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04 Jul 25. New Partnership Boosts Electro-Optical Technology for Defense & Security Forces. Safran and Trillium team up to enhance electro-optical solutions, offering lighter, more versatile imaging systems for drones, helicopters, and modern aerial platforms Safran Electronics & Defense and Trillium Engineering are set to partner to combine their expertise and expand the range of electro-optical solutions available for drones, helicopters, and other aircraft. This collaboration will enhance Safran’s Artis portfolio by integrating Trillium’s compact, high-performance stabilized camera turrets ranging from 2 to 25 inches in size. These smaller systems complement Safran’s established focus on larger gyrostabilized gimbals, offering more options suited to light aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Both companies are well known for developing advanced solutions that are smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient, qualities that are increasingly important for modern aerial platforms. Their combined technologies aim to improve operational flexibility and mission effectiveness across a wide range of defense and security applications.
Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defense Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense, said, “The increasing complexity and diversity of operational requirements create a need for a broader range of electro-optical solutions. Partnering with Trillium Engineering enables us to extend our offering and effectively support a wide variety of platforms in this rapidly evolving context. Together, we are addressing the changing needs of armed forces as they face the new realities and complexities of the modern battlefield.”
Mark Mirelez, Chief Executive Officer of Trillium Engineering, added, “Through our collaboration with Safran Electronics & Defense, Trillium Engineering’s compact gimbal solutions extend their global accessibility, providing users with more mission flexibility and a clear path to achieving their objectives.”
Trillium Engineering specializes in lightweight electro-optical and infrared gimbals designed specifically for unmanned aerial systems and other airborne platforms. Their advanced imaging technology includes high-definition electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser designation, and precise geolocation capabilities. These systems have been successfully integrated into many platforms, significantly boosting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. This partnership is said to reflect a shared commitment to delivering advanced, reliable technologies that meet the changing needs of defense forces worldwide. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
10 Jul 25. DroneSense and MatrixSpace have partnered to accelerate the safe expansion of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations for Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs. The integration brings MatrixSpace Radar’s real-time object detection and airspace awareness capabilities directly into DroneSense Remote (DSR), the leading operational software platform for public safety drone missions. This enables radar tracking across urban and rural settings enhancing safety, responsiveness and mission success. MatrixSpace Radar delivers affordable, AI-powered situational awareness in all conditions, including low-light and low-visibility environments. With AiEdge software for real-time classification and expandable centralized sensor fusion, agencies can scale DFR operations confidently.
“DroneSense is committed to building an open ecosystem that incorporates the best available drone hardware and detect-and-avoid (DAA) technologies,” said Aydin Ghajar, Chief Operating Officer at DroneSense. “This integration with MatrixSpace represents the first of several partnerships to unlock BVLOS operations for public safety agencies. By bringing real-time radar awareness into our OpsHub interface, we’re enhancing both mission execution and safety.”
This capability has already supported some major milestones: Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) expanded its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, establishing the largest first responder agency coverage area (37 square miles) monitored by radar sensors instead of humans in the United States. Campbell Police Department (CPD) became the first law enforcement agency in California to receive FAA authorization for single-operator BVLOS missions under a Part 91.113(b) waiver using radar instead of human visual observers. The waiver enables safer and more effective drone operations, even during night or adverse weather conditions.
“The partnership between two exceptional technologies—DroneSense and MatrixSpace—is a game-changer,” said Chief Charles L. Werner (Emeritus-RET), Director of DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance. “It delivers critical situational awareness to real-time crime centers, fusion centers, and command staff through a single mission platform.”
As more public agencies, regional consortiums, and critical infrastructure providers turn to drones for real-time intelligence, the integration of ground-based radar is essential to scaling safe and effective BVLOS operations.
“DroneSense is leading the charge in advancing operational best practices and technology for public safety,” said Lori DeMatteis, Chief Revenue Officer at MatrixSpace. “Together, we’re delivering a turnkey radar and software solution that supports next-generation airspace awareness, including nighttime and low-visibility BVLOS operations.”
10 Jul 25. Metis wins contract to supply Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO ally. Metis, specialists in providing innovative technologies to detect a wide range of Radio Frequency (RF) threats across diverse sectors, has won a contract to supply a number of Skyperion drone detection systems to a NATO customer to provide the drone detect function as part of an integrated Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capability. This purchase bolsters the customer’s current capabilities helping safeguard their airspace, key installations and critical infrastructure against the threats posed by rogue drones and is the fourth NATO ally to purchase Skyperion. Due to the sensitive nature of the capability, and to maintain operational advantage, it is not possible to disclose the customer or quantity purchased. However, there are now over 80 Skyperion systems in operation with NATO partners, or deployed supporting their national security interests, in current operations globally. Metis has its roots in sophisticated signals intelligence gathering technology development and operational experience, which more recently has been increasingly focused on countering the rising asymmetric drone threat. For over 10 years, Metis has been at the forefront of C-UAS RF detection capability development, having originally received government backed research funding to help develop their innovative RF detection technologies, including Skyperion. The Skyperion product range captures RF emissions of varying strengths across the spectrum, filtering out background noise and known entities before rapidly analysing them to identify and locate potential threats. Metis is an ideal choice for the RF drone detect component because not only do they produce technically superior RF detect products, but they also design and manufacture modular systems with an open architecture, enabling seamless integration with other electronic warfare capabilities and systems. This allows sovereign nations, large primes or systems integrators to easily incorporate Metis products with other best in class technologies, to deliver world leading detection, tracking, identification and defeat of rogue drones.
Unlike many systems, Metis has combined an Open ESM AI enhanced waveform analysis algorithm with a more traditional library database to deliver a self-learning comprehensive RF detect function across a vast array of frequencies. The system can detect a drone signature out to 2.5km and depending on the target, environment and other factors successfully identify a rogue drone out to 10km. The customer will be using these systems in a fixed site role, but the Metis Skyperion Rugged version can be easily transported in its military grade rugged cases, can operate in a mobile role if required and is designed and constructed to survive in the most austere of conditions.
Tony Burnell, CEO of Metis said: “I am extremely proud of the unique RF detect capabilities we field. The ability of our products to detect RF signatures beyond that of our competitors has been proven operationally and during various trials with reassuring regularity. We are very pleased to again have been selected by a major prime to deliver the drone detect function and are proud to be supporting a NATO partner nation with enhanced security. Looking to the future, our diverse capabilities have much greater utility beyond just drone detection and because we maintain an agnostic open architecture, seek to be the provider of choice for RF detection across defence and government organisations globally.“
10 Jul 25. Estonia’s Marduk Participates in Swedish C-UAS Demonstration. Marduk Technologies took part in the recent Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) demonstration held on Gotland as part of the GUTE project. This event, operated by FMV and Swedish Armed Forces, brought together Swedish and international industry partners to test and evaluate modular solutions against drone threats in operational conditions. As part of the demonstration, Marduk’s SHARK system was fully integrated into the sensor-effector chain. SHARK provided real-time passive detection, classification and high-precision targeting information of aerial threats for the integrated systems. Marduk has worked for several months with FMV, Swedish industry partners, and end-user representatives on system integration efforts within the GUTE project. This process focused on ensuring the seamless deployment and operational readiness of the SHARK system ahead of the demonstration. The GUTE project underlines the Sweden’s commitment to fielding flexible, mobile, and rapidly deployable counter-drone solutions.
“At Marduk Technologies we are proud to see SHARK performing alongside world-class systems in one of Europe’s most advanced C-UAS solutions,” said Leet Rauno Lember, COO at Marduk Technologies. “This demonstration is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and a proof of how passive electro-optical targeting strengthens a layered defense against complex aerial threats.” (Source: UAS VISION)
08 Jul 25. Robotican, a leading Israeli pioneer in the development of autonomous robotic and drone technologies, proudly announces the successful delivery of dozens of ROOSTER hybrid drone systems to European special operations forces, intervention units, and infantry teams. These deliveries represent a significant operational milestone for Robotican’s flagship system. Building on this momentum, the ROOSTER has recently secured official NATO registration, reinforcing its status as a trusted solution that meets the requirements and standards of NATO military forces. The ROOSTER is a compact, hybrid tactical drone that merges aerial agility with robotic ground mobility, making it uniquely suited for indoor, subterranean, and GPS-denied environments. Its ability to rapidly shift between flying and rolling allows for energy-efficient operation in complex and confined spaces. The integrated protective cage enables a unique robotic rolling capability, allowing the ROOSTER to maneuver across challenging terrains and access confined areas that are inaccessible to conventional drones. The system is capable of extended missions, with a typical 90 minutes of overall active operation and up to 5 hours in standby mode. It features robust MESH communication that enables up to three ROOSTER units to work together as a team—even in environments with no external communication. The Rooster is equipped with a built-in day/night IR sensitivity camera and visible/IR illuminators. Designed for flexibility, the ROOSTER supports a range of swappable sensor payloads, including thermal imager, oxygen and radiation detectors. These capabilities make it ideal for a wide range of missions, including tactical reconnaissance, urban search & rescue, hazardous materials response and industrial safety inspections. Lightweight, rugged, and operable by a single user, the system can be deployed quickly from a tactical backpack, offering forces immediate situational awareness with minimal exposure.
“The ROOSTER was developed as a strategic response to the growing need for precise intelligence in challenging environments where access is limited and situational awareness is critical” said Hagai Balshai, CEO of Robotican. “By enabling forces to gather critical data before operational breach, it significantly reduces risk and enhances mission planning. Its adoption by the Israeli Ministry of Defense and Home Front Command, alongside elite European & US
Special Operation Forcess, reflects its field-proven value. NATO registration further positions the ROOSTER as a trusted asset for allied operations in the modern battlespace.”
09 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that Taiwan unveils ‘Overkill’ suicide drone, inspired by Ukraine. Taiwan has successfully completed trials of a new indigenous suicide drone named Overkill, a first-person view loitering munition designed to enhance the island’s defenses amid mounting threats from China. Modeled on battlefield innovations seen in Ukraine’s war against Russia, the Overkill drone has passed combat certification and is set to enter production. The drone was developed jointly by Thunder Tiger, a Taiwanese robotics firm, and the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), with advanced artificial intelligence and optics systems provided by Auterion, a Swiss-American drone software company. The same technology suite has helped Ukrainian forces target and destroy Russian tanks, armored vehicles, and other high-value assets.
“The lessons learned from the war in Ukraine are definitely applicable to a potential conflict with China,” said Auterion CEO Lorenz Meier. “The drone will easily destroy a Chinese warship if it lacks air defense.”
The Overkill drone is designed for precision strikes and is piloted in real time by an operator using FPV controls. Its integration of Auterion’s AI-driven software and high-performance camera systems marks a technological leap for Taiwan’s growing drone arsenal.
Thunder Tiger has secured licenses to install Auterion’s software on 25,000 drones, with plans to scale production and earmark some for export. Taiwan is also preparing a dedicated drone procurement budget, which officials plan to submit to the legislature later this year.
The launch of Overkill highlights Taiwan’s urgent drive to reduce its reliance on Chinese-manufactured drone components. Taiwan is seeking closer ties with American and European defense firms and positioning itself as a supplier of non-Chinese drone technology to Southeast Asia, where countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Indonesia are increasingly wary of Chinese surveillance and hardware. Taiwan’s drone development program began in earnest three years ago. While early production goals fell short, recent breakthroughs like Overkill point to meaningful progress and growing industrial capacity. Taiwan has already experimented with naval drones, drawing on Ukrainian tactics. On June 3, Ukraine’s Security Service conducted a high-profile maritime drone attack on the Kerch Bridge, a move that reportedly influenced some of Taiwan’s recent naval drone trials. Overkill’s successful debut signals Taiwan’s determination to rapidly adapt modern drone warfare to its own defense posture. With cross-strait tensions continuing to rise and the PLA Navy’s presence expanding, Taiwan’s military is betting on drones to provide an asymmetric edge. https://cuashub.com/en/content/taiwan-unveils-overkill-suicide-drone-inspired-by-ukraine/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
09 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that Multiple drones downed over The Hague during NATO summit. Dutch military personnel shot down multiple drones over The Hague as part of a wide-ranging security operation during the NATO summit, the Ministry of Defense confirmed Friday. While the summit itself took place indoors, much of the security effort was focused outside, where military forces operated alongside police units to secure the surrounding area. According to the Ministry, soldiers “neutralized countless drones” as part of ongoing airspace monitoring and defense.
“With, among other things, anti-drone operations, the military kept the airspace safe. And that was necessary, ” the Ministry stated in the press release.
The Ministry highlighted the role of the military’s Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battery, which was tasked with early detection, identification and potential neutralization of drones. The unit operated with a range of sensors, including specialized infrared viewers and Squire radar systems. Some of the equipment used had been acquired on short notice specifically to support the summit.
State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman and The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen visited the counter-UAS team near the Peace Palace, where they received a briefing and observed the system in operation.
“It is good to see, together with the mayor, how this unit operates,” said Tuinman, describing the air defense capability as “unique” and of significant importance.
The Ministry of Defense did not specify the number or type of drones neutralized, nor did it comment on their origin or intent. https://cuashub.com/en/content/multiple-drones-downed-over-the-hague-during-nato-summit/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
08 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that Pentagon’s FY2026 budget emphasizes unmanned systems and C-UAS investments. The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2026 budget request places strong emphasis on near-term investments in unmanned systems and C-UAS technologies, according to senior defense and military officials.
“This historic defense budget prioritizes strengthening homeland security, deterring Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific [region], revitalizing the defense industrial base, and maintaining our commitment to being good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” a senior defense official said.
While detailed budget documents are still being released, officials offered early insights during an off-camera press briefing on Thursday. A senior defense official highlighted a notable structural change in the budget: “This is the first year we’ve designated a dedicated section for autonomy. The request totals $13.4 bn for autonomy and autonomous systems.”
Specifically, the Army is proposing a total of $1.7bn in flexible funding across three key domains: UAS, C-UAS, and electronic warfare (EW). This includes $79 m to rapidly acquire ready-to-deploy EW capabilities, $693 m for counter-drone systems, and $959 m to support a range of drone platforms. Furthermore, it is requesting $729m to accelerate the procurement of Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) vehicles and is also planning to intensify the work in enhancing the integration of counter-UAS capabilities within maneuver platoons. These funding increases come as the U.S. military faces mounting challenges in integrating and defending against rapidly evolving drone threats – systems that are often far cheaper to produce than the high-cost missiles used to intercept them. The overall budget also includes a $3.1bn allocation across military branches specifically for counter-UAS capabilities. The request marks a 13.4% increase over the fiscal year 2025 budget and includes $848.3 bn in discretionary spending, along with $113.3bn in mandatory funding allocated through congressional reconciliation. https://cuashub.com/en/content/pentagons-fy2026-budget-emphasizes-unmanned-systems-and-c-uas-investments/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
08 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that U.S. Congress raises alarm over drone incursions at U.S. military sites. A sharp rise in unauthorized drone flights near U.S. military sites has prompted renewed scrutiny from lawmakers on Capitol Hill. In letters sent on June 26 to the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Transportation, the House Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs highlighted more than 350 drone incursions reported across over 100 military installations in 2024. One case, involving a drone that loitered near Langley Air Force Base for 17 consecutive days, was cited as evidence of “coordinated intelligence gathering.”
Challenges: Autonomy and Obscurity
Many recent incursions have involved drones equipped with AI-driven navigation and minimal RF signatures, complicating detection and attribution. The Subcommittee noted that such systems challenge existing response protocols designed for slower, human-controlled aircraft.
“The current legal and regulatory structure was designed for manned aircraft, not autonomous drones,” lawmakers wrote. The growing use of commercially available platforms for surveillance further exacerbates the challenge of differentiating between consumer tech and adversarial reconnaissance.
Legal Uncertainty, Uneven Response
Under current law, base commanders must determine “hostile intent” before acting, an increasingly untenable requirement in fast-moving airspace. Coordination among federal and local agencies was described as fragmented, reactive, and inconsistently applied, exacerbating what is already a nation-wide challenge. Some reported incursions targeted sites tied to critical infrastructure and sensitive testing programs, highlighting the urgency of the issue and need for timely and effective mitigation.
Request for Accountability
The Subcommittee requested a full account of policies, interagency memoranda, incident reports, and internal assessments since January 2022. Agencies were also asked to identify installations operating under Title 10, Section 130(i), which authorizes direct counter-drone action.
Next Steps
With no formal response yet issued by the Department of Defense, lawmakers signalled their intent to pursue legislative and budgetary action to address the current shortfalls.
“Without decisive reform,” the letters concluded, “America’s most sensitive military assets remain exposed.”
U.S. Congress raises alarm over drone incursions at U.S. military sites
(Source: https://cuashub.com/)
08 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that 5 C-UAS lessons from Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb. Operation Spiderweb has shattered long-held assumptions about what drones can do—and how far they can reach. Ukraine’s audacious strikes deep inside Russian territory exposed critical blind spots in traditional counter-UAS strategies. Ukraine weaved together months of covert logistics, telecom exploitation and ground infiltration to strike targets thousands of kilometers from the front. This evolution will force defenders to rethink every layer of their air defenses, from human intelligence and cargo screening to telecom monitoring and point-defense systems. The Spiderweb attacks mark a new era of drone warfare, one where distance offers no safety, civilian networks become weapons and threats can emerge from trucks parked meters from bn-dollar assets. We take a look at five counter-UAS lessons the world has learned from Operation Spiderweb.
- Counter-intelligence is now a core component of counter-UAS
The Spiderweb strikes were not a simple set of random raids. They were the culmination of 18 months of clandestine planning, smuggling drones and payloads deep into Russian territory before launch.
As Institut Montaigne observed, this “reveals the current dominance of Ukrainian counter-intelligence” over its adversary.
In practice, that means traditional counter-UAS defenses (radars, jammers, guns) are not enough on their own. Security services must also prioritize human intelligence and counter-espionage to detect hidden UAS networks and supply chains before they strike.
Effective counter-UAS now requires guarding against long-term infiltration and routinely hunting for secret drone caches or sleeper networks just as much as it requires radar detection.
- Telecom networks offer a new attack surface
The Spiderweb drones were not flown in via typical operator control links, they essentially functioned as mobile phones. As the U.S. think tank CSIS notes, each FPV strike drone was “remotely controlled through Russian mobile telecommunications networks, including 4G and LTE”.
In effect, civilian telecom infrastructure became part of Ukraine’s targeting chain. This means adversaries can exploit commercial networks, or even local Wi-Fi/5G, to pilot drones from extreme distances.
Defenders will need to deny or harden those networks. Counter-UAS plans should include monitoring or jamming suspect cell/LTE signals near sensitive sites, enforcing strict communications encryption and working with telecoms organizations to flag unusual drone-related traffic.
The border between cyber/telecom security and physical air defense is blurring. Attackers can weaponize any data link, so defenders must secure them as vigorously as they secure airspace.
- Distance is no longer a defense
Before Operation Spiderweb, bases 2,000 – 4,000 km behind the frontlines were thought safe by virtue of distance. This is no longer the case.
The Strikes hit both Olenya, ~2,000 km from Ukraine, and Belaya, ~4,000 km away, demonstrating that geographic depth alone will not protect high-value assets.
Many modern UAS have reliable autopilot (e.g. open-source ArduPilot) and can recover GPS dropout by dead reckoning, while LTE/satellite links allow pilots to guide them from thousands of kilometers away.
In practice, even remote bases or ships at sea can now be reached by low-cost drones. Defenders must assume that any point on the map is potentially within range. This drives the need for persistent, multi-layered surveillance including radars, acoustics and cameras, not just at the border, but around every asset.
- UAS threat vectors have expanded beyond the sky
Defenders conventionally focus on airborne threats, but Spiderweb showed that UAS threats can arrive along roads among civilian traffic. The Ukrainian drones never flew across the front line, they were smuggled in by truck and assembled in rented warehouses.
According to security service reports, dozens of drones were hidden inside cargo containers, then placed on trucks and driven near target airfields. At the pre-planned time a remote mechanism opened the container roofs and the drones flew out right next to their targets.
This tactic bypassed most radar and standoff defenses entirely. The key takeaway is that attackers can exploit any vector, including containers, trucks, ships or even trains, to position UAS deep inside a theater.
To be entirely comprehensive, counter-UAS planning must therefore include ground-based countermeasures, screening inbound cargo and vehicles, interdicting clandestine logistics networks and using intel to patrol routes.
In short, protect “the last mile” of the threat chain. If a hostile drone can be driven or smuggled in nearby, it can strike almost unimpeded once launched.
- Traditional air defenses are not equipped for close-range drone threats
Conventional anti-air systems simply aren’t optimized for tiny, close-proximity drones. In the Spider Web attacks, the drones were launched from just outside the airfields, often meters away, making them virtually invisible to systems like the Pantsir or S-300, which are tuned for jets and missiles.
CSIS reports that “Pantsir and S-300 units” failed to detect or engage the low-flying quadcopters launched from cargo trucks nearby. In effect, the enemy slipped inside the ring of traditional air defenses. For defenders, this means even a modern air-defense battery is insufficient against swarming, ground-level threats.
Solutions require dedicated short-range counters such as small radar/optical sensors, quick-reaction drones or anti-drone missiles, acoustic gunfire locator systems or even handheld jammers.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/5-c-uas-lessons-from-ukraines-operation-spiderweb/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
03 Jul 25. Researchers propose changes to conventional radar approach for C-UAS operations. A new paper by researchers at Wuhan University in China explores recent advancements in radar systems for drone detection, focusing on two key challenges: extracting weak signals and reliably recognising small drone echoes.
“Traditional approaches often employ multi-layered sensor architectures–combining radars at various frequency bands with EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) sensors–based on the assumption that a single radar cannot effectively address these issues,” the paper states. “In contrast, we argue that an effective drone detection radar should function as a comprehensive WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) platform, offering 24/7 autonomous operation, long detection range, real-time responsiveness, and robust recognition capabilities.”
To achieve this, the team, led by Jiangkun Gong, Jun Yan and Deren Li, proposes a reconfiguration of the conventional radar signal processing chain, reducing dependence on track-based recognition. The paper includes a case study demonstrating the practical viability of this approach. The team says this study shows that “a single radar, equipped with track-free Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) technology, can deliver long-range detection, real-time performance and reliable classification of small drones”. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
01 Jul 25. Frontex announces shortlist for C-UAS contest and details of Phase 2. Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency, has selected five companies advancing to Phase 2 of its Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Prize Contest, which Unmanned Airspace reported on earlier this year. Frontex said that Adevex Soluciones, Dat-Con, Hertz Systems, MBDA France and Nordic Air Defence were selected for their “exceptional technical proposals” submitted in Phase 1. “Their proposals showed technical maturity (minimum TRL 7), alignment with European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) operational needs, and readiness for deployment in live trials.” Each finalist is awarded EUR 20,000 for their submission.
“Out of all the applications submitted, 10 high-quality technical proposals met the predefined eligibility, exclusion, and admissibility criteria, and underwent a merit-based evaluation by Frontex’s Evaluation Committee,” the agency said on June 30. “All the evaluated proposals possessed significant potential to address the capability gap in neutralising unauthorised UAS threats, such as illicit surveillance and smuggling, thereby enhancing secure and effective EU external border protection.”
In Phase 2, scheduled for October 2025, the top five finalists will compete in live operational trials, lasting three – four weeks, at a designated test site in Europe. These trials will assess the performance, effectiveness, and reliability of their technologies against simulated UAS threats, including off-the-shelf and custom-made UAS. This phase will conclude with a two-day workshop, where finalists will present their solutions to EBCG authorities, EU Member State representatives and other stakeholders. The winners of Phase 2 will be announced in November 2025, with prizes ranging from EUR 100,000 to EUR 270,000. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
08 Jul 25. In light of the ongoing tense global political situation – from Russia’s war against Ukraine to rising tensions in the Middle East – the NATO summit held on June 24–25 in The Hague held special geopolitical significance. In response, the host country, the Netherlands, launched the most extensive security operation in its history under the codename “Orange Shield.” Nearly half of the national police force, along with more than 10,000 military and emergency personnel, were deployed. Also on site: drone detection and defence specialists from AARONIA AG.
Airspace Fully Closed to Civilian Drones
To protect heads of state and government, the Netherlands Civil Aviation Authority issued a temporary flight restriction:
- Within a 16 km radius of the World Forum in The Hague, all flights—including drones—were banned from June 23 at 3:00 p.m. until June 25 at 11:59 p.m.
- In the extended 93 km radius, only manned and unmanned systems with special government authorization were permitted to fly. Violations were met with substantial fines and the confiscation of aircraft.
Multiple AARTOS X9 Systems in 360° Operation
To effectively counter potential drone threats, Dutch security forces deployed a squadron of AARONIA’s AARTOS X9 systems for the first time in the Netherlands. In addition to stationary sensor points, a fully integrated mobile shelter solution based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog was used. This autonomous unit combines radar, RF direction finding, EO/IR cameras, and jammers into a single system that can be deployed in under five minutes.
The networked X9 systems provided seamless 360° surveillance over several kilometers through passive 3D RF direction finding, active radar, and optical verification, delivering real-time data on both suspicious drones and the locations of their pilots. This technology had already proven itself during the G20 Summit 2024 in Rio.
Knowledge Transfer and On-Site Operational Support
Experts from AARONIA trained the Dutch Armed Forces ahead of the summit on how to operate the AARTOS system, including the RTSA Suite PRO software, which played a key role in building a comprehensive situational awareness. During the event, AARONIA specialists remained on-site and available around the clock as technical advisors.
Due to confidentiality, authorities have not disclosed details regarding specific drone incidents; however, all detected objects were identified and neutralized at an early stage, ensuring that there was never any threat to the delegations.
“A mission like this is always both an honour and a challenge for us. I would like to expressly thank the Dutch security authorities for their trust and the excellent cooperation on the ground,”
says Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of Aaronia GmbH Austria, who led the deployment on-site.
ABOUT AARTOS
With more than 650 installations, AARTOS is the world’s most successful counter-drone system. In operation since 2015, the system—now available in its 6th generation—is continuously being developed to remain at the cutting edge of technology. As a result, AARTOS provides optimal protection for critical infrastructure against unauthorized drone activity.
ABOUT AARONIA
Founded in 2003, AARONIA AG is an internationally renowned high-tech company specializing in measurement, localization, and monitoring technology. Thanks to our expertise, innovative products, and numerous international patents, we offer high-performance and intelligent drone detection and defense systems with exceptional range, precision, and reliability. AARONIA AG develops, manufactures, tests, and calibrates all products exclusively in Germany.
07 Jul 25. Ukraine codifies domestic pump-action shotguns for use against kamikaze drones. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has codified a number of new domestically manufactured infantry weapons. These include three domestically produced modifications of 12-gauge smoothbore pump-action shotguns which have been approved for operational use in the military. Pump-action shotguns have demonstrated their effectiveness during the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a countermeasure against enemy kamikaze drones. The Ministry of Defence says they are particularly suitable for infantry operating in dense urban environments or narrow trench systems. The infantry arsenal has also been reinforced with a new 40 mm automatic grenade launcher developed in Ukraine as well as optical devices and ammunition. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Jul 25. MyDefence receives US$26m C-UAS order from US Army. MyDefence has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army valued at USD 26m, the largest in the company’s history. Under the contract, MyDefence will supply its counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) technologies designed to detect and track a broad spectrum of drone threats. The company manufactures a range of wearable, vehicle-mounted and perimeter systems to detect and neutralise drones. A video accompanying the new contract press release shows the company’s wearable C-UAS systems being built. The systems will be deployed across US Army operations to enhance force protection and tactical readiness. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
30 Jun 25. New York Police Department “plans to purchase C-UAS technology” The New York Post reports that the New York Police Department is planning to purchase a counter-drone system to protect the city. The article continues that Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Kaz Daughtry, said the city is in talks with Maryland-based American Robotics to buy technology that can detect, track and intercept hostile drones. American Robotics has developed the Iron Drone Raider, a portable station that can launch two or three small drones that are capable of intercepting a suspect drone and firing a lightweight mesh net at it, entangling its rotors and preventing it from flying. A parachute is then activated, bringing the drone down safely. The drones would be launched from wherever cops are patrolling, and piloted remotely from One Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan, the article says. To deploy the system in New York, restrictions that ban local jurisdictions from taking down drones would need to be lifted, but Daughtry told the New York Post that the Trump administration is “open to it”. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
07 Jul 25. CSIR develops new ground-based surveillance radar.
The CSIR’s new Ground-based Surveillance and Classification Radar.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed a new radar system for ground-based detection, which can be deployed on its Meerkat wide area surveillance system. The Meerkat currently uses a Reutech Radar Systems RSR 904 radar but the new CSIR developed unit is more cost effective. Meerkat combines the radar with day and thermal cameras for 24-hour operation, and information analysis software that is able to detect, track and classify people entering certain areas. It can monitor up to 200 square kilometres at a time. The new Ground-based Surveillance and Classification Radar (GSCR) developed by the CSIR is able to classify targets – for example distinguishing between animals and humans, and may thus be able to operate without the Meerkat cameras that currently aid in identifying and classifying targets. The GSCR’s goal is unattended automated operation, with a game ranger, for example, obtaining a notification of an intrusion on a cell phone. The new GSCR radar uses C-band electronically-steered antenna technology for improved sensitivity and better target classification. It is available in 4 km, 7 km and 10 km variants. It was developed with support from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The CSIR is aiming the new radar at the Border Management Authority, for counter-rhino poaching, and other applications. The CSIR sees the radar, and its Tyto, Otus and RINO cameras, as building blocks potentially forming part of a larger family of surveillance radar systems for wildlife protection, border safeguarding, counter-crime on farms and in suburbs, key point security, counter air intrusion etc. The CSIR has a long history of radar development, and is working on numerous radar projects at the moment, such as a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for unmanned aerial vehicles, and has delivered a radar-based drone detection system to armasuisse (Federal Office for Defence Procurement) in Switzerland (SAMURAI: Swiss African MUltistatic RAdar Initiative). The CSIR’s most notable recent radar project is the Quadome, developed in conjunction with Hensoldt South Africa. This is the biggest local radar project in many years, and has already secured an export customer (the UK’s Royal Navy). (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
07 Jul 25. Thales contributes to strengthening Malaysian air sovereignty with two additional Ground Master 400 alpha long-range air surveillance radars.
- During the Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim’s state visit to France, Thales has received the official Letter of Award (LOA) to provide two additional Ground Master 400 alpha (GM400α) radars to reinforce the country’s situational awareness. These additional radars will bring the total number of GM400 to 4 in the country, showing Malaysia’s renewal of trust in Thales’ radar technology.
- Recognised worldwide for its technological superiority and high mobility, the GM400α has been deployed by more than 20 nations. These two radars will enhance air surveillance capabilities for the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), being able to detect all types of threats with a 515 Km range.
- Thales has been present in Malaysia for over 40 years, in both the civilian and military sectors. Malaysia was the first customer to order the GM400 radar.
Aligned with its strategy to strengthen local industrial capabilities, Thales will partner with Malaysian enterprise Weststar Group to install and deploy the radars in line with the terrain and operational requirements of the RMAF (Royal Malaysian Air Force), in Peninsular and Eastern Malaysia. Through Industrial Cooperation Programmes (ICPs), Thales will provide maintenance and support of GM400α radars throughout their lifecycle, in close proximity to the RMAF. Thales will also embark on knowledge transfer and on-ground training to build Malaysia’s future generations of radar experts. Given the multitude of threats in constant evolution, building a reliable, accurate, up-to-date Recognized Air Picture (RAP) is critical. The GM400α is an asset to armed forces for early threat detection, giving them a tactical advantage to aid decision making. Highly mobile, highly available and tactical, the radar is easy to upgrade and integrates seamlessly to existing systems. Leveraging on years of successful field experience, GaN technology and surveillance capabilities, the GM400α detects simultaneously targets from fast jets and missiles, to hovering helicopters and UAVs, flying close to the ground, hiding in the clutter near the radar. In addition, the radar maintains the highest level of mobility and availability performance on the market and today has sold more than 270 combat-proven air surveillance radars in the Ground Master (GM) family worldwide. This Letter of Award reaffirms Thales’s commitment to strengthen Malaysia’s air surveillance capabilities in addition to supporting its national agendas in Artificial Intelligence, Space and cybersecurity.
“This award is a recognition of Thales’ unparalleled radar expertise, honed through the years and on the battlefield. We are delighted to receive this award from Prime Minister Anwar on his state visit to France to commemorate the strong bilateral relations between our two countries. As a global technology leader and with our long-standing relationship with Weststar, Thales is committed to helping Malaysia build up its national defence sector.”, Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems, Thales.
04 Jul 25. Quantum Systems and Fraunhofer FHR to Integrate State-of-the-Art Radar Technology into UAVs. Quantum Systems – a leading European manufacturer of AI-powered ISR systems for defense, public safety, and industry, and the Fraunhofer-Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques (FHR), one of Europe’s leading research centers for radar and high-frequency technologies, announced their strategic partnership at the Wachtberg Forum. This collaboration marks a significant step in the development and integration of state-of-the-art high-frequency and radar components into Quantum Systems’ UAV platforms. As part of a joint research and technology study with the German Armed Forces Technical Center 81, the integration of an innovative mmW-SAR sensor (millimeter-wave synthetic aperture radar) into the Trinity Pro platform is being tested. This sensor was developed at FHR. This technology enables weather-independent, high-resolution radar imaging with synthetic aperture, thereby significantly expanding the platform’s ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) sensor capabilities. The partnership also opens possibilities for future cooperation in the areas of radar signal processing, radio detection, interference-resistant radar, and electronic countermeasures. Signature measurement and radar cross section (RCS) will also be crucial for the further development of these technologies. Quantum Systems also plans to set up a research and development office in Rheinbach near Bonn, in close proximity to Fraunhofer FHR, in order to further develop its expertise in the field of RF (radio frequency) and radar sensor technology. (Source: UAS VISION)
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