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21 Nov 25. Saab pitches GlobalEye surveillance planes to Qatar, Saudi Arabia.
- Summary
- Companies
- Swedish manufacturer also pitching GlobalEye to Canada, CEO says
- Will pursue NATO contract after plans to buy rival Boeing E-7 canceled
- Saab giving Canada information on Gripen fighter jets
Sweden’s Saab AB has made offers of its GlobalEye surveillance planes to Qatar and Saudi Arabia as part of a broader effort to drive demand for its military aircraft, the defence group’s CEO said on Thursday.
“We are campaigning, and we have given them offers,” Saab CEO Micael Johansson told Reuters in an interview.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have both shown interest in the early-warning and control aircraft already ordered by the United Arab Emirates, he said. “We are looking forward to how the decision process will look like in these countries.” Saab, which won orders from France earlier this year for the aircraft, has also pitched the platform based on a Bombardier business jet to Canada, he said.
“There are a number of countries now looking at this capability and evaluating it,” he said of GlobalEye. “We are in different stages in different campaigns as we speak. Some campaigns we have provided offers.”
The Netherlands defense ministry last week announced that it along with several NATO allies had abandoned plans to buy six of the rival Boeing E-7 Wedgetail planes and was assessing other aircraft types.
“So now they are looking at whether they can maybe have another capability which we are of course proposing to them, the Global Eye,” Johansson said.
He was in Canada this week on the sidelines of a state by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Johansson said Saab would be prepared to transfer technology and knowledge as part of setting up a facility with Canada’s Bombardier to install sensors and other tasks normally done in Sweden to modify the empty “green” jets for defense applications. Canada has not yet made a decision, he said. Separately, Johansson said Saab was not actively campaigning to sell its Gripen fighter jet to Canada, but was rather giving Ottawa “information” to decide whether to buy the plane. Canada has considered the Gripen to replace some Lockheed Martin F-35 jets following a trade dispute with the United States. Saab had offered to build the Gripen jets in Canada under license with Bombardier, creating a third production line to join those already operating in Sweden and Brazil. Johansson said the Swedish and Brazilian production lines would both produce Gripen jets for Colombia as part of a recent $3.6bn deal with the South American country. (Source: Reuters)
20 Nov 25. Elistair Unveils Dual Payload Khronos for Enhanced Tactical Communications & ISR. New configuration integrates a tactical radio and an EO camera on Elistair’s Khronos tethered drone system to create a multi-mission aerial mast.
Elistair, a leader in tethered drone systems, has introduced a “Dual Payload” configuration for its Khronos dronebox.
This new setup on the tethered drone system combines a Silvus StreamCaster 4200P tactical radio with a Nextvision DragonEye2 EO camera. The system is designed to transform the Khronos into a multi-mission aerial mast capable of providing both secure communication relay and persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR).
Acting as a Variable Height Antenna (VHA), the dual payload extends and stabilizes tactical mesh networks. This allows it to maintain continuous, resilient radio links, even when operating in GNSS-denied or complex environments.
The Khronos retains its established operational performance, which includes 24 hours of continuous operation and a 60-meter operational altitude. The “Dual Payload” configuration offers an instantly deployable and reliable solution for tactical units and special forces requiring communication and observation capabilities from a single system.
This new configuration is designed specifically for special forces and deployed military units, aligning with Elistair’s commitment to continuously adapting its technology to meet the evolving needs of its customers and modern battlefields. The Khronos “Dual Payload” has been publicly unveiled for the first time at Milipol 2025. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
20 Nov 25. Boost for Armed Forces as new laser weapon takes down high-speed drones. MBDA awarded £316 m contract to deliver new DragonFire systems to the Royal Navy from 2027, after achieving UK first in latest testing by shooting down high-speed drones with new laser system.
* DragonFire achieves UK first in latest testing, taking down high-speed drones with new laser system.
* £316m contract awarded to MBDA UK, backing nearly 600 skilled jobs and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.
* The pioneering programme is part of the Strategic Defence Review’s commitment to bring into service innovative Directed Energy Weapons.
Britain’s ground-breaking DragonFire laser has shot down high-speed drones in new trials, as a £316m contract is awarded to MBDA deliver new systems to the Royal Navy from 2027.
Its most recent trials at the MOD’s Hebrides range involved drones which can fly up to 650km/h – twice the top speed of a Formula 1 car – including a UK first of above-the-horizon tracking, targeting and shooting down such drones.
The laser system costs just £10 per shot and is accurate enough to hit a £1 coin from a kilometre away. It is a more cost-effective method in comparison to traditional missile systems, which cost upwards of hundreds of thousands of pounds per shot. DragonFire will be fitted to a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027 – five years faster than originally planned.
The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will help to create and sustain 590 jobs across the UK, showing how defence is an engine for growth. This includes 200 highly skilled jobs in Scotland, 185 jobs in the South West of England and 75 jobs in the East of England, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “This high-power laser will see our Royal Navy at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, delivering a cutting-edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat. We are delivering on our Strategic Defence Review by backing British industry and creating hundreds more jobs, making defence an engine for growth across the UK.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “This new £316m contract award – and news that DragonFire has successfully taken down high-speed drones in the latest trials at the MoD’s Hebrides range – shows just how vital Scottish expertise is to the UK’s national security and why Scotland is globally recognised as a centre of defence excellence. DragonFire is the latest in an impressive line of defence dividend wins for Scotland. The UK Government is transforming our defence sector into an even more powerful engine for growth because when we back our service personnel and Scottish industry, we keep ourselves and our allies secure whilst delivering skilled jobs and growth for communities and workers.
As part of the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), DragonFire is the first high-power laser capability entering service from a European nation, representing one of the most advanced directed energy weapons programmes in NATO.?The SDR backed UK Directed Energy Weapon work with a further investment of nearly £1bn this Parliament alone.
MBDA UK will work in partnership with QinetiQ and Leonardo to develop the capability that will be delivered almost five years faster and be continuously improved, representing a fundamentally different rapid approach to defence procurement.?
Chris Allam, MBDA UK Managing Director, said: “This latest contract for DragonFire is another significant milestone. It allows us to continue with the next phase of the programme and re-affirms the UK’s intent to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons. The success of recent DragonFire trials are a testament to our MoD and Industry team delivering a truly game-changing weapon system into the hands of the Royal Navy.”
Steve Wadey, Group CEO, QinetiQ, said: “The DragonFire programme is delivering the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review, with industry experts working in collaboration with government to get disruptive, next generation technology into the hands of our warfighters at pace.? QinetiQ is proud to have played a unique role in developing and testing this critical military capability of the future. We welcome the government’s latest commitment, which will enable us to accelerate the production of the world-leading technology that is fundamental to the DragonFire system.”
Mark Stead, Leonardo UK SVP Radar and Advanced Targeting, said: “Leonardo has channelled its decades of experience developing world-leading lasers to produce DragonFire’s beam director, which harnesses and directs the powerful laser energy on target. Today’s contract award to procure a Minimum Deployable Capability of DragonFire is testament to the hard work and dedication of all those involved in the programme, and the rapid progress made by the defence and industry partnership since its inception.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
19 Nov 25. Fractal Antenna Systems Introduces JERECHO™: A New Era in Defense and Next-Generation Acoustic Technologies. Fractal Antenna Systems, Inc. (“FRACTAL”), through its OWL WORKS™ special projects team, today announced JERECHO™, an acoustic array platform marking a significant advance in the strategic use of sound. Designed as a testbed for acoustic technology development and proof of concept fielding, JERECHO™ introduces new capabilities ranging from counter-drone detection and disruption to electronic spoofing, laser enhancement, and controlled-flight experimentation.
“Sound waves have long had their place in defense, but we now see a new era emerging—’acoustic electronic warfare’– defined by novel ways of directing and controlling sound and medium, and thwarting devices that are surprisingly sensitive to sound interaction,” said FRACTAL CEO Nathan Cohen.
A key motivation for JERECHO™ is its role as a next-generation testbed for soft-kill C-UAS out to medium ranges –providing an acoustic component for layered defense. At its core is FRACTAL’s proprietary Acoustic Resonance Mitigation (ARM) framework, originally patented in 2015 by Cohen and a collaborator, with additional patent-pending novelty. Their ARM technology was the pioneer of acoustic counter-UAS—yet was ignored domestically and copied by foreign entities. Recognizing the irony, FRACTAL recently received the 2025 Gold Military & Aerospace Innovation Award for this pioneering work and for the company’s continued progress in advanced acoustic countermeasures.
JERECHO™ is a patent pending sound-based array with previously untapped performance metrics, allowing wideband sonification and detection and imaging. It is designed, among other uses, to listen for, pinpoint, and attack drones. Additionally, JERECHO™’s architecture departs from traditional acoustics by focusing on how sound reshapes its medium—how that medium can be directed, concentrated, and controlled to achieve precise effects. Many of its capabilities stem from fractal-based techniques that enable new levels of power and acoustic array shaping.
Even at a fraction of its capabilities, JERECHO™ shows the proprietary power of its directed sound arrays. For example, a precisely tuned ultrasonic hit sends a smartphone’s digital compass spinning. Small drones’ camera images blur and shake under the acoustic vibration. Cohen stresses, “These are not anecdotal cases. The U.S. needs to lead in this defense option but also understand how our adversaries might use acoustic attack against us.”
For three decades, FRACTAL has established itself as a leader in disruptive technology, with a record of first-of-its-kind advances spanning antennas, arrays, fractal metamaterials, invisibility cloaks, and other high-impact innovations. Cohen—an award-winning astrophysicist and inventor—brings expertise extending from imaging to aerospace engineering and medical ultrasound. His recent profile celebrating the firm’s anniversary (see https://www.fractenna.com/documents/COHENPROFILESummer25.pdf) highlights a career built on foundational breakthroughs. Cohen and FRACTAL’s breadth of experience bring diverse technology elements together to enable advanced acoustic C-UAS capabilities.
“Sound can be potent against modern machine surrogates such as drones, robots, smartphones, electronics, vessels, and aerial objects of unknown origin,” he said. “Downing drones is only the beginning. We are advancing the very technologies we invented years ago—once brushed aside and even considered a dead end—to protect Americans and assets with acoustic innovations that go to 11.”
19 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that Washington hosts counter-drone summit ahead of 2026 World Cup. More than 100 public-sector leaders gathered in Renton, Washington, on November 5 for a Counter-UAS Summit as local, state and federal agencies prepare for increasingly complex drone threats ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event, hosted by Major General Gent Welsh, Washington’s Adjutant General and Homeland Security Advisor, brought together senior officials from government, academia, public safety, the legal community and the defense industry. Organizers described it as a rare opportunity for agencies to confront emerging unmanned aircraft risks in a unified setting.
“This isn’t about the World Cup. This is about protecting America,” Welsh told attendees, drawing a parallel between current security challenges and the conditions the United States faced prior to the Sept. 11 attacks back in 2001. He cited the 9/11 Commission Report’s findings on failures of imagination, authority and capability, urging participants not to repeat past mistakes.
Welsh explained that the recent New Jersey drone incidents highlighted the vulnerabilities shared by states across the country. He noted the need for a coordinated approach as agencies often “talk past each other” when addressing unmanned aircraft threats.
Simulating the threat
The central portion of the event featured a tabletop exercise simulating a coordinated drone attack on Lumen Field during a World Cup match. Participants worked through the timeline of the hypothetical incident, identifying potential launch locations, methods of attack and gaps in preparedness. The scenario also included two simulated drone strikes on critical infrastructure to test interagency coordination and expose operational weaknesses. Discussions repeatedly returned to the constraints posed by fragmented authorities, resource shortfalls and existing legal and policy barriers that limit the ability of state and local entities to respond to unmanned aircraft. Attendees emphasized that these obstacles remain among the most significant challenges in national counter-drone planning.
Is the available tech enough?
Industry representatives later briefed participants on current technologies for detection, disruption and mitigation. Their presentations highlighted rapid advancements in the sector but also the difficulty public agencies face in adopting those tools without clearer authorities and streamlined processes. Welsh said such collaboration between government and industry will be essential as drone activity continues to expand.
“I imagine we have solutions, but you guys have the tools that will take us from concept to practical application,” he told the group.
While preparations for World Cup 2026 framed much of the discussion, officials stressed that the exercise was part of a broader national effort to strengthen defenses against unmanned systems.
“Our mission isn’t just about securing the games,” Welsh said. “It’s about ensuring the safety of our communities and protecting America through joint planning, foresight and cooperation.”
https://cuashub.com/en/content/washington-hosts-counter-drone-summit-ahead-of-2026-world-cup/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
19 Nov 25. Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement (Tawazun), and Thales have signed an agreement during Dubai Air show 2025 to enable local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the field of optronic systems under the framework of the Tawazun Economic Programme, overseen by the Council. The signed agreement marks a significant step towards enabling local Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in the field of optronic systems, under the framework of the Tawazun Economic Programme. This strategic collaboration aims to strengthen the UAE’s defence industrial base by transferring advanced technical expertise, developing a skilled local workforce, and fostering self-sufficiency in critical technologies. In the long-term, the project seeks to enhance operational readiness, reduce dependence on foreign support, and position the UAE as a regional hub for high-precision optronic MRO services. It also aligns with the nation’s broader vision of promoting sustainable industrial growth and increasing the local content contribution within the defence and technology sectors. Through the agreement the partners will facilitate the transfer of know-how, technology, procedures, and processes required to perform operational and intermediate-level maintenance for optronic systems within the UAE. Under the agreement, Thales will provide the technical expertise, specialised tools, rights, and certifications necessary to empower EDGE’s Electro Optics Centre of Excellence (EOCE) to perform maintenance locally. The certification of EOCE will validate its technical competency, infrastructure, management, and quality processes, ensuring compliance with international standards and in alignment with the Programme’s objectives. The collaboration also focuses on training and upskilling UAE Nationals employed at EDGE’s EOCE, equipping them with the competencies required to perform both operational and intermediate-level maintenance, thereby promoting knowledge transfer, localisation, and industrial resilience.
Majed Al Shamsi, Executive Director, Tawazun Economic Programme, at Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement said: “This partnership with Thales and EDGE represents a strategic step towards enhancing local capabilities in optronic systems maintenance and supporting the UAE’s goal of defence self-reliance. This initiative also contributes to developing national expertise and creating new knowledge and industrial opportunities, ensuring sustainable operational readiness within the country.” He added: “Through this agreement, we are committed to transferring advanced knowledge and technologies to Emirati professionals, empowering them to perform both operational and intermediate-level maintenance locally. This reflects Tawazun’s vision of enabling national capabilities and fostering industrial and strategic growth.”
Abdelhafid Mordi, Vice President of Thales in the UAE and Iraq, and CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies commented: “This agreement reflects our long-term commitment to supporting the UAE’s defence ecosystem with world-class expertise, technology and industrial capability. By enabling advanced optronics maintenance within the country, we are strengthening operational readiness while contributing to national self-reliance. Partnering with Tawazun and EDGE allows us to build sustainable, locally anchored competencies that will shape the next generation of sovereign defence capability in the UAE.”
18 Nov 25. UAVOS Successfully Demos UAS Swarm-Control Technology. UAVOS has successfully completed a series of group flight tests using its fixed-wing Borey Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), showcasing the company’s advanced swarm-control autopilot module. The tests demonstrated advanced multi UAS coordination capabilities, achieving high levels of synchronization and stability with position accuracy within 10 meters. During the demonstration, several Borey aircraft operated in coordinated formation, executing joint maneuvers while automatically maintaining spacing, altitude, and relative positions. The autonomous control algorithms enabled each aircraft to continuously exchange data with the others, ensuring real-time adaptation to dynamic mission conditions. The new autopilot module – fully developed by UAVOS’s engineering team – integrates both hardware and software innovations that make group flight operations autonomous, scalable, and robust. It enables a network of UAS to perform collective missions with shared situational awareness, optimized task distribution, and synchronized flight performance. (Source: ASD Network)
18 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that Army-led task force plans central marketplace for C-UAS tech. A new Army-led task force is developing an online marketplace intended to streamline how U.S. military installations and federal agencies purchase counter-drone equipment, amid growing concern over the threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems.
Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, who heads Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401), said Friday that the goal is to consolidate what is currently a fragmented procurement landscape. Hundreds of sensors, effectors and software tools exist across industry, but no unified hub allows buyers to compare, evaluate or assemble those components into complete counter-UAS systems.
The proposed marketplace would allow vendors to submit technologies for testing and evaluation, giving the Defense Department a consistent way to measure performance and identify solutions tailored to specific missions.
“Across the department, we want an integrated system that allows vendors to introduce their capability… so that we can test and evaluate it and provide them feedback,” Ross said.
A launch date has not been set, but JIATF 401 plans to hold a counter-UAS summit later this month to gather experts from across the services and federal agencies. The event will focus on policy, science and technology, operations and intelligence requirements for a national counter-UAS framework. Established just two months ago, the task force has a broader remit than procurement. It will also help shape policy for buying and deploying counter-drone systems within the United States, including at domestic military bases and along the southern border. That requires different approaches from those used in conflict zones such as Iraq and Syria, where troops often rely on explosive interceptors and protective shelters. Ross noted that systems suitable overseas may be inappropriate for U.S. infrastructure and populated areas. Non-kinetic tools such as electronic jamming, or kinetic interceptors without explosive warheads, are more likely to be adopted for stateside use. The task force is also reassessing threat priorities. While the U.S. has strong capabilities against larger Group 3 drones, Ross said the more persistent domestic challenge comes from smaller Group 1 and 2 systems—drones ranging from under 20 pounds to just over 50 pounds. Developing a coherent strategy against these lower-end threats is a key focus. Funding for JIATF 401 has not yet been formalized, but Ross expects it to draw from a mix of operations and maintenance, R&D and procurement accounts. In the near term, he said procurement spending will be particularly important as the task force works to field updated counter-UAS capabilities. Testing and evaluation will be central to the task force’s mission. JIATF 401 aims to harmonize performance metrics across different demonstrations and exercises so that technologies assessed months apart can be compared directly.
“Today, we can’t do that because we do not always measure the same performance attributes,” Ross said. “We’re taking that on across the department to make sure we’ve got a more synchronized model.”
Ultimately, Ross said, the task force’s effectiveness will be judged on the metric of delivering state-of-the-art counter-drone capability to U.S. forces at home and abroad. https://cuashub.com/en/content/army-led-task-force-plans-central-marketplace-for-c-uas-tech/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
18 Nov 25. How Aimpoint Is Responding to the Growing Drone Threat. Aimpoint presents the Aimpoint® Acro® P-2 with 9 MOA, a red dot sight optimized for tactical shotguns and developed in response to user demand for a fast, easily implemented solution for engaging small, fast-moving targets at close range – for example short-range drones in operational environments or clay targets for sport shooters using tactical setups. From initial request to prototype, the development took only four weeks, and the first units are now being manufactured for delivery.
“We saw an urgent need and were able to go from concept to prototype very quickly because we already had the necessary components on the shelf,” says Albert Rödfalk, Senior Product Manager at Aimpoint.
The Aimpoint Acro P-2 is the professional version of the versatile ACRO series. In its original configuration, it features a 2.5 or 3.5 MOA red dot. A civilian variant (the ACRO S-2) has previously offered a larger 9 MOA dot for shotguns. That dot is now integrated into the version produced for professional use.
“I believe this sight has significant potential,” says Albert Rödfalk.
Sport shooters using tactical shotguns are also a natural user group. They rely on similar firearm platforms, reflecting the broad range of applications in which tactical shotguns play a role today.
18 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that Nocturne Security & Defense successfully tests ATOMZA C-UAS system. Nocturne Security & Defense has completed the first successful test of its new drone defense technology, ATOMZA (Active Tactical Optical Mitigation for Zone Awareness). Developed by Nocturne Security & Defense in collaboration with Nocturne Special Projects, the system incorporates an innovative Photonic Tracking Module (PTM), an automated LED-based tracking solution designed to detect, track, and visualize drones over long distances. ATOMZA is intended for both civilian and military applications. It uses targeted, high-intensity light beams to make drones visible in the night sky and monitor their movements. The system’s powerful light source can interfere with or temporarily disable the optical sensors of many drones. Additionally, it can impair a pilot’s vision, making visual navigation difficult and preventing the capture or transmission of usable image data. By combining detection with sensory interference, ATOMZA offers an effective and non-invasive approach to drone defense. It is particularly suited for securing sensitive areas and protecting events from unauthorized recording or espionage.
Jens Hillenkötter, CEO of Nocturne Drones, stated: “The current situation in particular calls for fast, pragmatic, and scalable solutions that meet the practical realities of today. That is exactly what we have developed with our ATOMZA anti-drone security system, and it is ready for immediate use.”
As a “soft mitigation measure,” ATOMZA is not classified as a traditional drone defense system, allowing civilian operators to deploy it – a key advantage in security-sensitive but non-sovereign environments.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/nocturne-security-defense-successfully-tests-atomza-c-uas-system/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
17 Nov 25. L3Harris seeks European partners for NATO AWACS replacement. US company L3Harris is in discussions with potential European partners for the NATO Boeing E-3A Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) replacement programme. An L3Harris representative told Janes on 14 November that the company is looking for a European prime for its offer of the Bombardier Global 6500-based conformal airborne early warning (CAEW) platform under the NATO Initial Alliance Future Surveillance and Control (IAFSC) requirement to replace its 14 remaining E-3As from 2035.
“The Bombardier Global 6500 is our baseline commercial aircraft for airborne early warning and control (AEW&C). We are working with several European primes to offer a range of missionised business jet solutions to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); maritime; and electronic warfare capabilities to Europe and NATO,” the representative said.
As recently contracted by South Korea, the G6500 CAEW is built around the Elta (a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries) ELW-2085 multiband radar housed in two 1–2 GHz conformal antennas and 2–4 GHz nose and tail antennas. The radar is coupled with the Israeli company’s artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Janes has previously reported that L3Harris’ digital backbone enables upgrades to tackle updated threats. According to Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Air , the architecture of the ELW-2085 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar incorporates a dual-band (L- and S-band [2–4 GHz]) AESA AEW&C/surveillance radar, and communications electronic support/intelligence subsystems, self-protection provision, an identification friend-or-foe capability, a communications suite, and six multi-purpose operator workstations. (Source: Janes)
17 Nov 25. Drones spotted over Belgian nuclear plant as C-UAS teams scramble to defend airports. Following several drone sightings at Brussels and Liege airports, energy operator Engie has confirmed that three drones were spotted over its Doel nuclear power facility on November 9. The area is a no-fly zone. Belga News Agency says the drones, sighted just before 10 p.m., had no impact on the facility’s operations. Meanwhile, Het Nieuwsblad reports that Belgium’s federal police failed to deploy its dedicated drone interception team quickly during a security breach over Brussels Airport on November 4. The team was first established in 2021 and now comprises around 30 certified officers. According to police sources cited by Het Nieuwblad, the unit is equipped with two detection antennas, four jammers to intercept drones and three net launchers to immobilise them. The team reportedly installed one detection antenna near Brussels Airport and another in the city centre over the weekend and is also extending its efforts to airports in Ostend, Charleroi, and Liege.
During a BBC television interview on November 9, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom, Sir Richard Knighton said the UK is providing military support to Belgium “after a series of suspected Russian drone incursions into its airspace”. He said that his Belgian counterpart had asked for assistance last week and that equipment and personnel were “on the way”. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
11 Nov 25. Netherlands launches challenge to find C-UAS solutions. The Dutch Ministry of Defence is calling on industry to develop counter-uncrewed aerial systems solutions for the Counter Strike Drone Challenge. Proposals must align with a clearly defined operational objective. “This means they’re not about a single product, but rather solutions that actually work in practice,” the Ministry says. These include, for example, new ways to spot, identify or disable drones. The challenge focuses on neutralising an enemy drone as quickly as possible, even if it is in enemy territory. It is hoped that the new challenge will help identify and deploy existing solutions in the market more quickly. The Ministry says it will offer long-term collaboration and partnerships to companies with the right solutions to enable joint development. The challenge is being organised in collaboration with Defport, a public-private platform of the Ministries of Defence and Economic Affairs. Within Defport, government, industry, financial institutions and knowledge institutes collaborate intensively. They discuss, among other things, how to develop and finance innovative products more quickly. The Ministry of Defence wants to further strengthen this collaboration. In addition to the challenge, the organisation is therefore opening ‘Mindbases’, where the Ministry of Defence and businesses can meet. The Ministry of Defence is also entering into a partnership agreement with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl) to make collaboration easier for businesses. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
11 Nov 25. US infrastructure security agency issues drone detection guidance. The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published new guidance for critical infrastructure on selecting and using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) detection technology. CISA underlines the importance of establishing detection technology capability requirements by first understanding the threats posed by uncrewed aerial systems and creating a risk assessment. A further section provides guidance on determining site-appropriate detection technology based on the capabilities and considerations of UAS detection sensors. This section provides general, nontechnical considerations designed to help prepare organisations for conversations with vendors rather than listing or recommending specific solutions on the market. It also covers the need to consider potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. CISA recommends integrating detection technology into existing security plans to support a layered approach to protecting against UAS threats. “Establishing clear UAS detection requirements allows for a tailored approach that meets the specific needs of each facility,” the guidance notes. “Carefully evaluating and selecting the most appropriate detection systems can help ensure comprehensive coverage and effective response capabilities. Once selected, integrating UAS detection technologies into existing security frameworks can support a defence-in-depth approach against UAS threats.” Additional advice in the guidance document includes identifying planned and known UAS operations to help deconflict unknown or suspicious UAS activity, integrating UAS detection technology with existing surveillance and access control systems, and consulting with legal counsel to establish appropriate procedures. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
14 Nov 25. DHS selects NUAIR for C-UAS forum event. NUAIR has been selected by the United States Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency as an approved vendor for participation in the Countering the Threat: C-UAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum at George Mason University. The invitation-only event brings together federal leaders, state, local, tribal and territorial decision-makers, public safety and industry innovators to shape the nation’s future of drone threat mitigation and airspace security. NUAIR provides a Federal Aviation Administration-accepted airspace surveillance network, currently delivering situational awareness across more than 1,900 square miles of active coverage with the ability to rapidly deploy similar capabilities to support security-critical events. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
16 Nov 25. US drone associations briefed on USD500m C-UAS grants for 2026 World Cup. On November 12 the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosted the “Countering the Threat: CUAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum,” alongside DRONERESPONDERS and the Commercial Drone Alliance. “Federal, state, and local stakeholders, as well as industry innovators, came together to discuss the future of Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (CUAS) operations and their critical role in ensuring the safety and security of large-scale events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” according to a press statement from the two organisations.
“The White House Task Force (WHTF) is actively mobilizing federal agencies, state and local governments, non-governmental organizations, private-sector entities, and community partners in all 11 World Cup Host Cities across the United States….The C-UAS Grant Program will provide USD500m to communities across the country over two fiscal years. States can use this funding to aggressively combat the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems (also known as “drones”) that endanger the safety, security, and lives of the American people. In FY 2026, DHS will award USD250m to jurisdictions that will host the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Olympics, America 250 national events, and the National Capital Region. The remaining USD250 m will be distributed in FY 2027 to all states and territories with an expanded focus on building national detection and response capacity.”
“The USD500m in funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill will help ensure that all eleven host cities are fully prepared and connected in their opportunity to protect their stadiums and cities during the tournament and thereafter,” said Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Lisa Ellman, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Drone Alliance, stated, “The CUAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum brought together all of the critical stakeholders, from federal to local governments and industry to law enforcement agencies, to bolster our critical collective efforts to enhance the security of our airspace, particularly around high-profile mass gathering events. The industry was able to share opportunities, ask questions, and connect with law enforcement agencies to bolster efforts to protect communities.”
Chief Charles Werner (Ret.), Director of the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance, added, “The CUAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum, co-hosted by the WHTF, DRONERESPONDERS, and the Commercial Drone Alliance, coordinated the sharing of critical information on the CUAS grants available to state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies to protect communities and citizens at major events from drone incursions. Law enforcement agencies were able to connect with the federal government and industry while learning how best to access the grants for the purpose of protecting their jurisdictions.” For more information: DRONERESPONDERS.org. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
17 Nov 25. Pentagon leaders meet to strengthen C-UAS cooperation and procurement. The Secretary of the United States Army and Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) hosted an interagency meeting on November 13 at the White House to strengthen cooperation across the US government to counter threats posed by the nefarious use of small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS). Senior leaders discussed the growing sophistication of small drone threats, the importance of technological integration, and opportunities to strengthen collaboration between military, law enforcement, intelligence and industry partners.
“Small uncrewed aircraft systems are changing the character of modern warfare and homeland defence,” said Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. “Adversaries are exploiting inexpensive and adaptable drone technology faster than our current acquisition system can handle. Countering this threat requires every element of the US government working together with shared purpose and unity of effort.”
During the meeting, JIATF-401 leadership provided an update on the task force’s establishment, outlined near-term priorities, and emphasised collaboration in testing, operations and training.
“Countering drones is not just a battlefield problem — it’s a homeland defence imperative,” said Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401. “Our goal is to integrate sensors, effectors and mission command systems into a responsive, interoperable network that protects servicemembers and American citizens alike. Together with our interagency partners, we will maintain the initiative and ensure our organisations can detect, track and defeat UAS threats.” Brig. Gen. Ross maintains that no single agency can solve the drone threat alone.
JIATF-401 is operationally focused on small drones that threaten US forces, infrastructure and critical facilities. The task force aims to develop a C-UAS marketplace for capability sharing, an authoritative data set for testing and evaluation, and a forum for interagency collaboration. JIATF-401 will also continue to support the National Security Council’s initiatives under the Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the leaders to support a future JIATF-401-led interagency summit later this month. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
17 Nov 25. Omnisys Unveils Field-Proven BRO C-UAS Platform to Safeguard Airports Against Evolving Drone Threats.
Omnisys introduces the BRO™ )Battle Resource Optimization) C-UAS system, a field-proven, real-time optimization platform built to help airport organizations mitigate the growing threat of unauthorized and hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The system enables data-driven, proportionate responses to aerial threats, ensuring passenger safety while maintaining airport operations.
In recent months, airports across Europe and the US have faced repeated shutdowns due to unauthorized drones. Munich Airport was halted twice within 24 hours; similar incidents in Copenhagen and Oslo led to partial closures, and the FAA now reports over 100 drone-related alerts per month. Each incident triggers significant financial losses, cascading delays, and reputational harm, forcing airport security teams to make rapid, high-stakes decisions under growing regulatory scrutiny.
To stay ahead of such challenges, airports require more than additional sensors. The real need lies in smart deployment and confidence in decision-making, knowing where detection blind spots exist, which assets to prioritize, and when it is safe to resume operations. This aligns with FAA and EASA guidance emphasizing proportionate, site-specific UAS response plans and real-time operational assessment.
The BRO™ platform addresses these needs by optimizing how counter-UAS assets are acquired, deployed, and maintained. Using physics-aware modeling and live environmental data, it guides decision-makers in configuring systems for maximum protection while reducing unnecessary shutdowns. Its dynamic vulnerability mapping continuously adapts to terrain, infrastructure, spectrum conditions, and interference, ensuring readiness and resilience even as conditions change.
BRO™ integrates seamlessly with existing airport command-and-control systems or operates independently as a real-time recommendation layer. High-fidelity simulations, analytics, and AI-driven recommendations allow operational teams to visualize real-time defensive coverage, identify degraded performance, and apply corrective actions instantly. This optimization-driven approach minimizes disruption, supports regulatory compliance, and accelerates a defensible return to normal operations.
“The BRO™ system gives security decision-makers the ability to make informed choices about which systems to acquire, where to deploy them, and how to operate them—ensuring effective protection while minimizing disruption, which can sometimes result in ms in losses and long-term harm to an airport’s stability,” said Alfred (Fredi) Tzimet, Deputy CEO of Omnisys. “Its optimization-driven approach empowers authorities to maintain airport functionality and safety even under evolving aerial threats.” (Source: ASD Network)
17 Nov 25. Calian Announces 1st VENTURES Defence Partnership with TACTIQL. Collaboration to advance next-generation ISR capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces and allied partners. Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), a trusted provider of mission-critical solutions for defence, space, health and other critical infrastructure sectors, has announced its first partnership under Calian VENTURES with TACTIQL Inc. Through this partnership, TACTIQL—a Canadian veteran-owned and operated company developing next-generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) software— and Calian will co-develop and advance sovereign, Canadian-made solutions in support of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) modernization priorities. The solution will improve interoperability, shared situational awareness and the ability to make rapid, informed decisions across military operations.
“This first partnership under Calian VENTURES demonstrates our vision in action,” said Chris Pogue, President, Defence and Space at Calian. “By bringing together Calian’s trusted defence integration experience with TACTIQL’s innovative FULCRUM platform, we are turning Canadian ideas into capabilities for the CAF, our allies and partners. While this creates operational value today, it also ensures we are ready to continuously evolve with the needs of our defence customers.”
Strength in Collaboration
TACTIQL brings speed, agility and leading-edge ISR software innovation through its flagship FULCRUM platform. This technology is designed to transform how mission-critical sensor data is conditioned, enriched and distributed in real time. Calian brings decades of experience in systems engineering, command-and-control integration, and interoperability solutions trusted by the CAF and allied partners.
“Our partnership with Calian allows us to accelerate our technology development and deliver greater value to our Canadian Armed Forces,” said Mike Nelson, CEO TACTIQL. “Calian’s depth of expertise in system integration is instrumental as we work to scale the delivery of FULCRUM to meet CAF, Five Eyes, and NATO interoperability goals and objectives.”
Together, the two companies are combining their strengths to accelerate the delivery of high-impact solutions that will deliver operational impact and enable the CAF to evolve at pace with the modern battlespace.
Advancing Canadian Defence Innovation
This partnership leverages each company’s depth of experience in military operations to create practical, deployable solutions that help defence customers act faster, operate smarter and maintain a decisive edge.
Key goals include:
* Supporting CAF and allied customers with improved ISR and fires capabilities that increase situational awareness, decision-making speed and operational effectiveness.
* Scale TACTIQL’s ISR-focused software—FULCRUM—within the CAF’s command, control and information systems eco-system to accelerate the flow of mission-critical data from sensors to command networks and their users.
* Building future-ready, exportable solutions that contribute to strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base and Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) objectives, including economic prosperity.
“This collaboration between two outstanding homegrown companies, Calian and TACTIQL, exemplifies the impact we are driving from Canada’s Capital Region as a national defence innovation hub,” said Sonya Shorey, President and CEO, Invest Ottawa & Area X.O. “It brings our Ottawa-Gatineau defence sector strategy to life, demonstrating what happens when visionary Canadian anchors and agile startups unite to advance sovereign innovation, strengthen our economy, and deliver capabilities that serve our country, Forces, and Allies. This is powerful leadership and defence collaboration in action. We are grateful these firms are growing here and fueling commercialization and global impact from Canada’s Capital Region.” (Source: ASD Network)
17 Nov 25. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Saab will now team up to demonstrate the AEW&C capability in the summer of 2026. The demo will be conducted at GA-ASI?s Desert Horizon flight operations facility in Southern California using a GA-ASI MQ-9B equipped with AEW&C supplied by Saab. In partnership with Saab, a leading company in AEW&C systems, GA-ASI is pairing Saab?s AEW sensors with the world?s longest-range, highest-endurance RPA, the MQ-9B. At sea or over land, adding AEW capabilities on MQ-9B enables persistent air surveillance and enables AEW in areas of the world where it doesn?t currently exist or is unaffordable, such as for navy aircraft carriers at sea. MQ-9B models include the SkyGuardian® and SeaGuardian®, the United Kingdom’s MQ-9B variant known as Protector, and the new MQ-9B STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) configuration currently in development. The AEW solution for MQ-9B will offer critical aloft sensing to defend against tactical air munitions, guided missiles, drones, fighter and bomber aircraft, and other threats. Operational availability for a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS is the highest of any military aircraft, and as an unmanned platform, its aircrews are not put into harm’s way. GA-ASI and Saabs AEW offering will span a wide range of applications, including early detection and warning; long-range detection and tracking; and simultaneous target tracking and flexible combat system integration all over line-of-sight and SATCOM connectivity.
17 Nov 25. Denmark Builds Wearable Devices to Stop Drones Instantly. A Danish company that makes anti-drone technology has created new handheld and wearable devices that use radio signals to stop or disable dangerous drones. These tools are designed to help security forces and law enforcement protect areas from the growing threat of drones used for spying or attacks. In a warehouse more than 1,500 kilometers (900 miles) from Ukraine?s capital, workers in northern Denmark painstakingly piece together anti-drone devices. Some of the devices will be exported to Kyiv in the hopes of jamming Russian technology on the battlefield, while others will be shipped across Europe in efforts to combat mysterious drone intrusions into NATO’s airspace that have the entire continent on edge in Alborg, Denmark, on Oct. 28, 2025. Two Danish companies whose business was predominantly defense-related now say they have a surge in new clients seeking to use their technology to protect sites like airports, military installations and critical infrastructure, all of which have been targeted by drone flyovers in recent weeks.
“Weibel Scientific’s radar drone detection technology was deployed ahead of a key EU summit earlier this year to Copenhagen Airport, where unidentified drone sightings closed the airspace for hours in September. Counter-drone firm MyDefence, from its warehouse in northern Denmark, builds handheld, wearable radio frequency devices that sever the connection between a drone and its pilot to neutralize the threat.
So-called jamming is restricted and heavily regulated in the European Union, but widespread on the battlefields of Ukraine and has become so extensive there that Russia and Ukraine have started deploying drones tethered by thin fiber-optic cables that don?t rely on radio frequency signals. Russia also is firing attack drones with extra antenna to foil Ukraine’s jamming efforts.
Andreas Graae, assistant professor at the Royal Danish Defense College, said there is a huge drive to rapidly deploy counter-drone systems in Europe amid Russia’s aggression
Founded in 2013, MyDefence makes devices that can be used to protect airports, government buildings and other critical infrastructure, but chief executive Dan Hermansen called the Russia-Ukraine war a turning point? for his company. More than 2,000 units of its wearable Wingman detector have been delivered to Ukraine since Russia invaded nearly four years ago. “For the past couple of years, we’ve heard in Ukraine that they want to put machines before people? to save lives,” Hermansen said. MyDefence last year doubled its earnings to roughly $18.7 m compared to 2023. Then came the drone flyovers earlier this year. Besides Copenhagen Airport, drones flew over four smaller Danish airports, including two that serve as military bases. Hermansen said they were an eye-opener for many European countries and prompted a surge of interest in their technology. MyDefence went from the vast majority of its business being defense-related to inquiries from officials representing police forces and critical infrastructure.
“Seeing suddenly that drone warfare is not just something that happens in Ukraine or on the eastern flank, but basically is something that we need to take care of in a hybrid warfare threat scenario,” he added.
Radar Technology Used Against Drones
On NATO’s eastern flank, Denmark, Poland and Romania are deploying a new weapons system to defend against drones. The American Merops system, which is small enough to fit in the back of a midsize pickup truck, can identify drones and close in on them using artificial intelligence to navigate when satellite and electronic communications are jammed. The aim is to make the border with Russia so well-armed that Moscow?s forces will be deterred from ever contemplating crossing the line from Norway in the north to Turkey in the south, NATO military officials told The Associated Press. North of Copenhagen, Weibel Scientific has been making Doppler radar technology since the 1970s. Typically used in tracking radar systems for the aerospace industry, it’s now being applied to drone detection like at Copenhagen Airport. The technology can determine the velocity of an object, such as a drone, based on the change in wavelength of a signal being bounced back. Then it’s possible to predict the direction the object is moving, Weibel Scientific chief executive Peter Røpke said. Earlier this year, Weibel secured a $76 m deal, which the firm called its largest order ever. The drone flyovers boosted the demand even higher as discussion around the proposed drone wall continued. Røpke said his technology could become a key component? of any future drone shield. (Source: UAS VISION/ListenUpYall; YouTube)
17 Nov 25. Sentrycs, a leading provider of counter-drone (C-UAS) technology, will present its unique Cyber-over-RF and Protocol-Manipulation counter-UAS technology at the Milipol exhibition in Paris. Leveraging its proprietary Cyber-over-RF (CoRF) technology, Sentrycs enables security and defense operators to detect, identify, track, and take control of hostile drones within seconds safely landing and seizing them without any collateral damage or interference. It provides security teams with actionable intelligence, including drone serial numbers, operator locations, and flight characteristics, enabling swift, informed responses to potential risks. Recently acquired by Ondas Holdings Inc., a leading provider of autonomous systems and private wireless solutions, Sentrycs now partners with Iron Drone and other Ondas subsidiaries to deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end counter-drone ecosystem that integrates cyber detection, decision, and interception. This acquisition marks the creation of the industry’s first truly full-spectrum Counter-UAS ecosystem, combining Sentrycs’ cyber-based detection and takeover technology with Iron Drone’s autonomous interception platform. The result is a unified detect, decide, and defeat? solution designed to protect military forces, homeland security agencies, and critical infrastructure worldwide. At Milipol, Sentrycs will showcase its CoRF CUAS solutions, including its Horizon Engine an AI-driven detection layer that autonomously identifies new or modified drone protocols in real time and adds them to the library in real time, ensuring protection against emerging and evolving threats.
14 Nov 25. Autonomous Drones Harness Wind for ISR and C-UAS. Windlift, a North Carolina-based startup, recently announced successful results from initial testing of a new autonomous tethered drone system that leverages winds aloft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS). Windlift’s new ‘GUARD’ system is a mobile platform that includes a launcher and a tethered drone equipped with a navigation system that autonomously leverages wind to maintain altitude and stability. “GUARD is set to deliver performance far beyond what’s possible today. Where most tethered drones struggle or fail in high winds, GUARD excels. As the wind increases, the GUARD platform, originally designed to harness the wind through complex flight patterns for airborne power generation, thrives,” said Rob Creighton, Windlift Founder & CEO. ?This breakthrough has been in the making for years, with technical oversight from the Naval Research Laboratory every step of the way. Initial testing marks a pivotal moment. (Source: UAS VISION/Tech Briefs)
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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.
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