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01 Oct 20. Iceni Labs details SafeScan see-through-walls radar system. Iceni Labs, a UK-based technology accelerator, has detailed its prototype SafeScan radar: a handheld technology developed by the company to help users detect humans behind walls. It currently has an unspecified UK customer.
“SafeScan uses ultra-wideband radar technology, which is not a new technology,” Alexander Giles, chief commercial officer of Iceni Labs, told Janes on 28 September. However, SafeScan uses an unique algorithm to look for movement and assess whether it has detected a human breathing, Giles said.
“The algorithm has been tested in a medical environment, to monitor the overnight breathing of 400 hospital patients for a year,” he added. This means that the algorithm has learnt to differentiate between sources of movement and assess whether or not those movements are human. According to Giles, it can measure a human’s breathing pattern to within a quarter of a breath per minute.
He said Iceni Labs is “constantly working on the algorithm and machine learning, two of our team are working on the software right now”. He added that the algorithms provide an element of sensitivity to the product and help to move away from false positives and negatives.
SafeScan does not attempt to create a picture of what is behind a wall, a task requiring significant power and computing systems, according to Giles. (Source: Jane’s)
01 Oct 20. US Military Pilots Must Not Use PH Aircraft Codes: Esperon. American military pilots should be cautioned against using hex codes belonging to Philippine aircraft while conducting their surveillance missions, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Thursday.
Esperon’s remarks came following reports that a US surveillance aircraft disguised itself as a Philippine plane using hex codes assigned to the country while flying over the Yellow Sea.
“Wala pa kaming update (We still don’t have an update). We have yet to get the reaction of the US Embassy (in Manila) but it is important to ask them and caution them or inform them if they have not known about that there (are US) pilots (who) have been using the codes that belong to Philippine aircraft and Malaysia,” he said in a virtual press briefing.
Earlier, US military planes were reported to have disguised themselves as Malaysian aircraft while conducting missions near China. Esperon noted that these pilots are trying to test China’s reaction and that Philippine aircraft are not known to operate that far as “our planes only operate within the country’s air domains.”
“The possibilities are they could be trying really the capacity of China to (react). Just imagine, the incident happened in the Yellow Sea, which is between Korea and China. It is an area where we don’t usually go,” he said.
Esperon also cited the need for their US counterparts to be reminded that such moves could have serious implications on the Philippines.
“It is something that must be discussed. Nonetheless, we hope that this could be settled satisfactorily between the parties,” he added. (Source: (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Philippine News Agency)
30 Sep 20. JetSupport and PAL Aerospace Awarded Contract to Supply and Support New Maritime Surveillance Aircraft for the Netherlands Coastguard.
JetSupport, in partnership with PAL Aerospace, is pleased to be awarded a contract to provide and support maritime surveillance aircraft and services for the Netherlands Coastguard. This new contract, executed under the authority of the Defence Material Organization of the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands, will see JetSupport and PAL Aerospace modify and deliver two fully missionized DHC-8 aircraft, provide crew training on all systems and support the operation of the aircraft for an initial ten-year period with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
“Winning this contract in partnership with PAL Aerospace confirms our status as a leading provider of technical services and support solutions for the aerospace industry in the Netherlands,” said Ton van Deursen, Managing Director of JetSupport. “We are excited to be a part of the team selected to deliver these vital aircraft and look forward to continuing our support of the Netherlands Coastguard in this essential operation for the next decade.”
These aircraft will be missionized primarily for the purpose of providing air reconnaissance capacity in the North Sea for the Netherlands Coastguard. The aircraft’s tasks will include support for search and rescue, law enforcement and surveillance activities as well as other missions such as “out of area” deployments in support of FRONTEX.
“PAL Aerospace’s partnership with JetSupport on this vital project solidifies our presence in the European intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance market and deepens our relationship with the Netherlands,” said Jake Trainor, Chief Executive Officer of the PAL Group of Companies. “We are excited to work with JetSupport to foster innovation and refine best practices to our mutual benefit, making us a more competitive partnership to pursue additional future work.”
CarteNav, a leader in C4ISR mission software, announces today their contribution of the AIMS-ISR mission system to JetSupport and PAL Aerospace’s winning bid to deliver two multi-role Maritime Surveillance Aircraft to the Netherlands Coastguard. The contract covers an initial ten-year period with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms.
To develop the two platforms, JetSupport and PAL Aerospace will employ CarteNav’s AIMS-ISR mission software. To deliver the multi-role capabilities in a unified mission management system, CarteNav plans to develop new Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) and IR/UV Line Scanner Moving Maps capabilities – providing unparalleled multi-role air reconnaissance capabilities in the North Sea.
The new SLAR and Line Scanning features will be fully integrated alongside a multi-sensor suite within the AIMS-ISR mission system – supporting accurate situational monitoring of the North Sea. A primary feature will be the ability to identify and track pollution events such as oil spills.
“In addition to the multi-role ISR capabilities we are known for delivering, we are particularly excited to implement new sensor technologies that expand our portfolio of environmental and maritime monitoring solutions,” said Carl Daniels, COO of CarteNav. “Longer-term agreements like this one support CartNav’s culture of innovation. Given our strong technical relationships, JetSupport and PAL Aerospace are ideal partners to deliver these new and highly capable multi-role aircraft to the Netherlands Coast Guard.”
About JetSupport:
JetSupport is based at Schiphol Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A privately owned Dutch company, JetSupport has been a leading independent provider of MRO services and support solutions for international business aviation and special mission aircraft for over 20 years. JetSupport’s Line and Base Maintenance capacity extends across multiple aircraft types including Cessna, Dassault, Gulfstream, Bombardier, King Air and Dornier. JetSupport operates over 12,000 sqm of hangar, office, and lounge space at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, provides aircraft and component services with FAA/ESA/TCCA approvals and has maintained the current Netherlands Coastguard Dornier 228 fleet since 2003. JetSupport prides itself on flexibility, honesty, and customer focus. (Source: PR Newswire)
01 Oct 20. New Leidos-built platform to bolster ISR capability.
Leidos Australia has rolled out a new ISR capability platform in co-operation with Defence, as part of Phase 1 of Joint Project 2096.
The Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) and Leidos Australia have co-operated to develop the Wagardi Mission System, designed to optimise intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
The initial operating capability of the Wagardi Mission System, which was delivered on budget and three months ahead of schedule, is a computer user interface that searches across multiple ISR databases to deliver timely and targeted information to warfighters.
The platform forms part of Phase 1 of Joint Project 2096 – ISR Integration, which aims to provide infrastructure and functionality to the Defence Secret Network (DSN) to create a unified dataset that enables users to effectively manage ISR information and intelligence.
Chief of Joint Capabilities, Air Marshal Warren McDonald said the platform would help enhance sovereign capability.
“The system will improve the ability for personnel to provide complete information, in a reduced time frame, to support operations,” AIRMSHL McDonald said.
Leidos Australia chief executive Paul Chase lauded the speedy delivery of the platform.
“Early delivery is a testament to the collaborative approach between Leidos and defence teams,” he said. “We’re very proud of this capability and how it supports the future of ISR for Defence.”
Upon completion, JP2096 will have invested approximately $450m in Australian industry, which AIRMSHL McDonald said would provide opportunities across a number of sectors.
“This offers Australian industry opportunities in development and integration services, data analytics, and ICT support, and includes the addition of 65 new jobs for a development and support centre,” he added.
Phase 2 of JP2096 will extend the capability provided by Phase 1 in response to the ADO’s ISR capability requirements and priorities.
The extension of the capability under Phase 2 will also include the continued integration of legacy capabilities, the provision of key ISR services, and the application of the architecture to other physical or security domains. (Source: Defence Connect)
30 Sep 20. U.S. Military Deploying Advanced Drone System Developed with Israel Ministry of Defense. Following a joint R&D program led by the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), in the Israel Ministry of Defense, with leading drone developer, XTEND, and the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), of the U.S. Department of Defense, an operational pilot program has launched employing SKYLORD drones in defense of U.S. military forces. The program has produced a drone system with an immersive remote interface that protects troops from various inbound aerial threats – particularly drones. As a result of the close cooperation between the institutions involved, the system has been developed in accordance with concrete operational requirements. As such, following a year of R&D and various tests, the CTTSO decided to launch an operational pilot program, testing and validating the system’s capabilities in the field. As part of the pilot program, several dozen SKYLORD systems will be employed by U.S. troops. Using an AR (augmented reality) device and a single-handed controller, a military operator may employ the SKYLORD system to control the drone and perform complex tasks remotely, with great ease and precision. Its interface enables the operator to immerse themselves or “step into” a remote reality and engage targets effectively yet safely. With minimal training and no expertise required, troops enjoy a full sensory situation assessment and may utilize C-UAV net payloads on the battlefield. The system’s capabilities have been demonstrated in Israel, with confirmed interceptions of incendiary devices flown over the Gaza border by terrorist organizations. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
01 Oct 20. Australia expands commitment to world’s largest telescope. Minister for Industry, Science, and Technology Karen Andrews has announced Australia is another step closer to helping create the world’s largest radio telescope, which will allow further exploration of the universe while creating jobs in Western Australia and growing the economy.
Minister Andrews confirmed that Australia has ratified the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory Convention.
Under the convention, WA will host 130,000 antennas and South Africa 200 dishes – together making the telescope that will allow astronomers to view the cosmos in more detail than ever before.
“Australians should be proud that our country will be a host of the world’s largest scientific instrument, which will help shape our understanding of the beginning of the universe,” Minister Andrews said.
Australia is the fourth country to ratify the SKA Observatory Convention. The Australian component of the SKA, SKA-Low, will be the world’s most sensitive low frequency radio telescope.
“Not only does the project further cement Australia’s reputation for science and research and boost our international standing in radio astronomy, it also has the potential to create 200 construction jobs in regional Western Australia and Perth and a further 100 permanent positions,” Minister Andrews said.
Hosted at CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, it will initially comprise more than 130,000 antennas spread over 65 kilometres in remote Western Australia.
“The SKA will also boost Australia’s advanced manufacturing sector, enabling local businesses to partner with international counterparts and design and build high-tech telescope components,” Minister Andrews explained.
WA Minister for Science Dave Kelly MLA said today marks an important milestone for the SKA Observatory Convention and for Western Australia’s role in co-hosting one of the biggest science projects in human history.
“Australia’s ratification of the convention enhances Western Australia’s position as global hub for radio astronomy, and will offer significant economic and job creating opportunities for the state,” Minister Kelly said.
“Just over a decade ago we had a handful of astronomers working in WA and now there are around 135 astronomers, 25 engineers and 25 data scientists working in WA on the SKA project and in astronomical research, with more to come.”
The project is expected to move into the construction phase in mid-2021. (Source: Space Connect)
29 Sep 20. The Ultramodern Thermal Monocular Helion 2 XP50. The Helion 2 XP50 Thermal Monocular is a powerful addition to Pulsar’s line of products. With an enhanced NETD <40mK thermal sensor, the XP50 can detect an adult-sized object in total darkness or adverse weather conditions up to 2,000 yards away, which is a 900-yard improvement from the Helion 1. With Picture-in-Picture mode on a spotless 640×480 AMOLED display, the Helion 2 XP50 is ideal for law enforcement, hog and varmint hunters and security professionals.
29 Sep 20. In conjunction with the Air National Guard (ANG), the Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) and Ultra Electronics, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) successfully completed initial operational assessment of the Rosetta Echo Advanced Payloads (REAP) pod on an MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). The first REAP flight test (known as REAP-1), held Aug. 3 and based out of Syracuse, N.Y., demonstrated a communications relay network providing seamless connectivity between air and ground participants in the demonstration area. Specific waveforms supported by the REAP pod include Link 16, UHF/VHF radio and P25 public safety, as well as mobile ad hoc networks (MANET).
“GA-ASI is really excited to showcase the communication capabilities of the REAP pod, which provides the backbone for warfighters to collaborate and share critical battlefield situational awareness. Our MQ-9, with its industry-leading persistent endurance, is the ideal platform for connecting sensors to shooters and realizing USAF’s Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) vision,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.
According to the ANG/AATC, a REAP-equipped MQ-9 relayed video received from a Coyote small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) to a ground node at distances over 110 miles. All this was done while simultaneously bridging voice communications over the MANET at extended distances.
Maj. Curt Wilson, National Guard Bureau (NGB) A5 Branch Chief for Special Mission Aircraft, said: “REAP far exceeded our expectations for a first flight and initial operational assessment. The REAP pod is the first step in a number of innovations that the NGB, Ultra and GA-ASI have pioneered to demonstrate near-term and affordable Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) capabilities on the MQ-9.”
The ANG and AATC are working to schedule another flight test in late 2020 with the REAP pod installed on the MQ-9. A REAP-2 pod, due for completion in mid-2021, encompasses all of the REAP-1 capability plus 4G/LTE, the addition of which will add disaster relief operations as a capability to its existing military waveform relay and bridging capability. REAP-2 will be integrated into AFRL’s open architecture AgilePod16 variant, demonstrating GA-ASI’s continued commitment to widely adopting and proliferating Open Mission Systems (OMS) and open architecture. REAP was also featured as part of the second Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Demo that took place Sept. 1-3, 2020.
23 Sep 20. US Army to host C-UAS event to promote emerging technology and procurement plans. The US Department of Defense (DoD) is hosting a virtual industry open house on 30 October 2020 to outline its approach to Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS). The event is open to all vendors interested in C-sUAS and will cover key aspects including strategy, training, current capabilities and operational capability requirements.
The one-day online event will inform vendors on upcoming efforts to align C-sUAS systems into an enduring and integrated enterprise approach. The C-sUAS Industry Open House will be hosted by the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System Office (JCO) and the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO). The C-sUAS Industry Open House will provide information regarding emerging requirements, address the multitude of C-sUAS challenges, and encourage competition and efficiencies in future technology development and procurement activities.
Prior to the C-sUAS Industry Open House, the Department of Defense expects to validate the operational capability requirements for C-sUAS as well as finalize its C-sUAS strategy and Industry Engagement Plan, which together will serve as the basis for providing a path ahead for innovation opportunities, evaluations, and industry demonstration.
The Department of Defense designated the Army as the Executive Agent for C-sUAS. The Secretary of the Army established the Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) to lead and direct efforts to identify and prioritize Joint improvement opportunities and C-sUAS solutions.
The RCCTO’s mission is to rapidly and efficiently research, develop, prototype, test, evaluate, procure, transition, and/or field critical enabling technologies and capabilities that address near-term and mid-term threats. The RCCTO serves as the materiel and acquisition lead in support of the JCO.
Deadline to submit questions: 2 October 2020
Email: usarmy.C-sUAS.industry.open.house@mail.mil
US Army Acquisition support center
Notice: NAICA Code: 334511, Instrument manufacturing
Issued: 21 September 2020
Point of contact: jolynda.v.ivy.civ@mail.mil
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
25 Sep 20. US Homeland Security department seeks authority to bring down rogue drones. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has requested Congress grant the department new power so it can bring down drones that threaten airports or interfere with border security. According to a report in the Washington Times, DHS Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, “we need to be able to bring them down and have the money, the appropriations, to purchase the equipment to allow us to do that”.
For more information visit:
www.washingtontimes.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Sep 20. EASA publishes new edition of its counter-UAS Action Plan.
Developing a suitable action plan to integrate unmanned air vehicles in common occurrence reporting procedures and describing the roles and responsibilities of the actors, and best practices on how to respond to unauthorised drones in the surroundings of an aerodrome are included in the latest edition of the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) Counter-UAS Action Plan.
To avoid a patchwork of national measures in response to rogue drone incidents at airports and other sensitive areas EASA has been tasked to be the European coordinator of an action plan containing five objectives and to collaborate with the affected stakeholders (Member States including NAAs and Law Enforcement Authorities, aerodrome operators, aircraft operators, ANSPs, EUROCONTROL and the European Commission).
The action plan is articulated around five objectives – these are listed below with the updated deliverables outlined in the latest edition:
- Educate the public to prevent and reduce misuse of drones around aerodromes
Safety promotion material such as leaflets and posters to create public awareness and understanding of the existence and purpose of geographical zones; AMC/GM defining a common unique digital format to be used by Member States to make the UAS geographical zones available to the public and mobile app providers
- Prepare aerodromes to mitigate risks from unauthorised drones use
Deliverable: EASA guidance material (in the form of a manual) describing the roles and responsibilities of the actors, and best practices on how to respond to unauthorised drones in the surroundings of an aerodrome. Task force led by EASA to run from 11/2019 to 12/2020
- Support the assessment of the safety risk of drones to manned aircraft with scientific data
Deliverable Paper addressing the consequences of drone collision with manned aircraft
- Ensure that C-UAS measures are swiftly considered and implemented from a global safety perspective
Deliverable: Contribution to the development of International Standards to support the safe and harmonised implementation of Counter-UAS Systems into airport environment and ATM/ANS systems.
- Support adequate occurrence reporting
Deliverables: Define high-level criteria to classify: an Airprox between a UA and a manned aircraft; and an airspace infringement involving or caused by a UA. Evaluate compatibility of existing occurrence reporting procedures for inclusion of occurrences involving UA. Develop suitable action plan to integrate UA in common occurrence reporting procedures.
EASA’s C-UAS Action Plan is subject to periodic review and amendment. The first issue of the plan was distributed to the stakeholders for review, contribution and endorsement, after which issue two was published in July 2019, which took the feedback and proposals into account. This third and latest issue includes numerous amendments to the C-UAS Action Plan as the work on the implementation progresses.
For more information
https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/EPAS_2020-2024.pdf (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
23 Sep 20. MyDefence announces new series of ruggedised C-UAS products. Danish manufacturer MyDefence has launched ruggedised versions of its networked drone detection and mitigation products. According to the company, all the products in the new ruggedised-series are designed for use on military and civilian vehicles or vessels where mechanical stress is at a maximum. They are designed to withstand vibration and shock along with a range of harsh environmental conditions including dust, salt, and solar radiation. Furthermore, they employ enhanced electromagnetically shielding to avoid radio frequency emission and complies with MIL-STD-461. They are powered by PoE and are fitted with a vibration dampening mount, which makes them easy to install. The set-up can be operated from MyDefence C2 system or integrated into existing C2- and battle management systems.
For drone detection, the ruggedized passive Watchdog 150 and 250 can be used either separately or in combination. They are both RF sensors capable of detecting control- and video signals from UAVs (drones) and drone controllers for a broad range of commercial and do-it-yourself (DIY) drones. They provide alarms and bearing (direction) to the drone as well as information on drone model, protocol, and vendor. When combining multiple sensors, the bearing information can be used to triangulate the geolocation of both the drone and controller.
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
23 Sep 20. Cerbair unveils Chimera man-portable counter UAS system. French manufacturer Cerbair has announced its latest counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) product development on LinkedIn. Cerbair says its Chimera C-UAS system offers two levels of drone detection: Omnidirectional – for continuous automatic drone detection; and direction finding – for manual drone detection. The combination of detection and neutralisation technologies is suited to on-the-go-missions.
According to a report by edrmagazine, the development started when Cerbair integrated its established Hydra detection module into a rucksack. With capital provided by European missile manufacturer MBDA, Cerbair included an ominidrectional antenna, developed a directional element to accurately locate drone threats, and completed development of a jamming module. Once the technological demonstrator was available, it was thoroughly tested, and then nearly two years were needed to make it a rugged military-grade system, supported by MBDA.
According to edrmagazine, Chimera is aimed at detecting and defeating commercial drones, which represent the major threat both for military and homeland security scenarios, and more specifically Class 1 drones according to the NATO classification. Thus the detection module monitors the two typical frequency bands used by those drones, the 2.4 and 5.8 GHz ones, both in the RF and in the WiFi modes. This is carried out using the omnidirectional antenna which is located over the rucksack; when the system identifies a surge in emissions in those bands a warning is issued and is shown on the Android C2 tablet which is worn by the operator on the chest; the detection range is declared at 1 km, although in optimal conditions it can be greater. The system data base allows to identify the drone based on the frequency and the protocol. Being based on a single omnidirectional antenna, it is impossible to close on the target using the TDOA (Time Difference On Arrival) technique, hence it is now the turn of exploiting the rifle-like directional antenna.
To do so the operator starts scanning with the area, the tablet providing a graphic interface that show when the signal increases; The C2 element features various modes of operation, including target tracking, alerts data base, etc. Beside the graphic interface, the operator can also be equipped with a headset emitting a signal which frequency increases while the antenna closes to the target direction. A compromise had to be made on the antenna directional performance in order to allow an easy aiming of the system, EDR On-Line understanding that the optimal aiming sector is around 20°; the jamming sector is similar, the signal being generated by the emitting module that is also hosted in the rucksack.
The latter also hosts the batteries that power the Chimera; Cerbair selected BrenTronics batteries, which are of standard use in the military, in order to reduce the logistic footprint. Different options are available, with smaller and bigger batteries, the higher power ones providing a continuous operational time of over 12 hours in detection mode, and 2-3 hours in jamming mode, however the latter mode is usually used for few seconds at a time. A solution with two batteries fitted with a hot-swap mode allowing to double the operational time is also available. The rucksack weighs around 8 kg without batteries, the latter weight depending on the selected solution.
The directional antenna is encased into a composite materiel body which provides protection, the system being designed to operate in hot scenarios, the case being designed also to maintain the emitting elements at a safe distance from the operator. No precise dimensions were provided, but the rifle-like directional antenna should be around one meter long, its weight being of around 5 kg.
The Chimera has been field tested by various French military and police units, which received pre-production systems, and was also used during some events such as the G7 meeting in Biarritz in August 2019 and the Med 7 in Corsica in September 2020. The fully industrialised version is being produced now, a further round of testing being scheduled ahead of potential contracts.
For more information visit:
www.cerbair.com
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
25 Sep 20. Department 13 launches intelligent drone sensor to detect UAS threats for civilian applications. US drone technology company Department 13 has released an intelligent drone sensor system designed for civilian applications. The Detect, Identify, Attribute Locate (DIAL) system features sensors which passively listen for the radio frequency signature of drones that enter an area of operation. DIAL correlates signals against Department 13’s MESMER Enhanced Deployable Software (MEDS), a library of drone fingerprints built up over five years. Once a unique sUAS fingerprint is detected, DIAL sends alerts and logs a drone’s activity in Atlas, Department 13’s user knowledge centre.
Atlas maps the activity and allows the user to white list known drones and blacklist potential threats. Atlas can collect data from other detection platforms such as radar, lidar, acoustical and optical systems, and it integrates with autonomous security systems like the Nightingale Security Blackbird drone.
When Atlas and DIAL are combined with a drone management system, Atlas can correlate a live drone with its accredited operator and registered flight mission to deliver pre, post and in-flight operational awareness and audit functions to make site safety and audit easier.
For more information visit:
https://department13.com/atlas-dial/ (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Sep 20. Russia “trials swarming reconnaissance drones during Kavkaz-2020 military exercise.” According to the Russian TASS news agency, during the current Kavkaz-200 exercise the Russian Defence Ministry has for the first time deployed a swarm of cooperating UAS platforms “spotting military units on the move, command centres, weapons, military equipment and manpower to adjust fire strikes being delivered against the identified targets, according to the top brass.”
The report says the Kavkaz-2020 exercise is being held on September 21-September 26 in the Southern Military District and the Black and Caspian seas under the command of the chief of Russia’s General Staff Valery Gerasimov. All in all, about 80,000 servicemen, Emergencies Ministry and national guard Rosgvardiya personnel and up to 1,000 troops from Armenia, Belarus, Iran, China, Myanmar and Pakistan are taking part.
TASS reports that three models of drones – Forpost, Orlan-10 and Eleron-3 – were pooled into one group for participation in drills during the command and staff exercise Kavkaz-2020, according to the Defense Ministry.
The UAVs were used at altitudes between 100 and 5,000 meters for “exposing the enemy’s defences and hitting ground targets. The drones are capable of spotting military units on the move, command centers, weapons, military equipment and manpower to adjust fire strikes being delivered against the identified targets. Also, they are an integral element of radio-electronic warfare,” said the report.
For more information
https://tass.com/defense/1204513
Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
28 Sep 20. Rohde & Schwarz supports intelligence and surveillance operations for naval forces. The multichannel naval COMINT system from Rohde & Schwarz increases situational awareness on naval vessels and expands reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. Naval forces worldwide are facing changes in their mission requirements. Operations against terrorism, acts of piracy, smuggling, and other organized crime at sea have become a new challenge, next to the original forms of naval warfare. The increase of maritime and littoral operations in asymmetric warfare and in peace-keeping measures necessitates that seagoing vessels offer multi-mission capabilities. This requires a high degree of flexibility in the use of human and material resources in order to accommodate the new scenarios.
The naval communications intelligence (COMINT) system provided by Rohde & Schwarz increases the military force and survivability for both the individual vessel and the fleet. The system contributes to the ship’s alertness, enhances situational awareness, and efficiently supports well-directed missions by gaining access to data from intercepted communications and by triggering immediate alarms. It collects valuable information for fleet-wide intelligence.
This naval COMINT system makes it possible to define automatic detection and surveillance jobs. As an integrated monitoring, direction finding and analysis software, it automatically processes fixed-frequency, as well as frequency agile signals (hoppers) and handles all types of HF/VHF/UHF radio communications.
The system automatically detects, classifies, demodulates and decodes signals and provides a real-time display of the results. Its capabilities include complete recording of the digital audio or the signal’s IF. The system alerts operators to the possibility of upcoming hostile signals or unknown emissions and updates the situation picture accordingly.
The multichannel naval COMINT system by Rohde & Schwarz detects and monitors communications in the HF/VHF/UHF frequency bands. It takes bearings on emitters and shows their line of bearing (LOB) along with the emitter locations on a digital map.
The wideband receiver with digital down converters (DDC) allows multi-channel monitoring of a scalable number of frequencies in parallel. Its signal processing functions include interception of voice signals; demodulation and decoding of digital transmissions; automatic classification and content production; plus digital signal recording and replay.
The open system architecture allows users to develop their own decoders with the aid of a toolset that is provided with the system. The system features further capabilities for data import and export.
The naval COMINT system by Rohde & Schwarz includes a database that handles all gathered information. Integrated algorithms recognize communications networks by matching intercepted results with emitter data in the database and update the situation picture accordingly.
“Rohde & Schwarz offers its naval COMINT system as stand-alone solutions or as subsystems for full integration and interoperability with other platform subsystems,” explains Bosco Novak, Executive Vice President, Monitoring and Network Testing, Rohde & Schwarz.
25 Sep 20. PLAGF seen using AV500 reconnaissance UAV in night-time exercise. Chinese state-owned television has released footage showing what appears to be a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) AV500 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) taking part in a night-time combat exercise with the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force’s (PLAGF’s) 77th Group Army: an indication that the platform may have entered service.
The footage, which was released on 23 September by state-owned broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), shows the UAV, which was painted in green PLAGF camouflage, taking off at night from an undisclosed location.
A screenshot from CCTV footage released on 23 September showing an AV500 VTOL UAV painted in green PLAGF camouflage about to take off at night during a combat exercise with the PLAGF’s 77th Group Army. (CCTV)
Weihutang, a China Central Television (CCTV) programme on military affairs, reported that the reconnaissance UAV was used to detect the movements of a simulated enemy force during the recently concluded ‘Firepower-2020’ combat exercise.
The UAV, which is made by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), was shown fitted with a chin-mounted, stabilised electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret that enables it to perform day/night reconnaissance, battle damage assessment, as well as target detection and tracking. (Source: Jane’s)
25 Sep 20. Modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars are a strong focal point of the global aerospace and defense industry. The performance of state-of-the-art AESA radar systems depends strongly on the performance of the individual transmit-receive-module (TRM) assembled in the antenna array. Rohde & Schwarz offers new test and measurement solutions for TRM performance validation, enabling the customer to maximize their radar system capabilities.
Typical TRM test cases can be covered with a single Rohde & Schwarz network analyzer as a turnkey solution, such as the R&S ZNA. If higher performance such as the pulsed noise figure is required, the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer is added to the setup. When combined with the integrated calibration routine, this simplifies the setup, ensuring full accuracy and high repeatability. Users benefit from reduced test procedure complexity and a minimized cabling assembly.
The R&S TS6 TRM test library optimizes Rohde & Schwarz test equipment for top speeds, in combination with fast control handover. Due to fast frequency sweeps and multiple measurements within one pulse, the number of required TRM state changes is reduced and overall test time minimized. With the R&S ZVAX-TRM signal conditioning unit, all tests run automatically without interaction, including port multiplexing.
The calibration routine in the R&S TS6 TRM test library is a special feature. It collects all the calibration requirements from the test and runs an optimized precise calibration. The support of multiport calibration units enables the efficient calibration of devices under test (DUTs) with many ports. This combination of a simplified test setup with a high degree of automation ensures reliable and reproducible measurements by a scalable solution. It offers a variety of use cases, from manual testing of components to complete module characterization in development and to automated production testing.
As time is of the essence, Rohde & Schwarz has developed solutions which reduce the number of parallel running systems during production by their efficiency. The R&S TS6 TRM test library, together with the R&S TS6710 TRM radar test system, deliver the fastest possible speeds for TRM testing, in combination with a fast handover between measurement and device programming. A typical test time for a complete TRM characterization can be reduced from hours, required by the legacy TRM test systems, to only a few minutes.
The parameters of TRM designs are radar specific and are considered confidential. Each TRM must be controlled by a specific interface, protocol and trigger for testing. The R&S TS6 TRM test library has an open software interface for TRM control, which makes it possible that the whole test configuration can be carried out locally. This also allows faster on-site adaptations and optimizations. An efficient option is the R&S CompactTSVP test system versatile platform with flexible and fast control interfaces, plus digital and analog measurements. This configuration enables very short test times in setups, without any field-programmable gate array (FPGA) programming.
All solutions for TRM and AESA testing are available at Rohde & Schwarz. For more information go to: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/_250794.html
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Blighter® Surveillance Systems (BSS) is a UK-based electronic-scanning radar and sensor solution provider delivering an integrated multi-sensor package to systems integrators comprising the Blighter electronic-scanning radars, cameras, thermal imagers, trackers and software solutions. Blighter radars combine patented solid-state Passive Electronic Scanning Array (PESA) technology with advanced Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) and Doppler processing to provide a robust and persistent surveillance capability. Blighter Surveillance Systems is a Plextek Group company, a leading British design house and technology innovator, and is based at Great Chesterford on the outskirts of Cambridge, England.
The Blighter electronic-scanning (e-scan) FMCW Doppler ground surveillance radar (GSR) is a unique patented product that provides robust intruder detection capabilities under the most difficult terrain and weather conditions. With no mechanical moving parts and 100% solid-state design, the Blighter radar family of products are extremely reliable and robust and require no routine maintenance for five years. The Blighter radar can operate over land and water rapidly searching for intruders as small a crawling person, kayaks and even low-flying objects. In its long-range modes the Blighter radar can rapidly scan an area in excess of 3,000 km² to ensure that intruders are detected, identified and intercepted before they reach critical areas.
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