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

Sponsored by Echodyne

www.echodyne.com

————————————————————————-

05 Apr 24. Echodyne Showcases Ultra-Low SWaP MESA Radar Technology. Echodyne has displayed its ultra-low SWaP MESA radar technology for Defense and Homeland Security applications, including C-UAS at the Milipol Asia-Pacific TechX Summit 2024. Radar platform company Echodyne has exhibited at the Milipol Asia-Pacific TechX Summit 2024, Asia Pacific’s largest Homeland Security event which took place at Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore over April 3-5, 2024.

Echodyne’s attendance at the event is marked by increasing regional demand for the company’s patented metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) radar technology. Echodyne has recently expanded its Asia team to serve an expanding customer base, meet rising interest, and assist with and accelerate integrations for Partners and Customers.

The company’s commercially exportable, ultra-low size, weight, and power (SWaP) radars offer electronically scanned array (ESA) performance at commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) price points that radically expands situational awareness capabilities across Defense and Homeland Security applications, including counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), border surveillance, portable ISR, critical infrastructure protection, event security, and much more.

Echodyne will be showcasing its MESA radar technology at booth 2224 in the USA Pavilion and invites all interested parties to come by to learn more. In addition, Echodyne’s radars can be found in the HTX Pavilion, booth 1836, and its EchoGuard radar can also be found in a system in the HENSOLDT booth 1734 in the HTX Pavilion.

The industry-leading event is jointly organized by GIE Milipol, Comexposium and HTX with official support from Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs and France’s Ministry of the Interior.

Todd Fraser, Chief Revenue Officer at Echodyne, said; “Demand across Asia has accelerated across Defense, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Homeland Security segments over the past eighteen months. The ready availability and high utility of drones is pushing domestic security considerations from theory into practice.

“Customers are learning that spatial accuracy is critical to overall solution performance, and Echodyne radars offer class-leading airspace precision at commercial prices. We look forward to engaging in conversations about the use of radar for various homeland security applications.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

12 Apr 24. British troops to test Ocean’s Eleven-style electromagnetic weapon for first time. An Ocean’s Eleven-style EMP that uses radio waves to disrupt electronics and fry circuit boards is to be tested by British troops for the first time.

The electromagnetic pulse technology is a staple of action heist films and has been in development by military scientists since the 1980s, but is now one step closer to the battlefield.

The RF DEW (Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon) is to be given to the 7th Air Defence Group this summer for testing as part of plans to improve the targeting of drones.

The weapon is mounted to a MAN Support Vehicle and works by emitting high-powered radio waves to disrupt electrics.

Matt Cork, the programme manager at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)at Porton Down, said: “The idea is it generates a pulse, an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), which couples with electronic circuits, overloads them and switches things off. It causes electrical circuits to stop working. We can use this in a non-lethal way.”

Learning from today’s conflicts

The programme, codenamed Project Ealing, will be the first time the Ministry of Defence has conducted “user experimentation” of electromagnetic pulse technology.

“We are looking at it for multiple different activities,” Mr Cork said. “For example, could it protect an area, could it protect a moving convoy from drones with explosives on, which are a real threat.

“We are looking at what is coming out of current conflicts and trying to understand if this would have utility there.”

The range of the weapon and the wavelengths it operates at are classified but it has been made from commercially available technology which was created by a US company called Teledyne E2V to kill the outboard motors on boats.

“I can be very precise if I choose to be, or I can cycle through a whole host of frequencies depending on what I want to do,” said Mr Cork.

“We have designed this to have a mode with a narrow beam for single targets and I can then open that beam up to target a swarm. Because of the advent of drone threats we are exploring RF’s utility.”

The technology has the potential to kill all electronics in a small area, like in the fictitious Las Vegas scenario of Ocean’s Eleven, but in reality the technology will probably be used as a tool to take down incoming attacks or to hit specific targets.

EMP to be assessed alongside DragonFire laser

7th Air Defence will get the EMP technology in the summer, and will also receive the DragonFire laser in September. The experts in this group will assess the capabilities of the two different technologies separately, and provide feedback on flaws and possible improvements.

The RF DEW weapon, Mr Cork said, uses the same fundamental technology as a microwave oven or radar, which is long wavelength radio waves. “All I am doing is turning that all the way up to 11,” he said.

“RF doesn’t always destroy, but it will degrade or disrupt. We are trying to operate without always having to break everything.

“The laser [of DragonFire] is a surface effect and generates enough heat to burn and keep burning as long as you can keep the laser on it. With RF it is more about penetrating a box of electronics and coupling to the electronic circuit. It is a completely different kill mechanism.”

The technology will have a similar, but more devastating, effect on enemy drones as the jammers now used on the battlefield. Instead of temporarily rendering a drone ineffective, the EMP is a more permanent option, the DSTL scientist said.

“Jamming only works while it is on, the thing recovers when you turn it off. This is more like a sledgehammer. The effect is more in the permanent space.”

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, said: “We have never seen a war fought in the radio waves as much as Ukraine – jamming of the radio waves, jamming of GPS, the ability to conduct electronic warfare. The most electronically warfared space in the world is over Ukraine.

“I think that things like radio weapons will have a very large part to play in future conflicts.” (Source: Daily Telegraph)

02 Apr 24. THEON to Supply the Estonian Defence Forces With ARGUS Night Vision Monocular. On 27th March, THEON delivered the first 2.000 ARGUS FS Mk2 night vision monocular systems to the Estonian Defense Forces as part of a newly signed contract that shall eventually equip 10.000 soldiers with night fighting capability.

THEON was the winner of an international tender in which 16 companies participated. The company’s system stood out through the procurement process, which was based on a series of evaluation criteria including technical performance parameters, price, as well as delivery time. THEON, being one of the leading global companies for night vision goggles, was able to obtain the highest score overall and as a result was awarded the supply contract, which includes a fast delivery of more than 8,000 ARGUS FS Mk2 as well as an option to deliver several thousands, of ca. €35m and more than €20m, respectively.

High ranking officers of the Estonian Defense Forces, as well as THEON’s representatives, were present during the official handover of the systems, which was attended by official officers, local TV and media.

According to the Estonian Centre for Defense Investments (ECDI), which managed the procurement process, the nocturnal combat capability of the Defense Forces but also of the Defence League, which is a voluntary military national defense organization, will be increased exponentially with the supply of the ARGUS FS Mk2 night vision monocular system.

“The tender evaluation was very thorough and substantive. During the evaluation, the bids were assessed as complete sets, i.e. the entire set with night vision equipment, helmet fastening and additional equipment had to meet the conditions set in the tender. I am pleased that the competition was fierce and that the winning product fully meets the end-user requirements, the speed of delivery exceeded our expectations and the expected night fighting capability will be achieved on time” said Ramil Lipp, Armaments Category Manager at the National Centre for Defense Investments, who further added that he was surprised that there was a provider on the market today that could really deliver 2.000 devices within a week after the contract was signed.

“All in all, the THEON Argus FS MK2 is a clear improvement in limited-light warfare. Thanks to its lighter weight and improved night vision capabilities, it is an instrument that our national defense forces will certainly be delighted with” said Mario Nõlvak, Staff Sergeant of the Equipment Battalion of the Defense Support Forces Command.

Vasileios Savvaidis, Managing Director of THEON SENSORS SA, commented: “We are grateful to ECDI for their trust in THEON, giving us the chance to prove our capability in delivering what we have promised within the stipulated time frame”.

With this contract, THEON increases its already strong presence in the Baltic states after having already supplied substantial quantities of night vision and thermal equipment to Latvia, but also to Lithuania. In the context of the military cooperation between Baltic and Scandinavian countries, which is expected to be even stronger and closer after Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, makes THEON a key supplier of night vision and thermal equipment to the whole region.

THEON’s ARGUS is a family of innovative, full MIL-SPEC, image intensified multi-purpose and modular night vision systems that can be operated as hand-held, head/helmet-mounted or weapon-mounted. Lightweight, yet of robust construction, with superior optical characteristics and performance, utilizing standard AA batteries for operation. This groundbreaking system allows the individual soldier to perform observation, short range surveillance, military systems aiming, map reading and medical aid operations during all night conditions. More than 75.000 ARGUS systems are under contract worldwide. These world exports of ARGUS are indicative of the trust it has gained in the most demanding markets of the world.

THEON last week announced its record number of orders for FY 2023. The company, which has been listed on Euronext Amsterdam since the beginning of February, received orders worth €506m last year marking a 51.7% increase compared to FY 2022. THEON achieved €218.7m in revenue, marking a year-on-year growth of 53.0%, with an adjusted EBIT of €56.8m, representing a margin of 26.0%. Over the last 5 years the company has been growing at an average rate of 50% per year.

For FY2024, THEON expects another year of minimum 50% growth, fueled by the significant backlog of €540m. Target revenue is in the range of €330-350m, achieving an EBIT margin in the mid-twenties. In the medium-term, the company expects to continue growing in line with its addressable market, and to maintain an EBIT margin in the same level and a 30-40% dividend payout ratio. (Source: ASD Network)

09 Apr 24. UDT Defense Exhibition Displays New 3D Sonar Technology. Water Linked has presented a new form of 3D sonar technology capable of effective target detection and navigation across diverse underwater landscapes. Last November Water Linked was selected to take part in the NATO Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme, designed to support disruptive technologies with great potential for both commercial and defense applications. The Sonar 3D-15 provides real-time 3D imaging with point cloud generation, enabling live, precise and comprehensive visualization of underwater environments. High resolution and short-range capabilities make the Sonar 3D-15 particularly useful for close-proximity operations, such as identification and classification of target types and inspection of hard to inspect areas, such as ship hulls. The Sonar 3D-15 provides a significant improvement over traditional 2D sonars, simplifying the interpretation of complex sonar images.

“There is a wide range of 2D sonars out there. All of them make it extremely difficult to understand what you’re looking at,” says Oliver Skisland, CEO of Water Linked.

Characterized by its compact design, the Sonar 3D-15 boasts an operational depth of up to 300 meters and weighs less than 0.4 kilograms underwater. Its small and lightweight composition renders it compatible with most Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), facilitating effective target detection and navigation across diverse underwater landscapes. Another feature of the Sonar 3D-15 is its user-friendly interface, accessible via a web-based browser. This intuitive design simplifies the integration process, eliminating the need for complex software installations. The comprehensive Application Programming Interface (API) enables seamless integration with third-party software, enhancing adaptability and versatility for a wide range of applications. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

11 Apr 24. VITEC launches SignSync™ for EZ TV platform at NAB 2024. VITEC, a market-leading provider of IPTV, video streaming and digital signage solutions, is launching SignSync™, a patented module to address synchronization challenges faced when playing content across multiple end-points. As part of the EZ TV Platform, SignSync™ is a patented VITEC solution to utilize existing end-points without the need for additional hardware. It moves the sync process from the headend to the edge devices, allowing for a greater number of end-points to be synchronized at scale, by utilizing technologies already in place. SignSync™ will launch at NAB 2024, (13-17 April, Las Vegas Convention Center) on VITEC booth SL2064.

“SignSync™ has been developed to address a specific challenge in the market, using existing technologies, but without the need for additional hardware.” says Ryan Nowak, Head of Product Management – Platforms. “With SignSync™, teams can avoid costly synchronization issues and be confident that content is being delivered as intended. The previous solution to synchronous signage playback had been to upstream content, but this limits flexibility and increases costs, as each stream required a physical end-point and encoder at the headend. As SignSync™ moves the content sync capability from the headend to the edge, it allows for a greater number of signs to be synchronised across any number of end-points.”

SignSync™ also benefits from other features included with the EZ TV Platform, such as the ability for content to be updated on-the-fly. The end-points have a built-in mechanism to continue playing stored content, even if connection to the management server is lost, the end-point will continue to operate. SignSync™ also includes support for mixing images and videos into a single playlist, as well as added protection against failure, with a built-in failover mechanism.

Also showing at NAB is the VITEC MGW Diamond-H, a portable 4K HDMI Encoder with the ability to encode up to 4 channels from two HDMI inputs. the MGW Diamond-H empowers users to capture and stream content with unparalleled quality and minimal latency, with Power over Ethernet functionality. VITEC’s EP6 endpoint for IPTV applications will also be demonstrated at NAB 2024, providing the highest quality delivery of video and digital signage across the network. The EP6 is a multi-video advanced decoder – with a fanless design – that can output 2x 4K or quad-HD video streams, along with the ability to render stunning 4K graphics up to 2160p60. Additionally, EP6 has PoE+ functionality, simplifying deployment across any network.

11 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that Ukraine Seeks Interceptor Drones to Counter Airborne Threats. In a recent Telegram post, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, announced the country’s intention to produce interceptor drones designed to counter Russia’s airborne threats, notably targeting Orlan, SuperCam, and ZALA drones. Federov is seeking technical talent, such as developers and engineers who can create an interceptor drone to counter enemy drones without wasting other crucial air defense assets.

Key technical requirements mentioned in the Telegram post include:

Able to fly and intercept drones at speeds of 100 – 150 km/h
Can fly at an altitude of 1,500 m
The drone can receive target information from detection sensors- and can quickly take off and locate the enemy drone, then “hit” the enemy drone

Solutions that meet the criteria will be further evaluated for possible development by the Brave1 Cluster. The Brave1 Cluster is the Government of Ukraine’s unified coordination platform to foster collaboration among all stakeholders within the defense technology industry. This platform facilitates cooperation by offering organizational, informational, and financial support for defense technology projects throughout Ukraine.

https://cuashub.com/content/ukraine-seeks-interceptor-drones-to-counter-airborne-threats/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8hGiu6QG9Xgo9EdiURW_0X-Z6lnOWMa_PZAewfVmPgDOTUpb_Ysg8K9QSvjgHD50a3cJRCZoe2ckl4fve6_uP1vAzy-1dxOwXritolFDcM1ze7c6U&_hsmi=302205988#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=302205988&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

10 Apr 24. Boeing targets Brazil for P-8 sale. Boeing anticipates a requirement for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft from Brazil, for which it is pitching the P-8.

“We see an enormous opportunity for P-8s,” Tim Flood, the company’s vice-president of international business development for Europe and the Americas, told Janes at the FIDAE air show in Santiago, Chile, on 9 April. “That is really a strong opportunity for us. And we’ve been in conversations with the Brazilian Air Force. They’re currently in a study phase, determining what their replacement process would look like. (Source: Janes)

10 Apr 24. DSIT debuts DogFish multimission sonar system. DSIT Solutions publicly unveiled its new multimission sonar system designed for operation onboard underwater vehicles at the Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) 2024 conference and exhibition, held in London from 9 to 11 April. The system, named DogFish, was developed in response to the proliferation of threats in the underwater environment from manned and unmanned vessels. It has the capability to autonomously detect, track, and classify submarines, mini-submarines, semi-submersible vehicles, moored mines, and autonomous and unmanned underwater vehicles (AUVs/UUVs). DSIT describes the system as small, lightweight, and featuring a very low signature that makes it particularly suitable for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and homeland security missions. Its main components comprise a 360° transmitter array, two receiver arrays, an electronic unit, and a shore data analysis system. DogFish can be integrated onboard any type of underwater vehicle and can operate in active or passive modes, or in both simultaneously at medium to high frequency in both littoral and deep water. It utilises artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation algorithms, and latest-generation signal processing and acoustic techniques to provide a high level of situational awareness. (Source: Janes)

10 Apr 24. Rise DFR Village Launches as Drone First Responders Training Facility. Skyfire Consulting, a public safety UAS consulting group, has announced the launch of Rise DFR Village— an advanced training ground for Drone First Responders (DFR). This one-of-a-kind facility provides public safety agencies, military/DOD, critical infrastructure, and private industry with best-in-class testing, training, and demonstration grounds to advance and adopt DFR programs.

“Rise DFR Village represents a significant leap forward in the integration of drones into public safety operations, and Skyfire is grateful for the support of the Huntsville International Airport and the City of Huntsville,” said Matt Sloane, Skyfire founder and CEO. “By providing a realistic training environment and collaborating with industry leaders, we are empowering first responders to leverage this life-saving technology to its fullest potential.”

Unmatched Training at Rise DFR Village

Rise DFR Village offers a comprehensive training experience designed to prepare first responders for real-world DFR operations. Key features of the facility include:

Realistic Training Scenarios: Rise DFR Village replicates a variety of environments that first responders may encounter, including urban settings, disaster zones, and rural areas.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders: The Village collaborates with leading drone manufacturers and software developers to provide attendees with access to the latest technologies.

Focus on Integration: The training curriculum emphasizes integrating DFR operations into existing public safety workflows.

Rise DFR Village is poised to revolutionize the way public safety agencies utilize drones. By providing a world-class training ground and fostering collaboration, the Village is paving the way for the widespread adoption of DFR programs across the country. Founding partners include, BRINC, Parrot, AirData, DroneSense, Motorola (CAPE), Echodyne, DeDrone, Huntsville Police Department, and University of Alabama Huntsville.

A portion of Rise DFR Village will be prominently displayed during the second annual Future Proof DFR & Airspace Awareness Summit May 8-10. Tickets are free for public safety and military/DOD.

DFR: Transforming Public Safety

Drone First Responders (DFR) are unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, utilized by public safety personnel trained to enhance emergency response capabilities. Drones offer a variety of advantages in public safety situations, including:

Improved situational awareness
Improved response times
Enhanced search and rescue operations
Firefighting support
Hazmat material identification
Law enforcement support

(Source: UAS VISION)

10 Apr 24. Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force announced the beginning of collaborative studies to identify potential platform adaptations for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions. The platforms to be used are already operational in the Brazilian Air Force, such as the C-390 Millennium.

“The Brazilian Air Force constantly monitors its ability to fulfill its missions completely in the current context, while also looking at future challenges and the evolution of technologies. Studying the adherence and adaptability of Embraer platforms to the future challenges of these missions is an expected way to maximize commonality and technological autonomy,” says Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Brazilian Air Force.

“Embraer has a successful track record in adapting its platforms for different objectives. The joint studies will allow the expansion of the solutions portfolio to meet the operational needs of the Brazilian Air Force’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions and potential international customers. This is another important step in the long-term relationship between Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force,” says Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security.

The announcement took place at the International Air and Space Fair (FIDAE) in Santiago, Chile, with the presence of Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, and Lieutenant-Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, Commander of the Air Force.

10 Apr 24. Crowd watch: DASA funded AI and LiDAR innovation helps enhance crowd safety. A lesson in exceeding the original concept: The journey of Createc’s LiDAR autonomous crowd monitoring solution, purchased by Network Rail

Funded through the DASA Security Open Call, Createc has created a crowd monitoring innovation using LiDAR technology to improve crowd safety
Createc’s crowd monitoring innovation underwent year-long trials at Euston Station and Luton Airport, and also a month-long trial at Waterloo Station
Following the successful trials, Network Rail has acquired the autonomous crowd monitoring technology for deployment at Waterloo station in 2024.

Picture this scenario: a security officer monitors multiple screens; analysing footage of commuters at a bustling railway station. Suddenly, a section of the crowd startles and steps back. It could be as simple as someone spilling their coffee and others reacting, passengers rushing to catch a train that’s just been announced, or, in a worst-case scenario, a criminal brandishing a knife and causing panic. During critical moments like this, time is of the essence. But with potentially hundreds of hotspots to manage in a busy station, it can be difficult to quickly identify danger areas.

A system that enables security operators to swiftly adjust to changing circumstances and enhance crowd surveillance in busy areas can be crucial for saving lives.

However, this a complex challenge. Suspicious behaviour can manifest in various ways, and crowds naturally react diversely to different situations. Another hurdle is in delivering a user-friendly package to customers to ensure that usage and upkeep are simple and intuitive.

Createc has effectively addressed these obstacles with support from DASA, refining their solution over multiple projects, which is now being implemented by Network Rail.

Introducing Createc

Cumbria-based SME, Createc was founded by a small group of researchers who shared a common desire to see their research translate quickly into real-world impact. Aiming not only to address technological challenges but also to create solutions that are viable business products.

The crowd monitoring technology took its first steps with Dstl on Project SAPIENT, which sought innovations that can help protect military base perimeters. Here, Createc, explored the idea of equipping perimeter cameras with LiDAR (a sensing method that uses laser light to measure distance), so that the cameras would have object position and recognition capabilities.

The SME then applied lessons learnt to the 2017 DASA competition, Improving Crowd Resilience: Phase 1, which sought to explore unconventional concepts to mitigate the use of explosives and weapons in public spaces. Createc submitted an innovation called SLATE-CMA (Crowd Monitoring and Alerts), which transformed their initial defence idea into a security-oriented solution. They adapted the LiDAR technology to focus on autonomously monitoring crowds at locations such as airports and train stations, to help detect early signs of potential threats. The solution works by equipping users with:

Multiple LiDAR based tracking units and cameras which can capture and help contextualise crowd data including crowd size and speed size (without identifying individuals)
A machine learning system to identifying changes in crowd patterns to alert staff to events
A software-based viewer for security personnel to receive updates and analysis

Having secured funding, Createc refined their innovation for Phase 2 of the competition, which started in 2018.

LiDAR or Leave It: Lighting the way to commercialisation

Once the primary challenge area of crowd monitoring was addressed, Createc redirected its attention towards improving product commercialization. Their focus shifted to user-friendly implementation and everyday value, rather than a single use technology only beneficial in rare terrorist attack situations.

Their next proposal leaned further into machine learning to offer users a day-to-day system that notifies them of events requiring attention to help improve crowd management and safety. This could include notifications of suspicious activity, as well as incidents like a person falling, a malfunctioning escalator or elevator, or predications of how public transport delays can affect crowd flow.

Key benefits for security:

Digital ‘eyes on the ground’ that identify safety and security concerns.
It creates an anonymous track for each individual in the observation area, with the data being sent to cloud servers for analysis and alert generation for staff.
The system enables security management to gain a detailed understanding of activities in all sensor-covered areas.
Real-time comparison of crowd density is conducted with historical data from the same time of day, week, and year.

Put to the test at Luton Airport, Waterloo Station and Euston Station

Submitting their next project to the 2020 DASA Security Open Call, Createc’s crowd monitoring innovation underwent year-long trials at Euston Station and Luton Airport, and also a month-long trial at Waterloo Station.

The trials aimed to enhance and better understand the technology’s capabilities in practical scenarios, which included a development phase to adapt the autonomous sensors for larger environments such as airports.

Createc’s work excelled, which not only boosted the confidence of staff in handling customers but also better helped users manage resources to adapt to the fluctuating number of customers in crowded areas.

The Euston and Waterloo trials proved the system can operate in a rail station environment, producing useful alerts when crowd density surged, and helping to predict and avoid overcrowding in the station during delays. Meanwhile, the Luton Airport trial showed how the solution can be adapted to large environments with some modifications, such as increasing sensors to monitor multiple queueing systems that are common at airports.

Following the successful trials, Network Rail has acquired the autonomous crowd monitoring technology for deployment at Waterloo station in 2024.

David Clark, Director of Operations, Createc Said:

Createc has had a tremendous experience working with DASA, particularly with Situate, our Anonymous Crowd Monitoring innovation. DASA’s services have provided a solid platform for our innovation to grow and evolve. Their support has been instrumental in helping us engage with potential customers and expand our reach.

Innovations rooted in DASA and expanded to new horizons

Initially designed as a LiDAR unit for military base monitoring, before evolving into attack alert system and finally into a comprehensive commercial product for crowd monitoring and safety, the evolution of Createc’s technology has been a captivating journey, benefiting from DASA’s unique innovation mechanisms, which focuses on collaboration, adaptability, and commercialisation.

With support from organisations like DASA, the Department of Transport, Future Aviation Security Solutions, and the Connected Places Catapult, and with impending implementation by Network Rail, Createc’s future appears promising. Moving forward, the SME plans to enhance the solution for application in crowded venues like stadiums and arenas to increase revenue streams. Additionally, they are considering increasing the headcount of the organisation, and establishing a spin-out business solely to foster support for the autonomous crowd monitoring solution.

(Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

10 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that UAS and Counter-UAS Training Facility Debuts in Huntsville. Skyfire Consulting announced today the launch of Rise DFR Village— an advanced training ground for Drone First Responders (DFR). This UAS and Counter-UAS training facility is over 2,000 acres on an FAA-designated test site. This unique facility provides public safety agencies, military/DOD, critical infrastructure, and private industry with best-in-class testing, training, and demonstration grounds to advance and adopt DFR programs.

Unmatched Training at Rise DFR Village

Rise DFR Village offers a comprehensive training experience designed to prepare first responders for real-world DFR operations. Key features of the facility include:

Realistic Training Scenarios: Rise DFR Village replicates various environments that first responders may encounter, including urban settings, disaster zones, and rural areas.
Collaboration with Industry Leaders: The Village collaborates with leading drone manufacturers and software developers to provide attendees access to the latest technologies.
Focus on Integration: The training curriculum emphasizes integrating DFR operations into existing public safety workflows.

Rise DFR Village is poised to revolutionize how public safety agencies utilize drones. By providing a world-class training ground and fostering collaboration, the Village is paving the way for the widespread adoption of DFR programs nationwide. Founding partners include BRINC, Parrot, AirData, DroneSense, Motorola (CAPE), Echodyne, Dedrone, Huntsville Police Department, and the University of Alabama Huntsville.

A portion of Rise DFR Village will be prominently displayed during the second annual Future Proof DFR & Airspace Awareness Summit May 8-10. Tickets are free for public safety and military/DOD. Learn more about this experiential summit: https://www.futureproofuas.com/

DFR: Transforming Public Safety

Improved situational awareness
Improved response times
Enhanced search and rescue operations
Firefighting support
Hazmat material identification
Law enforcement support

About Skyfire

Skyfire Consulting is the premier choice for public safety UAV consulting in the United States, renowned for its trustworthiness and extensive expertise. With a core focus on pilot training, FAA consulting, SOP development, and the design and manufacturing of American-made drones tailored for public safety agencies, Skyfire is dedicated to delivering solutions to the most intricate challenges.

https://cuashub.com/content/uas-and-counter-uas-training-facility-debuts-in-huntsville/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_sCSmfJcizdzy9OW1a6XG_sEeS7O8RwPGm4ZUdNJyGjOE5uKSjOnHmJYI804TcHd7ikQ5e1WVmLx342vTp0-qEVR79QOawlJ5g3eRl_G1Z_esIY1U&_hsmi=302023134#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=302023134&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

10 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that Companies Partner for Airspace Management at U.S. Drone Ports. DronePort Network, a leading innovator in detect-and-avoid and airspace management software for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones), announced Vigilant Aerospace as a key strategic partner. This partnership aims to integrate Airspace Management (ASM), Detect-and-Avoid (DAA), and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) capabilities into future drone port initiatives across the United States. Leveraging Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon solution, these projects will benefit from cutting-edge situational awareness to ensure secure and expandable autonomous flight operations.

DronePort Network specializes in system integration and infrastructure development, facilitating the transition of regions and communities into the next generation of the aviation economy. They focus on establishing “drone ports” – dedicated hubs designed to nurture UAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft growth, testing, and deployment.

Partnering with regional centers, DronePort Network repurposes existing infrastructure, such as airfields and hangars, to construct specialized drone port facilities. These hubs serve various purposes, from advanced autonomous flight testing and training centers to facilitating new air services across private and public sectors. The company offers a comprehensive suite of services for safely integrating drones and related services into the economy and national airspace. This encompasses operational, regulatory, and technological aspects, addressing the multifaceted considerations surrounding large-scale autonomous flight safety. DronePort Network also guides the navigation of stringent FAA requirements and the selection of suitable technology partners.

FlightHorizon, developed by Vigilant Aerospace, furnishes airspace managers with a comprehensive 2D or 3D overview of all aircraft within the designated airspace. Using sensors and data sources, FlightHorizon generates a detailed airspace safety assessment crucial for pilots, airspace managers, and command centers. This capability is pivotal for meeting FAA regulatory standards governing advanced UAS flights.

Craig Mahaney, CEO of DronePort Network, commented, “The growth around autonomous flight is enormous, and regions and communities can reap significant benefits in commercial activity, new jobs, and new service opportunities. We’re at a pivotal time for building the critical infrastructure needed to support this, and Vigilant Aerospace’s FlightHorizon provides an important solution for ensuring safe skies for autonomous flight. We’re collectively pioneering game-changing aviation environments with far-reaching impact.”

Kraettli Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace, said of the partnership, “There is immense opportunity for public-private partnerships throughout the US to build infrastructure to accommodate the next generation of aviation. DronePort Network is a perfect example of this innovative approach, bringing together the expertise necessary to make commercial autonomous flight a reality. We’re thrilled to launch this strategic partnership and are excited to be a part of the future development of drone ports in the US.”

https://cuashub.com/content/companies-partner-for-airspace-management-at-u-s-drone-ports/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9jCo07_1txQTEdxLLipq3Tgblp9BbYW-UD7sHzSyZxQ3OuoKnROFcipN-QbLqe8E57ySC-wkMD_QQBF758emVtuZs94ut-lQ2Z_VT4v8hWB3f3tHE&_hsmi=302023134#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=302023134&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

09 Apr 24. Counter-drone systems included in DOD’s initial Replicator selections. Several officials familiar with the Pentagon’s Replicator 1.1 selections who spoke to DefenseScoop in recent conversations on the condition of anonymity, shared new information about what can essentially be considered four “buckets” of technology systems set to be accelerated for military use in this first tranche of the initiative. The Pentagon’s first tranche of systems for its secretive Replicator initiative includes counter-drone assets in addition to different-sized unmanned surface vessels and loitering munitions, DefenseScoop has learned.

Since unveiling the effort in August 2023, Defense Department leadership has declined to publicly identify specific Replicator-enabling systems and programs. But broadly, it all marks the U.S. military’s new and ambitious plan to counter China’s military buildup by fielding thousands of “autonomous” systems across multiple warfighting domains by August 2025.

To do so, the department intends to spend approximately $1 bn total in the fiscal 2024-2025 time frame.

Selections for these products are being made in different tranches. The first tranche — dubbed “Replicator 1.1” — includes more mature types of technologies.

In January, DOD officials revealed that the initial tranche of Replicator systems had been officially picked from a cache of competing proposals submitted by teams across the enterprise. DefenseScoop was the first to subsequently report in February that Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones were among that first set of systems chosen to be mass-produced via Replicator.

Several officials familiar with the Pentagon’s Replicator 1.1 selections who spoke to DefenseScoop in recent conversations on the condition of anonymity shared new information about what can essentially be considered four “buckets” of technology systems set to be accelerated for military use in this first tranche of the initiative.

They confirmed that the Switchblade 600s loitering munitions, made by AeroVironment, were picked for Replicator in association with Army Program Executive Office Soldier’s Low Altitude Stalking and Strike Ordnance (LASSO) program.

Counter-drone capabilities make up another set of assets selected for the Replicator 1.1 tranche. According to the officials, Anduril’s Wide-Area Infrared System for Persistent Surveillance (WISP) technology was tapped for ramped-up production, in association with efforts put forth by the Marine Corps’ Ground Based Air Defense program.

The company’s website states that WISP supplies artificial intelligence-enabled “passive, full-motion, 360-degree wide-area high-quality imaging to enable persistent automated threat detection and situational awareness.”

“WISP can be adapted to different applications across a variety of domains and mission sets. Leveraging the same underlying technology, WISP brings its capabilities to land, sea, and air applications, providing support to missions such as border and base security, counter drone missions, and maritime surface threat detection,” it notes.

The two other “buckets” selected in this first leg of the Replicator initiative involve a variety of different form factors of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and interceptors that operate at various ranges. Officials asked DefenseScoop to withhold some details about these systems, citing operational security concerns. However, they verified that the Defense Innovation Unit will select small USVs and collaborative intercept capabilities through a recently closed DIU Prime solicitation to enable Replicator 1.1.

Separately, USV systems and interceptors affiliated with a Navy Special Warfare and Office of Naval Research program, among others, were also proposed and selected as part of this first-round Replicator tranche.

The Pentagon did not provide comment before publication.

Meanwhile, DOD officials are finalizing proposals for the second tranche, known as Replicator 1.2. The Army’s acquisition chief recently told DefenseScoop that the service is proposing three systems for that round, although he declined to name them.

(Source: Defense News Early Bird/https://defensescoop.com/2024/04/09/counter-drone-systems-replicator-selections)

09 Apr 24. SPY-7 radar in Japan’s Aegis system detects space objects. The successful demonstration of space object detection has proven the maturity of the Aegis radar system to be equipped on Japan’s destroyers. Lockheed Martin, a US defence prime, has successfully tested the AN/SPY-7(v)1 radar to be integrated onto the Japanese Navy’s Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV). During the first track event, SPY-7 radar tactical hardware and software detected space-based objects – a milestone that proved the maturity of the system, which now leads to comprehensive performance testing.

“We use our proven integration and test process to fully test the capability of Aegis and SPY-7 prior to delivery to Japan,” said Amr Hussein, vice president of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions at Lockheed Martin. “This vigorous testing regiment minimises risk and ensures that Japan will receive a fully integrated and calibrated system as quickly as possible.”

Lockheed Martin’s radar systems will be used on Japan’s two ballistic missile defence ships, which both feature the supplier’s Aegis combat system, which has been used onboard US Navy Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyers since 1991.

Aegis has a federated architecture with four subsystems, an AN/SPY-1 multifunction radar, a command and decision system (CDS), an Aegis display system (ADS), and the weapon control system (WCS).

The CDS receives data from ship and external sensors through satellite communications and provides command, control, and threat assessment. The WCS receives engagement instruction from the CDS, selects weapons, and interfaces with the weapon fire control systems.

In 2017, the Japanese Ministry of Defence approved the purchase of a pair of ballistic missile defense ships featuring Aegis, equipped with SPY-7 radar, at an estimated cost of Y1trn ($7.1bn).

The plans for vessels were announced in August 2022, with construction beginning in 2024, and first vessel scheduled to be commissioned by the end of the fiscal year 2027, and the other scheduled for the end of fiscal year 2028. However, delays are expected as Japan is yet to finalise the requirements for the vessels.

In January 2024, Japan contracted Lockheed Martin, through the US Department of Defense, to deliver integration services for equipment, material, software and hardware end items to japan’s two AESVs in a modification worth $271m.

“The SPY-7 radar product line uses technology from the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) programme to enhance overall strength against evolving threats,” said Chandra Marshall, vice president of Radar and Sensor Systems at Lockheed Martin. “Providing 24/7 coverage, SPY-7 is a superior deterrence asset available for land and maritime applications around the world.” (Source: naval-technology.com)

09 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that High Energy Laser Logistics Contract Awarded to BlueHalo. BlueHalo, in support of the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), has developed the Palletized High Energy Laser (P-HEL) system, known for its effectiveness in neutralizing small unmanned aerial system (sUAS) threats, a pressing concern for maintaining U.S. battlefield supremacy and protecting critical infrastructure. Recognizing its success, BlueHalo was awarded a four-year logistics support contract to deliver preventive and corrective maintenance services and comprehensive operator and maintenance team training for the P-HEL system. This significant contract solidifies BlueHalo’s role as the primary system integrator throughout the entire lifecycle of the P-HEL system, from initial prototype development to frontline deployment and operations.

“With this contract, BlueHalo is now providing full-scale Directed Energy support to our customers–at home through advanced innovation, in the field through maintenance and training support, and strategically through operational guidance and battlespace management,” said Jonathan Moneymaker, BlueHalo Chief Executive Officer. “Our industry-leading Directed Energy expertise and intimate knowledge of the P-HEL system, combined with lessons learned from deployment, will truly transform how our Warfighters use laser weapon systems to combat evolving enemy sUAS threats.”

BlueHalo’s LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) serves as the cornerstone of the Palletized High Energy Laser (P-HEL), integrating cutting-edge precision optical and laser hardware with sophisticated software, artificial intelligence (AI), and processing capabilities. This comprehensive system empowers and optimizes the directed energy “kill chain”, enabling seamless tracking, identification, and engagement of diverse targets with its potent high-energy laser.

In April 2022, BlueHalo achieved a significant milestone by delivering the inaugural mature prototype of the P-HEL system. Subsequently, the U.S. Army RCCTO swiftly deployed the unit overseas, marking its operational debut in November 2022. Continuing this momentum, BlueHalo recently delivered its second P-HEL system, which also commenced operational duties abroad. Throughout their deployment, both P-HEL systems have undergone routine preventative and corrective maintenance in the field, ensuring consistent operational readiness and facilitating ongoing operator training.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the Army and RCCTO to support P-HEL,” said Jimmy Jenkins, BlueHalo Sector President. “This program captures BlueHalo’s ability to take advanced innovation from rapid prototype to deployment to sustainment, integrating new technologies into operational systems to strengthen our defenses against next-generation air threats.”

https://cuashub.com/content/high-energy-laser-logistics-contract-awarded-to-blue-halo/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-95wl9iL3hl0FcjXurbZE86pmF6-CzQWxYG5OAc-gWBb1IK6ItGa1cgq10oeIZyZnDwtxQDZ13V0g8lMOJU-xz8dcsnfjFk-JSouuVLUi9Pudp5vwo&_hsmi=301830526#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=301830526&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

09 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that Companies Showcase AI-Enabled Aerial Threat Detection. Untether AI®, renowned for pioneering energy-centric AI acceleration technology, teamed up with J-Squared Technologies, known for their ruggedized computer systems, to unveil an AI-powered aerial threat detection solution at the recent AUSA Global Force Symposium and Exhibition in Huntsville, AL. This groundbreaking technology highlights the seamless integration of Untether AI’s tsunAImi® tsn200 inference accelerator card into J-Squared Technologies’ rugged Vanguard 2U rackmount server, presenting cutting-edge counter-drone detection capabilities for commercial and defense sectors.

The collaborative effort features an optimized “You-only-look-once” (YOLO) neural network, meticulously trained by J-Squared Technologies for counter-drone detection, operating within their ruggedized hardware. This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to deploying AI computing power and enhancing operational efficiency in demanding high-reliability applications.

“J-Squared Technologies is proud to partner with Untether AI to deliver a solution that meets the rigorous demands of both defense and commercial applications,” said Andrew Woollard, Chief Technical Officer at J-Squared Technologies. “Our SWAP-C optimized systems designed to withstand harsh environments combined with Untether AI’s energy-efficient AI acceleration, provide unmatched operational durability, computational capabilities, and AI performance per Watt.”

“Our collaboration with J-Squared Technologies marks a significant milestone in the deployment of AI technologies in the field of defense and commercial airspace safety,” said Bob Beachler, Vice President of Product at Untether AI. “By combining our energy-efficient AI acceleration technology with J-Squared Technologies, we’re not only enhancing counter-drone capabilities but also setting the benchmark for high-reliability AI deployment at the tactical edge.”

The AI-powered demonstration effectively identifies and tracks unmanned aerial threats using sophisticated machine learning algorithms, providing a strong defense against the rising security concerns associated with drones. This versatile application goes beyond military applications, offering commercial airports and critical infrastructure an advanced solution to safeguard airspace security and public safety.

https://cuashub.com/content/companies-showcase-ai-enabled-aerial-threat-detection/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_WGqO1G-ApipIvT0BIL4V0R3df9BZl5cx9l6E_BRcX-9UKREr51WxPnEFBcAaOB0bL-DonRoqdVfMNsG9I2YiFJmJPY5Hf5h28cHisbULmvm1UN-Q&_hsmi=301830526#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=301830526&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

08 Apr 24. US Army seeks soft-kill C-UAS system integrated within its H-MIF autonomous platform. The U.S. Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) has extended its deadline from 12 April to 15 April 2024 in its Request for White Papers (RFWP) for counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) solution/capability that will be integrated into robotic platforms as part of the human-machine integrated formation (H-MIF) architecture that will guide emerging Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) capabilities.

According to the project description in www.sam.gov:

“The Army must protect and defend personnel, facilities, and assets in an environment where increasing numbers of UAS’ will share the skies. In response, the H-MIF C-sUAS effort has been initiated to develop robotic infantry and armor platoon capabilities to detect and defeat Group 1&2 threat UAS. The C-sUAS should be able to disrupt the threat posed by small UAS as well as the indirect threat posed by small UAS used for targeting. Further development of U.S. Army counter-UAS capabilities and an effective counter-UAS approach are essential to meeting the challenges of the battlefields of today and the battlefields of future.”

“The Army RCCTO seeks solutions and approaches to design, build, test, and deliver a C-sUAS that can operate in a RAS contested environment, This C-sUAS effort will build on the work and demonstrations of prior C-sUAS efforts conducted by various DoD entities. The derived operational specifications and evaluation criteria will be employed to develop selected candidate CsUAS platforms as operational prototypes that can integrate with existing unmanned Army ground vehicles…. H-MIF C-sUAS solutions shall adopt a modular open systems approach (MOSA) in their offerings. The solution is envisioned to be a non-kinetic system that can be employed autonomously or operated manually.”

For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/302c49a47eb14237b1d3c14ea49ee61d/view

(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

08 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that Vigilant Aerospace demonstrated its new FlightHorizon DEFENDER counter-UAS system in early February, marking the inaugural featured system at the Oklahoma Army National Guard‘s newly established Counter-UAS training center at Camp Gruber near Braggs, Oklahoma.

The demonstration highlighted FlightHorizon’s capability to detect, track, and issue warnings regarding unidentified drones entering airspace and approaching specific locations, utilizing only a laptop and a compact portable radar.

The demonstration was at the invitation of Col. Shane Riley, Director of Military Support for the Oklahoma National Guard, and organized by Craig Mahaney, CEO of the DronePort Network. It welcomed twenty National Guard and US Army personnel from various locations across the United States. It served as the inaugural activity of Camp Gruber’s newly established Counter-UAS Training Center.

“We were delighted that the Oklahoma Army National Guard chose to feature FlightHorizon for their first demonstration at their new counter-UAS training center,” said Kraettli L. Epperson, CEO of Vigilant Aerospace.

“Our goal with FlightHorizon DEFENDER is to field a cost-effective airspace management and counter-UAS system that fits in a backpack and can be set up by a single person in a few minutes. I think we demonstrated that capability effectively during this event,” said Epperson.

FlightHorizon DEFENDER’s initial development received backing from a US Air Force AFWERX SBIR contract, which the company successfully fulfilled in 2023. Currently undergoing pre-release testing, the product promises advanced airspace monitoring and drone detection capabilities.

The system harnesses radar integration, multi-sensor correlation functions, and the airspace display features of the FlightHorizon software. This enables it to promptly alert facility managers and base commanders to unauthorized drones in restricted areas whenever an aircraft is detected.

In addition to aiding in event coordination, Aaron Baker of the DronePort Network piloted the intruder drone, maneuvering onto the field to showcase FlightHorizon’s capacity to detect, track, and issue warnings regarding unidentified drones entering the airspace.

https://cuashub.com/content/flighthorizon-defender-demonstrated-at-c-uas-training-center/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9q0B41IzbRabQt2lYGHAzK8KUmDAXBV1huYM_2pZa4jd8R-WzAFoPIsVL73msOBzX2bkc__8OdNVFIO3SP46IPInp8Wb0b7v6LCr_wLPFwzlP6j8g&_hsmi=301599547#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=301599547&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

08 Apr 24. Cuashub.com said today that AVGARDE Wins Contest for Counter-Drone Tech Innovations. AVGARDE, a deep-tech startup, emerged as the victor in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Dare to Dream 4.0 Contest, focusing on national-level startup innovations in ‘countermeasures for drone and swarm of drones.’ Incubated at IISc Bangalore and IIT Guwahati, AVGARDE is dedicated to constructing a state-of-the-art AI-driven object-sensing platform for managing low-altitude airspace. Initially established in Assam, AVGARDE has since expanded, with offices in Bangalore and Guwahati, and conducts Pan-India operations with the assistance of associates to cater to customers nationwide.

The esteemed DRDO Dare to Dream competition offers a distinctive platform for startups and innovators to tackle critical challenges in emerging technologies, enhancing India’s aerospace and defense capabilities. Additionally, it contributes to the nation’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, fostering technological self-reliance and advancement.

“We are honored and proud to be a winner at DRDO’s coveted innovation contest, Dare to Dream 4.0,” said AVGARDE Managing Director & Co-Founder Manash Bhuyan. He continued, “This award is a testimony of our globally competitive technology developed by our amazingly talented team. With this recognition, the innovation journey of AVGARDE is further validated as we continue to develop our best-in-class AI-driven airspace management platform for various applications, including drone countermeasures. With the proliferation of drones, the low-altitude airspace is confronted with many potential risks and threats for civilian and military dual-use cases. As we address these new-age challenges, AVGARDE is motivated to develop pioneering indigenous technology and contribute effectively towards a self-reliant India.”

Presently, the AVGARDE DeepSense platform presents three distinct product lines:

DroneSafe: An AI-enabled Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) designed to detect, classify, mitigate, and report aerial risks/threats from drones, UAVs, and other airborne objects.
DIWAR: An all-band GPS Jammer was developed to address drones and hinder their airborne movements effectively.
BirdsEye: An intelligent Bird Detection and Monitoring Radar (BDMR) serving dual purposes of aviation safety and prevention of Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH).

Nilutpal Choudhury, CEO & Co-Founder of AVGARDE, said, “This award is a phenomenal milestone for AVGARDE, and I have immense admiration and gratitude for our diverse and great team. DRDO’s Dare to Dream is a great platform to validate innovations as it’s a multi-stage screening process with various selection criteria considering aspects of novelty, applicability, implementability, technical merit, and maturity. Therefore, it is a great honor to be recognized by DRDO, our country’s esteemed R&D organization for aerospace and defense. Our team is further encouraged to innovate continuously to develop advanced home-grown technologies to fulfill our commitment towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

https://cuashub.com/content/avgarde-wins-contest-for-counter-drone-tech-innovations/?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_Hi39fr_fjSDA8hT91vqb1B5vobKvbCCkV4d-QRhZLoYUw9n6H9Mzfz2RQB2v-5yt-gOmylQjwisgjG0dziij4m1EE2-zkV4q3z0qDggqGrONtdBk&_hsmi=301599547#utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_content=301599547&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

05 Apr 24. Canada’s DND issues request to industry for vehicle mounted soft-kill C-UAS system – part two. Canada’s Department for National Defense (DND) has issued a request to industry to proposals for its Integrated Counter Uncrewed Aircraft System (ICV) – CUAS Phase 2 project,(see also https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-tenders/industry-rfi-announced-for-canadian-armed-forces-integrated-vehicle-mounted-counter-uas-system/).

The mounted CUAS intends to deliver an Integrated Vehicle Mounted System including radar and jamming capabilities.

Among requirements listed in the tender:

The CUAS Payload LRUs must be MOTS or COTS equipment with a minimum TRL of 8 as defined by the government of Canada at (https://ised isde.canada.ca/site/innovation canada/en/technology-readiness-levels).
Bidders must provide proof that the ICV meets the requirement. Proof can be data sheet, formal test results, demonstration results, etc.
The ICV must have RF detection, RF jamming and protocol manipulation capabilities while in motion at a minimum speed of 60 Km/h on hard surfaced paved roads

Solicitation number WS4511866041

Closing date and time 2024/05/0914:00 EDT

For more information: DRAFT RFP Integrated CUAS Phase 2 – Tender Notice | CanadaBuys: https://canadabuys.canada.ca/en/tender-opportunities/tender-notice/ws4511866041-doc4512238331 (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

05 Apr 24. JEY-CUAS research programme members to demonstrate military C-UAS technologies in Sardinia. A system demonstration of European counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) is to be held at the Poligono Interforze Salto di Quirra (PISQ) military range at Sardinia as part of the EUR15 m, two-year Joint European sYstem for Countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (JEY-CUAS) programme.

The programme, led by Leonardo, includes a large number of European Union based C-UAS providers and aims to advance technologies at system and sub-system level to develop a new generation C-UAS system based on a modular and flexible plug’n’play architecture to address the emerging challenge of micro and mini drones increasingly used for defence purposes.

“The solution will contribute to an improvement of the situational awareness and reaction engagement to overcome the growing resilience of UAS to first generation C-UAS systems to keep up with new LSS (Low, Small, Slow) aerial threats and reduce the minimum reaction time,” says a programme fact sheet.

At the Sardinia event, Nordic Radar Solutions will deploy its Ka-band radar that is designed to classify detected targets, enabling effector systems to engage the threat, and has the ability to discriminate UAS operating in a swarm, even when they are operating close together.

For more information: www.defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-06/EDIDP2020_factsheet_CUAS_JEY-CUAS.pdf (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

06 Apr 24. HTX develops C-UAS that can cope with radio spectrum congestion. HTX’s Robotics, Automation and Unmanned Systems (RAUS) Centre of Expertise (CoE) in Singapore has been developing counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) that can cope with severe radio spectrum congestion. The company presented these at the Milipol Asia-Pacific TechX Summit last week

One such system is the Rapid Deployable C-UAS System (RDS), which integrates multiple detection sensors with smart countermeasures. RDS is a lightweight, autonomous platform which has been designed for portability. The modular and scalable system can be set up for temporary or permanent installations and is also configurable as a single system deployment or networked with other systems that are deployed on site. RDS incorporates advanced radar with urban de-cluttering functionalities, a drone detection, identification, and tracking system; and drone jamming capabilities.

RAUS CoE is also developing a drone hunter that is designed to operate without the need for Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation. Instead, it navigates by using ground radar which provides guidance commands to the hunter to detect, pursue and capture rogue drones. The GPS-independent drone hunter is capable of rapidly pursuing and capturing rogue drones in GPS-denied environments. It can then jettison these captured drones at designated “safe” zones for safe payload removal and disposal.

In addition, RAUS CoE has also been developing drone capabilities, such as NavSight – a GPS-independent navigation system which allows drones to operate in GPS-degraded or GPS-denied environments. Drones equipped with the NavSight system have their routes pre-programmed into them before their flights. During their operations, they use their downward-looking cameras to visualise their surroundings in real-time and calculate their positions by comparing their surroundings with their pre-loaded routes. Drones equipped with NavSight are also capable of tracking ground and aerial objects and identifying and avoiding obstacles.

For more information: www.htx.gov.sg (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

06 Apr 24. NASA funds George Washington University project to safeguard UAS from cyber attacks. Peng Wei, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science, is leading a three-year project that could help safeguard autonomous aircraft flying in high-density urban airspace from cyber attacks that could disrupt safe operations. Three multi-institutional teams will receive a total of USD18 m in University Leadership Initiative (ULI) funding from NASA, with Wei’s team receiving USD6 m over the next three years.

The goal, Wei said, is not only to research secure aircraft autonomy but also to train the next generation of aerospace engineers at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students who work on the project will, by the time they enter the U.S. aviation workforce, have the depth and breadth of knowledge to address emerging real-world challenges in aircraft autonomy and cybersecurity.

The project also offers an opportunity for mechanical and aerospace engineering students to become deeply versed in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI). Certain functions in aircraft autonomy rely on machine learning and neural networks, which allow these craft to achieve complex goals such as autonomous landing and autonomous separation assurance (maintaining safe distances from other aircraft and their flight paths).

But these neural-network embedded functions are becoming more sophisticated to verify, safeguard and certify, Wei said. He and his team will focus on enhancing the resilience of the selected AI functions under malicious attacks.

Wei’s team includes researchers from George Washington University as well as collaborators from Vanderbilt University, Purdue University, Tennessee State University, University of California-Irvine, University of Texas at Austin, Collins Aerospace and Northern Virginia Community College. The team also is supported by a large group of government, industry and academic partners including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), MITRE, Honeywell Aerospace, Boeing, Aurora Flight Sciences, Skygrid, Joby Aviation, Xwing, Reliable Robotics, JHU Applied Physics Lab, MIT Lincoln Lab, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics, George Mason University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, RTCA, and ASTM. Together, they’ll build their own sub-scale aircraft prototypes, figure out how to hack them and patch the vulnerabilities that allowed that hacking to occur.

For more information: www.gwu.edu (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

05 Apr 24. Canada boosts surveillance with arrival of US ISR aircraft. The first of three intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft arrives in Canada. In a move to bolster its defence capabilities, Canada took delivery of a Beechcraft King Air 350 Extended Range platform from the United States, marking the beginning of an enhanced surveillance initiative. The US Army Programme Executive Office delivered the first of three ISR aircraft to Canada. The Beechcraft King Air 350 Extended Range platform was handed over on February 22, 2024, at the L3Harris facility in Greenville, Texas. The global market for ISR aircraft is valued at $5.9bn in 2023 and is anticipated to witness a CAGR of 2.8% to reach $7.8bn in 2033, according to GlobalData’s “The Global Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2023-2033” report.

Scott Thovson, deputy product director at ITA, and Ken Ols, PM FW – ITA case manager, emphasised the significance of the delivery, highlighting its potential to enhance intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Joseph Kidwell Jr., senior central case manager at the US Army Security Assistance Command, underscored the importance of the US-Canada military alliance, “Delivering the aircraft to Canada has been a blessing and will help continue to grow our alliance with Canada. The US and Canada continue to have one of the most excellent military alliances in the world.” (Source: airforce-technology.com)

04 Apr 24. Epirus directed energy to face off against vessels in US Navy testing. Defense contractor Epirus said its directed-energy weaponry will be tested against small vessels in an upcoming U.S. Navy experiment.

The company’s Leonidas technology, which pumps out waves of energy capable of frying electronics, will be used in the 2024 Advanced Naval Technology Exercise-Coastal Trident, or ANTX-CT24, according to an April 4 announcement. The trials will examine how high-power microwaves can disable outboard motors, among other applications.

Navy leaders have lamented a lack of directed-energy options aboard warships as Houthi rebels in Yemen pepper the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with attack drones and Ukrainian forces sink Russian ships with unmanned surface vessels. While the Department of Defense has invested in the nontraditional armaments for decades, few projects have been developed and widely deployed.

The Army in 2022 inked a $66 m deal with Epirus to supply Leonidas in advancement of its Indirect Fire Protection Capability venture, which aims to protect sites from drones, rockets, artillery, mortars and missiles. The company delivered an initial prototype in 2023, Defense News reported.

Chief executive Andy Lowery in a statement said his team was excited to participate in ANTX-CT24 and “demonstrate the effectiveness of long-pulse HPM technology in another threat environment.”

“Epirus can defend against a wide range of threats across domains,” Lowery said. “Our expanded collaboration with the Department of Defense also underscores the growing recognition of the benefits of working with innovative tech companies outside of the traditional defense ecosystem.”

At least 31 directed-energy initiatives are underway across the military, according to a study published by a defense industry advocacy group. Nine — including the Optical Dazzling Interdictor Navy and the High Energy Laser Counter-Anti-Ship Cruise Missile Program — can be traced back to the Navy and Marine Corps.

The ANTX-CT series serves as a test bed for promising technologies and promotes collaboration among industry, academia and the military. High-power microwave equipment has made an appearance before, according to Brendan Applegate, the lead for fleet experimentation and exercises.

“ANTX-CT24 will feature technical demonstrations and experiments across a wide variety of technology areas, including unmanned systems countermeasures,” he said in a statement. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

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.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

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

Protek Selected By Dutch Armed Forces

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE