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06 Sept 24. Polish C-UAS Specialist Debuts Advanced Hard-Kill System at MSPO 2024. Developed by Maddos and AP Flyer in collaboration with a Ukrainian partner, Poland is showcasing the ORION FCS system at MSPO. This system, equipped with either two 23mm cannons or two 12.7mm machine guns, is designed to detect and neutralize drones flying at several hundred meters.
Hard kill solutions based on anti-aircraft cannons, developed by AP-FLYER in cooperation with Ukrainian and Polish partners, are featured in this system. It integrates the MADDOS long-range 4D radar, which detects the target and transmits its 3D positional information to the fire control system. The turret is automatically directed towards the sector where the target is located, and the electro-optical module begins tracking. The distance to the target is determined, and a 3D flight trajectory of the target is calculated to accurately destroy the threat. The MADDOS RCWS can effectively destroy any type of drone at significant distances while maintaining high mobility and ease of transport.
The described defense system is particularly effective against NATO-class 1 and 2 drones, as well as against loitering munition. It is suitable for both day and night operations, with fully automatic functionality. Equipped with a main cannon of 23mm or 12.7mm, it offers an effective range of up to 2.5 km. The system uses electric drives for azimuth and elevation rotation and integrates a processing unit with a ballistic calculator, thereby optimizing engagement precision.
MADDOS is a brand owned by AP-FLYER, a high-tech security company based in Poland, specializing in anti-drone and UAV technologies. Since 2015, AP-FLYER has been active in the C-UAS market and began manufacturing VTOL observation drones in 2020. Over the years, our extensive experience has led to the creation of unique and operationally proven solutions. The trust of numerous government and military clients across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East attests to the effectiveness of the many MADDOS systems deployed to protect their critical assets. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)
06 Sept 24. Poland’s New Anti-Drone System Features 12.7mm Gatling Gun. At the MSPO 2024 defense expo, the Polish company Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów, part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), presented its latest anti-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) system, known as the System Zwalczania Dronów. This system, developed in cooperation with the Military University of Technology (WAT), is armed with a WLKM 12.7 mm Gatling-style machine gun designed to target UAVs at a maximum effective range of two kilometers. Classified as a “last chance” defensive solution, it is intended for situations where drones are relatively close to the defended position.
The development of the System Zwalczania Dronów began in 2018 to address challenges posed by smaller drones that are more difficult to detect and neutralize. The system underwent a series of tests, starting with experimental firing exercises at the Central Air Force Training Ground in Ustka in late 2021, followed by additional evaluations in early 2022. These tests were conducted to assess the system’s effectiveness in detecting, recognizing, tracking, and neutralizing UAVs, ensuring its capability to meet operational requirements.
The Polish anti-UAV system is a product of collaboration between Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów and the Military University of Technology, aiming to provide a balance between cost and functionality. The design utilizes affordable ammunition and incorporates modern detection and tracking technologies. According to Dr. Kamil Wacławik, project manager at the Military University of Technology, the system includes remote control capabilities and offers both manual and automatic modes. This flexibility allows the system to be installed on a variety of platforms, including stationary setups, mobile vehicles, or naval vessels.
In 2023, this system was demonstrated on a new carrier, the Waran armored personnel carrier, developed by Huta Stalowa Wola. The Waran is a wheeled, armored vehicle that provides Level 2 protection under the STANAG 4569 standard. It measures 6.20 meters in length, 2.55 meters in width, and approximately 2.60 meters in height, with a wheelbase of 3.65 meters and a ground clearance of 0.43 meters. The vehicle has a crew capacity of two, an estimated weight of around 15 tons, and an operational range of approximately 600 kilometers, enabling it to serve as a mobile platform for the anti-UAV system.
The primary component of the System Zwalczania Dronów system is the WLKM 12.7 mm multi-barrel machine gun, which uses a Gatling-style configuration developed by Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów. The gun fires 12.7 mm x 99 NATO (.50 BMG) ammunition and can reach a firing rate of up to 3,600 rounds per minute, with a maximum range of up to 2,000 meters. The rate of fire is adjustable between 250 and 3,600 rounds per minute, and the burst length can be set from 50 to 200 rounds. The weapon system features four rotating barrels powered by a 27 V DC electric motor and is integrated with an optoelectronic head that includes day and thermal cameras, as well as a laser rangefinder. An external radar system is included to detect UAVs, including smaller drones, at distances of up to 15 kilometers.
The Polish anti-UAV system is designed to operate in three modes: manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic. In manual mode, the operator directly controls the system, while in semi-automatic mode, the system assists by tracking the target within the video feed. In fully automatic mode, the system autonomously identifies and tracks targets, with the operator making the final decision to fire. The system can be controlled remotely, allowing the operator to remain at a safe location while using a control panel and a large screen that displays camera feeds, providing flexible operation and enhanced safety. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)
05 Sept 24. Mobile Air Surveillance Radar Set for Swedish Armored Vehicles. Saab is set supply its Giraffe 1X radar for a Swedish Sisu GTP armored vehicle, providing quality air defense target data, drone detection, and sense and warn capabilities. Saab has received an order to provide its Giraffe 1X surface radar for the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for one of Sweden’s Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) solutions.
The order includes Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar, associated command and control systems and integration to a Swedish GBAD solution. The radar will be installed on a Sisu GTP armored vehicle.
Giraffe 1X provides commanders with quality air defense target data, drone detection for counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and sense and warn capability simultaneously for rockets, artillery and mortars. Giraffe 1X also offers continuous software upgrades in order to meet emerging threats.
The contract period runs through 2024-2027, and the order value is approximately SEK 700m.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, commented, “I am proud that Sweden chooses to integrate our versatile surface radar Giraffe 1X as a part of its ground based air defence. Our solution will contribute to strengthening Sweden’s ground based air defence capability and to protecting the forces with advanced capability to detect and identify threats while on the battlefield.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
04 Sep 24. Indra Wins One of Europe’s Largest Defence Radar Contracts to Equip Poland’s AFB With Cutting-edge Systems.
- It is one of the biggest and most ambitious dual civil-military aircraft surveillance system projects ever launched on the continent
- Its deployment is crucial to ensuring the maximum operability and efficiency of the Polish Air Force
- Indra wins the project ahead of the sector’s leading companies and strengthens its solid position as a global supplier of radars and its capacity to respond to the needs of the most advanced armies
Indra has closed with the Polish Ministry of Defence one of the most important ground radar contracts tendered in Europe this year: the company will implement up to 15 transportable systems for military and dual air traffic control at air bases throughout the country, thus contributing to reinforce the operability of the Polish Air Force, a country that currently plays a key role in defending the continent.
The agreement signed with the Polish Armaments Agency includes the delivery of the first eight systems until 2028, with an optional extension of seven additional systems until 2031.
Indra competed with the sector’s most significant international companies to be awarded the contract, once again proving its position as one of the main global suppliers of military, civil and dual-use radars and its capacity to meet the needs of the most modern armies.
The first radar that Indra will implement at the bases meets the demanding requirements of the Polish Air Force and is distinguished by its top-level performance in terms of determining the 3D position and trajectory of aircraft, even under the most difficult operating conditions, as well as its ability to integrate the associated identification friend or foe (IFF) radar information, which allows it to discriminate its own and allied aircraft from the rest of the traffic in flight.
Indra’s solid-state system -completely based on electronic components, which provide greater transmission reception efficiency- incorporates a completely digital process of the signal, being able to operate in environments with interferences that are caused by orography, adverse meteorology, countermeasures, or reflections caused by wind turbines. Equipped with a weather channel, it allows aircraft to be guided out of storms if necessary. The redundant design provides very high operational availability and, together with comprehensive remote monitoring, allows 24/7 unattended operation.
The contract comes at a time when countries all over Europe, and especially in the north of the continent, are strengthening their defence with the most sophisticated technologies available.
In this regard, air bases are one of the most significant assets to guarantee the air defence of any country and to have an efficient and agile air force. The systems of Indra provide exceptional situational awareness, which facilitates the approach of aircraft as well as landings and take-offs, guaranteeing fluidity in the management of air operations in coverage and the capacity for immediate response in the event of any threat.
The systems that Indra will supply, including towers and antennas, offer the additional advantage that they can be transported in shelters for deployment wherever they are needed, providing maximum operational flexibility. They also offer full interoperability capability with other allied air forces, which is vital when coordinating complex multinational operations.
In addition, data from the new radars can be safely used by civilian air traffic control systems, which will improve air safety throughout the country. In this respect, the systems comply with the strictest applicable NATO, air navigation and information security standards.
Indra designs cutting-edge radars that cover airspace and space surveillance, tactical missile defence and low-level drone detection. As well as Spain, European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Portugal, Denmark and Lithuania operate with its radars, and Indra is also the supplier of mobile radars for NATO’s deployable component.
In Poland, Indra has a long history of collaborating with the country’s authorities and leading companies in the modernization of critical infrastructure. With the air navigation service provider PANSA, it has completely modernized Poland’s air traffic management. It also worked with the Gdansk Port Authority on the implementation of the maritime traffic management system and with the Spanish Navy on the implementation of satellite communications systems in the Kormoran minehunters. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Sept 24. Sopka-2 Radar Update. A Russian Air Force 12A6 Sopka-2 ground-based air surveillance radar is deployed to Wrangel Island, northwest of the Berring Strait separating the United States and Russia.
In March 2023 we published an article about Russia’s 12A6 Sopka-2 ground-based air surveillance radar. Since the article’s publication, new information has come to light regarding this system and its performance.
Armada published its initial analysis of the Sopka-2 as part of our ‘Russian IADS Redux’ series on that country’s strategic Integrated Air Defence System (IADS). By means of background, and to refresh memories, deployment of the Sopka-2 started in 2014. Taking its name from the Russian translation for ‘hill’, the radar was designed to support military and civilian air traffic control. The Sopka-2 combines the tasks of several legacy radars deployed by the Russian Air and Space Force (RASF). It contains Primary and Secondary Surveillance Radars (PSR/SSR). The PSR provides range, azimuth and elevation information and the SSR provides identification friend or foe data.
Manufacturer-provided information states that the Sopka-2 is an S-band (2.7 gigahertz/GHz to 2.85GHz) ground-based air surveillance radar. It has a range of circa 243 nautical miles/nm (450 kilometres/km). Open-source information says the radar can detect a target at circa 328,084-feet/ft (100,000-metres/m) altitude at circa 65nm (120km). Targets at circa 32,808ft (10,000m) altitude can be detected at ranges of 216nm (400km). Importantly, these figures do not specify the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of the target. Target RCS will influence detection ranges and altitudes.
According to EW Analytics LLC the Sopka-2 feeds its data into what the RASF call Aviation Guidance Points (AGPs); the equivalent of ground-controlled interception centres. AGPs are used to control fighters intercepting air threats. The radar is also likely to feed data into mobile RASF VIP-117M3 air command and control systems. Both the AGPs and VIP-117M3s use R997-1M Very/Ultra-High Frequency radios (V/UHF: 30 megahertz/MHz to three gigahertz) for fighter communications.
Sopka-2 radars do not appear to be deployed alone at the AGPs. EW Analytics LLC’s analysis has determined that 1RL131 Terek (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation reporting name P-18 Spoon Rest-D) VHF ground-based air surveillance and PRV-13 (Odd Pair) S-band (2.620GHz to 2.830GHz) height-finding radars are collocated with the former. The Sopka-2 is advertised as having only rudimentary electronic counter-countermeasures. It is possible that the 1RL131s and PRV-13s are used as back-ups should the Sopka-2 experience jamming. These latter radars may also provide additional track data to enrich the AGP’s Recognised Air Picture (RAP).
12A6 Sopka-2 radars are deployed to Russia’s far north to help protect the country’s northern air approaches.
Belarus and Ukraine
Russian sources stated that the RASF planned to acquire enough Sopka-2s to cover the whole country with an initial 20 being delivered by the end of 2014. Belarus activated a single Sopka-2 radar in January 2021 at Baranovichi airbase. This facility is around 150km (93 miles) north of the country’s border with Ukraine. Taking the radar’s location into account, it could look 162nm (300km) into Ukraine’s airspace. EW Analytics LLC’s information says that an AGP is collocated at the airbase. The Sopka-2 there almost certainly feeds track data into this aviation guidance point.
Russian media reports from March 2022 said that Su-35 (NATO reporting name Flanker-E) combat aircraft fighting in Ukraine had flown from Baranovichi. It would not be surprising if these aircraft were under the control of this AGP. The same facility is reportedly home to a 56N6E Protivnik-GE L-band (1.215GHz to 1.4GHz) ground-based air surveillance radar. The relationship between the Sopka-2 and 56N6E remains unknown. It is possible that the two radars provide redundancy in case one is unserviceable for any reason, for example if the Sopka-2 is jammed. They may also both be used to provide as rich a RAP as possible.
EW Analytics LLC recently shared with Armada that the Belarussian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with the radar’s manufacturer for a Sopka-2 modernisation. The exact nature of this modernisation is unknown at present. Moreover, reports emerged that on 9th August Belarussian air defenders detected 13 Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that entered Belarus’ airspace from Ukraine. The UAVs were shot down over Kostyukovichi in eastern Belarus.
The Sopka-2 radar at Baranovichi is located around 397km (246 miles) west of Kostyukovichi. The UAVs are likely to have been within the radar’s 243nm instrumented range. It is possible that the Sopka-2 detected and tracked these aircraft. Nevertheless, given the radar’s advertised range resolution of 250m (850ft), it is possible the radar did not detect individual UAVs. Instead, the targets may have shown up as a single plot. The extent to which the Sopka-2 was involved in this interception remains unknown. That said, the upgrade programme, and ongoing deployment of the radar across Russia, illustrates that it is very much a key component in the Belarussian and Russian IADSs. (Source: Armada)
05 Sept 24. Spanish Guardia Civil to Equip its Agents on Missions Abroad with New C-UAV Systems. The Spanish Civil Guard will equip its agents operating abroad with new portable anti-drone systems to address the threat posed by unmanned aerial systems. A tender is already underway for the purchase of a minimum of 10 drone-jamming devices. Regarding the specifications, the anti-drone system will weigh less than 20 kilograms and will be capable of operating across various frequency bands (GNSS -GPS L2-L5 and L1-, Wifi -2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, and 5.8 GHz-, 900 MHz, and 400 MHz).
Each system must be housed in a compact case for transport, with pre-installation inside to add two additional jamming modules. Each unit will include directional antennas capable of covering 90-degree sectors and a deployable telescopic mast for antenna deployment. The 400 MHz module will have a single omnidirectional antenna with 360-degree coverage. The equipment’s autonomy in continuous operation at maximum power will exceed 30 minutes, with an effective range of at least one kilometer.
The tender, which is already in the evaluation phase, is managed by the Army, specifically the Army Logistics Support Command (MALE), the body normally responsible for purchasing specific equipment for Civil Guards in international operations. The delivery of the new equipment is scheduled for the end of 2024, according to the execution timeline of the tender, which Infodefensa.com has accessed. In recent years, the Armed Institute has acquired anti-drone systems from companies SDLE and Etrair, primarily for use with Pegaso equipment.
Guardia Civil has agents deployed in several countries. In Lebanon, a dozen agents are part of the Spanish contingent of the UNIFIL United Nations mission, operating from the Miguel de Cervantes base in the eastern sector. Today, this mission has been renewed for another year by the Security Council. The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2749 (2024) today, extending the mission’s mandate until August 31, 2025.
While daily exchanges of fire have devastating effects on civilians on both sides of the Blue Line, the Security Council urged all relevant actors to implement immediate measures towards de-escalation. It also demanded that the parties recommit to fully implementing all provisions of Resolution 1701, the ceasefire resolution adopted in 2006, and reiterated its strong support for full respect of the Blue Line and the total cessation of hostilities. It is this mission that motivates the Civil Guard’s tender, as Lebanon is a theater of the use of often homemade drones for bombing and surveillance purposes.
The Armed Institute also has personnel in Mauritania as part of deployments of ships, planes, and helicopters to combat irregular immigration or in Colombia within the Spanish mission of UN observers tasked with verifying peace agreements with the FARC. Guardia civil has also been involved in scenarios such as Iraq in recent years, as part of training missions for local security forces. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)
05 Sept 24. The sensor solution provider HENSOLDT has developed a compact and interference-resistant radar system for uncontrolled airspace together with several partners. The German Aerospace Centre (DLR) has tested the radar system in flight trials with several drones and a research helicopter. The tests have shown that the system is capable of monitoring uncontrolled airspace above urban areas. Further analyses are currently being carried out to assess the reliable and safe detection of aircraft.
The flight tests at the DLR’s National Experimental Test Centre for Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Cochstedt marked the conclusion of the ‘MIMO Air’ project. Under the leadership of HENSOLDT, several project participants developed and validated the research prototype of an ‘Air Traffic Monitoring and Management System’ (ATMMS). Several main components were newly developed. These include a MIMO radar sensor, a radar post-processor, a ground control station and a data link.
The MIMO radar sensor from HENSOLDT and the radar post-processor are collectively referred to as the MIMO radar system. The cognitive MIMO radar system monitors the close range of the flying platform, warns of obstacles and simultaneously serves as a navigation and landing aid. In general, a cognitive MIMO radar system is characterised by the fact that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) to react dynamically to changing environmental conditions and also takes its limited hardware and software resources into account in an appropriate manner. ‘MIMO’ stands for “multiple-input and multiple-output” and enables the radar sensor to “virtually” increase its signal reception aperture without physically changing the size of its receiving antenna. This capability is essential if the weight and size of the radar sensor is to be kept as small as possible.
“The flight test has shown that air traffic participants in the uncontrolled airspace G over urban areas can be monitored reliably and safely,” said Maurice Tennigkeit, Project Manager Airborne & Space Radars. “The project is an important milestone for integrating air taxis into German airspace in the future, for example.”
HENSOLDT led the ‘MIMO Air’ project. The DLR (Institute of Flight Guidance and Systems Engineering for Future Mobility, Flight Experiments), the Fraunhofer Institute FHR, Humatects GmbH and DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung GmbH were also involved in the development and verification.
04 Sep 24. Thales and PIT-RADWAR (PGZ Group) to Cooperate on Radar Technologies. Thales, a global leader in Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Digital Identity & Security, and PIT RADWAR, a company of the PGZ Group and a leading supplier of military equipment for the Polish Armed Forces, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Strategic Cooperation at this year’s MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition, taking place in Kielce, Poland on 3-6 of September 2024.
The agreement aims at exploring and undertaking common technical, technological and business activities to address a broad range of radar technologies. Both companies share many decades of experience in radars and radiolocation technologies, including multiple successes in implementation for both military and civil clients.
Joining capabilities will enable both companies to multiply their strengths, offering superior performance parameters and unique features for clients in both domestic and international markets. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Sep 24. Radio frequency (RF) technology specialists, SPX Communication Technologies today launches Evenlode Lite, an entry-level video downlink system designed for regions new to airborne surveillance or those looking to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. As geopolitical tensions rise and the need for real-time situational awareness grows, Evenlode Lite offers a cost-effective solution for defence, security, border control, and search and rescue teams.
Evenlode Lite is an introductory version of the Evenlode system, operationally proven across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Comprising an air data terminal and ground data terminal, it provides reliable, secure, real-time transmission of up to 4K video, audio, GPS, and telemetry data from airborne platforms to static or mobile ground teams.
The system is tailored for integrators and end users in regions across Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, offering a low barrier to entry for organisations seeking to improve ISR capabilities without the complexity and cost typically associated with such systems.
Key features:
- Complete end-to-end solution that seamlessly integrates with existing video systems to deliver live intelligence directly to ground teams.
- Cost-effective: By dramatically reducing entry-level costs, Evenlode Lite makes airborne data transmission more accessible to a broader range of users.
- International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) exempt: Fully exportable to most regions worldwide, Evenlode Lite can be deployed quickly with minimal regulatory constraints or complexity.
- Fully secure: Equipped with AES256 or substitution Cipher encryption, the system protects sensitive data during transmission, making it ideal for domestic security and search and rescue operations.
- Scalable and upgradeable: As concept of operations (CONOPS) requirements evolve, Evenlode Lite can be enhanced with additional features, including dual video channels, onward IP video streaming, and range extensions.
“Many defence and security teams lack the real-time intelligence to respond swiftly to incidents or mitigate risk. Evenlode Lite addresses this gap by offering an affordable and scalable solution that delivers critical intelligence, enabling faster, more informed decisions,” says Jackson White, Business Development Director of Tactical Data Links at SPX Communication Technologies. “The system lowers the overall cost of ownership, making it an attractive option for regions with limited budgets while still providing the capability to upgrade as needs evolve.”
Evenlode Lite is now available for deployment. For more information visit www.enterprisecontrol.co.uk/evenlode-lite/, or visit us from 3-6 September at the 32nd International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO – stand D-37 at the Targi Kielce Exhibition & Conference Center, Poland. If you are an integrator interested in partnering with SPX Communication Technologies, please contact .
04 Sept 24. Indian Navy ‘pave the way’ for new HEPF shells against drones.
Due to be fired from the AK-630 naval gun, the new shells yield higher fragmentation lethality compared to existing munitions. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has “handed over the production document” of High Explosive Preformed Fragmentation (HEPF) shells to the Director General of Naval Armament Inspection.
The decision is “paving the way” for the induction of a new capability against drone swarms at sea a government statement confirmed on 3 September 2024.
Chairman of the DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated ARDE for handing over responsibility for the procurement details. Sendior DRDO scientists and officials from naval headquarters were present during the ceremony.
This 30-millimetre munition is manufcatured by at a DRDO laboratory, the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), based in Pashan, Pune just south of Mumbai.
Some of the shell’s features are similar to the in-service ammunition (HE/I Shell), meaning it can be fired from the existing AK-630 naval gun. Four of these close-in weapon systems operate on the bow of the Navy’ Visakhapatnam-class destroyers.
Notably, the HEPF shell yields better fragmentation lethality than HE/I shell, making it effective for neutralisation of drone swarms. The HEPF shell hardware was manufactured by three Indian companies as per ARDE specifications and subjected to gun firing proof tests in association with Naval Armament Inspectorate, Jabalpur. The test results confirmed the suitability of the HEPF shell for its adaptation in AK-630 gun.
Recent conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war have illustrated the utility of repurposing consumer uncrewed aerial system (UAS) technology for defence applications, with the implications of this trend beginning to influence both tactical and strategic considerations within global defence circles.
As spending grows in the increasingly accessible sector – which GlobalData says will grow from $11bn to $18bn in the next ten years – more formidable techniques are being used, such as swarming. True swarm technology will drive the widespread adoption of Counter-UAS systems.
As UAS improves in terms of size, weight and power and becomes cheaper to produce, with almost complete autonomous capabilities achievable, swarming (defined as multiple autonomous aircraft networked together) is anticipated to increase the use of UAS in defence missions. Such a threat generates the incentive to cultivate a corresponding C-UAS. (Source: naval-technology.com)
03 Sept 24. Haivision MCS Awarded $61.2m Production Agreement by US Navy for Next-Generation Combat Visualization and Video Distribution Systems . Haivision Systems Inc. (“Haivision”) (TSX: HAI), a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video streaming and networking solutions, today announced that Haivision MCS, a subsidiary of Haivision, was awarded a significant five-year production agreement by the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), with an estimated total value of $61.2 m USD (approximately $82 m CAD). This strategic agreement positions Haivision at the forefront of delivering cutting-edge combat visualization and video distribution systems for the US Navy’s Surface Combatant Fleet.
Under this new production agreement, Haivision MCS will provide to the US Navy a comprehensive suite of Haivision ultra-high performance video processing solutions for mission-critical display along with video transcoding, storage, and distribution components. These systems will be integral to the Navy’s Combat Information Centers (CICs) across various surface combatant vessels, enhancing situational awareness and mission planning capabilities. The advanced visualization technology is designed to support the Navy’s future combat systems, including those planned for AEGIS Destroyers (DDGs), Aircraft Carriers (CVNs), Amphibious Ships (LHDs, LHA, LPDs), Frigates (FFGs), Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs), and the next-generation United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutters, among other critical applications. Haivision’s next-generation systems will play a pivotal role in supporting mission-critical applications by delivering superior situational awareness throughout the ship.
This award builds upon Haivision’s ongoing success with the US Navy’s CANES (Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services) program, which already leverages Haivision’s state-of-the-art real-time video encoding, transcoding, recording, and playback technology for ship-wide video distribution.
The award highlights the strength and reliability of Haivision’s core technologies and demonstrates the valuable synergies achieved through the acquisition of CineMassive in 2021. The integration of CineMassive’s Command 360 collaborative visualization platform into Haivision’s offerings has significantly enhanced the company’s capability to deliver innovative solutions for complex defense applications.
“We are honored to continue our partnership with the US Navy and to be entrusted with this crucial responsibility,” said Robert Kaufman, co-founder of CineMassive and now Vice President of Strategic Programs at Haivision MCS. “This award is a testament to the excellence of our technology and our dedicated team. We are committed to delivering high-quality systems that will support the Navy’s mission and enhance the operational effectiveness of its Surface Combatant Fleet.”
For more information on Haivision and its advanced visualization solutions, please visit https://www.Haivision.com.
About Haivision
Haivision is a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and visual collaboration solutions. Our connected cloud and intelligent edge technologies enable organizations globally to engage audiences, enhance collaboration, and support decision making. We provide high quality, low latency, secure, and reliable live video at a global scale. Haivision invented the award-winning SRT low latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance to support its adoption. Awarded four Emmys® for Technology and Engineering from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Haivision continues to fuel the future of IP video transformation. Founded in 2004, Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago with offices, sales, and support located throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. To learn more, visit Haivision at haivision.com.
About Haivision MCS
Haivision MCS focuses on providing highly specialized systems to US Federal organizations that address mission-critical challenges in global security operations centers, joint and tactical operations centers, public safety operations centers, and control rooms. Haivision MCS also provides the complete Haivision product portfolio to address the mission-critical, real-time video needs for ISR, defense, government, and enterprise customers. (Source: PR Newswire)
04 Sept 24. A broad range of radar transmitter systems for upgrading existing sites or building new ones from UHF to W-band, driving a range of vacuum electron devices (VEDs) including magnetrons, klystrons, TWTs, and gyrotrons have been introduced by Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) of Bedford, MA, USA.
DTI Radar Transmitter Systems are turnkey and include all hardware from the wall plug to the antenna, including integration of the VED, waveguide, and cooling controls whether they are an upgrade or new installation. Featuring outputs up to hundreds of kW, full pulse flexibility from 50 ns to 10 ms pulse frequencies, these all solid-state systems provide up to 50% greater power efficiency and higher reliability than vacuum tube based systems.
Designed and built with a primary emphasis on high reliability, DTI Radar Transmitter Systems provide >99% switching efficiency, <500 ns switching times, and pulse frequencies up to 100 kHz, depending upon the load. They use a single controller that can drive one or two switches yielding a fast fall time for a capacitive load. Upgraded transmitters are often drop-in replacements of existing equipment or transportable containerized systems. DTI Radar Transmitter Systems are typically priced from (US) $500,000 up. Literature and price quotations are available upon request.
03 Sep 24. Cuashub.com said today that U.S. announces intent to source C-sUAS assessment. The U.S. Government has issued a notice of intent to award a contract for a Counter-Small Uncrewed Aerial System (C-sUAS) Red Team Assessment at Eielson Air Force Base. This announcement indicates that the government plans to award the contract without full and open competition, selecting a specific vendor to conduct the assessment.
The C-sUAS Red Team Assessment at Eielson Air Force Base is designed to rigorously test and evaluate the capabilities of small uncrewed aerial systems in a contested environment. The assessment will focus on several critical areas:
Red Team assessment:
o The assessment aims to simulate adversarial tactics, techniques and procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of existing C-sUAS technologies under real-world conditions.
o The evaluation will consider the systems’ ability to detect, track, identify and defeat small UAS threats across various operational scenarios.
Mission requirements:
- The selected system must demonstrate effective operation in a contested electromagnetic environment, with specific emphasis on resisting adversarial jamming and interference across a broad frequency spectrum.
- The assessment will also test the system’s adaptability to evolving threat environments and variable operational conditions.
This notice suggests that the government has identified a specific contractor that can meet these stringent requirements. However, other potential vendors with the capability to fulfill this role may still have the opportunity to express interest and challenge the sole-source decision.
- Original Published Date: Aug 29, 2024 01:34 pm AKDT
- Original Response Date: Sep 08, 2024 04:30 pm AKDT
For more information, please visit the Intent to Sole Source notice on sam.gov.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/u-s-announces-intent-to-source-c-suas-assessment/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–NpVTTLTGDgPdZTqkAXwkad9V0dxjgRjvqyXUNb66H3SVyh3UXeIN60PLtGik9T-2LtgDSvotFuMktHSRV_DE4J0feVbgmIf3vhJxHQBgpW6NJjUo&_hsmi=322789472&utm_content=322789472&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
04 Sept 24. NASA Develops Pod to Help Autonomous Aircraft Operators. For self-flying aircraft to take to the skies, they need to learn about their environments to avoid hazards. NASA aeronautics researchers recently developed a camera pod with sensors to help with this challenge by advancing computer vision for autonomous aviation.
This pod is called the Airborne Instrumentation for Real-world Video of Urban Environments (AIRVUE). It was developed and built at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Researchers recently flew it on a piloted helicopter at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for initial testing.
The team hopes to use the pod to collect large, diverse, and accessible visual datasets of weather and other obstacles. They will then use that information to create a data cloud for manufacturers of self-flying air taxis or drones, or other similar aircraft, to access. Developers can use this data to evaluate how well their aircraft can “see” the complex world around them.
“Data is the fuel for machine learning,” said Nelson Brown, lead NASA researcher for the AIRVUE project. “We hope to inspire innovation by providing the computer vision community with realistic flight scenarios. Accessible datasets have been essential to advances in driver aids and self-driving cars, but so far, we haven’t seen open datasets like this in aviation.”
The computer algorithms that will enable the aircraft to sense the environment must be reliable and proven to work in many flight circumstances. NASA data promises that fidelity, making this an important resource for industry. When a company conducts data collection on their own, it’s unlikely they share it with other manufacturers. NASA’s role facilitates this accessible dataset for all companies in the Advanced Air Mobility industry, ensuring the United States stays at the forefront of innovation.
Once the design is refined, through evaluation and additional testing, the team hopes to make more pods that ride along on various types of aircraft to collect more visuals and grow the digital repository of data.
(Source: UAS VISION)
03 Sep 24. Cuashub.com said today that Camgian to provide AI-driven C-UAS capabilities to U.S. Army. The U.S. Army has awarded Camgian Corporation a contract valued at over $23m to advance C-UAS capabilities, aimed at bolstering the warfighter’s ability to protect against UAS swarms. This collaboration is part of the Army’s broader initiative to enhance force protection by deploying coordinated, independent, and dispersed AI-driven C-UAS platforms.
“At Camgian, we’re committed to providing our warfighters the world’s most advanced capabilities,” said Camgian CEO and Chairman Dr. Gary Butler. “We are excited for the opportunity to bring leading edge AI technologies to the air defence fight.”
The partnership will focus on the integration of advanced technologies, specifically data fusion and sensor-effector integration, to dramatically improve the situational awareness and responsiveness of soldiers on the battlefield. These enhancements are designed to provide warfighters with a comprehensive understanding of their operational environment, enabling quicker and more accurate decision-making in the face of increasingly complex aerial threats.
Central to this effort is Camgian’s Reactor kill chain automation platform, which will be utilised to enable rapid and robust situational awareness. The AI-driven C-UAS platform will also facilitate efficient weapon-to-target assignments across a distributed network of disparate air defence systems.
AI-driven C-UAS capabilities
By leveraging reinforcement learning, an advanced AI technology, the system will be capable of rapidly processing vast amounts of data, identifying potential threats and coordinating an effective defence response.
“Defence against increasingly larger swarms of drones is becoming more important in the modern battlefield,” noted Product Technical Lead Dr. Ralph Crosby. “Camgian is uniquely positioned to provide the Army with a system that can be quickly scaled to rapidly identify and mitigate large numbers of aerial threats.”
The ability to counter UAS swarms efficiently and effectively is increasingly vital as adversaries continue to adopt and deploy these technologies on the battlefield. Camgian’s solution is designed to adapt to these evolving threats, ensuring that the Army can maintain a tactical advantage in various combat scenarios.
Senior Product Manager Gary Hsieh expressed pride in the work his team has accomplished, stating:
“I am deeply proud of our team’s work in developing cutting-edge AI-driven C-UAS solutions. This collaboration highlights our commitment to innovation and our dedication to enhancing the safety and effectiveness of our warfighters against evolving aerial threats.”
As part of this contract, Camgian will work closely with the Army to ensure the seamless integration of these new technologies into existing defence infrastructure, providing soldiers with the tools they need to counter UAS threats more effectively.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/camgian-to-provide-ai-driven-c-uas-capabilities-to-u-s-army/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8mkmIzTvlhKv47G9PWvh5Jhig_Lh5bRbuJokNY3_vWTSjqcPUKW1mkYp8cjEdguhvmI4lYl4hIxehZKUImMMBnhMBmO-sskCGd6XhVmaexP1m7zJ8&_hsmi=322789472&utm_content=322789472&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
03 Sept 24. China’s PLA Found ‘Shooting at Drone Swarms Challenging’ in Recent Air Defence Drills. The Chinese military, which has been testing its capabilities to counter enemy drone swarm attacks, has admitted that accurately hitting the small targets may prove difficult.
A first round of anti-aircraft artillery launched against a drone swarm during a recent People’s Liberation Army (PLA) training exercise achieved only 40 per cent damage, state broadcaster CCTV reported last week.
“Shooting at drone swarms was still quite challenging due to their speed and small size, as well as their ability to change flight trajectories – making it easy for gunners to lose their targets,”
Duan Xiaolong, from an unnamed regiment with the PLA Ground Force’s 77th Group Army, was quoted as saying.
The PLA’s latest air defence training exercise was held to test drone defence capabilities at different distances, and to identify issues to be addressed in future drills, Cui Yang, a major with the regiment told CCTV.
According to a military commentator posting on WeChat, China’s X-like social media platform, the artillery used in the exercise may have been older models from the 1990s or 2000s, which could have impacted the damage and success rate.
The combined use of electronic jamming systems, surface-to-air missiles and automatic rifles would be able to raise the hit rate, the commentary said.
The rising use of UAVs in modern warfare has been highlighted by the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, where drones have become a key feature of asymmetrical warfare.
Ukraine’s deployment of domestic air and sea drones in strikes against key Russian infrastructure has signalled a potential new era of battle tactics.
And while Ukraine does not have warships of its own, the use of sea drones has allowed it to gain a foothold in the water by damaging and sinking Russian naval vessels.
Kyiv has also launched UAVs targeting Russian oil refineries, bridges, and military sites in an attempt to weaken its infrastructure and combat capabilities.
Drone swarms – large numbers of drones that operate together in a robotic throng – present a particular challenge to defence. Chinese researchers have made innovative breakthroughs in this area, including building drones that separate into multiple vehicles mid-air to confuse air defence systems.
Both drone detection and defence systems in the US are not yet adequately prepared to handle tracking and shooting down multiple drones at once, according to a report from the National Defence University, which is funded by the US Department of Defence.
However, while Beijing has made significant advancements in building up its drone capabilities, the training exercise may indicate that it must double down on building up new technology and tactics to reinforce its anti-drone capabilities.
Chinese manufacturers have been urged to ramp up efforts in producing smarter and more efficient anti-drone weapons in light of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, including exploring technology utilised by the West like electronic jamming and lasers.
Recent PLA reports indicate a growing interest in the implementation of anti-drone technologies on battlefields, including running drills to test new equipment. (Source: UAS VISION/South China Morning Post)
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