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16 Apr 20. American Manufacturers Swift Tactical Systems and Silvus Technologies Announce Strategic Alliance. Silvus Radios to Enhance Communications Between Swift UAVs and Ground Control. Swift Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of Swift Engineering, and Silvus Technologies have entered into a strategic alliance. This collaboration combines Swift’s world-class unmanned aircraft systems with Silvus’ advanced MIMO communication systems for tactical applications.
Swift Tactical Systems launches one of its unmanned systems for a sensitive mission. The commercial agreement between the US manufacturers will enable Swift to integrate the Silvus radios into its suite of American made UAVs.
The commercial agreement will enable Swift to integrate the locally manufactured radios into its family of American made UAVs, allowing Swift to accelerate its product roadmap and the delivery of its government contracts. The combined systems will bolster both commercial and advanced military missions, as well as research and development for future applications.
“Swift Tactical Systems is utilizing Silvus radios to support complex missions and RF requirements, enabling our suite of unmanned systems to pull C2, telemetry, and all of our sensor data for reliable, unparalleled datalink capabilities. The flexibility and adaptability of Silvus Technologies will enable us to accelerate the delivery of our UAVs for highly sensitive missions,” says Alex Echeverria, Vice President of Swift Tactical Systems.
Swift recently won a multi-agency unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) contract with the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to support Bahamas Ministry of National Security, Law Enforcement, Immigration, and Customs Agencies. The program will utilize 55 short and medium-range drones to accelerate The Bahamas’ mandate to fight crime, curb drug and gun trafficking, illegal immigration, human trafficking, and poaching.
“Swift is a strong, strategic partner of Silvus who’s systems not only support warfighter activities, but infrastructure and surveillance support for the Bahamas. A Swift unmanned system integrated with Silvus Streamcaster will increase the situational awareness of Bahamian agencies, and the beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) structures and installations that need surveillance. We are proud to contribute to this incredibly talented Swift team,” says Kasey Cooper, Director of Unmanned Systems for Silvus Technologies.
Swift plans to use the radios on other projects, including its High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft, which is currently under development in a project with NASA.
About Swift Tactical Systems
Swift Tactical Systems provides unmatched capabilities utilizing disruptive unmanned systems technologies and operational expertise for military and government applications. Headquartered in San Clemente, California, the company delivers fully integrated unmanned systems solutions for collecting, processing, and providing real-time intelligence and data, enabling governments and organizations to make informed decisions. Swift Tactical Systems is a subsidiary of Swift Engineering, Inc. Also headquartered in San Clemente, Swift Engineering is an innovation company with a 35-year history of design, engineering and build heritage in intelligent systems and advanced vehicles, including autonomous systems, helicopters, submarines, spacecraft, ground vehicles, robotics, and advanced composites.
About Silvus Technologies
Privately held and headquartered in Los Angeles, Silvus Technologies develops advanced MIMO technologies that are reshaping broadband wireless connectivity for mission-critical applications. Backed by an unmatched team of Ph.D. scientists and design engineers, its technologies provide enhanced wireless data throughput, interference mitigation, improved range, mobility, and robustness to address the growing needs of its government and commercial customers. (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Apr 20. Citadel Defense Launches New AI Software that Detects and Defeats Air, Land, and Sea Drones. Titan’s AI and adaptive countermeasures address full spectrum operations.
Citadel Defense, a trusted supplier of combat-proven counter drone technology to the U.S. Military and Government, has expanded their industry-leading AI solution to detect, identify, and defeat unmanned systems in the air, on land, or at sea. Where other C-UAS sensing modalities using radar or cyber takeover tactics are limited by ground clutter or responsiveness to new threats, Citadel’s Titan enhances those technologies to deliver necessary force protection when all sensors are fused together.
“Unmanned systems have changed the landscape of military, intelligence, and security operations. We must think beyond aerial threats when protecting personnel and sensitive critical infrastructure. If our military is using RC-controlled platforms across each domain, we must expect that our adversaries will too,” says Christopher Williams, CEO of Citadel Defense.
As small unmanned systems become a more popular weapon of choice, Citadel has remained agile with their AI algorithms to address surface-based threats and robotic platforms. These threats are creating challenges for military and security teams that legacy electronic warfare and most C-UAS systems fail to address.
Citadel’s software will be rolled out to over 100+ Titan systems in the field. Titan’s open architecture ensures that the breadth of capability and protection offered by the Titan can be integrated into any layered system purchased by U.S. military, government, or commercial customers.
“We used cognitive technologies including robotic process automation, AI, and deep learning from the very beginning of our development two years ago. End user and environmental feedback refined our models allowing us to deliver a nimble system with immediate software patches to stay ahead of our adversaries. Having this capability effective across fixed, mobile, and dismounted operations is a disruptive technology that meets the doctrinal needs of our military,” explained Williams.
Titan offers an industry-leading radiofrequency capability that addresses the counter unmanned systems problem set across the spectrum of operations within a standalone system. See how customers are using Citadel’s technology at DroneCitadel.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
16 Apr 20. Two more E-2D AEW&C aircraft for JASDF arrive in Japan. The third and fourth Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) have arrived in Japan, a JASDF spokesperson told Jane’s on 16 April. The spokesperson said that the two E-2Ds (with serial numbers 473 and 474) were shipped to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in March 2020 but have yet to be formally received by the JASDF.
Following assembly and some test flights at Iwakuni, the two aircraft, which belong to an initial batch of four, are set to be transferred to Misawa Air Base in Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan where the JASDF’s 601st Squadron, which operates both E-2C and E-2D aircraft, is based.
“It has not yet been determined when the E-2Ds will be transferred by Northrop Grumman to Misawa due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus,” said the spokesperson.
The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced in September 2019 that the US Naval Air Systems Command had awarded Northrop Grumman a USD1.36bn contract modification for the production and delivery of nine additional aircraft to Japan, bringing to the number of E-2Ds under contract for the JASDF to 13. The spokesperson said that only the first of the initial batch of four E-2Ds has been deployed to Misawa, with the second aircraft still in the United States. (Source: Jane’s)
15 Apr 20. Fortem Technologies Announces Shipment of New DroneHunter F700 – World’s Only Radar-Based Autonomous Interceptor Drone For Tracking and Stopping Dangerous Drones.
Fortem Technologies, Inc., a market leader of counter-drone security and defense solutions, announced today the shipment of the new AI-enabled F700 DroneHunter. In a world where jamming drones and drone swarms from the ground is no longer effective, the F700 stands alone as a safe, effective deterrent against the rising number of careless and criminal drones.
The ultimate advancements of the F700 are its new flexible undercarriage, which offers interchangeable counter measures for single, multiple or swarm-based threats and its new lightweight carbon fiber frame, enabling greater athleticism and speed. The F700 can carry multiple types of anti-drone countermeasures and deploy them in real-time, based on the dynamic threat that is detected miles beyond the protected area. The undercarriage features pogo pins and payload snaps that are integrated with AI-enabled firing and flight software.
The F700 offers significant payload capacity to handle situations over civilians where zero collateral damage is a requirement. AI decisions are now made in real-time to select the appropriate effectors for the detected threat. Complex algorithms for flying in urban areas are now supported. Heavier drones are tethered or parachuted with controlled descent into predetermined safe zones. The F700 is equipped with ground and airborne networked radar and corresponding optics giving our users total situational awareness and autonomous precision. F700 is custom designed and manufactured in the USA.
“We have advanced the DroneHunter F700 so that it can deliver any ordinance necessary to stop drones and to protect stadiums, refineries, campuses and entire metro regions,” said Fortem Technologies CEO, Timothy Bean. “It is the premiere AI-enabled interceptor drone in the world.”
Fortem is developing several DroneHunter mitigation types including directed energy. (Source: PR Newswire)
15 Apr 20. Rafael signs MoU with PCO for Toplite EOS production. Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems revealed on 7 April that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Polish electro-optics manufacturer PCO (Przemysłowe Centrum Optyki) to work together in the production of the Toplite electro-optical system (EOS) for the expected Polish Mi-24 modernisation tender. According to the deal, signed on 25 February, PCO will deliver Toplite technology to the Polish Armed Forces and other Polish customers, and PCO will become part of Rafael’s global supply chain. The MoU is another step in the co-operation between the two companies, which started in 2011 with the delivery of electro-optical systems for W-3PL Głuszec helicopters. (Source: Jane’s)
15 Apr 20. Israeli Air Defense System Shooting Down Israeli Drones in Libya? The United Arab Emirates has reportedly supplied an Israeli air defense system to Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar to counter Turkish drones supplied to his rival, as fighting to capture Tripoli intensifies.
According to a report in The New Arab, the system was supplied to counter Turkish drones as fighting around the capital picked up steam in recent days in an attempt to defeat the Government of National Accord, led by Fayez Sarraj.
The report alleges that the defense system was produced by an Israeli defense company and transferred to Egypt where fighters loyal to the warlord were trained on it before it was moved to Libya.
While it is unclear who had trained the Libyans, there have been multiple reports of Israelis training Haftar’s forces in street warfare, in territory under his control during August and September.
Though the UN Security Council has repeatedly renewed the arms embargo on Libya since 2011, both sides have received significant military aid by numerous countries.
Haftar, who sits in Tobruk in eastern Libya, has been heavily backed by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France and Russia since 2014.
Russia and the UAE have been supporting Haftar’s forces with various weapons systems, including a Pantsir air defense system, which was destroyed by the GNA in November, MiG-21 fighter aircraft and Mi-24/35P helicopter gunships, as well as armoured vehicles.
Last week, a Harop loitering drone produced by Israel Aerospace Industries in Azerbaijan and exported to Turkey to be used by its military crashed near the town of Dirj. The Harop is a small drone that, according to the company’s website, is a combination of the “capabilities of a UAV and a lethal missile.”
In July, two Israeli-made Orbiter-3 tactical drones were also shot down in Libya by troops allied with Haftar. The two drones manufactured by Aeronautics in Azerbaijan, which were part of a three-unit donation by Turkey, were recovered by troops 40km. southwest of Tripoli in the small town of al-‘Aziziya while the other was recovered in the Sidra district, home to the country’s largest oil depot. Aeronautics, which had its export license reinstated in February after a two-year suspension, denied knowing anything about the incident in Libya. (Source: UAS VISION/ The Jerusalem Post)
14 Apr 20. Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today the successful integration of the Towed Reelable Active Passive Sonar (TRAPS) for Unmanned Surface Vessels (TRAPS-USV) onboard the Company’s Seagull USV. The sea trials included multiple deployment and recovery cycles, towing at different speeds and transmission at various power levels. Integration of the TRAPS-USV enables the Seagull USV to perform Anti-Submarine Warfare operations on-the-move, substantially extending its operative range and further enhancing its flexibility. The integration of the TRAPS-USV follows the recent conversion for operation, by the Israeli Navy, of Helicopter Long-Range Active Sonar (HELRAS) dipping sonar onboard the Seagull USV. TRAPS-USV is the compact and powerful low frequency towed sonar that was recently introduced by Geospectrum, the Company’s Canadian wholly owned subsidiary.
02 Apr 20. Exensor Technology & the Dutch Defense Material Organisation announce the signature of an 8-year framework agreement for the supply of Unmanned Unattended Ground Sensor (UUGS) systems. On January 28, 2020, Exensor Technology – a subsidiary of Bertin Technologies (CNIM Group) – was successfully awarded a new contract with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence to supply Flexnet, an Unmanned Unattended Ground Sensor (UUGS) system. The first batch of systems will be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Army in Summer 2020.
Exensor Technology secured an 8-year framework agreement for the supply & the maintenance of Unmanned Unattended Ground Sensor (UUGS) systems to detect, classify & identify any potential threat on the field.
Globally proven on operations, Flexnet will equip every layer in the chain of command with a rapidly deployable surveillance & force protection solution based on battery-operated sensors (seismic, acoustic & infrared), combined with day/night motion cameras.
Supporting intelligence gathering of the enemy’s activities & movements, this state-of-art platform will act as a driving force in operational decision-making with unprecedented levels of speed, safety & accuracy.
As a tailored solution, Flexnet allows for customized configurations to increase significantly the Armed Forces’ situational awareness & strengthen their capability on the field.
Mission dependent, Flexnet can be used as a stand-alone system or integrated into existing Battle Management Systems (BMS).
“We are delighted to be chosen to work with the Netherlands Armed Forces for the next 8 years, said Marcus Rosenqvist – Vice-President of Sales & Marketing. Our on-field experience & time-tested technology allowed us to make a comprehensive offer to the Dutch Defense Material Organisation, based on an understanding of operational requirements matched to our world leading sensor system.
The expertise & adaptability we have demonstrated over the years have allowed us to earn & maintain our customer’s trust, thus becoming our trademark. This new contract is further proof of Exensor’s ability to offer reliable, easy-to-use & high-performance UGS systems to help its customers to accomplish their strategic missions.”
14 Apr 20. March was an exciting month for RfZero, DroneShield’s highly portable drone detection system. It started with an installation for a U.S. Law Enforcement Agency, which now provides them with real-time drone detection security and situational awareness throughout the airspace. The RfZero then made an appearance at Border Security Expo in San Antonio, demonstrating a fully integrated Counter-small UAS (C-sUAS) capability on board the MRZR vehicle.
Continuing this momentum, DroneShield made an announcement, while supporting U.S. Army’s xTechSearch program, that current and future deployed RfZero systems will receive the company’s next generation deep learning detection software—RfAI.
The RfAI update will enhance RfZero’s current industry-leading detection capabilities and ensure it is effective against emerging threats for years to come. The seamless software-based upgrade, demonstrates DroneShield’s commitment to future proof counterdrone solutions for its customers, ensuring they always have the most capable, up-to-date technologies and 24/7 protection from the emerging and the ever-evolving threat commercial and consumer drones can present.
What Makes RfZero so Adaptable?
A big reason that users are able to leverage RfZero for so many different use cases, is due to RfZero’s adaptability. RfZero touts a lightweight, yet rugged IP67 specification, designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and the unique challenges dictated by rapid deployable, vehicle, and even maritime operations. With RfAI next generation detection, RfZero can also intelligently adapt to dynamic RF environments and emerging UAV threats. RfZero can operate fully standalone, without any existing infrastructure, or seamlessly plug into existing networks with only two connections; one for power and the other for network connectivity. Its low power requirements allow for RfZero to operate on-the-edge, with a 12 VDC power source or even batteries. Interoperability is always a critical component for system adaptability. With a simplified, cross-platform user interface and full API, RfZero can go wherever needed and plug into existing security operations and situational awareness platforms to provide real-time alerts of unwanted drone activity.
RfZero: Key Differences
RfZero covers the drone communication frequency bands simultaneously, in a single unit with a small form-factor. No need for additional equipment or systems to cover additional bands. RfZero is cost-effective. Far exceeding the 1 to 2 km detection range of other portable C-UAS systems, providing up to 5km of effective coverage, reducing the deployment density required and significantly reducing the initial and any operational costs. Most importantly, RfZero is drone agnostic and real-world ready. Many drone detection systems only cover a specific or small number of manufacturers, leaving the airspace with vulnerabilities and blind spots. RfZero detection addresses all commercial drone manufacturers and protocols, with an adaptable detection engine that addresses new threats as they emerge.
13 Apr 20. Semi Conductor Devices (SCD) ‒ a global leader in the development and manufacture of a wide range of cooled and uncooled infrared detectors and high-power laser diodes – announced today its involvement in the development of a system that will remotely monitor physiological parameters, assisting medical personnel in their diagnostic process.
The system’s development is a combined effort led by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Technology Unit with participation of additional Israeli Industries. SCD provides the Infrared (IR) video engine sensor including developing specific adaptations for the system’s unique requirements, thus ensuring seamless system integration and operation.
The SCD video engine sensor – termed VOXI – is a highly sensitive IR sensor with advanced processing abilities enabling remote and automatic temperature monitoring in various environments.
“SCD is proud to take part in this rapid Israeli design effort working side by side with the IMOD and IDF technology experts”, says SCD’s CEO Dan Slasky.” Fighting the coronavirus in any possible way is crucial, and the new system developed will improve the efficiency and safety of the diagnostic process in hospitals and public facilities”, he says.
The new system has future potential as well, as it will be suitable for use in dense, crowded sites, where monitoring vitals for safety purposes may be needed, such as train-stations, shopping centers, office-buildings, amusement-parks, and more.
08 Apr 20. US military awards Liteye another USD6m add-on counter UAS contract. The US government has awarded Liteye a USD6m add-on production order for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) bringing the total awarded in March and April 2020 to USD9m. The latest award continues a three-year span of production. Liteye has over US85m in counter drone contracts with the US Government. The company supplies a containerised version of US Anti-UAV Defence System (US AUDS) which features multiple capabilities to detect, track, identify and defeat malicious threats. The operator suite is hardened for use in any climate, and can easily be moved between locations.
Liteye CEO Kenneth Geyer said: “As we’re seeing drone incidents escalate, it’s imperative that we’re diligent about our technology improvements, on-time delivery and performance standards. We continue working with our end-users and partners to layer capabilities into the system to remain effective against the new threats.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
08 Apr 20. “US counter terror agency expands counter drone capability with ELTA” – Jane’s. According to a report published by Jane’s, ELTA North America is working with the US Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) to deliver a pair of Mobile Counter-Small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) solutions to US armed forces later in the year.
The C-sUAS prototypes will be mounted on board special operations forces’ 4×4 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs) in addition to the Ford F350 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) operated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Border Patrols. Jane’s reports the prototypes will be delivered to the armed forces and DHS for “troop training and testing” over the course of third-quarter 2020 in the US. A CTTSO official told Jane’s “In collaboration with ELTA North America, these payloads will each include a dual air-ground X-band 360° staring radar, long-range EO/IR [electro-optical/infrared] optic, directional saturation jammer with a D-FEND Enforce Air non-jamming UAS take-over, safe route, safe land capture component, and the Smart Shooter kinetic C-sUAS system.”
The report says ELTA designed the new ELM-2135 digital X-Band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to support the CTTSO programme.
For more information visit:
www.janes.com/article/95373/us-cttso-partners-with-elta-to-develop-enhanced-c-suas-capability (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
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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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