Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
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16 Feb 23. BEL displays multisensor payload for Dhruv MK III helicopter. India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has displayed its short wave infra-red (SWIR) REV III multisensor optical payload for the Dhruv Mk III light helicopter at the Aero India 2023 show, being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. The Mk II version of the Dhruv helicopter is fitted with the Digital Compass electro-optical payload system developed by Israel’s Elbit Systems. However, the IAF intends to integrate the indigenously developed SWIR REV III into the upgraded Mk III variant of the platform. The Dhruv Mk III was inducted into the Indian Army in mid-2022. The SWIR REV III is a stabilised, lightweight, and compact turret developed by the Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) – an agency under the state-run Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – and manufactured by BEL. The payload is a day/night, multispectral electro-optical intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) system, which provides 26 inches (66 cm) payload performance in an 18 inch system, a BEL source said. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. NATO mulls E-7 Wedgetail for initial future surveillance capability. NATO will probably lean towards an eventual procurement of Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft to gain an initial operating capability (IOC) for its planned multidomain Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (AFSC) capability, according to allied officials. AFSC is supposed to replace NATO’s ageing fleet of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACSs) by 2035. However, questions remain about AFSC’s eventual architecture, its deadline for achieving full capability, and how NATO would use the Wedgetail IOC fleet: building on it as the base or striving for something else? AFSC’s design principle aims for a multidomain, system-of-systems open architecture of air, ground, and space assets seamlessly exchanging and analysing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data. “Some of us are concerned that AFSC could pose a risk of turning into another endless ACCS [Air Command and Control System] saga,” one allied diplomat said on 15 February, referring to NATO’s ACCS. (Source: Janes)
16 Feb 23. DRDO showcases LFDS-X sonar. The Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) – an agency under India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) – has unveiled a model of its Low Frequency Dunking Sonar (LFDS)-X system at the Aero India 2023 show being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
The sonar, which has a length of around 1.5 m, can be employed for anti-submarine warfare operations. It features a lightweight configuration and has electromechanical actuation to enable retracted array fitment in a helicopter. The LFDS-X has been developed for the naval version of India’s Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter but can be deployed from other rotary-wing platforms. Janes understands that the sonar is currently undergoing trials. The system is deployed using a winch system to dip it at various depths. The sonar can be used in both active and passive modes and can simultaneously process inputs from sonobuoys and other dunking sonars to triangulate the position of targets in littoral waters. (Source: Janes)
15 Feb 23. India’s C295 maritime patrol aircraft faces delays. India’s planned development of a maritime patrol variant of the Airbus C295 transport aircraft has been delayed after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, raised questions about the project.
The Indian Coast Guard has outlined a requirement for six of the proposed maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) while the Indian Navy has issued a requirement for nine, K Rajalakshmi Menon, programme director of the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS), told Janes at the Aero India 2023 show, which is being held in Bangalore.
However, Janes understands that the DAC has requested clarifications about the project and that development has been halted until clarifications are sent to the DAC and assessed. Speaking at Aero India 2023, DRDO project leaders declined to elaborate at the time of publication. (Source: Janes)
15 Feb 23. CSIR-NAL showcases Saras-Mk II multirole aircraft. India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has showcased a scale model of a new variant of its Saras multirole commuter aircraft at Aero India 2023, being held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February. The Saras-Mk II features a high wing and turboprop engines mounted on wings in tractor configuration as opposed to a low wing and pusher engine configuration on the baseline Saras. The new variant, which also has a pressurised cabin, is indigenously designed to meet the Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) troop transport requirement. The aircraft is intended to serve both civil and military purposes. It provides regional connectivity as well as capability to transport cargo and troops to high-altitude areas. Abhay A Pashilkar, director of NAL, told Janes that Saras-Mk II “has a reconfigurable cabin to be used for carrying troops or casualty evacuation, and has the ability to operate from 90% of the airfields marked under the regional connectivity scheme by the Indian government”. (Source: Janes)
07 Feb 23. Counter drone companies focus on technology to combat rise in military platforms. Companies such as the Netherlands-based Robin Radar Systems and Utah-based Fortem Technologies are reportedly developing their capabilities so that they may counter Iran-made drones as the Russia-Ukraine war approaches its first anniversary, says a report by the federal government news source ExecutiveGov.
“Bill Haraka, vice president of defense and security at Robin Radar, said the company is working to improve the capability of its sensors to detect Shahed-136 and other larger drones. Fortem CEO Jon Gruen also revealed that the company has made improvements to its DroneHunter system to help address the threat posed by Iranian drones.”
The Wall Street Journal cites the Iran-built Shahed-136 drones among those targeted as it poses among the biggest threat to civilian infrastructure in military environments like Ukraine. The US Department of Defense is working with companies including L3Harris Technologies to help Ukraine ground forces fight hostile drones, for example using the company’s ISR rocket equipment. “The first four VAMPIRE units are set to be delivered to Ukraine by mid-2023 and the rest will be ready by the end of the year, highlighting the challenge of supplying enough technologies to the Eastern European country,” says the report.
“Richard Ast, director of unmanned systems technology at DOD’s research and engineering directorate, said at a conference in December that his office was turning to industry to help develop platforms that could counter unmanned systems, particularly autonomous drones being fielded in large numbers,” says ExecutiveGov. For more information visit: www.executivegov.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
11 Feb 23. US Army seeks C-UAS capability as part of its PGS personal weapon system. The US Army’s Contracting Command – New Jersey at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000 is conducting a market survey/sources sought notice to identify potential sources for a Precision Grenadier System (PGS), a man portable integrated weapon system that enables precision engagements to destroy personnel targets in defilade and in the open with increased lethality and precision compared to the legacy M203/M320 grenade launchers.
“The PGS will provide overmatch to comparable threat grenade launchers in near peer formations in future operating environments (jungle, urban, woodland, subterranean, desert, day/night/obscured),” according to the tender document in www.sam.gov US government contracting website. “The PGS is envisioned to consist of a weapon, a fire control, and a suite of ammunition which enables the user to engage targets in defilade/cover, hovering UAS targets, conduct door breaching, engage close combat targets, and light armored targets.”
“Based on past results, the Government has determined that specific technologies and components are available to accomplish this mission and is looking for a fully integrated, armament solution. Vendors are encouraged to team as necessary in response to this market survey / sources sought notice. The Government anticipates a single vendor to be the lead system integrator.
“The following integrated system attributes are outlined in order of importance. The Government is interested in receiving information on the attributes that can be achieved:
- System Survivability: The system and its ammunition should be capable of functioning in cold, ambient, and hot conditions at all humidity conditions and be survivable and operational after exposure to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear exposure (CBRNE) to include effects of electromagnetic pulse and cyber-attacks.
- System Effectiveness: Ability to achieve a high probability of incapacitation given a shot from the minimum engagement distance to 500 meters (desired) against unprotected personnel targets in defilade/cover and stationary exposed targets.
- Engagement Times: Time to engage target is desired to be ≤ 5 seconds from decision to engage to trigger pull for a target out to 500 meters. After trigger pull, time of flight is desired to be no greater than 3 seconds to 500 meters.
- Length: Overall system length is desired to be less than 34 inches.
- System Weight: System weight is desired to be less than 14.5lbs.
- Target Acquisition: Ability to acquire targets with a high Probability of Recognition given a detection out to a range of 500 meters in clear air during day and nighttime conditions and a high Probability of Recognition given a detection out to a range of at least 300 meters in obscurants is desired.
- Powerless/Degraded Operation: The system provides the ability to continue the fight and engage targets even when the fire control has no power or becomes damaged and inoperable is desired.
For more information
https://sam.gov/opp/b6d531ef7d284f6d8d2ed9524e65bd4e/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
07 Feb 23. US Army seeks C-UAS industry whitepapers to support Technology Gateway event. Army Futures Command (AFC) is looking to expand the Army’s ability to experiment, evolve, and deliver technologies in real time to address both urgent and emerging threats and expedite critical capabilities to the field to meet Combatant Commanders’ needs. In partnership with RCCTO, AFC DEVCOM is hosting its next Technology Gateway experimentation event anticipated to begin in October 2023 and requesting whitepapers from interested participants. Deadline for submission is March 31, 2023
One of the key areas of interest for the AFC is “State-of-the-art Means to Defeat Targeting and Delivery Capabilities of Precision Munitions (Including Loitering Munitions & UAS)”
According to the announcement:
“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. It provides Industry, a structured opportunity to demonstrate their technologies to Government representatives in a controlled and operationally relevant environment. It is part of Army Futures Command’s Project Convergence campaign of learning, which is designed to aggressively advance and integrate the Army’s contributions to the Joint and Multi-national Force for convergence effects across all domains (air, land, sea, space, and cyberspace) to overmatch U.S. adversaries. Technology Gateway includes a series of experiments and observations in simulated battlefield environments. Hosted by Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Technology Gateway activities will set the conditions for collective innovation and further experimentation in both basic research and applied science and technology with industry partners.
“Whitepapers for participation in Technology Gateway 2023 can be submitted through a single-entry point… in response to Army priorities as outlined in this call. Submissions will undergo a 2-step evaluation process. Step 1 (Technical Merit Reviews): Subject matter experts from across AFC will provide Technical Merit Reviews (TMRs) based on the evaluation criteria as detailed below. Step 2 (Operational Merit Reviews): Following a down-select based on TMR evaluation results, select whitepapers will be invited to participate in virtual Technical Exchange Meetings (TEMs) with the Government team to discuss operational requirements and experiment alignment. Qualifying companies will be invited to participate in Technology Gateway 2023 based on the final Operational Merit Review.”
DEVCOM is soliciting organizations with new and innovative technology in the below challenge areas, as aligned with Army Modernization Priorities. Areas of specific interest for Technology Gateway 2023 include Network and Joint Contested Logistics.
- Innovative Means for Reconnoitering and Securing Far Side of Wet Gap Crossing
- Emerging Capabilities to Autonomously Deliver Large Quantities of Supplies at Scale (1000s of Gallons of Fuel Simultaneously)
- Management of Autonomous Systems to Provide Effective and Efficient Capabilities at Scale (100s of Autonomous Capabilities Simultaneously)
- Advanced Means to Control Erosion and Prevent Degradation of Near and Far Side Terrain
- State-of-the-art Means to Defeat Targeting and Delivery Capabilities of Precision Munitions (Including Loitering Munitions & UAS)
- Innovative Ways to Conduct Multi-Domain Obscuration and Maneuver in an “Unblinking” Environment
- Emerging Means to Protect Forces from Threat Electro-Magnetic Warfare Capabilities
For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/48f6e55e844d4de9a12534107bc98cb7/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Feb 23. Operational Solutions releases hardware-free drone alert service for real-time updates. Operational Solutions Ltd reports release of a new Drone Alert Service (DAS) product. DAS is a hardware-free intuitive drone detection solution says the company press release.
DAS is available through a range of subscription-based offerings, meaning that users can be alerted to drone activity in their perimeter, and view three years’ worth of historic data with subscriptions starting at GBP24 a day.
Accessible from a fixed IP address, DAS harnesses an array of remote sensors to rapidly detect drones entering pre-determined perimeters, and present users with a real-time overview of incursions. The interface delivers actionable insights, enabling users to understand drone activity at a glance and coordinate the most effective response.
Operational Solutions says DAS comes at a time when drones are more commonplace than ever. Consistently evolving in capability, drones can quickly enter secure perimeters to disrupt operations, damage assets, and conduct unauthorised surveillance in many unique ways.
Through this release, OSL hopes to empower a wide range of industries, from private residencies to engineering plants and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), to gain an advanced understanding of their airspace. For more information visit: Operationalsolutionsltd.co.uk
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
10 Feb 23. US Navy completes EASR antenna installation on LPD 29. The SPY-6(V)2 radar offers improved engagement capabilities to increase the overall self-defence of ships. The US Navy has completed the installation of new SPY-6(V)2 enterprise air surveillance radar (EASR) antenna on the San Antonio-class ship LPD 29. The new milestone was announced by the US Naval Sea Systems Command on 9 February.
LPD 29 is the 13th and the final Flight I San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock vessel, named Richard M McCool Jr, currently under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division.
The successful installation of SPY-6(V)2 radar antenna, which was completed on 16 January, on LPD 29 further marks the completion of all the scheduled EASR system’s deliveries for LPD 17-class ships.
This will be the first vessel class to install and activate this S-band, rotating radar variant.
The SPY-6(V)2 radar system has been designed to bring hardware and software variant commonality in the US Navy’s aircraft carrier and amphibious assault ships.
It features various incremental technology enhancements, along with improved engagement capabilities to increase the overall self-defence of the ships.
The EASR system will be an integral part of the future vessel’s integrated Ship Self-Defense System.
Related work was supported by the Programme Executive Office (PEO) Ships, which is the US Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organisations.
US Navy PEO Ships Amphibious Warfare Programme manager captain Cedric McNeal said: “The progress made is a testament to the collaboration across multiple organisations in bringing this next-generation radar to the LPD programme.
“The Navy and our industry partners look forward to systems activation and testing as LPD 29 continues on the path to sea trials later this year.”
Initial contract for the construction of LPD 29 was awarded to HII in 2018, followed by its keel-laying ceremony in 2019. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Feb 23. China assessing improved KJ-200 special mission aircraft. A new version of the Shaanxi Aircraft Corporation (SAIC) KJ-200 ‘Moth’ airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft is undertaking flight trials for potential induction by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). In January 2023, images on Chinese social media showed the aircraft in low-observable, light grey operational colours. Janes reported that the prototype was first seen in satellite imagery of the China Flight Test Establishment (CFTE) at Xian-Yanliang Airbase in December 2017. At the time, the aircraft had a yellow primer paint scheme that is commonly seen on aircraft undertaking trials. An image that appeared on Chinese social media in February 2022 suggested that the aircraft (which has been designated as KJ-200B), was being prepared for delivery last year. The most recent image shows the aircraft in flight. However, in the low-resolution photograph, the aircraft does not appear to have the emblem of the PLA. Earlier variants of the KJ-200 have been in service with the PLA since 2007 as AEW&C aircraft. (Source: Janes)
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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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