Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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09 Mar 21. Blighter Showcases Innovative Multi-Mode Drone Detection Radar at Security & Policing 2021. Blighter Surveillance Systems (‘Blighter’, www.blighter.com), the British designer and manufacturer of electronic-scanning radars and surveillance solutions is featuring its range of ground-based radar systems including the recently launched A800 multi-mode drone detection radar at the Security & Policing 2021 event being held online from 9-11 March.
Blighter’s fully interactive virtual exhibit will be available for visitors to navigate online.
Security & Policing 2021 is the official UK Government global security event and is hosted by the Home Office Joint Security and Resilience Centre (‘JSaRC’, www.jsarc.org).
Blighter’s A800 3D radar (www.blighter.com/a800) offers an innovative solution to threat detection, harnessing the multi-mode simultaneous land, air and sea surveillance capability of large-scale radar systems, and packaging it into a smaller, more accessible radar with a maximum range of 20 km. The A800 multi-mode drone detection radar is ideally suited to border and perimeter surveillance as well as base security, particularly in the military domain and in locations where there is a requirement for scanning land, air and sea simultaneously from a single radar.
“Blighter continues to develop and extend its product range to keep at the forefront of radar capability and to meet the growing need for effective and affordable surveillance solutions to address evolving threats and counter the malicious use of drones,” said Angus Hone, Chief Executive Officer, Blighter Surveillance Systems. “Security & Policing provides an opportunity to engage with industry partners and customers and to learn more about the latest and future security challenges and threats. We are pleased to be showcasing our range of border and perimeter surveillance solutions at the event.”
Blighter radars are key sensors in border and perimeter surveillance and counter-drone applications, and are used in more than 35 countries around the world, delivering 24/7 security protection along national borders and coastlines, at military bases and for critical national infrastructure.
Current programmes include multiple territories with the US Department of Defense, in South Korea monitoring the demilitarised zone (DMZ), and in various European airports including London Stansted and London Gatwick providing wide area perimeter surveillance and detecting drone activity.
11 Mar 21. Israel Aerospace, UAE weapons maker team up on anti-drone tech. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) said on Thursday it would jointly develop an advanced drone defence system with the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned weapons maker EDGE.
Israel and the UAE formalised relations last year, brought closer by commercial interests and concern over Iran.
State-owned IAI, a major Israeli defence firm, said in a statement that the companies will develop a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System “tailored to the UAE market, with wider ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond”.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which recently stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, has in the past threatened to launch strikes on the UAE.
The UAE had been Riyadh’s main partner in the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the group, but a senior Emirati official said in February that it had ended its military involvement in Yemen last October.
The war has been in a military stalemate for years and in 2019 the UAE scaled down its presence in Yemen following attacks that year on tankers in Gulf waters, including off its shores.
The UAE already has an advanced anti-missile interception system, the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defences (THAAD).
EDGE, tasked with supplying advanced weapons to the UAE armed forces, is focused on developing drones, unmanned vehicles, smart weapons and electronic warfare equipment rather than conventional weaponry. (Source: Reuters)
10 Mar 21. Collins wins IDIQ contract for USAF’s Fast-Jet reconnaissance pod. Raytheon Technologies unit Collins Aerospace has received an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) modification contract.
Raytheon Technologies unit Collins Aerospace has received an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) modification contract.
The contract has been awarded by the US Air Force (USAF) for its new Fast-Jet reconnaissance pod, dubbed ‘MS-110 Multispectral Airborne Reconnaissance system’.
According to Collins Aerospace, the newer MS-110 sensor is an advancement in airborne reconnaissance capability.
It provides next-generation capabilities that are claimed to be ‘unmatched’ by targeting pods or sensors equipped inside the aircraft body.
These capabilities include achieving high-resolution imagery at long / stand-off range in scenarios such as peacetime cross-border surveillance or high-threat wartime.
The MS-110 sensor also provides advanced multispectral imagery to detect targets with a higher degree of confidence or even in poor weather conditions.
Other capabilities include wide-area coverage in high resolution, flexible planning / re-tasking for real-time changes in dynamic operational situations by aircrew.
Furthermore, the sensor comes with SCi-Toolset, a software suite that helps end-users extract critical intelligence from the MS-110’s imagery.
Collins Aerospace ISR and Space Solutions vice-president and general manager Kevin Raftery said: “The combination of spatial and spectral resolution modalities provides customers with an exponential increase in intelligence gathering capabilities against challenging targets.”
(Source: airforce-technology.com)
10 Mar 21. Citadel Defense Releases TAK-based Drone Security Platform. Citadel Defense teamed with Syzygy Integration to develop a custom counter drone application for the Department of Defense and federal government agencies. The application accelerates situational awareness and coordinated responses to uncooperative drone activity around critical infrastructure, National Special Security Events (NSSE), military bases, and the border.
Working alongside government stakeholders, Citadel and Syzygy developed a Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) based counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) platform that informs security teams of unwanted drone activity and empowers authorized operators to protect their airspace.
Christopher Williams, CEO of Citadel Defense, explains,
“Combining Titan’s artificial intelligence foundation with the new TAK-based application delivers a force multiplying capability needed by resource-constrained security teams.”
Citadel is addressing a critical operational need for cost-effective, rapidly deployable, and operator-portable C-UAS solutions that work across the entire defense chain, which includes detecting the drone, classifying it, locating it, and safely neutralizing it with a low-collateral effector. The solution is rolling out to military and federal customers throughout 2021.
Titan’s mission planning application provides warfighters, federal agents, and law enforcement the ability to locate the drone, locate the pilot or safely neutralize an immediate threat when kinetic effectors are not allowed.
The solution uses secure messaging, cross-agency collaboration tools, and a cloud-based infrastructure for anytime, anywhere access.
“We are excited to have SNAP fully integrated with the Titan platform. This capability will enable real-time C-UAS intelligence and immediate mitigation of those threats from anywhere in the world. This will help first responders and government agents respond quickly and more safely,” said Wesley Mitchell, President of Syzygy. (Source: UAS VISION)
10 Mar 21. Elbit Systems Introduces AMPS NG, Extending the Capabilities of its Multi-Sensor Payload. AMPS NG integrates SWIR channel to overcome high humidity, smoke or dust. The New system is in final flight tests onboard an Unmanned Aircraft for a European Air Force. Elbit Systems unveils the next generation of its Advanced Multi-Sensor Payload System (AMPS™ NG), adding Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) technology to the existing day CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) TV sensors, and a unique highly capable dual FLIR sensor design. Packed in the widely fielded two line-replacement unit (LRU) AMPS pod, the AMPS NG offers extended capabilities in all conditions, dramatically extending observation performance in limited visibility conditions, using its SWIR channel to effectively overcome high humidity, smoke or dust. In recent flight tests that were conducted in Israel, the new system was able to produce high resolution imagery of a football game in MWIR channel from a distance of 25km and aerial target tracking of the Hermes 900 in SWIR channel from dozens of kilometers. AMPS NG is fully qualified to extreme operational conditions and is in final integration stages and flight tests onboard an Unmanned Aircraft for a European Air Force.
Similar to the legacy AMPS, the new system is optimized to enhance and increase the throughput of target intelligence production which is facilitated by autonomous navigation with an inertial system and GPS, as well as highly accurate geo-pointing and geo-location capabilities. AMPS NG is also suitable for a range of airborne intelligence Stand-off and Stand-in mission profiles and is ideal for use of both manned as well as unmanned aircraft (MALE & HALE UAS).
10 Mar 21. HENSOLDT new airborne surveillance radar passes acceptance test. PrecISR offers superior precision and simple aircraft integration. Sensor solutions specialist HENSOLDT has successfully passed the Factory Acceptance Test of its new airborne multi-mission surveillance radar PrecISR. In an online demonstration the PrecISR 1000 proved its capabilities to the customer, the provider of airborne special missions operations QinetiQ GmbH, Möchengladbach/Germany. Approximately one year ago HENSOLDT was awarded a contract to deliver one PrecISR 1000 to QinetiQ for installation in a radome underneath a Pilatus PC-12 modified to a special mission aircraft without significant modifications at the air frame. The radar data are controlled and displayed by a HENSOLDT EuroNav7 mission system which is already in operation.
PrecISR translates latest achievements in active array and digital receiver technology into a scalable high-performance sensor which can be installed aboard helicopters, UAVs and fixed-wing mission aircraft. Due to its software-defined radar modes and electronic beam steering, PrecISR can fulfil different tasks virtually at the same time. It is able to detect, track and classify thousands of objects and thus literally find the ‘needle in a haystack’. Because of its compact design and the fact that all parts are located outside of the airframe, the airborne platform integration of PrecISR is simplified significantly compared to other radars. Its superior precision and target accuracy make it the sensor of choice for surveillance of large sea and coastal areas against piracy, trafficking or illicit intrusion.
08 Mar 21. Camgian secures US Army contract to develop counter-UAS solution. Camgian Microsystems has secured a US Army contract to develop related technologies to prevent unmanned aircraft system (UAS) incursions.
Camgian Microsystems has secured a US Army contract to develop related technologies to prevent unmanned aircraft system (UAS) incursions.
The move was announced by US Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The $6.9m contract was awarded by the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Center. It requires Camgian to advance with the development of its counter-UAS solution.
It carries a two-year term, with work set to be carried out in Mississippi.
Senator Hyde-Smith said: “Unmanned aircraft system advances have had important and positive implications for our national security and other sectors of our lives. Those positives also come with new risks and dangers.
“This contract gives Camgian an important mission to improve how the army can detect, track, and stop UAS threats.
“It’s great that this technology was developed in Mississippi and could be applied to our national security capabilities.”
Founded in 2006, Camgian Microsystems focuses on delivering advanced sensing and information processing platforms.
Commenting on the contract-award, Camgian chairman and CEO Dr Gary Butler said: “We are grateful for the continued support of Senator Hyde-Smith and our congressional delegation.
“We are committed as a company to solving this critical problem for our warfighters and are leveraging advanced technologies in artificial intelligence and software to combat adversarial drone threats on the battlefield.”
Last year, a US Army research unit developed a sensor to enable small drones to detect energised power lines and avoid collisions.
The technology will help UAS adjust flight paths and navigate through electrical power lines without hitting them. (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Mar 21. Camero-Tech releases new ISR imaging platform, eyes US markets. Officials at Camero-Tech, an Israel-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) imaging services company, is eyeing opportunities in US defence and national security markets for the company’s newest land-based, ultra-wideband (UWB) micro-power ISR radar system.
Dubbed the XaverTM LR80 (XLR80) system, it is the latest addition to the company’s family of pulsed-based UWB ‘Through Wall Imaging’ systems, which also include XaverTM 100, 400, and 800. However, the XLR80’s long-range UWB imaging capability – of being able to detect live objects inside buildings or other walled structures from concealed locations upwards of 100 m away – that company officials anticipate, will attract the attention of the Pentagon and the US Armed Forces.
An early production rate system is already in use by “early customers … and we are getting some feedback” for its performance, Camero-Tech chief executive officer Amir Beeri said. “We are planning to approach the US markets, especially the military and special forces [communities] in the US, so we are just beginning.” Company officials are still working out details as to when they plan to reach out to Pentagon acquisition leaders regarding integration of the XLR80 into the US arsenal, according to Beeri, who added that “we would like to do it immediately”.
Other variants of the XaverTM product family are being deployed by military and law enforcement agencies in 50 countries, with the majority of users concentrated in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. (Source: Jane’s)
08 Mar 21. Dubai agency plans to test magnetic counter drone technology developed by Cusp Technologies.
The Dubai-based tech agency, Cusp Applied Sciences, plans to establish a demonstration area to allow assessments to take place in order to show that magnetic beams can take down drones, according to a report by newsinsidermv.
The solution is primarily based on making a ‘magnetic protection area’ to repel drones. It can be delivered from plane which might be directed remotely, or following a pre-programmed route.
The magnetic protection area can be distributed round necessary areas or buildings, forming a pyramid-like magnetic shield. The protection requires no detection devices or radars and is modular in design. It additionally works across the clock as a gatekeeper that may be switched on and off when wanted.
It is designed to create a magnetic protection to guard key infrastructure areas and protect against hostile assaults.
For more information visit: www.newsinsidermv.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Mar 21. Five US airports to evaluate unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation systems. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected five host airports to evaluate technologies and systems that could detect and mitigate potential safety risks posed by unmanned aircraft. The effort is part of the agency’s Airport Unmanned Aircraft Systems Detection and Mitigation Research programme, says an agency press release.
The FAA selected the following airports:
- Atlantic City International Airport in Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York
- Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio
- Huntsville International Airport in Huntsville, Alabama
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Seattle, Washington
These airports meet FAA requirements for diverse testing environments and represent airport operating conditions found across the United States.
The research will lead to the implementation of new technologies that will make airports safer for passengers and manned aircraft. Researchers plan to test and evaluate at least 10 technologies or systems at these airports. Testing will begin later this year and continue through 2023. It will create standards for future unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation technologies at airports around the country.
The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 requires the agency to ensure that technologies used to detect or mitigate potential risks posed by unmanned aircraft do not interfere with safe airport operations. The FAA does not support the use of counter-UAS systems by any entities other than federal departments with explicit statutory authority to use this technology, including requirements for extensive coordination with the FAA to ensure safety risks are mitigated.
For more information visit:
www.faa.gov (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
03 Mar 21. European DroneWISE project presents findings and operational information to counter drone threats. The European-funded DroneWise project to protect public spaces from terrorist attack by drone presented latest findings at a Counter-UAS workshop in early March. The event follows publication of a seven-page public document in January 2021 entitled DroneWise: First Responder Operational Briefing based on DroneWISE research. The report includes pertinent operational information and provides evidence of the threats and risks to first-responder agencies in their response to terrorist attacks on public places using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
DroneWise aims to disseminate information of direct relevance to all first-responder agencies arising from the first phase of project DroneWISE including analysis of rogue drone incidents, drone and drone detection technologies, and the terrorist UAV threat to public spaces.
The DroneWISE project is being progressed by a multi-disciplinary consortium of partners bringing forward a broad European perspective and representing law enforcement agencies, public authorities, private industry, research institutes and non-governmental organisations. The DroneWISE consortium is a unique collaboration, committed to tackling the terrorist use of UAVs which present a clear and present danger to the safety and security of public spaces across Europe.
For more information visit:
www.dronewise-project.eu (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
05 Mar 21. Rheinmetall Defence unveils upgraded mobile counter unmanned ground-based air defence system. Rheinmetall Defence has upgraded its mobile ground-based air defence system, the Skyranger 30, according to European Defence Review. The company introduced a concept demonstrator which follows the path of the Skyranger 35 and is built around the company’s 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun.
The new unit is a lighter solution, 2-2.5 tonnes versus 4-4.5 tonnes, with a new remotely controlled turret that can be fitted onto bigger armoured vehicles as well as on tracked vehicles considerably extending the number of potential platforms. The idea is to provide army units with a mobile system capable to engage fixed wing, rotary wing, Group I and II unmanned air systems, and cruise missiles, exploiting the combination of a medium calibre gun system using airburst munitions and SHORAD missiles, the limited weight of the cradle, 250 kg, of the gun, and of the overall turret allowing the integration of such missiles within the desired weight limit, says the report.
European Defence Review said Dr Moritz Vischer, Product Manager for Effectors at RAD, went through the system peculiarities, highlighting that the company did its best to generate a well-balanced system in terms of sensors and effectors, leveraging the R&D work and the deep knowledge that it has in both those fields, giving birth to an “agile, aware and effective system”. He started from the first link of the air defence chain, that is sensors allowing target detection; “The first issue is to see the target, which is not easy task when dealing with small items such as Class I UAVs. The detection sensor adopted on the Skyranger 30 is an S-band AESA multi-mission radar, five flat antennas being integrated around the turret to provide full 360° coverage,” he explained, adding that the new radar was tested in Switzerland one day prior the presentation, starting its qualification process.
The S-band provides a detection range of around 20 km, the system being optimised for small targets in order to cope with most recent threats. An active system is always a target for RF-seeking weapons, hence RAD installed on its Skyranger 30 a passive detection system, in the form of Rheinmetall’s FIRST (Fast InfraRed Search and Track) that allows surveillance without giving out the presence of the Skyranger. “This sensor is also optimised to detect pop-up targets, as the typical helicopter threat has not gone away,” Dr. Vischer points out.
The Skyranger 30 also features identification and tracking sensors including a sensor head that includes one thermal imager, one TV channel and two laser rangefinders.
(Image: Skyranger 30, Rheinmetall Defence, European Defence Review)
For more information visit:
www.rheinmetall-defence.com
www.edrmagazine.eu (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
07 Mar 21. DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) announced the release of the DroneCannon MKIITM, the next generation fixed site UAS/drone disruption device.
Following on the numerous successful deployments of the first generation DroneCannonTM around the world, the DroneCannon MKIITM is substantially lighter and more portable, with increased durability and versatility made possible through significant advancements in DroneShield’s proprietary waveform technologies, mechanical design and customised electronics.
A non-kinetic countermeasure, the DroneCannon MKIITM can disrupt UAS at significant ranges, enabling users to cover large sites with minimal installation points. Through DroneShield’s DroneSentry-C2TM software the DroneCannon MKIITM can be paired with DroneShield’s DroneSentryTM fixed site detection sensors such as the RfOne MKIITM, enabling it to disrupt UAS threats autonomously, removing the need for a “man in the loop” system.
With the capability to disrupt multiple bands simultaneously including GNSS, the DroneCannon MKIITM ensures customers are protected from commercial off-the-shelf drones as well as custom threats, now commonplace in asymmetric warfare in global conflicts. RF disruption is especially effective against “UAS swarm” attacks and wide antenna azimuth and elevation provide complete coverage from threats including drones directly above the sensor. Frequency bands can be individually activated and de-activated providing more control to the user and reducing the collateral effects of RF disruption.
Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s CEO, commented, “DroneCannon MKII, with its lighter, more compact design, ruggedness and incorporation of advanced technologies, integrates seamlessly within DroneShield’s DroneSentry C-UAS ecosystem, and with third party systems as a stand-alone effector. Its complete dome coverage area is substantially superior to the “donut” coverage of other systems on the market. DroneShield is presently delivering this product to several key customers globally, under the purchase agreements with these customers.”
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Blighter® Surveillance Systems (BSS) is a UK-based electronic-scanning radar and sensor solution provider delivering an integrated multi-sensor package to systems integrators comprising the Blighter electronic-scanning radars, cameras, thermal imagers, trackers and software solutions. Blighter radars combine patented solid-state Passive Electronic Scanning Array (PESA) technology with advanced Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) and Doppler processing to provide a robust and persistent surveillance capability. Blighter Surveillance Systems is a Plextek Group company, a leading British design house and technology innovator, and is based at Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, England.
The Blighter electronic-scanning (e-scan) FMCW Doppler ground surveillance radar (GSR) is a unique patented product that provides robust intruder detection capabilities under the most difficult terrain and weather conditions. With no mechanical moving parts and 100% solid-state design, the Blighter radar family of products are extremely reliable and robust and require no routine maintenance for five years. The Blighter radar can operate over land and water rapidly searching for intruders as small a crawling person, kayaks and even low-flying objects. In its long-range modes the Blighter radar can rapidly scan an area in excess of 3,000 km² to ensure that intruders are detected, identified and intercepted before they reach critical areas.
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