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18 Oct 21. Raytheon Intelligence & Space’s New Lightweight, Compact AESA Radar Delivers Heavyweight Performance to Smaller Platforms. Editor Andrew Drwiega in conversation with Eric Ditmars, vice president, Secure Sensor Solutions at RI&S, on the eve of the ADEX Korean Airshow.
With the wide adoption of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars into military aircraft, Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RI&S) has scaled all the capability of its existing AESA radars into a new compact version that offers the same performance but at around half the cost.
“This is a lightweight radar but with heavyweight performance,” said Eric Ditmars, vice president, Secure Sensor Solutions at RI&S, speaking to Asian Military Review ahead of the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, 19-24 October, in Seoul, South Korea. “It uses a third less power than a typical AESA radar but delivers the same performance,” he said. RI&S suggests that when compared to bigger AESA radars, it will be available at half the price, one-third the weight and will only use 65 percent of the power required by larger comparable radar systems.
The compact AESA weighs just over 100 pounds (45kg), yet it delivers 100 percent of the capability of the APG-79 AESA radar which is currently installed in the US Navy’s Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F/A-18 Hornet and EA-18G Growler.
Consulting with customers, RI&S identified the need for a smaller, yet as capable radar for platforms that were constrained by size, weight and power (SWaP) such as light attack aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters and some ground-based defence requirements.
“We have been delivering AESA technology for over 20 years and have delivered over 1,500 systems to customers and logged over one m operational hours across the type; so the development of the compact AESA radar gives us an opportunity to provide users of smaller platforms with the capability and performance that has only previously been available to those larger platforms,” said Ditmars.
“Downsizing was a technology challenge,” continued Ditmars. “As you start downsizing the circuitry, you are still applying the same amount of power in a smaller location which means you need to increase the ability to reduce and remove heat. This led to two solutions: using Gallium Nitride (GaN) requires less power to deliver the same capability. It is a much more efficient material – allowing a reduction in power which then also reduces the heat generated; secondly, the innovative air-cooled method of taking heat out of the array – which is a big deal – eliminates the need for a liquid cooling system, which reduces weight.” Being air-cooled saves weight but still allows the compact radar to deliver Generation-4 performance.
Raytheon Intelligence & Space is helping keep fourth-generation fighters like the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, Hornets and EA-18G Growlers operationally relevant for decades to come, thanks to upgrades like the company’s Gallium Nitride Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, or GaN AESA radar.
There is an opportunity for larger platforms to use the compact AESA radar – thanks to its weight and cost savings; RI&S will size the array based on the space available. “On the US Marine Corps Super Hornet, we have the larger APG-79 AESA radar, due to the extra space that the aircraft offers, but on the legacy F-18C/Ds, which are smaller aircraft, we condensed the size of that array and is in fact why we used GaN technology which still allows the aircraft to deliver the same radar performance but in a smaller footprint with less power.”
GaN is becoming more of a standard across many platforms. In recent years it has been used in Raytheon Missile & Defense’s MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system. “RMD engineers have developed the circuitry that we are using with the GaN material to get the maximum efficiency possible out of it, which gives us the best performance for any application,” stated Ditmars.
Maintenance of the compact AESA is fairly simple. “There are only three components to the radar: the antenna, the exciter/receiver and the power supply – so there is not a lot to maintain,“ Ditmars said.
In terms of when the compact AESA will be available, Ditmars explained: “We already have the AESA hardware, with additional prototypes coming through this year. Flight testing will occur in 2023, either internally on RI&S’ own testbed or with a potential customer – we’re pursuing several of those opportunities. We expect [production] deliveries to begin in 2024.” (Source: AMR)
20 Oct 21. NGC Signs Cooperative Agreements with Korean Aerospace and Defense Industry Leaders for JSTARS-K.
- Demonstrates continued commitment to delivering advanced defense solutions to the Republic of Korea
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) signed cooperative agreements with LIG Nex1 and Huneed as the company develops its Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System – Korea (JSTARS-K) solution for the Republic of Korea’s Joint Moving Target Surveillance and Control Aircraft (JMTSCA) requirement.
The cooperative agreements are memoranda of understanding to deliver airborne battle management command and control (BMC2). Northrop Grumman is bringing its expertise in advanced technology, software, prime systems integration, advanced sensors and mission domain to deliver a low risk airborne BMC2 capability. Northrop Grumman’s JSTARS-K will incorporate the unique capabilities and talents of each cooperative organization to deliver the best value solution.
“Northrop Grumman has more than 30 years of leadership in advanced airborne BMC2 capability and mission expertise; we have continued to develop and deliver new technologies to outpace evolving threats,” said Janice Zilch, vice president, multi-domain command and control programs, Northrop Grumman. “With these cooperative agreements, we will deliver industry-leading capability powered with local content and talent to the Republic of Korea.”
Northrop Grumman is a technology company, focused on global security and human discovery. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, advance and protect the U.S. and its allies. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 90,000 employees define possible every day. (Source: ASD Network)
21 Oct 21. Thales digital radar, Sea Fire, qualified and ready for integration on France’s future FDI frigates combat system.
- The Thales Sea Fire radar was qualified by the French Armament General Directorate (Direction générale de l’armement – DGA); It is now ready for integration into the combat system of the new FDI Frigates (Defence and Intervention Frigate) developed by Naval Group.
- In-line with the DGA’s initial schedule, this important qualification milestone was achieved after 18 months of extensive tests carried out on the shore integration facility (SIF) – the DGA Naval technical expertise centre’s air defence systems experimentation site (SESDA), based in Saint-Mandrier (South of France).
- The Sea Fire is the latest-generation solid-state modular multifunction radar, with a four-panel AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) antenna, simultaneously performing long-range air and surface surveillance, as well as missile guidance, to protect frigates from all types of threats in complex environments.
Thales Sea Fire, full digital radar is qualified by the DGA after exhaustive and thorough testing in Saint-Mandrier, the reference trial centre for the French naval forces. The radar is now handed over to Naval Group for integration into combat system on-board the FDI frigates.
Over a period of 18 months, the Sea Fire radar underwent a substantial number of land-based tests, mobilising a vast panel of resources and combined teams from the DGA, Thales and Naval Group. All testing took place at the Shore Integration Facility (SIF) on the DGA’s SESDA site in Saint-Mandrier in the South of France – a major testing reference centre in Europe for the naval sector. Since 1969, this facility has been testing and qualifying ashore every combat system and critical sensors of major ships (frigates and aircraft carriers) in service within the French Navy.
Evaluated and tested against an extensive range of situations including surface targets (light boats, surface vessels…), air targets (helicopters, jets, missiles, drones, etc.) in various environments. – the Sea Fire assured its ground-breaking ability to search simultaneously for air and surface targets in a difficult environment, scanning a range of several hundred kilometres with 90° in elevation and an unmatched refresh rate.
Thanks to the Sea Fire’s unique full digital technology (for instance digital beamforming), the radar delivers enhanced performance for all missions through dynamic radar resource management with very short response time. This digital radar is at the forefront of technological innovation and benefits from all Thales’s Big Data and cybersecurity expertise.
In addition, through its advanced radar software, the digital nature of the Sea Fire made possible the implementation of a high fidelity digital twin. Compared to classical simulations, the digital twin of the Sea Fire truly reproduces the radars’ behaviour and performance. It supports radar development throughout the product life cycle from initial development to in-service support, operation and upgrades. The use of a digital twin played a key role in securing the development schedule of the Sea Fire despite the Covid-19 crisis.
Assembled in Limours, south of Paris, with the contribution of a network of French small and medium- sized companies, Sea Fire production started in May 2018 and the first FDI shipset was delivered in May 2021 (4 panels).
“The qualification of the Sea Fire by the DGA is a key milestone of the radar development. We are proud that the Sea Fire is now ready for integration by Naval Group on the FDI frigate.” François Luc, VP Multi-Function Radars Business Segment.
19 Oct 21. Fortem DroneHunter Successfully Takes Down Target Drone at Norway’s Avinor Oslo Airport in Landmark Test Event. For the first time globally, international police intercepted drones at an airport without stopping traffic. Fortem Technologies, leaders in airspace security and defense for detecting and defeating dangerous drones, proved to an audience of over 140 agencies last week that their DroneHunter®, the world’s premier AI-enabled interceptor drone, could safely remove a threatening drone from a complex airport environment. The recent test event at Oslo Airport in Norway was spearheaded by Interpol, Avinor, the police, and UAS Norway to demonstrate counter drone capabilities.
Following the drone incident in 2018 that shut London’s Gatwick Airport down for two days, sightings of drones at airports are still occurring. The operation at Avinor Oslo was used to test various counter-drone systems. It was the first time the Norwegian police were shown options for how to safely mitigate a threatening drone.
Several suppliers, both from Europe and the U.S., participated alongside Fortem in the exercise. With jammers deemed illegal in Norway, and with high restrictions in place due to the airport setting, the autonomous, radar-guided DroneHunter was one of the only systems successful in removing the threat drone. The Fortem DroneHunter was designed to operate safely in complex environments and is favored because it does not cause collateral damage during the capture process.
“Airports understand how essential drone security is,” said Timothy Bean, CEO of Fortem Technologies. “We’re extremely proud of how DroneHunter performed during the Oslo Airport exercise. Our team has worked exceptionally hard to make sure DroneHunter performs safely and effectively even in complex environments like an airport. No manually-operated drone can outperform the autonomous radar-guided DroneHunter when it comes to defeating small drones and larger fixed-wing drones before they reach sensitive protected airspace.”
About DroneHunter
Custom built for speed and agility, Fortem DroneHunter is the world’s premier AI-enabled interceptor drone. Deep integration with onboard TrueView radar makes autonomous detection, pursuit, and defeat of drones, including waypoint-directed, non-RF emitting drones, extremely efficient and safe. Effective day and night, DroneHunter captures and tows away small rogue drones in its tethered nets or entangles larger fixed-wing drones and attaches a drogue chute to halt the enemy aircraft descending it safely to the ground.
The DroneHangar™ is an environmentally controlled hub that protects a DroneHunter from extremes in temperature and weather, keeping it charged and ready for flight 24/7. The DroneHunter NetGuns are easy to remove and reload in under ten seconds in order to resume secondary missions quickly. Other effectors besides nets are available as well. The low cost of both the overall system and the expendable effectors brings an operationally viable solution to the battlefield and installations that is available today.
About Fortem Technologies, Inc.
Fortem Technologies is the leader in airspace awareness, security, and defense for detecting and defeating dangerous drones. Through an advanced, end-to-end system of distributed radar, AI at the Edge, deep sensor integration, and autonomous drone capture, Fortem is deployed across 5 continents to monitor and defend the world’s airspace over venues, campuses and metro regions. The same system is accelerating the safety of the world’s airspace for advanced air mobility (AAM). Based in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the company is privately held and backed by Toshiba, Boeing, DCVC, Mubadala Investment Company, Signia Venture Partners and others. For more information visit fortemtech.com (Source: PR Newswire)
19 Oct 21. LeoLabs Commits to Australia as Strategic Site for Next Space Radar. Critical Asia Pacific Location Enhances Timeliness and Coverage in the Southern Hemisphere. LeoLabs, Inc., the world’s leading commercial provider of Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Space Traffic Management (STM) services for low Earth Orbit, today announced Australia as the site for its next space radar. The West Australian Space Radar represents a critical addition to LeoLabs growing global constellation of S-band, phased-array sensors. When completed in 2022, it will expand LeoLabs’ total number of radar sites to six, and total number of space radars to ten.
“There is no location on the planet more strategic than Australia for monitoring the unprecedented growth of activity in low Earth orbit (LEO),” said Dan Ceperley, CEO and Co-Founder of LeoLabs. “On one hand, the West Australian Space Radar is perfectly positioned to expand LeoLabs capacity for tracking satellites and debris, improving the timeliness of all our spatial data and mapping services. On the other hand, this radar will join our global constellation of radars, improving our ability to monitor critical risks and events in space. It further cements our lead as the only organization deploying extensive space coverage in the southern hemisphere. These capabilities constitute unique opportunities, in Australia and globally, for new products and services. LeoLabs is pleased to support these directions.”
“The West Australian Space Radar is just one element of LeoLabs’ strategic vision for investing long term in Australia,” continued Ceperley. “That vision extends to recruiting and growing a world-class team that is an integral contributor to the Australian space community and drives LeoLabs’ activities globally. In that regard, I’m pleased to report that the leadership of our Australian team is already in place and is looking to aggressively expand, especially into software and other technical areas. Our radar is a multi-decade investment, and so will be our commitment to investing in Australian space expertise for the new space economy.
“We are pleased to welcome LeoLabs to Australia,” said James Brown, CEO of Space Industry Association of Australia, “and appreciate their strong alignment with our mission of growing Australia’s space industrial base. Australia clearly has an opportunity to become a space surveillance superpower and a leader in global space governance, and LeoLabs can certainly play a role in supporting and informing that mission. We recognize that the LeoLabs West Australian Space Radar is just the beginning.”
“I could not be more optimistic about the future of the Australian space sector, and the contribution LeoLabs will make to build that future,” said LeoLabs Australia Managing Director, Terry van Haren. “The commercialization of LEO and the involvement of state actors in LEO continues to accelerate, and as we expand our capabilities here, LeoLabs is poised to support Australia’s national interests in preserving transparency, deterrence, safety of flight and sustainability. LeoLabs global radar network already produces the world’s largest number of LEO observations,” added van Haren, “and the West Australian Space Radar will solidify and extend that lead. Today our catalogue tracks approximately 17,000 objects in low Earth orbit; in the near future that will grow to a massive 250,000 objects. The West Australian Space Radar also adds more timely updates on critical events in LEO, including collisions, breakups, maneuvers, new launches, and re-entries.” LeoLabs is today the only end-to-end supplier of radar infrastructure and SDA services to support the mission of keeping the emerging LEO economy open, secure, and ensuring its sustainability for future generations.
Low Earth Orbit is rapidly emerging as the commercial frontier in space. Rapid deployment of new satellite constellations, the demand for innovative services from imaging to broadband to IoT (internet of things), and the bns of dollars of new investment in space-based infrastructure are redefining a domain shared by governments, space agencies, regulators, commercial operators, and space insurance.
Against this backdrop of unprecedented opportunity are two challenges critical to investment and the long-term viability of LEO. The first is the need to develop LEO sustainably by addressing the threat posed by space debris. Approximately 250,000 dangerous pieces of orbital debris have gone untracked by government legacy systems that can no longer keep pace with increasing risks to satellite constellations. Sustainability is not just an arena for operators to address, but also for regulators to establish international best practices, set standards, and define rules of behavior.
A second challenge critical to the long-term viability of LEO is keeping it open and secure. As the number of private space enterprises and space-faring nations continue to grow, so does the need to track and make transparent the full range of events that threaten an open space environment.
“The single greatest challenge to both the sustainability and security threats in LEO is solving the “data deficit,” said Dan Ceperley, LeoLabs CEO. “The number of assets in LEO doubled last year, will double again this year, and is expected to grow 25x in the next five years. LeoLabs is already the largest provider of data for LEO today, and this lead will expand rapidly as we execute on our constellation of radars.” Ceperley continued, “The legacy government-built SSA infrastructures of the past simply cannot scale to track the new levels of LEO activity, and they have no path to get there. Our commercially driven infrastructure is the only viable and scalable way to address this “data deficit”.
The West Australian Space Radar will make a critical contribution to solving these challenges. Because of its strategic Asia Pacific location, the radar complements other LeoLabs radar sites, and will increase the frequency of observations LeoLabs collects on each satellite and orbital debris. This improves response times, and supports effective tracking and safety of flight. Second, the additional two S-band radars in the southern hemisphere adds critical resiliency to the global network, improving operational service levels and persistent tracking. And third, the West Australian Space Radar accelerates LeoLabs ability to discover, track and catalogue the objects never before tracked, those under 10 centimeters.
About LeoLabs
Founded in 2016 as a venture-funded spinout of Silicon Valley research pioneer, SRI International, LeoLabs provides access to critical mapping and SSA data for low Earth orbit. LeoLabs’ services include collision prevention, risk assessment, constellation monitoring, and commercial SSA. LeoLabs today serves regulatory and space agencies, commercial satellite operators, defense, and scientific/academic organizations that are driving generational change in LEO. LeoLabs’ core technology includes a patent-pending global phased-array radar network which tracks debris and satellites in LEO. Observations generated from this network are the foundation of the LeoLabs mapping and SDA/SSA software platform, providing timely and accurate orbital and situational data. (Source: PR Newswire)
20 Oct 21. SEA, the UK’s defence and security electronic system specialist, has completed successful trials of its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) thin line towed array, KraitArray, in the English Channel – proving its exceptional sensing performance in small vessels. Deploying KraitArray from a small vessel to demonstrate its agility and flexibility, the trials were undertaken in early September by three SEA engineering experts and a recently qualified technician from SEA’s apprenticeship programme. Data gathered from these SEA-funded trials have helped to determine the performance of key aspects of the ASW solution, and will support the next spiral of product development for KraitArray and Krait Defence System.
The trials were SEA’s latest opportunity to test KraitArray after making improvements to its acoustic performance and sensing range. The KraitArray’s low profile and reduced power requirement allowed the team to retro-fit and install the solution onto a small vessel quickly, and the results have proven its exceptional sensing performance. SEA will continue to test KraitArray’s performance in a variety of vessel types.
The KraitArray will be soon be deployed from an unmanned underwater vehicle in Ministry of Defence (MoD)-funded trials, and overseas trials will also be conducted from an unmanned surface platform during November. The KraitArray is already in service with a number of customers, and is providing valuable undersea situational awareness on a range of small and autonomous vessels.
Alex Key, Head of Undersea Battlespace, SEA, said: “It is encouraging that these trials have proven the KraitArray’s sensing performance when deployed from small vessels. The operational need of today’s navies mean that they require ASW solutions that offer an enhanced sensing capability which can be deployed from smaller and more agile vessels – providing a larger and more flexible detection range. SEA is well-place to deliver solutions that directly answer the needs of navies around the world and at a lower cost. We will continue to test all aspects of our system so that we can continue to evolve this agile ASW solution.”
KraitArray is part of the Krait Defence System, SEA’s complete ASW solution for smaller vessels which also includes KraitSearch, an acoustic search solution, KraitShield, an acoustic decoy system and KraitStrike, the lightweight torpedo launcher.
19 Oct 21. Turkish producer to supply aerostat systems to Iraq. Otonom Teknoloji, a privately owned Turkish defense technology company, has said it signed a deal with the Iraqi government for supplying aerostat and airship systems. The firm said on Oct. 17 that the deal would also involve technological know-how transfer and co-production options in the future. No financial details of the sale were disclosed. Otonom Teknoloji produces several different airborne surveillance platforms, including the Tepegöz unmanned airship and the Doruk “water-drop shaped aerostat,” according to its website. These systems come in three different specifications for tactical, operative and strategic missions. The Doruk can operate at up to 1,500 meters of altitude and carry up to 500 kg payload; the Tepegöz can fly up to 3,000 meters high. The aerostat can perform uninterrupted operations for up to one week. Otonom Teknoloji says it developed its aerostat systems for port security, critical facility protection, reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence and communications missions. An official Turkish defense procurement delegation visited Baghdad on Oct. 2. After the visit, Iraqi officials said they would discuss the acquisition of Turkish-made TB-2 armed drone systems, T129 attack helicopters and electronic warfare systems. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
18 Oct 21. Hensoldt & QinetiQ Establishing a Framework for a Strategic Partnership. Hensoldt Inc., the U.S. affiliate of global Defense company Hensoldt AG, and QinetiQ Inc., the U.S. affiliate of global integrated Defense company QinetiQ, PLC have entered into a new agreement establishing a framework for a strategic partnership addressing cooperation for the development, integration, testing, fielding, and servicing of Hensoldt’ s products in the United States as well as the joint pursuit and capture of business opportunities for U.S. Defense and Security customers.
As part of this agreement, Hensoldt Inc. will expand the availability of its offerings in sensor suites, radars, EO/IR sensors, situational awareness (SA) solutions, active protection systems (APS), laser range finders, optics, and integrated solutions in the US market. Ken Loy, President and CEO of Hensoldt Inc. stated, “Hensoldt Inc. is proud to be able work with QinetiQ which is such an outstanding technical company and systems integrator. Our companies will work together to adapt, integrate, and deliver our world class products and capabilities to U.S. Warfighters.”
QinetiQ Inc will support this effort by leveraging its world-class facilities, technical capabilities, staff, and expertise in the integration and servicing of third-party sensor products. Aydin Mohtashamian, President of C5ISR Solutions at QinetiQ Inc. stated, “QinetiQ is excited and looking forward to working with such a leader in global defense sensing technologies. We are focused on bringing the best technology to the warfighter at the point of need, and Hensoldt brings game changing technology towards that end.”
In the context of this strengthened cooperative framework, Hensoldt Inc and QinetiQ Inc. will begin near-term efforts to integrate and demonstrate future capabilities on a new Ground Combat Vehicle provided by the U.S. Army. Team Capabilities to be demonstrated include:
- Advanced 360° Situational Awareness
- Advanced Night Driver’s Vision Equipment
- Advanced Multi-Modal 3D Radar
- Distributed Vehicle and Soldier – Borne Sensing (Source: ASD Network)
15 Oct 21. Belgian police develop operational capability to manage hostile drones. An EU-funded police security project in Belgium named Skyfall has completed training Belgian police staff in the use of counter drone equipment. This operational capability can now be shared with law enforcement representatives from 17 EU member states, so they can follow up at a national level, and add value at European level, according to a senior representative of the Antwerp police force.
A counter drone training exercise carried out at the Campus Vesta training center in Ranst as part of the Skyfall project trained police officers from various European forces on how to use anti-drone devices.
“We use two devices: a jammer that can take the control system or the GPS signal of the drone and the SkyWall Patrol, a device with which we can fire a projectile,” explains Chief Inspector Bart Van der Donck of the Antwerp mobile unit. “In that projectile is a net and a parachute, with which we can bring the drone down.”
The Romanian police, the federal police and the Brussels-Capital-Ixelles police zone also took part in the project.
For more information visit: www.m.gva.be (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
15 Oct 21. Software upgrade adds new features to D-Fend MSC2 counter drone solution. Counter drone specialist D-Fend Solutions has released a new software version of its flagship product, EnforceAir, as part of the company’s quarterly software enhancement programme.
The new version includes improvements to D-Fend’s Multi-Sensor Command & Control (MSC2) system, detailed map information to make communication with law enforcement more effective and additional protection plan options.
According to a company press release, new features include:
More Options for Stationary Protection Areas
Protection and alert areas within the stationary protection plans can now be circular, or the traditional polygon shape, depending on user needs and the scenario. Circular protection areas are located by default around EnforceAir’s location. They can be adjusted to provide users with greater flexibility and to protect more distant areas. This enhancement is supported for single and multi-zone alert and protection areas.
Faster Orientation and More Accurate Communication with Law Enforcement
The online maps display has been enriched with an additional information layer that includes street names and points of interest. This feature will make it easier for users to get oriented and to quickly share information with law enforcement regarding precise drone pilot location. This information layer is displayed as a default setting but can be filtered from the display.
Greater Safety
During creation and editing of the safe route for rogue drones, the following settings are now enforced:
- The minimum altitude of safe routes will be above 30 meters, to protect nearby civilians and property
- The distance between waypoints in a defined safe route will not be less than 20 meters
- When landing at the nearest waypoint, the minimum altitude should be above 30 meters
- The maximum number of waypoints in a safe route is eight, to eliminate overly complicated routes
“Our customers were instrumental in guiding much of the innovation in this latest version and numerous D-Fend Solutions clients have already installed it,” said Yaniv Benbenisti, D-Fend’s President & Chief Product Officer. “This new version further differentiates EnforceAir’s anti-drone offerings by facilitating even greater control and safety, to maintain day-to-day continuity in sensitive environments. We remain committed to upgrading our software on a regular basis to stay in front of the continuously evolving drone threat.”
New Tactical Configuration for the MSC2
D-Fend Solutions’ Multi-Sensor Command & Control system (MSC2), a central management solution, controls multiple EnforceAir sensors remotely from a single server, empowering organizations to intuitively safeguard vast expanses of land from rogue drones.
The current version supports the new tactical MSC2 configuration. This configuration provides users with the ability to easily deploy and operate multiple EnforceAir units through the MSC2 application in the field, or other ad-hoc deployments.
The MSC2 tactical configuration is based on a rugged laptop (Dell Latitude 5420) that functions as the MSC2 server and operating station. The configuration provides the same operation, detection and mitigation capabilities as the MSC2 stationary configuration, while enabling operational agility and flexibility.
Additional Features
Additional features have been introduced to EnforceAir for a more intuitive and seamless user experience:
- Users can set a custom duration for the system’s audio alert notification (5-600 seconds)
- Landing-point location for rogue drones can be set via coordinates (in addition to the drag-and-drop option
- There is an “Apply All” option when editing safe routes details
- The alert area for moving asset plans can be edited via keyboard, or the slider option
- The approximated detection zone for the Long-Range Directional antenna will be displayed
For more information visit: www.d-fendsolutions.com (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
02 Sep 21. Next Gen NVGS – A Clear Improvement. Fused and enhanced night-vision technology will make the difference to soldiers fighting at night. Night-vision technology is rapidly advancing with step changes in performance, user experience and comfort. These advances are a result of technology for Night-Vision Devices (NVD) transitioning from being hardware heavy and dependent on legacy processing platforms to software driven hardware. This has allowed NVD providers to harness the ever growing processing power of commercial computing platforms. Electro-Optic (EO) devices today make use of edge video processing, have real time auto target recognition capabilities and utilise deep learning models to deliver night-vision capabilities far in excess of what was available only five years ago. Development of these advanced NVDs for mounted and dismounted soldiers however, is the realm of only a few companies worldwide, who are able to deliver on the highly challenging and competing demands of size, weight and power consumption and manufacture these systems in volume. Militaries however, have been quick to take note of the advanced capabilities now available on NVDs and are planning accordingly.
Capability Overmatch
The Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) continue to invest in state-of-the-art night-fighting capability and are on schedule to receive more than 5,500 cutting-edge helmet-mounted Fused Night Vision Systems (FNVS) from L3Harris. Deliveries are expected to begin next year with Final Operational Capability (FOC) slated for September 2023. “The new fused night vision systems will provide greater survivability to our ADF personnel through increased situational awareness and the ability to detect movement at greater distances,” said Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. “The fused night vision system will also allow Augmented Reality (AR) enhancements, including location and navigation data in the Heads-Up Display (HUD).” Along with its investments in NVDs, the ADF is also working on a new integrated digital soldier combat helmet system for which New South Wales company Spearpoint Solutions was awarded $2.7m in February.
Missions Systems Australia, a subsidiary of L3Harris, received the night-vision systems contract worth $173 m in December 2020, which included full in-country support and repair. L3Harris announced in January that it would provide the advanced NVGs to the ADF under a $118 m contract. L3Harris’ FNVS fuses image intensification technology with thermal imagery to deliver enhanced situational awareness, targeting and identification capability to soldiers in all battlefield conditions and light levels. The FNVS can also deliver vital battlefield information directly to the soldier’s eye when it is combined with the L3Harris battery pack
The ADF’s night-vision procurements fall under its LAND 53 Phase 1BR project which sought to replace its helmet-mounted night-vision equipment and laser-aiming devices which attach to specified ADF weapons for dismounted combatants, including regular infantry, Special Forces (SF) and selected elements of the Navy and Air Force. Tranche 1 of LAND 53 Phase 1BR was aimed at meeting requirements for new generation NVDs featuring the latest technology with improved ergonomic performance and reduced weight. The new devices were would replace existing night-fighting products to enhance the ADF’s dismounted night-fighting capabilities.
The first Tranche 1 contract was inked with L-3 Communications Oceania in September 2016. The five year $208 m contract for night-vision imaging systems included binocular night vision goggles with white phosphor image intensification features, compact laser with integrated white light functions, miniature laser rangefinders and other detection and targeting tools to ADF. Amongst the systems supplied by L3Harris include: Binocular Night Vision Devices (BNVD) – L3Harris AN/PVS31A; Laser Aiming and Illumination Devices (LAID) – L3Harris AN/PEQ-16B LED / MIPIM; Laser Aiming, Illumination and Ranging Devices (LAIRD) – L3Harris SRF. L3Harris directly provides support for its night-vision systems to first and second line ADF brigades and end users from its Brisbane support and sustainment facility. Tranche 1 deliveries began in May 2017 and were completed in 2020.
Cutting-Edge NVG
The US Army is now fielding the most sophisticated military Night Vision Goggles (NVG) currently in operational service with initial deployment of the new Enhanced Night Vision Goggle – Binocular (ENVG-B) now underway. The US Army selected L3Harris in October 2020 to deliver the ENVG-B as its next generation night vision system to enhance situational awareness and increase soldier mobility. The advanced NVGs have already made an appearance in the region, when a US Army armoured brigade combat team equipped with ENVG-B’s made a trial deployment in South Korea in 2019.
“The ENVG-B is the most advanced night vision goggle ever developed for and fielded by the US Army, enabling a soldier to see and manoeuvre in zero and low-light situations,” said Lynn Bollengier, president, Integrated Vision Solutions, L3Harris. The ENVG-B features see through map overlays and a compass in addition to AR capabilities and a HUD that integrates wirelessly with weapon optics. Low Rate Production is now underway and approximately 5,000 ENVG-Bs have been fielded thus far with the 82nd Airborne Division already having received 1,500 units by March. The development of the advanced new NVG’s is aimed at regaining American superiority in night-vision technology which had steadily eroded in recent years. (Source: Armada)
19 Oct 21. CENTCOM stepping up C-UAS effort. US Central Command (CENTCOM) is improving its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) effort with a “rapidly evolving set of tools and training”, it said on 18 October.
The C-UAS effort is being assisted by a dedicated Cyberspace Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA) cell serving with Task Force Phoenix, the aviation unit currently supporting US and coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.
“In response to recent UAS attacks on coalition bases in Iraq and Syria, the Task Force Phoenix CEMA cell performed battlefield assessments and identified gaps in C-UAS training,” CENTCOM said. “The team then reached out to the Yuma Counter-UAS Training Academy and US Army Forces Command to get the latest C-UAS training packages being used stateside.”
The result was a five-day training programme for C-UAS operators that includes virtual-reality simulation and hands-on training with handheld systems.
The first course was held for 16 US Army and Air Force personnel at Camp Buehring in Kuwait on 4–8 October and included a briefing from Raytheon on the DroneDefender V2, as well as hands-on training with NINJA and EnforceAir C-UAS systems, CENTCOM said.
It released a photograph of soldiers training with an older version of the DroneDefender made by Battelle, which jams the frequencies used to control most commercial unmanned aircraft.
The D-Fend EnforceAir system is designed to automatically detect UASs and their unique communication identifiers, then hack their controls to land them in a designated area without using jamming that can disrupt other communications. (Source: Janes)
14 Oct 21. Numerica joins US Army’s high energy laser counter drone development programme. Counter drone company Liteye Systems has selected Numerica Corporation to support the development of the US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office’s (RCCTO) new counter small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) High Energy Laser (HEL) programme.
As part of an accelerated effort to demonstrate C-sUAS HEL capability in FY22, Numerica will deliver its Spyglass radar and MIMIR C2 software as integral components of Liteye’s SHIELD™ system. SHIELD is the latest generation of C-sUAS technology from Liteye and will provide detection, tracking and identification of Group 1 and 2 UAS for the prototype HEL weapon system.
With Ku-band phased array and radar data processing technology, Spyglass enables high precision detection and tracking of small UAS in a compact form factor. The MIMIR C2 software enables intelligent integration of the radar with other sensors and systems to provide a high-performance, self-contained, command and control capability that maintains mission performance even in degraded environments, says the company press release.
The RCCTO-led program will demonstrate C-sUAS HEL prototype weapons systems for defense of dismounted, maneuver and fixed/semi-fixed sites that will be operated at the brigade level. The plan is to integrate these prototype systems with Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAADC2) to provide a holistic “Any Sensor, Right Shooter” concept to counter Group 1 and 2 UAS. The demonstrations will address a range of combat environments and allow the incorporation of soldier touchpoints through the programme.
For more information visit:
www.numerica.us/spyglass (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
13 Oct 21. Leonardo Signs Contract to Supply Daylight Optics for Bundeswehr Assault Rifles.
- Leonardo will equip German Armed Forces’ assault rifles with the latest generation ELCAN Specter DR 1-4x optics
- With first deliveries to take place in the third quarter of 2021, the Bundeswehr will join a number of NATO countries which already have these systems successfully in service
- The new agreement reinforces Leonardo’s technologies role as a key enabler of battlefield digitalization for Germany and NATO
Leonardo, through its subsidiary Leonardo Germany GmbH, has signed a framework agreement with the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) for the supply of up to 107,929 daylight optics for use on both current and new Bundeswehr assault rifles.
Leonardo will deliver ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4x sights adapted to the requirements of the Bundeswehr. The specific adaptations refer to a modified reticle and a housing with an integrated Picatinny rail. The most important design change is the ability to operate the switching mechanism from 1x to 4x magnification on both sides of the new sight for assault rifles, while retaining the compact design and robustness of the optic. First deliveries of the sight will take place in the third quarter of 2021.
Leonardo is pleased to equip and support the German Armed Forces with the ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4 x daylight optics, which are already successfully in service with various NATO nations. For the German subsidiary, the recently signed agreement with the Bundeswehr represents an important push for its soldier systems sector. The product portfolio for this business unit includes innovative laser systems, night vision and thermal imaging technology, which are already being used by military and special forces in Germany and NATO.
The new daylight optics for the Bundeswehr, the ELCAN Specter® DR 1-4x, represents a vital component of an entire optronic system for infantry missions. (Source: ASD Network/Leonardo)
20 Oct 21. USAF launches E-3 replacement effort, notes E-7 intent. The US Air Force (USAF) has launched an effort to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, with the intent of fielding the same company’s E-7 Wedgetail. The USAF issued a notice of contract action, titled ‘E-3 Replacement Aircraft Studies & Analyses’, on 19 October, in which it announced it is to sole-source Boeing to perform studies, analyses, and activities required to ascertain the E-7A baseline configuration, and to determine what additional work the US government might need to accomplish meeting the USAF configuration standards and mandates.
“The Aircraft Rapid Prototyping Requirements Document has specifically called out the E-7A, and it has been determined that this is a sole-source requirement,” the USAF said. (Source: Janes)
18 Oct 21. US Army defers plan to equip soldiers with IVAS to 2022. The first units of the army are now expected to be equipped with these augmented reality glasses by September 2022. The US Army has reportedly postponed its plan to field Microsoft’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) to next year. According to a Reuters report, the US Army now plans to equip the first units with these augmented reality glasses by September 2022. Previously, the officials aimed to introduce IVAS in the fiscal year 2021, which ended last month. Despite the delay, the US Army reiterated its commitment to the programme that may be worth up to $21.9bn. Based on HoloLens, the IVAS headset was conceived to keep soldiers safer and make them more effective on battlefields. It is supported by Microsoft Azure Cloud services and integrates several technologies such as night and thermal vision, map and augmented reality among others. The system will help in improving situational awareness, target engagement and facilitate decision making in different scenarios, including training. Microsoft and the US Army have worked for the past two years to enable rapid prototyping for a product. Earlier this year, Microsoft and the US Army announced that the programme will move from prototyping to the production phase. Last month, the US Army conducted some testing of the IVAS system. It aims to conduct regular testing of the system throughout fiscal 2022. Recently, soldiers from US Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) tested the next generation Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (APNT) solution. The solution enables soldiers to manage position integrity and timing in global positioning system (GPS)-contested environments. (Source: army-technology.com)
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