Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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10 Feb 23. Thales and Schiebel to deliver innovative eyes in the sky protection for Royal Navy using uncrewed rotary aircraft solution.
- Thales and Schiebel are pleased to announce they have been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to deliver a game changing rotary wing Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to provide a protective ‘eye in the sky’ capability for Royal Navy warships.
- The contract for the Peregrine system will see a rotary-powered UAS, fitted with powerful naval surveillance sensors suite, deployed to help protect a Type 23 frigate on operational tasking.
- This partnership will bring together a combined 30 years of experience in UAS design, integration, test and operations with the S-100’s proven track record.
International navies now find themselves increasingly threatened by a range of hostile platforms, often in congested maritime environments. The ability for an uncrewed rotary aircraft that can launch quickly and then provide long-range mission endurance and the ability to find, fix, track and identify targets will bring additional protection for the ship and its crew, gaining them invaluable time to prepare and respond.
Thales will act as the lead systems integrator for the programme that brings together an unrivalled combination of proven UAS capability from Schiebel and a range high precision intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors and systems from Thales.
Schiebel will provide its operationally proven CAMCOPTER® S-100, a highly-effective uncrewed air system which already has more than 100,000 operating hours, including demanding deck-launched operations in challenging winds and sea states.
The S-100’s sensors, supported by an Automatic Identification System and fused together with the CarteNav AIMS Mission System provides the operator the ability to detect and identify unknown targets quickly.
The Thales I-Master radar can be operated in both Synthetic Aperture Radar and Maritime Moving Target Indication modes and once it detects and finds a contact, the on board electro-optical/infra-red sensor is cross-cued to perform the identification.
High-definition imagery and radar data is downloaded to the human operator and disseminated in real time through the host ship’s Combat Management System and made available to multiple users.
This partnership will bring together a combined 30 years of experience in UAS design, integration, test and operations with the S-100’s proven track record. This combined capability is built on trusted solutions that deliver real value with immediate effect.
Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group, said: “We are immensely proud that the CAMCOPTER® S-100 is the UK Ministry of Defence’s choice for its prestigious Peregrine programme. The S-100 is the optimal UAS for a growing number of Navies worldwide and has proven its superiority and outstanding capabilities throughout its numerous operational deployments.”
Alex Cresswell, CEO of Thales in the UK, said: “This is a significant milestone for the Royal Navy as it is an immediate enhancement to its operational capability, but it also supports their strategic transition to uncrewed technology in line with their Future Maritime Aviation Force strategy. I am pleased that our long tradition of supporting the Royal Navy’s ‘eyes and ears’ situational awareness capability continues with this latest contract.”
09 Feb 23. DroneShield and Pierce Aerospace Partner, Integrating Advanced Remote ID and C-UAS Technologies.
DroneShield, a global industry leader in C-UAS (Counter-UAS or Counterdrone) and Pierce Aerospace have announced a partnership to integrate Pierce Aerospace’s Flight Portal ID, Remote ID technologies into DroneShield’s C-UAS and Command and Control systems, including DroneSentry-C2.
DroneShield, with offices in the United States and Australia, and presence in over 100 countries globally, is a leader in C-UAS technology with a recent recommendation from the U.S. DOD’s Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) and numerous systems deployed worldwide. DroneShield customers range from the United States Air Force to Australian Defence Force and multiple European military agencies. The two companies announced a partnership to integrate Pierce Aerospace’s Flight Portal ID, Remote ID technology suite, into DroneShield’s products to provide enhanced situational awareness to DroneShield end users. This integration gives end users advanced UAS identification capabilities that were previously not available. These joint capabilities will be available to customers in 2023.
“We’ve worked with DroneShield for a few years at private and DOD-sponsored C-UAS integration events,” said Aaron Pierce, CEO of Pierce Aerospace. “DroneShield has been a consistent advocate for our capabilities, and their technologies offer a great platform for integration. Their C-UAS systems are proven, and I’m excited to see end users work with an integrated solutions package that pairs radio frequency based detect and defeat, innovative command and control, and our Remote ID and Combat ID capabilities.”
03 Feb 23. Australian defence tech thrives in Canadian counter UAV contest. Australian defence and space company Electro Optic Systems Australia has made a strong showing at the Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox. Defence companies from across the globe were invited to compete with their best drone-destroying technology in real-world environment scenarios at the sandbox event held in Alberta, Canada from 12 September to 7 October last year.
Teams were given the objective of detecting or defeating (kinetically or non-kinetically) micro and mini uncrewed aerial systems with systems that can be integrated into the broader military command and control system.
The operational scenarios included defending a forward operating base, airfield, or VIP conference location; defending a mobile vehicle patrol of five vehicles; defending 12 dismounted soldiers or a VIP group in a static location; defending major city downtown location square of four city blocks; and defending a ship’s superstructure docked or underway in coastal water.
Each scenario was evaluated on the ability to detect and track the UAS before the UAS detects, observes, acts or transmits any data it collects. Teams were also evaluated on the ability to recognise the UAS as a mini/micro UAS, larger UAS or an aircraft to reduce the likelihood of accidental alarms. (Source: Defence Connect)
03 Feb 23. D-Fend Solutions white paper compares counter drone detection technologies featured in IDGA report. A white paper released by drone detection company D-Fend examines counter drone detection technologies featured in the Institute for Defense & Government Advancement (IDGA) 2022 Market Report. The D-Fend white paper adds perspective and comprehensive comparison and evaluation of both legacy and recent technologies, highlighting the unique/specific needs of both sensitive and civilian environments. The IDGA report reviews both legacy and recent counter-drone detection options, including descriptions, primary uses, strengths, challenges, and operational considerations.
In the white paper, D-Fend compares counter drone technologies and identifies challenges associated with each:
Technology
Challenge
Radar detection
False positives & signal refraction
Electro-optical
Requires line of sight
RF directional finders
Achieving exact precision and accuracy
Accoustic
Noisy environments and quiet drones
Cyber takeover
Overcoming advanced drone protocols
In the white paper, D-Fend compares mitigation technologies and identifies challenges associated with each:
Kinetic
Collateral damage risk
Lasers
Accuracy affected by weather conditions
Electromagnetic Pulse EMP, high power microwave
Significant collateral damage to electronics in area
GNSS electromagnetic
Navigational disruption
Cyber takeover
Overcoming advanced drone protocols
Regarding deployment, D-Fend finds counter drone operation requires multiple deployment options for operational flexibility.
Access the white paper here: https://info.d-fendsolutions.com/detection
For more information visit: 03 Feb 23. www.d-fendsolutions.com/detection
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Feb 23. US DHS extends deadline for industry to respond to counter-UAS equipment requirement. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended its deadline for requests for information (RFI) from industry from February 7 to February 14 for its latest counter-UAS system acquisition programme “to address current and future threats and gaps regarding unmanned aircraft systems.”
According to the tender document:
“DHS is interested in learning about the availability of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), which include the capability to detect, identify, classify, track, and/or mitigate these threats. DHS has an operational need for fixed site as well as rapidly deployable, mobile, and single person-portable employment modes to provide situational awareness and mitigation capabilities for personnel in the field.
“This RFI seeks to obtain information from industry about the availability of C-UASs with the characteristics described in Attachment A, C-UAS Characteristics. C-UASs described in the responses to the RFI shall have both a Technology Readiness Level and a Manufacturing Readiness Level of 6 or greater. Please refer to the DHS S&T Product Realization of Oct 2013 for level information[1].
This capability aligns with the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) missions and Strategic Goal 1, “Counter Terrorism and Homeland Security Threats”, and associated objectives[2]
- Objective 1.1 Collect, analyze, and share actionable intelligence
- Objective 1.2 Detect and disrupt threats
- Objective 1.3 Protect designated leadership, events, and soft targets
- Objective 1.4 Counter weapons of mass destruction and emerging threats
C-UASs will align with these overarching goals and mission priorities. In order to meet these goals and mission priorities, the core mission capabilities of the C-UAS include the following Mission Thread capabilities:
Predict: The capability to receive flight information, intelligence, and other advance and historical information.
Detect: To discover the presence of an unmanned airborne object within a defined reaction time and within a defined volume of airspace during all weather, day/night, 24x7x365.
Identify: To positively ascertain a detected Track of Interest (ToI) with a unique identifier and aircraft characteristics.
Classify: To determine the level of threat, risk, and/or intent of a detected ToI.
Track: To follow the progress or movements of a ToI continuously from detection through response for total airspace situational awareness.
Respond: To employ resources to address a potential incursion.
C-UASs will be responsible for countering the threat of UASs. Each C-UAS will be responsible for monitoring its area of coverage. The number of C-UAS deployed across locations will vary based on geography, availability of equipment and trained operators, and operational need. When deployed, the system will provide the C-UAS operator with information regarding detection, identification, classification, tracking, and mitigation of UAS threats. These UASs typically consist of a UAV (drone), a ground-based controller, and a system of communications between the two. The drones can be of varying sizes and weights, as well as varying configurations such as fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing, or hybrid. In addition, the sensor and payload capabilities vary between drones, as well as the data collection and transmission capabilities.
One example of an operational scenario includes a fixed C-UAS deployed to an operating area of interest.
- Upon detecting drone threats, the system logs the information and notifies the operator of a threat (either locally on the system interface, or remotely via connection to an information network).
- Next, the system begins to track the drone (determines drone and operator location and flight path) and attempts to classify and identify drones in terms of known characteristics (e.g., model, weight, payload, frequency, and launch location).
- In addition, the information collected in real-time will allow operators to take appropriate action given the drones known location.
- If deemed necessary and in accordance with policy, the system will enable operators to disrupt or deny further operation of the drone.
Throughout the scenario, the system data and intelligence are logged to increase awareness to the current and future drone threat.
For more information
https://sam.gov/opp/ad48853bdb584ad183905a47ffb8d414/view
(Image: Shutterstock)
[1] https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Product%20Realization%20Guide.pdf
[2] Department of Homeland Security, (n.d.). “The DHS Strategic Plan Fiscal Years 2020-2024”. [Online]. Available: https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/19_0702_plcy_dhs-strategic-plan-fy20-24.pdf (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Feb 23. US Army wants ideas from industry on autonomous, anti-drone capabilities. Army Futures Command called on industry for white papers outlining potential technology capabilities it will look to deploy as part of its modernization strategy.
Army Futures Command is on the hunt for new tools ahead of its next Technology Gateway program this fall and is looking to industry to determine what solutions it will experiment with.
In a special notice released Friday, AFC called for industry white papers outlining potential technology capabilities it will look to deploy as part of its modernization strategy.
The Technology Gateway series is part of the military service’s Project Convergence effort, a broader campaign that began in 2020 to integrate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics and autonomy into plans for Joint Warfighting Concept and Joint All Domain Command and Control.
“Technology Gateway is a collaborative experiment between industry partners and the Army, intended to enable collective innovation and identify novel technology capabilities that will help the Army achieve its modernization goals,” the notice said. “It provides industry a structured opportunity to demonstrate their technologies to government representatives in a controlled and operationally relevant environment.”
AFC held its first Technology Gateway at the Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, in October 2022, as part of last fall’s Project Convergence event, and this year’s edition is also slated for October.
The Feb. 3 special notice calls for focus areas on solutions that utilize tools like autonomous technology to deliver large quantities of supplies at scale, like fuel and management systems to help efficiently oversee hundreds of autonomous capabilities simultaneously.
Other requests include tools to help defeat the targeting and delivery capabilities of loitering munitions drones and unmanned aerial systems, solutions to help defense against electromagnetic warfare threats, innovative tools for reconnoitering and securing river — or “wet gap” — crossings and new innovations for multi-domain obscuration and maneuver.
Army modernization priorities include long range precision fires, next generation combat vehicles, future vertical lift, network, air and missile defense and soldier lethality.
White paper submissions will go through a two-step evaluation process based on technical merit and operational merit reviews, with qualifying companies being invited to the Technology Gateway based on the final operational merit review. Interested companies have until 4 p.m. EST on March 31 to respond. (Source: FCW)
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Blighter Surveillance Systems is a world-leading designer and manufacturer of best-in-class electronic-scanning ground-based radars, surveillance solutions and Counter-UAS systems. Blighter’s solid-state micro-Doppler products are deployed in more than 35 countries across the globe, delivering consistent all-weather security protection and wide area surveillance along borders, coastlines, at military bases and across critical infrastructure such as airports, oil and gas facilities and palaces. Blighter radars are also used to protect manoeuvre force missions when deployed on military land vehicles and trailers, and its world-beating multi-mode radar represents a great leap in threat detection technology and affordability for use in a variety of scenarios.
The Blighter range of radar products are used for detecting a variety of threats, from individuals on foot to land vehicles, boats, drones and low-flying aircraft at ranges of up to 32 km. Blighter Surveillance Systems employs 40 people and is located near Cambridge, UK, where it designs, produces and markets its range of unique patented solid-state radars. Blighter prides itself on being an engineer-led business committed to providing cost-effective and flexible solutions across the defence, critical infrastructure and national security markets.
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