Sponsored by Echodyne
www.echodyne.com
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04 Jul 25. Hanwha Fighting Vehicles fitting ASELSAN Gun Fire Detection System. The Republic of Korea’s Hanwha and Türkiye’s ASELSAN announced the intent to offer the latter’s SEDA 100 L C Gun Shot Detection System on its armoured vehicles. The SEDA 100 is an acoustic shot detection system capable of determining the direction from which a gunshot is fired and the location of the shooter. It is then able to rapidly direct weapons on the vehicle onto the identified location to allow for effective return fire to neutralize the threat. The SEDE 100-L-C being integrated is a lightweight version specifically designed to be mounted onto vehicles including onto remote weapon stations (RWS). The SEDA is effective regardless of the time of day and weather conditions, as well as if stationary or moving. It offers 360-degree coverage detecting gun shots from infantry weapon and machine gun/automatic weapon calibres with a response within under 1.5 seconds. Its accuracy is better than five degrees in azimuth with a range error of plus/minus twenty degrees. Integrated into an RWS/turret it can automatically train the vehicle weapon onto the target and provide highly accurate responding fire in seconds. It is especially effective in enhancing situational awareness for the vehicle crew even buttoned up in the vehicle. It is invaluable in not only immediately alerting the crew that they are under attack but to provide an accurate orientation to the threat, something that can be difficult for the crew to ascertain. The SEDA’s detection information can also be easily integrated into an onboard geographic information system (GIS) providing accurate and automatic marking of the shooter’s location on the map. It can also be integrated and linked to onboard cameras and control systems via the Ethernet interface. ASELSAN developed algorithms and data processing as well as the incorporation of artificial intelligence allows the SEDA to filter out interference and differentiate false alarms and outside background even in complex acoustic environments. Development of SEDA 100-cUAS that can detect, identify, and provide direction and range against unmanned drones is under development. The SEDA 100 has been proven in combat with over two hundred systems having been provided by ASELSAN to Ukrainian forces since 2022. Integrating acoustic detection and locating capabilities onto armoured combat vehicles will appreciably enhance not only their situational awareness and therefore contribute to their survivability but also positively contribute to their ability to regain the advantage over those that seek to engage and destroy them. (Source: AMR)
30 Jun 25. Radar Processing Solutions for Modern Naval Defense. Defense Advancement is showcasing Tocaro Blue’s marine radar processing solutions for enhanced situational awareness in naval and defense applications. Tocaro Blue is a developer of AI and machine learning-powered marine radar processing solutions that provide crewed and uncrewed naval and marine defense vessels with enhanced situational awareness capabilities, ensuring collision avoidance and successful mission outcomes. As a supplier partner, Defense Advancement is showcasing innovative solutions and capabilities across Tocaro Blue’s supplier profile. Tocaro Blue’s technology upgrades the capabilities of legacy marine radar systems, providing solutions to the excess noise and slow scanning speed of traditional radar while continuing to leverage its long range and reliable performance under harsh conditions.
ProteusCore
ProteusCore is a powerful software package that utilizes proprietary machine learning models to provide rapid and reliable detection, classification and tracking of hundreds of marine radar targets simultaneously.
Ideal for small tactical craft as well as uncrewed and autonomous vessels, it enhances the capabilities of legacy and COTS radar systems to create next-generation perception systems that operate without the need for manual intervention, constant range and gain tuning, or human interpretation.
ProteusCore Devkit Hardware
Tocaro Blue’s full-featured edge computing solution allows OEMs and system integrators to instantly take advantage of the complete ProteusCore API without any additional development or integration effort, allowing you to get up and running and test the software under real-world conditions.
The rugged device is designed for reliable operation in harsh marine environments, featuring IP67-sealed connector covers and a solid-state heatsink. It can be powered via the NMEA 2000 bus for easy integration into existing vessel networks.
Proteus Hub
Proteus Hub is an advanced navigation system that leverages the power of machine learning and the ProteusCore software to output intuitive 2D and FPV views of the marine environment, upgrading the utility of existing marine displays and reducing operator cognitive load.
The system renders radar returns as distinct recognizable objects, providing enhanced safety and situational awareness under the most challenging of conditions.
More details.
To find out more about Tocaro Blue’s marine radar processing solutions, please visit their profile page: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/company/tocaro-blue/ (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
02 Jul 25. Mesa Tactical, trusted by professionals for rugged and reliable shotgun upgrades, is proud to introduce its latest innovation: the Reflex Sight Mount for the Beretta 1301 Tactical and A300, precision-built for optics using the Aimpoint Acro® footprint. This isn’t just another accessory—it’s a performance-driven upgrade to two of the most respected tactical shotguns on the market. Replacing the factory Picatinny rail segment, Mesa Tactical’s dedicated mount delivers a low-profile setup with absolute co-witness between your red dot and factory ghost ring sights. The result? Faster target acquisition, more intuitive sight picture, and increased shooter confidence in high-stress environments.
“Red dots on shotguns aren’t a luxury anymore—they’re a tactical advantage,” said Greg Friedman, COO of Mesa Tactical. “Our new Reflex Sight Mount brings that edge to the Beretta 1301 and A300, with the rock-solid engineering operators expect from Mesa Tactical.”
Machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and finished in a durable Type 3 hard coat anodized black, this mount is built to handle the recoil and abuse of duty, defense, or range use. It installs directly to the receiver’s factory-drilled and tapped holes—no modifications, no compromises.
Compatible with red dots featuring the Aimpoint Acro® footprint, including:
- Aimpoint Acro P-1/P-2
- Aimpoint Acro C-1/C-2
- Steiner MPS
- Burris FastFire E
- Griffin Armament Griffin Micro Sight
- C&H Duty and Duty-XL
- Vector Optics Enclosed Frenzy Plus
(Optic not included)
Whether for duty use, personal defense, or tactical competition, Mesa Tactical’s Reflex Sight Mount gives Beretta 1301 Tactical and A300 owners the next-level performance they’ve been waiting for.
MSRP is $74.95.
For more information, visit www.mesatactical.com.
01 Jul 25. Sentrycs, a global leader in Protocol Manipulation-based counter-drone technology—commonly known as Cyber over RF—announced today the integration of its advanced solution into Rafael’s Drone Dome system. Rafael’s Drone Dome is an end-to-end, modular, combat-proven Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) that is already operationally deployed by multiple customers worldwide. Delivering 360-degree, all-weather protection against hostile drones, Rafael’s Drone Dome combines radar, SIGINT/RF sensors, EO sensors, jamming systems, and a centralized C2 center to detect, track, and intercept aerial threats. The integration of Sentrycs’ Cyber over RF solution adds a critical layer of intelligence to Drone Dome’s defense architecture, enabling the system to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized drones, reduce false alarms, pinpoint both the drone’s location and that of its operator, and identify in real time the communication frequencies being used—particularly valuable against frequency-hopping threats. By incorporating this technology, Drone Dome now delivers faster, more accurate threat detection and mitigation, while maintaining operational safety for friendly UAVs and avoiding unnecessary interference with nearby systems. Unlike conventional C-UAS solutions that rely on layered and sequential detection processes, Sentrycs’ approach interacts directly with a drone’s communication protocols, enabling immediate identification and tracking as soon as a signal is detected. This transforms detection from a separate stage into an integrated component of the response process. By analyzing the protocol-level communication between drone and operator, the system offers advanced situational awareness, including operator location estimation—capabilities essential in complex, dynamic threat environments. With no dependency on preloaded signal libraries, the system can dynamically analyze and respond to new or modified drone platforms, while ensuring that only unauthorized threats are engaged. Once a hostile drone is identified, the system seamlessly assumes control, guiding it to a pre-defined landing zone without the need for jamming or kinetic engagement. This protocol-based intervention ensures precise, lawful, and interference-free mitigation, allowing Drone Dome operators to neutralize threats without disrupting nearby communications, critical systems, or authorized aerial activity.
“We are honored to cooperate with Rafael and to have our Cyber over RF technology integrated into the Drone Dome system,” said Meir Avidan, VP Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Sentrycs. “This collaboration offers unmatched precision, safety, and operational effectiveness against evolving drone threats. Sentrycs continues to advance its mission of enabling smarter, more secure airspace management through intelligent, non-disruptive counter-drone solutions.”
Col. (Res.) Yossi Margalit from Rafael, Vice President, Director of the C-UAS & Low Altitude AMD Systems, adds: “Drone Dome, already combat-proven and operational worldwide, is a flexible system with an open architecture and spiral development capabilities. Partnering with companies like Sentrycs enhances Drone Dome’s synergistic value and resilience in a highly competitive market. We warmly welcome this collaboration and are pleased to work alongside Sentrycs.” Already operational in more than 20 countries across critical infrastructure, military bases, borders, and law enforcement sites, Sentrycs’ solutions offer a proven, lawful, and intelligent approach to countering the growing threat of unauthorized drones.
02 Jul 25. NYPD Considers Net-Firing Drones to Take Down ‘Hostile’ Drones. The NYPD plans to cast a wide net when it comes to protecting the Big Apple against nefarious drone operators. The city is in talks with Maryland-based American Robotics to buy technology that can detect, track and intercept “hostile drones,” Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Kaz Daughtry told The Post. The company has developed a portable station that can launch two or three 8-pound drones capable of intercepting a suspect drone in midair — then fire a lightweight mesh net at the invasive drone, entangling its rotors and preventing it from flying. A parachute then activates to bring the enemy drone down safely to the ground. The drone launchers can be used along parade routes or other large events, he said.
“They have a counter-drone detection system where it will detect a hostile drone,” said Daughtry, a former NYPD detective. “The net will go around the drone and it will safely land.”
Daughtry, who directs the city’s fleet of 150 drones, has been in talks with the company about using its Iron Drone Raider System and hopes to have a deal soon, he said.
“We could station it anywhere throughout the city,” Daughtry said.
The system, which uses eight-pound racer drones, costs less than $200,000, American Robotics CEO Eric Brock said.
“Ground radar would detect something that’s unidentified,” Brock said, explaining that the person in charge of the drone would then press a button to activate it. “Once we locate the drone we track it and hunt it.”
His company shows off the tech in a dramatic video on YouTube. Brock said he couldn’t identify the company’s current clients because of security issues, but said they have been working with the UAE in the Middle East. Similar tech — minus the parachute — has been used by the Ukrainians to take down Russian drones. Before the raider drones could be deployed in NYC, the federal government would have to lift restrictions that ban local jurisdictions from taking down flying vehicles. Right now, only feds have that authorization.
Daughtry, who worries most about potential drone attacks from a “lone wolf,” has been lobbying the Trump administration with Chief of Department John Chell to change that.
“I’m hearing that the [Trump] administration is open to it,” he said.
Daughtry has been on the leading edge of drone use as an NYPD official under Mayor Adams.
Daughtry has been talking to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch about assigning drones to members of the NYPD’s Community Response Teams. The drones would be launched from wherever cops are patrolling, and piloted remotely from One Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan, he said.
The drones would then provide video feed of suspects trying to flee and help cops find them, he said. Officers would no longer have to wait for the Aviation Unit to send helicopters from Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.
“When they have a barricaded suspect or a suspect who’s hiding in the woods, they can just open their trunk, put the drone up, turn it on and they can run,” he said. “They can just leave and the drone will launch itself.”
The move to put drones in cars was the final phase of a program that started last year with placing drones on precinct station house roofs in crime-prone areas and using them as first responders on 911 calls.
Earlier this month the NYPD had Skydio X10 drones out in droves to monitor anti-Trump protests and was able to use them to track crowd movement and deploy its officers to hotspots.
“There were drones all over the place,” Daughtry said.
Those drones can go as high as 800 feet but the city keeps them at 400 so they don’t collide with airplanes, he said. The drones give NYPD brass eyes in the sky, but can also be crime deterrents.
“When people are committing acts like vandalism or they’re about to do something we can bring the drone down real close so they know that we’re watching them,” he said.
The FDNY has drones that can monitor its beaches for struggling swimmers and the Office of Emergency Management has drones for use in mapping out disasters. When Daughtry first began championing drones back in 2022, he got pushback from some other cops, he said.
“They told me that we would never be able to have drones in the city,” he said. “Guess what? Now we’re using them all over the place.” (Source: UAS VISION/The New York Post)
02 Jul 25. L3Harris Delivers Missionized ISR Aircraft. L3Harris Technologies has delivered its second Bombardier Global 6500 missionized with advanced ISR capabilities, enhancing survivability, payload capacity, and standoff ranges for critical global missions, and reinforcing its market leadership with 103 missionized business jets and over thousands of aircraft delivered for various special missions. L3Harris Technologies has delivered its second operational Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft missionized with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The aircraft has greater survivability and targeting line of sight along with more capacity for payloads and standoff ranges to support critical missions across the globe. In February 2025, L3Harris delivered the first missionized Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft. The latest delivery establishes the only pair of fully operational platforms equipped with advanced radar, electronic and communications intelligence capabilities.
“Given the operational need for affordable yet capable ISR aircraft, we are seeing an uptick in demand to take a commercial platform like a business jet and add mission equipment and survivability features,” said Jason Lambert, President, ISR, L3Harris. “This model accelerates the timeline for aircraft delivery and mission readiness.”
The delivery of the next-generation ISR aircraft brings the company’s total to 103 missionized business jets fielded to date. It reinforces the company’s global market leadership in business jet missionization. With more than 70 years of experience, the company has delivered thousands of aircraft missionized for ISR, maritime and other special missions based on more than 130 platform types from dozens of aircraft manufacturers. The company has an additional 14 business jet aircraft modifications currently on order. (Source: ASD Network)
02 Jul 25. NGC to Offer Advanced Ground Based Radars to Romania with ROMARM. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ROMARM, a Romanian state-owned leader in defense, to collaborate in offering a ground-based radar solution to the Romanian Air Force. The radar will deliver advanced capabilities and performance against today’s most sophisticated threats while also providing interoperability with command-and-control systems employed by NATO countries, including the United States.
“Our industrial partnership with ROMARM will deliver a proven, ready-now solution to help strengthen Romania’s security against evolving threats,” said Greg Teitelbaum, vice president, land and maritime sensors, Northrop Grumman. “Our solutions provide long range 360-degree surveillance and fire control for air and missile defense, made possible with secure and interoperable software.” (Source: ASD Network)
02 Jul 25. Teledyne FLIR OEM, a part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: TDY), today announced National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance of its lineup of dual-use Neutrino®, Boson®, Hadron™, and Lepton® thermal camera modules for United States government contractors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These modules enable the development of secure, high-performance thermal imaging systems in compliance with the NDAA. The NDAA restricts the use of video surveillance and telecommunications equipment from certain foreign sources in U.S. defense systems. Teledyne FLIR OEM’s NDAA-compliant thermal camera modules are eligible for a wide range of federal, state, and local government contracts. They are easily integrated into both existing and next-generation defense platforms, including ground vehicles, uncrewed systems, threat warning, missile seekers, targeting systems, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), precision strike platforms, and soldier systems.
“Our thermal imaging technologies provide critical situational awareness and decision support for the U.S. Armed Forces and allied nations,” said Jared Faraudo, vice president, product management, Teledyne FLIR OEM. “The comprehensive portfolio of NDAA-compliant Neutrino, Boson, Hadron, and Lepton camera modules reflects our significant investment and strict adherence to meeting congressional standards through SWaP-optimized (Size, Weight, and Power) thermal imaging solutions.”
Performance-Driven NDAA-Compliant Imaging Portfolio:
- Neutrino LC and SX8: High-operating temperature (HOT) mid-wave infrared (MWIR) focal plane array (FPA) technology in a compact format—ideal for gimbals, handhelds, and targeting systems.
- Neutrino QX and SX12: High-resolution, fast-frame MWIR models designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), counter-drone, and wide-area motion imaging (WAMI) missions.
- Neutrino IS: Combines Neutrino LC and SX camera modules with continuous zoom (CZ) lenses to offer high–performance, SWaP-optimized imaging solutions.
- Neutrino Ground ISR: Turnkey MWIR solutions for integrators developing long-range, ground-based ISR systems.
- Boson: 12 µm uncooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) radiometric camera modules available in 640 × 512 or 320 × 256 resolutions with multiple frame rate options
- Boson+: High-performance Boson variant offers industry-leading thermal sensitivity with a noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) of less than 20 millikelvin.
- Boson+ CZ: Combines the Boson+ LWIR camera module and 5x CZ lens, offering a high–performance imaging solution and simplified integration.
- Hadron 640: Integrates a 64MP visible camera with a 640 × 512 radiometric Boson thermal sensor in a single module for streamlined integration in uncrewed systems.
- Lepton: World’s highest-volume LWIR thermal imaging module, enabling scalable thermal innovation.
All NDAA-compliant thermal imaging models are designed and assembled in the U.S., with trusted supply chains and final testing conducted at the company’s Goleta, California facility. All modules are also non-ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) and are classified under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Commerce for export.
To learn more about NDAA-compliant thermal camera cores from Teledyne FLIR OEM, visit www.flir.com/oem.
26 Jun 25. Saab demonstrates C-UAS technologies in Swedish military exercise. Saab participated in an air defence demonstration at Tofta Firing Range in Gotland, Sweden yesterday (June 25), which was held in collaboration with and hosted by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. The event brought together key decision-makers from across the defence sector to experience the operational capabilities of Saab´s counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) technologies. Similar to Loke, this Swedish C-UAS capability is modular and adaptable, and is designed to address the urgent threat posed by drones. The demonstration was designed to be mobile and fast to deploy, as well as easy to manoeuvre, and was mainly conducted by conscripts. Saab demonstrated early detection, tracking and classification with the Giraffe 1X radar, decision-making and visualisation via a SHORAD command and control system, and kinetic engagement with a Trackfire ARES (Aerial Response) remote weapon station and the BAE Tridon MK2. This configuration relies on the flexible integration of existing and modular systems, making use of military off-the-shelf components that have already been field-tested and proven. The Giraffe 1X radar and the Trackfire ARES remote weapon station were mounted on the new 4×4 Sisu GPT vehicle. Meanwhile, the Tridon MK2 was mounted on a Scania flatbed truck. The live demonstration featured several operational scenarios. The Giraffe 1X multi-mission radar detected the aerial objects and its integrated ‘Drone Tracker’ function classified and identified the drone as hostile. This information was then relayed to the SHORAD command and control system for processing and coordination with the effectors, which successfully neutralised the threat. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
26 Jun 25. DroneSec launches new Stolen Drone Database version to support law enforcement, C-UAS operators. DroneSec, an expert in drone adversary threat intelligence, has today announced the launch of the second version of its industry-first Stolen Drone Information (SDI) Database. Built for tactical, investigative, and real-time capabilities, the enhanced database offers an ability to identify, assess, and act upon stolen or misused drones across both domestic and international domains. Since its initial release, SDI has become an important intelligence tool for security teams, civil aviation authorities, Federal and SLTT law enforcement agencies in identifying drones that appear in a global theft database, says the company in a press release.
“As drone-enabled threats evolve, knowing whether a drone is stolen is a decisive advantage. The upgraded SDI allows law enforcement agencies and C-UAS providers to automatically flag suspicious UAVs during detection events, providing immediate context and alerts against national Remote ID blacklists. This intelligence layer supports real-time drone detection platforms, enabling a shift from passive monitoring to proactive threat classification and tactical escalation.”
“For law enforcement and C-UAS vendors, the value isn’t just in identifying the drone — it’s in understanding the intent behind it,” said Jared Page, Chief Technology Officer at DroneSec. “Stolen drones are frequently repurposed for hostile surveillance, contraband drops, and intrusions. This database helps stop that cycle. DTI systems that do not integrate into a stolen drone registry are already behind the curve.”
When a drone’s serial is detected by RF or Remote ID sensors, integration with SDI allows for instant verification against global drone theft records, enabling responders to rapidly differentiate between potentially careless and potential criminal intent. Since its initial release, the SDI has directly supported multiple high-impact investigations involving cross-border flights, restricted flight-zone breaches, and game day major sporting event violations. In one instance, SDI led to the detection of a drone in the USA – its original stolen location was Spain, an insight not possible without the SDI record, said the company.
“We’ve seen federal and local units use this intelligence to open cases, link incidents, detect and seize drones that would have otherwise gone unflagged,” added Page. “SDI is no longer just a registry – it’s an operational asset.”
For C-UAS technology providers, the new version of SDI offers integration via secure APIs – enabling rapid deployment into existing detection systems. The database matches drone serial numbers, geo-location metadata and police reports against real-time detections, returning actionable alerts within milliseconds.
“This interoperability enhances situational awareness and allows C-UAS vendors to provide value-added intelligence to their end-users, improving threat classification and response accuracy without additional hardware. Adding SDI to a C-UAS system turns it from a detection tool to an intelligence tool with insights into determining intent.” For more information: www.dronesec.com. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
02 Jul 25. Britain reportedly interested in Aussie ‘super radar.’ The UK is watching with interest after Canada leapfrogged the United States to become the first overseas customer for Australia’s Jindalee Over-the-Horizon Radar (JORN) system – in what is expected to become Australia’s largest ever defence export. According to an exclusive report by ABC Australia’s defence correspondent Andrew Greene, newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed Ottawa’s $6.5 bn deal to acquire the JORN technology, following a conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The announcement was made during a high-profile visit to the Arctic territory of Nunavut, where Carney described the system as vital to detecting and responding to threats in Canada’s northern approaches.
“It will most fundamentally keep all Canadians safe,” Carney said. The Canadian version of the system will support NORAD, the joint US-Canadian aerospace defence initiative, and is designed to monitor both air and maritime threats far beyond the horizon.
The JORN system, developed by Australian scientists and built by BAE Systems Australia, has been in operation for over 30 years. Unlike conventional line-of-sight radar, JORN uses high-frequency radio waves bounced off the ionosphere to monitor targets as far as 3,000 kilometres away. Its over-the-horizon capability has been described as among the most advanced of its kind globally. While the United States had long been in discussions with Australia about acquiring the same technology, ABC reports that negotiations were stalled by the Pentagon’s ongoing spending review, known as the DOGE audit. Canadian officials saw an opening following Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency and moved quickly to secure the deal ahead of Washington. According to the ABC, “the Canadians were always going to follow the US purchase and slipstream off that, but circumstances changed and things moved quickly.” UK officials are also said to be exploring the possibility of acquiring the JORN system. As Greene reports, “the United Kingdom, where the parent company of BAE Systems Australia is based, has also expressed interest in purchasing the JORN technology, but is yet to approve the idea.” No formal deal has yet been announced. UK defence planners may see JORN as a valuable tool in protecting Northern airspace and providing persistent surveillance over long distances, particularly as the UK deepens defence ties in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific. However, the political and industrial implications of adopting Australian-developed radar over homegrown or allied systems will likely form part of the ongoing consideration.
Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles has called the Canadian agreement “potentially the biggest defence industry export that Australia has ever been a part of,” telling ABC’s News Breakfast that the deal could bring enormous benefits to Australian industry.
How does it work?
The Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is an over-the-horizon radar (OHR) system operated by the Royal Australian Air Force. It is designed to detect and track air and maritime activity across vast distances, with a nominal range of 1,000 to 3,000 kilometres and a potential maximum reach exceeding 4,000 kilometres. The system operates by bouncing high-frequency radio waves off the ionosphere, enabling it to monitor areas far beyond the radar horizon. This capability allows JORN to cover all of Australia’s northern approaches and parts of Southeast Asia, making it central to Australian defence surveillance and early warning strategies. JORN can also monitor meteorological variables such as wind direction and wave height, and is reportedly capable of detecting low-observable aircraft and missile launches at intercontinental distances. JORN consists of three active radar stations located near Longreach in Queensland, Laverton in Western Australia, and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. Each radar station comprises a widely separated transmitter and receiver pair to minimise mutual interference. Signals are generated using Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) transmission between 5 and 30 MHz, far lower than conventional radar systems. Beam steering is achieved electronically rather than through physical movement of antennas, while signal detection relies on Doppler shifts and phase differentials across extensive antenna arrays. The system’s effectiveness hinges on continuous ionospheric monitoring, supported by a network of twelve vertical ionosondes which map real-time ionospheric conditions every 225 seconds. The JORN Coordination Centre (JCC), located at RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia, serves as the operational hub, managing data flows and coordinating with other defence and intelligence entities. The system is operated by No. 1 Remote Sensor Unit (1RSU). Data collected by the radar is used not only for defence surveillance but also supports broader strategic objectives, including missile detection and space situational awareness. JORN was the subject of extensive research and development spanning several decades, with early prototypes demonstrated as far back as the 1970s. Its final operational form, delivered in 2003, was later upgraded under successive phases, including a \$1.2 bn enhancement contract awarded to BAE Systems in 2018. JORN’s sensitivity has proven sufficient to detect small aircraft, such as a Cessna 172, at distances over 2,500 kilometres. The system’s performance is nonetheless constrained by atmospheric and solar conditions, particularly variations in the ionosphere and disturbances from extreme weather. As with all Doppler-based radar systems, JORN is limited in its ability to detect objects moving tangentially to its line of sight or those matching the speed of surrounding media. (Source: ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
27 Jun 25. Indian and French military train together on EW and C-UAS capabilities. Specialist units from India and France are engaging in electronic warfare (EW) and counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) training, incorporating signal interception, jamming, spectrum control and drone-neutralisation exercises. The training exercise, conducted at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie, France from 18 June to 1 July is the eighth edition of the biennial India-France joint military exercise known as SHAKTI, which aims to enhance interoperability and operational coordination. The Indian contingent comprising of 90 personnel is being represented primarily by a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles besides personnel from other units. The French contingent is represented by personnel from the 13th Foreign Legion Half- Brigade. This SHAKTI edition will focus on joint operations in a sub-conventional environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, with training being conducted in semi-urban terrain. The exercise will provide a platform for both contingents to rehearse and refine tactical drills, share best practices, train on new generation equipment and strengthen physical endurance. It will also foster ‘esprit-de-corps’, mutual respect and professional camaraderie between the two armies. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Jul 25. France’s Thales eyes radar factory in Saudi Arabia and AI centre in UAE. Kingdom was the largest military spender in the Middle East and the seventh biggest globally last year. French defence and technology group Thales is pursuing opportunities in Saudi Arabia for a radar production factory, and in the UAE for an AI research centre, as Gulf nations seek a role in global supply chains. Thales is seeking to expand a joint venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) that was set up with the aim of localising defence production.
“We have an intention to grow this joint venture to work, not only on radars, but more generally speaking on air defence,” Pascale Sourisse, senior executive vice-president of international development at Thales, told The National on the sidelines of the Paris Airshow.
“This joint venture should host the various activities we will have in Saudi Arabia … But I expect that there will be some work on communications systems.”
The move comes as Saudi Arabia strives to develop its own military production capabilities to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The strategy is intended to diversify its economy from a reliance on oil, create more jobs for Saudis, attract highly-skilled workers, prioritise technical know-how transfers and become part of the global industrial supply chains. Saudi Arabia was the largest military spender in the Middle East in 2024 and the seventh biggest worldwide, according to an April report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). The kingdom recorded a modest military spending increase of 1.5 per cent, reaching an estimated $80.3 bn, but still 20 per cent lower than in 2015 when the country’s oil revenue peaked.
Ms Sourisse said it is “too early” to provide further details on the timeline and investment for a factory in Saudi Arabia.
Thales’ proposed plan in the kingdom will include local manufacturing, engineering and maintenance support services, similar to its agreement with the UAE, she said.
The company’s wholly-owned unit Thales Emarat Technologies will invest in a factory to produce Ground Master series air surveillance radars in the UAE, as part of an agreement with Tawazun Council. The factory, which is expected to be fully operational by 2027, will assemble, test and qualify advanced air surveillance radars for domestic use and to export markets, Thales said in a statement in May during the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ event in Abu Dhabi. The project is entirely funded by Thales, according to Ms Sourisse, who declined to provide the size of investment. The agreement includes co-operation with UAE companies to become part of Thales’ supply chain, she added.
AI research centre
Now Thales is in discussions with the UAE to open an AI research centre in Abu Dhabi, according to Ms Sourisse. Thales’ AI research centres, dubbed cortAIx, are currently set up in Singapore, France, Canada and Britain. This means the Abu Dhabi centre, if it goes ahead, will become the first of its kind in the Middle East.
“Considering the number of equipment that we have in the UAE that will embed AI, it makes sense to set up a cortAIx centre in the UAE,” Ms Sourisse said.
While it is too early to firm up a timeline for establishing the centre, discussions are under way.
“We are working on it, it’s not yet announced … it’s a bit early to say, but that is the direction we’re heading. We also need to agree with customers like the UAE Armed Forces on how they want to proceed.”
The idea is to collaborate with military customers to work with them on use cases for AI applications in defence.
“It is not only about setting up an AI competence centre, it’s really establishing a partnership with users to work on use cases … they can directly tell us that this kind of information that we can derive from data-processing is the priority for them,” Ms Sourisse said.
Asked if the conflicts in the Middle East are accelerating Thales’ discussions with customers in the region, the veteran executive said: “We are expecting an increase in the level of orders that we get in very many countries, in the region certainly, but not only [there].”
“There’s tensions in many areas of the world, so countries will continue to increase their investment in defence.”
The capabilities that are in high demand include air surveillance, air defence, weapon systems, communications systems, drones either used in offensive or defensive ways and counter-drones, she added. (Source: News Now)
27 Jun 25. Cuashub.com said today that EU Defence Minister warns Europe will need millions of drones if Russia attacks. Europe must prepare to field a large-scale drone force capable of countering Russia in a potential future conflict, according to EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius. His warning follows military intelligence assessments suggesting Russia could be ready to strike a NATO country within the next five years.
According to Kubilius, Europe needs to urgently scale up its drone capabilities. He estimates that ms of drones would be required to match Russia’s growing inventory and battlefield experience.
“Russia can have around five m drones, so we need to have capacities bigger than those in order to prevail,” he said.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has faced an evolving threat from Ukraine’s rapidly advancing drone forces. The war has driven innovation and mass production in unmanned systems, with Ukraine expected to produce more than four m drones this year alone. Ukrainian officials have claimed that drone units are now responsible for up to 80 percent of Russian frontline losses.
Kubilius, who has visited Ukraine to observe its drone operations, cited one heavily contested area dubbed “Death Valley” as evidence of how drones dominate the modern battlefield.
“Nothing can move. Everything is controlled by drones. A traditional tank in that zone survives six minutes,” he said.
Drawing a parallel to his home country of Lithuania, which shares a long border with Russia and Belarus, Kubilius estimated that a nation like his would need three million drones annually in a high-intensity conflict. However, he cautioned against stockpiling drones now, as technology is evolving rapidly. Instead, he argued for investment in personnel and industrial capacity to enable a rapid scale-up when needed.
“On the European continent, at the moment, there are only two armies battle-tested with the ability to use ms of drones: one is Russian, which is planning new aggressions; another one is Ukrainian,” he said.
European defense closing the gap
European defense companies are working to develop systems that will close the gap with regard to UAS and counter-UAS capabilities. German start-up STARK has developed loitering munitions for Ukraine and emphasized the need for constant adaptation.
“Every day you have to adapt,” said STARK’s senior vice president Josef Kranawetvogl. “You have such fast development cycles in Ukraine – two or three weeks, then there’s something new upcoming and you have to be prepared for this.”
German firm Alpine Eagle is developing interceptor drones designed to shoot down hostile UAS at ranges of up to five kilometers. CEO Jan-Hendrik Boelens warned that NATO members are currently unprepared for mass drone attacks like those seen in Ukraine.
“We are absolutely not ready in my view,” he said.
Boelens pointed to Ukraine’s production of around 1.3m drones last year, and estimated that NATO countries such as Germany may have procured only a few hundred.
“If Ukraine consumed 1.3m drones per year, that’s 3,000 a day. So, if you have 100 in your inventory, that would not last an hour.”
While a spokesperson from the German Defence Ministry said those figures “do not closely reflect reality,” they acknowledged that drones are now an integral part of military operations and training.
NATO leaders have declared drone warfare a strategic priority. At a recent summit, members committed to increasing defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035 and boosting air defenses fivefold.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated: “We see Russia’s deadly terror from the skies over Ukraine every day, and we must be able to defend ourselves from such attacks.”
The UK has announced that drones will be central to its new warfighting doctrine, outlining a 20-40-40 strategy in which 20 percent of combat platforms are traditional heavy systems, 40 percent are expendable drones and 40 percent are reusable unmanned systems. An additional £2bn has been earmarked for army drones in this parliamentary term. Elsewhere, European countries are signing co-production deals with Ukraine. Germany and Denmark have followed the UK in pledging closer collaboration with Ukrainian industry on drone manufacturing. In Berlin, Sven Weizenegger, head of the German military’s cyber innovation hub, said his team receives up to 20 enquiries daily from companies offering drone technologies. He emphasized the need for faster procurement to keep up with evolving threats.
“We are very advanced in the innovation process… Unfortunately, what we are not good at right now… is getting these things into real operations,” he said.
Germany has pledged to accelerate its defense buildup, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz promising to create “the strongest conventional army in Europe.” Unmanned systems and air defense are set to be key pillars of that effort. https://cuashub.com/en/content/eu-defence-minister-warns-europe-will-need-ms-of-drones-if-russia-attacks/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
27 Jun 25. Cuashub.com said today that Saab demonstrates modular C-UAS in live-fire exercise. Saab took part in a live counter-UAS demonstration at Tofta Firing Range on the Swedish island of Gotland, showcasing its modular air defense technologies during an event hosted by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. The event, attended by defence officials and stakeholders, focused on the growing challenge posed by small, fast-moving drones and how rapidly deployable systems can address emerging threats. The demonstration was primarily conducted by Swedish conscripts and featured operational scenarios replicating real-world drone threats. The showcased counter-UAS system, referred to as “Gute” by the Swedish Armed Forces, is designed to detect, track, classify and engage aerial targets. The core components of the system included Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar, a short-range air defence (SHORAD) command and control system and kinetic effectors such as the Trackfire ARES remote weapon station and the BAE Systems Tridon Mk2. These elements were integrated into a mobile platform. The Giraffe 1X radar, mounted on a Sisu GPT 4×4 vehicle, provided early detection and tracking capabilities. Its drone detection software flagged potential threats, which were then processed through the command and control system before being engaged by weapon stations. The Tridon Mk2, mounted on a Scania flatbed truck, served as a stationary firing unit for higher-calibre responses. The demonstration emphasized the system’s mobility and modularity, highlighting its ability to be rapidly deployed and adapted to different operational needs. According to Saab, the system uses military off-the-shelf components, which allows for quicker field deployment and system integration. The event also comes amid increasing concerns over drone proliferation and recent examples of low-cost UAS being used in long-range strikes, particularly in Ukraine. These developments have prompted armed forces worldwide to seek more flexible and responsive countermeasures. While Saab issued a statement highlighting its commitment to developing adaptable counter-UAS solutions, the demonstration itself focused on proving the interoperability of existing technologies and their ability to form a cohesive defense system in a field environment. https://cuashub.com/en/content/saab-demonstrates-modular-c-uas-in-live-fire-exercise/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
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