Sponsored by Echodyne
www.echodyne.com
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06 Nov 24. Thales has concluded an agreement with FEBUS Optics, a French company specialising in innovative sensing systems based on Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing (DFOS) technologies, to co-develop a new breed of critical infrastructure monitoring solutions.
- Under the agreement, the partners will combine their expertise to develop advanced solutions to protect critical undersea infrastructure (CUI).
- The research and development partnership is a clear opportunity to create distinctive, rapidly deployable solutions for the expanding CUI protection market.
Thales has teamed with FEBUS Optics, a breakthrough tech company based in France, to co-develop innovative solutions to monitor critical undersea infrastructure (CUI) and create rapidly deployable solutions to address the fast-expanding CUI protection market.
Monitoring and securing critical undersea infrastructure is now a key priority, and in the current geopolitical climate it is becoming increasingly important to overcome the technological challenges of CUI protection to address this growing market. Undersea infrastructure such as communication cables, power lines and pipelines typically spans long distances, and monitoring these installations under extreme environmental conditions is a particularly complex undertaking calling for innovative solutions capable of guaranteeing their integrity and security.
As a world leader in underwater detection, Thales clearly has a role to play in meeting this challenge. The Group recently concluded a co-development agreement with FEBUS Optics, a recognised leader in Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing (DFOS) systems, to leverage the firm’s high-performance Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) interrogator technology.
FEBUS Optics’ DAS interrogator technology is easy and inexpensive to deploy and only requires single-ended connection to the optical fibre sensing cable. It detects acoustic signals generated on or around the installation being monitored, exploiting the principle of light backscattering in the optical fibre to monitor activity seamlessly along the entire length of the infrastructure and ensure early detection and precise geolocation of any anomalies.
Thales will combine the acoustic data gathered using FEBUS Optics technology with its expertise in sonar array design and acoustic signal analysis to propose an integrated solution that adds new functionality to its BlueGuard surveillance system and allows for seamless monitoring of the volume of water surrounding critical undersea infrastructure.
The partnership will enable Thales and FEBUS Optics to focus part of their respective R&D efforts on a new breed of dedicated solutions that overcome the operational challenges of CUI protection. It will also further the development of France’s defence industrial and technological base and help to support the growth trajectory of FEBUS Optics, which is based in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of southwest France.
“FEBUS Optics’ technology is recognised for its capacity to extract acoustic signals from an optical fibre, and Thales will draw on its experience in the design and operation of sonar arrays to exploit these signals for operational monitoring applications. This combined expertise will allow us to develop highly capable maritime surveillance solutions to protect and secure critical undersea infrastructure,” said Marc Delorme, Director, Unmanned Systems for Underwater and Seabed Warfare, Thales Underwater Systems.
“We will be leveraging the highly complementary nature of our technology expertise to develop dedicated solutions for monitoring critical undersea infrastructure. Through this partnership, Thales will help FEBUS Optics to expand into a new market by meeting the exacting requirements of the defence sector,” added Etienne Almoric, CEO of FEBUS Optics.
05 Nov 24. Cuashub.com said today that SkySafe and Fortem Technologies announce groundbreaking partnership. This week, SkySafe and Fortem Technologies announced a groundbreaking partnership, introducing a joint comprehensive drone detection and mitigation solution to combat unauthorised drone activity. Aimed at addressing the escalating risk of illicit drone incursions, this fully integrated solution offers a multi-layered, highly effective and versatile system capable of countering UAS across a range of different applications.
Combining SkySafe’s passive radio frequency (RF) detection technology with Fortem’s tools for radar-based tracking and threat mitigation, this new integrated solution provides real-time drone detection, identification and tracking (DTI), as well as highly accurate and reliable mitigation capabilities. The blend of both RF and radar technologies enables the end-user to effectively identify drones in varying distances and environments, while also offering automated mitigation options through controlled interception and safe landing protocols to neutralise unauthorised UAS.
Melissa Swisher, Chief Revenue Officer at SkySafe stated that “we’re thrilled to partner with Fortem Technologies to deliver this comprehensive drone detection and mitigation solution to the market”. She continued, “our collaboration unites the best in RF and radar-based detection and mitigation, offering our customers unparalleled security”.
Matt Quinn, Senior Vice President, North America at Fortem Technologies also welcomed the partnership, highlighting that “this partnership with SkySafe allows us to combine our radar and RF technologies, creating a multi-layered approach that significantly enhances detection and mitigation capabilities”. He also stressed that “our clients will benefit from the highest standard of airspace protection available”.
Featuring a scalable and configurable platform and real-time intelligence and control capabilities, powered by AI threat assessment tools, SkySafe and Fortem Technologies’ solution is designed to protect critical infrastructure, airports, public venues, and other key locations from the evolving threat of drone misuse. It marks a significant advancement in airspace security, enabling organisations to employ a reliable and solution to effectively respond to unauthorised drone activity.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/skysafe-and-fortem-technologies-announce-groundbreaking-partnership/(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
05 Nov 24. Cuashub.com said today that Sentrycs and Third Eye Systems announce new Counter-UAS strategic partnership. In a press release on Oct 30, Sentrycs and Third Eye Systems announced a new Counter-UAS strategic partnership to deliver a new generation of advanced drone detection and identification capabilities.
Sentrycs is a leading innovator and provider of adaptive Counter-UAS solutions, with particular expertise in the provision of autonomous drone detection solutions. Third Eye Systems specialize in thermal and visual imaging solutions, leveraging AI to enable real-time visual identification.
Both Sentycs and Third Eye believe that by combining their respective expertise they will be able to deliver unparalleled drone detection and identification, providing valuable and timely information to operators seeking to determine and mitigate threats.
Yoav Zaltman, Sentrycs CEO, highlighted the value of combining forces, stating that:
“This partnership is yet another example of how interoperability and technological synergies significantly enhance multi-layered strategies, delivering a more accurate real-time aerial picture and allowing our customers to detect, identify, and neutralize threats with even greater precision.”
These comments were reinforced by Lior Segal, CEO of Third Eye who stated:
“Together, we provide a faster, more reliable way for operators to detect, classify, and respond to drone threats. This level of integration will save critical response time, which is vital in high-risk environments.”
The comments and Counter-UAS strategic partnership itself demonstrate market recognition that there is no “silver bullet” solution capable of providing full spectrum drone protection. Segal’s emphasis on speed recognizes that information accuracy will not yield operational advantage unless it can be disseminated to warfighters as and when they need it.
Sentrycs’ systems in particular represent a vital part of the C-UAS systems in place to protect troops and bases both in Israel and across Europe. It will be hoped that the partnership announced with Third Eye will further enhance the ability of systems to detect and mitigate the drone threats currently undermining global security.
Sentrycs and Third Eye Systems announce new Counter-UAS strategic partnership
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
06 Nov 24. Patriot missile knocks out threat target in test with new radar. The most advanced version of the Patriot missile defeated a tactical ballistic missile threat target while fully integrated with a new radar in development with the U.S. Army in a test over the weekend, marking a significant step toward the service’s transition to a modernized missile defense capability.
The test conducted at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, used both the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) and the Cost Reduction Interceptor (CRI).
“The interceptors were shot in a ripple configuration and successfully engaged and intercepted the TBM target,” Lockheed Martin, the maker of the Patriot family of missiles, said in a statement.
The test integrating the Raytheon-developed Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar and PAC-3 missiles was built upon previous efforts to demonstrate PAC-3 integration with the Army’s Integrated Battle Command Systems (IBCS) and LTAMDS, according to Lockheed.
The Northrop Grumman-made IBCS is a fielded system that links any sensor to any shooter on the battlefield and is seen as the brain of the Army’s future air and missile defense architecture. LTAMDS is intended to replace the legacy Patriot radar with a capability that provides 360-degree protection.
The Army also had nascent plans to one day replace the PAC-3 MSE interceptor with a next-generation missile, but has since decided not to pursue development at this time, Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer for Army missiles and space, told Defense News in an interview last month.
The LTAMDS radar’s success in recent tests has prompted Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to consider deploying the new radar early to operational units for further evaluation and testing.
The test is part of a larger Integrated Fires Test Campaign that has been running since mid-September and will continue through December, Lozano said.
The Army’s LTAMDS radar, which began testing using just its front array, is now also demonstrating the functionality of its two rear arrays that provide the 360-degree level of protection, he said.
This year, the service is also bringing in the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) system, which can defeat a range of threats, including drones, cruise missiles, rockets, artillery and mortars from fixed and semi-fixed sites.
The Army wrapped up a development test for IFPC with three successful missile flight tests in late summer defeating two maneuvering unmanned aircraft systems, a Group 3 UAS — which can weigh up to roughly 1,300 pounds — and a maneuvering cruise missile.
The Army will incorporate a new version of its Sentinel radar (Version 4) next year and add additional elements the following year, all of which are expected to be part of the Pentagon’s missile defense of Guam architecture currently in development, Lozano said.
(Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
05 Nov 24. ELT Group and OSN sign a contract for the supply of an advanced system to counter drone threats, which represent one of the most dangerous asymmetric threats and on which ELT Group has developed advanced capabilities already tested in multiple operational scenarios. This is the first integrated naval anti-drone system to be supplied at a European level. The Anti-drone system presents innovative capabilities for detecting and countering the threat of drones based both on assets developed and dedicated specifically to the anti-drone function, such as Cyber RF techniques, AI algorithms and Jammer, and through integration with the assets of the EWS suite capability (RESM, CESM, RECM) also supplied by ELT Group, will enable effective drone detection, recognition and counteraction. The system can also operate autonomously and is equipped with an advanced C2 component specifically for anti-drone contrast. Another innovative aspect is represented by the RECM Antennas, which are presented for the first time in an arrangement that conforms to the ship’s structure and optimises its performance. This supply is part of the contract signed last July between Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN) and OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) for the construction of two new ‘FREMM EVO’ frigates.
04 Nov 24. Thales launches new coastal surveillance system. Thales has introduced a modular coastal surveillance system which includes lower altitude airspace protection. CoastShield combines a series of sensors to provide constant monitoring and early detection and tracking of even small targets. It is designed to support coastguards and maritime authorities in detecting and responding to threats sooner and more effectively, promoting collaborative decision-making between civil and military entities. CoastShield includes the long-range CoastWatcher coastal surveillance radar, which includes an Automatic Identification System receiver that is able to transmit large volumes of data to the Control Centre. Other equipment includes radio systems, long-range electro-optical sensors and a video management system that allows for the management of streams, such as camera selection and recording. Aerial drones, sonobuoy, along with complementary tactical systems such as satellites and other requested sensors, can be integrated into CoastShield. The maritime Control Centre then merges all data collected from the various sensors. Its open architecture also allows the integration of other data from forces’ headquarters. The Control Centre can be combined with artificial intelligence capabilities to simplify the large amount of complex data and accelerate the classification process (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
05 Nov 24. US approves potential $4.9bn E-7 Wedgetail deal with South Korea. Seoul is looking to expand its airborne early warning capabilities, and Boeing has competition at home and abroad for the contract. The US government has approved a potential deal for South Korea to buy four E-7 Wedgetail surveillance and early warning aircraft and related equipment for nearly $5 bn, should Seoul choose the Boeing bird in its race to expand its Airborne Early Warning & Control Aircraft (AEW&C) fleet. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced late Monday that the State Department okayed the would-be $4.9 bn arrangement, saying the “proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing increased intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and airborne early warning and control capabilities.”
“It will also increase the ROK Air Force’s command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) interoperability with the United States,” the release said. “Korea will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and support into its armed forces.”
Seoul already operates a handful of Wedgetails — along with Australia, the United Kingdom and Turkey, according to planemaker Boeing — but late last year Seoul announced a competition to expand its capabilities. International offers have lined up, including from Sweden’s Saab with its GlobalEye surveillance aircraft and from a team-up of America’s L3Harris with Korean Air and Israel’s ELTA. Beyond its current operating customers, the Wedgetail has been chosen as the latest AEW&C for the US Air Force as well as NATO — though the US acquisition was bumpy as negotiations with Boeing dragged and NATO’s came with its own criticisms. Foreign Military Sale approvals are not final deals, but signify the US government’s acquiescence if the Wedgetail is the direction in which Seoul would like to go. If it is the winner, the pricetag and unit numbers can change as final negotiations play out. Boeing declined to comment for this report. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
31 Oct 24. SkySafe and Fortem partner to develop integrated rogue drone detection and mitigation. SkySafe and Fortem Technologies today report they have introduced a fully integrated solution for drone detection and mitigation aimed at addressing the escalating risk of unauthorized drone incursions.
“This integrated solution offers unparalleled airspace security by combining SkySafe’s passive radio frequency (RF) detection technology with Fortem’s radar-based tracking and mitigation tools, delivering unmatched situational awareness and rapid response capabilities. The platform enables real-time drone detection, identification, tracking, and
Other features of this drone detection and mitigation solution include:
- RF and radar-based detection: By harnessing the strengths of both RF and radar technologies, the solution provides high detection accuracy and coverage, effectively identifying drones across varying distances and environments.
- Automated mitigation: The system includes seamlessly integrated, automated mitigation options that neutralize unauthorized drones in restricted airspaces through controlled safe low/no collateral effect interception and safe landing protocols.
- Real-time intelligence and control: Featuring an intuitive, centralized interface, operators gain real-time control and monitoring capabilities, enhanced by AI-powered threat assessment tools for swift response.
- Scalable and configurable: Built for flexibility, the platform can be tailored to specific operational needs and scaled as airspace security demands evolve.
Designed to safeguard critical infrastructure, public venues, airports, and other sensitive locations, this new system caters to evolving security needs across defence, government, and commercial sectors.
For more information
https://skysafe.io
https://fortemtech.com/
https://www.prweb.com/releases/skysafe-and-fortem-technologies-announce-partnership-bring-a-comprehensive-drone-detection-and-mitigation-solution-to-combat-unauthorized-drone-activity-302292511.html
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
31 Oct 24. Romania proposes new law to protect its airspace from drones. Romania’s Defence Ministry published a draft law on October 28 which, if passed, would allow it to shoot down drones illegally breaching its national airspace.
The move comes after military attack drone fragments have been found in Romania on several occasions this year. Romania has also identified and tracked drones in its airspace which it believes are destined for the conflict in neighbouring Ukraine throughout September and October. The two countries share a 650 km border. NATO jets scrambled to the Romanian border earlier in October following reports of increased drone activity in the area. Romania is currently hosting the visit of a delegation of the NATO Defense Policy and Planning Committee (Oct 27-30).
“Black Sea military operations, the massive increase of the use of UAVs, either military or adapted for military use continue to create major risks at the Ukraine border and near Romania’s border area,” the proposed legislation notes.
Reuters news agency says the draft law states that drones illegally flying in Romanian airspace could be destroyed, neutralised or taken control of, depending on threat levels.
“At a European Union level efforts continue for a unitary approach to unmanned aerial vehicles as well as to establish measures to counter risks,” the draft law says.
Romania also proposes taking protection measures against unauthorised manned aircraft, with destruction a “last resort” used only in the event of an attack or aggressive response to interception.
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
29 Oct 24. Mumbai Police temporarily bans drone flights. India’s Mumbai Police have issued a temporary ban on drone flights in the district, effective from October 31, citing terrorism concerns.
The operation of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders and hot air balloons is prohibited until after November 29. The order states that “restrictions are necessary to prevent probable sabotage”.
Mumbai Police will be able to operate its own uncrewed aerial systems for surveillance and specific permission can be requested for flights.
India has seen a sudden surge in bomb threats to commercial aviation in the last two weeks, affecting multiple airlines. Hundreds of threats have been made, largely through social media. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
31 Oct 24. US Marines demonstrate rifle-mounted counter-drone system. The US Marines demonstrated a drone targeting system during a live-fire exercise at Marine Corps Base in Hawaii on October 23.
The ZeroMark fire control system is an AI-powered tool designed to improve aim accuracy and counter-drone capabilities, providing Marines with a portable, real-time threat detection and response tool.
During the demonstration, the system was attached to an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle and operated in the presence of US service members and Department of Defense contractors.
In May, ZeroMark announced a USD7 m seed funding round led by venture capital firms Ground Up Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz.(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
31 Oct 24. EASA grants STC to Aerodata for anti-jamming anti-spoofing system. Aerodata AG has been granted a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its GPS anti-jamming and anti-spoofing system. This certification applies to installations integrated with Garmin 5000 avionics in a Cessna Citation Latitude jet. The system allows Aerodata to reduce the vulnerability of its uncrewed systems to GPS interference, and is also designed to support Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and flight inspection operations. The newly certified system has already undergone comprehensive testing and validation, and Aerodata is working on extending its capabilities to other aircraft platforms, targeting both civil and military applications. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
01 Nov 24. EC report proposes a European defence shield against UAS and other airborne threats. The European Commission (EC) has published a defence and security preparedness report by special adviser to the EC and former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. “We need preparedness and strength not to wage war, but to maintain peace,” Niinistö says in the report, adding that “the risk of Russian aggression beyond Ukraine cannot be excluded”.
“The Russian war of aggression in Ukraine has brought the potential of drones to the forefront,” the report notes, adding that sometimes, counter-measures have been produced within weeks of lessons learned on the battlefields, requiring “a more agile procurement and development approach than is customarily pursued in the defence sector”.
In addition, drones that make use of relatively low-level technologies and components are readily accessible to a growing number of non-State actors, making them weapons of choice for attacks against critical infrastructure.
European air defence shield an “urgent and critical requirement”
Niinistö proposes developing a European air defence shield to protect against missiles, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and other threats in and from the air domain, saying such a system is “a critical requirement”. This large-scale project, if approved by Member States, would integrate air defence systems across borders, strengthening operational readiness.
“We see in Ukraine daily how an effective air defence system saves lives and protects critical infrastructure, but also how damaging successful attacks are. Beyond adversarial State actors, non-State actors such as the Houthis in Yemen are developing their capacity to strike with drones at strategic distances, even reaching the southern parts of the EU. And with the lowering threshold other non-State actors, such as terrorist organisations, can potentially use these vehicles as weapons,” the report states.
Niinistö believes Europe has an urgent need to build and sustain an “anti access and area denial” capability for the air domain. The EU has already identified air and missile defence among key priorities that need to be addressed, with various proposals recently made by European governments alongside different ongoing projects. “Air defence is an area where a comprehensive system architecture is needed, with different layers and system modules allowing for multi-stakeholder contributions,” the report notes. “The different ongoing and proposed Member State initiatives in this field could mutually complement each other.”
Contested and congested space
The safety and security of space systems and digital services against growing contestation and threats is another key element of the report. “Space is increasingly congested. The risk of collisions is developing rapidly and can have a catastrophic and cascading effect: More than 1 m pieces of debris larger than 1 cm are currently orbiting the Earth, in addition to an increasing number of satellites, with more than 50, 000 additional satellites expected to be launched over the next decade.”
Niinistö says the ability to autonomously detect and track space objects of interest is limited due to gaps in the sensor network and to the low sensitivity of available sensors. Space is also an increasingly contested domain. “The ability to detect threats in space should be enhanced at the EU level, including through capability development for space situational awareness,” the report notes, citing potential threats from Russia and China in particular. “The EU must be able to respond to threats in space as a global actor.”
In the event of a crisis in space severely impacting the delivery of EU space-based services, Niinistö says the EU would face important capability gaps. More generally, he says the EU needs to be prepared for potential crises in space that are likely to arise in the near future. “The EU should leverage its regulatory power to set up common rules for the resilience, safety and sustainability of space activities in the EU.”
In closing, Niinistö calls for a European-wide ‘preparedness and readiness investment framework’ to jump start these and other European defence and security priorities outlined in the report.
The findings and recommendations of the report will contribute to the work of the EC by providing guidance for various upcoming initiatives, including the Preparedness Union Strategy and the White Paper on the Future of European Defence. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Nov 24. MARSS at Red Sands – Showcasing world-leading CUAS capabilities with AI-powered platform. Jointly organised by the US Army DEVCOM, ARCENT, and the Royal Saudi Air Forces, Red Sands 24.2 provided a test-bed for the latest technological solutions to deal with the rising threat of UAS attacks. As an active participant in Red Sands over multiple years, MARSS took a leading role in this year’s exercise, demonstrating its end-to-end, detection to defeat, C2 systems – fully integrated with EOS’ remote weapon station.
Over the course of the exercise, MARSS’ AI-powered NiDAR platform was tested against numerous simulated drone attacks, including both Category 2 rotary-wing, and Category 3 fixed-wing UAS – breaking new ground by defeating multiple military-grade drones.
This performance was made possible by NiDAR’s inbuilt threat prioritisation, which autonomously analyses radar tracks and EO/IR data to assess and order the potential risks – as well as providing the operator with a recommended course of action. Overseen by a human in the loop, NiDAR then relayed detailed slew-to-cue data to EOS’ integrated remote weapon station to defeat the identified threat at exceptional speed. Josh Harman, Vice President of Business Development with MARSS, commented, “In Ukraine and across the Middle East the defence industry and users are identifying major shortfalls with deployed integrated and non-integrated air defence systems. With constantly evolving threats, the time for sensors, effectors and integrated capabilities to react, adjust and deploy is ever shortening, and some existing systems are struggling to keep up.
“Over the course of the Red Sands exercise, MARSS demonstrated multi-sensor integration on a single UI that was mature and devastatingly effective against the various air threats – reducing the decision cycle of ‘detect to defeat’ to a matter of seconds.”
Another of the distinguishing features of MARSS’ participation in Red Sands was its fully wireless C2 functionality. Enabled by its partnership with Silvus Technologies, MARSS was able to integrate multiple sensors, including radars from Echodyne and SRC, and EO/IR sensors from Current Corp, to provide a unified tactical picture on a single display.
Harman added, “Exercises, such as Red Sands, are critical for understanding the needs and pressure points for our customer-base. With so many drones being deployed daily, or even hourly, in active areas, it’s imperative that any CUAS system can target the drones, but also the operators.
“MARSS’ NiDAR is able to do just that – enabling our customers to protect the public from the immediate threat, and future threats as well. It is capabilities such as these, combined with our ability to detect-and-defeat everything up to Cat 3 drone, that make MARSS’ systems so valued by our customers.”
04 Nov 24. China Claims 1km Range for New C-UAS Laser System. China has unveiled its latest high-powered laser defense system, known as the Red Wing Vanguard (or Striker), designed specifically to counter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats. Capable of generating 3 kW of laser power, the Red Wing Vanguard is equipped to intercept and neutralize drones within a range of over 1 kilometer. The system boasts a precision laser spot with a diameter of 20mm at 1,000 meters, enhancing its ability to target small and fast-moving UAVs effectively. The Red Wing Vanguard can be mounted on various platforms, including unmanned ground vehicles and maritime vessels, to provide mobile anti-drone defense in both urban and battlefield environments. According to its specifications, the laser system can engage incoming drones with minimal collateral damage, providing a precise and scalable solution for drone interception. The technology underscores China’s continued investment in directed-energy systems as a countermeasure against the increasing use of drones in surveillance and combat roles. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)
04 Nov 24. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has issued a Voluntary Transparency Notice (VTN) indicating its intent to award a £15.5 m contract to Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill for the continued support of the Land Environment Air Picture Provision (LEAPP) capability. According to the MOD, the contract will commence on 1 April 2025 and extend over a 3-year and 9-month period, focusing on in-service support for this essential air situational awareness technology. LEAPP, operational since 2014, provides shared air situational awareness across land-based platforms, enhancing the MOD’s ability to detect and manage air threats, coordinate air activity, and de-conflict airspace. The MOD’s VTN outlines the critical role of LEAPP, stating that it “improves the warning and management of air threats, coordination of air activity and de-confliction of airspace, resulting in greater combat effectiveness.” Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill, as the original system integrator and design authority, is noted by the MOD as possessing the unique technical know-how required to support LEAPP. The notice further clarifies, “Only the Contractor has the specific know-how and tools to achieve the integration and interface of this software with the corresponding land-based platforms to the required safety and performance standards.” This experience, combined with the proprietary design authority, makes Lockheed Martin UK Ampthill the only viable choice for continued LEAPP support, according to MOD officials. The MOD added that awarding the contract without prior publication aligns with regulatory allowances, as “the single source procurement…falls within the circumstances set out in regulation 16 (1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011.” This non-competitive approach is deemed necessary to safeguard the operational integrity and continuity of the LEAPP system, which remains crucial for UK air situational awareness and overall combat readiness. (Source: MakeUK Defence)
01 Nov 24. Northrop Grumman Corporation has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate as strategic partners with Exence and ITWL. Northrop Grumman Corporation has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate as strategic partners with Exence and the Polish Air Force Institute of Technology, Instytut Techniczny Wojsk Lotniczych (ITWL). The MoUs explore opportunities to enhance Poland’s national command and control capabilities with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye through NATO interoperability and further collaboration amongst the organizations.
Janice Zilch, vice president, multi-domain command and control programmes, Northrop Grumman: “Our partnerships will establish a strong allied force of capabilities aligning to Poland’s defence requirements, developing Poland’s future airborne command and control capabilities. Northrop Grumman is committed to our partnerships in Poland that are enhancing the private and national industrial base while also helping build Poland’s national security.”
Details: Northrop Grumman’s E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the world’s premier airborne command and control aircraft, with a legacy spanning more than six decades. Northrop Grumman has evolved the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye into a cutting-edge platform, effective over land and sea, capable of facing threats anywhere in the world.
Based in Kobierzyce, Poland, Exence provides secure solution architecture design, development and delivery, including ground segment fixed and deployable core common services, health and security management and monitoring and artificial intelligence-based predictive maintenance capabilities with a strong focus on interoperability and open architecture. Exence is already cooperating with Northrop Grumman on several strategic NATO Programmes.
Based in Warsaw, Poland, ITWL is the leader of the scientific and research support for military aviation technology. Supervised by the Minister of National Defence, ITWL has been developing modern solutions that bring large savings to Poland while maintaining the highest level of the applied technology since 1953. The products and services created by Polish scientists at ITWL are also world renowned, becoming the showcase of Polish engineering.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defence technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day. (Source: joint-forces.com)
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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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