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RADAR, EO/IR, C-UAS, NIGHT VISION AND SURVEILLANCE UPDATE

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21 Jul 25. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), in close collaboration with U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command representatives, today announced the selection of ten finalists to advance in the Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Low-Cost Sensing (LCS) challenge. These selected companies, chosen against a rigorous set of criteria from 118 outstanding submissions, will move forward to demonstrate their sensor technologies during USNORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak exercise in September.

“The evolving threat from unmanned aerial systems demands that we leverage every tool at our disposal – from cutting-edge commercial solutions to robust partnerships across government and industry,” said DIU Director Doug Beck. “This challenge directly supports DOD’s strategic priorities by tapping into non-traditional defense companies to develop scalable, cost-effective sensing solutions that help our forces at home and abroad to identify threats with the speed and fidelity needed to counter them.”

The solutions selected represent a diverse range of sensor modalities, including radio frequency passive detection, active radar, acoustic, optical cameras, infrared cameras, and several mixed modality technologies. The selected approaches have the potential to deliver significant value compared to current DOD systems for key coverage areas, at a potential cost savings of 50-80 percent in total cost of ownership. The ten finalists selected are:

  • BLUEiQ
  • CHAOS 1
  • Fortem Technologies
  • Guardian RF
  • Hidden Level
  • MatrixSpace
  • REVOBEAM
  • Squarehead Technology
  • Teledyne FLIR Defense
  • Thalrix

Launched in May 2025, the LCS challenge was designed to address a critical need: to complement exquisite sensor systems with affordable, distributed sensing technologies that can scale. Protecting the homeland from small UAS threats requires broad situational awareness with reach, redundancy, and resiliency.

“These ten finalists represent the forefront of sensor innovation, demonstrating how diverse technological approaches can enhance our layered defense,” said Director of Replicator 2, David Payne. “Our collaboration with USNORTHCOM, the US Army, and other partners has been instrumental in aligning this effort with the Department’s most critical sensing needs. Ultimately, this prize challenge is about helping to provide the tools to extend cost-effective sensing capabilities to our most critical installations.”

Selected finalists now advance to live demonstration and testing at USNORTHCOM’s Falcon Peak 25.2 exercise. Falcon Peak will provide a real-world test of these low-cost sensing solutions and the prize purse will be distributed based on performance at the event.  Beyond the prize money, top performers may also be considered for follow-on opportunities, including Other Transaction (OT) agreements, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), and direct transition into operational use, accelerating the deployment of these capabilities and making the best tech available to the warfighter with the speed and scale required.

Matthew Kling, VP and GM of AI Systems at MatrixSpace, “We’re honored to be a finalist in the @DIU Low-Cost Sensing Challenge, addressing the urgent need to scale counter-UAS operations, from single sites to national borders. MatrixSpace offers the only commercially available, distributed radar network for persistent, low-altitude monitoring. Combining advanced radar processing, distributed data orchestration and sensor management, and AI-driven classification, we empower governments and enterprises to safeguard people, infrastructure, and national interests with unmatched scalability, resilience, and cost-versus-performance.” https://www.diu.mil/latest/diu-usnorthcom-us-army-announce-finalists-for-c-uas-low-cost-sensing

 

21 Jul 25. Germany launches autonomous, non-kinetic C-UAS challenge. SPRIND, the German Agency for Disruptive Innovations that finances new and emerging technologies, has launched a counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) challenge. The aim is to develop a fully autonomous C-UAS system that neutralises small and micro UAVs precisely, in real time and without collateral damage. It should be able to operate without weapons effects, external communication or human intervention. The system must be able to detect threats, clearly classify them and react appropriately to the situation with non-kinetic, reversible measures such as capturing, redirecting or blocking. The SPRIND Funke programme will launch on August 15, 2025, and will run for a total of just under four months in two phases. A jury of recognised experts will assist SPRIND in evaluating applications and select up to 20 teams to participate in the first phase. SPRIND offers full support at each stage, including financial assistance and direct access to a network of experts and potential collaboration partners. Teams can receive up to EUR 22,000 (plus VAT) for the first stage, which lasts one month. After the first stage, the jury reviews the interim results and evaluates which teams demonstrate the greatest breakthrough innovation potential. Up to ten teams reach Stage 2 and receive funding of up to EUR 30,000 (plus VAT) per team for the remaining 1.5 months. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

15 Jul 25. Workshop aims to support the growth of India-made UAS and C-UAS. With the aim of achieving self-reliance in defence technologies, India’s Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), is organising a Workshop and Exhibition on Indigenisation of Critical Components Currently Being Imported from Foreign OEMs in the Areas of UAV & C-UAS tomorrow, July 16, at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The event follows recent India-Pakistan hostilities, including Operation Sindoor, which highlighted the strategic importance and operational effectiveness of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS.  Recognising the importance of reducing the dependency on OEMs for critical UAS and C-UAS components, tomorrow’s event aims to bring together all relevant stakeholders, including defence experts, policymakers, military leaders, scientists and private industry, to develop a strategic roadmap for indigenisation. The Indian government hopes the event serves as a catalyst for innovation, knowledge sharing and long-term capability building in uncrewed systems. The workshop will feature talks by prominent experts, live demonstrations of indigenous technologies and discussions on overcoming existing challenges in domestic production. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will attend the event and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will deliver the closing address, summarising the discussions and presenting the expected outcome – a strategic policy document focused on the indigenisation of UAS and C-UAS systems and their critical subcomponents. The initiative aligns with India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or ‘self-reliant India’, which works to bolster national security, enhance defence preparedness and transform India into a global hub for advanced military technologies. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

17 Jul 25. India tests Akash Prime at high altitude. The Indian Army has successfully tested the Akash Prime aerial defence system in Ladakh, according to multiple reports from Indian media outlets today.  The Economic Times reports that the trials, held at an altitude exceeding 15,000 feet, were conducted by the Army Air Defence Corps in collaboration with senior scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation, which developed the system.

“Officials confirmed that the missile achieved two direct hits on fast-moving aerial targets in the rarified atmosphere of the high-altitude region,” the article stated.

India Today reports that Akash Prime will be inducted as part of the Army’s third and fourth Akash regiments.  The system was used in Operation Sindoor in May where it defended Pakistan-launched Turkish drones. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

18 Jul 25. US Army issues new information to tank commanders on defence against drones. The US Army has outlined new measures its tank commanders should take to defend themselves from drone attacks. The latest version of the Army’s “Tank Platoon” publication says: “The platoon should assume they are being observed by enemy reconnaissance and targeting systems, and not assume they are under a protective umbrella of friendly air and missile defense units. UAS is a key threat to the tank platoon’s ability to maneuver. While not all hostile air threats require engagement using air defense measures from air and missile defense units, there is still a requirement to detect, identify, and be prepared to counter and defeat all classes of UASs.”

The publication says tank commanders should appoint air guards to identify drone threats as early as possible.

“Air guards will perform actions such as search and scan techniques for approaching threat UASs while observing their assigned sectors. Air guards should position themselves where they can best observe and more importantly listen for threat UAS. When listening, OPs should exercise noise discipline, ensure all engines are off and remove their headgear to listen. Early warning is the key for air guards since it is their responsibility to alert the formation of any possible air threats. Reporting threat UAS activity should include an estimate of the threat location from the air guard position. The air guard reports the approximate distance, time, duration, size, estimated elevation, and direction the UAS was heading when detected.”

Once a threat is detected the platoon can adopt either “passive” or “active” counter UAS measures.

“Limiting damage and attack avoidance measures are passive defense measures that are used to avoid detection from aerial threats and limit damage if attacked. Platoons must use caution when exercising C-UAS passive measures. Platoon leaders should select positions of advantage that provide concealment for Soldiers, equipment, and unit activities.” Other defensive measures include reducing multiple sets of tracks which leave a large overhead signature, use decoys and deception to set up false locations with smoke to draw attention away from an operation or emitters and emulators to confuse collection activities, the use protective construction and overhead cover to provide damage limiting cover for friendly forces and equipment.

In terms of active defence measures, the manual says platoon leaders should establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) for disseminating WCS (weapons control status) and hostile criteria. The platoon leader should consider training forces in the following active measures: define characteristics for threat UAS (factors for defining the characteristics of threat UASs are speed, altitude, location, and heading); develop and transmit WCS (a control measure designed to establish procedures for forces using surface-to-air weapons including small arms weapons; and engaging the threat UAS with small arms using combined arms for air defence firing techniques.

For more information

https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN44282-ATP_3-20.15-000-WEB-1.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawLm9rJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmUkRQcjZKTDluTEVCcHFDAR5hh9Ax (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

18 Jul 25. SkeyDrone to secure the skies over Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix. SkeyDrone will deploy its drone detection system to safeguard the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, taking place from 25 to 27 July 2025. As one of the most popular circuits on the calendar, tens of thousands of spectators, teams and media representatives will gather for the event, and SkeyDrone will work closely with event organisers and security teams to help ensure a safe and secure race weekend.  SkeyDrone’s drone detection system delivers real-time insights into drone activity, including the drone’s model, height, speed and location, as well as the drone pilot’s position. This enables rapid threat assessment and response, helping to prevent disruptions caused by unauthorised or malicious drone flights. Given that a limited number of drones will be authorised to operate during the event, SkeyDrone’s whitelisting feature will enable the security team to distinguish between known operations and potential threats. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

18 Jul 25. French startup Harmattan develops collision-based C-UAS drone. French defence technology startup Harmattan AI, has been awarded a multi-m-US dollar contract by an undisclosed NATO government for the delivery of AI-enabled small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The systems will be delivered in mid-October.  The company, founded in April 2024, already has operations across Europe, the Middle East and the United States. While the contract announcement does not mention which Harmattan UAS is to be delivered, the company has developed, among other systems, a high-speed UAS designed for rapid interception of hostile group 1-2-3 drones. GOBI is designed to neutralise a target in approximately one minute from launch by colliding with it. Its AI models handle target recognition and tracking without external input although there is a human ‘in the loop’. Launched automatically, following a command from a surveillance system, GOBI scans the airspace for threats and navigates to its calculated interception point. As GOBI approaches the target, it enters a guidance mode and uses onboard IR and radar systems to execute an intercept. “Computer vision identifies the optimal impact point and autonomously applies final trajectory adjustments,” Harmattan says. Given its attack method, GOBI is not designed as a reusable counter-UAS system. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

18 Jul 25. NATO-backed competition tests cooperation between crisis response drones. From 6-10 July, four teams of seven researchers and professors from universities in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Austria challenged each other at the Huntsville UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) and C-UAS (Counter UAS) test range in Alabama, United States as part of a competition supported by the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme. The event, hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville, was the second of three competitions organised through the SPS-supported “SAPIENCE” initiative, which aims to demonstrate how autonomous drones that cooperate with each other may be used in crisis management scenarios.

“Expanding in scope from the first competition, which took place on 29 and 30 August 2024 in an indoor arena in London, United Kingdom, the Huntsville event required participating teams to develop autonomous drones suitable for outdoor conditions and for a scenario grounded in local conditions: the aftermath of severe storms that generated several tornadoes, which are an annual occurrence in the southeastern United States,” NATO explained.

“A flight test range simulated just such a disaster scenario, and the four university teams were assigned tasks such as damage assessments of residential communities, search and rescue for victims, and the delivery of lifesaving medical supplies. They were encouraged to perform these tasks using multiple fully autonomous drones simultaneously, thus demonstrating innovative approaches to the technical challenges of autonomous multi-platform systems.”

The third and final SAPIENCE competition will take place in 2026 in the Netherlands, where the four university teams will build on the lessons learned in London and Huntsville to complete tasks in a scenario combining indoor and outdoor conditions. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

18 Jul 25.  Denmark’s transport minister “wants to give ports, airports power to shoot down drones.” Denmark’s Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen wants to give airports and ports permission to shoot down drones that may pose a threat, according to Denmark’s DR News portal and highlighted by Skypuzzler’s Jesper Skou in a Linkedin post.

“He has sent a bill for consultation that would make it legal for certain public authorities and “infrastructure managers” to neutralize so-called uncooperative drones in areas designated as geographic drone zones,” said the DR news report, translated by google translate. “These could be, for example, airports, ports or companies responsible for operating bridges. If a drone flies that they don’t know about, and they’re already out regulating seagulls, or whatever, they can just shoot it down, says the minister.

“The bill is being well received at Copenhagen Airports. Over a longer period of time, we have experienced increasing drone activity around the airport, which can potentially disrupt air traffic, writes Kristoffer Plenge-Brandt, Operations Director at Copenhagen Airport, in a written response. Therefore, we are very satisfied that it is being looked at from a political perspective, it says.”

“At the Port of Køge, Director Thomas Kampmann also welcomes the proposal. We are looking into a situation where ports like Køge Port, which are used for military shipments, are of interest to foreign powers, he says. Today, there’s not much we can do other than call the police, and then the drone or drones are typically gone when the police arrive, he says. At the beginning of the year, the Port of Køge was severely disturbed by drones flying. It is still unknown who was behind it. They may have been from foreign powers, but perhaps also from private individuals who thought it was fun to fly in and be on the news in the evening, says Thomas Kampmann.”

According to a Linkedin commentary by Jesper Skou: “The Minister of Transport’s proposal to allow ports and airports to shoot down drones testifies to due diligence in relation to the increasing threat posed by unauthorized drone activity. Security in and around critical infrastructure must of course be the highest priority.  However, it is crucial that we implement a nationwide UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system, which by the way both Norway and Sweden are in full swing with.  With a UTM system, we can identify in real time the drones that are flying legally and registered – the so-called “cooperative drones”. Without a UTM system, it is difficult to identify the “non-cooperative” drones and we risk penalizing hobbyists and companies that operate fully legally, but are indistinguishable from the “non-cooperative” ones. At the same time, a nationwide UTM system can be the infrastructure that ensures the use of drones in national security and response.”

For more information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesper-skou-557473/

https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/minister-vil-give-havne-og-lufthavne-lov-til-nedskyde-droner (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)

 

21 Jul 25. Fundamental lethality shift for British Army spearheaded by novel targeting tech ‘ASGARD.’ British Army showcase new technology that improves the accuracy of targeting enemies and reduces decision-making time for strikes. A pioneering digital targeting web, called ASGARD, has been showcased this week, following successful trials by British soldiers deployed on NATO’s eastern flank. The project will enable soldiers to rapidly find and strike enemy targets at greater distances than ever before.   Following the Strategic Defence Review, the Army will deliver a tenfold increase in lethality over the next ten years by harnessing firepower, surveillance technology, autonomy, digital connectivity, and data – leading the way in NATO in its use of technology to change how it fights, improving speed and accuracy. ASGARD will exploit AI and novel communications networks, providing rapid targeting and decision-support to personnel.      The Ministry of Defence is committing funding for the next phase of ASGARD’s development. This will allow the Army to expedite its lethality and deepen its links with society through partnership with British industry, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change by keeping the UK secure at home and strong abroad.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP said: “We are learning the lessons from Ukraine so our frontline personnel can strike further and faster and maintain advantage over our adversaries.  ASGARD exemplifies the vision of the Strategic Defence Review, with speed and world-class capability achieved by bringing together military, Government and industry professionals with a focus on rapid frontline delivery.”

ASGARD forms part of the work to create a wider digital targeting web across the UK’s Armed Forces by 2027, backed by more than £1 bn in funding. It will better connect military weapons systems and allow battlefield decisions for targeting enemy threats to be made and executed faster.   ASGARD was showcased this week to international allies and industry partners in London, with participants shown the capability in action, including its overwhelming effect on adversaries.

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Roly Walker said:  “Project ASGARD proves we can do things differently. It’s not just a pathfinder for transformation; it’s a transformation in how we find, fund, and fight with cutting-edge capabilities. ASGARD helps double our lethality and exponentially reduces the time to see, decide, and strike. What took hours, now takes minutes. Today, the UK possesses a similar Recce-Strike system to the one used by Ukraine to maul Russian forces in the Donbas. That system now sits at the heart of our Forward Land Forces in Estonia. We are particularly proud of the collaboration between tacticians and technicians, between Defence and Industry, and the support of and to small and medium enterprises and jobs across the UK.”

Using a novel acquisition approach, ASGARD was first announced by the Defence Secretary in October 2024 and progressed at an unprecedented pace, with contracts awarded in January 2025 and a prototype capability deployed only four months later for NATO Exercise Hedgehog in Estonia. ASGARD’s capabilities were successfully tested, increasing the UK and NATO Armies’ lethality by improving targeting precision and significantly cutting decision-making time.  This quick turn-around was achieved through a collaboration between industry technicians and military tradecraft experts, bringing together a consortium of military, civil service and industry partners to deliver the best possible product in the shortest amount of time.  The Strategic Defence Review recommended a shift towards greater use of autonomy and Artificial Intelligence within the UK’s conventional forces, facilitated by a Digital Targeting Web. The next phase of ASGARD will deliver on this, focusing on enhancing the lethality at the Corps and Divisional levels as the Army’s contribution to the Defence Targeting Web. It will exploit the Digital Decision Accelerators from the Defence Commercial framework to harness the talents across a broader array of industry partners to improve core capability. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

17 Jul 25. Singapore’s military, US intelligence-gathering aircraft make Talisman Sabre debut in Australia.  For the first time, sophisticated US Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft have deployed to Australia as part of the large-scale multinational, multidomain Talisman Sabre military exercise. The exercise, codenamed Talisman Sabre, is taking place throughout northern and eastern Australia for three weeks starting from July 13. It brings together more than 35,000 military personnel from the militaries of 19 nations including that of host Australia, the US, the United Kingdom and Japan training on land, airspace and waters around Australia, according to a news release from the US Embassy in Australia. Notably, this year’s edition marks the first time a US Air Force RC-135W Rivet Joint from the 55th Wing, normally at Offut Air Force Base in Nebraska, and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon fitted with specialized ISR and communications suites, have taken part in the biennial exercise. The latter is from the Dallas-based Naval Air Systems Command-Flight Support Detachment test & evaluation unit and was photographed in Australia by locals carrying the belly mounted AN/APS-154 Advanced Airborne Sensor (AAS) multifunction radar and Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) system on top of its fuselage. According to Naval Air Systems Command, the AAS is an integrated ISR and targeting system with the additional capability of Mast and Periscope Detection for detecting submarines, while the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) describes MUOS is a narrowband, beyond line-of-sight system that can provide “10 times the throughput capacity of current narrowband SATCOM”

Justin Bronk, the Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Technology at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told Breaking Defense that both aircraft would bring exceptional Signals Intelligence and Electronic Intelligence gathering capabilities.

The P-8A also possesses anti-submarine and surface search capabilities, and excellent cross domain communications and data-sharing support to the exercise.

“It’s not surprising to see these assets taking part in Talisman Sabre given how inherently multi-domain any high-end air-led operations would need to be to be effective in the Indo-Pacific,” he added.

Another notable first participant in this year’s exercise: the Singaporean military.

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said that two of its M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers and two Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters are participating at the exercise, with its HIMARS taking part in a multinational live fire exercise with vehicles from Australia and the US on July 14. More than 100 personnel from the Southeast Asian nation will be taking part in the exercise, including from the Special Operations Task Force of the Singaporean army and Republic of Singapore Air Force Special Operations Aviation Task Group crew. The latter, flying CH-47F Chinooks, have been seen flying together with MH-47F Chinooks and MH-60L Blackhawk helicopters of the US Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and Australian UH-60M helicopters in the lead up to the exercise.

Euan Graham, Senior Analyst on Defence Strategy at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said that the presence of Singaporean special forces at the exercise is noteworthy.

“Singapore has advanced military capabilities that no other partner in Southeast Asia comes close to, so for them to take part in Talisman Sabre is an opportunity for them to drill as part of a large coalition force, and at the more complex end of the activity spectrum,” he added (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)

 

23 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that Joint U.S.–German C-UAS exercise tests drone response readiness. U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Rheinland-Pfalz conducted a joint C-UAS exercise on July 16 near Miesau, Germany. The operation brought together U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and German Polizei units to test their ability to detect and respond to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) threats in a real-world scenario. The C-UAS exercise featured a DJI Phantom 4 flown by operators from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa’s Combat Training School. The drone simulated a hostile incursion, allowing teams to practice detection, signal disruption, and coordinated response procedures using current counter-UAS technologies.

“The DJI Phantom 4 is a commercially-available small UAS, making it ideal for this type of training,” said Emily Roemer, antiterrorism officer with USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.

Air Force personnel deployed signal disruptors and hijackers to neutralize the simulated threat. “This exercise showed the importance of a joint force working together to combat small UAS threats. Our procedures are sound,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Sopha, noncommissioned officer in charge of C-UAS for the 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron.

German Polizei officers were fully integrated into the drone exercise, reflecting the importance of host nation cooperation. “Host nation response during a real-world event is critical. The Army likes to train how we fight, so we knew getting host nation participation for this exercise was a must,” Roemer added.

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz police chief DJ Diallo emphasized the need for international coordination: “The lines between civilian and military airspace are increasingly blurred, demanding seamless information sharing and coordinated responses. Without robust international cooperation between Polizei and USAG Rheinland-Pfalz DES, we risk critical gaps in our ability to detect, deter, and respond to drone-related threats.” The exercise is part of the Army Transformation Initiative, the U.S. Army initiative to invest in technologies including artificial intelligence, autonomy and counter-drone systems to outpace future threats. The garrison plans to continue joint training events to improve readiness, enhance interoperability, and strengthen multinational partnerships in C-UAS operations. https://cuashub.com/en/content/joint-u-s-german-c-uas-exercise-tests-drone-response-readiness/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

18 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that India hosts UAS and counter-UAS workshop. In a push to strengthen domestic capabilities in unmanned aerial technologies, India’s Ministry of Defence hosted a workshop and exhibition today on the indigenisation of UAS and counter-UAS at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Organised by the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS), the event is part of a broader effort to reduce India’s reliance on foreign suppliers for critical defence components. The initiative comes amid growing recognition of the strategic role UAS and counter-drone technologies play in modern military operations. The workshop follows the recent India-Pakistan confrontation referred to as Operation Sindoor, where indigenous UAS and C-UAS systems were reportedly deployed for surveillance and precision targeting. Defence officials have credited these technologies with helping to minimize risk to personnel while maintaining operational effectiveness, highlighting the importance of homegrown systems in active conflict scenarios.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan inaugurated the event, stressing the importance of counter-UAS in asymmetric warfare: “Asymmetric drone warfare is making large platforms vulnerable and driving militaries to rethink the conceptual aspects of air doctrines, development of C-UAS and adaptive moves of engagement,” he said.

The workshop reportedly concluded with a valedictory address by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, to present key findings and unveil a policy roadmap to support the domestic development of UAS and C-UAS systems and subcomponents. The agenda includes technical presentations, panel discussions and live demonstrations of indigenous technologies. Discussions are expected to focus on innovation, capability development and the challenges facing India’s defence manufacturing sector, especially in areas such as sensors, propulsion, communications and electronic warfare. The workshop is part of India’s broader efforts to advance self-reliance in defence under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) initiative, with unmanned systems seen as a high-priority area due to their growing relevance across surveillance, combat and homeland security missions. https://cuashub.com/en/content/india-hosts-uas-and-counter-uas-workshop/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

23 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that ROKETSAN and FNSS announce ALKA-KAPLAN hybrid mobile C-UAS system. Turkish defense firms ROKETSAN and FNSS have announced the integration of the ALKA Directed Energy Weapon System (ALKA DEWS) into the KAPLAN HYBRID vehicle platform, creating a mobile armored anti-drone system. The combined platform, known as ALKA-KAPLAN, will be presented at the upcoming IDEF 2025 defense industry exhibition. The ALKA DEWS is designed to detect and neutralize a range of aerial threats, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing mini/micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions. The system features a two-layered defense mechanism: an electromagnetic jamming weapon for soft-kill capabilities and a laser weapon for hard-kill engagements. It is capable of addressing threats such as swarm UAVs, loitering munitions, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), including those placed in urban environments or along roadways. The KAPLAN HYBRID Powerpack, which began development in 2021 and was first demonstrated at IDEF 2023, is a hybrid propulsion system designed for tracked vehicles. It has completed mobility and verification testing and is now configured for operational deployment. The system is engineered to support high-energy weapons like ALKA without requiring an additional power unit. A diesel generator, developed by FNSS, supplies high-voltage power for both vehicle propulsion and mission systems, enhancing operational range by over 10% when not in active use. The ALKA-KAPLAN system is designed to be adaptable across various deployment scenarios – fixed, portable, or mobile – and can be integrated with a range of platforms. It supports multiple laser power levels, sensor configurations (including radar and electro-optical systems), and advanced targeting technologies. The system also includes artificial intelligence-supported detection and tracking algorithms and user-friendly interfaces. https://cuashub.com/en/content/roketsan-and-fnss-announce-alka-kaplan-hybrid-mobile-c-uas-system/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

18 Jul 25. Cuashub.com said today that. DRONERESPONDERS launches national public safety drone training program. The non-profit group AIRT, known for its DRONERESPONDERS initiative supporting drone use in public safety, has announced a new nationwide training program aimed at improving the management and sustainability of UAS programs within emergency services. The initiative, titled UNITE (UAS National Initiative for Training and Education), was launched in response to findings from AIRT’s 2025 Government and Public Safety Sector Survey, which gathered input from nearly 900 participants. The survey revealed widespread concerns over training limitations, staffing challenges and a lack of long-term planning among public safety UAS programs. A key issue highlighted in the survey is that 91 percent of public safety drone pilots hold collateral responsibilities, meaning drone operations are not their primary role. This dual-duty structure has created operational stress and raised concerns about program sustainability.

Other findings include:

  • Only 26 percent of agencies are satisfied with their ability to train remote pilots internally.
  • Just 18 percent expressed strong satisfaction with access to external training providers.
  • A mere 31 percent of agencies have implemented formal succession plans for drone operators.
  • More than 76 percent said their agency would benefit from additional training focused on UAS program management.

To address these gaps, UNITE will offer three structured learning paths:

  1. Online Training – Starting with a “UAS Leadership Series” focused on developing management skills for current and future program leaders.
  2. Regional Workshops – Hands-on, multi-agency training events across the U.S.
  3. Custom Training – Tailored courses to meet the specific needs of individual agencies.

The program will be led by Jason Day, appointed as DRONERESPONDERS’ Deputy Director for Training. Day previously led the Texas Department of Public Safety’s UAS program, one of the largest in the country.

While DRONERESPONDERS promotes the program as a much-needed solution, its broader impact will depend on adoption across diverse agencies with varying resources and needs. UNITE is expected to roll out its first online modules later this year.

DRONERESPONDERS launches national public safety drone training program

(Source: https://cuashub.com/)

 

22 Jul 25.  NATO Integrated Defence: Leonardo’s Capabilities at Formidable Shield 2025. During the Formidable Shield 2025 exercise, the Italian Navy’s Giovanni delle Bande Nere deployed Leonardo’s SADOC 4 and Dual Band Radar systems to detect and track ballistic, aerial and surface threats. As operating environments grow more complex and interconnected, validating the effectiveness of systems in multi-domain scenarios and their ability to operate cohesively and coordinated between allied naval forces is now a strategic imperative. To address this need, the At Sea Demonstration / Formidable Shield 25 (ASD/FS25) was held–a joint Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) activity planned every two years by the United States Sixth Fleet and conducted by STRIKFORNATO, a NATO command based in Lisbon. Among the protagonists of the operation was the Italian Navy, which deployed the Giovanni delle Bande Nere: the first of the MPCS/PPA (Multi-Purpose Combat Ship/PPA) Multi Mission Combat Units in “full” configuration equipped with the most advanced combat systems developed by Leonardo. During the exercise, which included a series of live-fire events, the unit successfully deployed SADOC 4, the command-and-control system with IAMD capabilities, and Dual Band Radar, an advanced radar suite designed to track ballistic, airborne (including drones and supersonic missiles) and surface threats. Market Forecasts by Region, Platform, Application, Role, and Component. Market and Technology Overview, Market Dynamics, Scenario and Opportunity Analysis, and Leading Companies SADOC 4 is the ship’s brain: a new-generation command-and-control system designed to quickly and effectively coordinate defence against air and missile threats, even the most advanced and difficult ones to intercept. Designed for today’s and tomorrow’s operational needs, SADOC 4 integrates advanced technologies based on the continuous evolution of interaction between man and machine. From the keyboard to multi-touch controls, the system revolutionises the way operators manage information and access commands, simplifying tasks and reducing decision-making times. A more intuitive and dynamic approach that improves operational readiness and makes the ship even more responsive and aware of the scenario in which it operates. The Dual Band Radar is a radar suite designed to be installed on various types of ships. It offers high performance thanks to the arrangement of its panels, which ensure complete coverage and reduce electromagnetic interference. The radar is capable of performing multiple functions simultaneously: surveillance, target tracking, missile guidance, fire support and electronic attack, operating in all directions in a coordinated and flexible manner. Thanks to the capabilities of the command-and-control system developed by Leonardo, the ship operated cohesively and effectively with NATO allied forces, contributing significantly to the shared situational awareness of the naval force. Notably, the onboard radar suite detected and tracked a short-range ballistic target while maintaining tracking and disseminating the track to the point of impact at sea. The ship also acted as a Forward Observer, independently identifying medium-range ballistic missiles launched from both land and sea, and sharing data in real time via tactical links. Leonardo’s Dual Band Radar stood out for its ability to initialise tracking within seconds of launch and accurately track ballistic missiles for hundreds of kilometres, even at supersonic speeds. During the final forum of the exercise, held in the North Sea from 3 to 23 May 2025, the Italian Navy was recognised as having one of the highest levels of IAMD capability in the world, thanks to the capabilities of its sensors and the ability of SADOC 4 to operate and exchange data with the systems of the most technologically advanced units in the world, first and foremost the American ones. (Source: ASD Network)

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