Sponsored By Oxley Developments
www.oxleygroup.com
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16 Jul 25. ZenaTech Creates First Quantum Computing Prototype Enabling Disruptive AI Drone Speed and Precision. ZenaTech, Inc., a business technology solution provider specializing in AI drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), Enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, has announced the successful development of its first quantum computing prototype consisting of a framework for the rapid analysis and processing of large datasets for its AI drone solutions. Using weather forecasting algorithms as part of its Clear Sky project as a test case, the company has created a precedent framework for real time analysis of massive amounts of data that can be captured through AI drone sensors while in the air. The Company envisions commercial applications ranging from highly efficient precision agriculture to predictive energy infrastructure inspections. Defense applications include enhancing real-time battlefield decision-making with faster and more precise threat detection, reconnaissance, and advance electronic warfare capabilities.
“We’re not just building smarter drones, we’re building a quantum-intelligent edge where data becomes decisions in an instant, whether it’s a battlefield or a farm field,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “We believe this quantum framework we are creating is just the beginning as we’ve now demonstrated it can use it for large datasets. We plan to keep expanding R&D capabilities, with the goal of growing our team of 6 to 25 over the coming months. The end goal is clear: accelerate time to market, reduce operational costs, and lead the industry as a true innovator,” added Dr. Passley.
ZenaTech’s Clear Sky project is one of the company’s quantum computing R&D initiatives focused on weather forecasting that will use AI drones and drone fleets plus quantum to better predict localized weather for more accurate prediction of extreme weather events saving lives and reducing costs and destruction. The weather application and algorithms used for the prototype track and analyze multiple key atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, barometric pressure, and precipitation. Internal testing using historical open-source data has shown a high degree of accuracy with trusted weather platforms and actual data, validating both its accuracy and reliability. Quantum computing combined with AI-powered drone applications enables disruptive speed, precision, and autonomy by dramatically accelerating data analysis, optimizing complex decisions, and enhancing real-time responsiveness. In commercial sectors, this means drones can autonomously inspect vast energy grids or farmland, instantly analyze multispectral data, and adjust actions on the fly—leading to lower costs and higher productivity in agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure. In defense, the same capabilities empower autonomous surveillance drones to process sensor data and identify threats in real time, coordinate swarm or drone fleet movements, and dynamically adapt to changing battlefield conditions—all with minimal human input. This fusion of technologies allows drones to make faster, smarter decisions in unpredictable, data-intensive environments—reshaping what’s possible across industries. For weather forecasting, quantum computing can rapidly process and simulate complex atmospheric models by analyzing massive datasets from AI-enabled drones equipped with weather sensors, LiDAR, and imaging systems. This allows for highly accurate, real-time weather forecasting and microclimate prediction, improving response times for disaster management, aviation safety, and environmental monitoring. Quantum computing is a next-generation computing technology that uses the principles of quantum physics to process information exponentially faster than traditional computers, enabling it to solve highly complex problems that are otherwise unsolvable by even the most powerful classical computers of today. (Source: UAS VISION)
15 Jul 25. Sentient Industries announced that Justin LeVrier has stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer, with Founder Willem Vonk continuing as President. Both LeVrier and Vonk are currently in Washington, D.C., where on July 16 they will present Sentient’s field-proven METEOR Power System at the “OUSD (R&E) Rapid Prototype Display: Multi-Domain Autonomous Solutions” at the Pentagon—a showcase of technologies developed to address evolving threats for the warfighter. This national spotlight underscores Sentient’s commitment to delivering capabilities that matter, from development to deployment. Sentient Industries Welcomes Justin LeVrier as CEO; METEOR Power System Spotlighted at Pentagon Innovation Event at OUSD R&E RAPTR TF T-REX, Camp Atterbury with Indiana National Guard.
Together, LeVrier and Vonk conceptualized METEOR Power System (Modular Energy for Tactical Operations Resource) and took it from idea, to white board, to a physical field-proven power system trusted by defense and disaster response in mere months. This reflects Sentient’s hands-on approach to R&D, rapid prototyping, engineering and manufacturing.
“Being invited to present METEOR at the Pentagon is not just an honor—it’s a signal that Sentient’s rapid prototyping approach and commitment to practical solutions are delivering real value for our nation’s operators,” said Justin LeVrier, CEO. “This is exactly the type of milestone that energizes our team and inspires us to push the boundaries of what’s possible for our defense and emergency response partners.”
Justin LeVrier brings a long and diverse career spent connecting people, systems, and technology. He is recognized for his collaborative leadership style, creative problem-solving, and his ability to bring out the best in teams. Prior to joining Sentient, LeVrier served as VP of Sales at Joule Case, where he formed the go to market strategy and expanded access to advanced mobile power solutions in the burgeoning food truck market nationally. Through LeVrier, Joule Case was METEOR’s first reseller, giving him a unique perspective on point-of-need-power in both commercial and defense markets, and what it takes to move ideas from the lab into the real world. Whether leading product launches at Cardone Enterprises with Grant Cardone, building customer relationships globally with Mercedes-Benz, or mentoring the next generation of innovators at Creative Leverage, LeVrier’s focus has always been — people first.
Reflecting on the transition, LeVrier said; “Willem and I have always believed that the best solutions come from working side by side with our team, our end users, and our clients; questioning the status quo, observing, listening and taking action. I’m honored to help lead Sentient into its next chapter, and I look forward to building on the foundation we’ve created together.”
Vonk, who founded Sentient Industries, has spent his career at the intersection of human centered experiential design, engineering, advanced materials and manufacturing. Since its launch in 2021, he has built Sentient into a place where ideas are rapidly prototyped, tested, and brought to life. Throughout his career, Vonk’s out of the box thinking, technical expertise, and commitment to seeing things from a unique perspective—have shaped Sentient’s culture and the company’s approach to solving tough challenges for top tier clients.
“Justin LeVrier’s appointment as CEO marks an exciting new chapter for Sentient Industries,” said Vonk. “As Justin and I co-invented the METEOR Power System together, I’ve seen firsthand the vision and leadership he brings. His ability to unite people and ideas is exactly what Sentient needs as we expand our impact.”
“The Pentagon showcase underscores our mission: rapidly moving critical technologies from concept to deployment where they matter most. We’re proud to lead a team dedicated to innovation that supports those on the front lines.”
This leadership transition deepens Sentient Industries’ commitment to collaborative innovation, and client success. With LeVrier as CEO and Vonk as President, the company is well positioned to continue bringing game changing capabilities to market.
To learn more about Justin LeVrier and connect professionally, visit their LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/levrier/
To learn more about Sentient Industries and the METEOR Quiet Tactical Power System visit: https://sentient.industries/
Based in Austin, Texas, Sentient Industries is the owner, designer and OEM for the METEOR Power System, and accelerates mission critical technologies through their product design, engineering, prototyping, and manufacturing services that empower clients to overcome complex challenges in defense and commercial applications. (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Jul 25. Escorting Drone Swarm Formation. Robot swarms provide a robust approach for performing common tasks in which the emergence of collective capabilities outperforms the addition of the individual ones. They are frequently used in surveillance or defence systems where resilience is a must. In this article we propose a swarm of drones capable of surrounding and escorting different types of targets such as a rogue drone or a ground vehicle. We use swarm intelligence and evolutionary optimisation to support the swarm self-organisation using a set of optimal parameters. Our experiments were focused on analysing the properties of the swarm of drones as well as assessing its scalability and fault tolerance. We have used computer simulations to test a variety of different initial drone positions and target trajectories. Additionally, we have validated our proposal through experiments using real-world drones.
The achieved results show that our formation system has successfully built stable formations when it was properly configured. It has worked with swarms of five, ten, and twenty drones, and has also been able to recover in the majority of cases in which some drones have failed.
The full paper can be downloaded here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11721-025-00250-5.pdf (Source: UAS VISION/Springer Nature Link)
15 Jul 25. Kutta Technologies, LLC (Kutta), a trusted leader in safety-critical uncrewed systems software and hardware, announces the launch of the Kutta Tactical Controller 2.0 (KTAC 2.0). The newly upgraded device provides critical enhancements to users’ command and control capabilities for uncrewed systems with increased flexibility, reliability, efficiency, and affordability. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern military tactical operations, the KTAC is a common controller that allows users to control multiple types of robotic platforms – including land, sea and air uncrewed systems – from a single controller in the palm of their hand.
“Kutta Technologies is committed to empowering warfighters with innovative tools that enhance mission success,” said Douglas Limbaugh, Kutta’s COO and executive vice-president. “KTAC 2.0’s modular design and universal control capabilities provide operators with the flexibility to adapt to any mission, ensuring operational superiority in the most challenging environments.”
Kutta’s legacy product, KTAC 1.0 successfully controlled more than 35 different uncrewed systems for both U.S. military and allied partner nations. The KTAC 2.0 expands on those capabilities, offering a universal platform with two configurations—tethered and untethered (with radio module)—ensuring seamless integration with existing ecosystems like Nett Warrior and ATAK-enabled devices. Weighing under two pounds and boasting an IP-67 rating, KTAC 2.0 is rugged, portable and built to withstand harsh battlefield conditions. It reduces the physical load on the warfighter by over two pounds compared to traditional solutions, offering a significant advantage in both mobility and endurance during extended missions. The device’s non-proprietary, open interfaces leverage commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology, reducing costs while maximizing interoperability across smartphones, tablets and computers.
“By leveraging COTS technology and open architectures, KTAC 2.0 delivers a cost-effective, high value solution without compromising performance,” said Matthew Savoca, Kutta’s executive vice president. “This launch marks a significant step forward in supporting defense ministries globally with scalable, mission-critical technology.”
The KTAC 2.0 supports a wide range of military applications, offering a single controller for diverse robotic platforms. Its compatibility with Kutta’s Unified Ground Control Station (UGCS) software and STANAG 4586 protocols further enhances its ability to plan missions, avoid obstacles, and deliver real-time situational awareness.
“Kutta continues to drive innovation through strategic partnerships and ongoing research to ensure KTAC 2.0 evolves alongside the operational needs of our users,” said Matthew Savoca, Kutta’s Executive Vice-President. “We continue to focus on reducing the warfighter’s burden while increasing mission capability. KTAC 2.0 not only redefines the next generation of tactical control for uncrewed systems, it reflects Kutta’s unwavering commitment to equip military forces with the tools they need to succeed—now and in the future.” (Source: PR Newswire)
15 Jul 25. Systematic launches cutting-edge cloud-enabled C4ISR enhancements to the SitaWare Suite. Systematic, the developer of the world’s leading C4ISR solution, today announces the launch of SitaWare BattleCloud—a cloud-native evolution of the proven SitaWare Suite—alongside the delivery of new features for the SitaWare. Designed for the demands of modern, multi-domain operations and informed by lessons from the Ukraine war, these releases represent a significant step forward in enhancing military decision-making, operational agility, and command-and-control resilience.
Built for the Modern Battlespace
SitaWare BattleCloud delivers the full capabilities of the SitaWare Suite in a scalable, cloud-enabled environment—extending decision superiority from fixed headquarters to mobile users at the tactical edge. With integrated access to OSINT, satellite imagery, weather feeds, secure communications, and AI-powered planning tools, BattleCloud enables commanders to interpret and act on complex information faster than ever before. Its cloud-native architecture ensures continuous updates, seamless integration with on-premise deployments, and support for sustained operational tempo.
“SitaWare BattleCloud represents a significant evolution of our technology—bringing the trusted capabilities of the SitaWare Suite into a modern, cloud-enabled environment,” said Andrew Graham, Group Senior Vice President, Business Development, Defence at Systematic. “It ensures users benefit from the scalability and speed of cloud computing while maintaining the robustness and reliability that SitaWare is known for.”
What’s New in SitaWare
Coinciding with the launch of BattleCloud, Systematic has also released its latest updates to the SitaWare suite, delivering major new features across the suite:
- Airspace operations: SitaWare Headquarters now supports the drawing of Airspace Control Means (ACMs) graphics and exporting them as a single APP-11 compliant Airspace Control Order (ACO)—streamlining workflows and marking a major milestone towards comprehensive air domain capability and multi-domain operations.
- Maritime operations: New subsurface warfare features enhance naval mine warfare and waterspace management, including the ability to visualise submarine danger areas.
- Joint Fires: A centralised calculation engine and inventory tool enables Joint Fires Centres to generate more accurate targeting data for legacy weapon systems.
- Tasking tool for SitaWare Frontline and SitaWare Edge: New tasking functionality allows vehicle commanders to assign and track missions across subordinate units via a matrix-style overview of progress.
- IRIS QuickForms: A new module for SitaWare Frontline and SitaWare Edge with configurable templates that simplifies user interactions during report creation—especially valuable in high-stress operational environments.
- AI-driven Insight enhancements: Improved speed and delivery of data through locally deployable AI models; enhanced image classification and search; and a chatbot assistant “wingman” to support faster, more informed decisions in the field.
These updates reaffirm Systematic’s commitment to providing an evergreen, modular, and future-ready C4ISR solution that continues to evolve in step with operational demands.
Discover More
To explore the full capabilities of SitaWare BattleCloud download our comprehensive eBook.
14 Jul 25. DARPA ends Liberty Lifter wing-in-ground craft programme. The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has ended a programme to build a large wing-in-ground (WIG) craft dubbed Liberty Lifter. The demonstrator was meant to prove the ability to move cargo across the ocean at high speed using relatively little fuel. Aurora Flight Sciences was selected in 2024 to build and fly Liberty Lifter by 2027.
“Working with performer Aurora Flight Sciences, the program team demonstrated, in-simulation and scaled model testing, the underlying technical feasibility of the seaplane design. They also built and stress-tested physical examples of the program’s novel manufacturing techniques and materials,” DARPA told Janes on 10 July.
“Simulation success and materials testing proved the viability of the Liberty Lifter concept years ahead of schedule. So instead of spending time and money building an aircraft that would only ever serve as a demonstrator, DARPA is working with industry and with DoD [Department of Defense] stakeholders to transition what we’ve learned to encourage rapid fielding of the technology,” DARPA continued.
“We’ve learned we can build a flying boat capable of take-off and landing in high sea states; the physics make sense,” said Christopher Kent, DARPA’s Liberty Lifter programme manager, in a statement announcing the cancellation. “And we’ve learned we can do so with maritime building techniques and maritime composites”.
DARPA’s Liberty Lifter requirements solicited craft capable of achieving a 6,500 n mile range with six standard cargo containers or two US Marine Corps (USMC) Assault Amphibious Vehicles, handling waves up to 13 ft high (Sea State 5) and flying up to a 10,000 ft altitude. (Source: Janes)
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Oxley Group Ltd
Oxley offer a range of Military Marine NVG friendly LED lighting that includes navigation lights and controls, flight deck landing lights and interior compartment lighting. Our lighting products are used by Navies around the world including our own Royal Navy on UK Aircraft Carriers, Canadian Frigates, Swedish Submarines, Australian Surface vessels and Submarines, on board French Naval Carriers and in Naval Gun Turrets.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-r/
The technology is extremely energy efficient and built robustly, with proven long life. The lighting is NVG friendly, dimmable and programmable to allow for operations with aircraft pilots using military night vision goggles. They offer superior design giving high reliability for the most demanding environments with high sealing and the ability to meet the most stringent EMC standards.
https://oxleydevelopments.cmail20.com/t/t-l-cdhkulk-yujhutkljd-y/
Oxley are proud to say that we are working in partnership with SeaKing to enable a control panel to be offered with our LED Navigation Lighting. All of Oxley navigation lights have been specifically developed for vessels over 50 metres.
Contact Marcus Goad on 07850 917 263 for more information or to arrange samples.
Oxley specialises in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic and electro-optic components and systems for air, land and sea applications within the military sector. Established in 1942, Oxley has manufacturing facilities in the UK and USA and enjoys representation worldwide. The company’s products include night vision and LED lighting, data capture systems and electronic components. Oxley has pioneered the development of night vision compatible lighting. It offers a total package incorporating optical filters, equipment modification, cockpit and external lighting along with fleet wide upgrade services including engineering, installation, support, maintenance and training. The company’s long experience of manufacturing night vision lighting and LED indicators, coupled with advances in LED technology, has enabled it to develop LED solutions to replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting in existing applications as well as becoming the lighting option of choice in new applications such as portable military hospitals, UAV control stations and communication shelters.
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