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28 Jun 24. Germany’s Puma S1 Features New C-UAS. The German Bundeswehr showcased its Puma S1 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) equipped with a counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) from Dedrone at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition held in Paris from 17 to 21 June. Known as DedroneSensor RF-300, the system is designed to passively detect, classify, and locate commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their remote-control signals. According to the company, it can automatically track and map UAV flightpaths and pilot locations and provide information on “hot spots” of ‘drone’ activity. The vehicle was demonstrated to the Bundeswehr in this configuration, where it proved capable of detecting a swarm of nine UAVs before the turret destroyed the threat, Mathias Kraus, head of sales at Projekt System & Management (PSM), informed Janes. This latest configuration has been proposed to the Bundeswehr, Kraus added. PSM alongside Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Rheinmetall are upgrading the Bundeswehr’s fleet of Puma IFVs to the S1 standard. The upgrade includes equipping the Puma with the Multirole-capable Light Missile System (MELLS), the Bundeswehr’s designation for Spike LR; digital radio equipment; the IdZ-ES expanded future soldier system; high-resolution day- and night-vision camera systems for the driver; and the mounted infantry squad and optronics for the gunner and commander. (Source: UAS VISION/Janes)
27 Jun 24. Cuashub.com said today that Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapons System Shines at Sandbox ’24. Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS) participated in a series of counter-uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) test exercises at the 2024 Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Counter UAS Sandbox in Suffield, Alberta.
During mock operational scenarios from May 27-31, Boeing successfully deployed two CLWS units—one in a fixed containerized setup and another integrated with a military-grade Polaris RZR. These units worked together to detect and neutralize single and multiple targets, including high-performance first-person view (FPV) drones, stationary mortars, and a swarm of five UAS.
Boeing configured the units with a radar system to detect targets before automatically “handing over” control to the compact lasers to identify, track, engage, and defeat them — demonstrating the full counter-UAS kill chain from 200 meters to 2.5 kilometers.
“This was a great opportunity for us to roll up our sleeves alongside Canadian defence and security organizations to show what CLWS could do reliably over several days, as well as the benefit of multiple lower-power, lower-cost systems engaging the same target at the same time,” said Kurt Sorenson, CLWS program manager. “CLWS is a combat-proven, multi-mission solution with an open systems architecture that’s capable of meeting Canada’s integrated command and control requirements.”
The biannual Counter UAS Sandbox, organized by Canada’s Department of National Defence’s IDEaS program in coordination with the Canadian Armed Forces, gathered advanced industry solutions for detecting and defeating small UAS. This “Sandbox” event allows innovators to showcase and test their solutions, receive feedback from the Canadian defense and security community, and educate attendees about the latest technological possibilities.
The event simulated various operational scenarios, including forward operating base defense, mobile force and dismounted personnel protection, and urban and naval operations.
Boeing’s CLWS, recently returned from a multi-year overseas deployment with the U.S. Marine Corps, has successfully defeated over 400 drones in numerous demonstrations, scenarios, and environments. Military operators have achieved these results with as little as one hour of training.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/boeings-compact-laser-weapons-system-shines-at-sandbox-24/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9szJYbSNVNs4GKjTm8Zpbey5j-UbZ2k3uiy9YzPlGgG1ikMxjugD2u0oQ7CODeO6UWYYTfmUtoM86Dtd7RE5KfA1zFDEKE4Zac8uL8QNk7wHiAN84&_hsmi=313453688&utm_content=313453688&utm_source=hs_email(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
27 Jun 24. Cuashub.com said today that OSL Implements an Airport Drone Detection System in Venice. OSL has partnered with SAVE’s Venice Airport, introducing a proactive airport drone detection solution designed to enhance site security and ensure the safety of over 11.3m passengers annually.
Unauthorized drone activity poses a significant safety risk for airports worldwide, capable of suspending operations, causing severe damage to aircraft, and compromising the safety of individuals on-site. In response, SAVE Group, which manages airports in Venice, Treviso, Verona, Brescia, and Brussels South Charleroi Airport in Belgium, sought effective solutions for drone detection.
The hardware-agnostic approach integrates numerous categories of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) technology, allowing OSL to meet SAVE’s needs for minimal disruption and seamless operations through the most effective deployment possible.
Developing a bespoke, site-wide solution involved close collaboration with the SAVE team. OSL prioritized gaining a comprehensive understanding of the airport’s requirements and operational dynamics, conducting on-site assessments in Italy, and leveraging insights from our previous successful implementations.
With this in-depth understanding, OSL crafted a comprehensive drone detection solution for Venice Airport. Monitored 24/7 remotely from OSL’s UK-based operations center, this solution ensures rapid detection and response to any drone activity. Scalable and flexible, it can adapt to evolving safety challenges, enabling a proactive and robust approach to airport security.
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
27 Jun 24. Cuashub.com said today that USAR Trains on WW2 Decoy Methods to Counter Drone Threats. With national threats escalating worldwide, the Army Reserve incorporated training to counter modern adversary drones during Combat Support Training Exercise 24-01, held in the first two weeks of June 2024 at Fort Hunter Liggett, California, reported Exercise News Day. The training included dusting off old-school techniques, including decoy methods to counter drone threats.
Instructors from the 91st Training Division use UASs to provide troops with realistic training scenarios that reflect the conditions observed in Ukraine and other conflict zones.
“Many of the things we are looking at are composition and disposition at our training sites, as well as how our units are situated out there, what resources they have, water and fuel,” said Army Reserve Lt. Col. Vince Frausto, Branch Chief of Operational Effects for the 91st Training Division Headquarters Company. “We can also monitor, with the UASs, vehicle movements as well as staging areas you can use.”
Soldiers on the ground are trained to identify drones and report them to their command chains.
“The troops are taking steps that are aligned with our doctrine,” Frausto continued, “from dispersion to dislocation as well as using the natural terrain to conceal and camouflage where they are and where their resources are located.”
Under the direction of Col. David Acosta, Commander of 2nd Brigade, 91st Training Division, soldiers from the 801st Engineer Company and the 157th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion constructed decoy tactical operation centers throughout CSTX training areas. These decoys were designed to thwart opposition forces’ drone intelligence collection efforts.
“The idea behind making this structure is that in the current operational environment we find ourselves in, there are so many sensors out there looking for targets,” said Acosta. “You see this particularly in Ukraine, but also in other conflicts, and so, by being able to conceal one’s true command post, you’re enhancing the survivability of the force.”
Decoy construction is a recurring tactic in warfare. U.S. and British Soldiers constructed decoy equipment and vehicles to confuse the Axis Powers in Europe during World War II.
“This kind of operation, using decoys, has been seen throughout history, the most common example people think of is during World War II. There are pictures of inflatable tanks,” said Acosta. “The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops known as the ‘Ghost Army’ operated throughout the European theater of operations before the D-Day landings in 1944 to great success in confusing the Germans about the true intent of allied operations on the Western Front.”
This revived method of intelligence denial makes it exceptionally challenging for adversaries to assess U.S. troop numbers and assets accurately.
The decoy structures, which can be swiftly assembled using recycled materials, are difficult to distinguish from real tactical operation centers.
One decoy structure was built using materials from a used, inoperable tactical operation center, netting, a discarded chair, and a broken commercial television antenna painted to look like a military communication system. Soldiers also added empty food boxes filled with rocks to enhance the illusion of an active presence in the area.
To further increase realism, instructors rigged some of the UASs to drop weight-filled tennis balls, representative of explosives, near Soldiers The Soldiers found within the radius of the simulated explosives became casualties within the scenario.
“We’ve seen a lot of this in the real world, some of it posted on social media sites, with what’s occurring overseas, for example, in Ukraine, so we wanted to add that level of realism,” said Frausto.
Post Image- Army Reserve Soldiers assigned to the 801st Engineer Company, the 157th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and the 91st Training Division set up a decoy tactical operation center, using salvaged materials to disrupt opposition force intelligence collection during Combat Support Training Exercise 24-01 on June 9, 2024, at Fort Hunter Liggett, California. The CSTX trains and prepares capable and combat-ready Army Reserve units to deploy in support of the Army and joint partners worldwide. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Britton Spencer) The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
27 Jun 24. SPX Communication Technologies introduces fully customisable C-UAS capability. Radio frequency (RF) technology specialists SPX Communication Technologies today launches the BLACKTALON Ecosystem, a new Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) capability based on the operationally proven BLACKTALON solution.
The BLACKTALON Ecosystem integrates SPX Communication Technologies’ BLACKTALON C-UAS technology and decades of expertise in the space with a vendor-agnostic framework. This approach ensures solutions can meet every customer’s unique requirements. Defence and security teams gain from a tailored approach to their specific Concept of Operations, threats, user groups, existing capabilities, and budgets.
Customers also benefit from SPX Communication Technologies’ extensive experience developing C-UAS solutions for high-threat scenarios from Ukraine to Iraq and other active global hot spots. SPX collaborates closely with customers from their concept stage to operational deployment, ensuring solutions are optimised for specific user needs and mission objectives and remain supported throughout their operational life.
The core BLACKTALON solution includes carefully selected active radars, EOIR, passive RFDF, RF jammer, and mast configuration. While SPX will continue to offer this standard configuration, the open architecture of BLACKTALON Ecosystem allows any of these elements to be customised or replaced. This flexibility provides customers access to the latest systems and hardware capabilities without unnecessary barriers and in a suitable timeframe.
For example, customers could choose autonomous optical tracking from OpenWorks, cutting-edge 3D radar from US provider Echodyne, RF subsystems from SPX and mount them on a range of dispersed or centrally located mobile or transportable masts to provide a single scalable BLACKTALON C-UAS capability.
These latest capabilities join the Ecosystem alongside existing providers Chess Dynamics, supplier of surveillance, fire control, and large positioning systems, and Blighter, the UK’s leading supplier of ground-based electronic scanning radar systems.
Graeme Forsyth, C-UAS Product Manager at SPX Communication Technologies, said: “The complexity and speed that modern conflict develops means it’s impossible for a single C-UAS provider to own all the necessary technologies to provide a best-in-class solution suitable for all forms of threats today and in the future. As a trusted partner for global defence and security teams, our BLACKTALON Ecosystem helps break down barriers to threat response. It continues evolving to support their C-UAS need – all in close collaboration with customers, the industry, and supported by our proven technology.”
James Cross, Director at OpenWorks, said: “Collaboration is key in the development of successful C-UAS defence technology. Integration and flexibility are at the forefront of system capabilities and requirements. Our inclusion in the BLACKTALON Ecosystem reflects this, and we are proud to be involved with a system that allows end-users a fully customisable design depending on mission-specific requirements.”
David Montague, Director EMEAI at Echodyne, said: “Systems are evolving rapidly to address the C-UAS threat, with accuracy, flexibility, and ease of integration being key evaluation criteria. We are pleased to be included in BLACKTALON Ecosystem, which provides rich optionality for customers to easily tailor system design and performance to mission and location requirements.”
The BLACKTALON Ecosystem offering is now available. For more information, visit www.tcibr.com/blacktalon-ecosystem or email
About SPX Communication Technologies (TCI | ECS)
SPX Communication Technologies, part of SPX Technologies, innovates specialised technologies within the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum to ensure a smarter, more secure future for all.
Formed by TCI and Enterprise Control Systems (ECS), SPX Communication Technologies and its Spectrum Battlespace portfolio enables defence and security teams to detect, defeat and exploit RF signals to enhance Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
Combining decades of technology innovation and expertise with agile and collaborative teams, SPX Communication Technologies delivers sustainable and exceptional results to customers across the globe – including Europe, APAC, the Middle East, and Africa.
For more information, visit www.tcibr.com or www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk
24 Jun 24. Cuashub.com said today that AARONIA’s AARTOS Impresses as a Counter-UAV System. Eurosatory, one of the world’s most significant defense and security exhibitions, this year themed “Protect Your Future,” saw international military and security experts gather in Paris to explore and discuss the latest developments. A focal point was the increasing importance of diverse drone deployments and their subsequent detection and defense. The AARTOS DDS system drew particular attention from the professional audience. This currently market-leading system can be modularly adapted to various needs.
AARONIA AG offers highly adaptable solutions for all requirements and budgets with its four variants of the AARTOS DDS, from the laptop versions X2 and X5 for limited mobile and stationary deployment areas to the high-end solutions X7 and X9 for particularly demanding military applications. This year at Eurosatory, hundreds of military and security experts were convinced by the AARONIA stand. The focus on detection was especially on the mobile X2 and the high-end X9 solution.
AARTOS DDS offers unique features in all versions compared to competitors’ systems. The system determines the position and speed of drones and their altitude. It ensures high-speed detection of drone activities by scanning the entire frequency spectrum, including simultaneous scans of different frequencies, allowing the detection of all drones operating with radio signals. AARTOS provides the drone’s and operator’s positions in real time. AARONIA’s proprietary software solution, RTSA-Suite PRO, plays a central role here. This powerful real-time spectrum analysis software allows the integration of various hardware components for evaluation, ensuring simple, efficient, and optimal use of the respective system.
Regarding drone defense, the programmable AARTOS 360° Smart Jammer was the center of interest. It features an extremely high range of up to 10 kilometers. Furthermore, it allows complete individual customization or programmability of any frequency range between 400MHz to 6GHz in real-time using drag & drop. The Smart Jammer covers all drones in the frequency range and can disrupt them automatically or have the operator control them.
“The numerous discussions with various experts from different branches of the armed forces confirm that AARTOS can make a decisive contribution to the overarching integration of C-UAVs into the armed forces,” says Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of AARONIA Austria. “With the programmable jammer, we have once again demonstrated our innovation leadership. It underscores our commitment to providing efficient, flexible, and highly powerful solutions for our customers.”
In addition to drone detection and defense, the AARTOS system can also be used in electronic warfare. The unique real-time all-frequency monitoring capability allows the detection of everything from BOS radios to radar pulses and remote-controlled systems (air and ground). The programmable AARTOS 360° Smart Jammer can then disrupt these systems.
Post Image-From left: Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of AARONIA Austria, in conversation with Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow. (Image Credit: AARONIA)
26 Jun 24. Cuashub.com said today that Netline Communications Announces Direction-Finding Sensor.
Netline Communications Technologies Ltd., a premier developer and manufacturer of advanced electronic warfare and tactical spectrum dominance systems for defense forces and homeland security agencies, introduced an innovative solution for drone detection with its new non-database direction-finding (DF) sensor.
This groundbreaking development by Netline is engineered to identify all drone threats within the covered area, including diverse non-standard and DIY drones, which pose significant challenges in contemporary war zones and conflict areas.
“Netline is stepping up to meet the growing field demands for a comprehensive system that can identify and locate all potential drone threats,” said Shai Palti, Netline’s CEO. “As the drone industry evolves, defence forces face new and complex challenges. Netline’s new approach provides our clients with a robust solution for detecting, locating, and mitigating every threat in the spectral area, even if it’s a new drone with unknown spectral signatures or communication links”.
The latest version of Netline’s DF sensor employs a three-step detection process. First, the sensor scans the spectrum for all radio frequencies (RF) within the relevant bands. Next, it uses a hybrid algorithm to distinguish targets from the spectral noise. Finally, it tracks the suspicious targets and assesses their threat level based on various parameters.
Strategically deploying two or more DF sensors within the covered area enhances precise localization capabilities. The system ensures comprehensive and effective drone detection and localization by intersecting the direction lines from multiple sensors.
These capabilities complement Netline’s battle-proven drone mitigation systems. Leveraging SDR technology, Netline’s jammers disrupt communication between drones and their operators, block GNSS signals, and cover all potential drone frequencies.
“At Netline we constantly learn and monitor the evolving threats in different war zones around the world to develop critical and rapid solutions. Our R&D teams have developed this innovative and adaptive algorithm that recognises common factors of airborne threats, indicating their existence without needing specific data,” summarized Mr. Palti.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/netline-communications-announces-direction-finding-sensor/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_v5PEhw4T0SpksSrIlUGqqsa2At8xJuiWHvAO33ieQihJkpKNMrBZoKBmz2yIl0NaYimkE8bUTuPw2ogxcRDGG1ef-6sq6ooD8cnt8IVmTVTFB9F8&_hsmi=313256562&utm_content=313256562&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
25 Jun 24. Cuashub.com said today that Prison Adds Physical Design Measures to Reduce Drone Threat.
A controversial new prison being built in Leicestershire, UK, will feature “security by design” physical design measures to reduce the risk of contraband delivery by drone, reports the Leicester Mercury.
The non-opening windows will prevent the potential delivery of contraband directly to inmates’ cells via drones. The windows will also reduce noise and eliminate the possibility for residents to dispose of contraband, making it easier for staff to detect banned items.
The details were revealed in new plans for the layout and design of the prison, being built on Welland Avenue, Gartree, Lubenham. These plans were approved at the Harborough District Council (HDC) planning committee meeting on Tuesday, June 11.
Drones are being used worldwide to deliver dangerous contraband, including tools, drugs, and cellular telephones, which are often used to facilitate criminal activity from within the walls of the prison. Although much of the focus is on drone detection and mitigation technology, prisons can use physical design measures to reduce the risk of successful contraband drone delivery, including features such as nets and hardened windows.
(Source: C-UAS Hub)
25 Jun 24. HENSOLDT Air Traffic Control Radar achieves Initial Operational Capability for RAAF. HENSOLDT Australia has delivered on a key milestone for the AIR5431 Phase 2 program by introducing a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) sensor into operational service at the Army Aviation Centre Oakey, achieving Initial Operational Capability for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Project AIR5431 Phase 2 is replacing the ageing Australian Defence Air Traffic System and Alenia surveillance sensors located at Australian Defence Force’s fixed bases across Australia. The sensors provide surveillance coverage for fixed base flying operations and support the National Air Traffic Management Surveillance Infrastructure Plan (NASIP). Additional sites will be delivered this year, with final delivery scheduled for September 2025. The delivery includes the state-of-the-art Operational Maintenance Trainer (OMT) manufactured in Germany by HENSOLDT and operated and maintained in Australia by HENSOLDT Australia Pty Ltd. HENSOLDT will provide ongoing sustainment under a Support Contract.
“HENSOLDT Australia is delighted by the achievement of this important milestone in the delivery of this critical air surveillance capability to Defence. This milestone represents the culmination of significant effort on the part of the Commonwealth and HENSOLDT teams to this point and we look forward to delivering the remainder of the capability over the coming months”, said Mark Novak, Managing Director of the Australian subsidiary.
24 Jun 24. Norway to receive GM200 MM/C radars next year. Norway is to receive Ground Master 200 (GM200) Multi Mission/Compact (MM/C) radars in 2025, Janes learned at the Eurosatory 2024 defence exhibition held in Paris on 17-21 June.
The Nordic country ordered five GM200 MM/Cs under a government-to-government agreement with the Netherlands in May 2021, with a follow-on order for three more announced in November 2022.
Thales Nederland handed the first GM200 MM/C radar to the Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) in Hengelo, the eastern Netherlands, on 14 February. The Netherlands placed the first order for nine of the radars mounted on Scania Gryphus trucks in 2019.
Norway was the second country to order the GM200 MM/C in 2021, followed by Denmark and Lithuania joining the programme in 2023.
Norway ordered eight GM200 MM/Cs mounted on FFG’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV); Lithuania six mounted on trucks; and Denmark five detachable radars mounted on towers.
The GM200 MM/C is the land-based version of the Thales NS200 naval radar that supports missions including simultaneous weapon locating and counter battery fire, air surveillance, and air defence. Equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, it can detect and classify unmanned aerial vehicles and track rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds and distinguish them from objects such as birds and windfarms.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that it would acquire GM200 MM/Cs under a government-to-government agreement for the procurement of a new Deep Find radar under its Project Serpens. (Source: Janes)
24 Jun 24. European gun makers trial small arms as drone stoppers. Western gun makers are exploring the potential of small arms to counter small drones, turning cheap and widely available weapons into last-resort defenses against an emerging threat.
The shift is playing out on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine, where invading Russian forces and defending Ukrainian soldiers have employed tactics to that effect. Now, other militaries are starting to explore the use case, says Italian gun manufacturer Benelli Armi, owned by the Beretta Holding.
“The use of different types of guns in this capacity in Ukraine has accelerated the demand we get for our shotguns to be sold in a counter-drone configuration – we’ve received a lot of request for information for this from NATO countries,” Mauro Della Costanza, head of sales at Benelli’s defense division, told Defense News at the Eurosatory trade show here.
The company supplies shotguns combined with special drone ammunition, which are already in use with the French and Italian armed forces. Dubbed the ALDA round, short for anti-light drone ammunition, this type of projectile is dedicated to shooting down moving targets such as small drones, weighing less than 25 kilograms, at distances between 80 and 120 meters.
Della Costanza said that the growing interest in using shotguns to neutralize these low-flying threats has to do with the cost-effectiveness and ease of operation these weapons offer to forces.
“Considering the size of these drones and the high price of some of the more complex countermeasures used to shoot them down – a shotgun with 1,000 [of these] rounds is at maximum three thousand euros,” he said.
In a video shared with Defense News of a recent customer trial, one of the company’s shotguns is seen successfully countering a small quadcopter at a distance of 90 meters in a matter of seconds.
Another firearms manufacturer in the counter-drone business is Belgian firm FN Herstal. A company representative told Defense News that the firm began testing suitable weapons several years ago, but that the war in Ukraine has attracted new inquiries.
In March 2022, the company took part in a NATO-led counter-drone exercise in Italy, for which it developed a container-based perimeter defense system incorporating a range of sensors connected to kinetic and non-kinetic effectors.
The hard-kill weaponry included a remote weapon station that can be fitted with medium or heavy machine guns or an automatic grenade launcher with airburst munition, all from the Belgian company’s product line.
When faced with first-person-view exploding drones, soldier-carried infantry weapons may seem like an unlikely defense. But, as one Ukrainian shotgun instructor stated in an interview with Ukrainian state-run news agency ArmyInform, small-arms “are a very good chance compared to running, believe me.” (Source: Defense News)
18 Jun 24. CENTCOM seeks industry capabilities to provide sensors to detect kamikaze drones. The Tradewinds US Department of Defense artificial intelligence contracting office reports that the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is seeking demonstrations for sensors enabling increased and enhanced detection of one-way unmanned aerial systems (OWUAS) that threaten US and partner forces.
The demonstrations are part of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) Desert Guardian (Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems – cUAS) programme.
“Sensors will augment existing sensor coverage and must integrate into a third-party interface for further analysis and correlation with other sensor data,” says the tender. “All sensor types are welcome (including, but not limited to, EO/IR, acoustic, radar), low-cost/attritable solutions preferred but not required. Desired solutions will adhere to the following parameters:
“RANGE – Sensors must aim to enhance and/or improve visibility of OWUAS flying closer than 7 km or further than 25 km to force location (<7 km, >25 km).
“ALTITUDE – Sensors must specifically aim to enhance and/or improve visibility of OWUAS flying at low altitudes close to force location (<300 m altitude within 25 km range). Sensors should aim to enhance and/or improve visibility of OWUAS flying at all altitudes further from force location (greater than 25 km range).
“UAS SIZE – Sensors must enhance and/or improve visibility of Group 2 and 3 UAS size (21-1,320 lbs).
“UAS SPEED – Sensors must focus on Group 2 and 3 UAS speed (<250 kts) at a minimum, ability to also detect higher speeds (250 kts+) is encouraged.
“INTEGRATION – Sensors must have and demonstrate the ability to automatically and repeatedly transport and integrate data into a third party interface for visual display, analysis, and prosecution.
“THIRD PARTY INTERFACE: Sensors will need to be integrated into a command and control framework using a remote procedure call (RPC) standard provided by the third party interface. This framework is programming language-agnostic and derived from open source/well-known standards. Vendors will be expected to use a software development kit (SDK) provided by third party interface, which uses a gRPC framework to send protocol buffers to the third party interface. Sensor participants will be expected to write a thin integration layer using the SDK for data ingestion, while taskable agents will conform to a command and control tasking API. Sensors will be expected to provide health/status reporting as part of data integration, example code for sensor integration will be provided if vendor is selected for Round 2.
“The goal for this effort is to enable DoD warfighters to better detect, identify, and defeat hostile UAS within their vicinity by leveraging heterogenous sensors integrated into a common interface. If successful, this process will complement existing sensors and improve force protection by providing early warning for personnel shelter and expanding the window available for kinetic and non-kinetic defeat.
“In this context, “innovative” is defined as any commercial product, technology, service, and/or any application of an existing commercial product, technology or service that have the potential to fulfill requirements, close capability gaps, or provide potential technological advancements for the Department of Defense. This may include any novel process, practice, methodology, or application of the preceding items to a new mission domain.”
“Responses to this CSO will be accepted by the Government beginning Jun 15, 2024 through Jul 15, 2024 at 1700 Eastern Time. This general solicitation will be reviewed, updated, and amended, at a minimum, on an annual basis.”
For more information: CENTCOM Desert Guardian (Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems – cUAS) | Opportunities | Tradewinds (tradewindai.com)
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Jun 24. US Air Mobility Command seeks industry support to enable airborne counter-UAS capabilities.
The US Air Force Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC) is seeking information on concepts and technologies related to an on‑aircraft Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) capability. AMC is conducting an analysis to evaluate potential Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) solutions for integration onboard AMC fixed-wing airborne platforms to enhance aircrew situational awareness of other s-UAS operating in the proximity of the aircraft.
According to the request for information
“AMC is interested in information on concepts and technologies that:
- Represent full or partial on-aircraft C-sUAS capability solutions. Partial capability solutions could include those that only satisfy a sub-set of the desired C-sUAS functions (e.g., only detect, track, and identify sUAS; no defeat); or are otherwise limited (e.g., operable only in-flight or during certain environmental conditions).
- Have been demonstrated on an airborne platform or have been used on other mobile platforms (e.g., ground vehicle), with the potential for future integration onboard an airborne platform with additional development.
Deadline for responses is 28 August, 2024.
For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/5bb523767a4345c6b5c111de8e3fb836/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
17 Jun 24. DOD’s digital and AI office seeks UAS detection sensors. The United States Department of Defense’s (DOD) Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) is seeking demonstrations for sensors enabling increased and enhanced detection of one-way uncrewed aerial systems (OWUAS) that threaten US and partner forces.
CDAO is responsible for accelerating DOD’s adoption of data, analytics, and AI. The goal for this effort is to enable DOD warfighters to better detect, identify, and defeat hostile UAS within their vicinity by using heterogenous sensors integrated into a common interface. If successful, this process will complement existing sensors and improve force protection by providing early warning for personnel shelter and expanding the window available for kinetic and non-kinetic defeat.
Sensors will be required to augment existing sensor coverage and must integrate into a third-party interface for further analysis and correlation with other sensor data. All sensor types are welcome (including, but not limited to, EO/IR, acoustic, radar), low-cost/attritable solutions preferred but not required.
Sensors must aim to enhance and/or improve visibility of OWUAS flying closer than 7km or further than 25km to force location. They should enhance and/or improve visibility of Group 2 and 3 UAS size, and focus on Group 2 and 3 UAS speed (<250 kts) at a minimum, while the ability to also detect higher speeds (250 kts+) is encouraged. The sensors must have and demonstrate the ability to automatically and repeatedly transport and integrate data into a third party interface for visual display, analysis, and prosecution.
CDAO requires sensors that can be integrated into a command and control framework using a remote procedure call (RPC) standard provided by the third party interface. This framework is programming language-agnostic and derived from open source/well-known standards. Vendors will be expected to use a software development kit (SDK) provided by a third party interface, which uses a gRPC framework to send protocol buffers to the third party interface. Sensor participants will need to write a thin integration layer using the SDK for data ingestion, while taskable agents will conform to a command and control tasking API. Sensors will be expected to provide health/status reporting as part of data integration. An example code for sensor integration will be provided if the vendor is selected for Round 2. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
16 Jun 24. USN seeks kinetic C-UAS capability against group 3+ drone threats. The US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has released a tender for kinetic defeat counter-UAS systems to protect US Navy assets.
According to the DIU:
“The growing threat of adversarial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) poses significant risks to U.S., allied and partner forces, naval vessels, and commercial vessels transiting key maritime routes across the globe. Within the last eight months, these adversarial UAS actions threat have directly resulted in the death of three innocent seafarers, the complete loss of one commercial vessel, significant damage to more than a dozen vessels, a 900% increase in war-risk shipping insurance premiums and a 50% reduction in year-over-year trade volume for one of these key waterways, which have all resulted in a 9% reduction in effective global shipping capacity and a significant increase in global shipping costs. The U.S. is committed to protecting commercial maritime trade and, more importantly, service members conducting maritime operations in contested environments.
“To support this goal, the U.S. Department of the Navy seeks a kinetic defeat solution for group 3+ UAS. The proposed solution must demonstrate a high probability of kinetic defeat on adversarial group 3+ UAS and be more cost effective than the current traditional air defense solutions being used against UAS and available to Naval operational commanders.” Deadline for responses is 28 June 2024.
“The U.S. Navy intends to rapidly prototype and conduct a phased operational test and evaluation plan to validate the performance of one or more proposed shipborne kinetic defeat Counter UAS solutions. It is expected that solutions will be capable of expeditious worldwide deployment, integrated with a variety of naval platforms and must display the ability to be easily integrated into the existing sensors onboard a naval vessel.
“Solution briefs will only be accepted for complete Counter UxS (Uncrewed Systems) solutions that include a kinetic defeat effector and launcher that is focused on group 3+ UAS. Solutions may assume they will receive a track from the naval vessel’s combat systems to facilitate find and fix. The solution must be able to integrate with the naval vessel’s existing combat systems, but may also utilize an adjunct passive system (e.g., Electro-Optical / Infrared) that does not interfere with the ship’s organic sensors.”
For more information: https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/submit-solution/PROJ00535
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Jun 24. Eurosatory 2024: Excellent technical military counter-UAS solutions to the wrong problem.
On my way to the Eurosatory defence show in Paris last week I met a Ukrainian defence procurement official.
“We have one major priority,” he told me. “We need a network of affordable counter UAS systems which can be fielded on a large scale to identify and take down kamikaze drone threats as soon as they are launched against us. It’s no use waiting until the last kilometre or so. For one thing, our current jammers have a range of one kilometre but Russian attack drones go into autonomous mode 5km away, so the jammers are not effective. Russia is now using more effective stand-off weapon systems which are proving very difficult to track, so we need networks of passive sensors which can alert us to possible attacks as soon as they emerge.”
Would he have found such as system at the Eurosatory show?
While there were some examples of long range, ground-based air defence system concepts on display their missiles were too big and too expensive to meet the challenge of low-cost AI-enabled drone swarms. Instead, what he would have found is a host of new products that western suppliers have developed to protect expensive armoured vehicles from occasional drone attacks, with new mobile weapon stations integrating passive sensors – or active sensors which can operate in short bursts – integrated with airburst ammunition loaded cannons.
These at least are starting to close the affordability gap, in which a USD1,000 drone can take out a USD3 m armoured vehicle. And they could, in theory, form the basis of a network of more mobile air defence systems deployed not just on the battlefield but as measures of last resort to defend critical assets, such as electricity generating stations, many kilometres away from the front.
It is the theoretical effectiveness of these combined systems that prompted one visiting general to the show to assert that the days of drone supremacy in current wars are limited. French Army Chief of Staff General Pierre Schill told visiting reporters :“The life of impunity of small, very simple drones over the battlefield is a snapshot in time,” he said. “Right now it’s being exploited, that’s clear, and we have to protect ourselves. Today, the sword, in the sense of the aerial drone, is powerful, more powerful than the shield. The shield is going to grow.”
But as the C-UAS challenge in Ukraine changes every four weeks, according to some estimates, this is a bold prediction. And drones have changed warfare in ways which many defence departments have not yet fully understood: long-range, low-cost drones are not just tactical weapons they are simultaneously strategic threats used against civilian infrastructure with growing effectiveness.
Over the past two years, European and US defence companies have been busy developing new technologies to make passive and active sensors more mobile around the battlefield, none more so than Germany’s Alpine Eagle, which was at the show to demonstrate its air defence drone – equipped with small but powerful radars for 360% surveillance above the battlefield, which would go some of the way to meeting the needs of Ukrainian procurement officials.
Alpine Eagle is just one application which exploits a new generation of lightweight, robust radar systems. Echodyne was at the show to demonstrate how its portfolio of short, medium range and airborne advanced metamaterial electronically scanned array (MESA) radars that can be integrated into a wide range of ground-based and airborne air defence networks. The company’s products fall outside US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) provisions,
Thales had on display its 6×6 Griffon Vehicule d’Observation d’Artillerie (VOA), brimming with sensors to designate ground and air targets, featuring a lightweight Thales MURIN surveillance radar capable of identifying targets 24km in the distance.
Another battlefield drone-scanner was demonstrated by Patria with its Multi-Static Coherent Location (MUSCL) mast-mounted system which can detect NATO class 1 mini and small drones at between 20 and 40km. Hensoldt, meanwhile, featured its TRML-4D C-band ground defence radar using AESA technology can detect up to 1,500 airborne threats out to a range of 250km
Northrop Grumman had its Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system on display, which uses multiple sensors to provide a single integrated air picture (SIAP) to all SHORAD weapons, along with engagement orders and weapon control status to provide complete situational awareness. The system has been supplied to the US Army, the US Air Force, the US Marine Corps and defence organisation in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as part of an interoperable Baltic, NATO and US air defence network.
Australia’s DroneShield reported it was doubling the production run of its DroneSentry-X Mk2 CUAS systems by the end of 2024 to meet increasing demand.
As well as getting more mobile, the latest generation of C-UAS systems are becoming more personal. Cerbair launched a new member of the Chimera C-UAS family at Eurosatory, the Chimera 200, weighing around 16 kg with both detection and jamming capabilities. But the prize for the most innovative personal C-UAS system being promoted at the show surely went to VBE Jammer Technology of Shenzhen, which featured an integrated handheld flashlight/drone jammer, able to disrupt GPS, BDS and GLONASS signals.
There was a handful of new laser C-UAS systems on show.
France’s Cilas exhibited its HELMA-P C-UAS laser weapon, which is being considered for use at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games – to detect, track and neutralise drones up to 1km away. The HELMA-P has also been integrated within MBDA’s Sky Warden C-UAS system, “a modular system designed to integrate and control a large range of sensors and effectors,” said the company. “This scalable system can effectively neutralise any form of threat, from tactical drones to reconnaissance mini-drones, as well as other traditional ‘air breathing’ threats.” India’s Bharat Electronics was also promoting its laser C-UAS D4 system, a Directed Energy Weapon System (DEWS) developed to be integrated with layered network of C-UAS sensors and mitigation methods. No performance data was available. EOS was promoting its directed energy capabilities as part of its Titanis Counter Drone Defence System, which “had disabled Group 1 drones at an effective rate of 20 drones per minute – at ranges of more than 1,000 metres,” according to the company.
Safran had on display its PASEO Master early threat detection system, which was instrumental in the early detection of Houthi launched drones in the Red Sea.
New systems to protect armoured vehicles from drone attacks
No self-respecting NATO armoured vehicle will soon be without a drone defence system, though it will probably take most NATO countries two to three years to equip their ground fleets with new air defence systems, by which time the threat will have evolved.
The German Bundeswehr displayed its Puma S1 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) equipped with a Dedrone Sensor RF-300, designed to passively detect, classify, and locate commercial drones and their remote-control signals. The Scorpion collaborative combat programme from KNDS will equip the French Army armoured vehicles with anti-drone systems within two years, linking their detection capability with turrets that can fire missiles or 40mm airburst grenades. KNDS also launched its Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 weapons station concept at the show, featuring a remote-controlled 30 mm weapon system for deployment against near-field and aerial threats.
Meanwhile, MSI-DS exhibited its mobile and deployable short-range air defence system, the TERRAHAWK PALADIN, to defend and protect against threats from drone and fast incoming air targets, as well as hostile ground and maritime targets, and is capable of integrating a wide range of direct fire effectors up to 40mm, integration of C-UAS missile and rocket systems, ammunition, radar, and tracking options.
The latest version of the BAE Systems Hagglunds CV90 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) was on display, fitted with a C-UAS IRON FIST Active Protection System (APS), which combines a search-and-track radar and infra-red cameras with data fusion algorithms.
There has clearly been a huge step forward in the last year or so to take on board the lessons of Ukraine, especially in developing better C-UAS protection for armoured vehicles. And for most armed forces, that is the key challenge. But defending targets simultaneously both on and off the battlefield – which is Ukraine’s current massive challenge – will need more consideration to ensure these short-range improvements in defeating the drone threat can somehow be knitted together to provide a more holistic defence system. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Jun 24. AARTOS Drone Detection System by AARONIA Impresses as State-of-the-Art Solution for Flexible and Powerful CUAVs. Eurosatory, one of the world’s most significant defense and security exhibitions, this year themed “Protect Your Future,” saw international military and security experts gather in Paris to explore and discuss the latest developments. A focal point was the increasing importance of diverse drone deployments and their subsequent detection and defense. The AARTOS DDS system drew particular attention from the professional audience. This currently market-leading system can be modularly adapted to various needs.
AARONIA AG offers highly adaptable solutions for all requirements and budgets with its four different variants of the AARTOS DDS. From the laptop versions X2 and X5 for limited mobile and stationary deployment areas to the high-end solutions X7 and X9 for particularly demanding military applications. This year at Eurosatory, hundreds of military and security experts were convinced by the AARONIA stand. The focus in terms of detection was especially on the mobile X2 and the high-end X9 solution.
AARTOS DDS offers unique features in all versions compared to competitors’ systems. The system not only determines the position and speed of drones but also their altitude. It ensures high-speed detection of drone activities by scanning the entire frequency spectrum, including simultaneous scans of different frequencies, allowing the detection of all drones operating with radio signals. The drone’s and operator’s positions are provided in real-time by AARTOS. AARONIA’s proprietary software solution, RTSA-Suite PRO, plays a central role here. This powerful real-time spectrum analysis software allows the integration of various hardware components for evaluation, ensuring simple, efficient, and optimal use of the respective system.
Regarding drone defense, the programmable AARTOS 360° Smart Jammer was the center of interest. It features an extremely high range of up to 10 kilometers. Furthermore, it allows complete individual customization or programmability of any frequency ranges within 400MHz to 6GHz in real-time using drag & drop. The Smart Jammer covers all drones in the frequency range and can disrupt them either automatically or controlled by the operator.
“The numerous discussions with various experts from different branches of the armed forces confirm that AARTOS can make a decisive contribution to the overarching integration of C-UAVs into the armed forces,” says Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of AARONIA Austria. “With the programmable jammer, we have once again demonstrated our innovation leadership. It underscores our commitment to providing efficient, flexible, and highly powerful solutions for our customers.”
In addition to drone detection and defense, the AARTOS system can also be used as part of electronic warfare. The unique real-time all-frequency monitoring capability allows the detection of everything from BOS radios to radar pulses and remote-controlled systems (air and ground). The programmable AARTOS 360° Smart Jammer can then be used to disrupt these systems.
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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.
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