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02 Mar 23. Aussie sensor system critical for new STRIX drone. An Australian sensor system will play a critical role in the new STRIX Tactical Uncrewed Aerial System, announced at Avalon Airshow this week.
Melbourne’s Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT) Australia will supply their CM234 sensor gimbal into the new UAS being developed by BAE Systems Australia and aerospace specialist company Innovaero.
The autonomous vertical take-off and landing STRIX prototype is expected to be employed in various tactical battlefield roles such as ground and maritime support or teamed with piloted helicopters.
AVT Australia managing director Dale Heinken said their CM234 sensor provides advanced optical, infrared scanning and laser targeting options for the UAS to conduct reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, surveillance and deep-strike capabilities.
“We’re delighted to be part of the design and development of the STRIX UAS concept model at Avalon 2023,” he said.
“The CM234 offers a wide range of sensor capabilities and laser payloads in a small size, weight, and power.”
The sensor system uses high-definition electro-optical, mid-wave infrared, short-wave infrared, a laser range finder, a laser target designator, and a laser pointer.
BAE Systems Australia chief executive officer Ben Hudson said AVT Australia’s technology was a fundamental part of the STRIX UAS platform on display at Avalon.
“We are really pleased to be working with the team at AVTA and include the sensor gimbal system in STRIX,” Hudson said.
“STRIX will add new capabilities for our customers on the battlefield. Its success is leveraged with our strong focus on building a future sovereign supply chain around the platform and incorporating the expertise of Australian SMEs.” (Source: Defence Connect)
01 Mar 23. Teledyne FLIR develops C-UAS concept. Teledyne FLIR showed a counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) concept that integrates its SkyRanger R70 UAS, a TacFLIR 380-HD multisensor surveillance system, and the Cameleon V5 Enterprise intrusion detection software on a Ford F-150 truck at IDEX 2023, which was held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February.
Speaking to Janes, Adam DeAngelis, Teledyne FLIR’s head of global marketing, said “Cameleon command-and-control software allows disparate systems to be linked and controlled/queued, such as the LVSS ADA [Lightweight Vehicle Surveillance System with air domain awareness] C-UAS, [the] Ranger HDC [surveillance system], and [the] R70.”
Target detection is collectively undertaken by the R70, the TacFLIR 380-HD, or a Ranger R20SS ground and coastal surveillance radar. The data feeds into the Cameleon V5 control centre, which can integrate systems using internet protocol (IP) connectivity and without the need to modify the core software. The data from Cameleon can be transferred to other C-UAS defence systems. (Source: Janes)
01 Mar 23. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Leidos have agreed to continue the successful business relationship previously held between GA-ASI and Cobham Australia. With Leidos’ acquisition of the Cobham Special Mission business in October 2022, Leidos has now assumed the role of GA-ASI’s primary Australian industry collaborator for defence and security business.
The arrangement will support discussions relating to a Defence Armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, and the Australian Border Force future crewed/uncrewed aircraft system under the Civil Maritime Capability Program.
Discussions are also underway between Leidos and GA-ASI for cooperation on further defence projects in Australia and opportunities in the U.S.
“GA-ASI is delighted to establish a collaboration agreement with Leidos that continues the successful business relationship previously held with Cobham since 2006,” said Ken Loving, GA-ASI regional vice president for Indo-Pacific. “The broader and deeper capabilities that Leidos brings to the relationship, including its impressive capability within Australia, combined with GA-ASI’s substantial global experience in remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft systems, will provide an impressive capability for Australia’s future defence and security needs.”
Leidos Australia Chief Executive Paul Chase said, “We are delighted to continue and build upon the terrific partnership that Cobham Special Mission has developed with GA-ASI over the past 17 years. When we acquired Special Mission last year, we recognised the huge potential for both advancing current capabilities and services and pursuing new opportunities in Australia and globally. General Atomics has excellent technology and by collaborating with them, our complementary capabilities and experience will combine to provide world-class solutions for current and future customers.”
28 Feb 23. Boeing Receives U.S. Air Force E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft Contract. The E-7 will provide the U.S. Air Force with a 360-degree critical domain awareness and Advanced Battle Management System capabilities
‒ Open systems architecture and agile software design will evolve the E-7’s capabilities to meet future threats
Boeing [NYSE:BA] will begin development of two new U.S. variants of the E-7 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft through a $1.2 bn Undefinitized Contract Action.
The E-7 provides a fully integrated, combat-proven, flexible command and control node that delivers multi-domain awareness in the most challenging operational environments. The E-7’s open systems architecture and agile software design enable the aircraft’s capabilities to evolve and remain ahead of future threats.
“The E-7 is a proven platform,” said Stu Voboril, E-7 program vice president and general manager. “It is the only advanced aircraft that is capable of meeting the U.S. Air Force’s near-term Airborne Early Warning & Control requirement while enabling integration across the joint force.”
The E-7 tracks multiple airborne and maritime threats simultaneously with 360-degree coverage via the Multi-role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) sensor. MESA provides the warfighter with critical domain awareness to detect and identify adversarial targets at long range and dynamically adjusts to emerging tactical situations.
Other E-7 operators include the Royal Australian Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Turkish Air Force and the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force.
The E-7 uses a well-established supply chain which significantly reduces maintenance and logistics costs and increases mission readiness on day one. Converted from the Next-Generation 737-700, the E-7 capitalizes on existing commercial derivative aircraft design, certification and modification processes, allowing E-7s to be fielded to meet Air Force needs.
27 Feb 23. Downing drones at sea – RAFAEL shows footage of its C-UAS naval remote controlled weapon station.
Israel’s RAFAEL has released footage of its Typhoon remote controlled weapons station downing small drones at sea.
“RAFAEL is offering its TYPHOON Mk30-c and TYPHOON 25 mm class (in service with several navies around the world, including the US navy) as a solution for airborne, marine, and shore-based threats, including C-UAS,” said the company in a press statement.
“In late 2022, RAFAEL announced that it had been awarded a major contract with a leading Asian navy for its TYPHOON Mk30-c, as well as the commissioning of its TYPHOON and mini-TYPHOON RCWS onboard FAIC-M / SHALDAG Mk5 vessels in the Philippine navy as part of a complete RAFAEL combat suite. TYPHOON RCWS has recently demonstrated its improved C-UAS capabilities using AI-powered Automatic Fire Correction and ATR to effectively defeat small and medium UAS. This is all made possible by incorporating a diverse mix of synchronized smart multi-spectral sensors, weapons, and intelligent effectors that translate to very high hit accuracies.”
For more information: https://www.rafael.co.il/blog/navdex-2023-rafaels-enhanced-typhoon-c-uas-capabilities-6th-gen-naval-spike-nlos-on-display/
23 Feb 23. Indian Army to add new C-UAS capabilities in high-altitude mountain areas. India Today reports that The Indian Army is going to add two different types of very short range air defence systems “to bolster itself against China in the high-altitude mountains.”
“The defence ministry cleared the acquisition of a very short range air defence for the Army to protect the Indo-China border against the enemy, aircraft and drones flying in the area,” says the newspaper report.
“The first type of Very Short Air Defence System will be shoulder-fired and will be made under the “Make in India” initiative where foreign companies are likely to partner with Indian firms. This contest could see the participation by French firm Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited along with Saab from Sweden. The type of system will be tripod-based and developed by DRDO, which has developed this system in partnership with its development-cum-production partner model and will see the involvement of the private sector in a big way.”
For more information: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-army-to-get-2-air-defence-systems-to-fight-enemy-aircraft-drones-2337362-2023-02-20 (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
21 Feb 23. D-Fend and Resource Industries partner to provide C-UAS services in the UAE. D-Fend Solutions and Resource Industries have announced that they will cooperate to provide United Arab Emirates’ security agencies with advanced C-UAS technology.
Resource Industries is a defence sector corporation registered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and is engaged in the production, development, research and logistics of military equipment and provides a comprehensive range of security services.
“This partnership will fulfill the urgent need for tiered methods of safe drone mitigation in the UAE, as well as give more versatile options to security services aimed at protecting the area’s sensitive environments from rogue drones, while avoiding operational disruption and collateral damage,” according to a joint press release. “Both organizations will work in tandem to analyze end-user needs and deliver C-UAS solutions for all possible scenarios and sectors.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
21 Feb 23. Milanion combines Skylock C-UAS with AgemaUGV amphibious vehicle for mobile solution. Milanion Group is exhibiting a range of counter drone and AI-based defence and security systems at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX 2023) in Abu Dhabi. Among products on show, the company has integrated the SKYLOCK counter drone system with the AgemaUGV all-terrain vehicle to offer an amphibious, mobile drone surveillance unit capable of detection, verification and neutralisation of unauthorised drone threats. For more information: www.milaniongroup.com(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Feb 23. EDGE announces multiple C-UAS convey protection contracts. United Arab Emirates company EDGE has announced that it has been awarded two contracts with a combined value exceeding AED 70 m to deliver multiple V-PROTECT convoy protection solutions and SKYSHIELD counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions to a key international customer.
Omar Al Zaabi, Senior Vice President, Trading & Mission Support – EDGE said: “We are pleased to announce yet another key export deal for SIGN4L and EDGE which will see us manufacture and deliver our UAE-made SKYSHIELD C-UAS and V-PROTECT convoy protection solutions to an international customer. Signing these two deals underlines the quality of our offerings which are performing ahead of the competition and to the highest global standards. We will continue to promote our superior solutions on the international market to shore up the country’s export of advanced technology and strengthen the UAE’s defence industrial base.”
EDGE reported an order intake in excess of USD5 bn in 2022, 35 per cent of which was in global exports. In the first two days of IDEX 2023, the group announced new orders for products and solutions worth over AED10 bn, including international exports, with more orders expected to be announced before the end of the event.
According to the company, V-PROTECT is a radio frequency (RF) communication jamming system designed for convoy protection against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (RC-IED). SKYSHIELD is a multi-layered, comprehensive solution equipped to deliver advanced anti-drone protection with a broad range of detection and interception capabilities.
For more information: https://edgegroup.ae/news/edge-announces-aed-70-m-contracts-v-protect-and-skyshield-solutions. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
27 Feb 23. HENSOLDT South Africa Introduces ARGOS-8 Lightweight Airborne Surveillance and Targeting System. HENSOLDT South Africa recently launched the latest addition to its range of airborne electro-optical systems, the ARGOS-8 and is further introducing it at the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The sensor solutions house signed an agreement with Threod Systems to cooperate in joint development and future co-production of the ARGOS-8 airborne electro-optical system (EOS).
HENSOLDT South Africa is exhibiting its solutions at IDEX, where it is introducing the latest addition to its gimbal family to key airborne defence and security markets on the show’s opening day.
Based on the international sales success of the ARGOS-II, a 15-inch-class airborne EOS, HENSOLDT is expanding its range of airborne products to offer solutions in new size and volume segments. With a view of entering the smaller and lighter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, the ARGOS-8 is an 8-inch-class EOS with a mass below 6 kg. Using HENSOLDT South Africa’s niche laser products, the ARGOS-8 is, like the larger EO systems, equipped with a laser designator and range-finder capability. The visible day and cooled infra-red sensors offer day and night operation for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
The ARGOS-8 is based on complementary technologies residing within the two companies, allowing a very short time-to-market of a new product that is based on mature technologies. The requirement to accurately designate an object from a small UAV platform can be fulfilled with ARGOS-8, which is designed as an effective EOS for smaller tactical UAV systems, thereby enhancing and significantly expanding the capabilities of these platforms.
“ARGOS-8 is not only offered as a standalone EOS, but is also integrated onto the ASTUS unmanned aerial system, with production deliveries scheduled for 2023,” explained Deon Olivier, the Chief Executive of the Optronics business unit of HENSOLDT South Africa. “Our cooperation with Threod, an agile company with experience in designing and manufacturing smaller UAV platforms and EOS systems, emphasises the importance of addressing customer requirements rapidly, with the right partner.”
About HENSOLDT South Africa
HENSOLDT South Africa offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and services across defence and civil markets, from electronic warfare and optronics, spectrum monitoring and security solutions, to radar, IFF and datalinks. With more than 800 South African employees across five sites in South Africa, it is the HENSOLDT Group’s largest industrial base outside of Europe and one of the largest defence and security electronics companies in South Africa. (Source: UAS VISION)
25 Feb 23. HENSOLDT unveils Space Domain Awareness radar for JP9360. German sensor company HENSOLDT will work with the Fraunhofer Institute to turn the GESTRA German Experimental Space Surveillance and Tracking Radar) technology demonstrator into a production ready, operationally deployable system called Custodian. To this end, HENSOLDT has acquired the necessary licenses from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and concluded a cooperation agreement.
The GESTRA/Custodian system is also expected to form the basis of HENSOLDT Australia’s Australian Space Surveillance and Tracking Radar (ASTRA) which the company is offering for the Australian Defence Force’s JP 9360 Space Domain Awareness (SDA) requirement. ASTRA will be a sovereign Australian system comprising a suite of relocatable multi-technology Advanced Electronic Scanned Array (AESA) sensors to detect, track, identify, and characterise space objects.
The prototype was developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Technology FHR on behalf of the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The radar is currently providing initial proof of performance at the Schmidtenhöhe site training area near Koblenz. The contract with the DLR also called for commercialization of the technology. Following an international call for tenders, Fraunhofer has now awarded the rights for series production to the Ulm-based radar specialist HENSOLDT Sensors GmbH. The two companies signed a corresponding license agreement on January 12, 2023.
“This project is a beacon of German capability, founded on close cooperation between cutting-edge research and a high-tech company. It enables Germany to build an important national capability in the field of a key technology and at the same time make a valuable contribution to international partnerships,” said Peter Schlote, member of the HENSOLDT Executive Committee and Head of the Radar Division.
“Based on the GESTRA technology, a global network of ground-based radar systems can be established to monitor near-Earth space. The goal is to detect and track space debris, which increasingly poses a threat to space travel and to the deployment and operation of satellites,” added Professor Peter Knott, institute director of Fraunhofer FHR.
“It is known that the German Bundeswehr is aiming to procure independent sensor technology for space reconnaissance,” said Peter Schlote. “Knowing full well that the German Armed Forces have high requirements, the specialists of the Space Command would be our first choice as a partner.”
“Bringing cutting-edge technology developed at Fraunhofer FHR into operational use with the Bundeswehr together with industrial partners is one of our inherent tasks,” said Professor Knott. “GESTRA plays a special role in this for us, as it is one of the largest development projects in our history in Wachtberg.”
A cooperation agreement between HENSOLDT and Fraunhofer FHR ensures that future developments of the technology can also be incorporated into the system as capability enhancements. (Source: Rumour Control)
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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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