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12 Jun 25. Chess Dynamics secures first order for next-generation Sea Eagle electro-optical surveillance capability. Surveillance and fire-control specialist Chess Dynamics has secured a launch customer for the latest-generation digitalised version of its Sea Eagle electro-optical surveillance system (EOSS). Speaking to media in London on 11 June, Mark Byfield, Chess Dynamic’s business development director, confirmed that the first contract for the Sea Eagle Digital EOSS was signed with an undisclosed UK customer in May. In service since 2011 Chess Dynamics’ Sea Eagle EOSS is a stabilised EOsurveillance system optimised for automated long-range maritime surveillance on all classes of vessels. It provides 24-hour passive surveillance and target identification through the use of a thermal imager and daylight TV camera sensors, and can optionally be fitted with a laser rangefinder. The upgraded version, first unveiled at the Euronaval 2022 maritime exhibition in Paris, is based on the same stabilised platform as the analog version but features latest-generation high-definition digital sensor payloads and introduces a fully digital system architecture and Ethernet interface. The digital architecture is configured for modular sensors and systems to provide end-users the flexibility to be able to reconfigure and customise the system to have a variety of mission profiles. The company said it developed the upgraded version of Sea Eagle to ‘future proof’ the system and fulfil evolving customer needs in a changing, more complex threat environment. The system’s new and improved sensors – including top-end high-performance, high-definition cameras – provide higher quality and more accurate data to allow operators to better detect, track, and identify small targets at range. The system is also equipped with Vision4ce’s Video Tracking software, which provides in-built video tracking and target classification through CHARM modules and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. (Source: Janes)
11 Jun 25. Trillium Launches Advanced Gimbal for Medium & Long Range Reconnaissance. Trillium Engineering’s new HD45 LV R delivers advanced imaging performance in an ultra-light gimbal, optimized for long range and medium range ISR missions. As defense forces continue to shift toward more agile and distributed operations, payloads must offer uncompromising performance while maintaining minimal size, weight, and power requirements. The HD45 LV R addresses this need with a compact design that delivers advanced imaging capabilities tailored for tactical ISR applications. Weighing just 885 grams, the HD45 LV R is believed to be the lightest long wave infrared gimbal on the market with continuous zoom functionality. Its ultra-lightweight construction makes it ideal for integration on Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned aircraft systems, supporting extended missions without degrading flight performance. Equipped with a global shutter electro optical sensor and increased infrared sensitivity, the system delivers sharp imagery and high target clarity even in low contrast and cluttered environments. This is particularly vital for surveillance operations conducted at standoff distances, from altitude, or under degraded visual conditions. Nathan Lanci, Hardware Engineering Manager of Trillium Engineering, said, “The HD45-LV-R brings the imaging performance of larger systems to Group 2 UAS. It’s built for missions where long standoff distances and extended loiter times demand sharper imagery, continuous zoom IR, and robust onboard processing—all in a sub-2 lb system.” The HD45 LV R features real-time scene tracking and geopointing capabilities that enhance situational awareness and streamline the decision-making process. Operators can maintain persistent surveillance on targets of interest and rapidly disseminate actionable intelligence. Whether deployed on UAS operating well beyond line of sight or integrated into multi domain ISR architectures, the HD45 LV R gives defense forces a tactical edge in complex operational theaters.
10 Jun 25. ‘Not survivable’: Hegseth says DoD reviewing E-7 Wedgetail program amid move to space. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cast doubt on the future of the E-7 Wedgetail today, suggesting to lawmakers that the Pentagon is looking to space-based assets to take over the mission of tracking aerial targets. The secretary’s comments come as budget documents obtained by Breaking Defense indicate the Air Force has requested nearly $200 m for research and development for the Wedgetail program for fiscal year 2026, but apparently no new procurement funds. During a hearing on Capitol Hill, Hegseth said in response to questions from House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Tom Cole that the E-7 is an “example” of a platform that is “not survivable in the modern battlefield.” While the Pentagon is “going to fund existing platforms that are there more robustly and make sure they’re modernized,” Hegseth said that “a great deal of ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] in the future will be space-based.
“And not in a scientific, space-based, ‘we hope we’ll get there,’ but in a ‘we’re funding capabilities that will surpass some of those airborne capabilities,’” he continued. “So we’re willing to continue to review things like the E-7, but from our view, investments in existing systems that carry forward that capability, alongside even bigger investments in space based ISR gives us the kind of advantages we need on a future battlefield.”
Hegseth didn’t detail the Pentagon’s exact plans for the Wedgetail, such as how many planes would be acquired or how soon space-based capabilities would be ready. Boeing, which builds the E-7, referred a request for comment to the Air Force. An Air Force spokesperson said further details would not be available until the FY26 budget is publicly released. Nevertheless, it appears the program will continue in some form in the upcoming fiscal year. According to Pentagon RDT&E spending plans previously obtained by Breaking Defense, the Air Force is requesting $199.7m to invest in the development of the aircraft in FY26, about $400m less than what officials spent in FY25. But the service does not appear to be requesting any new procurement dollars for the program, according to a Pentagon budget proposal, obtained by Breaking Defense today, which has been sent to lawmakers but may not be the final version. While the Air Force technically plans to spend $200m in procurement in FY26, the document shows that the service will plan to use advanced procurement dollars that were appropriated in FY25. Envisioned to replace the Air Force’s aging E-3 Sentry, the Air Force intends for the Wedgetail to perform what’s known as airborne early warning and control (AEW&C), combining the tracking of airborne targets with battlefield management into a single platform. Officials placed Boeing on contract for two rapid prototype E-7s last year after protracted negotiations, which called for delivering the two jets by FY28. The Air Force originally planned to buy as many as 26 Wedgetails. The jet’s future has recently been in flux. In April, the Air Force released a request for information eyeing potential “advanced” upgrades for the aircraft, including the possibility of a new radar. And then press reports in May revealed that the program faced cancellation amid a shakeup under the Trump administration, where opponents of the effort asserted that space-based assets can better track airborne targets, a role known as air-moving target indication (AMTI).
NORTHCOM Commander Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot at a May 13 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee said that the Pentagon already has begun testing sensors for tracking airborne targets on board satellites — a statement confirmed two days later by Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, Space Force deputy for strategy, plans, programs and requirements. Neither Bratton or Guillot provided any details on the AMTI prototype birds, and spokespersons for NORTHCOM, the Space Force and the Air Force also largely declined to elaborate. A NORTHCOM spokesperson only said that a number of companies are undertaking research. A Space Force spokesperson said in a statement to Breaking Defense that the service “has been involved in conceptual studies and analysis to explore potential proliferated SB [space-based]-AMTI constellations providing global coverage to detect and track subsonic air-breathing targets.” Further, a spokesperson for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) told Breaking Defense on May 19 that while the lab only does “early-stage research and technology development,” it does have partnerships with commercial companies “to advance key capabilities that will be essential for programs like Golden Dome,” including in areas such as “advanced sensors, resilient communications links, AI and data fusion, manufacturing technology, and battle management command and control, and weapons.”
Bratton and other senior Space Force leaders, including Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, have repeatedly indicated that while space may be part of the solution for tracking airborne targets, it also may not be the only solution. Instead, they have predicted that a “multilayered” approach using different types of assets would be necessary.
There are additionally a number of technical difficulties in doing the job from space, including the need for satellites to discriminate fast-moving targets through cloud cover while they themselves are quickly orbiting the earth. Technology considerations aside, the E-7’s destiny will also be influenced by politics. For one, its E-3 predecessor is currently based at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, which lies within Cole’s district. (The chairman acknowledged his “parochial” but “legitimate interest” during the hearing.) Cole’s committee has already revealed it would invest $500 m in the Wedgetail’s development in FY26, according to a summary released on Monday.
“I think that’s a fair point,” Cole said in response to Hegseth’s comments on the E-7. Noting he’s seen cases where the Pentagon has “waste[d] a ton of money,” however, Cole added that “we’ve got a platform here that works,” referring to the E-7.
“Space is great. It’s unknown. It’s undeveloped,” he said. “And I would just urge you to look at this pretty carefully as you make the decision. We certainly will as a committee.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
10 Jun 25. Cuashub.com said today that A geopolitical game of drones: Taiwan seeks to purchase India’s D4 Anti-Drone system. As reported by the Indian Defence Research Wing (IDRW) on June 6, Taiwan has formally requested the purchase of India’s Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy (D4) C-UAS system. The system was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Taiwan’s interest follows the system’s reported success in defeating drones and loitering munitions launched by Pakistan during the recent conflict. The D4 system currently forms the central part of India’s C-UAS capabilities and according to BEL’s website consists of the following components:
- RADAR System – Drone detection and tracking
- EO System – CCD, IR camera with LRF for detection and tracking of Drone target
- DF Counter Drone System- Drone communication channel RF Detection & Jamming, GPS Jamming / Spoofing System (Soft Kill)
- Laser Directed Energy Weapon System (Hard Kill)
- Command & Control Centre (C3) with Power Source for complete System
Responding to the reports, an official from DRDO commented that: “The system’s 360-degree coverage and dual-kill capabilities have attracted significant interest from nations facing similar drone threats”
Whether India permits the transfer of the D4 system to Taiwan remains to be seen, but regardless the request demonstrates that any battle-proven C-UAS solution will immediately generate international interest as nations seek to enhance their capabilities. There are few nations with a more acute need for this than Taiwan, with the prospect of a Chinese invasion continuing to loom large. The prospect of an Indian C-UAS system defending against Chinese drones would represent an escalation in already tense relations between two nations seeking to assert themselves on the global stage. In comments to IDRW, a defence analyst placed the request in the context of continuing Chinese support to Pakistan, stating:
“India’s reluctance to supply arms to Taiwan has been a missed opportunity. China’s unabashed support for Pakistan’s military, including drones and missiles used against India, justifies a reciprocal approach. Supplying Taiwan with advanced systems like the D4 could not only counterbalance China’s influence but also position India as a key player in the global defence market.”
As nations rapidly seek to enhance their C-UAS capabilities, it seems both India and the D4 system specifically could play an integral role. https://cuashub.com/en/content/a-geopolitical-game-of-drones-taiwan-seeks-to-purchase-indias-d4-anti-drone-system/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
10 Jun 25. Cuashub.com said today that Ukraine reveals AI-guided Russian drone built with foreign components. Ukrainian military intelligence has exposed technical specifications and supply chain details of Russia’s new V2U strike drone, revealing a system guided by artificial intelligence and heavily reliant on foreign-made components, despite sanctions and export restrictions. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (HUR), the V2U drone is currently being actively deployed by Russian forces in the Sumy region. The system was analyzed and profiled in a report published on Ukraine’s War & Sanctions portal, shared via Telegram. One of the drone’s standout features is its onboard AI-enabled targeting system, which allows it to autonomously identify and select targets during flight. This capability is supported by a Chinese-manufactured Leetop A203 minicomputer and an NVIDIA Jetson Orin processor, a high-performance edge computing platform developed in the United States. The V2U also demonstrates an apparent adaptation to Ukrainian electronic warfare. It carries only a single GPS module, suggesting the system is designed to minimize reliance on satellite navigation, which is often jammed or spoofed in frontline areas. Instead, the drone appears to use computer vision-based navigation, comparing live camera feeds to pre-loaded terrain images to guide its flight path. In addition to autonomous functions, the V2U can be operated in FPV mode over LTE networks, using a Microdrive modem-router equipped with a SIM card from a Ukrainian mobile operator. Although labeled as Russian, this communications hardware reportedly uses Chinese-sourced components. The HUR notes that the majority of the V2U’s parts are manufactured in China, including the engine, GPS unit, servos, solid-state drive, rangefinder, speed controllers and power supplies. Other components include a Sony imaging sensor from Japan, a relay from Ireland’s TE Connectivity and the NVIDIA processor. Ukrainian officials continue to call for tighter export controls and enforcement to curb the flow of dual-use technologies into Russian military applications. https://cuashub.com/en/content/ukraine-reveals-ai-guided-russian-drone-built-with-foreign-components/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
10 Jun 25. Cuashub.com said today that Executive order aims to secure U.S. airspace against drone threats. U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new Executive Order aimed at tightening control over U.S. airspace in response to the growing misuse of drones by criminals, hostile actors and foreign adversaries. The order, signed on June 6, creates a federal task force and outlines a series of actions to strengthen counter-UAS capabilities across government and critical infrastructure sectors. The order establishes a Federal Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty, which will be responsible for reviewing current threats and proposing a national-level response. It also directs the FAA to implement new processes to restrict drone flights over sensitive sites, including military bases, large airports, and other critical infrastructure. Law enforcement authorities at all levels will see expanded access to counter-drone technology. The order authorizes federal agencies to use existing tools to detect, track and identify drones and their signals. It also opens up federal grant programs to support similar capabilities for state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement. The FAA is instructed to make notices to airmen and temporary flight restrictions freely available online in formats that can be used by geofencing systems and aircraft navigation tools – measures intended to improve compliance and awareness among drone operators. The order also outlines plans to publish guidance for private infrastructure owners on how to legally use drone detection systems. A risk-based assessment is being developed to identify and designate high-priority protected areas, including U.S. borders and federal facilities. Another key element of the order is the creation of a National Training Center for Counter-UAS, which would help build capacity for protecting major public events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice have been tasked with exploring how counter-drone operations can be integrated into Joint Terrorism Task Forces during such events. While the document reiterates longstanding concerns about the use of drones by drug cartels and foreign adversaries, it also places new emphasis on coordination among federal and local entities. The goal, the administration says, is to provide a more unified and proactive approach to securing U.S. skies against the expanding threat of unmanned systems. https://cuashub.com/en/content/executive-order-aims-to-secure-u-s-airspace-against-drone-threats/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
04 Jun 25. Frontex and Bulgaria launch drone pilot project for European border security. The European border and coast guard agency, Frontex, and the Bulgarian Border Police have launched a new pilot project to test drone technology for border surveillance. Frontex says the initiative offers a glimpse into the future of European border security. As part of the project, long-endurance tactical drones, equipped with surveillance and communications systems, are being deployed to improve situational awareness and help detect cross-border crime in real time. The project aims to evaluate how this technology can boost operational efficiency while reducing the logistical burden on ground teams. A key objective is to gather additional insight on drone technologies and their capabilities in delivering aerial surveillance, as well as to measure their operational performance, cost-efficiency, and reliability. The project will also test and map all the necessary procedures and processes for operating uncrewed aerial systems in Frontex Joint Operations. To implement the project, Frontex has contracted Global SAT, Shield AI, and DAT CON. These partners will deliver and operate the drones under a company-owned, company-operated model, providing turnkey aerial surveillance services using drones equipped with sensors and communications tools. On 4 and 5 June 2025, Burgas, Bulgaria will host a live demonstration and conference showcasing the new technology in action. The event will bring together representatives from EU Member States, non-EU partners, and EU agencies and institutions to explore the practical benefits, challenges, and future potential of drone surveillance for land and coastal border management. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
07 Jun 25. US establishes counter drone task force as part of wider EO on securing airspace. The United States federal government has established the Federal Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty (Task Force) to respond to threats from uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The Executive Order was signed by US President Donald Trump on June 6. The Task Force will review relevant operational, technical and regulatory frameworks and develop and propose solutions to UAS threats, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, and make recommendations on the implementation of all actions identified in the Order. The Task Force will be chaired by the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (APNSA) or a designee, and include principals, or their designees, from appropriate executive departments and agencies as identified by the APNSA. Citing threats from drug cartels, terrorists and hostile foreign actors, a White House statement said “immediate action is needed to ensure American sovereignty over its skies and that its airspace remains safe and secure”. The Order directs the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to submit a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Task Force establishing the statutorily required process for restricting drone flights over fixed site facilities, and interpreting, to the extent appropriate, critical infrastructure consistent with the definition of that term in this order; and promulgate a final rule as soon as practicable after publication of the NPRM. In addition, the FAA Administrator is required to make national security and homeland security assessments in coordination with relevant agencies and government departments. Within 180 days of the date of the Order, the FAA is required to make freely available online Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in an open format easily accepted for drone geofencing and aircraft navigation and guidance system purposes. The Order notes that this online availability should supplement, but not replace, existing NOTAMs and TFR promulgation methods. The Order requires the Attorney General, in coordination with the Administrator of the FAA, to take appropriate steps to ensure full enforcement of applicable civil and criminal laws when drone operators endanger the public, violate established airspace restrictions, or operate a drone in furtherance of an element of another crime. On a recurring basis, the Attorney General will submit to the President, through the APNSA, legislative proposals that would revise criminal penalties for violations of restricted airspace. Within 30 days of the date of the Order, and to the extent allowed by law, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security are required to ensure that their respective departments’ grant programmes permit otherwise eligible State, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) agencies to receive grants to purchase UAS or equipment or services for the detection, tracking, or identification of drones and drone signals, consistent with the legal authorities of those SLTTs.
The Order states that executive departments and agencies will use all available existing authorities to employ equipment to detect, track, and identify drones and drone signals. The August 2020 “Advisory on the Application of Federal Laws to the Acquisition and Use of Technology to Detect and Mitigate Unmanned Aircraft Systems” will be revised to reflect relevant developments in Federal law and regulations addressing drones. The Order instructs the Administrator of the FAA to provide, to the extent permitted by law, automated real-time access to personal identifying information associated with UAS remote identification signals to appropriate executive departments and agencies and SLTT agencies for the purposes of enforcing applicable Federal or State law, with appropriate national security and privacy safeguards. Within 60 days, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Administrator of the FAA will publish guidance to aid private critical infrastructure owners or operators in employing technologies to detect, track, and identify drones and drone signals. Within 90 days, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Transportation, will submit a recommendation to the President, through the APNSA, using risk-based assessment, on whether the northern and southern land borders, large airports, federal facilities, critical infrastructure and military installations, facilities, and assets should be designated as covered facilities or assets and whether any changes to law would be necessary relating to such designation. The Order also directs the Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security to explore integrating counter-UAS operational responses as part of Joint Terrorism Task Forces for the purpose of protecting mass gathering events.
Finally, the Attorney General, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Transportation – acting through the Administrator of the FAA, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of OMB and the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, will take appropriate steps to implement the recommendations of the March 2022 Feasibility Report to Congress with regard to the creation of the National Training Center for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Center), and, upon establishment of the centre, focus initial training on the development of Federal and SLTT capabilities to secure major upcoming national and international sporting events held in the United States, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympics. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Jun 25. UND partners with Air and Army National Guard for C-UAS exercises. The North Dakota Air and Army National Guard recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of North Dakota to collaborate on counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) and advanced air mobility initiatives. The MoU has resulted in numerous experiments and exercises being conducted at UND Aerospace’s Gorman Field UAS Test Range and North Dakota National Guard’s Camp Grafton training centre. The joint training exercises with the North Dakota Air and Army National Guard have centred around boosting the armed forces’ C-UAS capabilities and readiness, as well as creating an interactive training environment to improve UND Aerospace’s UAS and C-UAS Operations training curriculum. The most recent joint exercises/experiments involved integrating air and ground training scenarios, in which UND served as a Red Team (simulated adversary) to the Air Guard and Army Guard units. During one typical evolution, as the Red-Team – UND Aerospace is using its Boeing Insitu ScanEagle UAS to monitor Army Guard members conducting ground training operations, the Air Guard is actively and simultaneously tracking the ScanEagles (using the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper) and communicating information to ground personnel. Meanwhile, UND Aerospace is also using additional small UAS aircraft to encroach on Army command post locations, simulating a variety of scenarios that personnel may encounter from adversaries using uncrewed aircraft. These scenarios create real-life situations in which the Air and Army Guard can train, evaluate tactics and improve future exercises, project leaders say. In addition, UND faculty, staff and students also gain real-world experience that will prepare students for the many jobs offered in UAS and Counter UAS Operations. UND Aerospace as also partnered with Detect, Inc., and Vigilant Aerospace to provide additional detect and avoid (DAA) and airspace management capabilities to safely and effectively use the advanced technology and systems called for by these multi-entity scenarios. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Jun 25. US soldiers conduct Project Flytrap C-UAS operations in Germany. US soldiers assigned to 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment continued their counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) operations on June 7 with support from 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment during Project Flytrap at Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels. Project Flytrap is a series of C-UAS training scenarios that test the capabilities of new, lower-cost and portable technology against adversary drone threats. In a US Army video by Spc. Elijah Magaña, soldiers are shown setting up the Wingman and Pitbull portable UAS threat detector and jammer systems, which later detected nearby UAS. Soldiers then train on the Smartshooter SMASH 2000L attached to an M4A1 carbine rifle and others operate an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar system to provide a picture of the airspace. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
08 Jun 25. Raytheon to increase AN/SPY-6(V) radars production to boost surveillance capability of U.S. Navy warships. According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on June 6, 2025, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a division of RTX, has been awarded a $646,519,738 fixed-price incentive modification to a previously awarded contract for the continued production of the AN/SPY-6(V) family of naval radar systems. This significant award follows an earlier $536.75 m contract issued on May 30, 2025, for additional radar production and support services, bringing the total recent investment to over $1.18 bn. These back-to-back contracts mark a robust commitment by the U.S. Navy to enhance its surface fleet’s sensor capabilities and extend the technological edge to international partners such as Germany. The AN/SPY-6 radar installed on a U.S. Navy surface combatant provides enhanced air and missile threat detection through modular gallium nitride-based radar arrays designed for scalable integration across multiple ship classes. (Picture source: Raytheon) The May 30, 2025, contract is a follow-on to the Integration and Production Support agreement and encompasses not only radar deliveries but also a full package of engineering support, crew training, shipboard installation, integration, testing, and continuous software upgrades. Of particular note is the inclusion of Germany under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, with 28.6% of the contract value allocated for the provision of SPY-6 systems to equip the upcoming F127 air defense frigates, co-developed with Norway. These next-generation vessels are in the advanced design phase, supported by a €44.5m allocation from Berlin to integrate the AEGIS combat management system. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
10 Jun 25. Cambridge Pixel, a leading developer of sensor processing and display solutions, is pleased to announce its recent collaboration with OpenWorks Engineering, renowned for its innovative optical systems and counter-UAS technology. The partnership combines OpenWorks’ advanced optical tracking system, Vision Flex, with Cambridge Pixel’s radar processing software and system engineering expertise to deliver tailored counter-drone systems that meet the operational needs of multiple European police forces. As the threat from uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) continues to evolve, law enforcement agencies across Europe are seeking integrated solutions capable of detecting, tracking, and enabling forces to take appropriate action. By combining radar data with high-precision AI-powered optical tracking, the joint solution provides reliable situational awareness and rapid threat assessment in both urban and rural environments. Cambridge Pixel’s software, which supports most modern C-UAS radars, plays a central role in the integrated system. It enables multi-sensor data fusion, target tracking, and intelligent alerting. OpenWorks’ proven, industry-leading optical system technology and AI ensures precise visual identification and tracking of UAS threats.
“Our collaboration with OpenWorks Engineering brings together best-in-class sensor technology and software expertise,” said David Johnson, Director at Cambridge Pixel. “This partnership allows us to offer scalable, field-proven solutions tailored to the complex requirements of law enforcement agencies operating in diverse scenarios.”
The integrated system has already undergone successful demonstrations and is being adapted to meet specific procurement and operational criteria set by police units in several European countries. The solution’s modular architecture ensures that it can be configured to suit fixed installations, mobile deployments or rapid-response teams.
Chris Down, Chief Executive Officer at OpenWorks Engineering, added: “Combining our advanced camera technology with Cambridge Pixel’s radar processing delivers a powerful counter-UAS capability. It’s a great example of UK engineering companies working together to address real-world security challenges.”
This partnership reflects a growing demand, with many other law enforcement and public safety agencies showing interest in acquiring this interoperable, adaptable counter-drone solution.
08 Jun 25. China offers HQ-19 air defense missile to Pakistan rivalling Russian S-400 used by India. According to information published by the Pakistani Government via its official X account on June 6, 2025, under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan has achieved a significant diplomatic breakthrough with China offering to supply the HQ-19 long-range air defense missile system. This potential transfer represents a strategic leap for the Pakistani Armed Forces, elevating its missile defense capabilities to levels previously unmatched in South Asia. The HQ-19 is a highly advanced anti-ballistic missile interceptor developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Initiated in the mid-2000s, the system was publicly revealed through a series of tests starting in 2010 and has since become a cornerstone of China’s upper-tier missile defense strategy. Designed to engage and destroy medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their midcourse or terminal flight phases, the HQ-19 is often compared to the U.S. THAAD system due to its long engagement range and high-altitude intercept capability. It is equipped with a hit-to-kill kinetic warhead guided by a combination of active radar and infrared seekers, integrated into a network supported by ground-based sensors and satellite-based early warning systems. (Source: Google/armyrecognition.com)
09 Jun 25. SCD, a global leader in defense deep-tech solutions specializing in the design and manufacture of cooled and uncooled infrared (IR) detectors and high-power laser diodes, announced the establishment of a new European-based maintenance and support center in collaboration with ASSEMBLIFY GmbH. The center, located in Nuremberg, Germany, will enhance SCD’s ability to provide localized, responsive support for its growing customer base across Europe and beyond. This strategic initiative responds to rising demand for advanced infrared technologies driven by accelerated defense modernization and procurement programs throughout Europe. The new support hub will service both current and legacy SCD products deployed across land, air, and naval platforms, enabling faster diagnostics, repairs, and logistics management. By leveraging ASSEMBLIFY’s 35+ years of experience in electronics integration, mechanical assembly, testing, and logistics, the facility will dramatically reduce turnaround times, improve service quality, and enhance mission readiness for defense and security OEMs. Onsite capabilities will include comprehensive assessments, first-line depot repair, and logistical support for SCD’s extensive infrared product portfolio.
“The increasing demand for defense and infrared solutions across Europe calls not only for innovation but also for rapid, reliable support,” said Kobi Zaushnizer, CEO of SCD. “Our partnership with ASSEMBLIFY enables us to deliver a comprehensive, high-quality support experience to our European customers—minimizing downtime, ensuring operational continuity, and reinforcing our commitment to long-term partnership and performance.”
The new service center will act as a critical regional hub, supporting European and international customers with real-time, localized support, enabling them to sustain high availability of mission-critical systems.
“To be Always by your side is a core value at SCD,” Zaushnizer added. “This partnership with ASSEMBLIFY ensures that our promise- ‘First to See’- remains not only a technological advantage but also a sustainable, service-backed reality.”
Oliver Grass, Owner and CEO of ASSEMBLIFY GmbH, commented: “We are proud to partner with SCD and provide dedicated, customized support for their advanced technologies. With over three decades of experience in mechatronic and electro-optical systems, our integrated team is fully equipped to deliver efficient, reliable service to SCD’s customers, helping ensure mission success and operational continuity.”
About Semi Conductor Devices (SCD)
Semi Conductor Devices (SCD) develops and manufactures a comprehensive range of cooled and uncooled infrared detectors and laser diodes. The company’s advanced concepts and cutting-edge technologies have established it as one of the leading sources of IR detectors worldwide. The close collaboration between SCD and leading systems houses globally ensures that SCD’s detectors provide the most advanced capabilities. SCD offers a complete array of off-the-shelf and custom-designed detectors and laser diodes in various configurations. These products are typically used in IR seekers, thermal imagers, smart munitions, night vision systems, machine vision systems, medical applications, laser rangefinders, and laser designators. SCD’s detectors cover the entire IR spectrum – NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR.
About ASSEMBLIFY GmbH
ASSEMBLIFY GmbH, based in Nuremberg, Germany, is a specialist outsourcing partner for the development, assembly, and support of custom mechatronic and electro-optical devices. With over 35 years of experience, ASSEMBLIFY brings together all core competencies – electronics, mechanics, production, testing, and logistics – under one roof, streamlining complex processes for its clients. The company is trusted by leading organizations for its technical expertise, reliability, and ability to reduce operational risk and effort for customers across a range of advanced technology sectors.
06 Jun 25. Trump signs orders to bolster US drone defenses, boost supersonic flight.
- Summary
- Companies
- Orders aim to reduce reliance on Chinese drone companies
- NFL supports order to protect fans from drone threats
- FAA to lift ban on supersonic air transport over land
President Donald Trump on Friday signed executive orders to bolster U.S. defenses against threatening drones and to boost electric air taxis and supersonic commercial aircraft, the White House said. In the three executive orders, Trump sought to enable routine use of drones beyond the visual sight of operators – a key step to enabling commercial drone deliveries – and reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese drone companies as well as advance testing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. (Source: Reuters)
21 Feb 25. NFL, other leagues support bill regarding drones near stadiums. For some time, the NFL has wanted Congress to tighten the rules regarding drones near stadiums. A new bill introduced in Congress on Thursday will, if passed, do just that. The bipartisan legislation, from Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada), is aimed at providing local and state law enforcement with the “tools . . to protect citizens,” Cotton told Tisha Thompson of ESPN.com.
There’s no reason for such protection to not exist.
“Local law enforcement already protects the perimeter of these events,” Cotton told Thompson. “We already expect them to stop a dump truck that would cause harm, so we need to also give them the tools to protect the airspace from weapons and biological threats.”
The NFL supports the bill, as does the MLB, the NCAA, and NASCAR. Current law empowers federal authorities to disable drones for certain major events, including the Super Bowl and the World Series. At the vast majority of pro football and baseball games, state and local authorities responsible for securing the venue lack the ability to neutralize a drone quickly. During the 2023 season, the NFL had more than 2,800 drone incursions into restricted airspace around stadiums during games. The FAA provides a bubble of 3,000 feet and three nautical miles, starting an hour before the game begins and ending an hour after it concludes.
“Many drones around large athletic events are hobbyists or enthusiasts or practical jokers,” Cotton told Thompson. “But we can’t take the risk of fan lives because some of these drones can be equipped to carry explosives or most chillingly can be equipped with some kind of biological weapon.”
Again, it’s a no-brainer, and it’s hard to imagine the bill not making its way through both houses of Congress and being signed into law. (Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/)
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