrorist groups.”
The US has deployed F-22 Raptors and the USS Cole to help bolster the UAE defenses against Houthi drone and ballistic missile attacks. American Patriot and THAAD batteries deployed in the UAE took part in intercepting Houthi missiles.
Since UAVs come in various sizes and categories, some speakers suggested building an adequate integrated system capable of dealing with all of them.
“There must be layers of systems to address the threat of UAS. It has to be system of systems. It is a wholistic approach,” said US Army Maj. Gen. Sean Gainey, director of joint counter-small unmanned aircraft systems, fires headquarters.
Artificial intelligence will likely push the boundaries in the development of UAVs, making them more autonomous, and will eventually grow more independent of human control, speakers at the show agreed.
“AI will push UAS to escalate because the AI is trained to win no matter what, even if the UAS will cause more destruction or more collateral damage,” Al Olama said.
Despite the threat they could pose should these systems fall in the wrong hands and the likely risks that might come in their development, states will continue to build them, he predicted.
“We need the UAV technology more than ever, despite everything,” Al Olama concluded. (Source: glstrade.com/Breaking Defense.com)
19 Feb 22. DoD Releases New Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge. The U.S. Department of Defense has released the Cyber Resilient Weapon Systems Body of Knowledge (CRWS-BoK) Portal Version 1.3. The Resilient Systems (RS) Directorate, under the leadership of Director Melinda Reed, launched the Portal and continues to guide Portal updates. The CRWS-BoK Portal provides publically available information to assist the workforce in the engineering of cyber resilient weapon systems. The updates in Version 1.3 include:
- A redesigned registration page to make user registration clearer
- New “Search” tour guide to make searching for documents and resources on the Portal
- New “Forgot Password” page for users to reset their own password
- Courtesy confirmation email now sent to users upon successful update of their profile
- Share button added to individual documents and resources to make it easier to share with other users
- Graphics improvements throughout the Portal to streamline the Portal’s look and sharpness
For additional information and to register for a free account, visit the CRWS-BoK Portal. The site is optimized for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari browsers. For more information on the Portal and its features, an RS-developed presentation is accessible via the DoD Cyber Security and Information Systems Analysis Center (CSIAC). A webinar recording of this presentation is also publicly available on the CSIAC YouTube channel. (Source: glstrade.com)
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AOC Europe
AOC Europe connects organisations and individuals across government, defence, industry, and academia to promote the exchange of ideas and information, and review the latest advances in electromagnetic and information-related fields. With a history spanning more than 25 years, AOC Europe is the Association of Old Crows’ flagship international event with 70+ manufacturers and 1000+ attendees from 40+ countries coming together to engage, innovate and network and to discuss all things within this dedicated sector.
Our 2022 conference theme:
Integrating Electromagnetic Effects across all Domains
The control of the electromagnetic spectrum is a fundamental requirement in modern warfare in all domains whether land, sea air, space, information or cyber. Systems operating in these domains must be able to communicate, make decisions, share information and take actions in a coordinated, controlled and effective manner using the electromagnetic spectrum.
To achieve and maintain this dominance, electronic warfare, radar, navigation, situational awareness and other information and communication systems require significant levels of integration and interoperability across all types of platforms and in all domains. Innovative integrated systems requirements, applications and enabling technologies will be considered from intelligence data gathering, analysis and data fusion through to the deployment of countermeasures and other actions that use the electromagnetic spectrum.
For more details on exhibiting/sponsoring, submitting a paper or attending the event visit www.aoceurope.org
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