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09 Dec 24. BAE Systems Collaborates to Deliver Rotary-Wing sUAS with ISTAR Capabilities. BAE Systems and Sentinel Unmanned are collaborating on the Longreach70 sUAS, a rotary-wing system designed to enhance precision targeting and ISTAR capabilities. BAE Systems has been working with Sentinel Unmanned to deliver the Longreach70 small rotary-wing uncrewed air system (sUAS), a precision targeting platform built to deliver intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.
The agile (<25Kg) long-endurance, long-range sUAS is set to facilitate improved situational awareness and laser target designation to enhance the tactical effectiveness of short-range standoff precision strike.
The capability aims to address the current challenges around the critical delays associated with securing manned air support, significantly speeding up the safe deployment of precision laser-guided munitions, with greater range than small arms fire, resulting in improved survivability for ground forces.
Key Features:
- Class IV NATO (STANAG 3733) compliant Laser Target Designator
- Advanced situational awareness, STANAG 4609
- Compatible with various precision strike munitions such as APKWS and Brimstone
- Targeting and correction for indirect fires
- Operates in sustained winds of 60 km/h; gusts 110 km/h
- Static loiter capability; covert loiter capability
- Payload & C2 Agnostic
- AES256 link encryption
- ATAK & SATCOM integrated
Longreach70 also features precision landing and autonomous mission capabilities, auto-rotation with an optional parachute, a simple platform assembly requiring no specialist tools or facilities, and a removable tail boom, legs, and rotors.
ISTAR Capabilities
The Longreach70 is a long-range, high-integrity ISR asset capable of operating beyond the range of enemy jamming. It supports targeting of indirect fires, such as artillery, with live feedback for artillery correction and battle damage assessment.
The sUAS also enables the use of precision-guided munitions without relying on GPS. Operator safety is improved by eliminating the need to laser designate targets from a handheld device. Designed as an integrated, military-grade solution, it ensures survivability across contested and congested environments. Additionally, it is highly capable and can be deployed organically by the teams that need it.
DASA & Dstl Backing
Supported by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) and Dstl, the development of the sUAS focused on an urgent operational need – to deliver capability that will significantly enhance precision laser-guided munitions in the field.
This DASA project resulted in Longreach70 being reportedly the first sub-25Kg sUAS to successfully demonstrate the accurate firing of a Class IV Laser Target Designator in the UK, undertaken in conjunction with the British Army on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA).
The system subsequently demonstrated complete resilience against GNSS jamming at the Sennybridge NavWar trials in August of this year, maintaining control of both the navigation system and payload.
BAE Systems is now in the design certification stage, prior to the manufacture of systems ready for deployment in an operational environment as early as Q2 2025. This is another example of industry collaboration delivering enhanced outcomes for customers in critical domains.
(Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
11 Dec 24. Cuashub.com said today that SkyDefense announces eVTOL interceptor for counter-UAS. SkyDefense has announced the development of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) interceptor, dubbed ‘CobraJet.’ The eVTOL is designed for counter-UAS purposes and offers an autonomous, high-speed (200+ mph) solution to intercept hostile drones at long ranges. CobraJet, measuring six feet in length with a five-foot wingspan, draws design inspiration from fighter jets such as the Lockheed F-35B and F-22. Its carbon-fiber monocoque airframe supports vertical take-off and landing capabilities, coupled with thrust vectoring nozzles for enhanced maneuverability. The system is powered by high-energy-density solid-state batteries and equipped with an AI-assisted flight controller, day/night cameras and inertial sensors, enabling fully autonomous 24/7 operation. It can launch from various mobile platforms, including trucks, ships and larger aircraft such as the C-130, offering versatility with regard to deployment for counter-UAS protection of sites lacking dedicated UAS defences. CobraJet is also outfitted with VIPER air-to-air rockets featuring PYTHON electroshock payloads. The interceptor is designed to neutralize threats such as kamikaze drones and return to base for rearming, offering a reusable and cost-effective counter-UAS solution. The system could help to bridge the gap between costly missiles and cheaper, shorter range systems such as laser DEW’s, aiding in the battle of engagement economics. A key feature of CobraJet is its ability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments. Equipped with jam-resistant radios and GPS receivers, the system ensures functionality even under electronic warfare conditions. SkyDefense is also exploring satellite communication options, including Starlink, to enhance CobraJet’s operational reliability. The CobraJet is paired with SkyDefense’s VRAM (Visual Realtime Area Monitoring) Mission Control, an AI-powered command and control (C2) system. VRAM processes data from CobraJet in real-time, maintaining an operator-in-the-loop decision framework to ensure human oversight.
The platform is said to be intended to integrate with other C2 systems or function as a standalone multi-layered defense system when deployed with SkyDefense’s Distributed Area Defense System and RAPTOR surface-to-air guided missiles.
Practical applications
Nick Verini, President of SkyDefense LLC, claims that CobraJet is both a cost-effective and adaptable solution:
“CobraJet neutralizes hostile drones with on-board munitions and returns for another mission, significantly reducing the cost of drone mitigation compared to traditional methods. Its stealth and speed make it highly effective against advanced threats, including unmanned surface and ground vehicles (USVs and UGVs).”
Additionally, SkyDefense offers a mobile configuration for law enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and military users. The system can be integrated into armored Cybertrucks, providing low acoustic and thermal signatures for operations in harsh environments.
SkyDefense plans to launch CobraJet and the VRAM Mission Control system by the second quarter of 2025. The company is positioning the system as a next-generation solution for securing critical infrastructure and responding to emerging threats.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/skydefense-announces-evtol-interceptor-for-counter-uas/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
11 Dec 24. Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 Successfully Demonstrates New Radar Capability In Canada. Schiebel, in collaboration with MDA Space, has successfully demonstrated IMSAR’s NSP Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with Ground and Maritime Moving Target Indication (GMTI and MMTI) capabilities during a one-week intensive trial at the Foremost UAS Test Range in Western Canada. The successful integration of the IMSAR NSP radar system to the CAMCOPTER S-100 was completed ahead of schedule, with all radar electronics housed within the antenna pod. The radar’s installed software allows for seamless mission planning, enabling the operator to upload radar flight plans directly to the S-100 platform. During the trial, the fully integrated system showcased its unique capabilities during both day and night operations out to ranges exceeding 100 nm. The S-100, equipped with the IMSAR NSP radar, Wescam’s MX-8 EO/IR sensor, a GPS Anti-Jam System and an Automatic Identification System (AIS), successfully conducted a series of simulated land and maritime tasks. The system provided high-resolution SAR imagery, as well as Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI) detections and tracks, all while demonstrating its versatility in challenging weather conditions. This capability highlights the IMSAR radar as a key sensor, enhancing the platform’s performance and situational awareness in complex operational environments.
“The integration of IMSAR’s radar with the S-100, in combination with a powerful EO/IR, significantly expands the platform’s surveillance and detection capabilities, allowing for wide-area coverage at impressive distances in all weather conditions,” said Neil Hunter, Head of Global Sales for Schiebel. “This trial underlines the continuing operational effectiveness of the CAMCOPTER S-100 as a multi-sensor platform, capable of delivering actionable intelligence in real-time, day and night.”
About Schiebel:
Founded in 1951 in Vienna, the globally operating Schiebel Group focuses on the development, design and production of the revolutionary CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). Certified to meet AS/EN 9100 standards, Schiebel has built an international reputation for producing high-tech military, commercial and humanitarian products, which are backed by exceptional after-sales service and support. Schiebel has facilities in Vienna and Wiener Neustadt (Austria), Toulon (France), Manassas, VA (USA), Abu Dhabi (UAE), and Shoalhaven (Australia). (Source: UAS VISION)
11 Dec 24. British Army successfully tests new drone-destroying laser. First ever UK high-energy laser weapon system mounted on an armoured vehicle at a UK trials range. A high-energy laser weapon has been fired by the British Army from an armoured vehicle for the first time and successfully destroyed flying drones.
It works by directing an intense beam of infra-red light in the form of energy towards its target using advanced sensors and tracking systems which maintain lock-on and accuracy in real time.
Unlike conventional munitions, laser weapons are virtually limitless in terms of ammunition supply, which means they could represent a cost-effective alternative to some current in-service weapons.
The laser was integrated onto a Wolfhound – a protected troop-carrying vehicle – where soldiers from 16 Royal Artillery were able to track and down hovering targets at Radnor Range in mid-Wales.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said: “This ground-breaking technology demonstrates Britain’s commitment to staying at the forefront of military innovation. The successful testing of this laser weapon system represents a significant step forward in our development of possible future defence capabilities and showcases British engineering excellence.”
The laser has been developed through a collaboration between the MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) – known as Team Hersa – and an industry consortium led by Raytheon UK.
This delivers on the Government’s Plan for Change, by rapidly advancing technologies and building on the strong foundation of national security.
Warrant Officer Matthew Anderson, trials manager for the British Army’s Mounted Close Combat Trials and Development Group, said:
“Every engagement we’ve done has removed a drone from the sky. While we’ve been testing a variety of distances, speeds and altitudes, one thing has remained – how quick a drone can be taken out.
“It’s definitely a capability that could be added to the arsenal of weapons that we use on the battlefield.”
The purpose of the capability demonstrator programme is to discover and test the potential future use of directed energy weapons by the British Army.
Having already been tested by engineers from MOD and industry, the latest experimentation by the British Army should provide knowledge, information and experience to support future requirement decisions, ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of this novel and disruptive technology.
Stephen Waller, Directed Energy Weapons Team Leader for DE&S, said: “This is still an emerging technology, but the world has changed and we are seeing more use of drones in the battlespace. This requires a more cost-effective solution to protect our troops. Having the capability to track and eliminate moving drones will give UK troops a better operational advantage and these successful trials have demonstrated that we are well on our way to achieving this.”
As well as Raytheon, Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace, LumOptica, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Cambridge Pixel have been involved in developing the weapon under a £16.8m contract awarded by Team Hersa.
UK MOD will take the learnings of the project into account and assess the necessary steps to develop Laser Directed Energy Weapons for frontline use by the British Army in the future.
Matt Cork, Head of Team Hersa Dstl said: “The successful testing of the Laser Directed Energy Weapon demonstrator is an important step towards a future capability. This technology has the potential to offer a credible and cost-effective means to defeat a range of current and future threats, which would improve the effectiveness of our armed forces” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
10 Dec 24. Safe Pro Group Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAI) (“Safe Pro” or the “Company”), a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions specializing in drone imagery processing, today announced the filing of a provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for utilizing drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve precision of object detection.
The provisional patent application, titled, “Object Detection Precision Enhancement Methods, Tools and Systems” seeks intellectual property (IP) protection for the Company’s technology which utilizes drones and artificial intelligence and proprietary algorithms to reduce the false positive rate when identifying objects such as small explosives, landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The new application follows the USPTO awarding of the Company’s first patent received on November 19, 2024, which protects its groundbreaking technology that identifies, locates and maps explosives through its AI-powered SpotlightAI™ drone image analysis and reporting software platform. The pending provisional patent application is the latest step in the Company’s ongoing efforts to expand the protection of its AI and related software algorithm IP portfolio.
“As demonstrated by this new provisional application, our team continues to build upon the foundational elements of our patented AI-powered image analysis ecosystem with enhancements that can help ensure that our customers and partners have access to the critical actionable intelligence they need for better decision making. Through ongoing development and a commitment to innovation, we believe we are creating significant value for our stakeholders and that is why we will continue to pursue protection for our IP,” said Dan Erdberg, Chairman and CEO of Safe Pro Group Inc.
The Company’s IP portfolio currently includes US Patent No. 12,146,729 incorporating 21 claims made in the Company’s original patent application entitled, “Systems and Methods for Detecting and Identifying Explosives.” These claims cover autonomous detection, identification, and labeling of explosives in orthomosaic images using AI processing of drone imagery. Valid until 2043, the patent captures the groundbreaking nature of SpotlightAI™ and its ability to transform fields ranging from humanitarian demining, agriculture, to national defense and reconstruction. The Company also previously filed for global patent protection with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) which covers patent protection rights for 157 Contracting States including members of the EU, Asia, Latin and South America, Africa and the Middle East.
The recently patented SpotlightAI™ technology is currently in operation in Ukraine with multiple humanitarian mine action organizations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and government entities. SpotlightAITM has now processed over 921,471 images, analyzed over 12,901 GB of data and identified over 16,540 real-world landmines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Real-world landmine detection statistics from Ukraine can be found at the Company’s Real-World Landmine Detection Counter at https://safeproai.com/landmine-detections/.
Compatible with Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) drones, Safe Pro’s patented SpotlightAI™ software ecosystem utilizes advanced machine learning (ML) models for small object detection and data reporting built on an extensive proprietary dataset capable of rapidly identifying and locating 150+ types of land mines and UXO. Operating locally at the Edge for rapid object detection and locating, or through the hyper scalability of the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud, SpotlightAI™ can process massive amounts of sub-centimeter-level drone imagery, providing customers with unique flexibility based on evolving operational needs. Enhanced with the hyper scalability of the AWS cloud, SpotlightAI™ can securely generate detailed, high-resolution orthomosaic maps highlighting objects of interest that can plot detection results on customizable, GPS-tagged, sub-centimeter-level, high resolution 2D and enhanced, interactive 3D maps. These maps can provide a “bird’s-eye view” of the surveyed area, delivering enhanced situational awareness for planning clearing and land release efforts by local governments and humanitarian aid organizations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
10 Dec 24. French Navy uses jamming solution to counter UAV for the first time. The French Navy has successfully intercepted and neutralised a UAV for the first time during operations in the Red Sea, utilising an advanced anti-drone jamming system. This milestone was achieved in October by a FREMM frigate equipped with newly integrated jamming technology, according to statements from senior French Navy officials during the Euronaval 2024 exhibition last month. Neptune and MAJES DB6 were the systems used, both developed by MC2 Technologies. Specialising in anti-drone and electronic warfare, MC2 designed Neptune as a high-power GNSS jammer for simulating contested environments (A2/AD) under navigation warfare conditions. MAJES DB6, meanwhile, is an upgraded version of a counter-UAS jammer initially deployed during the Paris 2024 Olympics as part of the PARADE anti-drone solution.
Rear Admiral David Desfougères, Head of Planning and Programs for the French Navy, commented “we are working a lot on this with the DGA and different industrials. We succeeded to destroy a UAV a few days ago with a brand new system, which we trained with one month ago during Wildfire exercise. This system was good enough to be quickly implemented onboard the ship and this ship departed for a mission with this system. […] We’ve got some very good ships […] but we need to upgrade these frigates with new generation of equipment such as countermeasures, counter-UAV system, new artillery ammunition. We work on how we can improve on the basis of all frigates in order to face new generation of threats.”
MAJES and Neptune are part of a broader suite of sensor and weapon systems recently installed on French naval surface combatants to enhance their operational capabilities. Additional upgrades include the Paseo XLR EO/IR system and the SkyJacker C-UAS solution, both developed by Safran. These enhancements were implemented as urgent operational measures, based on initial feedback from French forces operating in the Red Sea.
This milestone is particularly noteworthy given that Neptune and MAJES had never been tested in a naval environment, or designed for such use, prior to the Wildfire exercise – a new French Navy initiative that focuses on experimenting with counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions at sea. Building on the Wildfire exercise, the French Navy took a bold step by deploying these systems operationally aboard a vessel heading to the Red Sea, bypassing the typical qualification and testing phases. The Red Sea deployments highlight the French Navy’s rapid adaptation to evolving threats, demonstrating agility in testing and fielding advanced technologies as required. https://cuashub.com/en/content/french-navy-uses-jamming-solution-to-counter-uav-for-the-first-time/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
09 Dec 24. BrainChip Awarded Air Force Research Laboratory Radar Development Contract. BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY), the world’s first commercial producer of ultra-low power, fully digital, event-based, neuromorphic AI, today announced that it was awarded a development contract for $1.8m from Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on neuromorphic radar signaling processing technologies. The AFRL contract award, under the topic number AF242-D015, is titled “Mapping Complex Sensor Signal Processing Algorithms onto Neuromorphic Chips”. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract is a development effort expansion after a successful demonstration of radar processing algorithms running on BrainChip’s Akida™ commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) neuromorphic hardware. The signal processing algorithms encompass the processing of RF signals to decode communication and radar waveforms from raw in-phase and quadrature data. BrainChip’s Akida processor is a revolutionary computing architecture that processes neural networks and machine learning algorithms at ultra-low power consumption, making it ideal for edge computing applications. The company’s neuromorphic technology improves the cognitive communication capabilities on size, weight and power & cost (SWaP-C) constrained platforms such as military, spacecraft and robotics for commercial and government markets. Neuromorphic hardware represents a low-power solution for edge AI processing, consuming significantly less energy than traditional computing hardware for signal processing and identification using artificial intelligence. This project intends to validate a new capability to embed sophisticated radar processing solutions in SWaP-C constrained radar platforms utilized in a wide variety of systems, including threat detection, air defense and guidance use cases in stationery and more importantly in mobile platforms such as drones, robots, aircraft, satellites and projectile based defense systems that have severe SWaP-C constraints.
“Radar signaling processing will be implemented on multiple airborne and mobile platforms, so minimizing system SWaP-C is critical,” said Sean Hehir, CEO of BrainChip. “The contract to improve radar signaling applications for Air Force Research Laboratory highlights how neuromorphic computing can achieve significant benefits of low-power, high-performance compute in the most mission-critical use cases. This award is a very strong endorsement from leading organizations such as AFRL for our groundbreaking Akida hardware and state-space AI models using Temporal Enabled Neural Network (TENNs) model offerings.”
About BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN, OTCQX: BRCHF, ADR: BCHPY) BrainChip is the worldwide leader in Edge AI on-chip processing and learning. The company’s first-to-market, fully digital, event-based AI processor, Akida™, uses neuromorphic principles to mimic the human brain, analyzing only essential sensor inputs at the point of acquisition, processing data with unparalleled efficiency, precision, and economy of energy. Akida uniquely enables Edge learning within the chip, independent of the cloud, dramatically reducing latency while improving privacy and data security. Akida Neural processor IP, which can be integrated into SoCs on any process technology, has shown substantial benefits on today’s workloads and networks, particularly in combination with our industry leading state-space model TENNs to offer a platform for developers to create, tune and run their models using standard AI workflows like Tensorflow/Keras. In enabling effective Edge AI computing to be universally deployable across real world applications such as connected cars, consumer electronics, and industrial IoT, BrainChip is proving that on-chip AI, close to the sensor, is the future, for its customers’ products, as well as the planet. Explore the benefits of Essential AI at www.brainchip.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Dec 24. US Army to begin receiving new Common Sensor Payload variants. US Army officials are expecting deliveries of the newest variant of the service’s Common Sensor Payload (CSP), equipped with advanced targeting capability, to start by June 2025.
“In seven months or so, they should be arriving to the government”, at a rate of two sensor platforms per month, said Doug Haskin, product manager for aerial enhanced radars, optics, and sensors with the army’s Program Executive Office Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) directorate.
The CSP is currently fielded aboard the army’s MC-1C Grey Eagle medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system (UAS).
Prototypes of the V3 variant were delivered to the army by prime contractor Raytheon in December 2023, with service-led testing and evaluation (T&E) taking place during spring 2024, Haskin said during a 3 December roundtable at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The prototypes underwent four weeks of T&E exercises at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
“All the test objectives were completed … and the results indicated that performance was where it needed to be,” Haskin said of the prototype trials.
CSP V1, which fields the standard definition variant of the platform’s infrared sensor, hit initial operating capability in 2011, according to Haskin. CSP V2, which saw an upgrade from standard definition to high definition, have replaced all V1 variants in the army arsenal, he added. Part of the CSP V3 development effort was designed to address “some subcomponent obsolescence” in the current V2 variant, Haskin said. (Source: Janes)
06 Dec 24. Cuashub.com said today that HMP Perth considering counter-drone solutions. Drones are increasingly being used to smuggle contraband into HMP Perth in Scotland, prompting police and prison authorities to explore new strategies to combat the issue. The emerging threat was discussed during a Perth and Kinross Council’s Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee meeting on November 27, where councillors were briefed on efforts to tackle smuggling of drugs, mobile phones, and other illicit items into the prison.
Councillor Bob Brawn raised the issue, expressing concerns about the potential dangers posed by drones, he said: “The big fear is that it won’t just be drugs, cigarettes or whatever, but it could be a gun going in. My question was, is that a problem we have at Perth? And what could we do to stop that?”
Cllr Brawn highlighted a counter-drone system called Sky Fence, used in Guernsey, which can detect and deter drones entering prisons. He asked if a similar system could be considered for Scottish prisons.
Inspector Stephen Gray of Police Scotland acknowledged the problem, explaining the proactive measures being taken in partnership with the prison service. He said: “We work with the partners within the prison service to pro-actively target anybody who’s trying to bring in items to the prison. We do see similar issues in Perth as we do across the country, which is to be expected because people who are within Perth aren’t just from our area—they come from across the country and have links to various areas.”
Insp Gray confirmed that police and prison authorities are tackling smuggling through both covert and overt operations. “One day last week we had plain clothes [officers] in the prison waiting, searching people, and detecting crime within the prison, and the next day we had a more overt police operation where we were out in uniform,” he said.
He emphasized their openness to exploring innovative solutions to address the issue, stating: “We’re willing to work with partners to look at any new technology we can which will deter criminals.”
When asked if drones were becoming a more prominent problem, Insp Gray admitted that the use of drones is a growing concern. It’s becoming more of a problem in respect of it’s a new technology. However, we don’t see it happening all of the time, and we do work with partners to combat new technologies.”
The committee’s highlights the ongoing challenge faced by prison authorities and law enforcement in the UK with regard to addressing modern smuggling methods.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/hmp-perth-considering-counter-drone-solutions/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
06 Dec 24. Cuashub.com said today that Saab unveils military UAV Trainer, names UK Armed Forces as first customer. Saab has launched a new military UAV Trainer designed to prepare soldiers for modern battlefield challenges, including counter-UAS operations. The system, initially offered as a service, has been adopted by the British Armed Forces, with strong interest from other customers worldwide.
The UAV Trainer is an advanced add-on for live training scenarios. The system integrates with Saab’s exercise control software (EXCON) and uses an off-the-shelf UAS platform that can be customized with sensors and simulated weapons to replicate a variety of battlefield threats.
The trainer’s features include a laser target system that enables it to engage participants virtually, dropping “virtual munitions” during exercises, and simulate being shot down by ground forces. This capability allows for the evaluation of soldier skills, tactical decision-making and counter-UAS survivability.
“We see the increased use of military UAVs on the battlefield. The need for a solution that makes soldiers ready to detect, engage and hide from these is crucial,” said Joakim Alhbin, head of Saab’s Training and Simulation business unit. “Saab’s UAV live training capability has already received a huge interest from the existing live training customers.”
The trainer is designed to support live feedback and learning by recording troop activity, including interactions with the UAV. This data is used to provide objective analysis, enhancing the effectiveness of soldiers in countering UAV threats.
The UK Armed Forces became the system’s first official user, employing it in live training scenarios to simulate both aerial threats and assets. Saab also revealed that several customer trials have been conducted and a number of prototype systems delivered to an undisclosed client.
Many in the counter-UAS space have stressed the importance of giving soldiers confidence that they can counter UAS threats when they meet them. Often the approach to this involves attempting to equip soldiers with a counter-drone weapon, however there will never be a “silver bullet” that can counter all threats. An approach centred on training soldiers for counter-UAS purposes offers a useful way to instil this confidence for a wide range of threats.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/saab-unveils-military-uav-trainer-names-uk-armed-forces-as-first-customer/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
06 Dec 24. Cuashub.com said today that the Head of Canadian JCO announces $19m in available grants. At the Counter-UAS Technology USA Conference, Colonel Chris Labbé, Head of the Canadian Joint C-UAS Office (JCO), announced the launch of the IDEaS NORAD Modernization S&T Contest, a grant program offering up to $19m to advance innovative solutions in areas critical to NORAD’s modernization. Speaking to attendees, Col. Labbé highlighted the urgency of advancing counter-UAS capabilities and emphasized the significance of technological interoperability between Canada and its allies.
“This is one of our innovation pathways that we have in the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defense,” he said. “Essentially, we’ve got $19m in grants that are available for round one funding for proposals at Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1-6. There’s multiple topic areas, including quantum. But out of the five areas, counter-UAS is one of those.”
Canada’s focus on innovation
The contest, part of Canada’s broader effort to modernize NORAD through innovative technology, seeks proposals in key areas such as drone interceptors, wide-area sensing for counter-UAS, cost-effective counter-swarm measures and kinetic effectors.
It is open to Canadian educational institutions, incorporated Canadian companies and Canadian government organizations. Col. Labbé also noted that foreign companies can participate by incorporating in Canada, noting a recent success story from a company outside of Canada.
“At the last sandbox, there was a company that was not from Canada, [that] decided to incorporate. They did really, really well, and they left the event with a m-dollar grant because they made the decision to incorporate in Canada before registering for the sandbox,” Col. Labbé shared.
The IDEaS program provides a platform for innovators to develop their concepts, with successful projects advancing through multiple funding rounds.
Col. Labbé stressed the importance of a strategic and agile approach to advancing counter-UAS capabilities and addressing modern threats, saying:
“We know counter-UAS capabilities are urgently needed. We know that we need a new approach. We can’t do business like we have been for the last 20-25 years, because otherwise, technology that we field will become rapidly obsolete.”
Col. Labbé noted that the JCO will have a mandate to deliver capabilities under a comprehensive program approach, using an agile governance framework. This will be done in partnership with joint partners, industry and Canada’s closest allies, with the IDEaS program aimed at furthering these efforts.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/head-of-canadian-jco-announces-19-m-in-available-grants/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
09 Dec 24. Pakistan to receive South African-modified maritime patrol aircraft from 2026. The Pakistan Navy will in 2026 receive the first Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft modified by Leonardo and Paramount Aerospace Systems for the maritime patrol role. In mid-2021, Pakistan contracted Leonardo to convert three Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft into long-range maritime patrol aircraft for the Pakistan Navy as part of long-term plans to replace the country’s P-3C Orion fleet. Paramount was tasked with handling the pre-conversion maintenance, repair and overhaul of the aircraft as part of the Sea Sultan project.
It is believed the conversion will add electronic support measures/electronic intelligence (ESM/ELINT) sensors, an electro-optical turret, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, satellite communications, chaff/flare dispenser and torpedo/sonobuoy/depth charge launcher.
The Chief of Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Admiral Naveed Ashraf, told defenceWeb that the induction of the Lineage 1000 maritime patrol aircraft into the Fleet Air Arm “is a remarkable addition to our maritime patrol capabilities.”
“The aircraft is presently being modified in South Africa and is expected to be delivered in 2026, with subsequent deliveries planned over the coming years as part of a phased approach to modernise our naval aviation. With its state-of-the-art technology, the Sea Sultan will complement our existing platforms, such as the older P-3C Orion and ATR 72 aircraft, while offering superior performance in terms of range, endurance, anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface vessel capabilities,” he said.
The Pakistan Navy has stated an intention to ultimately replace its P-3C Orion fleet with ten converted commercial jets.
The Pakistan Navy inducted the first Lineage 1000 in September 2021, at a ceremony at Pakistan Naval Station Mehran in Karachi. This aircraft is unmodified and used for crew training.
Apart from Paramount, other South African companies are involved in the Sea Sultan project. Aerospace engineering and manufacturing company Aerosud has been contracted to supply two sets of interiors.
After an 18-month design phase, Aerosud in May began embarking on the manufacturing of interior components for the special mission configuration. These configurations include specialised components such as galleys, observer tables, class dividers, and equipment stowages, with a completion date planned for mid-2025.
“This contract not only highlights Aerosud’s technical capabilities but also underscores its strategic approach to collaboration and project execution. By partnering with Paramount Aerospace Systems, Aerosud continues to expand its portfolio of projects, reinforcing its position as a trusted supplier in the aerospace industry,” the company said.
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
09 Dec 24. Mahindra developing ‘all-in-one’ C-UAS technology. The chairman of the Mahindra Group has shared on his social media that the company is working on a “differentiated counter drone solution in India for civilian and defense applications”. Anand Mahindra said the system will be “an autonomous and integrated solution providing detection, tracking, identification, and mitigation – an all in one system, including a C2 (Command & Control) module”.
The system is being developed to be deployed as a counter drone solution for the protection of critical infrastructure in urban areas or as part of a broader multi-layered system for defence applications.
“We are focused on Transfer of Technology of best-in-class solutions and manufacturing of Radio Frequency (RF) based counter-drone solutions,” Mahindra said, adding that the company recently demonstrated the technology to Uttar Pradesh Police in the Prayagraj district. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Dec 24. US announces USD10m for transitioning emerging C-UAS technology into operational use. The United States Department of Defense has announced new funding for the counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) fused air picture programme. The project is one of five to each receive funding of USD10m, which will be awarded to “small, non-traditional defence contractors”. The funding awards are part of the department’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) pilot programme, which started in Fiscal Year 2022 and provides procurement funding for innovative projects that have completed development and are ready to transition into operational use. The announcement was made by Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering at the Reagan National Defense Forum on Saturday. Shyu did not disclose the companies that would be receiving the funding. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Dec 24. Polish law change ‘could make it easier to shoot down drones and punish operators.’ Polish economic news portal WNP is reporting that a pending law change is expected to make the shooting down of drones and punishment of operators easier than under current legislation.
“Shooting drones will be allowed, their operators will be punished, and the Polish Air Navigation Agency will gain additional funds to manage this segment of air traffic”, the article states.
Poland is currently updating its national Aviation Law Act, with amendments set to be made public as early as December 17.
According to WNP, official services including police, military and border guards “will be able to shoot at a drone (or immobilise it using digital methods) when it threatens or may threaten the life or health of people or animals”.
According to data from the Polish Civil Aviation Authority, as of December 31, 2023, there were 222,086 drone operators registered in Poland.
“The new regulations assume that there will be penalties for drone flyers who do not follow the rules and, for example, fly into prohibited zones or fly without required reports,” the article continues. “The fines will be linked to the percentage of income earned (by an individual or company).”
Over the course of 2024, Russian-operated drones straying across the border from Ukraine have entered Polish airspace. In July, Prime Minister Donald Tusk proposed that Poland could shoot down such drones over Ukraine before they enter Polish airspace. Such an action, he said, would need the support of NATO and this has not been forthcoming, leading Tusk to announce in November that Poland would only shoot down drones that have crossed the border into Polish airspace. For more information: WNP (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Dec 24. Police dismantle narcodrone network operating between Morocco and Spain. The Spanish National Police has dismantled a network using ‘narcodrones’ between Spain and Morocco. According to a police statement, the drones were manufactured in Ukraine and transported by road to Spain for use by criminal organisations based in Campo de Gibraltar and on the Costa del Sol. The drones had the capacity to transport about 10 kilos of hashish in each flight and a range of more than 50 kilometres. They were flown over the waters of the Strait of Gibraltar between Morocco and Spain, and returned after dropping the drugs in Spain without landing. Ten people have been arrested and six homes have been searched in Algeciras and Marbella as part of the operation.Three aircraft have been seized in the investigation, one of which was still under construction, as well as remote control devices, repair tools and significant amounts of cash and drugs that were allegedly brought into Spain using this method. The investigation determined that the criminal organisation attempted to send up to a thousand kilos of hashish using the drones. For more information: Spanish National Police. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Dec 24. Indra to integrate EnforceAir 2 into CROW C-UAS for Spanish Air and Space Force. uSpain’s Directorate of Acquisitions of the Air and Space Force Logistics Support Command has awarded a contract to Indra to integrate D-Fend Solutions’ EnforceAir2 counter-uncrewed aerial systems technology into Indra’s CROW C-UAS. According to the notice published on the European Union tender service, the contract covers the “complete integration of the system C-UAS EnforceAir2 with CROW through the provision of a software development service”. The document states that the software includes “a hierarchical command and control (C2) between CROW systems”. The contract value is EUR630,000. Last month, Indra demonstrated CROW at the Anti-Drone Interoperability Exercises (TIE24), organised by NATO’s Communications and Information Agency (NCIA). Crow is designed to interoperate with other systems and adapt to each mission and type of attack, including drone swarms. The tests demonstrated its capacity to integrate with 27 sensors and effectors from different manufacturers in Europe. EnforceAir2 was selected by the Spanish Air and Space Force in December 2023 to provide broad security against drone incursions, particularly for large public events and governmental activities, according to Spanish media reports. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Dec 24. Belgium’s defence ministry announces C-UAS market study. Belgium’s Ministère de la Défense has announced it has launched a market study for counter-UAS systems and is seeking industry support.
Interested organisations are asked to contact the:
Ministère de la Défense, Department: MRMP-L/P – Algemene Directie Material Resources – Divisie Overheidsopdrachten – Sectie Land Systems – Ondersectie Programma’s, Eversestraat, 1 – BOX 29 1140
Email:
Telephone: +3224416156
Internet address: https://www.mil.be/
and
SPF Stratégie et Appui, Simon Bolivarlaan 30, bus 1 , Brussel, 1000
Email:
Telephone: +32 2 740 80 00
Internet address: https://bosa.belgium.be
For more information
https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/745590-2024 (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Dec 24. US to provide further counter-drone systems to Ukraine. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) announced on December 2 additional security assistance to meet Ukraine’s critical security and defence needs. This announcement is the Biden Administration’s seventy-first tranche of equipment to be provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.
This Presidential Drawdown Authority package, which has an estimated value of USD725m, will provide Ukraine additional capabilities to meet its most urgent needs, including air defence capabilities.
The air defence capabilities included in this package are:
- Three Patriot air defense batteries and munitions
- 12 National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) and munitions
- HAWK air defence systems and munitions
- AIM-7, RIM-7, and AIM-9M missiles for air defence
- More than 3,000 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
- Avenger air defence systems
- VAMPIRE Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) and munitions
- C-UAS gun trucks and ammunition
- Mobile C-UAS laser-guided rocket systems
- Other unspecified C-UAS equipment
- Anti-aircraft guns and ammunition
- Air defence systems components
- Equipment to integrate Western launchers, missiles, and radars with Ukraine’s systems
- Equipment to support and sustain Ukraine’s existing air defence capabilities
- 21 air surveillance radars
In addition, DoD will be providing a number of UAS and two radar systems for UAS as well as numerous systems and components for ground and maritime operations. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Dec 24. CobraJet – Next-Gen Low-Cost C-UAS Interceptor. SkyDefense LLC of Brighton, Colorado has announced its AI- enabled eVTOL interceptor, CobraJet. CobraJet is an autonomous tactical battery-powered jet that is capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and neutralizing enemy drones at long distances and at high speed (200+ mph). CobraJet provides for the protection of people, infrastructure (power plants, oil refineries, factories, borders) and facilities (military bases, stadiums, arenas) from attacks from hostile unmanned aerial vehicles.
CobraJet is a next generation interceptor jet (6.0 ft long x 5 ft wingspan) and shares features with both the 5th generation Lockheed F-35B and F-22. CobraJet has a carbon fiber monocoque airframe and can take off and land vertically (VTOL) and is equipped with thrust vectoring nozzles to give it superior maneuverability. CobraJet can be armed with VIPER air-to-air rockets with patent-pending PYTHON electroshock payloads and can neutralize kamikaze drones and then return to its base to be rearmed.
CobraJet is powered by high-energy density solid-state batteries and equipped with an AI-assisted flight controller/autopilot, day/night camera, and inertial sensors for autonomous flight 24/7, further VTOL allows a squadron of CobraJets to launch from mobile platforms such as a truck, ship or another aircraft (C-130).
The SkyDefense Command and Control (C2) is combined with “VRAM” (Visual Realtime Area Monitoring) Mission Control. VRAM incorporates an AI-powered operating system and quickly analyzes the data from CobraJets for review and maintains operator-in-the-loop in the decision chain.
CobraJets can operate in contested electromagnetic environments utilizing innovative jam-proof radios and jam-proof GPS receivers. Satellite communication (Starlink) is being considered to allow CobraJets to operate even more effectively in EW environments.
CobraJet and VRAM Mission Control can be integrated into other C2 systems but can also operate as an effective standalone multi-layer C-UAS system with CobraJets distributed at a distance around the protected area with SkyDefense’s “Distributed Area Defense System”. The jets “eyes and ears” providing a long range, early warning system for SkyDefense C2 and its patented RAPTOR surface-to-air guided missiles.
“Our USA made CobraJet neutralizes hostile drones with its on-board munitions and returns to its base for another mission. As a result, our drone mitigation cost is a fraction of the cost of typical counter-drone methods used by the military. CobraJet is stealthy and can fly low and fast and therefore be effective against the newest threats from USVs and UGVs.” states Nick Verini, President, SkyDefense LLC.
SkyDefense C2 and VRAM can be housed in a tactical/armored Cybertruck for Law Enforcement/DHS and Military duty. This mobile configuration is built to thrive in the harshest environments and has low acoustic and thermal signature making it more difficult to be located by enemy sensors.
CobraJet and VRAM Mission Control will be available by the second quarter of 2025. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
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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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