Sponsored by Echodyne
www.echodyne.com
————————————————————————-
04 Jan 24. Breaking New Ground in Aerial Imaging: The AVIID Dataset and Visible-to-Infrared Image Translation.
A study published on 10 November 2023, in the journal of Journal of Remote Sensing, has made significant strides in aerial visible-to-infrared image translation. It offers advantages like lower cost, higher efficiency, and enhanced downstream task performance, addressing issues like lack of datasets, methodological surveys, and comprehensive evaluation systems for image quality.
The research involved an in-depth analysis of image translation methodologies applied to the AVIID dataset. The team focused on the conversion of visible images to infrared images using various image-to-image translation techniques. They evaluated these techniques based on their effectiveness in generating high-quality infrared images. The study not only benchmarked existing methods but also analyzed key technologies for performance improvement. This included assessing the fidelity of the translated images in replicating true infrared imagery, as well as their utility in practical applications such as environmental monitoring and surveillance. The detailed analysis provided a solid foundation for future advancements in aerial image translation technology.
Professor Shaohui Mei, the lead researcher, stated, “Our dataset and evaluation system mark a significant step in aerial image translation, offering researchers a unique resource to develop and evaluate advanced algorithms in this field.”
The team plans to extend their dataset and refine their evaluation system. They aim to address challenges like improving image quality under diverse conditions and integrating these technologies into real-world applications. This research has potential applications in surveillance, environmental monitoring, and disaster response, where rapid and accurate image translation is critical. The dataset and methodologies developed could significantly reduce costs and enhance the capabilities of infrared imaging technologies. (Source: Newswise/Chinese Academy of Sciences)
03 Jan 24. Bombardier wins US Army contract for new spy plane prototype. The U.S. Army awarded a contract to Bombardier Defense to provide at least one Global 6500 aircraft to serve as a prototype airframe for a new spy plane program, the service announced Wednesday. The firm-fixed-price contract, awarded Dec. 12, includes an option to purchase two additional aircraft over a three-year period. The first aircraft’s delivery date is set for Oct. 1, the statement noted. The High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System, or HADES, will be the first intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft in the Army that uses a large-cabin business jet with advanced deep-sensing capabilities, according to the service. The new aircraft will bring “increased range, speed, endurance and aerial [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] depth,” Col. Joe Minor, the Army’s project manager for fixed-wing aircraft, said in the statement.
“HADES will operate at higher altitudes than legacy turboprop platforms. Higher altitudes equate to an ability to sense farther and more persistently into areas of interest,” he added. “Deep sensing is the Army’s number-one operational imperative for the Army of 2030.”
The Army is revamping its aerial reconnaissance and electronic warfare arsenals as it moves away from its aging Guardrail turboprop planes to better prepare for potential large-scale conflict with Russia and China. The service wants a plane with much greater duration, speed and payload capacity that can see, detect and target threats from farther distances. Leading up to the HADES program of record, the Army has built and extensively flown technology demonstrators. Those spy planes have logged nearly 1,000 sorties in the European and Indo-Pacific theaters. Two more demonstrator aircraft are expected to deploy in 2024. The service built and deployed two aerial ISR demonstrators beginning in 2020 known as Artemis and Ares. Artemis has flown more than 600 sorties in support of U.S. European Command’s operations; Ares has flown 300 sorties in the Indo-Pacific. The Pentagon has expressed a need to be able to engage China at a distance. That requires a certain type of asset that can perform the mission at a long range.
Artemis — or Aerial Reconnaissance and Targeting Exploitation Multi-Mission Intelligence System — uses a Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft. The Army in 2019 awarded a contract to HII, and the company subsequently awarded a subcontract to Leidos to build the aircraft.
Ares — or Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System – uses a Bombardier Global Express 6500 aircraft. Alion Science and Technology, now owned by HII, won a contract to build the aircraft in 2020 and then awarded a subcontract to L3Harris Technologies to execute the work.
The Bombardier Global Express 6500 is bigger than the Challenger 650. The larger platform provides the Army with longer ranges and higher altitudes, both of which are considered key capabilities in the Pacific region.
Two additional Athena aircraft — a radar variant and a signals intelligence version — will join the force and deploy in 2024 ahead of HADES. MAG Aerospace and L3Harris are teaming up to outfit a Bombardier Global 6500 with ISR sensors for the radar variant; Sierra Nevada will provide the signals intellience aircraft with its RAPCON-X sensor package.
“When you think of long-range fires, the additional word is precision. Precision implies that you need a target. If you’re going to have a target, you need to be able to surveil the area and to identify a target of interest,” Steve Patrick, Bombardier Defense’s vice president, told Defense News in an interview last month.
“The way that we view the problem set is not to have a single solution for a single problem,” he added, “but have a solution that can satisfy multiple problems, that is redeployable across the globe very quickly, that can be pivoted to where the current crisis is.”
The Army said last year that the first phase of the HADES program will include two different aircraft with different sensor packages.
Program Executive Office Aviation is taking the contract lead for the HADES program, while PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors will work to acquire payloads for platforms chosen for the program.
In September 2022, the Army awarded L3Harris and Raytheon’s Applied Signal Technology contracts to develop sensors for HADES. At least one team has formed ahead of the HADES program competition: L3Harris, Leidos and MAG Aerospace announced in October they were teaming up for the effort. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
04 Jan 24. Cuashub.com said today that Sentient’s ViDAR Detects Targets at High Altitudes. Sentient Vision Systems‘ AI-enabled sensor solution, ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging), has successfully demonstrated a range of detections at high operating altitudes of 30,000 feet. The demonstration, conducted for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), focused on technology to detect, locate, and track small objects in complex environments. ViDAR, utilizing superior deep learning and computer vision, offers faster processing and more accurate detections, providing commanders with immediate situational awareness on the battlefield.
Missions include:
- Wide area reconnaissance: Sentient scanned 2000 km2/hr while detecting objects of interest, including people, vehicles, and vessels. This is 30 times faster than an HD turret.
- Surveillance overwatch: Observe specific locations in a busy environment and report on activity
The successful demonstration of Sentient Vision Systems’ ViDAR, an AI-enabled sensor solution with two modes of observation, comes at a timely moment as the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia strengthen ties through the AUKUS trilateral agreement, mainly focusing on the AI workstream in Pillar II. This achievement highlights the importance of collaboration with allies, providing data diversity to enhance detection and classification accuracies, ultimately aiding operators in making informed decisions in information-overloaded environments during multi-domain operations.
The advantages for military operators using Sentient Vision Systems’ ViDAR include platform agnosticism, interoperability with mission systems, and an intuitive GUI, requiring minimal logistics and training support. The system offers enhanced versatility with scanning and overwatch sensors, providing joint forces with land and maritime capabilities. ViDAR ensures high-accuracy data, enabling the detection, location, classification, and tracking of objects at 30,000 feet for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) purposes. (Reference)
uashub.com/content/sentients-vidar-detects-targets-at-high-altitudes/?_hsmi=288735766&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9LYyrl7ug9cHrN-Nm42_zQ-bvSaxJy7-NKGvsMmTn4VDddvwBW5pIQ1vp6qkGGcY_B0dbKsHUhMfo3UtnL11wq53lhctnlXaGngFn0kRtDRoJOfjw#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=288735766&utm_source=hs_email(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
04 Jan 24. US Army purchases prototype for HADES deep-sensing programme. The US Army has purchased a Bombardier Global 6500, with options for two more, to serve as a prototype for the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) deep-sensing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system, the service announced on 3 January. The Global 6500 is to be the army’s first service-owned ISR-converted business jet. Although other converted business jets operate on the army’s behalf, and more are set to enter service via the Army Theater Level High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Airborne ISR – Radar (ATHENA-R) and ATHENA-Signals (ATHENA-S) programmes, these are contractor-owned, contractor-operated aircraft considered interims for the HADES programme. ATHENA-R was awarded in August 2023 to a MAG Aerospace and L3Harris team, while ATHENA-S went to Sierra Nevada Corporation in October; both ATHENA contractors use modified Bombardier Global 6500 as their platforms. The HADES prototype is scheduled for delivery to the army in October 2024. (Source: Janes)
03 Jan 24. Cuashub.com said today that Hanwha Systems Secures South Korea C-UAS Deal. According to information from The Korea Economic Daily, Hanwha Systems has signed two deals worth approximately 35 bn won (USD 26.9 m) with the South Korea Defense Acquisition Program Administration for integrated drone defense in critical areas. Hanwha Systems intends to manufacture equipment for South Korean forces capable of detecting small UAVs and drones near critical infrastructure like airports. The system will include jammers to disrupt the radio frequency command and control signal, diverting the flying objects or causing them to crash. This marks the first deployment of such a system in the country. Additionally, Hanwha Systems plans to provide a mobile interception system as part of its efforts to standardize and enhance anti-drone systems while expanding its product range for potential export.
“The global anti-drone market is rapidly growing, given increasing drone attacks in conflict areas across the world,” said Park Do-hyun, Hanwha Systems’ head of the command and control business division.
Hanwha Systems is poised to deliver 22 sets of drone jamming systems in a 30bn won deal aimed at detecting and neutralizing UAVs in critical areas like the center of the Seoul metropolitan area and Air Force airfields. This initiative addresses urgent requirements for such facilities. Last year, North Korean drones breached South Korean airspace, with one entering the no-fly zone around Seoul’s presidential office, prompting South Korean forces to deploy fighter jets and attack helicopters, albeit unsuccessfully. Hanwha System’s jamming system consists of a detection radar, electro-optical and infrared thermal cameras, a jammer, and an integrated console for operations. In a separate 5 bn won contract, the company is set to supply 33 sets of systems mounted on military vehicles for jamming, capturing, and intercepting drones by December 2024. The anti-drone systems provided by Hanwha Systems are anticipated to facilitate the sharing of target information among South Korean forces. These systems will be deployed across the Seoul metropolitan area. Notably, in September, South Korea initiated the drone operation command.
https://cuashub.com/content/hanwha-systems-secures-south-korea-c-uas-deal/?_hsmi=288592433&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–aNXueRnVtmCYor-IFpBSxr21U2TUZr5QWxazXPCd_WMh8vbG5xZONsKVSDERH7jWeonh9VJwFkELzQKDQ6fXpbxt97ooz7qA2ZGgkOZUB3kKN0MM#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=288592433&utm_source=hs_email(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
03 Jan 24. Cuashub.com said today that Anduril Unveils VTOL Autonomous Air Vehicle. Anduril Industries has unveiled Roadrunner, a modular, twin-jet powered autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air vehicle designed for exceptional performance at low cost. With VTOL capability, Roadrunner combines high subsonic speed with agility and stability. Its modular payload system accommodates various payloads for diverse missions and can be continuously updated. Roadrunner-Munition (Roadrunner-M) is a high-explosive interceptor variant for ground-based air defense designed to identify, intercept, and destroy aerial threats at a significantly lower cost than traditional methods. The system offers faster launch and take-off, increased payload capacity, extended effective range, and improved maneuverability compared to existing solutions.
https://cuashub.com/content/anduril-unveils-vtol-autonomous-air-vehicle/?_hsmi=288592433&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_UOps_85uOnQsHb402lbWKhf-83-9CUUv3y187wGEnor1RupjWYlXjX2mxdkwk86nuQKLDM35oalh9vBM4y3ZIOzHwpI96ydkN5toNJhshrKev_yU#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=288592433&utm_source=hs_email(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
03 Jan 24. Drastic Increase in US Army Coyote Drone Interceptor Purchase Plans. The U.S. Army plans to substantially increase its arsenal of Coyote counter-drone interceptors, as well as associated launchers and radars, in the next five years or so. The service says it wants to buy 6,000 jet-powered Block 2 variants, which carry an explosive warhead to destroy their target, and 700 more Block 3 versions that utilize an unspecified “non-kinetic” payload. The Army disclosed the details about its Coyote-related purchase plans for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2029 in a contracting notice about an expected sole-source contract to manufacturer Raytheon released earlier this week. In addition to the Block 2 and Block 3 interceptors, the service is looking to acquire 252 fixed launchers, 52 mobile launchers, 118 fixed Ku-band radars, and 33 mobile radars. Under the deal, Raytheon would also provide support for the maintenance and repair of at least 15 Coyote systems both in the United States and unspecified forward-deployed locations around the world.
The estimated production requirement over five years (FY25-FY29) is:
System Minimum Quantity
Fixed Site Coyote Launcher Systems 252
Mobile Coyote Launcher Systems 25
Coyote Kinetic Interceptor 6000
Coyote Non-Kinetic Interceptor 700
Fixed Site KuRFS 118
Mobile KuRFS 3
The announcement does not include any projected costs, but the unit price of a Block 2 Coyote is reportedly around $100,000 – a relatively low cost compared to traditional surface-to-air missiles. As such, the cost to purchase the 6,700 interceptors could be up to $670m. (Source: UAS VISION/The Drive; SAM.gov)
03 Jan 24. Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radar to strengthen Lithuania’s counter battery operations.
- The Lithuanian Defence Material Agency (DMA) signed an agreement with Dutch procurement Agency COMMIT (Commando Materiaal & IT) for Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact (GM200 MM/C) radars.
- Providing enhanced situational awareness, operational superiority, fire support and weapon location capabilities, the multi-mission radar will support the Lithuanian Land Forces.
- As a recognized European leader in systems-of-systems integration, Thales contributes to the sovereignty of nations and supports NATO countries in their mission of securing the skies.
Building on the strong international NATO cooperation as well as strategic bilateral defence ties, the Lithuanian Defence Material Agency signed an agreement with Dutch procurement Agency COMMIT for the acquisition of Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C).
Designed to address modern warfare’s challenges, the GM200 MM/C, provides simultaneous accurate detection, tracking and classification against all current and future threats, including drones. It offers radar operators with more time-on-target to gather as much information on incoming threats as possible thanks to new-generation 4D AESA technology*. The system automatically detects tracks, classifies aircraft, missiles, helicopters, multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Rockets, Artillery and Mortar (RAM), and is particularly suited to weapon location and air defence.
Cyber-secured by design, the GM200 MM/C also benefits from the latest software defined radar technology, enabling future upgrades and capabilities expansion to manage the ever-evolving spectrum of changing threats and doctrines. Additionally, the compact design of the GM200 MM/C provides ease of choice from fixed location mode to high mobility, very short deployment times and ease of transportation on any platform. Lithuanian partner ELSIS will support Thales in this project, collaborating on the vehicle integration part of the solution.
Thales has a long-standing and comprehensive expertise of air surveillance and air defence, from detection to neutralization. Its high technologies can address all types of threat, from drone countermeasures to ballistic missile defence surface radars, airborne radars, command centres, communication systems and equipment, counter battery and different types of effectors.
“Acquisition and delivery of Multi Mission radars Thales GM200 MM/C will be another step in strengthening the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ artillery capability. Moreover, the joint procurement provides a lot of opportunities for enhanced cooperation with NATO allies in the field of acquisition and support”, Mr. Sigitas Dzekunskas, Director of Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence of Republic of Lithuania.
“This Government-to-Government contract between the Netherlands and Lithuania illustrates the strong European defence cooperation. We are proud to be a part of this collaboration between NATO countries for which our GM200 MM/C will increase the safety and security of military personnel and high value assets.”, Gerben Edelijn, CEO Thales Netherlands.
*AESA: Active Electronically Scanned Array (a unique dual axis multi-beam providing unrestricted beam steering flexibility in elevation and bearing)
Ground Master 200 Multi Mission Family
The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission family (GM200 MM) is the new generation of Thales’ medium range ground radar including Thales 4D AESA technology. It benefits from Thales GM200 and NS100/200 technology background and many years fielded experience of more than 20 user groups.
- The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission “compact” version (GM200 MM/C) is a pallet version offering high tactical mobility and quick deployment, as well as specific mission capabilities such as artillery Counter Battery and Weapon Locating. It also suits well Very Short-Range Air Defence and Short Range Air Defence (VSHOR/SHORAD) missions as its GM200 MM/A brother.
- The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission “all in one” (GM200 MM/A) targeting mainly Air Surveillance, as well as Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) operations (up to low level Medium Range Air Defence – MRAD). It maintains the well-known GM200 integrated Command and Control shelter and facilitates space for the radar mast to gain elevation for low-level air surveillance and two operators on board.
- Both Ground Master 200 Multi Mission radars are easy to transport, optimized for network centric remote operations, and ultimately save time in planning, training and operation.
4D AESA family
- Thales’ scalable and upgradable antenna architecture is the core of Thales’ medium- and long-range 4D AESA radar family (NS50, NS100/200, GM200 MM, SMART-L MM / F, Sea Fire and Ground Fire).The fully digital & software-defined 4D AESA radar technology offers upgrade capacity over the whole life cycle to permanently maintain the tailored operational capability against evolving threats, including enhanced tracking & classification performance.
28 Dec 23. Congress passes drone security act to prohibit federal agency use of insecure drones. The US House and Senate have passed the FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) included. The legislation prohibits all federal agencies from purchasing or operating insecure drones, including those produced in China. The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) commended Congress for prohibiting federal agencies from purchasing or operating non-secure drones and says this is a “crucial step toward securing our skies and data”. AUVSI Chief Advocacy Officer Michael Robbins said the bipartisan measure “is a necessary step in protecting our nation from cyber risks, espionage and sabotage.”
The legislation is also supported by the partnership for drone competitiveness – a coalition of US drone and drone component manufacturers and enterprise users who are committed to strengthening the US drone industry. According to AUVSI, “Domestic drone products enable greater security for customers and end users. They reduce dependence on foreign supply chains for components and rare earth materials. And they allow the United States to reposition itself as the global leader in advanced aviation.” For more information visit: www.auvsi.org
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
29 Dec 23. US Army’s mixed reality device nears fielding with final testing in 2024. The US Army’s effort to give individual soldiers an augmented reality device that aims to improve shooting, navigation and use soldier-built applications for a host of tasks hits final testing phases in 2024. The Integrated Visual Augmentation System, or IVAS, is a helmet-mounted combined night vision/thermal augmented reality and situational awareness tool the service is funding to the tune of $22 bn.
The Army procured early versions, labeled IVAS 1.0 and 1.1, in late 2022 as the more ruggedized, field-worthy 1.2 version continued development. Officials confirmed to Army Times that they had procured funding for 5,000 sets of IVAS 1.0 in 2022, and another 5,000 sets of IVAS 1.1 in 2023.
Those 1.0 and 1.1 versions are slated for training units and schoolhouses for soldiers to tinker with and learn best applications for the new technology.
Microsoft, which based the IVAS on its HoloLens augmented reality device, delivered 20 prototypes of IVAS 1.2 in mid-2023.
Soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York tested the 1.2 in live fires for weapons compatibility checks in mid-August.
Another 80 such devices are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and a further 200 are slated for 2025 with fielding planned the same year, Program Executive Office-Soldier officials told Army Times.
The early HoloLens-based version of IVAS emerged in March 2019.
As teams developed the device, it transitioned from a helmet/no-helmet headstrap goggle option with a chest-mounted controller and thick cabling.
The cabling proved cumbersome for soldiers in various field tests.
Early testing showed image distortion and moisture control problems, which delayed testing by about a year but have since been resolved with software and hardware fixes, officials said.
The 1.2 version now has a flip-up, helmet mount, like many currently fielded night vision devices.
Key features of the device include its ability to link wirelessly to an individual’s weapon sight, allowing for picture-in-picture view from both the weapon-mounted camera and the device’s heads-up display.
In demonstrations at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, home to PEO-Soldier, the Family of Weapons Sights-Individual software used for the weapon-IVAS combination, allowed for users to see through obscurants, such as fog or dust, using thermal vision. Shooters were also able to fire around obstacles by using the weapon camera, while the shooter remains under cover
Navigation and training applications allow for users to lay out 3D maps of terrain, follow compass points in the heads-up display and identify friendly and enemy locations. In tactical scenarios, the device can load a “sand table” or internal map of a shoot house.
It also records position information as users move in teams, allowing for immediate after action reviews following shooting training.
Soldiers can use the IVAS to fly microdrones to scout a nearby location and take imagery of a target to send to its tactical cloud package, that then renders a 3D map of the terrain.
The cloud package runs on a briefcase-sized device used at the small unit level.
The IVAS also connects to the existing Nett Warrior smartphone-based Tactical Assault Kit. That device allows users to share information and upload various applications.
One example includes laying out fields of fire for a machine gunner that could be preloaded onto the device for when that soldier reaches the fighting position, said Brig. Gen. Christohper Schneider, PEO-Soldier commander.
Developers could create an app that provides a nine-line report for medical evacuations or an augmented reality option for medics to perform field surgery at the direction of a doctor at another location, he said. (Source: Army Times)
————————————————————————-
Echodyne is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions for defense and national security applications. The company’s proprietary metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) architecture, a rare breakthrough in advanced radar engineering, leverages a physics-design approach to adapt conventional materials and deliver unexpected and beneficial behavior. The result is a solid-state, low-SWaP unit coupled with advanced software capabilities that delivers superior radar performance and unparalleled data integrity, radically improving system performance and enhancing safety for people and machines. With leading positions in counter-UAS, force protection, base security, and portable ISR, Defense Agencies and Suppliers rely on Echodyne radar for extraordinary accuracy and consistent, reliable operation. For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.
————————————————————————