Sponsored by Echodyne
www.echodyne.com
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
15 Jan 26. DefendAir Counter-UAS Technology Showcased During First European Live Exercise. ParaZero presented its DefendAir counter-UAS technology during a live European exercise, demonstrating its rapid deployment, precise targeting, and high interception success against simulated drone threats for a group of senior NATO officers. ParaZero Technologies has successfully conducted the first live demonstration of its DefendAir Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) on European soil, showcasing the technology to around 40 senior military officers representing various Western European NATO countries. During the live-fire exercise, ParaZero presented the system’s full operational capabilities in real-world scenarios. The DefendAir platform successfully neutralized simulated hostile drones, focusing on mission applications relevant to both active battlefield engagements and the protection of critical infrastructure. The demonstration highlighted the system’s high interception success rate, rapid deployment, precise targeting, and its ability to function effectively within complex environments, addressing specific requirements for force protection and counter-drone procurement.
Commenting on the demonstration, Ariel Alon, CEO of ParaZero Technologies, said, “This first European demonstration marks a significant milestone in our strategic expansion into NATO-aligned markets. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from senior officers of multiple Western European armed forces validates the readiness and effectiveness of DefendAir as a mission-critical solution. Together with our new partner, we are now actively engaged in follow-up discussions and tender processes that we believe has the potential to accelerate adoption of our technology across the region.”
The event follows a recently signed distribution agreement with a leading Western European distributor, granting them rights to provide the DefendAir system across multiple Western European NATO member states. As an aerospace defense company, ParaZero specializes in smart, autonomous solutions for the global manned and unmanned aerial systems industry. This successful showcase builds directly on the company’s recent strategic efforts to integrate its C-UAS technology into the defense frameworks of Western European nations. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
14 Jan 26. Epirus’ Leonidas Demos Successful Use of High-Power Microwave to Defeat Fiber-Optic Controlled UAS. Leonidas is the first EW-based counter-UAS technology to demonstrate effects against fiber-optic guided drones. Epirus today released video footage of the company’s Leonidas VehicleKit (VK) high-power microwave (HPM) platform successfully disabling a fiber-optic guided unmanned aerial system (UAS) during a December 2025 live-fire technology demonstration at a U.S. government testing site. The event marks the first known instance of electromagnetic interference being weaponized to defeat a fiber-optic guided drone. Fiber-optic first person view (FPV) drones have emerged as a game-changing tactic in contested environments, particularly in Ukraine, where they are employed daily for one-way attacks and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Unlike conventional UAS that rely on radio frequency (RF) links for pilot control, fiber-optic guided FPV drones connect to their pilots via spools of long, thin, fiber-optic cable. These fiber-optic guided FPV drones operate without an RF command-and-control link, rendering them immune to jamming, spoofing and other legacy EW counter-UAS measures. The Leonidas HPM platform defeats fiber-optic guided drones by delivering precise, software-defined weaponized electromagnetic interference to induce full kill within critical onboard electronics rather than relying on kinetic destruction or RF disruption. The Leonidas HPM platform utilizes non-ionizing radiation, making it inherently safe for humans when used as intended and its software-defined, highly directional phased array antennas focus energy on identified target areas only. Its near-instantaneous effects enable operators to influence the target’s drop zone to minimize collateral damage. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has publicly stated that Russian forces are now fielding fiber-optic FPV drones with 31 miles of range and that these drones represent “a very considerable threat to logistics and personnel.” An August 2025 U.S. Army analysis of fiber-optic FPV drones similarly concluded that these drones “pos[e] a significant counter-UAS challenge” and are “extremely difficult to detect and target.”
“The proliferation of fiber-optic guided UAS represents a major shift in drone warfare and exposes a growing operational gap for counter-UAS defenses — one that Leonidas is designed to address and close,” said Andy Lowery, Epirus CEO. “Leonidas’ ability to defeat this new class of threat represents an important breakthrough in safe, non-kinetic defense against emerging drone tactics and reinforces Epirus’ leadership in scalable, one-to-many counter-UAS platform development.” (Source: ASD Network)
15 Jan 26. CSIR signs passive radar license agreement with Adler Aerospace. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is one of the world’s leading organisations developing passive radar, and has recorded major progress commercialising the technology through a license agreement with US-based Adler Aerospace. Speaking at the recent CSIR Annual Roundtable, Executive Manager of the Council’s Defence and Security Cluster Sipho Mbhokota said the agreement with Adler Aerospace means they will be able to license the CSIR’s passive radar technology elsewhere in the world.
Adler Aerospace – which specialises in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and counter-UAV technologies – is offering the StealthNet passive radar system from the CSIR, which is ideal for early warning or covert surveillance. “With 24/7 hemispherical coverage, instant deployment, and the ability to detect diverse targets while resisting jamming, StealthNet is the smart, cost-effective choice for tactical and strategic operations. Ideal for both stand-alone and meshed network configurations, it delivers cutting-edge performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional radar systems,” the company said.
StealthNet uses FM and Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) emitters to detect targets at up to 300 km for commercial airliner size targets, 120 km for light aircraft, 80 km for fighter aircraft, and up to 50 km for smaller unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
As passive radar uses emissions from other emitters for target detection, it is much cheaper than active radar, requires less maintenance (no moving parts), is easily deployed, does not require regulatory approvals to operate, and is covert. Two to three receiver nodes are needed at a minimum to detect and track targets.
Dr Motodi Maserumule, CSIR Group Executive for the Advanced Production and Security division, said passive radar is ideal for airport security, particularly against UAVs – because it’s passive, it is difficult for people flying offending UAVs to detect it. The interest in the technology is quite vast, he said, with the technology promising to have an expansive impact.
Mbhokota said the CSIR hopes to launch a passive radar air traffic control product within the next couple of months. “There is a huge market and we are looking to target Africa as they are struggling with airspace control,” he said.
Mbhokota added that the CSIR recently attended the ADEX aerospace and defence exhibition in South Korea in October, and met with prominent players that are very much interested in its passive radar technology, so much so that demonstrations were carried out.
Locally, the CSIR is working with Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) to trial passive radar at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. ATNS and the CSIR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2017 on the deployment of passive radar system technology for civil aviation operations, and renewed this in April 2023. The CSIR has collaborated with local companies Peralex and Lochtron, as well as academic institutions (the University of Pretoria and University of Cape Town) on passive radar. Armscor has also provided funding support for passive radar research and development. With the CSIR leading technology development, ATNS has provided technical know-how on system configuration to meet Air Traffic Management (ATM) technical standards requirements, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPs). Over the last eight years the CSIR’s passive radar system has been rolled out to multiple sites in the North-Eastern part of South Africa, including one site on the roof of the CSIR’s buildings in Pretoria, another at the University of the North West (Potchefstroom campus), a third at Emalahleni (Tshwane University of Technology campus), one at Hartebeeshoek and another at OR Tambo International Airport. In 2024, passive radar technology was installed at Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. The CSIR has obtained funding from the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) to mature passive radar for air traffic control. “With the generous funding support from the Technology Innovation Agency, this endeavour aims not only to mature and commercialise passive radar technology but also to foster innovation and technological advancement within South Africa,” the CSIR said. The CSIR is looking at multiple applications for passive radar, including air traffic control, border security and unmanned aerial vehicle detection around airports. It has even tested passive radar at the coast and discovered that it can detect surface vessels like harbour patrol boats – small boats were detected at ranges of 4-5 kilometres during tests carried out in 2014 in the Western Cape. Tests at the CSIR have also seen the system detecting road traffic. Peralex, meanwhile, has successfully used passive radar stations in the Northern Cape to monitor air traffic for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope in what is one of the first commercial applications anywhere in the world for the technology. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
14 Jan 26. Department of Homeland Security Launches New Office to Advance Drone and Counter-Drone Technologies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the launch of a new office focused on the rapid procurement and deployment of drone and counter-drone technologies, marking a significant step toward strengthening American airspace sovereignty. While drones are transforming industries across the US, they are also increasingly used by malicious actors. The new DHS Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Counter-UAS will oversee strategic investments in technologies designed to stay ahead of evolving drone threats and tactics. The office has already begun operations and is expected to finalise a US$115 m investment in counter-drone systems this week. These capabilities will be used to secure major national and international events, including America250 celebrations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting DHS’s role in protecting high-profile gatherings during a historic period. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said drones now represent a new frontier in air superiority and that the initiative reflects a renewed focus on defending US borders, infrastructure and public safety. She added that the new office will help protect Americans at large public events while strengthening efforts to counter criminal and cartel activity. The White House has prioritised protection against drone threats since 2018, when DHS was granted authority to detect and mitigate hostile drones. Since then, DHS has conducted more than 1,500 missions addressing illicit drone activity. The new Program Executive Office will build on this foundation, accelerating innovation while also expanding the use of drones for defensive and public safety missions. With White House support, DHS is significantly increasing investment in airspace security. Key initiatives include a proposed US$1.5 bn counter-drone contract vehicle to speed technology acquisition across DHS agencies, expanded counter-UAS authorities for federal and state partners, and US$250m in FEMA grants awarded to states hosting the 2026 World Cup. (Source: DHS/UAS VISION)
13 Jan 26. Joint Interagency Task Force Announces First Replicator 2 Purchase to Counter Homeland Drone Threats. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 announced Jan. 11 its first acquisition under the Replicator 2 initiative, awarding a contract for two advanced DroneHunter F700 systems, which are expected to be delivered by April. This acquisition provides the task force with enhanced capabilities to counter the growing threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems. It also marks a significant step in the War Department’s strategy to rapidly field counter-unmanned aerial systems to protect military installations and critical infrastructure across the United States.
“We’re designed to move at the speed of relevance, cutting through red tape, consolidating resources, and engaging venture capitalists, tech startups, and nontraditional defense firms as critical partners,” said Army Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, JIATF 401 director.
“We have just one measure of effectiveness: to deliver state-of-the-art counter-UAS capabilities to our warfighters both at home and abroad. This purchase of the DroneHunter system is a key first step in accomplishing our Replicator 2 mission,” Ross added.
Replicator 2: A New Approach to Counter-UAS
The Replicator initiative, first announced in August 2023, is a War Department effort to accelerate the delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale. While the first phase, Replicator 1, was focused on deploying thousands of autonomous systems across multiple domains, Replicator 2 is specifically aimed at countering the threat posed by small UAS.
The joint task force, established in August 2025, is the lead organization for this effort, tasked with synchronizing counter-small UAS efforts across the department and rapidly delivering joint capabilities.
“Replicator 2 is not about starting from scratch,” Ross said. “It’s about leveraging the incredible innovation happening in the commercial sector and getting it deployed where it is needed most.”
The DroneHunter: A State-of-the-Art Solution
The DroneHunter is a reusable, artificial intelligence-driven interceptor drone that provides a unique and effective solution to counter small UAS, especially in settings where personnel, infrastructure and surrounding activity require careful control of effects. The system uses AI and radar to detect and track small, low-altitude drones in complex environments. Once it spots a potential threat, the system can capture it with a tethered net.
The captured drone is then safely towed to a designated location for forensic analysis. This solution is ideal for use in the homeland, where the risk to civilian populations and infrastructure must be minimized. This initial purchase is the first step in the tailored approach the task force will take to deliver state-of-the-art counter-UAS technology to protect military infrastructure and service members.
“This is one example that demonstrates how JIATF 401 has taken counter-drone efforts from a community of interest to a community of action,” Ross said. “The task force is focused on a whole-of-government approach, working with interagency partners and industry to build a layered defense against the full spectrum of small UAS threats to the homeland.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
13 Jan 26. Cuashub.com said today that Mach Industries unveils Dart, a scalable C-UAS system for swarm defense. On January 8, Mach Industries announced Dart, a next-generation C-UAS system designed to defeat Group 1–3 drone threats, including coordinated swarms. The system aims to deliver cost-effective and scalable protection aligned with modern conflict requirements, restoring economic and operational advantage to U.S. and allied forces.
Integrated Sensor-to-Engage Capability
Dart is a self-contained, end-to-end solution that combines detection, tracking, command-and-control, and engagement. Built around Mach’s internally developed Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave ground radar and low-cost interceptors, the system provides a fully integrated sensor-to-engage capability. This design supports high-throughput operations in contested environments where legacy air-defense systems run the risk of being ineffective or economically unsustainable. , According to Mach Industries, Dart offers reliable protection against persistent small-UAS threats and enables continued operations across diverse mission sets. The system is intended for deployment at forward operating bases, distributed outposts, and critical infrastructure sites, as well as NATO and homeland defense missions.
Scalability and Parallel Engagement
Dart is engineered for scalability, supporting parallel engagements and high track-and-engage capacity. This ought to make it effective against high-volume swarm attacks and higher-performance Group 3 threats. The approach prioritizes affordability and operational realism to ensure forces can defend critical assets in an increasingly contested air domain.
Vertically Integrated Production
Manufacturing and production of Dart take place within Mach Industries’ Forge ecosystem, a vertically integrated model designed for speed, scalability, and resilience. By combining design and manufacturing under one roof, Mach aims to enable rapid iteration, disciplined quality control, and efficient transition from development to fielding. This approach is designed to reduce reliance on fragile supply chains and supports distributed production for sustained operations. Founded in 2023 and headquartered in Huntington Beach, California, Mach Industries develops advanced unmanned systems and manufacturing infrastructure to scale production. The company’s integrated approach to weapons, propulsion, and manufacturing aims to preserve the allied edge in modern conflict. https://cuashub.com/en/content/mach-industries-unveils-dart-a-scalable-c-uas-system-for-swarm-defense/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
13 Jan 26. Cuashub.com said today that Omnisys expands BRO suite with AI-driven, digital twin C-UAS platform. Omnisys is expanding its BRO (Battle Resource Optimization) suite with a next-generation counter-UAS mission planning platform designed to shift counter-drone defense from reactive interception to proactive, model-driven prevention. The new capability builds on the company’s established BRO C-UAS solution, adding advanced modeling and optimization tools that allow operational users to understand their battlespace in greater depth and anticipate likely drone attack routes. The platform is aimed at improving mission effectiveness against small drones, FPV strike systems and loitering munitions while making better use of existing counter-UAS assets. At the core of the system is a physics-accurate digital twin of the operational environment. By modeling terrain, buildings, vegetation and spectrum conditions, BRO C-UAS identifies low-altitude approach corridors and coverage gaps, and calculates realistic detection, tracking and engagement envelopes for sensors and effectors. Planners can use this insight to pinpoint vulnerabilities, close blind spots, prioritize critical sites and routes and position scarce radars, RF sensors, jammers and interceptors where they provide the greatest operational impact. An AI-driven optimization engine evaluates alternative deployment options and operational concepts, recommending courses of action that improve coverage and interception probability while reducing mutual interference and unnecessary overlap. The platform operates as an independent planning and decision-support tool, complementing existing command-and-control and sensor-control systems by focusing on mission logic and optimization rather than real-time device control. According to Omnisys, the system supports mission understanding beyond basic situational awareness by modeling friendly and adversary behavior, operational constraints, and potential enemy courses of action. This approach is intended to help commanders reach faster, better-informed decisions in complex and highly dynamic threat environments. BRO C-UAS is fully vendor-agnostic, allowing users to model mixed fleets of sensors and effectors from multiple suppliers, as well as known or generic hostile drone systems. Sensitive performance parameters are configured locally through a secure interface, ensuring that classified or proprietary data remains under sovereign user control while still enabling accurate modeling and optimization. Beyond operational planning, the platform is also positioned as a tool for training, readiness and long-term force development. Users can run realistic counter-drone scenarios, conduct data-driven after-action reviews and assess alternative counter-UAS architectures. Acquisition and force-development authorities can compare options, quantify trade-offs and identify cost-effective combinations of sensors and effectors tailored to specific mission profiles and budget constraints.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/omnisys-expands-bro-suite-with-ai-driven-digital-twin-c-uas-platform/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
13 Jan 26. US invests in counter-drone tech to protect FIFA World Cup venues. The U.S. will invest $115m in counter-drone measures to bolster security around the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the Department of Homeland Security said on Monday, the latest sign of governments stepping up drone defenses. The FIFA World Cup will be a major test of President Donald Trump’s pledge to keep the U.S. secure, with over a m travelers expected to visit for the tournament and billions more watching matches from overseas. The threat of drone attacks has become a growing concern since the war in Ukraine has demonstrated their lethal capabilities. And recent drone incidents have worried both European and U.S. airports.
“We are entering a new era to defend our air superiority to protect our borders and the interior of the United States,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
Defense companies are developing a range of technologies aimed at countering drones, including tracking software, lasers, microwaves and autonomous machine guns. The DHS did not specify which technologies it would deploy to World Cup venues. The announcement comes weeks after the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which sits under DHS, said it granted $250 m to 11 states hosting World Cup matches to buy counter-drone technologies. Last summer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, called on Trump, a Republican, to bolster federal support for defending against drone attacks. (Source: Reuters)
06 Jan 26. Belgium receives Piorun air defence systems. Belgium’s Special Operations Regiment has received its first Piorun air defence systems. The portable and mobile system is designed for deployment by small units, providing protection against drones, attack helicopters and low-altitude aircraft. The delivery is a result of a May 2025 declaration of intent agreement with Poland, which supplies the Piorun. Belgium has purchased 40 Piorun systems as part of the collaboration. The Belgian Ministry of Defence is currently strengthening its capacity to detect and neutralise drones and other low-flying threats. In addition to the Piorun, the Ministry of Defence uses the SAAB Giraffe 1X mobile radar for a clear aerial image and early detection of suspicious air activity and the DroneShield Immediate Response Kits for quick intervention. If the situation requires it, a drone can also be physically neutralised with a specially adapted SX4 shotgun. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Jan 26. India “establishing joint C-UAS grid.” India is establishing a joint counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) grid to counter enemy drone attacks, separate from existing air defence networks, The Economic Times reports today. The initiative aims to monitor all drone movements and integrate various counter-drone systems acquired by the three defence services over the last 5-10 years. The grid would be established with the existing Joint Air Defence Centres (JADC), including the three services, and deployed to monitor all drone movements. The Economic Times says that the Indian Army is also currently working on “deploying air defence guns in population centres to protect them from any type of aerial attacks by enemy drones and other aircraft”. Meanwhile, the government is working to develop a shield against aerial attacks and a committee tasked with this effort has been established. The Indian Ministry of Defence released annual C-UAS statistics on December 31, 2025. A total of 791 drone intrusions (mostly along the Punjab/Rajasthan border) were reported during 2025. “Effective employment of own spoofers and jammers along the Western front significantly countered the drone threat,” the Ministry said, noting that 237 drones were brought down by Indian forces in 2025. Five of these carried ammunition, 72 were loaded with narcotics and 160 had no payload. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
07 Jan 26. Rheinmetall and MBDA to form joint private limited company for naval laser activities. Rheinmetall and MBDA have announced plans to establish a joint venture for their naval laser activities. The new private limited company is expected to be formed in the first quarter of 2026 and is based on the two companies’ existing cooperation since 2019 which includes the successful implementation of a naval laser demonstrator. The new company will develop and provide high-performance laser weapon systems, initially for the German Navy, designed to counter drones and other agile targets at short and very short ranges. MBDA and Rheinmetall have already jointly developed a demonstrator that has been integrated on a naval vessel and successfully tested under operational conditions for a year. Following the successful one-year trial period at sea, during which more than 100 firing and tracking tests were conducted against various targets, including ‘Blue Sky’ without using the landscape to capture the beam, the laser demonstrator was transferred to the Laser Competence Centre of the Military Technical Service for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen for further testing. It has been taken back into operation and is also being used for further land-based drone defence testing. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
08 Jan 26. EDA to test adversarial counter-drone technologies at OPEX 2026. Portugal will host the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) flagship operational experimentation campaign OPEX in 2026. The campaign will focus on several technological domains including autonomous systems, logistics support and loitering munitions. OPEX 2026 will accelerate the uptake of defence innovations in field operations and EDA will provide support in emerging and disruptive technologies, including in areas such as adversarial counter-drone testing. OPEX 2026 will be held in October at the Santa Margarida Military Training Area, soon to become a national regulatory sandbox — a controlled environment where emerging technologies can be tested in realistic conditions, according to the EDA.
“This edition will link the international scope of the OPEX campaign with Portuguese Army’s national experimentation initiative, ARTEX26. By easing peacetime rules and providing a setting for system validation, this will accelerate the development of emerging technologies,” said the agency.
Within this supportive environment, OPEX 2026 will enable participants to conduct cross-domain testing across multiple areas:
- Autonomous aerial and ground systems
- Logistics support (resupply, casualty evacuation)
- Reconnaissance and surveillance
- Testing of loitering munitions
- Multi-platform cross-domain field testing in realistic operational environments
OPEX is designed to accelerate defence innovation by putting next-generation technologies that are already at an advanced stage of development into challenging, real-world operational conditions. This approach helps bring promising new capabilities into active use faster to shape the future of EU defence. OPEX is an important part of EDA’s Hub for Defence Innovation (HEDI). In 2026, the Hub will focus on strengthening national initiatives while aligning them with EU-level tools and processes. Industry, innovators and other relevant organisations will be able to signal their interest in participating in OPEX in early 2026.
For more information: https://eda.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2026/01/08/portugal-to-host-eda-s-2026-operational-experimentation-campaign-opex# (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Jan 26. Spain deploys Crow C-UAS to Lithuania. Spain has deployed Indra’s Crow counter-UAS system in Lithuania to assist with detection, surveillance and neutralisation of drones that pose a potential threat to military units and infrastructure.
“The consistent decisions Spain makes to advance air defence in the Baltic region is a clear demonstration of political will and NATO’s collective defence commitment. Such steps taken by the Allies strengthen deterrence, send an unmistakable signal of Alliance unity, and are crucial for the security of Lithuania and the entire eastern flank,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
The Lithuanian government asked NATO to help strengthen its air defences after a drone carrying 2 kilograms of explosives entered the country’s airspace from Belarus and crashed in a military training area in July 2025. The new Crow systems deployed to the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai are operated by the “Lobo” Tactical Unit of the Air and Space Force. The team of nine conduct constant monitoring of the designated airspace area to ensure protection of the eastern NATO border against unidentified drones and balloons. The Crow system is equipped with radars, surveillance cameras, sensors and electronic warfare devices to operate as a smart shield over critical infrastructure, airports and military units. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Jan 26. ESG to enhance Germany’s ASUL C-UAS system with kinetic weapons. Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH, to equip the “Defense System against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (ASUL) with kinetic weapons, according to in a press release published yesterday by BAAINBw on the European procurement platform TED. According to the TED text: “The object of the contract comprises procurement elements whereby the “Defence System against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (hereinafter ASUL) is to be enabled to combat small unmanned aerial systems (henceforth sUAS) by kinetic means (“extended system ASUL”) as part of an increase in combat performance. This should enable ASUL to detect sUAS at distances of up to 400m (for moving targets) and 800m (for static targets). For more information: https://ted.europa.eu/en/notice/-/detail/5744-2026 (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
12 Jan 26. NATO funds international research to protect drones against cyber attacks. Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) in Australia have secured a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) research grant to strengthen the security of intelligent multi-drone systems operating in high-risk environments. The USD 1.8m international collaboration addresses growing concerns about the vulnerability of automated, coordinated drones used for defence operations, emergency and disaster response, environmental monitoring and critical infrastructure protection. The multi-year project, ‘Robustness against Adversarial Attacks for Intelligent Multi Drone Agents (RAID) is funded through NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Programme and brings together leading cryptography, cybersecurity, robotics, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence experts.
Professor Willy Susilo, Professor Son Lam Phung and Professor Casey Chow from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences will lead UOW’s contribution, with USD 382,500 in funding from the project, working with researchers from the University of Oulu in Finland, the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid in Spain, and project lead City University of London.
“The researchers will develop advanced artificial intelligence technologies that can resist adversarial attacks designed to trick or confuse drones, detect unusual or malicious behaviours in real time, and build multi-layer defensive architectures with sensor fusion and cryptographic protection,” UOW says in a media release. “It will target a range of threats including spoofing, signal jamming, data poisoning and physical interference, which could compromise mission outcomes or public safety.”
Project outcomes are expected to include open-source frameworks, benchmark datasets, secure integration guidelines and field-tested prototypes that will support international governments, industry and research communities in the safe deployment of intelligent drone technologies across both civilian and defence applications. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
12 Jan 26. Omnisys develops C-UAS Battle Resource Optimization proactive feature. Omnisys is expanding its BRO™ (Battle Resource Optimization) suite with a next‑generation Counter‑Unmanned Aircraft System (C‑UAS) mission planning platform that shifts counter‑drone defence from reactive interception to proactive, model‑driven prevention. The current solution is an evolution of the BRO-CUAS system, leveraging advanced technologies to enable operational users to understand their arena in depth, anticipate likely UAS attack paths, and significantly improve mission effectiveness against small drones, FPV strike platforms and loitering munitions using existing C-UAS, says the company in a press release.
“Leveraging a physics‑accurate digital twin of the battlespace, BRO™ C‑UAS reveals low‑altitude approach corridors and coverage gaps caused by terrain, buildings and vegetation, and computes actual detection, tracking and engagement envelopes for sensors and effectors,” says Omnisys. “This enables planners to identify vulnerabilities, close blind spots, prioritize critical sites and routes, and deploy scarce radars, RF sensors, jammers and interceptors where they deliver the highest operational impact under real terrain and spectrum conditions.
“The platform’s AI‑driven optimization engine evaluates alternative deployment options and operational concepts, recommending courses of action that enhance coverage and interception probability while reducing mutual interference and redundant overlaps. The platform operates as an independent planning tool to support mission-critical decisions that complements existing command‑and‑control and sensor‑control systems, focusing on mission logic and optimization rather than real‑time device control. By modeling operational behavior, constraints and enemy courses of action, BRO™ C‑UAS supports mission understanding – beyond mission awareness – and helps commanders reach better, faster decisions to cope with the intense challenges of the dynamic battlespace.
“BRO™ C‑UAS is fully vendor‑agnostic, allowing customers to model mixed fleets of radars, EO/IR sensors, RF detectors, jammers and kinetic effectors from multiple suppliers, as well as known or generic hostile systems. User-sensitive performance parameters are configured locally through a secure configurator. This ensures that all classified or proprietary information about own forces and hostile systems stays under sovereign user control, while still enabling accurate modeling, simulation and optimization without dependence on an external party.”
For more information: https://www.omnisys.co.il/ (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Jan 26. Counter-UAS industry briefing: what has changed the sector in the last two months (1). In the first of a regular series, Unmanned Airspace identifies some of the surprising and significant operational, technical, corporate and market events which have transformed the counter-UAS sector over the last two months. The review coincides with the publication of the latest update (published today) of the Global Counter UAS Industry Directory, which itemises over 1,000 C-UAS products and services with performance details, company sales and partnerships arrangements.
Operational updates
Russia continues to develop its Shahed-136 drone, according to Ukrainian media reports, to carry man-portable air defence missile systems (MANPADS) which ground based pilots can deploy to ward off attacks from aircraft and intercept missiles. The Kolomna-based Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (KBM) has patented a new active protection system designed to protect Russian armoured vehicles from attack drones, according to Army Recognition, while Defender Media reports Russian developers have announced the creation of a fibre-optic communication channel for integration into FPV drone control systems, with a claimed range of up to 65 km. Directed energy weapons should not be a near-term investment focus for Ukraine, according to a Rand report. “Whilst DEWs are an appealing technological pursuit which can affect multiple targets at once and reduce reliance on munitions, these systems present significant practical limitations for Ukraine,” said the report. Mexican drug cartels are in the process of acquiring FPV fibre-optic drones.
Elsewhere, a new US counter-drone body, Joint Interagency Task Force 401, has been set up to mitigate drone attacks at the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States and the 2028 Olympics (see also, “spending plans”).
In November, The Dutch Ministry of Defence launched its Counter Strike Drone Challenge for industry to develop new ways to spot, identify or disable threatening drones even if they are in enemy territory.
Technology developments
Artificial intelligence continues to make inroads into the C-UAS industry, not only in the technology of C-UAS systems. In November 2025 Omnisys introduced its BRO™ (Battle Resource Optimization) C-UAS system, to help airport organizations mitigate the growing threat of unauthorized and hostile drones. Using physics-aware modeling and live environmental data, it guides decision-makers in configuring systems for maximum protection while reducing unnecessary shutdowns.” Also in November 2025 SkySafe launched Forensics as a Service (FaaS), a turnkey capability that enables law enforcement agencies, public safety teams and organisations to independently respond to and investigate drone incidents and FliteGrid, a community-powered decentralized drone detection platform that tracks the ms of drones in America’s airspace – creating the nation’s first comprehensive drone tracking network, says the company.
In December 2025 VisionWave Technologies Inc announced that it has begun R&D on Argus, a space-enabled AI counter C-UAS created in collaboration with BladeRanger to defend against modern unmanned aircraft threats. According to the company it is designed as a global counter-drone kill chain that operates from space and uses high-frequency (HF) communications to coordinate defence assets across wide areas.
Meanwhile, defence industries around the world are looking at news ways of arming conventional aircraft with C-UAS capabilities. Both Russia and Ukraine are using general aviation Yak aircraft inthis role. In November 2025 Embraer announced that the A-29 Super Tucano is expanding its mission portfolio to counter modern unmanned threats effectively and affordably. “Relying on A-29 features in operation and new sensors, including specific datalinks for receiving initial target coordinates and queueing, the Electro-Optical/ Infra-Red (EO/IR) sensor for laser tracking and designation, as well as the laser guided rockets and the wing-mounted .50 machine guns for neutralizing targeted Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), the Operational Concept (CONOPS) defined by Embraer will allow current and future A-29 operators to add counter drone missions to their operational profiles whenever needed,” said the company in a press release. Around EUR 15 m has been set aside in the new European Defence Fund budget for the development of a Future Multirole Light Aircraft (FMLA) with a counter-UAS capability
Acquisitions
In November Ondas Holdings entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sentry CS Ltd, an Israel-based provider of cyber-over-RF and protocol-manipulation counter-drone technology. EOS announced it will buy the UK’s MARSS C-UAS Interceptor business for AUD10 m. Denmark’s Terma A/S has completed the acquisition of OSL Technology, a UK-based provider of counter-drone security and safety systems. Indra Group has reached an agreement with the UK-based Altitude Angel to acquire the assets related to GuardianUTM, its modular unmanned air traffic management C/UAS platform.
Partnerships
Axon Vision and Leonardo DRS have agreed to cooperate on AI-enabled C-UAS technologies. Ondas, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen will partner to examine the establishment of European manufacturing and integration capacity across Ondas’ autonomous systems portfolio, including C-UAS technology. Boeing and Anduril will partner for US Army IFPC Increment 2 interceptor competition. BigBear and C Speed are forming AI-enabled threat detection partnership. In December, Microsoft and Lockheed Martin announced they would be jointly developing C-UAS solutions. Lockheed Martin’s Sanctum’s modular, scalable architecture will be integrated with the Microsoft Azure cloud infrastructure. Rheinmetall and MBDA have announced plans to establish a joint venture for their naval laser activities. Northrop Grumman Corporation and 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen transatlantic cooperation by exploring collaboration in C-UAS, space and advanced weapons technologies.
Spending plans
Poland has started the first stage of installing a USD2 bn multi-layered C-UAS defence system on its eastern border, while India is establishing a similar network along its border with Pakistan, The initiative aims to monitor all drone movements and integrate various counter-drone systems acquired by the three defence services over the last 5-10 years. India’s Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) have decided to deploy anti-drone systems at all major and minor civil airports in the country.
The UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) will inject over UKP142 m (USD 190) m rapid investment into drones and anti-drone weapons this year. The Dutch Ministry of Defence has said it will be investing heavily in new resources to combat drones in the coming years and is accelerating the order for the Skyranger 30 to include mobile anti-drone cannon systems to protect critical infrastructure, such as the Port of Rotterdam. The Ministry is investing in new technologies, including interceptor drones designed to disable enemy versions by colliding with them or detonating them. The total investment is between EUR 1 and EUR 2.5bn.
The United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced several grant awards under its counter-uncrewed aerial systems programme, which provides funding to enhance state, local, tribal and territorial capabilities to detect, identify, track or monitor drones. The total funding available for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 is USD 250 m. A further USD250 m, plus any unallocated funds from FY 2026, will be distributed to all states and territories in FY 2027 to support nationwide UAS detection and response capabilities. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
12 Jan 26. Omnisys is expanding its BRO™ (Battle Resource Optimization) suite with a next‑generation Counter‑Unmanned Aircraft System (C‑UAS( mission planning platform that shifts counter‑drone defense from reactive interception to proactive, model‑driven prevention. The current solution is an evolution of the proven BRO-CUAS system, further leveraging advanced technologies to enable operational users to understand their arena in depth, anticipate likely UAS attack paths, and significantly improve mission effectiveness against small drones, FPV strike platforms and loitering munitions using existing Counter‑UAS assets. Leveraging a physics‑accurate digital twin of the battlespace, BRO™ C‑UAS reveals low‑altitude approach corridors and coverage gaps caused by terrain, buildings and vegetation, and computes actual detection, tracking and engagement envelopes for sensors and effectors. This enables planners to identify vulnerabilities, close blind spots, prioritize critical sites and routes, and deploy scarce radars, RF sensors, jammers and interceptors where they deliver the highest operational impact under real terrain and spectrum conditions. The platform’s AI‑driven optimization engine evaluates alternative deployment options and operational concepts, recommending courses of action that enhance coverage and interception probability while reducing mutual interference and redundant overlaps. The platform operates as an independent planning tool to support mission-critical decisions that complements existing command‑and‑control and sensor‑control systems, focusing on mission logic and optimization rather than real‑time device control. By modeling operational behavior, constraints and enemy courses of action, BRO™ C‑UAS supports mission understanding – beyond mission awareness – and helps commanders reach better, faster decisions to cope with the intense challenges of the dynamic battlespace. BRO™ C‑UAS is fully vendor‑agnostic, allowing customers to model mixed fleets of radars, EO/IR sensors, RF detectors, jammers and kinetic effectors from multiple suppliers, as well as known or generic hostile systems. User-sensitive performance parameters are configured locally through a secure configurator. This ensures that all classified or proprietary information about own forces and hostile systems stays under sovereign user control, while still enabling accurate modeling, simulation and optimization without dependence on an external party. Beyond current operations, the system supports training, readiness and long‑term force development by providing a realistic environment for complex counter‑drone scenarios and data‑driven after‑action reviews. Acquisition and force‑development authorities can assess and compare alternative Counter‑UAS architectures, quantify operational trade‑offs and identify the most cost‑effective combination of sensors and effectors for each mission profile and budget.
About Omnisys
Omnisys is a leading global provider of combat-proven mission optimization systems for Defense and Homeland Security (HLS) sectors, for diverse critical missions including Air Defense, Air Surveillance, Counter-UAS (including Counter-Drones), Electronic Warfare, Intelligence Gathering, Spectrum Management and Border Security. With over 25 years of experience, Omnisys combines deep multidisciplinary expertise, with cutting-edge real-time simulation, data-driven analysis and optimization technologies. The AI-driven BRO suite of Battle Resource Optimization systems enables end-to-end planning, management and debriefing of multi-mission and multi-domain land, sea and air operations. BRO empowers mission commanders with optimized courses of action, enabling an increased amount and higher quality of decisions in less time – significantly enhancing operational performance.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Echodyne is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions for defense and national security applications. The company’s proprietary metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) architecture, a rare breakthrough in advanced radar engineering, leverages a physics-design approach to adapt conventional materials and deliver unexpected and beneficial behavior. The result is a solid-state, low-SWaP unit coupled with advanced software capabilities that delivers superior radar performance and unparalleled data integrity, radically improving system performance and enhancing safety for people and machines. With leading positions in counter-UAS, force protection, base security, and portable ISR, Defense Agencies and Suppliers rely on Echodyne radar for extraordinary accuracy and consistent, reliable operation.
For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–