RADAR, EO/IR, C-UAS, NIGHT VISION AND SURVEILLANCE UPDATE

Sponsored by Echodyne

www.echodyne.com

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26 Oct 23. Minimizing the time between a threat’s detection and its elimination is crucial. Forward Observers (FOs) who detect, identify, and prosecute threats, require targeting systems that are easy-to-use, lightweight, and packed with capabilities to enable discriminating performance in all operational environments. The United States Army selected Elbit Systems of America (Elbit America) to develop and qualify a prototype Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS) II product, making targeting easier and more precise, and providing faster effects on targets. The JETS II prototype system development and qualification will be done at the company’s Merrimack, New Hampshire facility through 2026.

“Elbit America has been a leading provider of lightweight targeting systems for two decades and we have captured all of that experience and expertise into JETS II,” said Erik Fox, the company’s Vice President of Warfighter Systems. “Now, Forward Observers in the U.S. Army can operate with exceptional mobility, lethality, and survivability, no matter where the battle takes place. Responding to Soldier feedback on such systems, we are designing a prototype lightweight JETS II system so it can be carried and effortlessly setup, shaving precious time off the targeting process in the field.”

“At Elbit America, we have demonstrated our commitment to providing the very best targeting systems by investing in our Merrimack facility and expanding production capacity, including clean rooms and advanced test capabilities tailored for these high precision targeting systems.” said Elbit America President and CEO Raanan Horowitz. “We are a steadfast partner to the U.S. Army and are primed to bring a game-changing JETS II capability to its Forward Observers.”

Elbit America aims to provide the U.S. Army and the Joint Force with 24/7 precision targeting capabilities across all domains. In the company’s 30-year history, it has supplied numerous solutions that support the service’s operations, including sophisticated night vision, Command Post Integrated Infrastructure vehicles, mortar weapons systems, advanced pilotage solutions for helicopters, and more.

25 Oct 23. German air force tests Hensoldt passive radar system to boost defenses. The German air force has begun testing so-called passive radar as a complementary surveillance technique for ground-based air-defense formations, aimed at helping covert operations surprise adversaries.

Luftwaffe officials want to find out whether the technology, which measures disturbances in the soup of commercial television and radio broadcast signals permeating crowded airspaces, can provide an “early cue” about approaching threats, German air force chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz said in an interview with Defense News.

Passive radar works covertly because it measures aerial objects’ echos from existing radio waves and doesn’t itself pulse the airspace for threats. The use of passive radar still requires defenders to turn on their active radar, which exposes them to detection, but only for brief periods.

“Then you only have to go active for the shot itself,” Gerhartz said, referring to active radar guiding an interceptor missile to a target.

The system in question is called Twinvis, made by sensor specialist Hensoldt. Defense News reported in June 2022 that the company was expecting to sell a small number of these systems to the air service, with money from a €100bn ($105.8bn) special military fund created by the government here after Russia invaded Ukraine.

A company spokesman confirmed that a system was now under contract.

Passive radar technology has existed for decades, but only recent advances in sensing and signals processing have made it usable in real-world operations, Hensoldt has said. Experts liken a it to a hunter observing an animal move through dense reeds. While the exact type of prey may remain unknown, the position information is crucial for the hunter closing in.

Luftwaffe expectations around passive radar come in the context of observations from the battlefields of Ukraine, where neither Russia or Ukraine have been able to establish air superiority because ground-based defenses are so effective. The term air superiority refers to the ability to deploy warplanes uncontested, which analysts consider a prerequisite for victory.

Berlin has delivered a several of the latest-generation IRIS-T SLM air- and missile-defense weapons to Ukraine to help protect population centers from Russian drones and missiles. The system, made by Diehl Defence, is optionally available with Twinvis passive radar. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

25 Oct 23. Raytheon, an RTX business, successfully demonstrated the capabilities of the Low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft Integrated Defense System, or LIDS, during the U.S. Army’s annual summer test period. Joining U.S. Army officials were representatives from a number of international allied ground forces who attended to witness the test events firsthand.

Building on similar success at the Army’s 2021 and 2022 summer test periods, KuRFS and Coyote proved effective again this year, meeting all test requirements against high-speed, maneuvering targets.

Raytheon’s Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor, known as KuRFS, and the Coyote® family of effectors provide the essential detect and defeat capabilities of LIDS, the Army’s go-to counter-drone solution.

“This marks another milestone in the proven track record of success and performance of our counter-UAS capabilities,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. “As the threat of unmanned systems continues to grow, the performance and reliability of a complete C-UAS system is critical – and we remain committed to the continuous improvement of these systems to provide our customers with an effective solution to stay ahead of the threat.”

The persistent, 360-degree KuRFS radar excelled in a stress test successfully detecting and tracking a complex swarm of more than 30 unmanned aircraft vehicles. Coyote defeated several targets, singles and swarms, demonstrating reduced engagement timelines to defeat multiple threats. The tests validated the recent hardware and software enhancements made to both systems, to optimize capability and performance.

International interest in the systems is high, with several allied countries requesting information and briefings. The U.S. Army is currently bolstering its counter-drone defenses with LIDS, awarding Raytheon an October 2022 contract to equip two Army divisions with LIDS, followed by a contract for an additional quantity of fixed site and mobile LIDS systems awarded earlier this year to further support the U.S. Army’s Central Command. A third contract was recently awarded, intended to equip a third Army division.

Raytheon has developed the enabling technologies, as well as complete and customizable systems, that enable military and civilian customers to defeat complex UAS threats in any environment. The company has developed integrated, high-performing sensors and cost-effective kinetic and non-kinetic effectors that allow customers to select the right effectors against a range of threats and defeat threats more efficiently. (Source: PR Newswire)

25 Oct 23. Hensoldt and Airdyne Join Forces for Mission Aircraft Retrofit.

Pre-integrated sensor package and installation kit provides C-130 operators with ready-made mission suite

Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT joins forces with U.S. mission aircraft supplier Airdyne Aerospace Inc., Brooksville/FL, to jointly offer an integrated and certified mission suite, in a first step specifically for C-130 mission aircraft. On September 20, 2023, both companies signed a MoU to set up the details of their relationship. The mission suite combines HENSOLDT’s “MissionGrid” portfolio of different sensors and mission management systems and Airdyne’s SABIR System which is a system of individual “bolt-on” modular components that can be configured in several ways to support various missions, aircraft configurations, and other customer-specific requirements.

“HENSOLDT has a long-standing track record of providing a variety of sensors for ISR missions as well as mission management systems and mission avionics”, said Steffen Kolditz, Head of Airborne Solution Business Unit at HENSOLDT. “Therefore, Airdyne with its versatile SABIR system is the ideal partner to jointly offer an exportable mission package to C-130 customers worldwide with very low integration risks for the end-user”.

HENSOLDT’s MissionGrid consists of building blocks such as airborne radar, COMINT and ELINT sensors, electro-optical sensors and mission computers which are pre-integrated and tested at their own premises. This results in significant advantages for the customer, such as reduced technical risk or shortened integration times. It can be used on fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition to military air and naval missions, it is used for border protection, search and rescue, maritime patrol and law enforcement.

Airdyne’s SABIR System is a modular open architecture set of mounting components including Doors, Robotic Struts, Mission Pods, Workstations, Avionics Racks, Crashworthy Seats, Power Modules and more. SABIR mission systems accommodates thousands of sensor/communication configurations and many different pod designs – either independently developed or created by Airdyne. SABIR supports a wide range of missions such as full spectrum military operations, maritime patrol, search and rescue, surveillance, C5ISR, CBRNE, crisis response, command and control, and even scientific and environmental research. SABIR is compatible with all C-130 models and can be installed as a permanent solution, or as a temporary modification moveable between aircraft. (Source: ASD Network)

25 Oct 23. Sentient showcase leading AI technology with Australian PM’s first official visit to Washington D.C.

Reception at White House focused on technology alliances between the US and Australia
Sentient confirms multi-year agreement with Shield AI
US Marine Corps confirms successful integration of Sentient’s ViDAR on a Group 2 UAS.

Sentient Vision Systems’ (Sentient) newly appointed CEO, Mark Palmer was invited to attend a reception in Washington D.C to mark Australia’s Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese’s first official visit to Washington D.C. hosted by President Joseph R Biden Jr. . The Australia – United States relationship marks more than 100 years in partnership and presents an important opportunity for discussion about Clean, Green & Critical technologies that contribute to the security of Indo-Pacific.

The reception – a key part of the three-day (Oct 23-26) official Visit by PM Albanese – was also attended by senior US Department of Defense representatives and Whitehouse staff. Australia’s PM Albanese, was accompanied by the Australian Ambassador to the United States, H.E. The Hon. Dr. Kevin Rudd AC and Australian embassy attachés.

Prime Minister Albanese said: “My visit is an important opportunity to discuss our ambitious climate and clean energy transition, and shared goal of a strong, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”

The White House has issued a statement that during this first official visit President Biden and Prime Minister Albanese will discuss strengthening collaboration on critical issues for both nations to ensure the Alliance is well equipped to respond to ever-evolving regional and global challenges.

Mark Palmer, Sentient’s CEO said: “It is an honour, for Sentient to have been invited by Ambassador Rudd to meet the PM. We have achieved leadership in enhanced situational awareness for our customers with computer vision, AI, and edge processed optical detection. Our unparalleled experience places Sentient in pole position for the Search and Rescue industry as well as growing our force-multiplier applications in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions worldwide.”

ViDAR® (Visual Detection and Ranging) – developed as the world’s first passive optical search system – is an AI-enabled onboard processed solution deployed with electro-optic and infrared wide area sensors to detect and classify small objects that would be hard to spot by the human eye or a conventional radar.

Announcements made by Sentient during PM Albanese’s visit included:

Multi-year agreement with Shield AI to integrate ViDAR on the V-BAT UAS (Uncrewed aerial system)
Successful completion of ViDAR integration and evaluation on a Group 2 UAS under US Marine Corps FCT (Foreign Comparative Testing)

“Our mission mirrors that of Australia, collaborating internationally on the responsible use and development of AI, and is absolutely aligned with the AUKUS security partnership’s focus on Artificial Intelligence and autonomy under Pillar 2,” explained Mark Palmer.

The Australian PM’s Official Visit to the US underlines the strategic relationship between the US and Australia, in addition to other partners to safeguard the Indo-Pacific region.

With close to 4,500 systems deployed, Sentient customers include United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, UK National Police Air Service, Canadian DFO, Mexican Navy, the Australian Defence Force, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Netherlands Coast Guard, militaries, police, border patrol, security agencies, and forces worldwide.

25 Oct 23. AUVSI Air Advocacy Committee Looking for C-UAS Companies,

The Air Advocacy Committee (AAC) of the Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) is accepting new members! Apply to see if you qualify.

The committee plays a pivotal role in shaping legislative and regulatory priorities within the aviation sector for the association. Through a consensus-driven approach and feedback from its membership, the AAC collaborates closely with federal regulators in the Executive Branch, legislators in the Legislative Branch, and their respective teams. It also engages with state, local, and tribal authorities to facilitate the meaningful integration of Unmanned/Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

The overarching objective of the AAC is to ensure that government regulations keep pace with industry advancements, fostering innovation rather than hindering it. The primary aim is to bolster the competitiveness of the United States in this dynamic sector.

The AAC comprises a diverse spectrum of member companies, encompassing UAS operators, manufacturers, software developers, defense contractors, Counter-UAS entities, AAM firms, Drone as First Responder (DFR) organizations, public safety experts, and more. The committee actively participates in both authorization and appropriations processes each year, with AUVSI leadership and several members testifying before Congress. What sets the AAC apart is its ability to set aside individual interests and unite, presenting a cohesive voice for all stakeholders in the uncrewed systems ecosystem.

Over sixty companies are AAC Committee members, including:

Airspace Link
Boeing
Censys
DroneShield
Echodyne
Elbit Systems
Epirus
General Atomics
Kongsberg Geospatial
Leidos
Lockheed Martin
MatrixSpace
Northrop Grumman
SkySafe

AAC Policy Priorities

Establishing the AAC as the preeminent industry voice influencing UAS and AAM regulations and legislation and positioning the AAC, and AUVSI, positively for the upcoming 2023 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill (more on this below).
Establishing a clear pathway for advanced UAS operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and ensuring the rulemakings associated with the BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) recommendations are issued as quickly as possible.
Ensuring domestic UAS and AAM companies have the resources they need to globally compete with companies that are heavily subsidized by their respective governments.
Ensuring a favorable National Airspace System (NAS) for key UAS operations, including drone deliveries, routine public safety operations, critical infrastructure inspections, defense operations, counter-UAS operations, and other high-value, low-risk use cases.
Fostering an inclusive airspace for AAM, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and Regional Air Mobility (RAM) aircraft and operations.
Creating a new regulatory framework that shifts away from the traditional aviation safety continuum, which does not work well for advanced aviation, and looks forward to establishing rules that unlock the full potential of UAS and AAM technologies.
Developing next steps for the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) to work alongside the current air traffic management system.
Ensuring that the FAA retains exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States in order to maintain safety and operational consistency across all users of the NAS.
Providing law enforcement with the proper authority to mitigate errant or potentially malicious UAS and ensuring Preventing Emerging Threats Act compliance and consistent reauthorization.
Developing strong public-private partnerships to foster voluntary, risk-based approaches to data security and operations management, the development of industry-driven consensus on data management best practices and security standards that ensure critical mission information is accessed by authorized parties, and the development of industry-driven consensus security standards.
Ensuring UAS have access to spectrum to conduct operations, including the use of command-and-control technologies at higher altitudes, use of detect-and-avoid systems, ability to transmit payload data, and to conduct operations that ultimately strengthen the operation of UAS in the NAS. AUVSI continues to look for regulatory efforts we can comment on, after filing comments to the FCC’s recent C-Band Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Opening markets, reducing barriers and regulations, and injecting more certainty and predictability into the marketplace, trade, and investment agreements, which are key catalysts for the innovation progress that drive our global economies and markets.
Promoting technology transfer and international harmonization of standards to realize the full potential benefits of UAS.

For more information about the specific priorities the AAC is pushing in FAA Reauthorization, click here: https://www.auvsi.org/sites/default/files/AUVSI-2023-FAA-Reauthorization.pdf

To download the entire AAC overview document, click here: https://www.auvsi.org/sites/default/files/AUVSI-AAC-Overview-June-2023.pdf (Source: C-UAS Hub)

25 Oct 23. Uninvited guest? Detected! Highly capable and cost-effective new counter UAS. The proliferation of malicious and non-cooperative drones is an ever-increasing threat to aviation and sensitive site security. Whether it be disruption of critical national infrastructure at home or risk of life to forward-deployed personnel abroad, civil and government organizations and agencies; all of them require affordable and reliable counter-drone solutions. Protective measures can only be taken after a threat is detected. To effectively counter the threat, early warning is necessary – every second counts.

ARDRONIS is a family of counter-drone solutions from Rohde & Schwarz. The system-of-systems approach provides customers with the ability to detect-identify-locate-track-verify-counter malicious and non-cooperative threats in line with their unique, end user requirements.

ARDRONIS displays concise information about the threat and continuously updates a map view that indicates the direction of the drone and its pilot. A predefined list of contacts can immediately be notified about the threat and ARDRONIS can also record the remote control (RC) signal as evidence. The proprietary Rohde&Schwarz ARDRONIS control center (ACC) software displays the results from several remote sensors. Using ACC, security forces can localize the threats, deploy countermeasures and have the best chance of intercepting the illegal pilot.

Rohde & Schwarz is proud to offer our customers a next-generation leap in counter-drone technology: ARDRONIS Locate Compact – New solution for large area detection of malicious and non-cooperative drones.

ARDRONIS Locate Compact is the latest offering in the ARDRONIS family of counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions, that is a compact, easy-to-use solution to protect large areas from these threats. Capable of monitoring these large areas, it rapidly detects and determines the direction of analog and digital video downlink signals from almost any commercial drone currently available on the market.

The solution is a lean, cost-effective system compared with other more complex C-UAS solutions currently on the market. As a single-channel solution, ARDRONIS Locate Compact can be deployed in standalone mode or integrated into wider system of systems, dependent upon customer requirements.

Your benefits using the new ARDRONIS Locate Compact solution from Rohde & Schwarz:

Detection and dentification of all relevant UAS signals
Direction finding of UAS video downlinks
Localization of manipulated drones
Cost effective coverage of large areas
Future-ready and compatible with existing ARDRONIS systems

The new solution is specifically designed to satisfy emerging requirements of defense, security customers and protecting critical infrastructure around the world.

Critical infrastructure

In the age of strategic competition, countries rely heavily on critical national infrastructure, the network of facilities, sites, assets and technologies that ensures sovereignty, security and prosperity.

Government buildings, airports, power plants and pipelines, factories, dams and harbors are all critical national infrastructure that must be protected against malicious, non-cooperative drones.

Drones can easily enter controlled airspace and disrupt or destroy aircraft in the air and on the ground. These attacks endanger human life and carry a high cost for airports due to service disruptions or outages.

It is therefore imperative that aviation authorities deploy effective counter-drone solutions to ensure air traffic is safely managed at national and international airports.

Counter-drone solutions tasked with protecting critical national infrastructure such as airports must be capable of covering large areas of open ground in addition to deconflicting with aircraft, ground vehicles and even wildlife. They also have to be capable of locating the ground control stations used to operate drones to permanently stop the threat.

Law enforcement

Counter-drone solutions are a critical capability for law enforcement and security agencies.

Rohde & Schwarz solutions support the full spectrum of end-user requirements which can range from border surveillance and counter-narcotics operations to event security and VIP protection.

Counter-drone systems can be deployed along extensive borders where drones are used to smuggle contraband and identify weak points in border security to enable illegal crossings into a country.

Other use cases include prevention of unauthorized drone use at correctional facilities, protection of stadiums and venues, and convoy protection.

Each of these use cases demands very different operating parameters and requirements for counter-drone technologies. Typical user requirements include ease of use, mobility and rapid deployability, long range and field of view, and a reduced manpower requirement.

Defense

The proliferation of cheap, commercial drones around the world continues to pose significant risks for defense.

Tasked with operating in some of the world’s most remote and austere environments, expeditionary forces must protect themselves from malicious and non-cooperative drones to stay focused on mission success.

Malicious drones can be used by conventional or unconventional adversaries for reconnaissance and targeting. They can also be quickly weaponized to destroy targets on land or at sea.

Counter-drone solutions are ideally suited to supporting a wide range of troop support use cases, such as force protection for rear and forward operating bases, securing temporary and permanent airfields, harbors and surface vessels at sea, as well as protecting mounted and dismounted units on the ground. Solutions must be rapidly deployable, mobile, optimized in terms of size, weight and power, and easy to use in order to minimize the cognitive burden on end users.

ARDRONIS Locate Compact can be deployed across a wide variety of operating environments, with environmental ratings of IP67 and a temperature range from -30°C up to 55°C. The solution and signal database are frequently updated, with capacity to support software upgrades, including detection of WiFi drones, pan-tilt control and decoding functionalities. Moreover, use cases include VIP, event and convoy protection; airport, border and prison security; and expeditionary operations.

ARDRONIS Locate Compact meets all the mentioned requirements in defense, law enforcement and critical infrastructure. Therefore, the solution is one of the best choices when it comes to securing and protecting large areas.

Counter-drone technology is a rapidly evolving field, and it will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and security of our skies. As drones become more prevalent, counter-drone solutions will continue to evolve to meet new challenges and threats – and so do we. You can expect with our new solution an even more effective and responsible product to safeguard our airspace.

Rohde & Schwarz is your partner of choice for integrating tomorrow’s technology to respond to today’s threats. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

20 Oct 23. Russia’s KPO Kaysant “upgrades anti-drone jammer and mobile EW station.” Russian news agency TASS reports the NPO Kaysant Company “has created an anti-drone gun capable of suppressing up to 90% of unmanned aerial vehicle used by the Ukrainian army.”

“We have manufactured an anti-drone gun with a different form factor, more customary for ordinary people, in the form of a gun that can be hanged over the shoulder,” the company told the news agency. “The product is operating in seven frequency bands and is capable of suppressing a high percentage of drones – up to 90% of the ones used by the adversary in the special operation zone. This refers to any commercial drones, fixed-wing drones and FPV drones.”

“Seven frequency band sis the objective maximum existing to date. There are items abroad, if we take China, that are operating in larger frequency ranges but there are not present in the Russian market so far. These are the seven bands used for flying by the majority of drones. Certainly, there are machines flying at staggered frequencies and other items of equipment are being made to suppress them. Therefore, we cannot say we suppress 100% of drones – we suppress the majority of drones,” the company said.

A few days previously, another Russian news portal www.1.ru reported that the same manufacturer had upgraded its Argus-Antifury mobile electronic warfare (EW) station “so the equipment will be able not only to suppress drones, but also to determine their location.”

“According to a company representative, Argus-Antifury detects a drone and sends a signal to the operator for guidance,” said the news outlet. “Previously, servicemen had to use two devices: EW tools and a direction finding device….Argus-Antifury is a trench version of EW, its weight is 18 kg, operating range – 2 km. The system suppresses most drones, including aircraft-type devices. The product has been improved considering the experience of Russian servicemen. The upgraded station has been launched into mass production.”

For more information

https://tass.com/defense/1694687

https://www1.ru/en/news/2023/10/19/nikto-ne-skroetsia-sistemu-reb-argus-antifuriia-naucili-pelengovat-bespilotniki.html (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

20 Oct 23. Skylock reveals benefits of combined detection and disruption in wearable C-UAS solution. Skylock has launched a wearable counter-UAS solution that combines an RF detector and a jammer to provide real-world advantages in the hands of individuals in the field.

Pragmatism and efficiency are key discriminators in selecting counter-drone solutions. Combining detection and disruption in a single package offers operators the capability to make a dual-purpose approach to an incident. Swift identification of unauthorised drone signals leads to threat realisation and a proactive response to mitigate said threat. Security personnel are thus able to stay one step ahead of the evolving situation without the need for multiple devices, thus retaining and expanding the initiative.

Two features of the system make for compelling arguments in its favour. Its light weight allows for swifter reaction times and longer fatigue-free endurance; and the ready availability of jamming capability helps prevent potential security breaches and unauthorised surveillance. The company is a strong proponent of practical, crystal-clear solutions for counter-UAS challenges: the wearable combined detector/jammer offers a concise, efficient approach to address the growing threat of drones and the constant need to ensure security. For more information: www.skylock1.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

24 Oct 23. Australian regulator consults on BVLOS drone operations.

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requests input on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations from all participants. CASA invites drone operators to visit its Consultation Hub to contribute to the survey.

The objectives of this survey are to collect information to:

provide a picture of the use of, or intended use of drones for BVLOS operations across Australia
review demographic and geographic information of BVLOS activities in Australia
identify key benefits from, and challenges to, increased BVLOS drone operations
identify areas where regulatory improvements may be applied for lower-risk, low altitude BVLOS drone operations.

According to CASA:

“The survey will help us to build a snapshot of the current and future use of lower-risk beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations in Australia. This survey is for anyone that operates or intends to operate drones BVLOS.

“We especially want to hear from the agricultural sector who could benefit from the use of drones operated BVLOS in activities such as spray management, mustering, farm and land management, or related agricultural outcomes.

“BVLOS operations are when the drone pilot cannot see the drone with their own eyes and relies on cameras on board the drone or other location-based information directly from the drone to orient and fly.

“Extended visual line of sight operations (EVLOS) are when the drone pilot cannot see the drone with their own eyes and a trained observer (or observers) maintains awareness and visual line of sight of the drone. The observer may be in the same location as or away from the pilot, with communication between both roles occurring with or without the use of a radio or phone.

“In this survey, we are seeking information on how drones are used and the types of BVLOS operations you intend or currently undertake so that we can improve the regulatory framework and streamline operational approvals.” For more information visit: www.casa.gov.au (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

25 Oct 23. DroneShield Adds Long-Range Radar, Enhances Test Site.

DroneShield integrates RADA RPS-82 radars into its flagship multi-sensor system, DroneSentry, for long-range radar capability.
In parallel, the Company upgrades its Blue Mountains test facility, expanding its R&D and testing facilities.

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (DroneShield or the Company) is pleased to announce the addition of the long-range RADA RPS-82 radar capabilities to its flagship DroneSentry System, to serve its most demanding multi-sensor customer deployments.

RPS-82 provides DroneSentry operators with a significantly enhanced radar detection, classification and tracking range for wide area, multi-mission requirements. With DroneSentry’s compatibility with multiple radar platforms, DroneShield can offer both high-performance and cost-effective solutions to meet any customer requirement and/or budget.

RADA is internationally recognised as one of the leading counter-UAS radar system manufacturers, with a radar product family fielded widely by the US DoD and partner forces worldwide.

The RPS-82 was integrated into the DroneSentry system of sensors, rapidly leveraging the modular and open architecture of DroneSentry-C2, DroneShield’s enterprise common operating picture platform. The Company is offering RADA RPS-82 radars with its DroneSentry solutions, available now to existing and prospective customers.

DroneShield radar options can be found at https://www.droneshield.com/products/radars/.

Angus Bean, DroneShield’s CTO, commented “DroneShield is unique globally, in being both a sensor maker and an integrator, developing and manufacturing all of our products, except for the hardware of radars and cameras, where we partner with best-in-breed specialist manufacturers.

Our command-and-control DroneSentry-C2 system intelligently fuses the output from various sensor types through our proprietary SFAI sensorfusion module, producing an easy to understand situational awareness and extensive reporting functionality.

DroneShield’s radiofrequency sensors remain the single best and core way of detecting drones. Where customer’s deployment scenario and budget allow, multi-sensor detection provides a superior approach, when managed by an intelligent C2 software, that is able to fuse together large amounts of sensor data and present the end user with an easy-to-understand situational awareness picture.”

Alongside of integration of RPS-82, the Company has significantly upgraded its Blue Mountains remotely operated facility, to scale up and streamline the development and testing of its platforms. This includes field lessons from real-world deployments including Ukraine and other environments where drone threats have risen in prominence. The fully equipped site will allow the team to shorten development cycles and deliver firmware updates to DroneShield’s subscribed customer base more efficiently. The upgraded test facility includes the integration of the RADA RPS-82 radar system, permanently installed onsite.

The upgraded Blue Mountains facility complements the Company’s existing Northern Virginia-based testing facility in the U.S.

24 Oct 23. D-Fend Solutions, the leader in radio frequency (RF)-based, cyber non-kinetic, non-jamming counter-drone takeover technology, announced today the release of Version 23.08 of its EnforceAir software. With this release, D-Fend continues its industry-leading practice of supplying frequent updates to its system to ensure that users have the most comprehensive drone threat coverage and advanced capabilities, staying current with constantly changing developments in drone markets and technologies.

EnforceAir Version 23.08 provides an extensive upgrade to the technology’s cyber detection and mitigation methods, deepens its data analytics, and enhances the user experience.

Expanded Core Drone Coverage and Capabilities

New detection, identification, and mitigation capabilities for over 25 drones from leading drone manufacturers.
Unique coverage for certain drones currently experiencing major market growth, with long-range detection performance and near-zero false alarm abilities for tracking these drones.

Reporting and Analysis Expansion

New Drone Activity Overview reports with expanded analytics capabilities for detected and mitigated drone activity.
Additional sources and formats for map types, including MBTiles format for offline maps to support larger area displays with richer display attributes.
MapTiler server support for online map access, enabling users to connect to existing mapping services.

User Experience Enhancements

Improved user experience and user interface design across multiple functions.
Major upgrade for detailed drone information display.

Upgraded support for Industry and Regulatory Standards

Expanded Remote ID support multiple new drones and Remote ID modules.
New SAPIENT mitigation capabilities.

“This update marks significant further advancement in our industry and RF-cyber technology category leadership,” says Yaniv Benbenisti, D-Fend Solutions’ President and Chief Product Officer. “This extends our lead in drone threat neutralization and reinforces our differentiation by delivering unparalleled capabilities in identifying, capturing, and redirecting potentially hostile drones.”

About D-Fend Solutions

D-Fend Solutions is the leading provider of counter-drone, cyber-takeover technology, enabling full control, safety, and continuity during rogue drone incidents across complex and sensitive environments. D-Fend Solutions overcomes both current and emerging drone threats with hundreds of deployments worldwide. EnforceAir, the company’s flagship offering, focuses on the most dangerous drone threats in the military, public safety, airports, prisons, major events, and critical infrastructure environments. D-Fend Solutions’ technology has been chosen as best-in-class and is deployed at top-tier U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. military, federal law enforcement, and homeland security, as well as major international airports globally. EnforceAir autonomously executes RF cyber-takeovers of rogue drones for safe landings and outcomes, ensuring the smooth flow of communications, commerce, transportation, and everyday life. (Source: PR Newswire)

24 Oct 23. Bombardier Defense Delivers Global 6000 Aircraft to the USAF BACN Program.

Bombardier Defense delivered the seventh Global 6000 aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program
Bombardier’s multi-year contract with the Air Force supports a unique and reliable airborne communications platform essential for critical missions around the world
Global business jets have become go-to platforms for special missions around the world, thanks to their speed, payload capacity, reduced cost of maintenance, fuel efficiency, reliability, and endurance

Bombardier recently celebrated the seventh delivery of a Global 6000 aircraft to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) program at the company’s Hartford Service Centre, in Connecticut.

The BACN aircraft is a specialized communications platform, known in the USAF as the E-11A, that is part of a previously announced multi-year contract representing a potential total value of close to US$465 m. Bombardier has already delivered six Global aircraft to the BACN program under previous agreements. The USAF has the option to purchase an additional aircraft each year through 2026 under the 2021 contract.

“Bombardier Defense is proud to be a trusted partner of the U.S. Air Force,” said Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice-President, Aircraft Sales and Bombardier Defense. “Our flexibility and mission-focused approach has made the Global aircraft exceedingly recognized as the optimal option for governments and defense contractors around the world. Leveraging state-of-the-art integrated technology and a team of high-skilled experts, Bombardier Defense continues to strengthen its ties with the U.S. Air Force and to deliver its renowned platforms utilized to reinforce national and international security.”

As part of the critical BACN program, Bombardier’s Global aircraft serve as high-altitude communications gateways, relaying or bridging voice and data between air and surface forces, surmounting traditional obstacles such as mountains, rough terrain or distance. Dubbed “Wi-Fi in the sky” by the USAF, BACN-equipped Global aircraft acts as a universal gateway that can be utilized around the world. The Global family of aircraft is the platform of choice for more than 10 different mission types across the world given their ultimate combination of speed, range and endurance, and the 24/7 worldwide support infrastructure Bombardier has implemented.

Bombardier Defense has dedicated in-house engineering and support teams in Wichita, KS, with the ability to incorporate customer-requested modifications and provide comprehensive integration solutions with complete certification capabilities across the full spectrum of civilian, military and hybrid operations. Recognized around the world for its diverse portfolio of proven and versatile specialized aircraft platforms, Bombardier cumulates decades of experience working with hundreds of special mission operators and renowned mission systems integrators. (Source: ASD Network)

24 Oct 23. Lockheed Australia’s battle management Agile Shield passes counter-drone operational test. Lockheed Martin Australia recently marked an important milestone, a Field Capability Demonstration, for a battle management system known as Agile Shield, a tech for which the company clearly has long-range hopes.

The early version of the system, sponsored by the Australian Army, is targeted at tracking and assessing drones threats, but company officials made clear they see it as a broader All Domain player that could be paired with Air6500, the command and control system also made by Lockheed and recipient of a recent key award from the Australian military.

And though the tech is currently being considered by Australia, it was funded in part by the US Pentagon’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency to the tune of “ms of dollars,” according to Tony Lindsay, director of Lockheed’s STELaRLab in Canberra. As such, he said a DTRA official was on hand to watch the demonstration, and Lindsay claims that “he viewed what he saw very positively.”

“The thing that was really appealing was the ability to take sensors and effectors from multiple places that work in multiple ways, and from different manufacturers and integrate them, so he was particularly interested in that aspect to it,” Lindsay added.

In a statement Monday, Lindsay said, “While the demonstration focused on countering Uninhabited Aerial System threats, the Agile Shield battle management system will empower the Australian Defence Force to respond effectively to the increasingly complex and sophisticated array of improvised threats emerging from across land, air and maritime domains. … The successful completion of the Field Capability Demonstration represents a critical milestone in the development of this important sovereign defence capability.”

It’s a big vision for a system so far worth only $9m AUD ($5.68m USD). The company won the contract in 2021 as part of the Defense Department’s Counter Improvised Threats Grand Challenge (CIT-GC).

In keeping with the Australian Defense Department’s push to speed up development, the system went from a simulation in March to a field test in seven months. For the demonstration, the threat was quadcopters, the familiar — usually Chinese-made — drones used by hobbyists, militaries and terror groups around the world.

The battle management system was deployed to Puckapunyal, set up, tested for three weeks and then used in live exercises.

“During the demonstration we went through several scenarios that were designed to demonstrate the current technical capability of the system. In these scenarios, Agile Shield proved its ability to fuse data from these sensors into a common operating picture and represent this data on our human machine interface,” Kevin MacDonald, Agile Shield chief engineer, told reporters during a Friday briefing.

Offering a glimpse of what Agile Shield may offer when connected with Air6500 or its successors, MacDonald noted that it “also generated intelligent engagement recommendations for the operators’ consideration.” After a human authorized a strike, he said “the target drones were successfully defeated.”

Though Lockheed Martin Australia is a subsidiary of the American defense contracting behemoth, the Australia is pushing to elevate what they call “sovereignty” — ensuring Australian weapons contain as much Australian content as possible.

“Every single line of code in this system was written by young Australians. All the thought processes that went into designing the system were done by young Australians, so it’s an entirely sovereign system” Lindsay said. “So I’m incredibly proud of that fact. Having said that, we of course have to partner and want to partner very strongly, and we’re not doing this as an esoteric activity.”

Agile Shield should be able to integrate seamlessly with Air6500 since they are both based on open mission system architectures. Lindsay said that would enable systems to “go from counter-UAS to countering the advanced missile threat at the very, very high end.”

One of the more intriguing capabilities is that Lockheed says Agile Shield “has the intrinsic capability for fully-autonomous operation,” Lindsay said, but “the design philosophy is founded on agility and ability to adapt to the unknown — characteristics that fundamentally mandate a warfighter-centric approach.” Given that US defense policy requires a human in the loop for the final order to fire, Australia is likely to follow that lead for most applications.

Among the smaller companies involved in developing the system were Clearbox Systems, InTrack Solutions, DroneShield, Department 13, Codarra Advanced Systems, Trakka Corp and Silentium Defence. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)

24 Oct 23. ResilienX Led Team Selected for FAA UTM Research. ResilienX, Inc., a leading provider of in-time aviation safety management systems (IASMS), announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to analyze and enhance the security and performance monitoring of uncrewed aircraft system traffic management (UTM) ecosystems.

This research will focus on quantifying the effectiveness of various failure mode detection and mitigation strategies within a complex UAS operations environment. The output of the twelve-month effort will be to demonstrate safety and efficiency key performance indicators associated with mitigating issues observed in UAS ecosystems. Testing will occur at the New York UAS Test Site.

“We are excited to show the industry the data behind including in-time safety assurance capabilities into advanced UAS ecosystems. We strongly believe that NASA’s concept of in-time aviation safety management is more than a “good idea” and will be crucial for the scaled and highly automated drone economy. We are grateful to be trusted by the FAA to advance this vital gap in UTM ecosystems,” said Ryan Pleskach, CEO of ResilienX, Inc.

ResilienX, Inc. will partner with Assured Information Security (AIS) and OneSky Systems to bolster this research effort. OneSky, a global leader in ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable access for all airspace users, will provide UTM domain experience to support design, test, and evaluation planning, execution, and reporting. “Performance monitoring is crucial to the expansion of the BVLOS industry, and UTM is a hub for the many systems that support flight safety,” said Bob Hammett, CEO of OneSky. “We have a strong partnership with ResilienX, and this effort will further build upon this relationship by expanding the integration of OneSky’s UTM and ResilienX FRAIHMWORK. Through this work, we will greatly increase trust in the UTM network by understanding the real-time reliability of the entire system.”

AIS is a cyber and information security company leading in supporting critical cyber operations for the federal government, working with both the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. AIS is known for bringing a hacker mentality to all challenges and for using that perspective to design and implement high-assurance cybersecurity solutions.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with ResilienX on this cutting-edge project,” stated Salvatore Paladino, Director of Cyber Operations Research and Development at Assured Information Security. “By combining our cybersecurity expertise with ResilienX’s technological capabilities, we aim to develop innovative strategies that safeguard UTM ecosystems against potential threats.”

The research will be conducted in collaboration with NUAIR, a Syracuse-based nonprofit on a mission to open the drone economy for the state of New York. Over the past decade, NUAIR has built New York’s 50-mile beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) corridor and has conducted over 6,000 UAS flights to advance the industry. Because of their extensive experience in UTM research and development and track record of safety, NUAIR’s support will be essential during the project’s execution.

“Our partnership with ResilienX, Inc. and the other involved parties signifies our commitment to the safe integration of uncrewed aircraft into the national airspace system,” said Ken Stewart, CEO of NUAIR. “In order to fully commercialize the UAS industry, a safe, reliable UTM system will be a key component to make that happen, and our collaborative work on this project will help us advance that reality.”

“As the FAA designated New York UAS Test at the Griffiss International Airport, Oneida County looks forward to working with ResilienX and their team on research that addresses the future UAS Traffic Management ecosystem’s health and safety,” said Edward Arcuri, Commissioner of the Griffiss International Airport.

About ResilienX, Inc.

ResilienX is a software company developing safety assurance solutions for autonomous ecosystems. Their FRAIHMWORK software platform monitors the health, integrity, and performance of the systems involved in scaled BVLOS operations, helping organizations meet the FAA’s requirements around Associated Elements (i.e. …in-service monitoring criteria to detect out-of-compliance performance and initiate corrective action…). Founded in 2018 in Syracuse, NY, they are focused on ensuring the safe integration of UAS into existing airspace systems and transforming mobility worldwide. www.resilienx.com.

About AIS

AIS is a leader in cybersecurity research and development for government agencies and, increasingly, in the commercial space. AIS has been innovating in the cyber arena for over 20 years and employs leading experts in several aspects of cybersecurity, leaning on experience gleaned from cyber-attacks and defense. AIS is headquartered in Rome, NY, just down the street from the Air Force Research Laboratory, where the company began. https://www.ainfosec.com/

About OneSky

OneSky is a global UAS Traffic Management (UTM) company developing airspace assessment, operations, and traffic management solutions for the aviation industry. Our goal is to harmonize the sky – ensuring safe, efficient, and scalable access to all airspace users. We take a robust and long-term approach to UTM, envisioning the challenges ahead as traffic management is unified for all operators. By working with all stakeholders – drone operators, drone manufacturers, and airspace authorities – we understand this ecosystem’s unique challenges and serve the community’s critical needs. Learn more: www.onesky.xyz

About NUAIR

As a trusted and credible service provider, NUAIR is ushering in the next generation of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions for the safety, societal, and economic benefit of New York State and beyond. https://nuair.org (Source: C-UAS Hub)

24 Oct 23. Evolve Dynamics has embarked on an exciting new partnership with radar technology specialist Cambridge Sensoriis to perform its first fully autonomous drone landing. Cambridge Sensoriis’ ARC radar sensor devices have been integrated with our Sky Mantis UAV to achieve autonomous landing, loitering and zonal position hold without the use of any other sensors. This system is therefore ideally suited to operation in GPS-denied environments.

Evolve Dynamics’ Chief Commercial Officer, Laurence Mallinson explains:

“By using radar pods that communicate with each other, our UAVs will be able to land autonomously in any weather, on a moving host platform, or in a GPS-denied environment. The key aspect of the system is that it is not reliant on visual navigation methods such as 2D barcodes or LED’s, and therefore is able to operate in adverse weather conditions and complete invisibility, such as fog or mist.”

The partnership sees Cambridge Sensoriis’ ground-based radar beacons communicating with a Sensoriis airside radar mounted in the Sky Mantis aircraft, which passes precision positioning data to the autopilot.

This pioneering technology offers extremely robust positioning autonomy to Evolve Dynamics’ Sky Mantis for operations involving vessel landing, loitering in holding positions both static and moving, and constraining flight to defined corridors or zones. With the use of Sensoriis’ radar, Sky Mantis can launch from, follow, and land on a moving vehicle or boat.

Cambridge Sensoriis’ CEO, Steve Clark, commented:

“We’ve believed for some time that our radar-based positional information could add value to drone deployments, but it has taken the expertise and support of Evolve Dynamics to see that come to fruition with actual real-world autonomous manoeuvring and landing. It’s a first for us. We’re delighted with the collaborative spirit of this partnership, and the opportunity ahead.”

Evolve Dynamics’ CEO, Mike Dewhirst, added: “This is a major step forward. To achieve resilient autonomy and positioning without existing infrastructure, such as GPS, is essential. This is critical in defence scenarios, where we already have a strong market presence, as well as for the general scalability of industry drone solutions that will require strong resilience and redundancy.”

24 Oct 23. Mobile C-sUAS Swarm Defeat Challenge Finalists Named. STRIKEWERX and Air Force Global Strike Command are one step closer to helping protect mobile assets against small unmanned aerial systems.

STRIKEWERX, the command’s innovation hub, has chosen 26 entities to aid the AFGSC Office of the Chief Scientist’s effort to research and develop state-of-the-art technologies to defend mobile transport systems against swarming, autonomous, small, unmanned aircraft systems.

“U.S. integrated deterrence is backstopped by a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent. This challenge will discover the newest developments in industry to address threats and maintain the command’s commitment to nuclear deterrence,” said AFGSC Chief Scientist Dr. Donna Senft.

The finalists were selected from over 75 submissions in August and will now provide a virtual showcase of their solutions in November. In December, an in-person showcase will follow at the Cyber Innovation Center in Bossier City, Louisiana.

The vendors chosen to potentially provide solutions are:

Anduril Industries
Black River Systems Company
BlueHalo
Bubo Learning Design
Decryptor
DroneShield, LLC
DRS RADA Technologies
Epirus Inc
Flex Force Enterprises Inc
Fortem Technologies, Inc.
High Point Aerotech
Honeywell
IoT/AI
KORD
Leidos
Leonardo DRS Land Systems
Louisiana Tech University
Montana Armament Group LLC
Persistent Systems, LLC
Physical Sciences Inc.
Pierce Aerospace
Sentien Robotics
SRC Inc.
Teleidoscope
Unmanned Experts Inc.
VersaTOL

STRIKEWERX Director Russ Mathers said, “These submissions are a great cross section of industry, small business and academia that all work towards our focus areas of detect, defeat, operability and integration. I look forward to working with our partners in Global Strike to further this market research towards potentially creating a prototype.”

Following a May workshop and an eight-week solution submission period, AFGSC evaluators identified the top submissions. Following the virtual and in-person showcases, AFGSC evaluators will identify the best ideas to potentially be contracted for prototype development. If those prototypes prove beneficial, they could be scaled for operational use. (Press Release) (Source: C-UAS Hub)

24 Oct 23. ST-Flex Guardian Aerostat Includes C-UAS Capabilities for CBP.

Altaeros is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of a 5-year, $99 m Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the Department of Homeland Security, specifically the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This contract pertains to the supply and maintenance of autonomous aerostats and related support services. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with a workforce exceeding 60,000 personnel, stands as one of the world’s largest law enforcement entities, entrusted with the responsibility of preventing terrorists and their weaponry from entering the United States while simultaneously facilitating legitimate international travel and trade. Altaeros takes great pride in contributing to CBP’s mission to safeguard the American population, protect national borders, and advance the country’s economic well-being through our ST-Flex Guardian Class autonomous aerostats.

“The Altaeros team along with the ST-Flex Guardian Class autonomous aerostat surpassed all mission and operational availability objectives during demonstrations along the southern border earlier this summer. We are committed to providing the most stable and operationally cost-effective persistent aerial platform on the market.” said Altaeros CEO Ben Glass. “The ST-Flex is uniquely suited for our US Government and International customers looking for a persistent ISR platform that is payload agnostic for a wide range of multi-domain operations and various mission sets.”

ST-Flex Guardian Class carries up to 130+ lbs (60 kg) of payload at heights up to 1,000 feet (305 m) above ground. The umbilical tether houses dedicated fiber optic cables for avionics and payloads, ensuring data is kept separated and secure. The modular payload bay is sensor/communications agnostic, supporting a range of payloads, including ISR, Radar, Narrow-Field EO/IR, SIGINT, cUAS, Communications relay, 4G/5G, and more. Aerostat Autopilot™, Altaeros’ proprietary autonomous control system, eliminates on-site crew for daily operations and ensures the highest level of mission availability, making ST-Flex the most reliable aerostat solution in its class. Learn more about the ST-Flex Guardian Class aerostat here: https://www.altaeros.com/st-flex-guardian-class/

About Altaeros

Altaeros’ mission is to connect people, machines, and data, regardless of location. We leverage cutting-edge autonomy and advanced aerospace technology to build the most effective aerial platform. Our SuperTowers are used to deliver high-speed communication networks, integrated sensor packages to provide persistent battlespace surveillance and an elevated vantage point for early detection of threats. Altaeros is headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, with production and testing facilities in Fremont, New Hampshire. Altaeros is backed by SoftBank Group, SKK, Safar Partners, SPARX, and others. (Source: C-UAS Hub)

24 Oct 23. Bundeswehr Gets New Underwater Reconnaissance Drones. Almost four meters long, almost 40 centimeters in diameter and weighing 400 kilograms – these are the dimensions of the Bundeswehr’s new underwater reconnaissance drones. The President of the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr, Annette Lehnigk-Emden, signed a contract on October 20, 2023 to procure an initial four systems.

The new long-range underwater reconnaissance drones of the “SeaCat” type are to be integrated into the Class 332 minehunting boats and the associated training and testing facilities in the future.

Underwater reconnaissance is being improved

Underwater reconnaissance is a crucial component of national and alliance defense. A clear underwater situation picture that is available at all times creates a decisive advantage and serves as a basis for decision-making at all levels.

By purchasing a product that is available on the market, the time until it is ready for use is shortened enormously. The starting signal was given with the signing of the contract.

Equipped with high-resolution side-view sonars, the new drones can search the seabed at great depths for potentially dangerous objects such as mines. During such a mission, the data collected is pre-processed in the drone. The results obtained in this way will later be used by the minehunting defense forces to take further targeted steps towards combating them.

Thanks to the large-area search performance, the high-resolution display and the pre-processing of relevant sonar data, the drones meet all the requirements placed on them. In addition, no soldiers have to stay in mine-prone areas. This also significantly improves their protection.

When will the drones be delivered?

Because the “SeaCat” is a system available on the market, the first drone can be delivered as early as the end of 2024 according to current planning status. At the same time, preparations for the integration of the first minehunting boat are already taking place. The subsequent system acceptance on the first boat is planned for spring 2025.

After complete delivery and integration of the four systems, including transport and storage containers, spare parts and documentation, the project is scheduled to be completed in mid-2026.

The contract is also designed as a framework agreement. This means that additional systems can be commissioned and integrated later if necessary.

(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/)

24 Oct 23. British UAV manufacturer Evolve Dynamics is supporting the British Army in its drive to deliver innovative technologies to the front line. As part of Exercise Iron Titan, which recently took place at the Army’s Caerwent training area in Monmouthshire, Evolve Dynamics was invited to provide persistent, tethered ISTAR CONOPS support to a mobile squadron of the 101 Operational Sustainment Brigade through its Sky Mantis UAS. The system is able to operate in radio silent mode with all data and controls going over the tether cable, whilst providing long range ISTAR and FOB protection, streaming daylight 30X zoom HD video and LWIR thermal to local and remote command and control centres. With Sky Mantis on its tether and field to command streaming, it is one of the most compact and capable systems on the market, and is battle-proven in recent conflicts. Sky Mantis can be integrated with other systems easily, such as ATAK and edge processing AI modules, such as the Oxford-based Archangel Imaging systems deployed in Exercise Iron Titan. In this context, such modules are able to provide faster, automated early detection of threats to an agile logistics base and to central command, and ensure that a Quick Reaction Force is provided with the best intelligence required to respond effectively and with minimal or zero losses. Evolve Dynamics is proud to serve military customers, including the UK Ministry of Defence, and to play a vital role in developing technology intellectual property and delivering the UK’s sovereign defence manufacturing capability. The battle-proven Sky Mantis UAS system can be deployed in under 60 seconds and is able to operate in all weather conditions, making it the ideal choice for extreme environments. The innova%ve tether system allows the aircraft to fly continually for up to 48 hours, or the UAV can drop its tether cable in-flight and continue to fly for a further 30 minutes on the remaining battery to pursue a target beyond the cable reach. Output from the system’s interchangeable payloads is AES-256 encrypted for broadcast to command centres, whether it’s the 30X Zoom EO HD camera, LWIR thermal, MWIR thermal zoom, RF EW / CEW or a range of other sensors. Major Matt McGarvey-Miles, from the Army’s Robo%c and Autonomous Systems, Future Force Development team, commented: “Exercise Iron Titan provides a demonstrated example of the value of collaboration between the Army and industry partners, particularly SMEs, in adopting cuing-edge technologies in operational contexts. The capabilities of Sky Mantis in offering reconnaissance and surveillance have delivered a positive impact in this environment, and we take forward the learnings from this exercise into how we will operate in the future.

23 Oct 23. MARSS completes demonstrations with UK MoD, showcasing its NiDAR-powered C2 systems across multiple domains.

MARSS Group has successfully demonstrated its NiDAR powered Command and Control (C2) systems to the UK MoD – showcasing its ability to present multi-domain data on a single screen.

Over three consecutive days, on the Isle of Portland, MARSS Group played host to delegates from the UK MoD, demonstrating the effectiveness of its NiDAR enabled C2 systems across all four domains – air, land, sea and underwater, showcasing NiDAR 4D.

MARSS’ NiDAR system seamlessly consolidates data from multiple sensors simultaneously, to provide a full tactical picture in a single stream. At the same time, the system, utilising MARSS’ proprietary Hybrid Intelligence platform, is able to autonomously detect, classify and track potential threats, as well as recommend an appropriate countermeasure to the operator.

Over the course of the demonstration, utilising multiple sensors for air, land, sea and underwater detection, visitors were shown how NiDAR 4D leverages artificial intelligence and machine leaning to detect and track all objects, across all domains, on a single screen – dramatically reducing the burden on the operator.

Following the demonstration, users were given the opportunity to experience, first-hand, how intuitive the NiDAR user-interface is, with minimal training required.

Mike Collier, MARSS’ Business Development Manager, NATO, commented, “We were delighted to host multiple teams from the MoD, and show how MARSS NiDAR systems can autonomously manage the threat detection across all domains. While each group had different needs from a C2 centre, all the visitors could quickly understand the power of MARSS’ next generation system, powered by NiDAR.

“NiDAR provides a world-leading evolutionary and agile approach to addressing emerging threats and can quickly integrate with new sensors and effectors to defeat them. We look forward to ongoing discussions around the MoD’s future combat requirements, and demonstrating how MARSS can enhance national security by protecting lives and critical infrastructure.”

23 Oct 23. U.S. Military Defends Against Drones in Separate Incidents.

Late last week, U.S. military personnel defended against multiple drone attacks in Iraq, Syria, and the northern Red Sea. In western Iraq, U.S. forces confronted two drones, managing to destroy one and causing damage to the other, which resulted in minor injuries to Coalition forces. In a separate incident in northern Iraq, U.S. forces engaged and effectively destroyed a drone, with no reported injuries or damage. Ongoing assessments are being conducted to evaluate the operational implications of these encounters.

According to the press release from U.S. Central Command, “In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in Iraq and the region. We want to emphasize U.S. forces will defend U.S. and Coalition forces against any threat.”

On Thursday, the Pentagon announced the crew aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney, while operating in the northern Red Sea, successfully intercepted and neutralized three land attack cruise missiles and multiple drones launched by Houthi forces in Yemen.

Pentagon Press Secretary, Air Force Brigadier General Pay Ryder stated, “This action was a demonstration of the integrated air and missile defense architecture that we built in the Middle East and that we are prepared to utilize whenever necessary to protect our partners and our interests. We cannot say for certain what these missiles and drones were targeting, but they were launched heading north along the Red Sea potentially towards targets in Israel,” General Ryder said.

Ryder provided information about drone attacks on U.S. facilities in Syria and Iraq. In Syria, two drones targeted the al-Tanf garrison on October 18. U.S. and coalition forces successfully intercepted and destroyed one drone while the other hit the base, causing minor injuries to coalition personnel, all of whom later returned to their duties. Additionally, early warning systems alerted to a potential threat at the al-Assad airbase, leading to personnel taking shelter. Although no attack occurred, a U.S. civilian contractor experienced a fatal cardiac episode while in the shelter.

Ryder said he will not detail what the American response to these provocations will be. “I will say that we will take all necessary actions to defend U.S. and coalition forces against any threat,” he said. “Any response, should one occur, will come at a time in a manner of our choosing.”

Ryder stated that the presence of U.S. forces in the region serves as a deterrent to prevent any government or group from launching attacks during the Israeli-Hamas conflict. Currently, the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is en route across the Atlantic to join the Ford. Additionally, the Air Force has increased its fighter presence in the region. (Source: C-UAS Hub)

23 Oct 23. USSOCOM RFI- Counter-Electronic Countermeasure Seeker.

The USSOCOM Directorate of Science and Technology has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Next Generation Effects Capability Focus Area (NGECFA), specifically focusing on the Counter-Electronic Countermeasure Seeker (CECMS).

USSOCOM seeks to develop the ability to detect, identify, and target electronic warfare emitting systems that target GPS, command data link, communications frequencies, and counter-battery radars. Size, weight, power, data interface must make it suitable and effective when integrated on Class I & II UAS, as an additional sensor on larger ISR platforms, or the seeker on small, guided munitions.

Original Publish Date: October 19, 2023, 05:33 pm EDT

Original Reponse Date: November 20, 2023, 12:00 pm EST

For more information, please visit RFI- USSOCOM Directorate of Science and Technology RFI Next Generation Effects Capability Focus Area (NGECFA): Counter-Electronic Countermeasure Seeker. (Source: C-UAS Hub)

23 Oct 23. Pre-integrated sensor package and installation kit provides C-130 operators with ready-made mission suite. Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT joins forces with U.S. mission aircraft supplier Airdyne Aerospace Inc., Brooksville/FL, to jointly offer an integrated and certified mission suite, in a first step specifically for C-130 mission aircraft. On September 20, 2023, both companies signed a MoU to set up the details of their relationship. The mission suite combines HENSOLDT’s “MissionGrid” portfolio of different sensors and mission management systems and Airdyne’s SABIR System which is a system of individual “bolt-on” modular components that can be configured in several ways to support various missions, aircraft configurations, and other customer-specific requirements.

23 Oct 23. Shield AI announces multi-year agreement with Sentient Vision to offer AI-enabled real-time situational awareness. A groundbreaking AI technology collaboration between Shield AI, an American defense technology company building the world’s best AI pilot, and Sentient Vision Systems (Sentient), an Australia-based leader in AI-enabled real-time situational awareness to deliver a next generation wide area motion imagery (WAMI) solution has been given the green light with a LTA (Long Term Agreement) to supply Sentient’s ViDAR® solution on the V-BAT VTOL UAS.

“The supply contract is a multi-year, multi-units’ agreement, with first deliveries planned for 2024,” according to Sentient’s CEO Mark Palmer, who made the joint announcement with Brett Darcey, Shield AI’s Vice President of Product and Programs, at a reception attended by Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese, and hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris in Washington, DC.

The companies previously announced the joint development and integration of a ViDAR-enabled, wide-area-search capability onto Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft, which will enable Shield AI’s V-BAT to intelligently classify, track, and read-and-react to targets in dynamic missions. Combining ViDAR with Shield AI’s Hivemind will provide the most advanced AI-piloted ISR sensor package in the world.

“Our partnership with Sentient Vision marks a major advancement in AI-driven situational awareness. Integrating ViDAR with our V-BAT platform showcases our dedication to giving allied warfighters the best AI tools so they can achieve a clear strategic edge,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s President, Co-founder, and former U.S. Navy SEAL.

ViDAR is Sentient’s AI system, which uses an Electro-Optic or Infrared (EO/IR) sensor to detect and classify targets in the imagery stream that would be invisible to a human operator or to a conventional radar. With these enhanced capabilities, V-BAT will be even more proficient in executing the most challenging missions, offering a level of capability that significantly bolsters threat deterrence, thereby reinforcing international peace and security.

“The confirmation of our long-term relationship absolutely reflects the AI technology workstream that is underlined in the AUKUS Pillar 2. Explained Sentient’s newly appointed CEO, Mark Palmer. “Innovation stemmed from our computer vision AI-enabled ViDAR and Shield AI’s Hivemind will provide commanders with immediate situational awareness and survivability of our warfighters.”

20 Oct 23. NATO to adopt first-ever counter-drone doctrine for member nations. NATO is expected to adopt its first-ever counter-drone doctrine, which will in part advise member states on layered approaches to defend against unmanned aerial systems and the common training of operators.

The ambition of establishing a counter-UAS doctrine within the military alliance by the end of 2023 has been in the works for some time, according to Claudio Palestini, a senior adviser at NATO’s emerging security challenges division.

“The formal tasking to create this document was issued at the beginning of this year,” he told Defense News in an interview. “It will build on a handbook produced in 2019 that was more focused on outlining guiding principles on how to effectively counter drones.”

While some of the content between the doctrine and the handbook, which was never made public, will be similar, Palestini said the main difference will be within the level of formality and focus.

“The 2019 handbook was around 600 pages in length and served as a preliminary document,” he said. “The scope of this c-UAS doctrine will be NATO-wide and be much more coherent, condensed into 70-80 pages.”

While the precise tenets it will contain remain vague, one of its overarching goals will be to advise member states on the most effective ways to organize and carry out counter-drone operations in different operational environments.

The high-priority report will outline in part recommendations regarding how to operationalize c-UAS, the importance of multidomain and layered solutions, and setting common training standards for operators.

According to Palestini, the document will be sent in the next few weeks for ratification by a NATO committee in charge of developing military operational standards with the assistance of the NATO Standardization Office. Once all the requested changes are received, it is expected to be approved.

The hope is for the committee to ratify it before the end of the year, if all goes accordingly, he said.

The development of the doctrine preceded Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, Palestini said.

“What the Ukraine-Russia war did lead to is changing the evolution of the threat posed by drones as well as the operational environment where c-UAS can play a role in modern conflicts,” he said.

While NATO recognized some time ago the benefits of operating unmanned aircraft, it was only fairly recently that the majority of member states began to seriously build up their arsenal and defensive capabilities against these systems.

Previous initiatives included the establishment of a NATO c-UAS working group in 2019 and a number of studies carried out by the NATO Industrial Advisory Group on the shortcomings of some counter-drone systems as well as trials to test different technologies.

It remains unclear whether the document will allow for the eventual development of a NATO-owned and -operated c-UAS asset, similar to the Northrop Grumman RQ-4D drone, whose capabilities are available to all member states. The overall cost of the acquisition and maintenance of the remote piloted aircraft were covered by NATO. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

20 Oct 23. Handbook- UAS protection of critical infrastructure and public space. Handbook on UAS protection of critical infrastructure and public space is a resource written by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.

The handbook offers guidance on safeguarding against malicious Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and furnishes directives, references, strategies, and considerations. It encompasses detection, tracking, identification, and neutralization and provides insights into risk analysis, solution design, solution implementation, and operational aspects. The handbook underscores the significance of integrating systems and processes while engaging stakeholders to establish a comprehensive solution.

This handbook plays a pivotal role in the Commission’s Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) package, introduced as a flagship initiative within the Commission’s communication titled ‘A drone strategy 2.0 for a smart and sustainable unmanned aircraft ecosystem in Europe.’ This package comprises a dedicated communication on C-UAS, outlining the primary principles for the EU’s future policy addressing potential UAS threats.

As part of the ongoing commitment to support EU Member States and stakeholders, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) has produced two handbooks. The first presents a five-phased approach to developing a C-UAS solution, while the second offers recommendations for assessing risks arising from the malicious use of UAS, along with guidance on fortifying non-military infrastructures against such threats.

Publication Date- 2023

Handbook on UAS protection of critical infrastructure and public space contains the following major sections:

Phase one/Getting started with C-UAS
Phase two/Risk and threat analysis
Phase three/C-UAS solution design
Phase four/C-UAS solution implementation
Phase five/Operating the C-UAS solution

The reuse of this document is authorized under the Creative Commons Attribute 4.0 International (CC by 4.0) license. (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

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