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27 Nov 25. Update from Michelle Russell on Martyn’s Law. An update from Michelle Russell, Chief Executive of the SIA, on the recent work of the SIA on Martyn’s Law.
Once Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, and the SIA was confirmed as the new regulator, we wasted no time starting the work required to prepare for go-live.
Go-live will be when Parliament, through its statutory instruments, will commence Martyn’s Law and our role as regulator. This is Parliament’s decision, but we are getting ourselves ready for Spring 2027.
What is the SIA’s role as regulator?
I am often asked what our role as regulator is. It is to regulate against Martyn’s Law, and the legal requirements and framework Parliament has set out in the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. These requirements will be clarified by the Home Office’s statutory section 27 guidance about the requirements. This guidance is important as if there are concerns a requirement under the Act has not been complied with, a person affected can seek to evidence and show they acted in accordance with the guidance and so are not in non-compliance. Parliament has given the SIA the responsibility of determining whether a premises or event is in compliance with those requirements as well as the responsibility to provide advice and guidance to them. At the SIA, we need to be operationally independent from the Home Office, law enforcement and other partners in our case working and decisions about whether an event or premises is complying or not and when we use our powers.
What has the SIA been doing since April 2025?
I am asked why we are we not hearing more from the SIA. In fact, some of you have been hearing a lot from us – at events and conferences across the country – since April, with those premises and events in scope of Martyn’s Law. And you will hear more from us next year once the Home Office guidance is published. In the meantime, we have been working at pace, building capability and capacity and exploring and testing with depth the things we need to do in advance of go-live. Much of this is the behind-the-scenes work, building blocks we need to do internally first.
Here is some of what we have done over the last six months.
Securing funding
We have been agreeing new, separate grant funding to be provided direct by the Home Office to the SIA to fund the SIA’s new Martyn’s Law work. This is important as this new work is not being funded by SIA licence holders’ fees. We hope to hear final confirmation of the funding available for 2026 and 2027 soon.
Recruiting a new director
We have recruited an excellent new lead executive director who will start in early January. For such an important role it has been a rigorous recruitment exercise. I am particularly grateful to Figen Murray for taking part in the recruitment process.
Designing a new organisational structure
We have created a blueprint design for new functions and teams for each of the different areas we need.
There will be over 100 new operational posts created in the SIA’s Martyn’s Law team, working on:
- guidance and other educational and outreach work
- the formal notifications that premises and events in scope of Martyn’s Law will make
- desk-based casework on compliance issues, as well as scrutiny and assessment of compliance documents and plans submitted by enhanced tier premises
- inspections and formal investigations into concerns about non-compliance and follow up enforcement work
Mirroring the approach we have with our SIA security inspections teams, we will be basing our inspectors and inspection teams regionally and locally across the UK. Other office-based roles will be mostly in a new SIA location in Manchester.
What are our next steps?
The SIA teams are actively working on:
- our draft section 12 guidance about how we propose to exercise our functions particularly the investigatory powers – we will be publicly consulting on this once the Home Office guidance is made available in 2026
- joint engagements and events with the Home Office to raise awareness of the new law and our role
- developing a new risk framework for our work to ensure we have clear priorities and apply a consistent approach to decisions we make
- a new regulatory model, business plan, internal business processes and procedures and, critically, building, setting up, and testing the supporting digital and case working systems for our casework – this involves a significant amount of planning and design work and a robust procurement exercise which will take time to carry out
It is important we get these steps right and this work continues at pace to ensure that we have the right people, tools and systems in place. As we progress further, and as the Home Office guidance becomes available, you will hear more from us and our teams in the build up to commencement.
How will the SIA approach its role as regulator?
Our role as the Martyn’s Law regulator will be primarily advisory from the start to give venues and events in scope – predicted to be around 155,000 standard tier premises and 25,000 enhanced tier premises – the opportunity to get compliance right first. We expect to find and highlight positive good practice. As well as identifying and advising those who are not doing enough to comply, we intend to carry out deep dives into specific issues relating to compliance, to inform our evolving guidance. If we find non-compliance issues, you can expect us as regulator to be robust but fair and proportionate in our approach including on enforcement where we need to take further steps to ensure compliance. Where we need to, we will deal swiftly and effectively with non-compliance using the powers we have been given. Many premises and events will already have some of the procedures and measures in place and have already acted to ensure premises are safe and secure to visitors and protected against obvious threats. Martyn’s Law is about considering these from the perspective of reducing the risk of physical harm to individuals arising from acts of terrorism and for those larger premises and events in scope, reducing the vulnerability of those premises and events to acts of terrorism in the first place. As the new regulator I expect us to be guiding, testing and making sure that premises and events in scope are doing enough to meet the requirements, and this is the case consistently across the UK. The SIA inspectors and teams will be checking that, where there are appropriate plans, procedures and measures in place, they are being put into practice, are known about, and are working effectively. In terms of outcomes, we want to ensure through our work and awareness of the new law, ultimately premises and events are and feel a safe place to be where everyone plays their part in preparing for and protecting them from terrorist attacks. Parliament gave us the role to keep under review the effectiveness of the new law’s requirements in reducing the risk of physical harm to individuals arising from acts of terrorism and the vulnerability of enhanced duty premises and qualifying events to acts of terrorism. As our regulatory work starts, of advising, supporting, and inspecting premises and events, we will be able to do so.
What is the role of private security?
This is a question that comes up a lot at events attended by security professionals keen to hear and know about Martyn’s Law. Private security businesses, security operatives and professional advisors are not in scope of the law. However, they clearly are interested parties and stakeholders as Martyn’s Law is about strengthening and improving protective security and security standards across the UK. Visible, alert, proactive, professional security can be a deterrent, need to know the premises arrangements for lock downs, evacuations, and invacuations. They may be the first response in the event of an incident.
How will we be held to account?
The SIA’s role going forward will be collectively regulating and improving standards in private security and protective security at premises and events across the UK.
I, and my team, very much have the aim of Martyn’s Law at the centre of our thinking as we prepare for the Martyn’s Law responsibility we have been trusted with. We hold the memory of the 22 people who died, and all those who were injured and affected by the horrendous events on 22 May 2017 in the Manchester Arena inquiry, clearly in the forefront of our minds as we do. There are quite rightly high expectations for both the positive impact and success of Martyn’s Law and of the SIA as regulator; we absolutely want and expect to be held to account for effectively delivering on our role, not just by Parliament and ministers, but by those premises and events in scope, the public and of course Figen Murray, whose son, Martyn Hett, the new law is named after, and the campaign team, who fought so hard to make Martyn’s Law a reality – we know and expect you to keep scrutinising our progress and timely delivery.
Further information: For those seeking further information in the meantime, the Home Office has published a Martyn’s Law myth buster (PDF, 294 KB, 4 pages). This is a valuable resource for those seeking to deepen their understanding of, and help others understand, Martyn’s Law.
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69281f35b3b9afff34e960f0/martyns-law-mythbuster.pdf (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
26 Nov 25. Dozens of Federal Agencies Initiate Counter-UAS Collaboration. Over 180 experts from the War Department and other agencies in the federal government met yesterday for a summit to begin a planned three-year effort to deliver counter-small unmanned aircraft system capabilities to warfighters and keep the skies over America safe from dangerous drones. In August, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth launched the Joint Interagency Task Force 401. Just two weeks ago, senior leaders from the department and partner agencies, including Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, met at the White House to discuss how to best leverage the new task force and defend the homeland.
“My priorities for transformation and acquisition reform include improving mobility and affordability and integrating capabilities into warfighter formations,” Hegseth wrote in the August memo, which directed Driscoll to stand up the task force. ” must focus on speed over process by … establishing JIATF 401 with expanded authorities to execute capability development and delivery timelines that outpace the threat.”
Launching the task force, which Hegseth said will maintain operational capabilities for 36 months, is fully in line with the president’s direction to reestablish air sovereignty over the U.S.
” must enhance its capabilities to protect personnel, equipment and facilities at home and abroad,” Hegseth said.
Representatives from the War Department, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration and other agencies — about 50 total — met for the first time at the Mark Center in Alexandria, Virginia, as part of an introductory summit for task force partners.
“This was an opportunity to bring together all of the services, all of our interagency partners that have shared interests and equities with countering small UAS threats, because no one agency can solve this on their own,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, joint task force commander. “What we’re really trying to do is expand the community of interest into a community of action and make sure we’re taking tangible steps to defeat the UAS threat we face on a daily basis.”
The threat from small UAS is growing, Ross told task force members.
“Unmanned systems are a defining threat for our time, and I say that because they’re prolific, they’re evolving quickly, and they’re no longer confined to combat,” he said. “The of drones is putting exquisite surveillance and precision strike capability into the hands of individuals and small groups that used to be reserved for our state adversaries.”
Ross emphasized the task force’s three lines of effort to defeat the counter-small UAS threats: defending the homeland, supporting warfighter lethality and joint force training. In the short term, according to Ross, homeland defense will focus on the area around Washington; the southern border; and supporting the FIFA World Cup event in June 2026, which is a national special security event. U.S. Northern Command and Joint Task Force Southern Border personnel have reported some 3,000 drone incursions over the border in the past year and have seen over 60,000 drones just south of the border looking into the U.S., according to Ross. Ross affirmed his belief that addressing threats from drones at the border isn’t about a hardware solution; it involves communications and data sharing.
“We need a common air picture that includes drones,” he said. “In some cases, we need cross-domain solutions that will allow us to see data that’s picked up on a secret radar and an unclassed sensor. We need to proliferate active and passive sensors that provide air situational awareness along the southern border.”
That kind of integration is what JIATF 401 is all about, and it’s what the task force is expected to bring to bear on the small UAS issue, according to Ross. In the National Capital Region, the task force will monitor how sensors from various agencies are able to track threats as they move through the sky, how that information can be passed to decision-makers and how those with the ability to take those threats out of the sky can be given the authority to do so.
“We’re not there yet, but we’re making progress,” Ross said.
Because the 2026 World Cup is a national special security event, it is a priority. One focus JIATF 401 has during the World Cup is to ensure security personnel have access through the Defense Logistics Agency to purchase counter-UAS capabilities that have been rigorously tested by the War Department. Keeping the drone threat at bay and protecting the U.S. homeland — including people and infrastructure — will take a whole-of-government approach, Ross emphasized.
“It’s important that this is a joint and interagency effort because nobody can solve this problem alone,” Ross said. ” is a whole-of-government effort to be able to protect our critical infrastructure against the threat of unmanned systems. We’ve got to partner closely with our local law enforcement and other federal, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement to be able to counter this threat, see it before it starts to manifest and then to defeat it before an attack is successful.”
Daniel Tamburello, the undersecretary of science and technology for the Department of Homeland Security, acknowledged that working together across the federal government will be crucial to mission success. Both Northcom and DHS are responsible for protecting the homeland, including from drones.
“There’s a lot of overlap in those missions,” Tamburello said. “Jointness and interagency cooperation is actually extremely essential with this.”
The threat from drones will only continue to grow.
“The unmanned aerial system threat is one that has become prolific and widespread, and it’s only going to get bigger and more complicated as more people adopt these systems and learn how to use them,” Tamburello said. “They’ve become, they’ve become crowd sourced, ubiquitous and available pretty much anywhere. Any bad actor who wants to do something has a chance to do it, and we have to stop them.”
The goals for the task force, Tamburello said, include coordinating with every U.S. agency that deals with the threat posed by counter-UAS to enable interoperability and open communication.
“That is really going to be the best value for the taxpayer to make sure that we’re acquiring not only the best systems, but we’re not wasting money in the process,” he said.
Micheal Torphy, unit chief of the FBI’s UAS and counter-UAS programs within their Critical Incident Response Group, attended the summit. He said the task force’s interagency focus will empower the FBI.
“We’re exceptionally excited about this initiative, and we do believe it will enhance our ability to work with our partners to disrupt threats,” he said.
One of the things the FBI is bringing to the table is the National Counter-UAS Training Center, which recently opened in Huntsville, Alabama.
“Its purpose is to train state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement officers on counter-UAS, getting them ready for the World Cup, America 250 and ultimately the Olympics and other events,” he said.
Torphy also said he thinks the interoperability inside the task force is going to make it easier for the FBI to work hand in hand with other partners to contribute to the mission of keeping the skies over America safe.
“The way this has been rolled out has been extraordinary,” he said. “Gen. Ross and his team have been fantastic in getting us involved very, very early. We’re really excited about the future.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
26 Nov 25. Kopin to Unveil Wireless Simulated Binoculars at I/ITSEC 2025. Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN), a leading provider of application-specific optical systems and high-performance microdisplays for defense, training, enterprise, industrial, consumer and medical products, is proud to announce it will unveil a prototype of its new wireless simulated binoculars at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2025, held in Orlando, Florida, from December 1-4, 2025. At Booth #2423, Kopin will publicly reveal its high-resolution wireless simulated binoculars, targeted at defense and commercial training and simulation applications. The virtual binoculars, powered by a computer image generator, will feature integrated positional and directional tracking sensors to deliver highly realistic simulations of fielded counterparts. Leveraging Kopin’s high-resolution color OLED displays-and paired with proprietary viewing optics, the prototype offers exceptional visual fidelity and immersive performance. The premium wireless binoculars round out Kopin’s well-established line of Training & Simulation binoculars, which include the legacy Scout 35 and Ranger 35/47 products from the acquisition of NVIS, in 2017. Kopin will showcase live demonstrations of VR HMDS and simulated military equipment, all powered by our cutting-edge microdisplay and optical technologies. Kopin’s advanced solutions bring realism and depth to training environment enhancing mission readiness through immersive learning. In addition to the featured head-tracked simulated binoculars, guests will experience live demonstrations of: “We’re excited to showcase how Kopin’s advanced microdisplays and optical systems are transforming immersive training environments,” said Daniel Rowell, Director of Business Development, Kopin. “I/ITSEC is the ideal platform to demonstrate our commitment to mission-ready innovation and next-generation visualization for defense and enterprise applications.” (Source: ASD Network)
245 Nov 25. MatrixSpace, a leader in portable AI-enabled radar for counter-UAS missions, is the winner in the U.S. Army’s xTechCounter Strike competition, part of Operation Flytrap 4.5. MatrixSpace was the only active sensing provider selected among 15 finalists, highlighting the company’s breakthrough capabilities in rapidly deployable airspace awareness. Operation Flytrap is the U.S. Army’s key initiative to accelerate innovative, scalable C-UAS technologies through live soldier experimentation, rapid acquisition pathways, and transition to operational units. MatrixSpace showcased its Expeditionary AI Radar and 360 AI Radar, powered by AiEdge software, demonstrating fast setup, seamless integration into Army FAAD-C2 via the NATO-standard SAPIENT protocol, and real-time situational awareness at the tactical edge. Four companies were selected overall, each receiving a $350,000 award and placement into the new Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Marketplace, enabling streamlined procurement by U.S. and NATO partners.
“Operation Flytrap 4.5 gave us a powerful opportunity to show MatrixSpace’s tactical advantage,” explained Matthew Kling, VP & GM, AI Systems at MatrixSpace. “Our ultra-low SWaP-C radars with AiEdge software integrate effortlessly into existing Army C2 networks and deliver dependable, soldier-ready airspace security.”
MatrixSpace radar systems deliver affordable, all-weather, AI-powered detection and classification for airspace, perimeter, and object monitoring, enabling organizations to rapidly establish robust situational awareness in contested environments.
24 Nov 25. Mountain Horse Solutions, in partnership with S3Werx and Argus Industries, is proud to announce that its integrated counter–unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions are a winner in the U.S. Army’s xTechCounter Strike competition, and the team has been awarded $350,000 in prize funding to continue advancing this critical capability. The technology portfolio the team showcased – most of which are combat proven and in operation – centered on ease of use for rapid adoption, advanced sensing and improved lethality for warfighter survivability, commercial technology for cost-effectiveness, right-to-repair capability for simplified sustainability and a modular open systems architecture (MOSA). Held in Germany last week in front of an international audience of armed forces and media, the U.S. Army’s xTechCounter Strike initiative is helping to accelerate the development of technology and solutions for defeating the rapidly evolving threats posed by small UAS. This year’s competition challenged industry participants to demonstrate adaptive, mission-ready solutions capable of supporting soldiers and joint partners in complex, contested environments. Mountain Horse Solutions and its partners showcased a responsive, integrated technology suite, drawing from S3Werx’s rapid–deployment platforms and Argus Industries’ advanced sensing and seeker systems. Multiple components were integrated to deliver maximum effectiveness for the warfighter, and this combined approach emphasizes modularity, rapid threat adaptation and operational simplicity for soldiers at the tactical edge.
“With this award, the U.S. Army is recognizing our solutions and investing in our continued collaboration and shared dedication to supporting the warfighter. Our partners at S3Werx and Argus Industries brought exceptional capability and creativity, enabling us to respond rapidly to the Army’s needs and offer meaningful, field-relevant solutions,” said Richard Budniewski, director of UAS/C-UAS Programs at Mountain Horse Solutions. “We are incredibly proud of our team and the remarkable effort that went into achieving this recognition and award from the U.S. Army. What sets this accomplishment apart is not only the innovation behind the technology, but the speed and commitment shown by everyone involved.”
Four key categories underwent soldier training and evaluation over the course of two weeks, and the Mountain Horse Solutions, S3Werx and Argus team submitted across all four capabilities:
Passive UAS Detection: ARGUS Tsukarok – A hand-sized, body-worn detection device detects military-grade UAS at ranges up to 1.5km and integrates with ATAK for precise geolocation.
Offensive/Defensive UAS Operations: S3 WERX FD-1 Interceptor – An FPV/autonomous interceptor drone capable of speeds up to 165mph, configurable for kinetic or non-kinetic engagements against ground or air targets.
UAS Defeat Systems: ARGUS STING (anti-radiation jammer seeker) – A platform-agnostic, bolt-on system that activates when jamming is detected, locks in on the jammer source, and neutralizes it (with kinetic payload equipped). Also, ARGUS MEPF (Modular Explosive Proximity Fuse) System – a modular proximity fuse providing a dual-safe arming solution for UAS-deployed munitions, configurable for both ordnance drop missions and one-way ordnance deployment, providing one fuse for all UAS missions.
Training and Resilience: S3 WERX TTS-27 – Group 1 target drones for training scenarios.
The xTechCounter Strike competition, led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, or ASA (ALT), challenged industry and academia to deliver cutting-edge solutions that enhance soldier protection, survivability and operational advantage. The Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), stood up by the office, also participated and judged the competition. More than 200 companies applied to this year’s challenge, 15 finalists were invited to compete in the culminating event in Germany and just four teams were ultimately recognized as winners and awarded prize money to continue development.
A G-TEAD Marketplace has also been established as a flexible acquisition vehicle and innovation platform designed to accelerate delivery of operationally ready equipment and software, and Mountain Horse Solutions is among the first to be accepted on this unique platform serving the US Army and allied nations.
To learn more about the xTechCounter Strike competition, visit https://xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechcounterstrike/.
About Mountain Horse Solutions
Mountain Horse Solutions is a leading provider of advanced defense, logistics, and survivability solutions for U.S. and allied forces. The company specializes in agile sourcing, integration, and rapid delivery of mission-critical technologies designed to enhance operational readiness and survivability in the field. To learn more about Mountain Horse Solutions, visit www.mtnhorse.com.
About Argus Industries
Argus Industries specializes in advanced engineering, manufacturing, and product innovation for defense, aerospace, and high-reliability applications.
25 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that SkyGrid and High Lander sign MoU for airspace management ecosystem. SkyGrid and High Lander have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the 2025 Dubai Airshow to explore the development of an airspace management ecosystem designed to support the integration of crewed and uncrewed aircraft. The agreement brings together SkyGrid, an Advanced Air Mobility third-party service provider, and High Lander, a company focused on UAS traffic management and drone fleet management technologies. The two organizations plan to evaluate operational environments that support Advanced Air Mobility, with work centered on airspace integration, digital operations, vertiport coordination, cybersecurity and regulatory frameworks. According to both companies, the collaboration aims to produce technology roadmaps and regulatory and infrastructure plans to support AAM operations in Abu Dhabi and other regions. SkyGrid CEO Jia Xu described the agreement as an important step toward establishing the digital foundations for emerging airspace operations in the Middle East:
“Together with High Lander, we’re bringing the world closer to a unified vision of safe, scalable, and sustainable airspace integration,” Xu said.
He added that combining SkyGrid’s autonomous flight services with High Lander’s UTM systems would support Abu Dhabi’s efforts to position itself as a leader in next-generation aviation. High Lander CEO Alon Abelson said the partnership reflects the companies’ intent to create an environment where different types of aircraft can operate safely in the same airspace:
“Our shared goal is to create a harmonized operational environment where uncrewed and crewed aircraft can coexist safely and efficiently,” he said.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/skygrid-and-high-lander-sign-mou-for-airspace-management-ecosystem/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
25 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that CISA issues new guidance to protect critical infrastructure from drone threats. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has introduced three new resources aimed at helping critical infrastructure owners and operators tackle risks linked to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). These publications form part of the agency’s Be Air Aware™ campaign, which focuses on strengthening security against drone-related threats.
The newly released guides include:
- Unmanned Aircraft System Detection Technology Guidance for Critical Infrastructure
- Suspicious Unmanned Aircraft System Activity Guidance for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators
- Safe Handling Considerations for Downed Unmanned Aircraft Systems
“The new risks and challenges from UAS activity demonstrate that the threat environment is always changing, which means our defenses must improve as well,” said CISA Acting Director Madhu Gottumukkala. “CISA’s Be Air Aware™ resources are designed to empower critical infrastructure owners and operators with the information they need to better safeguard their systems and assets.”
As drone use for commercial and recreational purposes continues to grow, the likelihood of UAS operating near critical infrastructure is expected to rise sharply. While most flights pose no danger, some may go unnoticed, appear suspicious, or even result in a drone landing within a facility’s perimeter. To counter these risks, CISA has developed practical tools to help organisations strengthen security planning and integrate UAS considerations into existing emergency response strategies.
“The release of these guides is a significant step in supporting the actions mandated under Executive Order 14305. By addressing the escalating UAS threats, including the frequent incursions at critical infrastructure facilities, we are taking proactive measures to protect our nation’s vital assets,” said Steve Casapulla, CISA Executive Assistant Director for Infrastructure Security.
These resources were created in partnership with government agencies, industry representatives, and UAS experts. They aim to raise awareness of both cyber and physical risks posed by drones and provide actionable steps to manage these threats effectively. The guidance also supports Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Month, an initiative that highlights the importance of safeguarding essential systems and services. CISA urges organisations to review and apply the recommendations in these guides to improve resilience and security against emerging UAS threats. https://cuashub.com/en/content/cisa-issues-new-guidance-to-protect-critical-infrastructure-from-drone-threats/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
24 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that Air defense soldiers in Europe test C-UAS technologies during Project FlyTrap 4.5. Soldiers and leaders from the 52d Air Defense Artillery Brigade (52d ADA BDE) and the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (10th AAMDC) partnered with Army acquisition personnel and commercial vendors to test emerging C-UAS technologies during Project FlyTrap 4.5, held between November 10 and 21, 2025. The event provided a platform for evaluating innovative C-UAS solutions against simulated threats from Group 1-3 drones operating in NATO airspace. Systems were assessed on their ability to detect, discriminate, or defeat aerial threats. Vendors employed both passive and active radar technologies for detection and discrimination. Active sensors emit strong electromagnetic signals, offering detailed data for friendly forces but increasing vulnerability to enemy targeting. Passive sensors produce smaller signatures but provide less precise data for targeting solutions. For defeat objectives, demonstrations included kinetic options and one non-kinetic solution designed to minimize collateral damage.
“We have to start thinking about the group ones, the group twos [and] the group threes [drones], the smaller and cheaper systems,” said Colonel Haileyesus Bairu, commander of the 52d ADA BDE.
“How do we knock those [drones] down, so there’s not even a problem for our [maneuver forces],” Bairu added.
Early in the exercise, all participating systems were tested for interoperability with the brigade’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2) system – a critical step for integrated operations. Soldiers from the 52d ADA BDE, V Corps, and the 2d Cavalry Regiment helped achieve this milestone, enhancing the systems’ potential for NATO procurement under the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line (EFDL), a layered air defense initiative along NATO’s eastern border. Planning began nearly a year ago at the direction of General Christopher Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEUR-AF) and NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM). The 52d ADA BDE led efforts to identify technologies capable of countering evolving aerial threats. After a three-month selection process, five companies were chosen to participate in fall testing. Under Brigadier General Curtis King, commander of the 10th AAMDC, the brigade integrated the event into the ongoing Project FlyTrap series. Previous iterations focused on enabling maneuver units to operate despite drone threats. With Project FlyTrap 4.0 completed and 5.0 scheduled for spring 2026, this exercise was designated Project FlyTrap 4.5. To expand participation, planners from the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) collaborated with USAEUR-AF, the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), and Program Executive Office Missiles and Space (PEO MS) to launch the “xTechCounterStrike” competition. The contest invited global businesses to submit innovative C-UAS solutions for a two-phase challenge offering cash prizes and potential entry into the G-TEAD Marketplace for future contracting opportunities.
“We were tasked specifically to accelerate the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line,” said Major Joshua McM, G-TEAD capability lead.
“We quickly realized one of the easiest ways to accelerate that capability is to partner with existing companies and existing organizations,” McM explained.
From more than 200 submissions, 15 finalists advanced to the first phase, each earning $50,000. Eleven traveled to Germany for phase two, where four winners were selected to receive $350,000 each. The judging panel included experts from the Army Test and Evaluation Command, G-TEAD, and soldiers from the 52d ADA BDE.
“We are all here at Project FlyTrap 4.5 helping to [bring] forward the air defense artillery branch by utilizing and testing out new systems to reinforce the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line and … expanding the tools we use,” said Sergeant Lukas Hollcraft, a judge and member of the tactics, innovation, and experimentation platoon (TIE PLT), 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
The TIE PLT gained hands-on experience with competing systems, offering operator-level insights during evaluations. “I never expected that as a sergeant … I’d be able to sit down with majors, captains, lieutenants and colonels and evaluate these systems,” Hollcraft said.
“It’s great that as an operator, I get a say in what the future of my job looks like, especially to the future of my soldiers, who I’ll be raising to take over my shoes,” Hollcraft added.
Air defense soldiers in Europe test C-UAS technologies during Project FlyTrap 4.5
(Source: https://cuashub.com/
17 Nov 25. Raytheon Emirates and the UAE Partner to Advance Air Defense with Local Coyote Production. The global security landscape is rapidly evolving, with the widespread emergence of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) making robust counter-drone capabilities more essential than ever. In a significant move reflecting its deep partnership with the United Arab Emirates, Raytheon Emirates, an RTX business, has inaugurated a new production and assembly facility for the Coyote counter-UAS interceptor at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. This new, contemporary facility is the tangible outcome of a strategic collaboration between Raytheon Emirates and the Tawazun Council. Its purpose is to not only strengthen the UAE’s defense industrial base but also to enhance global defense supply chains. The Coyote interceptor, a combat-proven system, is critical in modern air defense for effectively detecting and neutralizing a wide spectrum of drone threats. By bringing its production to the UAE, the partnership ensures faster delivery and greater flexibility to meet urgent regional operational needs in a dynamic threat environment.
Localized Production Strengthens Strategic Objectives
The decision to establish the 21,500 square foot facility in Abu Dhabi stems from a shared vision for enhanced security and industrial growth. This initiative directly supports the UAE’s strategic objectives, particularly the localization of advanced defense manufacturing. The project will contribute to developing a highly skilled local workforce, providing Emirati engineers and technicians with invaluable opportunities in cutting-edge defense production processes. This transfer of knowledge and technology is a cornerstone of the partnership, advancing human capital development and contributing to the UAE’s economic diversification. Localizing the production of key elements of the Coyote interceptor within the UAE offers clear operational advantages. The facility will significantly reduce lead times for critical components, allowing for more rapid access to advanced counter-drone technology. This domestic capability also enhances the resilience of supply chains, lessening reliance on external factors and ensuring sustained operational readiness.
Concrete Steps Toward a Secure Future
The project is already moving forward. Raytheon Emirates has partnered with local entities, including EDGE’s EPI, which has already commenced the manufacturing of prototype components as an initial step toward industrial readiness. This collaboration exemplifies the practical application of the UAE’s industrial strategy, directly supporting the enhancement of local content and empowering Emirati companies to play a leading role in global supply chains. Building upon the initial announcement made at IDEX 2023, the inauguration of the Coyote production facility is a result of a deep and trusted partnership. It clearly demonstrates how collaboration can strengthen national defense, foster economic growth, and drive technological advancement. This partnership is about building lasting capabilities, driving innovation, and securing a safer future for the UAE.
$5bn for Long-Term Counter-Drone Defense
Raytheon was awarded in September 2025 a $5.04bn contract for the Coyote counter-UAS systems and KuRFS radars from the Pentagon, with orders running through 2033. The Coyote system has already been deployed in operational environments and is part of a broader U.S. military effort to develop scalable, integrated defenses against drones. (Source: Defense Arabia)
25 Nov 25. FAA Wants Two More UAS Test Sites. The FAA has issued a Screening Information Request (SIR) 697DCK-26-R-00019 for the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site (UASTS) Selection 2.0. This procurement is in support of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Office (AUS). The FAA-designated Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site (UASTS) program originated via the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-95) and is currently codified in 49 U.S.C. § 44803 (“Unmanned aircraft system test ranges”). After conducting a competitive selection process, the FAA designated six UAS Test Sites, which became operational in 2014 and began to conduct test flights. In 2016, the FAA added a seventh test site as mandated by the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 (P.L. 118-63) recently updated the UASTS program and under 49 U.S.C. § 44803(a)(2)(B) established that the “Administrator may select and designate as a test range under this section up to 2 additional test ranges . . . through a competitive selection process”. The FAA may select and designate up to two additional test sites for expansion to the existing UASTS program. The FAA is seeking partners who can meet all requirements set forth as responsibilities of test range sponsors in 49 U.S.C. § 44803(e), as well as partners who have demonstrated expertise and future plans in the focus areas outlined in the Executive Order mandates. Selected Test Sites will be expected to demonstrate advances in technological capabilities as well as operational concepts and comply with the resulting OTA, a draft version of which is included as an attachment for review with this SIR. The objective of the FAA UAS test site program is to enable a broad variety of development, testing, and evaluation activities related to public and civil UAS and associated technologies; and to the extent consistent with aviation safety and efficiency, support the safe integration of unmanned aircraft systems into the NAS. The FAA intends to conduct this competitive selection process through a phased proposal submission and phased evaluation process, with the potential to authorize and designate up to two new UAS Test Sites. The FAA intends to competitively award up to two (2) Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) with SLTTs under this SIR. The Government will make OTA awards to the Offeror’s determined to best meet the selection criteria which are included in this SIR and reflected in the evaluation of the proposals. (Source: UAS VISION/SAM.gov)
25 Nov 25. South African counter-drone system earns capability pass mark. With successful capability trials completed Centurion-based Centauri Technologies is living up to its “from concept to combat” motto with the TriAD counter-drone system. The trials – integrated and multi-layered – on the TriAD C-UAS (counter-unmanned aerial system) were undertaken using a vehicle mounted configuration at an undisclosed venue in the wake of its public debut at the February IDEX 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
“The trials validated Centauri’s TriAD system, which fuses radar, RF (radio frequency) and electro-optical sensors with AI (artificial intelligence) decision support to detect, prioritise and defeat hostile drones in real time with multiple hard kill effectors,” Xander Louw, Chief Product Officer, is on record as saying in a statement.
“Since then, we’ve refined the TriAD system capabilities, leading to an extensive series of controlled proof-of-concept trials. These are designed to demonstrate end-to-end detection, tracking, identification and defeat of small unmanned aerial systems from one interoperable system.”
The tests combined proven sensors with Centauri’s remotely operated weapon stations (ROWs) and a unified command and control (C2) stack. This showed a single vehicle-integrated solution providing effective, layered protection for convoys, bases and high-value assets. TriAD is a sensor agnostic platform development integrating detection and tracking sensors, ROWs are Centauri proprietary systems. They comprise the CRx-7 (7.62 mm LMG), CRx-30 (30×113 mm cannon) and CRx-40 (six-shot 40 mm grenade launcher) remote weapon stations, for graduated kinetic response. The trials proved tracking from 360° radars matched with RF detection and EO/IR imagery from optical sensors significantly reduces false positives, enabling speedy identification and fast confident engagement decisions. Importantly, the statement has it, the TriAD decision-support algorithm ranks multiple simultaneous contacts producing engagement orders aligned with operator judgement.
“In effect this means the C2 system fuses radar, RF and optical tracks into a single tactical picture, which feeds AI-based classifiers. In this manner, threats are prioritised and the operator is given recommendations for an optimal effector – which weapon to use.”
As an example, in the event of a low threat reconnaissance drone, the operator could use RF jamming or fire the CRx-7 7.62 mm light machine gun. For higher risk or hardened drone platforms, the 30 mm CRx-30 cannon (long range) or CRx-40 (close-in protection) grenade launcher could be fired using airburst munitions. The TriAD features a human-machine interface (HMI) that allows the operator a fast handover between sensor feeds and provides single-click selection of recommended effectors (weapons) or manual override. Louw has it further Centauri’s design priorities focused on modularity and export flexibility.
“TriAD can be configured with different sensor/effector mixes, depending on customer needs. Some might prefer a sensor-heavy detection grid with soft kill options, while others would opt for a hard kill vehicle-mounted solution for use on contested environments.”
Its architecture allows integration on armoured vehicles, naval vessels or as static installations, such as around airfields and military bases. Thanks to its compact and low weight design, it can be integrated on light vehicles, enhancing interoperability. The Chief Product Officer said Centauri’s trials reflect an industry-wide shift toward layered, networked counter-UAS approaches combining sensors, soft and hard-kill options under unified decision systems. Customers benefit from TriAD’s single vendor delivered integration that shortens time-to-deploy compared with assembling disparate subsystems.
“What remains is acceptance testing and qualification. Centauri will expand the trial envelope to include EW (electronic warfare) resilience tests, GNSS (global navigation satellite system) denial scenarios and longer range integration with vehicle convoys,” Louw said. Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
18 Nov 25. Zelenskyy and Macron ink new ten-year air defence agreement. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of France Emmanuel Macron have signed a Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the Acquisition of Defense Equipment for Ukraine. The document provides for the potential procurement from France of 100 Rafale F4 fighter aircraft by 2035, eight SAMP/T air defence systems comprising six launchers each, together with air-defence radars, air-to-air missiles and aerial bombs. The agreement will span ten years from the start of next year. It also provides for the possibility of technology transfer and joint aircraft production with localisation in Ukraine. In addition, Ukraine and France will co-produce interceptor drones and develop critical technologies and components suitable for integration into Ukrainian unmanned systems. The implementation of joint projects between the Ukrainian and French defence industries will commence this year. Both presidents took part in the Ukrainian-French forum on joint drone production in Paris, where participants discussed potential avenues for joint drone production – the creation of joint enterprises and investment opportunities. While in France, Zelenskyy also met with representatives of the Kernic Solidarités association and the National Committee for fishery and aquaculture. They provide Ukrainian cities with anti-drone nets.
“It is a great honor for me to meet you and thank you in person. You are people with big hearts,” Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that he had recently visited Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and eastern Ukraine, and saw that the nets provided by the association and the committee help protect lives from drones.
“For me, it was equally important today to thank both the people who build air defense systems and ordinary people – but with extraordinary vision and warmth – who support us so strongly. With your own money, you have delivered more than 200 kilometres of nets for Ukrainian roads and created safe logistical routes. And this is extremely important for us. I think you cannot even imagine how many lives have been saved thanks to your help,” the President emphasised. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
18 Nov 25. Government and industry meet at C-UAS summit to boost US national security. The Washington National Guard hosted a counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) summit earlier this month, with the aim of uniting government, academic, legal, public safety and industry experts to bolster national security. The central component of the summit was a tabletop exercise simulating a coordinated drone attack on Lumen Field during a FIFA World Cup match. Participants examined the steps leading to the hypothetical attack, conducted pre-incident assessments, and explored possible drone launch points and methods of attack. The scenario also included two drone-based attacks on critical infrastructure, designed to expose vulnerabilities, test response capabilities, and evaluate interagency coordination. Throughout the exercise, participants confronted persistent challenges: limited authorities across various levels of government, gaps in resources, and barriers embedded in current policy and legal frameworks. The summit emphasised parallels between today’s challenges and the vulnerabilities the nation faced prior to Sept 11, 2001. Citing the findings of the 9/11 Commission Report, which acknowledged a failure of imagination, a failure of laws, a failure of capabilities and a failure of management, Major General Gent Welsh, Washington’s Adjutant General and Homeland Security Advisor, urged leaders and attendees to learn from the past.
“If you think about where the world was on September 10th, we are at a very similar place,” said Welsh. “The commission report talked about red flags that popped up prior to 9/11, and now we have seen what is happening across the globe with drones and need to be ready.”
Referencing recent drone incidents in New Jersey, Welsh explained how the real-world event highlighted regional vulnerabilities. “That kicked me into high gear, because I immediately asked myself, if that happened in Washington state, how would I respond to the governor?” Defence industry partners presented a range of available technologies for detection, deterrence, disruption and mitigation. The Washington National Guard said in a November 17 news release that these presentations highlighted both the rapid innovation occurring in the C-UAS arena and the need for streamlined pathways to integrate these tools into public safety operations.
“I imagine we have solutions but you guys have the tools that will take us from concept to practical application,” said Welsh. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
19 Nov 25. SkySafe launches community-powered, decentralised drone detection system for the USA. SkySafe has announced the launch of FliteGrid, a community-powered decentralized drone detection platform that tracks the millions of drones in America’s airspace – creating the nation’s first comprehensive drone tracking network, says the company.
According to a company blog which can be found online here: “Participants will leverage plug-and-play drone tracking sensors that feed real-time data into the FliteGrid network and be rewarded with tokens. The more participants who join and submit data, the more open, accountable, and strong our national airspace becomes.”
Features include:
- “Real-Time Visibility: This initiative goes beyond technology. It is rooted in transparency, trust, and the commitment to public good. Members have access to real-time drone activity in their area, and can view the collective impact of the network through live coverage maps and community statistics.
- “Strengthening Airspace Together: Each sensor you deploy is more than just a piece of hardware; it builds the foundation for the nation’s first comprehensive drone tracking network. The more participants who join and submit data, the more open, accountable, and strong our national airspace becomes.
- “Rewarding Contribution: Quality of coverage, including the sensor’s uptime, is recognized with rewards, offering real value and acknowledgment for your involvement.
“FliteGrid is open to anyone in the United States, making it easy for individuals and organizations to contribute. As the network grows, we plan to expand internationally, beginning with countries that have adopted similar drone Remote ID regulations. Our vision is ambitious: to create a truly global, community-powered network that empowers individuals, supports industry, and keeps the public safe.”
SkySafe is a ten-year-old company backed by Andreesen Horowitz and others that has built the technological infrastructure needed to detect, identify, analyze, and track drone activity, data, and analytics at scale. Customers include the state of Rhode Island, Motorola Solutions, the PGA Tour, and other government entities, enterprises, and critical infrastructure platforms. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
21 Nov 25. Marine interns develop ‘Whack-A-Drone” C-UAS training game. Two interns at the United States Marine Corps’ Program Executive Office Land Systems have developed a digital wargame to aid the deployment of counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) capabilities. David Appelt, a rising senior at Virginia Tech, majoring in cybersecurity management analytics, and Rithwick Erabelly, a rising senior at Purdue University, majoring in aerospace engineering, spent eight weeks working closely with the Program Manager for Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD), Master GySgt Jacob Bucinski, to develop the interactive wargaming training module. Their game, titled “Whack-A-Drone”, is a 2-D platform designed to help users’ assess where to place their assets in specific mission scenarios to combat threatening drone swarms. The game provides an alternative to real-life scenario training, which, while necessary, can be both risky and costly.
“The intern’s wargaming simulator gets after one of the more complicated training shortfalls the ground-based air defense community has,” said Bucinski. “Their design provides a method to train employment in a low cost, non-manpower intensive, yet easily accessible package. Being able to provide a leader feedback on how effective their employment was is incredibly valuable.”
To produce results that would most closely mimic real-life outcomes, Appelt coded thousands of possible drone swarm scenarios by pulling different management types to simulate what would happen in a real mission with real warfighters. Erabelly explained that the point of the game is to bring together all of the C-UAS assets to teach the Marine how to create an integrated air defence system. “A Marine may know how to operate the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) on an individual level, how to command it and strategically place it at different points. The Marine may not know how to use all these systems together, and make sure they’re covering the objective points against different types of [drone] swarms.” Master Sgt. Brandon Meadors, MADIS training subject matter expert for GBAD, has been looking for a digital solution to teach these concepts for several years now and said the wargame training could save lives. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Nov 25. Dubai Air Show 2025 – Rostec exhibits latest Russian C-UAS technology. Russia’s Rostec State Corporation is exhibiting a range of counter-UAS systems at the Dubai Air Show. According to Rostec: “The new Pantsir system has been developed by High-Precision Weapons in response to current UAV threats. It is designed to protect industrial and administrative facilities and is capable of destroying all types of aerodynamic targets, including any unmanned aerial vehicles. The ammunition load in the launching ramp may comprise up to 48 miniature short-range guided surface-to-air missiles or 12 standard missiles….The new modular Pantsir system provides a flexible solution as it can be deployed on building rooftops or at specially prepared sites. The ammunition load can be increased to 48 miniature missiles, which makes it possible to effectively repel large-scale UAV attacks and provides reliable protection for various facilities, including industrial, social and transport infrastructure as well as other structures,” according to Bekhan Ozdoev, Industrial Director of the Weapons Cluster of Rostec State Corporation, member of the Bureau of the Union of Machine Engineers of Russia, quoted in a press release. For the first time in the Middle East, the company will present a compact solution for monitoring UAVs and small aircraft, namely a short-range airspace surveillance radar, continued the company. It weighs 45 kg, can be transported using mobile vehicles, and is capable of detecting medium-sized UAVs at a distance of 7.5 km or more. “In addition, visitors will be shown an airspace control system that detects and tracks flying targets, including UAVs and cruise missiles. The system’s capabilities enable it to detect even low-altitude and low-speed targets.”
“The exhibition will also feature the Verba short-range man-portable air-defence system designed to destroy airplanes, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles. It remains effective even amid strong optical jamming. For greater mobility and convenience, a crew can use the Dzhigit launching unit, which can be deployed at a combat site in just three minutes. It is a fire-and-forget system that can launch two Verba or Igla surface-to-air missiles. The unit can be used as a fixed version or mounted on a vehicle; it can also be disassembled and carried manually.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Nov 25. NATO allies demonstrate C-UAS capability during live-fire demonstration in Poland. US, Polish and Romanian soldiers demonstrated a new counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) capability on November 18, showing how allies are adapting to the growing drone threat along NATO’s eastern flank. The live-fire event at the Nowa Dęba Training Area in Poland capped a two-week course that brought together air defenders from all three nations. Soldiers trained on a mobile system that uses radar, electro-optical sensors and a small interceptor drone to detect, track and defeat hostile UAS. All major components fit on a light tactical vehicle or pickup truck, enabling a four-person crew to move, emplace and reload the system in minutes. During the demonstration, crews used a truck-mounted launcher to fire interceptors against surrogate ‘enemy’ drones and recover them by parachute for reuse in training.
“It’s very lethal, very effective, but the key piece here is that it’s cost effective,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, commanding general of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
King noted that the same type of interceptor has already been used in combat in Ukraine against Russian unmanned systems. There, he said, the capability has been “highly effective and lethal against one-way attack drones in Ukraine,” and is part of “the latest technology that’s being fought in Ukraine right now.”l.
Polish and Romanian officers at Nowa Dęba said recent airspace violations and drone incidents over their territory accelerated efforts to field practical counter-UAS options.
The course followed a train-the-trainer model. U.S. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 57th Air Defense Artillery Regiment trained alongside Polish and Romanian counterparts through classroom instruction, simulator work and live launches. The 20-day course was designed to transform a diverse group of personnel into expert instructors for a system battle-tested in Ukraine. None of the participants had previous experience with the system, and most had little to no military drone experience. The new graduates are expected to form the core of future national training teams. The training and demonstration in Nowa Dęba support NATO’s Operation Eastern Sentry and the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line, which seeks to link ground-based air and missile defense, aviation, sensors, and fires into a layered architecture along NATO’s flank. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
21 Nov 25. Fortem joins US Army’s new G-TEAD marketplace. Fortem Technologies has been admitted to the United States Army’s new Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Marketplace, a new contracting framework designed to expedite systems to operational users. The G-TEAD designation could dramatically shorten procurement timelines for Fortem’s counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) technology. Under Fortem’s agreement with G-TEAD, Army organisations and other US government agencies with contracting and ordering authority can now rapidly acquire Fortem products through the Marketplace without additional competition. Certain NATO and allied agencies may also place orders under applicable laws and security agreements. Fortem’s admission to the Marketplace reflects the Army’s assessment that the company’s autonomous C-UAS systems have been evaluated by the Army and have met the standards required for rapid scaling. Fortem will work closely with Army Contracting Command, capability leads, and operational units as the G-TEAD framework expands. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Nov 25. UAV association warns against patchwork drone defence. The Association of Unmanned Aviation (UAV DACH) is warning of a patchwork approach to drone defence in Germany and Europe as a whole.
“As things stand today, Germany is unable to effectively and consistently protect its critical infrastructure and major public events from illegally operated drones,” the association said.
An amendment to the Air Security Act, submitted by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and approved by the Federal Cabinet, proposes that the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) can support the federal states in hazard prevention through administrative assistance. But Dr. Gerald Wissel, Chairman of the Board of UAV DACH said foundations are first needed. “We welcome the fact that Germany’s security architecture is to be adapted to new technological challenges. However, the proposed tightening of the Air Security Act is putting the cart before the horse. To ensure that this last resort is ultimately unnecessary, crucial foundations must be laid urgently, which are unfortunately receiving far too little attention in the current political debate.” UAV DACH believes that the prerequisite for effectively countering illegally operated drones is a shared airspace situational awareness picture from all relevant authorities. The association adds that mandatory, tamper-proof electronic visibility of all participants in the lower airspace, using existing technologies such as ADS-L, is necessary to distinguish between legally and illegally operated drones at any given time.
“I can only reiterate that we urgently need a national task force, led by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, to coordinate the necessary measures for drone detection and countermeasures at the federal and state levels,” Dr. Gerald Wissel emphasised. “Only in this way can clear responsibilities be established, unilateral actions and a patchwork of measures be prevented, and a coordinated approach across Europe be ensured.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Nov 25. Shield AI and Destinus Partner to Integrate Hivemind Across Platforms in Support of European Defence. Shield AI and Destinus have announced a strategic partnership to integrate Hivemind, Shield AI’s mission autonomy software, across Destinus’ aerial platforms. Together, the companies are creating the first scalable, cross-platform autonomy architecture jointly developed by next-generation defence leaders in Europe and the United States. By combining Shield AI’s battle-proven autonomy with Destinus’ industrial-scale European manufacturing, this partnership accelerates the delivery of AI-enabled unmanned systems to Ukraine and strengthens Europe’s overall defence resilience. Through this partnership, Hivemind will be integrated onto Destinus’ Ruta and Hornet unmanned aerial systems. Together with Shield AI’s V-BAT, these platforms will share information, coordinate behaviors, and adapt in real time with in-flight target updates — creating a tightly integrated and highly effective reconnaissance-strike capability. Joint flight demonstrations are planned for 2026 to showcase operational interoperability across systems from both companies.
“Integrating Hivemind across diverse aircraft architectures like Ruta, Hornet, and V-BAT demonstrates how a unified autonomy framework can enable distributed mission execution,” said Nathan Michael, Shield AI Chief Technology Officer and Head of the Hivemind Business Unit. “By allowing platforms to perceive, decide, and act together in real time, Hivemind delivers scalable autonomy that enhances coordination, survivability, and mission success across the battlespace.”
“For Europe to achieve true technological sovereignty, we must unite world-class AI autonomy with industrial scale,” said Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Destinus. “This partnership strengthens that effort by pairing Destinus’ platforms and AI avionics with Shield AI’s combat-proven mission autonomy. With Destinus platforms, we are engineering the backbone of a distributed, intelligent, and resilient autonomous strike architecture for Europe and for Ukraine.”
Hivemind is a highly modular, platform-agnostic autonomy software that enables heterogeneous teaming across systems, allowing reconnaissance and strike assets to operate as an intelligent team, thereby closing the reconnaissance-strike loop with speed and precision. Designed to ensure traceability, reliability and governability, Hivemind operates within clear command frameworks and augments human decision-makers, rather than replacing them. (Source: UAS VISION)
24 Nov 25. Merops – the Cheap US Interceptor Drone Making Russia’s $35K Shaheds Obsolete. With plans to establish a drone wall to combat a surge in Russian UAV incursions, multiple states in NATO’s Eastern Flank are now adopting Merops, the battle-tested ‘Shahed-killer’ counter-drone system. Merops has been fast-tracked to countries like Poland and Romania, both of which are witnessing mounting drone incursions from Russia. It is reportedly also being purchased by Denmark, which has seen an uptick in unidentified drone activity. Poland and Romania received their first Merops systems this month and began training alongside US soldiers at one of Poland’s largest military training areas. On November 18, Polish soldiers launched the sleek interceptor drone from the flatbed of a pickup truck on a windswept training site just 100 kilometers from Ukraine. Recent drone incursions in airspace over the Eastern Flank not only exposed NATO’s vulnerability against these threats but also drew attention to the fact that the alliance does not have cost-effective assets to neutralize these cheap, expendable drones. While a Russian Shahed drone costs around $25,000 to $35,000, the interceptor missiles used by NATO cost ms of dollars per unit. This is where the Merops system comes in. Merops interceptor drones can autonomously chase and ram hostile drones at high speed. They cost about $15,000, almost half the price of the Shahed UAV. This system has been battle-tested in Ukraine, where it has been credited with destroying 40% of Russia’s Shahed kamikaze drones.
Merops To Defend NATO
In the war that is fast approaching the four-year mark, Ukraine has successfully deployed cost-effective interceptor drones to neutralize Russian UAVs targeting strategic assets in the country. In fact, Merops, along with other interceptor drones, is part of Ukraine’s multilayered air defense architecture, which relies mostly on traditional systems such as anti-aircraft guns, MANPADS, and electronic warfare to handle the high volume of Shaheds. Merops drone is a compact, AI-powered counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones, particularly low-cost, slow-moving threats such as the Shahed. It presents a shift toward affordable, mobile drone-on-drone interception, emphasizing kinetic effects over expensive missiles or electronic warfare. It is named after the bee-eater bird genus (Merops) known for agile aerial hunting. It was created as part of the US-led Project Eagle.
“This is one of the most effective Shahed killers on the planet right now,”
U.S. Brig. General Curtis King, head of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, told reporters at the Polish base where the training was taking place.
”We conservatively estimate that it has been responsible for 40% of all Shahed destruction in Ukraine.”
The Merops system consists of launchers, the interceptor UAVs, and a ground control station. During training in Poland, the UAVs are launched straight from regular pickup trucks. Therefore, Merops can be used to hunt down enemy reconnaissance or strike drones close to the frontline as well as to combat long-range UAVs.
Typically, drones used for interception can be controlled remotely or autonomously. They have sensors for detecting targets and carry a small warhead, but it is enough to destroy drones of the Shahed-class. They reach speeds of more than 175 mph (280 km/h).
The Merops system uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) machine vision (optical/IR) for terminal homing, which is resistant to GPS/EW jamming. The system avoids reliance on vulnerable satellite links, using onboard AI to filter noise, identify targets, and execute intercepts even in jammed environments. Merops entered classified service with Ukraine in mid-2024 and was integrated into air defense units repelling nightly Shahed barrages. Ukrainian operators praise its mobility, and reports suggest that it has achieved over 1,000 confirmed intercepts of Russian Shahed drones.
The system was rushed into production and deployment starting in 2024 to address gaps exposed by Russian drone attacks on Ukraine. According to reports, Anduril’s broader C-UAS portfolio, including tools such as Lattice AI software, integrates seamlessly with Merops for sensor fusion and autonomous decision-making.
“It’s very lethal, very effective, but the key piece here is that it’s cost-effective,” said Brig. Gen. Curtis King, Brig. Gen. King highlighted its lethality in contested airspace, noting it fills gaps left by pricier systems like Patriots.
“This is one of many capabilities that NATO nations are going to have to look to employ to defeat the drones,” King stated, noting that the conflict in Ukraine highlights the need for weapons research to keep up with the rapid evolution of modern warfare. (Source: UAS VISION/The Eurasian Times)
22 Nov 25. UK says ECRS Mk2 radar timing depends on Eurofighter work. A series of written parliamentary answers has shed light on the remaining obstacles facing delivery of the Typhoon’s new European Common Radar System Mk2, while also clarifying the pace of procurement and the wider Eurofighter enhancement programme. Ben Obese Jecty, the Conservative MP for Huntingdon, asked the Ministry of Defence “what are the significant remaining challenges faced in delivering the European Common Radar System Mk 2,” referencing the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority’s 2024–25 annual report. His question sought specifics on what still threatens the schedule for the radar, which the RAF plans to field by 2030. Responding on behalf of the department, Minister of State Luke Pollard wrote that the major challenges “centre principally around the international Eurofighter capability programme, known as Phase 4 Enhancements, which will deliver the significant changes to the aircraft’s avionics system required to integrate the UK Radar.” He added that work continues with NETMA and Eurofighter partner nations to ensure that “the international programme scope includes all essential UK features, and that these are prioritised to deliver in time for the RAF to test and field the ECRS Mk2 radar by 2030.” According to the answer, this schedule aligns with a mandate agreed by all four Eurofighter partner nations in May 2025. (Source: UKDJ)
21 Nov 25. Cuashub.com said today that US Army seeks industry partners for C-UAS field support services. The United States Army is exploring industry interest in providing international field services and technical support for its counter-UAS operations. A newly released sources sought notice outlines the service’s need for vendors capable of supporting the Program Executive Office Missiles and Space C-UAS Product Office across multiple overseas locations. According to the notice, modern counter-drone missions rely on a system-of-systems approach that blends sensors, effectors and command-and-control platforms to detect, track and defeat unmanned aircraft. These capabilities are routinely deployed in complex multinational environments, and the Army says maintaining them requires field personnel with expertise in integration, sustainment and operational support. The Army anticipates needing field service representatives with technical fluency in RF detection, radar, EO/IR tracking, kinetic and non-kinetic defeat technologies and C2 integration. Their responsibilities would include on-site sustainment such as diagnostics, repair, calibration and performance optimization of interconnected subsystems. The notice adds that field support may extend to interoperability engineering to ensure systems can integrate with host nation and allied networks. Training is another key component of the anticipated work. Vendors would be expected to deliver operator and maintainer instruction tailored to partner-nation forces, with an emphasis on practical, hands-on learning. The Army also plans for ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programs intended to help countries cultivate their own long-term counter-UAS expertise. Logistics and lifecycle management form a third pillar of the requirement. The vendor would be responsible for forecasting and provisioning spare parts, consumables and other mission-critical components, in addition to managing international shipments, customs processes and compliance with ITAR and host nation regulations. Software and firmware updates and configuration management across integrated systems are also included. The notice describes a need for in-country operational coordination as well. The field representative would serve as the primary program contact for host-country military leadership and the liaison to the U.S. country team and combatant command units. Their role could include assistance with mission planning and participation in post-mission reviews. The Army is currently gathering information from industry and has not yet issued a formal solicitation. https://cuashub.com/en/content/us-army-seeks-industry-partners-for-c-uas-field-support-services/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
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