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29 Oct 25. Leonardo DRS Displays Latest Approach to C-UAS for the US Army. Leonardo DRS has revealed a new capability in its range of what it calls Maneuver Air Defense payloads. The new Air Defense Light Variant (ADLV) is based on the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) as a lighter-weight member of its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) and short-range air defence family. It comes hot on the heels of the counter-drone directed-energy Stryker armoured vehicle that the company unveiled last year at the Association of the U.S. Army’s (AUSA) main annual conference in Washington, D.C. The ADLV revealed recently at AUSA blends a different set of sensors and effectors with the Leonardo DRS RPS-42 MHR radar for detection and the EOS R400 Slinger remote weapons station equipped with electro-optical sensors, a laser designator and a 30mm cannon. APKWS laser-guided rockets and Stinger missiles in four-pack launchers make up the type’s longer-reaching effectors that can also engage traditional aircraft and other threats. The AV Titan 4 provides electronic warfare support, and a Skyview system offers passive detection of unmanned aircraft. This is all packed into an extremely mobile and supportable platform that the JLTV provides. Leonardo DRS’ Joseph Rolwes talked us through the company’s approach to the latest U.S. Army C-UAS needs, and how he sees this in-demand role evolving in the coming years/ (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)
31 Oct 25. Russia’s New Truck-Mounted Laser Weapon. At the Interpolitex 2025 exhibition in Moscow, the Shvabe optoelectronics group, part of the Rostec defense industry corporation, presented for the first time a mobile truck-mounted anti-drone laser system. This event marked a new step in the race to develop directed energy weapons between Russia and Western powers. The new laser system is designed on an off-road chassis, fully integrated with a command and control station (C2), rechargeable battery power source, and electro-optical sensors to detect, track, and destroy small UAVs such as reconnaissance drones or FPV attack UAVs/drones. According to Shvabe, the system can shoot down multiple targets in less than a minute, depending on weather conditions and target altitude. The design is unique in that it uses an air-cooled system, which is simpler than liquid cooling, allowing for weight reduction, ease of maintenance, and rapid deployment. All the hardware, from the control station to the laser, fits neatly into a truck bed that can be set up or moved in minutes. Power from rechargeable batteries allows for quiet operation, reducing thermal and acoustic signatures, making it ideal for use in urban or frontline environments. The system can coordinate with radar, acoustic sensors or radio reconnaissance equipment to receive target data, then the laser performs precise destruction. In a multi-layered air defense structure, the laser acts as the “last shield” – destroying small targets that have penetrated the layers of anti-aircraft guns and missiles. Technically, the laser beam is powerful enough to damage the drone’s sensors, wiring, or batteries, causing them to lose control and crash. The effective range of such a compact system ranges from a few hundred meters to more than 1 km, depending on weather conditions. The outstanding advantages are extremely low firing costs, no need for ammunition, and quiet operation, suitable for protecting bases, factories, or residential areas from small UAVs. However, the system is dependent on visibility conditions, as rain, fog, or dust can reduce the beam’s effectiveness. As a result, crews need to be trained to switch to kinetic weapons when the weather is bad or the target is moving too fast for the laser’s range. Compared to Western programs, the Russian project is more compact in scale. The US is testing a 50kW laser mounted on a Stryker vehicle under the DE M-SHORAD program, the UK is developing the DragonFire system, and Israel is preparing to deploy Iron Beam by 2025. While competitors use complex power and cooling systems, Shvabe has chosen a simple, portable, and economical approach, based on rechargeable batteries, air cooling, and stabilized optics. (Source: UAS VISION/MOT THE GIOI)
30 Oct 25. Target System Supports Air & C-UAS Training for British Army in the Falklands. BlueBear, a Saab company, supported the British Army’s 7 Air Defence Group during Exercise KOP SHIELD in the Falklands with its target system, extending range and enhancing Sky Sabre air defence training. BlueBear, a Saab company, provided key support for the British Army’s 7 Air Defence Group during Exercise KOP SHIELD in the Falklands. The exercise was conducted to test the reaction and command-and-control of Ground Based Air Defence systems in a demanding operational environment. Over two days and across five sorties, drone operators from 7 Air Defence Group’s Counter–Uncrewed Aerial System Training Team (7 AD Gp CTT) collaborated with the Resident Sky Sabre Battery. They utilized BlueBear’s target system to simulate a training threat for the British Forces South Atlantic Islands’ Sky Sabre system. The Sky Sabre system incorporates Saab’s Giraffe AMB radar and trained alongside the Royal Air Force’s Typhoons stationed on the Falklands as part of the same exercise. BlueBear supplied the target system along with a dedicated support team. With this expert guidance, the team successfully enhanced the capabilities of the 7 AD Gp CTT’s operators. They extended the target system’s range out over the South Atlantic, nearly doubling its usual operational range and covering over 500km during the trial.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said, “Ex KOP SHIELD was a remarkable demonstration of the capabilities of BlueBear’s target system and the expertise of our support team. Working alongside the British Army’s 7th Air Defence Group, we were able to simulate real-world scenarios to provide accurate training. This exercise underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the operational readiness of our customers.”
FLt Dan Anderson, 7 AD Gp CTT, added, “Ex KOP SHIELD showcased the capabilities of Sky Sabre, CTT and the professionalism of our personnel. We appreciate the support provided by Saab UK and the BlueBear target system, whose expertise helped us extend the distances against which we train and gain valuable insights into our systems’ capabilities.” The exercise offered valuable assurance of training in operational environments, demonstrating the effectiveness of BlueBear’s target system in various global settings, now proven across the Arctic, Europe, Middle East, and the South Atlantic. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
29 Oct 25. Allen Control Systems (ACS), a leader in autonomous precision robotics, today announced the launch of its Friend and Foe Operating System (FAFOS) for unmanned platforms. This represents the first cryptographically secure, radio-silent identification friend-or-foe (IFF) solution purpose-built for the era of drone warfare. The system provides instantaneous, secure optical identification of drones and other platforms, eliminating reliance on vulnerable radio frequency (RF) signals in contested electromagnetic environments. FAFOS leverages modulated near-infrared (NIR) or short-wave infrared (SWIR) optical signals to achieve authenticated identification in under 200 milliseconds at distances up to 2 kilometers. The system operates by emitting a unique optical pulse at a target drone equipped with onboard photodiodes. The drone receives the signal, verifies its cryptographic signature, and replies with its own secure optical flash, confirming its identity through standard public-key cryptography. In addition, FAFOS can securely command friendly drones to land or return home using the same optical link. Where traditional IFF systems rely on RF signaling technologies that are increasingly susceptible to jamming, spoofing, and detection in modern conflict zones, FAFOS is invisible to adversaries, unjammable, and operable in GPS- or comms-denied environments. With a low size, weight, and power design to ensure seamless integration across air, ground, and maritime platforms, FAFOS offers an affordable, scalable drone deconfliction solution for both military and commercial applications.
“We are delivering FAFOS at a time when the military and commercial sectors are grappling with a flood of unmanned systems from state and non-state actors,” said Mike Wior, co-founder and CEO, ACS. “The rapid identification of friend or foe in signal-contested environments and the potential for a catastrophic IFF failure is one of the most urgent and complex challenges we currently face. FAFOS enables secure identification at machine-speed, before friendly fire, a wasted interceptor, or a fatal mistake.”
ACS is building the next generation of autonomous systems to meet the demands of modern warfare. Its flagship product, Bullfrog, is an autonomous precision weapon station that enables any legacy or modern firearm to achieve precise engagements at any target and significantly increases the accuracy of existing battlefield systems. As the drone threat continues to escalate in complexity and scale, ACS continues to develop innovative, deployable technologies to close urgent capability gaps for U.S. and allied forces. With Bullfrog redefining kinetic defeat and FAFOS revolutionizing drone deconfliction, ACS is building the connective tissue of tomorrow’s autonomous defense ecosystem. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Oct 25. How Royal Navy periscopes are changing at Thales.
“We can trace our roots back to the 25th of May 1888,” said Martin Parker, who guided my visit to the Thales Optronics and Missile Electronics site in Govan.
The Optronics and Missile Electronics site in Govan, opened by the Princess Royal in 1993, continues a line of work that began in 1888 when Barr and Stroud built their first rangefinder in Ashton Lane.
“Doctors Barr and Stroud responded to an advert in Engineering Magazine for a rangefinder. They started off in Dr Barr’s bedroom, moved to a small factory in Byres Road in the West End whilst this facility was being put together in Ashton Lane.”
That heritage still shapes what Thales does today. Barr and Stroud’s optical work once equipped every Royal Navy submarine. “Every single Royal Naval submarine throughout history has had a Barr and Stroud periscope, every single one,” Parker said. “These are the big ones now in development upstairs, the Integrated Combat System Mast. That’s going to be the basis of the mast for SSN-AUKUS.”
Development of Thales’s Optronics Mast began decades ago. “At about this time when the name was changing to Thales was when the development for the CM10, which is the Optronics Mast for the Astute-class submarine, was in development,” Parker explained. “Ten million pounds of company R&D went into that.”
The next generation now being built will equip the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought-class submarines. “We’re now into non-hull-penetrating electronic masts,” Parker said. “Gone are the days of the hull-penetrating optical periscope.” He described the advantages clearly. “You don’t need a very big hole in your pressure hull. If you’ve got a hole-penetrating periscope, it’s about fifteen metres long, and that drives the design of the boat. With a non-hull-penetrating Optronics Mast like the CM10, the hole in the pressure hull is now kind of this size. Because it is an electronic connection, it means that the control room can be anywhere on the boat, rather than directly underneath the fin.” The system under development takes that idea further. “The current mast, the Astute, has got two masts,” Parker said. “One has got the thermal imaging and a visual, one has got an image intensifier and a visual. So if you lose one mast, you lose one of those capabilities. The Integrated Combat System Mast, because we’ve been able to miniaturise everything, has got day, low-light, thermal imaging and image intensifier. You’ve now got redundancy as well.” The miniaturisation that made this possible came from other parts of Thales’s work. “The miniaturisation which was required to fit all of these sensors into the Sasha package in the True Hunter has had a direct read-across into the naval system.” That same transfer of ideas runs through the company. Technologies developed for land systems reappear in naval equipment, adapted for underwater use. Parker called this one of his “four pillars” of engineering – the cross-pollination between domains. Inside the submarine, the Optronics Mast connects to digital control stations rather than an old-style ocular tube. “Instead of being attached to an ocular box, it’s now a control station,” he said. “In fact, on Astute there are two side by side, manned by specialists, so the captain can now step back and focus on driving the boat and looking at the tactical situation around the vessel.” The mast can rotate a full circle, and Thales is already developing an ultra-low-profile version. The aim is simple: smaller, quieter, harder to detect. “It’s fitted with a hydrodynamic shield to reduce the wake,” Parker explained. “Because as well as trying to keep it as small as possible to make it less detectable by radar, we don’t want it leaving a huge wake behind it when it sticks up.” Beyond its optical role, the mast also supports communications and radar detection. “The Optronics Mast provides on the top SATCOM burst transmission as soon as the mast breaks the surface,” Parker said. “It has a radar warning receiver so that it’s able to detect any radar, because submarines are most vulnerable when they’re on the surface or when they’ve got the mast up. You want it to be up for as short a time as possible.” At the top of the site sits the tower room, which opens to the outside air for testing. During the visit, a working CM10 periscope was set up for alignment, I had the rare pleasure of having a go at controlling the system, let me just tell you, the stabilisation was incredible. On a serious note, across the site, the link between air, land and sea is very clear. The Optronics Mast may be digital now, but the craft behind it remains deeply human: careful, precise and enduring. (Source: News Now/https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/)
BATTLESPACE Comment: This Feature is of particular significance to the Editor as I was a PR consultant to Pilkington Optronics from 1990-2 and had to transition the company from Barr & Stroud to Pilkington Optronics which was a particular uphill struggle given the wish of the Barr & Stroud to retain its Name and heritage!
29 Oct 25. Cuashub.com said today that Marduk Technologies and Hanwha Aerospace sign C-UAS agreement. Estonia’s Marduk Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea to collaborate on the development of counter-UAS technologies and explore broader defence research and development opportunities. The agreement was signed during the ADEX 2025 defense exhibition in Seoul.
The MoU was formalized by Leet Rauno Lember, Chief Operating Officer of Marduk Technologies, and Kim Dong Hyeon, Head of the Land Systems Business Group at Hanwha Aerospace.
Under the agreement, the two companies will cooperate on the joint development of counter-UAS technologies in Estonia and investigate additional areas of cooperation across defence innovation. Marduk Technologies will contribute its experience in passive optical detection, a capability often used within multi-layered counter-drone architectures to enhance situational awareness and improve detection of small aerial threats. The partnership marks the latest in a growing number of international collaborations between nations in the Indo-Pacific and the West. Such collaborations aim to strengthen C-UAS capabilities amid the increasing use of drones in modern warfare and asymmetric operations. For Marduk Technologies, it also represents an opportunity to deepen engagement with one of Asia’s leading defence organizatons.
“Partnering with Hanwha Aerospace, one of the largest defence primes in Asia, is an important milestone for Marduk Technologies,” Lember said. “This cooperation reflects our shared vision for advancing C-UAS capabilities and fostering innovation through international collaboration.”
Both companies said the initiative aligns with their broader efforts to develop innovative air defence technologies and to strengthen the defence industrial ties between Estonia and South Korea. https://cuashub.com/en/content/marduk-technologies-and-hanwha-aerospace-sign-c-uas-agreement/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
29 Oct 25. Cuashub.com said today that Sentrycs and Omnisys partner to enhance counter-drone mission planning. Sentrycs and Omnisys have announced a new partnership aimed at improving how defense and security forces plan and deploy sensor systems in complex operational environments. The collaboration integrates Sentrycs’ counter-drone technology, based on protocol manipulation, or “cyber over RF,” with Omnisys’ BRO-AD (Battle Resource Optimization for Air Defense) platform, which models terrain, electromagnetic conditions and operational constraints to optimize sensor placement. According to both companies, the joint solution will allow defense operators to anticipate blind spots, enhance coverage and improve the efficiency of sensor networks in multi-domain missions. The approach is designed to strengthen counter-drone performance while reducing redundant deployments and improving resource allocation.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering operationally relevant solutions that meet today’s evolving security challenges,” said Meir Avidan, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Sentrycs.
Dov Pearl, Chief Business Officer at Omnisys, said the partnership combines BRO-AD’s modeling capabilities with Sentrycs’ field-proven systems to help customers plan and execute more effective and data-driven deployments. Sentrycs specializes in protocol-based drone detection and mitigation technologies used by defense and homeland security organizations, while Omnisys focuses on mission optimization and resource planning for air and missile defense operations.
Sentrycs and Omnisys partner to enhance counter-drone mission planning
(Source: https://cuashub.com/
29 Oct 25. Kongsberg to Add C-UAS Capability to US Army’s CROWS Remote Weapon Stations. The US arm of Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is working with the US Army to integrate a counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capability into the thousands of remote weapon stations (RWSs) it has supplied under the army’s Commonly Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) programme. Over the last 20 years Kongsberg has provided around 17,000 of its Protector remote weapon stations (RWSs) to the US Army under the CROWS programme, with the army now looking at updating those systems.
“We’re in the process of working with the army to take those the legacy CROWS and replace the obsolescent components, taking analogue components and making them making the digital,”
John McGee, business development director for Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace Inc, explained to ESD at the 2025 Association of the US Army (AUSA) show on 14 October.
“So how can we take those stations that they already have and give them any additional capability? They don’t need new hardware; they already have the stations,” said McGee. “We work with sensor providers – radar is the most common kind of sensor technology – and we use our collaborative fire control to be able to tie the stations together, and we can turn every single CROWS system the army has into a counter-UAS platform.”
Using the analogy of the layers of an onion, McGee explained how successive layers of air defence protection could be built up from individual vehicles outwards, with the outer layer provided by dedicated short-range air defence assets.
“At the very core of the onion is the vehicle, or the formation,” he said. “Those vehicles already have CROWS. We can give those vehicles the ability to protect themselves and the soldiers and the formation that they’re operating in. You can start to create bubbles of centres of onions, but then … those bubbles populate. You have more and more onions, and then you have a network.”
McGee said Kongsberg is agnostic regarding the sensors required to provide the C-UAS capability, but added, “We need a radar to tell us where to look, essentially, but then our collaborative fire control enables us to engage.” The original RWSs already feature an opto-electronic targeting system, while examples of the C-UAS capability fitted on the RWSs that Kongsberg displayed at AUSA 2025 featured an Echodyne EchoShield radar, which operates in the Ku-band and can track targets beyond 10 km. Asked what kind of engagement ranges its C-UAS-enhanced RWSs could achieve, McGee explained that this was dependent on the weapon station and its effector, but that the company had gone out to 1,200 m using a .50 cal machine gun. The M153 CROWS RWS supports the M2 .50 cal machine gun, the M240B 7.62 mm medium machine gun and the M249 5.56 mm Squad Automatic Weapon, as well as the MK19 grenade machine gun. McGee noted that the company has already provided a similar capability to Ukraine. In 2023, under a multinational effort, Kongsberg added Teledyne FLIR sensors to donated RWSs to give Ukraine a C-UAS capability under the CORTEX Typhon programme. Before that, in September 2021, Kongsberg was awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity other transaction authority (OTA) production contract by the US Marine Corps to produce Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) RWSs. These are based on the company’s Protector RS6 RWS, which features a low-recoil 30 mm cannon, while the overall MADIS Mk1 system for the C-UAS mission is mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and also features Stinger missiles. (Source: UAS VISION/European Security & Defense)
29 Oct 25. Russia Converts Cessna Aircraft into Low-Cost Anti-Drone Fighters. Russia has converted light civilian aircraft into improvised drone interceptors, equipping Cessna planes with machine guns to counter Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to footage aired by Russian state TV Rossiya 1. The report showed modified Cessna aircraft outfitted with dual machine guns mounted beneath the fuselage. Inside the cockpit, targeting and sighting systems have been installed to improve the accuracy of engaging low-flying aerial targets. These adaptations are aimed at addressing the challenge of detecting and neutralizing UAVs flying autonomously at low altitudes—typically between 80 and 150 meters—where conventional air defense systems often struggle. While ground-based radars may detect such drones, destroying them typically requires missiles, artillery, or small arms fire, all of which have limited effectiveness in these scenarios. According to Rossiya 1, Russia recently formed a dedicated aviation unit named “Bars-Sarmat” tasked with intercepting long-range Ukrainian drones deep inside Russian territory. This new unit is reportedly equipped with Soviet-era Yak-18T and Yak-52 light aircraft, in addition to the modified Cessnas. Cessna aircraft are light, single- or twin-engine planes originally designed in the United States for civilian aviation, flight training, and private use. Their relatively low stall speed—typically around 50 to 65 knots (90 to 120 km/h)—and high maneuverability at low altitudes make them suitable for visually detecting and pursuing slow-moving drones. Most models feature fixed landing gear, high wings for improved visibility, and simple avionics, with a cruising speed of approximately 110 to 140 knots (200 to 260 km/h) and operational ceilings up to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). Due to their simple design and widely available components, Cessna aircraft can be easily modified for rear-area patrol missions and aerial surveillance. (Source: UAS VISION/UNITED24)
29 Oct 25. Gremsy Expands NDAA-Compliant UAV Payload Models Featuring Edge AI and Thermal by FLIR.
Teledyne FLIR OEM’s Boson®+ Thermal Camera Module Integrated into Revolutionary Spherical Drone Payloads.
Teledyne FLIR OEM, a Teledyne Technologies Incorporated company (NYSE: TDY) and the global leader in enabling thermal imaging innovation, today announced its latest Thermal by FLIR collaboration with Gremsy, a leader in professional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) payload and gimbal solutions. Through the collaboration, Gremsy is introduced its NDAA-compliant ORUS-L and Lynx payload lines, equipping drones with best-in-class aerial thermal intelligence.
“Thermal by FLIR helps position Gremsy at the forefront of drone payloads with reliable NDAA-compliant thermal camera module availability,” said Jared Faraudo, vice president, product management, Teledyne
FLIR OEM. “By integrating the size-weight-and-power (SWaP)-optimized long-wave infrared (LWIR) Boson+ camera module within the Gremsy spherical payload designs, the collaboration empowers demanding professional applications that require situational awareness day or night.”
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)-free and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant Boson+ thermal imaging camera module has recently been integrated into two new groundbreaking Gremsy products: Lynx, an ultra-compact ISR payload, and ORUS-L, a pioneering, sphereshaped payload. These represent the introduction of an innovative product series.
“Boosting innovation in uncrewed intelligence, our Lynx and Orus L payloads represent monumental achievements for our team while pushing new frontiers for our expanding spherical ecosystem,” said Huy
Pham, CTO of Gremsy. “The sphere form factor enables exceptional protection, aerodynamic efficiency, and a flexible platform for a wide range of critical applications. Our new payloads, enhanced by Teledyne FLIR OEM’s thermal imaging technology, help users better achieve their mission objectives with unprecedented insight.”
LYNX NDAA: Ultra-Compact ISR Payload
The ultra-lightweight and compact Lynx NDAA model is engineered for ultimate aerial efficiency, drastically reducing SWaP challenges on UAV platforms and translating directly into significantly longer operational times and enhanced platform versatility. Its dual thermal and visible imaging capabilities provide a critical advantage for time-sensitive public safety, drone-as-first-responder (DFR), and defense missions.
Orus-L NDAA: Pioneering Spherical Payload with AI Integration
As the vanguard of Gremsy’s spherical payload vision, the IP55-rated ORUS-L NDAA model supports flight speeds up to 100 km/h across vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing platforms. Powered by the
NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX, ORUS-L performs complex AI tasks including object detection, target lock, and autonomous tracking in real-time. Leveraging its built-in high-performance processor and Gremsy’s advanced image processing algorithm, this high-performance gimbaled solution includes an electro-optical (EO) camera, the radiometric Boson+ thermal camera module, and a laser range finder (LRF) ideal for critical inspection and public safety applications.
Thermal by FLIR is a cooperative product development and marketing program that supports original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and product innovators who use Teledyne FLIR thermal camera modules in their products. It allows integrators to get to market faster, enabling lower development costs and accelerating business growth via the world’s largest volume manufacturer of ITAR-free IR sensors and modules: Teledyne FLIR OEM.
For more information about the Thermal by FLIR program, visit: https://oem.flir.com/learn/thermal-by-flir-program/.
28 Oct 25. Rheinmetall, MBDA tout German shipborne laser gun for zapping drones. The German military has received a demonstrator for a high-energy laser weapon developed by Rheinmetall and MBDA, marking a milestone toward fielding an operational directed-energy system for naval use by 2029. The containerized laser system was relocated to the Laser Competence Centre at the Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen on Oct. 28, following a year-long trial phase aboard the German Navy frigate Sachsen, Rheinmetall said in a statement. The hand-off comes after the demonstrator completed more than 100 live-firing tests under operational maritime conditions, proving its ability to track and engage drones and other fast-moving targets. The system demonstrated what Rheinmetall described as a first for Europe: successful target engagement “in front of blue sky,” meaning without using terrain as a backstop for the laser beam. The trials validated the weapon’s tracking capability, precision and reaction speed against drones, which the companies emphasized as “one of the most pressing challenges” in modern warfare. According to a statement by the two defense contractors, the laser weapon is designed to complement conventional cannons and guided missiles, particularly for defense against drones, drone swarms, speedboats, and potentially guided missiles at close range. Future iterations could be scaled up to engage supersonic missiles, rockets, and even mortar and artillery shells, Rheinmetall said. The two German companies have collaborated on laser weapon development since 2019, with responsibilities divided between them. MBDA Germany handles target detection and tracking, the control console, and integration with command-and-control systems, while Rheinmetall oversees the aiming system, beam guidance, the high-energy laser source, and mechanical integration aboard naval platforms. The demonstrator currently operates at approximately 20 kilowatts, suitable for neutralizing small unmanned aerial vehicles and light surface targets. However, the architecture is designed to be scalable, with future versions expected to exceed 100 kilowatts for engaging larger threats. The system will now undergo further land-based drone defense testing at WTD 91, one of the largest fully instrumented ground firing ranges in Western Europe. If trials continue to meet German military requirements, procurement decisions could come within a few years, placing Germany among a small cadre of nations with operational naval laser weapons alongside the United States and Israel. (Source: Defense News)
28 Oct 25. Following the successful completion of a one-year trial phase at sea, defence contractors Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany have transferred a laser demonstrator for the Navy to the Laser Competence Centre at the Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing. This marks a major step in the development of a high-energy laser weapon system for maritime use, and highlights the strong partnership between the two German technology companies. Based on this, an operational laser weapon system could be available to the German Navy as of 2029, providing a powerful and cost-effective addition to conventional guided missiles. Thanks to WTD 91’s support during the acceptance process, the demonstrator was successfully commissioned at the Laser Competence Centre in Meppen. This represents an important step towards achieving rapid market and operational readiness for a future laser system for the Navy. The containerised demonstrator has already been successfully tested several times over the course of a year under real operational conditions at sea on board the frigate SACHSEN, proving the system’s robustness and performance. With the support of WTD 91 in Meppen, the laser container has now been put into operation for further land-based drone defence testing. The laser weapon system offers new possibilities for counter-operations against non-cooperative targets. With its ability to precisely and effectively neutralise drones and other small, fast-moving targets, it addresses one of the most pressing challenges of our time. An operational laser weapon system complements cannons and guided missiles, particularly for the defence against drones and drone swarms, as well as for attacking speedboats and, if necessary, guided missiles in the closer and immediate vicinity. In the future, it could also be equipped with greater capabilities and be used to destroy supersonic guided missiles and rockets, as well as mortar and artillery shells. Unique technologies ‘designed and made in Germany’ ensure precise target detection and tracking, based on years of expertise in optics and sensor technology. The long-standing and successful collaboration between Rheinmetall and MBDA in the field of laser weapons will ensure that this progress will be realised. Since 2019, both companies have been working closely together to develop high-energy laser effectors. The work on the system is divided nearby equally between the two companies. MBDA Germany is responsible for target detection and tracking, the control console, and connecting the laser weapon demonstrator to the command-and-control system. Rheinmetall’s responsibilities however include the aiming system, beam guidance and the demonstrator container, as well as the mechanical and electrical integration of the demonstrator on the deck of the frigate SACHSEN and, ultimately, the high-energy laser source including its peripherals. Successful tests conducted on the frigate SACHSEN proved the demonstrator’s tracking capability, effectiveness and precision under real operational conditions for the first time in Europe, also without using the landscape as beam block (‘in front of blue sky’). These tests comprised over 100 live-firing trials and significantly more tracking trials. This technology has proven its high reaction speed and accuracy in combating drones, thereby significantly enhancing the effectiveness of drone defence.
28 Oct 25. Lantronix Inc. (NASDAQ: LTRX), a global leader in compute and connectivity IoT solutions powering Edge AI applications, today announced that its NDAA/TAA-compliant solution has been selected by Sightline Intelligence, the leader in onboard video and AI vision systems, for integration into Sightline’s latest high-performance video processor for defense and commercial drone platforms. This collaboration reinforces Lantronix’s growing presence in the rapidly expanding global drone and defense technology markets, which are projected to reach $57.8 bn by 2030, according to Drone Industry Insight’s 2025-2030 Global Drone Market Report. The new solution enables real-time AI-based object detection, classification and tracking, supporting autonomous, mission-critical applications in defense and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sectors.
“Lantronix’s Edge AI technology equips Sightline with the speed, reliability and security our customers depend on for demanding drone and defense applications,” said Jon Atwood, CEO of Sightline Intelligence. “By joining forces, we’re delivering real-time video intelligence and helping our customers achieve new operational capabilities in mission-critical environments.”
“This strategic engagement with Sightline reflects our accelerating momentum in the Edge AI drone market,” said Saleel Awsare, CEO of Lantronix. “It validates our technology leadership and opens doors to long-term opportunities in both the defense and commercial sectors.”
Technology Advantage Drives Market Differentiation
Built on Lantronix’s Open-Q 7230CS and 5165RB System on Modules (SOMs), both powered by Qualcomm® Dragonwing™ processors, Sightline’s new 4100-OEM and 4100-SOM platforms are engineered for OEMs and system integrators developing next-generation drone and ISR systems.
Key advantages include:
- Edge AI Processing: Enables real-time decisions near the sensor, reducing latency while improving reliability and eliminating dependence on cloud connectivity.
- AI-Powered Object Detection: Tracks and detects vehicles, drones, people and stationary objects using adaptive, mission-specific models.
- Precision Tracking of Fast-Moving Targets. Features ultra-low latency video pipelines with telemetry latency as low as ~7 ms and “glass-to-glass” latency around ~110 ms.
- SWaP-Optimized for UAV Platforms: Offers a compact footprint (2.0” x 1.5” x 0.65”) and 5W power profile, ideal for deployment in size- and power-constrained platforms such as UAVs and gimbals.
Designed for Scalable, Mission-Critical Deployments
The Lantronix-enabled 4100-OEM delivers full HD performance with H.265 encoding, dual-channel processing and support for 4K/30, MISB/KLV standards and TAK interoperability. With multiple I/O formats, including HDMI, HDSDI and Ethernet streaming, the platform offers flexibility for deployment across a wide range of ISR and defense-grade systems.
Investor Takeaway
This design win with Sightline validates Lantronix’s differentiated Edge AI technology and expands its footprint in the defense and UAV industries drone sectors, both of which are high-growth, high-barrier-to-entry markets. As drone adoption accelerates across commercial and military domains, Lantronix is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities through its hardware and integrated compute solutions.
28 Oct 25. Cuashub.com said today that PerceptView unveils new expeditionary C-UAS systems for urban and austere environments. PerceptView launched two new C-UAS expeditionary solutions this week: the EX SUADS and TSN Shield-360. These systems are designed to support drone defense operations in the military, critical infrastructure, and commercial sectors. The EX SUADS and TSN Shield-360 are modular systems that integrate detection, identification, and tracking technologies. They are engineered to function as stand-alone units or as part of a networked, multi-node system.
Key features include:
- Four active, long-range radars
- Daylight and infrared (IR) cameras
- GNSS for rapid calibration
- Multiple sensor and effector add-ons
- Single-operator deployment in under one hour
- Transportable in ten or fewer Pelican cases
These systems are built for flexible deployment on unprepared ground, container rooftops, ladder-accessible locations, and roof hatches.
System Architecture and Compatibility
The EX SUADS configuration supports Medusa, Walaris, and CFAM classifiers and complies with government open architecture standards. The TSN Shield-360 offers similar capabilities for commercial and critical infrastructure applications, integrating PerceptView’s AwareView common operating picture and the Walaris classifier, while maintaining open-architecture compliance.
Secure Airspace Awareness and Network Integration
Both systems provide a secure, self-contained network for airspace monitoring and C-UAS operations. They can operate independently or as part of a federated network, sharing automation, classification, tracking, and video intelligence across a private infrastructure. An integrated map interface offers real-time visualization of airspace activity, along with video recording and annotation tools for incident review, intelligence sharing, or integration with external command-and-control (C2) systems.
Applications Across Sectors
The EX SUADS and TSN Shield-360 are designed for a range of operational scenarios, including border security, military training ranges and combat zones, critical infrastructure protection, and public event security According to PerceptView, the systems “bring command-level situational awareness to the tactical edge.” https://cuashub.com/en/content/perceptview-unveils-new-expeditionary-c-uas-systems-for-urban-and-austere-environments/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
28 Oct 25. ECRS Mk1 Adds Key Capabilities to Eurofighter Tranche 5. In a formal ceremony, NETMA and Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH signed the contract for 20 new Eurofighter Tranche 5 for the German Air Force. The aircraft will be equipped with the newly developed ECRS Mk1 radar (Eurofighter Common Radar System Mark 1) developed by HENSOLDT and Indra, as is already the case with the Quadriga fleet. The new radar provides Eurofighter with unique detection capabilities indispensable for the future air combat environment. ECRS Mk1 is the next-generation Eurofighter radar system that will be put into service with the German and Spanish Air Forces. Based on multi-channel AESA technology and a high-end processor, ECRS Mk1 will further enhance the capabilities of the Eurofighter. The architecture of the ECRS Mk1 has been developed to enhance the entire spectrum of combat aircraft missions, including advanced air-to-air and high-resolution air-to-ground capabilities, as well as passive and active electronic warfare capabilities. In total approximately 200 ECRS Mk1 will be delivered to the German and Spanish Air Forces. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Oct 25. Cuashub.com said today that Nocturne Drones provides airspace security for major Berlin music event. Nocturne Security & Defense (NSD) provided drone detection and airspace management at this year’s Keinemusik Summer Open Air at Berlin’s former Tempelhof Airport, an event that drew more than 60,000 attendees. The company deployed a multi-layered drone detection system incorporating multiple sensor types and a mobile control center, enabling Berlin police and private security teams to receive real-time situational data throughout the event. According to NSD, the operation formed part of a growing emphasis on integrating counter-drone measures into event security frameworks amid heightened concerns over unauthorized drone activity.
“Especially in the current security situation, the integration of a drone defense concept into the overall security concept for events is of crucial importance,” said Jens Hillenkötter, CEO of Nocturne Drones.
Hillenkötter added that the technical and regulatory complexities of airspace security, such as securing flight permissions and coordinating with multiple authorities, require specialized expertise and experience.
Nocturne Security & Defense, a division of Nocturne Drones, provides drone detection, monitoring and mitigation capabilities for large-scale public events and critical infrastructure sites. The company says its mobile systems and control centers are designed for rapid deployment and coordination with local law enforcement agencies. https://cuashub.com/en/content/nocturne-drones-provides-airspace-security-for-major-berlin-music-event/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
01 Oct 25. Anduril, Zone 5 Technologies secure additional funding in US C-UAS programme. Anduril’s Roadrunner autonomous air vehicle, used for intercepting aerial threats, at DSEI UK 2025. (DSEI UK)
Both firms were selected for the programme last year.
Anduril and Zone 5 Technologies have secured additional funding from the US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to further develop counter-UAS (C-UAS) prototypes and solutions for the ‘Counter NEXT’ programme, a 29 September DIU announcement has revealed. This funding will support refinement of their C-UAS prototypes, integration into military combat systems, and support safety testing ahead of a “live fire test event” in 2026. Both firms were selected in 2024 from over 65 applicants to develop prototype C-UASs under the Counter NEXT programme which is focused on leveraging dual-use and commercial technology to accelerate the development of C-UAS interceptors for class 3 UAS threats and above. Specifically, the programme is focused on providing a “deeper interceptor magazine” for US forces while also simplifying and accelerating the reloading process and addressing cost issues, among other things, the DIU said. Since their initial selection, Anduril and Zone 5 Technologies have completed design and developmental sprints as well as successful baseline flight testing. Iterative improvements are now being made to both solutions based on the data, user feedback, and knowledge gathered during these stages, the DIU said. Counter NEXT vendors use commercial components wherever possible to keep costs low, the DIU said, while also ensuring solutions are not “over-engineered” and the use of expensive materials is minimised. To enable improvements and integration of new components, the prototypes being built use “a modular open systems architecture” and are designed for mass production, the DIU added. The Counter NEXT programme is just one of several ongoing C-UAS initiatives in the US. Others include Project Vanaheim, launched with the UK in March to help equip tactical units with the ability to detect and destroy class 1 UAS threats. Another programme led by the DIU and the UK, known as the Replicator 2 initiative, focuses on the development of low-collateral C-UAS solutions that can take out drones in highly populated areas. (Source: Clarion)
28 Oct 25. BIRD Aerosystems, a global leader in defense technology, has successfully completed the delivery, integration, and commissioning of its Advanced Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) for an African Air Force. The project included the installation and flight testing of AMPS on a fleet of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters, ensuring full operational readiness and enhanced protection against advanced surface-to-air missile threats. At the heart of the AMPS solution is BIRD’s proprietary SPREOS DIRCM (Self-Protection Radar Electro-Optic System), an advanced, patented countermeasure that integrates radar infrared tracking to detect, verify, track, and defeat missile threats with unmatched accuracy. SPREOS automatically confirms and neutralizes incoming threats with virtually zero false alarms for reliable, real-time protection against MANPADS. The installation also includes BIRD’s μEYE Missile Warning Sensor (MWS), a compact electro-optical sensor that delivers fast, wide-area missile detection and enhances crew situational awareness. The seamless integration of both SPREOS and μEYE provides an accelerated time-to-market advantage, offering a fully field-proven and interoperable solution ready for immediate deployment. This milestone marks BIRD Aerosystems’ ability to deliver complete, end-to-end programs that include system design, integration, testing, and certification, ensuring minimal aircraft downtime and rapid return to service.
“The successful delivery and commissioning of this AMPS configuration, featuring our in-house-developed SPREOS and μEYE sensors, is a significant milestone that deepens our partnership with this key African Air Force,” said Ronen Factor, Co-CEO and Founder of BIRD Aerosystems. “By developing and manufacturing these MWS entirely in-house, we ensure unmatched flexibility, swift customization, and dramatically improved time-to-market for our customers. We are proud to deliver a combat-proven turnkey solution that enhances fleet readiness and ensures maximum crew safety in challenging environments.”
About BIRD Aerosystems
BIRD Aerosystems, a global provider of innovative defense technology and solutions, protects the fleets and ground assets of governments and related agencies. The company specializes in two main business segments: Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS), which protect helicopters, transport aircraft, narrow and wide-body commercial aircraft and VVIP heads-of-state aircraft against ground-to-air & MANPADS. The second segment, ASIO, is an end-to-end Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence, and Observation solution designed for maritime and ground surveillance, search and rescue, patrol, and monitoring. By combining world-class engineering and patented technologies, BIRD Aerosystems delivers end-to-end solutions for airborne and land-based protection. The company provides turnkey programs that include design, certification, and installation. Customers include the U.S. government, UN Air Operations, NATO forces, and leading defense organizations worldwide.
27 Oct 25. Dedrone builds on C-UAS capabilities to tackle Group 3 drone threat. Dedrone is expanding its core counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technologies beyond smaller Group 1 and Group 2 UAS, working with German firm Tytan Technologies to address Group 3 drone threats, such as the Iranian Shahed used by Russia in Ukraine.
“We do everything from hardware to software. We have our own C2 [command-and-control] system, which does all the things starting from detection and track[ing] and identification to defeat [through] electronic jamming,” Henning Heine Tam, senior vice-president, chief of staff and head of corporate development and business operations for Dedrone, told Janes on 15 October during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) conference in Washington, DC.
Current products include a mobile C-UAS radio frequency (RF) jammer that can block UAS signals and spoof global navigation satellite services (GNSS) and fixed-site systems, some of which have been deployed with the US Department of Homeland Security for border protection, he said.
The key is the software, which is “good at detecting the specific location of the drone”, Tam said.
Dedrone integrates third-party electro-optic/infrared cameras and radars into its solutions while providing in-house RF capabilities.
Integration is key, Tam said, noting that radars produce a lot of track data that must be processed. Tuning radars to detect smaller drone targets means a lot of clutter, such as trees, will be picked up, making it “difficult for the operator [to] understand what they’re looking at. If you didn’t add other modalities, it’s just a mess”, he explained.
Dedrone employs an open architecture and is Sapient compliant, Tam added. (Source: Janes)
20 Oct 25. Volatus and ARCO team up to deliver drone training in Nigeria. Volatus Aerospace has signed a memorandum of understanding with ARCO Worldwide Services Limited, a subsidiary of ARCO Group Plc., to collaborate on the delivery of professional drone training programmes in Nigeria through ARCO Aviation Academy (AAA). Under the agreement, Volatus Aerospace will provide its Volatus Academy curriculum, training materials and instructor programs for local delivery by AAA under a white-label and co-branded framework. The collaboration aims to align Nigeria’s emerging drone pilot training programmes with international standards, ICAO and SORA, while ensuring full compliance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). AAA, an NCAA-approved aviation organization, currently offers foundational RPAS courses and seeks to expand into advanced and specialised training including thermography, LiDAR, and BVLOS operations for industry, defense, public safety and first responders. The agreement establishes a three-year framework for cooperation that includes localised curriculum delivery, instructor training and ongoing quality assurance. Initial programmes are expected to begin rolling out in Q4 2025. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Oct 25. Aerovironment selected for US Army next generation C-UAS missile. AeroVironment (AV) has been selected to deliver the U.S. Army’s Next-Generation C-UAS Missile (NGCM). Along with this selection, AV was awarded a USD95.9 m contract for the U.S. Army’s Long-Range Kinetic Interceptor (LRKI) programme through the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC AvMC) Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium® (AMTC). As part of the LRKI program, AV will manufacture and deliver its Freedom Eagle (FE-1) kinetic C-UAS missile. FE-1 is a low-cost, high-performance solution to neutralize Groups 2 and 3 UAS while maintaining residual capability against Group 1 UAS, fixed wing, and rotary wing aircraft with increased lethality, extended range, and rapid launch capabilities, according to the company. It has already achieved several key development milestones, including a successful live-fire demonstration of its dual-thrust solid rocket motor, controlled test vehicle (CTV) launches, and warhead tests. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
22 Oct 25. UK and US issue call for C-UAS capability research participants. The UK National Protective Security Authority (NPSA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is inviting expressions of interest to participate in the next Capability Optimisation Research Environment (CORE) event, scheduled to take place in the U.K. between 23-27 February 2026. CORE provides a collaborative test and experimentation environment for organisations developing counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) technologies. It enables participants to research, trial and refine capabilities alongside UK Government and international partners.
The event comprises two themes:
Theme A – Optical Systems for C-UAS Detection and Situational Awareness
This strand will explore the capabilities of optical and imaging systems that can support C-UAS detection and situational awareness. NPSA is interested in technologies that provide persistent observation of an operational environment. Of particular interest are systems that can operate effectively in day, low-light and night conditions.
Theme B – Imagery Based Object Detection, Tracking and Analytic Software
This theme focuses on imagery based object-detection analytics that can identify, classify or track UAS within optical imagery. Of particular interest are systems that can operate effectively in both day and night conditions and can ingest external video feeds to detect small UAS against clear-sky and cluttered backgrounds.
Participants will have the opportunity to evaluate algorithm performance in a controlled environment, comparing detection accuracy and adaptability across multiple sensor types. Expressions of interest should be submitted to by Friday 31st October 2025. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
27 Oct 25. Northrop Grumman Elevates the F-16 with Next-Gen Electronic Warfare and Radar Technologies.
How Northrop Grumman’s IVEWS and SABR provide unmatched survivability and lethality in contested airspace
On their own, Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) and Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar are formidable capabilities for the F-16. Together, they’re even better, providing unmatched survivability and lethality for the Viper. It’s a question of spectrum. Fighter jet radars and electronic warfare (EW) protection systems use the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum for targeting, self-protection and surveillance missions. From the start, Northrop Grumman designed the F-16’s IVEWS to work seamlessly with the SABR AESA radar, so that both could use the same portion of the spectrum simultaneously.
Survivability Enables Lethality
“Dominating the electromagnetic spectrum paves the way for all other operations,” said James Conroy, vice president of electronic warfare and targeting. “In these high-stakes environments, having systems that work together is a significant advantage that allows warfighters to operate safely and effectively in the highly contested airspace of a near-peer fight.”
There is no filtering, blanking or reduction of the radar’s capabilities while IVEWS protects the platform. The two systems communicate digitally on a pulse-to-pulse basis, so each is aware of what portion of the spectrum the other is using at every moment. Pilots can carry out intense radar tasks without compromising the ability of IVEWS to counter adversary threats.
Modern Solutions to Modern Threats
Threats are evolving rapidly worldwide, becoming more agile and unpredictable. Where it was once possible to map out threats in advance of a mission, the norm is now pop-up, mobile threats that can change frequencies quickly. An EW system needs to be able to detect, identify and jam a threat when the aircraft is within range of a weapon, not simply in the detection zone.
“We built IVEWS with an ultra-wideband architecture and the onboard power to detect and protect against the most advanced threats,” said Conroy. “The U.S. and its international partners are encountering these same threats worldwide.”
IVEWS was selected by the U.S. Air Force in 2019 and has since completed Operational Assessment, flying more than 70 sorties in complex electromagnetic spectrum environments. Northrop Grumman has delivered over 900 SABR systems since 2013.
Proven in Flight: IVEWS Works The First Time, Every Time
The first time IVEWS ever flew, it was ready for a fight. At the Air Force’s Northern Lightning exercise in 2021, IVEWS flew together with SABR in a highly congested electromagnetic spectrum environment against airborne and ground-based threats. It would undergo rigorous laboratory and chamber testing before being installed on two USAF F-16 aircraft and completing Developmental Test and Operational Assessment.
Lt. Col. Christopher B. James, USAF, Deputy Division Chief, F-16 USAF Programs, noted the system’s accomplishments during Operational Assessment, stating that “Our USAF F-16 System Program Office, in collaboration with our Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Eglin’s OFP/CTF and Terma partners, has successfully completed the IVEWS Operational Assessment with excellent results…Not only did the system perform well, but it also worked during its first flight on two aircraft, which is unprecedented for a complex and fully integrated electronic warfare system.”
Since completing Operational Assessment, IVEWS has continued to fly against a wide range of airborne, maritime and ground-based threats, demonstrating its unmatched ability to preserve the freedom of maneuver and protect warfighters. To date, it has amassed more than 250 flight hours. Designed and built in America, both IVEWS and SABR are ready to protect the worldwide fleet of more than 2,800 F-16 aircraft. These EW systems put the F-16 a generation ahead, providing capability without compromise.
27 Oct 25. Axon Vision, a leading provider of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for defense applications, has secured a contract valued at approximately 2 m NIS from a leading loitering munitions manufacturer. Under the agreement, the company will supply its EdgeUAV system: an AI-powered solution for target acquisition, selective tracking, and precision guidance of unmanned aerial platforms such as drones, UAVs, and loitering munitions. The system supports full mission execution, from initial detection to accurate target engagement. The order follows a successful system integration process and will be delivered as software licenses for each platform. Deliveries are scheduled in phases and are due to be completed by January 2026. This is the first significant order of its kind for the EdgeUAV system in a license-based configuration, marking a key milestone for Axon Vision. It reflects the growing demand for AI-enhanced capabilities in the precision weapons domain and signals Axon Vision’s continued growth in the unmanned systems market. The EdgeUAV system features a real-time AI video processing engine that provides automatic target recognition (ATR), static & dynamic object tracking, multi-object tracking, and environment semantic segmentation. The system allows full multi-spectral support enabling day & night operation. Its modular and flexible architecture allows seamless integration with existing sensors and platforms, bringing next-generation performance to current systems. Moreover, the system’s ease of use is a key factor in enabling large-scale operational deployment of such munitions. Axon Vision’s AI technologies are becoming a core component of advanced weapon systems, enabling autonomous operation in complex environments and supporting a wide range of battlefield missions and border protection scenarios. Integrating the AI-based EdgeUAV into precision-guided munitions represents a significant advancement. This breakthrough will shorten the sensor-to-shooter cycles, reduce system costs through optimized sensor utilization and unlock new operational concepts such as swarms and coordinated or collaborative multi-platform missions.
“Loitering munitions are playing an increasingly central role on the modern battlefield,” said Brig. Gen. (res.) Roy Riftin, CEO of Axon Vision. “Integrating AI into these systems is a game-changer – enabling faster, more precise and more autonomous operations across diverse scenarios. This order underscores the maturity of our technology and the trust our partners place in its operational value.”
27 Oct 25. Sentrycs, a global leader in Protocol Manipulation-based counter-drone technology—commonly known as Cyber over RF, and Omnisys, a global expert in mission optimization for defense and homeland security, have announced a strategic collaboration that combines their technologies to improve the planning and deployment of sensor systems in multi-domain operations. The joint solution merges Sentrycs’ field-proven C-UAS systems with Omnisys’ BRO-AD (Battle Resource Optimization for Air Defense) platform, creating a powerful synergy that addresses the growing need for precision in sensor deployment. Together, the technologies enable defense and security forces to account for operational constraints—such as terrain topography and electromagnetic interference—when determining optimal sensor layouts. By modeling various operational scenarios, BRO-AD helps decision-makers anticipate blind spots and optimize coverage. When integrated with Sentrycs’ counter-drone capabilities, this approach ensures that sensors are positioned where they will deliver maximum effectiveness, enhancing protection while reducing unnecessary deployment. For users in the field, the result is increased operational readiness, improved system performance, and better resource allocation.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering operationally relevant solutions that meet today’s evolving security challenges,” said Meir Avidan, VP Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Sentrycs. “Together with Omnisys, we are offering a smarter, more adaptive approach to systems’ deployments in real-world conditions.”
Dov Pearl, Chief Business Officer at Omnisys, added: “By integrating BRO-AD’s powerful modeling capabilities with Sentrycs’ counter-drone systems, we’re helping customers plan and execute sensor deployments with greater accuracy, efficiency, and mission success.”
27 Oct 25. Safran Unveils Skydel NAVWAR C-UAS Software Solution. Safran Electronics & Defense has announced the launch of Skydel NAVWAR, a breakthrough software solution designed to strengthen national defense capabilities against hostile drones. As the core of Safran’s counter-UAV (C-UAV) systems, Skydel NAVWAR disrupts unmanned aerial vehicle navigation by simulating authentic GNSS signals, providing nations and organizations with advanced protection for their most critical assets. From airports and government facilities to mass events, naval fleets, and border security, Skydel NAVWAR ensures real-time electronic deception to neutralize UAV threats. Its ability to embed on tactical platforms and integrate seamlessly with sensors and command-and-control systems allows operators to conduct remote spoofing operations with efficiency and precision – even when they are not physically present.
“Protecting national sovereignty requires more than just technology – it demands trusted systems that empower countries to take control of their own security,” said Maxime Gorlier, Director of Positioning, Navigation and Timing at Safran Electronics & Defense. “With Skydel NAVWAR, we are giving our partners the capability to safeguard their airspace, defend critical infrastructure, and ensure resilience in the face of evolving threats.”
Skydel NAVWAR empowers integrators to build sovereign spoofing systems, enhancing national autonomy and resilience. Its secure and authenticated API, hardened operating system, and strong field resiliency make it reliable under the most demanding conditions. Designed to simplify GNSS spoofing logic, it allows rapid deployment and effective response across a variety of defense and security applications. The system supports all major GNSS constellations – including GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou, NavIC, QZSS, SBAS, and even emerging LEO signals – while achieving ultra-high performance with a 1000 Hz iteration rate. Thousands of satellites can be simulated in real time using commercial off-the-shelf hardware, providing unmatched flexibility for defense organizations. Already field-proven in several operational C-UAV systems, Skydel NAVWAR is setting a new standard in electronic warfare and drone defense. (Source: UAS VISION)
24 Oct 25. Greenland radars vulnerable to hypersonic missiles, critics warn. Since the early days of the Cold War, the early warning radars on Greenland have been a linchpin for defending North America against nuclear attack by intercontinental ballistic missiles. But the radars themselves are vulnerable to attack by hypersonic missiles, critics warn. U.S. bases in Greenland can neither detect those missiles, nor shoot them down.
“The U.S. does not have a standing integrated air and missile defense shooter layer in Greenland today,” Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska, told Defense News.
“The new and future threat of hypersonic cruise missiles has changed everything, because the existing defense system cannot defend against them,” Bouffard said.
In a recent essay for Small Wars Journal, Bouffard and his co-authors advocated a comprehensive air and missile defense system for Greenland, particularly for Pituffik Space Base and its missile and space defense sensors. Though Pituffik is guarded by an Air Force Security Force squadron, those units are oriented more for ground defense against commando or terrorist raids, rather than stopping hypersonic streaking in at Mach 5-plus. The authors advocate a “layered air defense using short- and medium-range systems adapted to Arctic operations,” which would be part of a distributed defense system across the North American Arctic. Such a system could include Patriot batteries, National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and short-range air defense, or SHORAD, systems, the authors propose. This would require a mix of sensors: ballistic missile radars, air defense radars for low-altitude threats and airborne early warning aircraft or over-the-horizon radars, according to the essay.
“Even future Army-owned systems such as Layered Laser Defense (LLD) systems could also factor in as tactical solutions to a strategic defense system,” the essay noted.
As always with Arctic operations, the question is how to accomplish this in an environment where the temperature can drop to almost a hundred degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Ice, snow and temperature, among other factors, can significantly impact radar performance and visual sensors, the essay noted.
Technology, such as adaptive optics and polarimetric radar, may be able to mitigate some of these effects. However, “success in this theater requires specialized Arctic tactical warfare capabilities and proficiency,” said the essay.
Since 1960, when the first Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, or BMEWS, radar became operational, Greenland has been the distant frontier of American early warning. Today known as the Upgraded Early Warning Radar system, these sensors are part of the 12th Space Warning Squadron, which is tasked with scanning the skies for missiles as well as tracking objects in space. The politics of defending Greenland can be as challenging as the terrain and climate. Though geographically part of North America, the world’s largest non-continent-sized island is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which makes Greenland both an American and European/NATO issue. The Trump administration has indicated an interest in purchasing Greenland, an idea that has neither delighted Greenlanders nor Danes.
Until recently, the Department of Defense assigned Greenland to U.S. European Command. But in June, U.S. Northern Command took over responsibility for Greenland in yet another sign that the island is seen as part of U.S. homeland defense.
The Pentagon’s current Unified Command Plan assigns the North American Arctic to U.S. Northern Command and the European Arctic to U.S. European Command. Defending Greenland will require close cooperation between multiple combatant commands, the Small Wars Journal essay urged.
“[North American Aerospace Defense Command] and [U.S. Northern Command] might handle immediate air threat response as part of homeland defense, [U.S. European Command] could include Greenland in NATO’s regional defense plans, and [U.S. Strategic Command] could ensure the defense of the strategic assets, supporting overall deterrence and missile defense architecture,” the authors proposed.
The defense of Greenland should also fit with NATO’s integrated air and missile defense plan, the essay argued.
“Multi-command oversight guarantees that defending the missile defense hub in Greenland is not an isolated effort, but part of a comprehensive Arctic campaign plan aligned with U.S. homeland defense and allied collective defense,” said the essay.
The defense of Greenland will require not only resources, but patience and dedication, the essay noted.
“The effective way to achieve the necessary readiness and proficiency in such conditions is to refocus resources, attention, and planning towards the Arctic as a forethought, and not as the afterthought it’s been since the end of the Cold War,” the authors concluded. (Source: Defense News)
24 Oct 25. Indra Showcases It Counter-UAS System Capabilities During the Spanish Army’s ATLAS25 Exercises.
- The company stands out for its ability to deliver complete, integrated solutions that significantly enhance responses to hybrid aerial attacks
- Indra deployed systems both aboard Navy combat vessels and on the ground, highlighting its ability to address the challenges posed by multi-domain operations
Indra demonstrated during the ATLAS25 military exercises held in Huelva from October 20 to 24 that it possesses one of the most advanced and comprehensive capabilities on the market to detect, identify, and neutralize drone-based aerial attacks. The ATLAS25 exercise, organized at the Médano del Loro Maneuver and Firing Range (Huelva) by the Army’s Maneuver Support Command (MAM) and led by the 71st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, was one of the most ambitious conducted in Spain in recent years. Under the leadership of the Defense Staff (EMAD), Spanish Forces tested their current capabilities to neutralize aerial attacks and assessed future developments, evaluating the maturity of various technologies under development by the defense industry. It included the participation of units from the Army, the Navy, and the Air and Space Force, along with units from the Civil Guard (GC) and the National Police Corps (CNP). Indra stood out in the maneuvers by deploying systems in both the naval and land components of the exercise.
Its naval counter-drone system, CROW, equipped with radar and electronic defense systems, collected critical data that was integrated with information gathered by various ground-based systems through the command and control system developed by the company.
On land, Indra showcased the capabilities of the ARACNE counter-drone system, developed in collaboration with EM&E Group, which will be delivered to the Army before the end of the year. The solution’s command and control system excelled in its ability to fuse data from multiple sensors—both proprietary and third-party—and accurately identify the type of threat and select the most appropriate response in each case. Among the proprietary sensors used during the exercises was the Nemus radar, a compact AESA radar specifically designed by the company for tactical applications such as counter-drone operations. All the capabilities deployed by Indra during the exercise are complemented by a broader offering that already distinguishes the company as one of the most advanced in Europe in this field, positioning it as the company with the greatest potential to accelerate the implementation of the future European anti-drone wall. Indra is one of the leading manufacturers of air defense radars in Europe, covering long, medium, and short ranges with fixed, deployable, or highly mobile systems designed to evade enemy fire. These capabilities are further enhanced by space object detection radars, essential for neutralizing ballistic missile attacks that follow suborbital trajectories. All of this is reinforced by one of the most sophisticated air defense command and control systems currently available in Europe—Airdef—and an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Operations Center (COAAAS), which is currently in use by the Spanish Army. Together, these assets enable the company to offer comprehensive protection across all levels. (Source: ASD Network)
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Echodyne is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions for defense and national security applications. The company’s proprietary metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) architecture, a rare breakthrough in advanced radar engineering, leverages a physics-design approach to adapt conventional materials and deliver unexpected and beneficial behavior. The result is a solid-state, low-SWaP unit coupled with advanced software capabilities that delivers superior radar performance and unparalleled data integrity, radically improving system performance and enhancing safety for people and machines. With leading positions in counter-UAS, force protection, base security, and portable ISR, Defense Agencies and Suppliers rely on Echodyne radar for extraordinary accuracy and consistent, reliable operation.
For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.
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