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17 Sep 20. Demand for More Efficient Threat Detection Radar Systems to Foster Billion Dollar Growth Opportunities. Financialnewsmedia.com News Commentary. Recent industry reports may differ in their revenue projections but they do agree that the numbers will continue to rise in the coming several years. Increasing threats from high-speed missiles and aircraft have led to an increase in demand for surveillance and fire control radars. Rise in the defense spending of emerging economies, growing regional tensions, and an increasing number of inter-country conflicts are major factors driving the military radars market. The increasing deployment of ballistic and stealth missiles in active war zones has also led to a significant increase in the demand for military radars across the globe. Other applications of military radars include airborne fire control, surveillance activities, ground mapping, and coastal surveillance. The use of military radars in all these applications is fueling the growth of the military radars market, globally. A report from MarketsAndMarkets projects that the military radars market is projected to grow from USD 14.0bn in 2020 to USD 17.4bn by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period, while another report from Fortune Business Insights projects a higher value saying that the Military Radar market size will reach USD 24.36bn by 2027. Active tech companies in the markets this week include Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB), Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. (CSE: PRT) (OTCQB: PLRTF), Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: LHX), Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX).
The report stated that the global market value stood at USD 14.66bn in 2019. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), in 2019, the total military expenditure rose to USD1917bn, globally. Rising by 3.6% from 2018 levels, the largest spenders, who accounted for 62% of the total spending, were the US, China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. Growth in military expenditure in some of the strongest economies in the world bodes well for this market as this would mean increased adoption of advanced defense technologies. Military radar systems, which are critical for militaries to conduct threat detection and surveillance operations, are also likely to experience surging demand as countries look to strengthen their defense capabilities.
Plymouth Rock Technologies Inc. (CSE: PRT) (OTCQB: PLRTF) BREAKING NEWS: PLYMOUTH ROCK SIGNS LETTER OF INTENT WITH R3 TECHNOLOGIES TO BRING COMPACT THREAT DETECTION RADAR TO MARKET – Plymouth Rock Technologies (“Plymouth Rock”, “PRT”, or the “Company”), a leader in the development of cutting-edge threat detection technologies, announced that the company has executed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with New Mexico-based R3 Technologies Inc. (“R3T”) to collaborate on the market readiness, alternative use and sale of stand-off threat detection solutions to the US and international markets. R3T specializes in microwave radar detection systems, providing scientific and engineering capabilities to USA government laboratories and the US Department of Defense. PRT and R3T have collaborated to bring an ultra-compact bomb and concealed weapon detector, called CODA-1 (Cognitive Object Detection Apparatus), to market. CODA-1 is a lightweight radar detection system that uses microwave frequencies in the X-Band spectrum region, an established operating band for many security and radar applications. Due to its short wavelength X-Band is essential for basic cognitive identification and classification of both dangerous and common everyday items. CODA-1 will have its AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms set to the detection of concealed weapons, such as suicide bombs, assault weaponry and large bladed weapons from 3-10 feet. The CODA-1 has received extensive independent testing within the US Government, and will be available for evaluation and sale to government and military clients with existing checkpoint and search permissions commencing in the fourth quarter 2020.
“Over the past decade, the PRT and R3 founders have worked in collaboration with the US Army Technical Support and Operational Analysis (TSOA) and Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate on military and airport technology acceleration for the next generation of stand-off detection,” stated Carl Cagliarini, Chief Strategy Officer of PRT. “The CODA system will now be introduced to several existing US Government agencies including the Department of Homeland security APEX screening at speed directive.” (https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/apex-screening-speed)
Other key applications for the CODA-1 radar include use at military checkpoints to screen personal coming into a FOB (Forward Operating Base), transportation hub security checks such as entrance points in airports, subway, bus terminals etc., federal government facilities, embassies, sporting events and concerts.
PRT also envisions the CODA-1 system being integrated on our X1/XV drones and currently available security robots for threat detection in unstructured crowds. These types of robots add an additional layer of security in busy parking lots/structures, shopping malls, hospitals and corporate campuses.
“For R3T, this LOI is a significant milestone with PRT,” stated Robby Roberson CEO & President of R3T. “The first product to market, the CODA-1, will commercially launch this fall, under the PRT brand. It is our intention that future R3T developments, non-classified government programs and commercial offerings will be made available exclusively through the PRT brand and sales channels.” Read this and more news for PRT at: https://www.plyrotech.com/news/
Other recent developments in the defense and tech industries include: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, recently announced that it is offering CMMC pre-certification advisory services to commercial organizations and Department of Defense (DoD) contractors seeking CMMC compliance. CMMC advisory services currently include strategic and operational consulting services, gap assessment and remediation services, and documentation services.
As Mark Williams, Vice President, Kratos Cybersecurity Services explained: “Unlike most organizations offering CMMC Advisory services, Kratos is one of the first and largest FedRAMP third party assessment organizations (3PAO), is a member of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and sells to the DoD. As a result, we have a unique understanding and insight into how CMMC requirements impact DIB organizations and what can/should be done to satisfy these requirements.” FedRAMP is a U.S. government-wide certification program in which all cloud service providers (CSPs) must be authorized to provide cloud services to the U.S. Government.
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) recently announced that they will lead a team to help transform the U.S. Air Force’s flight simulator training used to help develop highly skilled air crews. The team will help the Air Force develop a set of common standards for simulator design and operation. Simulators are built by multiple providers using unique interfaces, which makes training updates difficult. SCARS’ stricter cybersecurity criteria will enable the Air Force to link simulators together, perform remote software updates and enrich the training environment.
There are approximately 2,400 simulators across 300 locations that will be updated with the new common architecture over the next few years. The initial task order covers nine sites and integrates new standards into the A-10 and KC-135 platforms.
Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB) recently announced Nuvotronics, which operates within its Cubic Mission and Performance Solutions (CMPS) business division received certifications from the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) as a Trusted Source for Post Processing and Package/Assembly services. Nuvotronics is one out of approximately 80 contractors in the U.S. to be certified. Nuvotronics is now a part of the DMEA’s Trusted Access Program Office (TAPO), which provides the Department of Defense (DoD) with trusted and assured suppliers of microelectronics parts essential to combat operations.
“This certification will support the continued evolution of our innovative and proven additive manufacturing process that offers trusted solutions for the advancement of U.S. platforms,” said Martin Amen, vice president and general manager, Cubic Nuvotronics. “Additionally, it gives our customers the added reassurance in our advanced technologies particularly within 5G and Satellite Communications.”
“The Post Processing and Package/Assembly trusted services accreditation puts Nuvotronics in a unique and exclusive position to provide the U.S. government and its supporting subcontractors with a consistent, reliable and secure supply chain, free from counterfeit or manipulated electronic parts,” said Mike Knowles, president of Cubic Mission and Performance Systems. “We are honored to be included among the DMEA-accredited suppliers for the DoD.”
Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) business, and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., an Israeli-based defense technology company, have signed a joint venture to establish an Iron Dome Weapon System production facility in the United States. The new partnership, called Raytheon RAFAEL Area Protection Systems, anticipates finalizing a site location before the end of the year.
“This will be the first Iron Dome all-up-round facility outside of Israel, and it will help the U.S. Department of Defense and allies across the globe obtain the system for defense of their service members and critical infrastructure,” said Raytheon Missiles & Defense Systems’ Sam Deneke, vice president of Land Warfare & Air Defense business execution. (Source: PR Newswire)
17 Sep 20. DroneShield wins Southeast Asia C-UAS deal, possibly with Singapore. Australian counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) developer announced on 11 September that it had received an order for a DroneSentry system for the army of an undisclosed Southeast Asian country that is “allied with the West”.
The order, which is the first for the particular country, includes a complete DroneSentry package comprising of RfOne MKIIRF direction-finding sensors, RadarZero revolutionary metamaterials radars, DroneCannon electronic warfare modules, and DroneOpt electro-optic systems with the proprietary DroneOptID AI/machine learning engine for target and payload visual recognition, identification and tracking.
The sensor feeds from these detection devices can then be fused together for comprehensive situational awareness and C-UAS countermeasures using the DroneShieldComplete command and control (C2) engine.
The order, worth US$1 m, is a full capability initial order that the company believes will lead to additional sales following its deployment. The system is expected to be delivered within the fourth quarter of 2020.
Singapore
Although no details of the customer had been revealed in the announcement, the island state of Singapore is widely seen as being West-leaning – despite its official policy of non-alignment – as evidenced by the large inventory of Western-made defence equipment (especially for its air and sea services), its large training footprint in countries such as Australia and the United States, and its enthusiastic participation in major US-led multilateral military exercises.
The country has grown increasingly concerned by the threat posed by small UASs to its dense civilian and military infrastructure, with the Republic of Singapore Air Force highlighting its new Jammer Gun and Drone Catcher systems in mid-2018. However, the army has yet to publicly show its C-UAS capabilities.
The latest order follows a 10 September announcement of a contract with the US Department of Defense (DoD) to introduce a range of feature enhancements for its DroneShieldComplete C2 system. The work is expected to lead to multiple purchases of DroneShield C-UAS products that would run on the enhanced C2 system.
“Combined with the recent sales to multiple European Government users, and yesterday’s announcement of a contract with the US Department of Defense, there is now a clear momentum in customer adoption of our products,” said DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik.
“Our world-leading product offering meets the requirement of some of the most demanding military and government users globally,” he added. (Source: AMR)
17 Sep 20. Thales and Leonardo to support Polish Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability with FLASH SONICS sonars.
- Four FLASH SONICS dipping sonar and sonobuoy processing systems from Thales will provide the Polish Navy with the latest-generation anti-submarine warfare capability.
- With its unparalleled threat detection and location performance, the FLASH sonar has become a major success story and consolidated Thales’s world leadership in airborne anti-submarine warfare sonars.
- Teams from Leonardo and Thales have worked jointly with local industry partners to meet the requirements of the Polish Navy.
The Polish Navy will rely on Thales to equip its helicopters with four FLASH SONICS. The FLASH system (Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters) is currently the leading dipping sonar on the international market and has become the benchmark system for the world’s major navies.
To maintain control over their maritime space and protect security interests around the world, naval forces need reliable, high-performance systems to operate with optimum effect on missions including anti-submarine warfare, maritime search & rescue, defence of maritime approaches and fleet protection for naval forces on deployment. The FLASH is the leading system in the international market for dipping sonars, providing a first-rate level of protection that is recognised by a large number of naval forces, including the US Navy, the UK Royal Navy, the French Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the navies of the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Sweden, South Korea, the Philippines and now Poland. To date, over 400 Flash systems have been delivered to about a dozen navies around the world.
The key benefits of this low-frequency wideband sonar include long-range detection with broad sector coverage and low false alarm rates in open ocean as well as littoral waters. Associated with an active and passive sonobuoy processing system, FLASH SONICS provides an unparalleled anti-submarine warfare capability. Initially designed for heavy helicopters such as the Merlin AW101 from Leonardo chosen by the Polish Navy, the system is also available in a compact version equipped with an electric motor for lighter helicopters like the AW159.
Thales and Leonardo have worked jointly with local industry partners, including the Polish aerospace and defence equipment manufacturer WZL1 and the Gdansk University of Technology (GUT), to meet the customer’s requirements. This cooperation demonstrates the Thales Group’s commitment and ability to build and maintain long-term partnerships with local players. GUT and WZL1 will benefit from transfers of technology for sonar maintenance on this programme.
“The FLASH system has been proven in operational deployments with numerous navies, making it a formidable threat for all types of submarines. It is an important instrument of operational superiority for our client navies in their anti-submarine warfare operations. We are very appreciative of the trust the Polish Navy has placed in us with this new contract in partnership with Leonardo, which further consolidates the Group’s world leadership position in anti-submarine warfare systems.” Alexis Morel, Vice President, Underwater Systems.
16 Sep 20. Jacobs Completes Successful Test Campaign of KeyRadar in AgilePod. Radar system and pod demonstrates real-time processing and target detection/recognition capabilities to find concealed targets in the most challenging operational environments on tactical timelines
Jacobs (NYSE: J) achieved an important milestone in the completion of a rigorous flight campaign with the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center for certification of Jacobs’ newest version of its proprietary KeyRadar® product in an aerial system pod called AgilePod®. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center certified the airworthiness of the pod for flight testing on commercially operated aircraft under FAA airworthiness criteria, a first for this pod.
This flight activity culminates a technical maturation phase for the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, a program to integrate KeyRadar into an aerial system pod and demonstrate its unique intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and target detection/recognition capabilities from manned and unmanned aircraft, with a self-contained, unpressurized rapid-on/rapid-off capability.
“The integration of KeyRadar into an aerial system pod brings unique capabilities for ISR and time-critical detection/recognition applications,” said Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions Senior Vice President Steve Arnette. “The completion of this flight campaign and certification represents a successful collaboration between our newly integrated team since acquiring KeyW and our partnership with the Air Force in delivering advanced technical solutions to the intelligence mission.”
KeyRadar is a multi-mission, multi-mode system built on a software-defined radio/radar architecture. The radar system combines multiple bands with sophisticated processing and detection/recognition software to find concealed targets in the most challenging operational environments. Jacobs’ modular open system architecture enables users to rapidly field new capabilities to operational systems, significantly lowering total life cycle costs. The program also demonstrated the utility of Jacobs’ KeyPAD™ software which is applied in KeyRadar for automated human-made object detection to improve system performance, reduce operator workload and autonomously generate high-value tactical intelligence.
The radar was packaged in the pod system – a modular, open architecture aircraft external store – to meet Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) standards. The radar and pod were operated in an unpressurized environment, varying between extreme warm and extreme cold temperatures, to include moisture saturating weather, and were evaluated against engineering, performance and environmental specifications. (Source: PR Newswire)
17 Sep 20. Triangulate to Accumulate. NATO’s CESMO initiative promises a step change in how the alliance collects electronic intelligence offering tactical, operational and strategic advantages. An accurate, timely electronic order-of-battle detailing the identity of hostile ground-based air surveillance and fire control/ground-controlled interception radars is to the Offensive Counter Air (OCA) battle what Mozzarella cheese and tomato is to pizza. Quite simply the success of Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) efforts, a key element of the Offensive Counter-Air battle, is dependent on the SEAD force possessing the most accurate Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) possible. This not only helps the SEAD force ascertain where to direct its kinetic and electronic effects against such targets, but also allows other aircraft to plan their sorties in such a way as to avoid, or reduce, the chance of detection by these radars.
Link-16 remains the standard track and tactical information Tactical Data Link (TDL) used by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and allied nations during air operations. Few would argue with Link-16’s positive influence on air operations. One paper it can support data rates of up to one megabit-per-second, although in practice, data rates tend to be noticeably lower across the 960 megahertz/MHz to 1.215 gigahertz/GHz frequencies it uses, typically hovering around the 115 kilobits-per-second/kbps mark.
The TDL can handle tactical traffic concerning Electronic Warfare (EW), typically the J14 and J14.0 series messages it handles which relate to emitter parametric information and EW control coordination respectively. Parametric information relates to the characteristics of radar emissions in the locale of the operation. Analysing this information will often help to betray the identity of those radars. Once this is known, it is possible to decide which countermeasures will be most effective in neutralising them.
As the TDL is not designed exclusively to handle EW information, with just two albeit important categories of electronic warfare data handled by Link-16, another means of handling EW information in the air environment has emerged known as CESMO (Cooperative ESM Operations). NATO’s CESMO initiative performs an elegantly simple function: It detects and locates electromagnetic threats, notably radar, by gathering ELINT collected by several disparate aircraft and federating this to provide an accurate picture of where hostile radars maybe located at any particular time.
Naval ESMs like the ES-3701 are important tools for collecting ELINT which not only helps to enhance vessel protection, but which can also feed intelligence into the NEDB system.
Triangulation
Radars are located using two methods; Angle-Of-Arrival (AOA) and Time of Arrival (TOA). AOA determines the Line-of-Bearing (LOB) from on point to another, in this case an aircraft and a hostile radar. Imagine that three aircraft are flying in the vicinity of a ground-based air surveillance radar. One aircraft is flying towards the radar on a north-south bearing. The second is flying on an east-west radial away from it. The third is flying on a south-north bearing towards the radar. Each aircraft is equipped with a Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). The RWR will detect and identify a radar transmission and determine its LOB relative to the aircraft. All three of our aircraft detect the same radar transmission. The RWR on the first aircraft determines a southern LOB to the radar. The RWR on the second determines a westerly LOB to the radar while the RWR on the third aircraft determines a northerly LOB. By using this information, it is possible to determine the radar’s position as the point where all three of these bearings meet. CESMO will compute this point using the ELINT derived from these aircraft’s RWRs, and fusing this with the aircraft’s positions as derived from their transmitted GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) coordinates to determine the radar’s location.
NATO’s Trial Hammer 2005 exercise represented an opportunity to trial the CESMO architecture which is now in service with a number of alliance members.
TOA works in a slightly different fashion. Sticking with our three aircraft, all of which are continuing to fly the same courses in the vicinity of the hostile radar. One aircraft is 100 nautical miles/nm (185.2 kilometres/km) away from the radar flying on north-south bearing towards it. The second is 150nm (277.8km) from the radar, flying on an east-west radial away from it, and the third is 50nm (92.6km) away from the radar flying on a south-north bearing towards it. Triangulation relies on the fact that radar transmissions travel at the speed of light; 161,595 nautical miles-per-second (299,274 kilometres-per-second). The radar transmissions will take a different amount of time to reach each aircraft’s RWR. For the first aircraft it will take the radar transmissions 0.6 milliseconds to reach the plane, for the second it will take 0.9 milliseconds and for the third it will take 0.1 milliseconds. As radar transmissions move at the speed of light, by calculating the difference in time it takes the radar transmissions to reach each of these aircraft relative to the aircraft’s position itis possible to calculate where the radar is located.
The presence of noise in the electromagnetic spectrum and the possibility of RF error propagation will mean that the AOA approach will present the location of the hostile emitter as an ellipse around a central point rather than an ‘x marks the spot’ location. The more measurements that can be obtained vis-à-vis this radar from more platforms the better the location accuracy of the radar becomes. Once a radar is located it can be avoided with aircraft flying outside its detection range. Alternatively, the radar can be engaged kinetically or electronically as part of the SEAD fight. The cool thing about CESMO is that it can employ ELINT sent from the standard RWRs used by combat aircraft for self-protection and from warships equipped with Electronic Support Measures (ESMs) which maybe supporting the operation.
Information Flow
At the tactical level, an ESM or RWR will detect a hostile emitter. This information will flow to the Electronic Warfare Coordination Centre (EWOC) supporting a specific air operation which will usually comprise part of the CAOC (Combined Air Operations Centre). At the EWOC the ELINT sent by these platforms will be analysed and the radar’s parameters analysed. As Jonathan Burton, a specialist engineer at 3SDL notes: “This information would then be transmitted back out on the CESMO network as well as provided to the headquarters to support situational awareness.” 3SDL is heavily involved in the CESMO initiative, providing consultancy and software support to the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory which is playing a leading role in the realisation of the overall CESMO concept including the CESMO Hub software which implements NATO’s Standardisation Agreement 4658 (STANAG-4658). STANAG-4658 governs the CESMO specifications. Within NATO, CESMO is the responsibility of the alliance’s Signals Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Working Group. It has been under development since 1995. 3SDL is offering the CESMO Hub as an operational product, Mr. Burton continues. As well as collecting ELINT, CESMO can be used to hoover up Communications Intelligence (COMINT) regarding hostile radios and communications networks.
CESMO uses IP (Internet Protocol) messaging to share SIGINT. For all intents and purposes, CESMO is a message standard used to convey the information discussed above, says Mr. Burton: “CESMO is designed to be bearer agnostic. As such it can use any bearer that supports an IP network,” he notes. These IP messages can occupy under 16kbps of bandwidth and sent across existing communications protocols. Furthermore, CESMO is a node-less network as there is no single, central point of control. Should one platform sharing SIGINT be lost, this will not cause the loss of the network. Neither does CESMO handle ELINT in a single direction. As well as sharing SIGINT with the network, platforms can receive timely intelligence in their cockpits giving them an instant view of the location and behaviour of a hostile radar. Mr. Burton continues that the CESMO messaging standard is now in service with several NATO nations. The technology’s application is not limited to air platforms: The bearer agnostic nature of the network means that any platform with a radio capable of handling IP data could share and receive CESMO information: “CESMO is designed to support integration into air, land and maritime platforms. A CESMO operation can be conducted with platforms from any and all domains so there is great flexibility to support any individual mission.”
EW databases are vital tools in the electromagnetic battle as a means of storing and sharing emitter information. The CESMO initiative will help populate these important resources; a process which will be eased by CESMO’s use of IP messaging.
NEDB
CESMO has dual benefits in that it can enhance operational and tactical ELINT, while also enhancing ELINT at the strategic level. The alliance uses the NEDB (NATO Emitter Database) as the repository of electronic intelligence which is stored and shared amongst its membership. The NEDB has been in use since the early 1990s as a means by which member nations can share ELINT.
Northrop Grumman and Raytheon’s AN/ALR-67(V) series of RWRs equipping platforms like the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing F/A-18 Hornet series combat aircraft could share the ELINT they collect across the CESMO network.
For example, the L3Harris ES-3701 ESM equipping a ‘Iver Huitfeldt’ class frigate of the Søværnet (Royal Danish Navy) may discover a new radar waveform during a routine patrol. This intelligence maybe analysed by the ES-3701 or by ELINT analysts back at base after the mission if the detected emissions fall outside the ESM’s threat library. Once analysed, the transmission’s details and characteristics can be sent to the NEDB. Alliance members can view this information and load these parameters into their own ESMs and RWR threat libraries so that similar transmissions can be recognised and recorded in the future. CESMO represents an important milestone in the reinforcement of the alliance’s overall electromagnetic situational awareness, and that of its member nations. (Source: Armada)
16 Sep 20. Hawkeye to get HUD. The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft is to be equipped with a head-up display (HUD) for the first time in its near-60-year service life. The carrier-borne AEW&C platform, which is currently the only US Navy (USN) aircraft not to be fitted with a HUD, will undergo the upgrade via the service’s Hawkeye Cockpit Technical Refresh (HECTR) programme.
“For decades, we have improved the weapon system of the [E-2D] Advanced Hawkeye, but the cockpit has remained largely unchanged [from the earlier E-2C variant],” Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) said. “HECTR solves some of our obsolescence issues and brings new navigation and communication capability. With the aerial refuelling-capable variant of the E-2D as our new baseline, HECTR makes it safer for our crews who must land on the aircraft carrier after many hours of being on station. HECTR is an essential upgrade that brings the E-2D Hawkeye Cockpit into the 21st Century.”
Announced on 14 September, the USD34m requirements phase for the engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) part of the HECTR upgrade contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman on 3 August.
“The HECTR is a critical redesign of hardware and software components of the current E-2D Integration Navigation, Controls, and Displays System (INCDS) as well as an integration of the cockpit solution into the weapon system. HECTR will use an E-2D Mission Computer Alternative, currently under development at PMA-209 [Air Combat Electronics Program Office], as part of its design. The cockpit redesign will allow the platform to achieve Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Required Navigation Performance Area Navigation capability,” NAVAIR said.(Source: Jane’s)
15 Sep 20. SRC Demonstrates On-the-Move CUAS Technology at Apollyon Test Event. SRC Inc., recently demonstrated an on-the-move configuration of the Silent Archer counter-unmanned aircraft system (UAS) technology at the Apollyon test event at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
SRC integrated systems from our partners Persistent Systems, Copious Imaging, and Defense Research Associates, to demonstrate the only on-the-move counter-UAS solution during the event. The Silent Archer technology detected, tracked, and defeated UAS while moving using integrated radar, optical, electronic warfare (EW) and cyber sub-systems.
SRC’s Silent Archer counter-UAS technology is a system of systems designed for rapid deployment. The on-the-move configuration consists of SRC’s SkyChaser radar, counter-UAS camera systems, multi-mission EW system, tactical radio, and mobile decision framework to detect, track, classify, and defeat hostile UAS. The Silent Archer on-the-move configuration is designed to be modular and can be reconfigured with different sensors and effectors to adapt to specific mission requirements.
“This successful demonstration confirmed the effectiveness of Silent Archer’s on-the-move counter-UAS capabilities to protect warfighters,” said Kevin Hair, president and CEO of SRC, Inc. “We are excited to showcase how this advanced counter-UAS technology is ready for the field to help support our customers’ urgent needs.” (Source: UAS VISION)
15 Sep 20. Cambridge Pixel Unmanned Surface Vessels Applications. Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) are a rapidly expanding area of interest for navies and commercial enterprises around the world. Cambridge Pixel is at the forefront of USV development, partnering with some of the key USV developers and manufacturers across the US, Europe and Asia.
USVs find a multitude of uses, from mine hunting/sweeping to scientific research and surveying. It may be desirable to use a USV on projects that require long periods at sea or when conditions are simply too dangerous for manned craft. USVs can be much cheaper to deploy than manned vessels, while at the same time offering operational benefits, such as extended operating periods.
A USV may incorporate a number of sensing technologies to assist with navigation, collision avoidance and target recognition. Cambridge Pixel’s expertise and products for radar processing provides a core set of capabilities for USV developers, including:
- Interface options to a wide range of maritime and specialist radars
- A highly configurable target tracker
- Fusion of tracks from multiple radars and auxiliary data such as AIS and ADS-B
- Camera control from radar, slew-to-cue and video-based tracking
- Mission recording of radar video, tracks, AIS, video and navigation data
- Display applications for remote monitoring
- Simulation and training
A feature of many USVs is their ability to navigate round obstacles autonomously. While the position of stationary objects such as land and buoys may be known ahead of deployment, the dynamic position of other ships and vehicles must be sensed as the USV moves. Radar is fundamental to detecting potential obstacles at significant ranges. Extracting and tracking targets from radar video is a core competence of Cambridge Pixel.
14 Sep 20. IAF proposes to establish Air Defence Radars in three border districts. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has reportedly proposed plans to establish Air Defence Radars in three border districts.
The plan comes at a time when the country is locked in an ongoing standoff with Chinese forces on the line of actual control (LAC) in Ladakh.
The districts are in Uttarakhand and include Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Uttarkashi.
Additionally, IAF has planned to develop a new advance landing ground to execute the activities in the state’s mountainous areas.
Indian Express reported that Central Air-Command AOC-in-C Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar held discussions with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat regarding the proposals and requirement of land.
The government and IAF will select respective nodal officers who will work together to select the land.
A senior official was quoted by local media sources as saying: “IAF has given a proposal to set up airforce radars in three districts and are looking for a suitable site for that.
“They want land for advance landing ground, which can be used for refuelling, as well as uploading and downloading of ammunition. The state government is working in coordination with them to do the needful.”
Last week, IAF formally inducted the first five Rafale multirole aircraft at Ambala Air Force Station, India.
Last month, IAF deployed the locally developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas on the western front.
In July, the government approved the purchase of 33 fighter aircraft to strengthen its airforce. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
15 Sep 20. Sonardyne’s Solstice MCM sonar now MINTACS compatible for Royal Australian Navy. Marine technology company Sonardyne has announced that its Solstice multi-aperture sonar has been integrated into mine warfare command software used by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Through a collaboration with Australian defence software engineering company Solutions from Silicon (SfS), data collected by Solstice during mine counter measure (MCM) missions can now be imported, processed and displayed in the most recent release of the MINTACs (Mine Warfare Tactical Command Software) which is in service with the RAN.
Sonardyne’s Solstice is widely considered a force multiplier for MCM operations, enabling substantially higher area coverage rates (ACR) using low-cost, low-logistics autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). It provides 200m wide swath with an unrivalled 0.15° along-track resolution and consumes just 18 Watts, maximising vehicle endurance.
Solstice is now fitted, as standard, to General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Bluefin-9 and Bluefin-12 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Seven Bluefin-9 and Bluefin-12s will join the RAN’s UUV fleet this year under its SEA 1778 program. They will be based at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney and will search for, classify and identify sea mines.
MINTACS provides the operator with the ability to not only read and display the Solstice data but also mark mine-like objects (MLOs) of interest and process the images with its powerful onboard automatic target recognition (ATR) capability. MINTACS is in service with host of countries around the world including the national navies of the UK, Australia, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Sweden.
“Naval Mine Warfare is currently experiencing a major generational change that once complete will see unmanned and autonomous systems take on virtually all aspects of a traditional crewed mine hunter, including detection, classification, identification, and neutralization,” says Russell Norman, Technical Director, at SfS. “With the significantly increased sonar ranges provided by Solstice, compared with traditional side-scan sonar, the goal of achieving the required area coverage rates is one step closer.”
Ioseba Tena, Global Business Manager – Defence & Robotics, at Sonardyne, says, “At Sonardyne we are really proud to be supporting SfS and their efforts to provide additional capability to the Royal Australian Navy. We’re confident that, with Solstice data now within the MINTACS database, the Royal Australian Navy will see tangible gains as part of its ongoing expansion of its deployable mine countermeasures capability in the maritime domain.”
11 Sep 20. NATO C-UAS trials feature technology supplied by 42 Solutions, Robin Radar and Rinicom. NATO Communications and Information Agency is hosting a live trial session of anti-drone technology at the Joint Nucleus Counter-UAS Test Center of the Ground Based Air Defence Command in the Netherlands from September 28th until October 2nd 2020.
Dutch software provider 42 Solutions will deploy its recently released UAV threat mitigation solution called Sparrow and will interface with multiple sensor platforms gathered for the event. Sparrow is a modular multi-sensor and fully integrated system that helps organizations threatened by rogue drone operations to respond instantly thanks to an accurate air picture. Sparrow assesses threats by incorporating UTM and ATC data and shares the situational awareness with all involved stakeholders, including ATC and security forces. Swift alerting capabilities facilitate agile and collaborative decision-making.
Sparrow uses information from multiple sources to detect UAV traffic. The system can be configured with a variety of sensor technologies and classification methods (electro- optical, radio-frequency, doppler signatures) to ensure maximized detection quality. The system has already been successfully integrated with Robin Radar’s Elvira and Rinicom’s SkyPatriot. Rinicom is 42 Solutions’ technology partner in the EUROSTARS funded Counter-UAV Protection System for Airports (CUPS) and provides Sparrow with high-performance electro-optical coverage associated with comprehensive AI-based video analytics for autonomous target identification and classification. The open architecture can also integrate additional sensors depending on the mission profile and customer requirements. Traffic is displayed on a customizable air situation display which uses ATC data, sensor target reports and UTM data. UAV traffic that is violating regulations and/or compromising safety will trigger an alert on a Command & Control (C2) position. Information can be disseminated to all parties involved on a mobile app and collaborative decisions can be taken faster to efficiently eliminate the threat.
Rinicom’s SkyPatriot EO sensors will be deployed alongside Sparrow and ELVIRA to widen the scope of detection visually and help reduce false positive by separating detections of birds and drones picked up by the radar. Furthermore, SkyPatriot will add autonomy to the overall solution to reduce the requirement of specialist operators.
For more information visit:
www.42solutions.nl
www.rinicom.com
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Sep 20. FAA seeks four airport operators to participate in UAS detection and mitigation research programme.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking airport operators willing to host a portion of the FAA’s Airport Unmanned Aircraft System(s) (UAS) Detection and Mitigation Research Programme. The Department of Transport (DoT) agency issued solicitation 692M15-20-R-00028 on 4 September 2020.
The FAA anticipates selecting four airport operators. Each selected airport operator will be required to enter into a Firm-Fixed-Price Agreement with the FAA.
Questions and comments that arise from this solicitation should be submitted via e-mail by 5:00 P.M. EST, October 8, 2020. Responses must be submitted by 5:00 P.M. EST, October 22, 2020 in accordance with the DoT document titled “692M15-20-R-00028 Solicitation for Airport Operators Interested in Hosting FAA UAS Detection and Mitigation Research Program.”
Responses to this solicitation reflect an expression of interest only and do not commit the FAA or the airport operator. The FAA will not pay for any information received or costs incurred in preparing responses to this solicitation. Therefore, any cost associated with the solicitation is solely at the interested airport operator’s expense.
Submission date: 22 October 2020
Point of contact:
For more information visit:
www.beta.sam.gov
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
10 Sep 20. Israel’s Xtend VR, net-capture drone system “now working with the US military.” According to Israeli news outlet Haarzetz, the US military has launched a new drone project with the Israeli company Xtend, using its Skylord system to intercept enemy drones by casting nets around them from short range. Skylord been tested along the border with the Gaza Strip, says the news report, with pilots operating the drone controls with the help of augmented and virtual reality goggles.
“The deal, as part of which the company has already delivered hundreds of drones to the American military, is valued at tens of millions of shekels,” says the report. “Xtend has recently reported over USD10m in revenues since its launch. The company develops the software allowing remote control over the drones and the technology controlling the interface with the drones themselves. The firm produces the drones in Israeli factories, but will soon start producing them in the U.S. as well.
“The small drones can reach speeds of 200 kilometers per hour (124 m.p.h), and are equipped with a net on their underside, which can unfold on deployment and ensnare a hostile drone. This aspect of the system could help supplement the more common ways of intercepting drones, usually based on interference with their signaling.”
The Israeli Defence Ministry’s Directorate of Defence Research & Development is reported to be working with Xtend and funding some of its work.
For more information
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/tech-news/.premium-u-s-military-tests-israeli-made-drone-intercepting-drones-1.9138819
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
14 Sep 20. Boeing Showcases Compact Laser in Air Force Future Battlefield Exercise. During a September 3 field test of the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, CLWS successfully defended a force protection convoy against unmanned aerial systems while mounted on a small Utility Task Vehicle.
Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon System, (CLWS) – developed to provide cost-effective, precision air defense capabilities for warfighters against unmanned aircraft systems – is one of the latest examples of a new technology that the U.S. Air Force sees as integral to the interconnected battlefield of the not-so-distant future.
ABMS is the Air Force’s concept for joint all-domain operations – the future of integrated data sharing between all U.S. service branches across the air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. Once implemented, the system will enable everything from autonomous systems and piloted aircraft to ground vehicles and troops to share information via a cloud-based network to detect and respond to threats faster and more efficiently.
“In a future scenario, an integrated and networked direct energy capability – as demonstrated in this exercise by CLWS – would provide operators with vital information and a means to respond to threats at greater speeds,” said Ron Dauk, program manager of Boeing’s Laser & Electro-Optical Systems.
Throughout the exercise, CLWS transmitted live video and readings on the threats, as well as various elements of the convoy, to operators at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland – providing them with both real-time situational awareness and remote operating capabilities. During the scenario, CLWS received a target cue through the network and defeated a simulated unmanned aircraft vehicle.
“The ABMS exercise is further proof of Boeing’s combat-ready capabilities,” said Robert Green, director of Integrated Air and Missile Defense. “Military operators continue to have great success with our systems with only minimal training.”
Boeing is well-positioned to serve as a key industry partner for the Air Force in directed energy and on the future battlefield. As part of its efforts to accelerate the integration of new technologies to implement ABMS, the Air Force awarded Boeing a development contract in June to compete for individual task orders through 2025. (Source: UAS VISION)
14 Sep 20. RADA Announces $10m in New Orders since mid-July 2020. Received new orders of $59m since start of 2020. RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: RADA) announced the receipt of $10m in accumulated new orders since mid-July 2020. To date, the aggregate amount of new orders since the beginning of 2020 has reached $59mi, compared to $35m received for the same period in 2019, demonstrating an increase of over 68% year-over-year.
Out of the $10m new orders, 70% were for RADA’s growth-engine, software-defined tactical radars, for counter UAV and counter fires (C-RAM). Most of the new radar orders were follow-ons from existing customers. Deliveries of these orders are planned to be concluded within the next six months. The rest of the orders were for digital video recorders and debriefing stations for fighter aircraft, along with maintenance orders for RADA’s avionics installed base.
RADA reiterates its recently increased guidance for 2020, provided on August 11, 2020, with revenues expected to grow to over $70m and representing an increase of over 58% year-over-year.
Dov Sella, RADA’s CEO, commented, “We are very satisfied with the continuous growth of new orders. We expect that by year-end this sustained growth rate of new orders will establish significant backlog for 2021. While our radars’ business is growing at a significant rate, the repeated orders for avionics from our loyal customer base also ensure stability of this business of ours. We reiterate our expectations of sequential quarterly growth and growing operating profit throughout the remainder of 2020 and into 2021.”
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