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23 Feb 18. Saab Reveals First GlobalEye AEW&C Aircraft. Today Saab rolls out the first GlobalEye Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the media at its Linköping site, Sweden. GlobalEye is an advanced, swing role airborne surveillance system based on a Global 6000 jet aircraft from Bombardier, which has undergone a thorough modification programme to adapt it for its role. The rollout marks a significant milestone on the programme.
Saab is currently producing the GlobalEye AEW&C, combining air, maritime and ground surveillance in one single solution. GlobalEye combines a full suite of sophisticated sensors including the powerful new extended range radar (Erieye ER), with the ultra-long range Global 6000 jet aircraft.
“Saab’s breadth and depth of expertise combines all of the necessary knowledge and technology required to design, develop and produce the most advanced AEW&C systems. Our collective capabilities deliver unrivalled solutions such as GlobalEye,” said Anders Carp, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance. “This milestone is clear evidence that the GlobalEye programme and Saab are delivering on our commitments.”
This first aircraft is equipped and being prepared for ground and flight trials to gather aerodynamic data as part of the ongoing development and production programme. The development and production contract was awarded at the Dubai Air Show November 2015 by the United Arab Emirates with an initial order for two systems. An additional order by the UAE for a third system was announced in 2017. The GlobalEye solution brings extended detection range, endurance and the ability to perform multiple roles with one solution, including tasks such as search & rescue, border surveillance and military operations.
22 Feb 18. Wedgetail fleet receives upgrades. The first phase of upgrades to Australia’s E-7A fleet has been completed, with the aircraft receiving new satellite position broadcast technology. Under the Wedgetail AIR 5077 Phase 5A program, Boeing Defence Australia is leading a global Boeing team to deliver structural and software upgrades to the Royal Australian Air Force’s airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) fleet.
The on-time completion of the first stage of Phase 5A equipped the fleet of six aircraft with satellite position broadcast technology and the latest version of a traffic collision avoidance system. Boeing said these upgrades will keep the aircraft compliant with mandated changes in the civilian environment.
Trevor Smith, Phase 5A project manager for the ADF, said the recent and ongoing changes will enable better sharing of data in a battle space with allies.
“The changes being made to Australia’s Wedgetail fleet will allow us to share large amounts of strategic and tactical data more easily in a battle space environment,” Smith said.
“Being able to quickly exchange information, such as the location of threats, with our allies and across different platforms means we can combine potent capabilities more effectively during joint operations.
“The Wedgetail is the centerpiece of our national air defense capability, and it continues to be a critical asset in protecting our warfighters in missions and exercises overseas.”
Boeing Defence Australia general manager of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance Scott Carpendale praised the efforts of the global team for delivering the first round of upgrades.
“The Wedgetail program demonstrates the strength we bring to our international customers when we operate as one Boeing,” Carpendale said.
“Our Australian team worked closely with airborne surveillance command and control organisation in Oklahoma City to deliver the updates, and that relationship allowed us to draw on the expertise of our people across the globe.” (Source: Defence Connect)
21 Feb 18. Small drones in the Middle East have become a $330m problem. The threat of small unmanned aerial systems overseas – especially in Iraq and Syria – has been a key focus of top leaders from across the Department of Defense.
Groups such as the Islamic State have not only curated a fleet of commercially available drones to use for aerial intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, but they have modified them to drop bombs resulting in a miniature air force.
The problem has become so acute that top officials in the region have made counter-drones the top force protection priority. Such systems also threat installations as well, spying overhead or acting as flying bombs on one-way kamikaze missions.
As such, the Army is asking for a total of $188.3m in fiscal 2019 for counter-unmanned air systems. That request combines $69m from the base budget and $119.3m from the overseas contingency operations,, according to recently released documents.
This strategy is part of a joint operational need statement created in 2017 for the Central Command area of responsibility totaling $332.2m over the next five years, the line item in the Army’s research and development budget states.
The counter drone effort will work to identify, develop, test, evaluate and integrate technologies to provide an overall evolutionary capability to defeat drones, especially smaller group one and group two systems that can weigh up to 55 pounds. The effort also involves a phased approach to CENTCOM that will provide interim standalone capability within the first few months eventually achieving a full networked capability by the end of the operational need period. The program will involve kinetic – or what are known as “hard kill” – solutions, development of radar and integration of multi-function electronic warfare with a “full On-The-Move” capability. The anti-ISIS coalition has previously utilized electronic warfare capabilities in theater to counter drones by interrupting their command and control mechanisms. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
21 Feb 18. IDF’s Artillery Corps to receive new radars, develop integrated aerial picture. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Artillery Corps is upgrading its radar systems and acquiring a new radar as part of a programme to provide an integrated, networked aerial picture that tracks all incoming enemy artillery fire.
Major Ran Kotek, head of the Rocket and Radar Department in the Artillery Corps, told Jane’s that the programme also includes providing the Artillery Corps with the ability to track all ‘blue on red’ (i.e. friendly on enemy) fire as well.
Maj Kotek said the IDF is currently in the process of acquiring a new, large-sector radar, although he could not provide many details at this stage. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
21 Feb 18. Aerial Imaging Market to Reach $3.2bn by 2023. According to a new report Global Aerial Imaging Market, published on ASDReports, the Global Aerial Imaging Market size is expected to reach $3.2bn by 2023, rising at a market growth of 13% CAGR during the forecast period.
The North America market holds the largest market share in Global Geospatial Mapping Solution Market by Region in 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023; growing at a CAGR of 10 % during the forecast period.
The Europe market is expected to witness a CAGR of 10.7% during (2017 – 2023) in Global Disaster Management Market. Additionally, The Asia Pacific market is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.9% during (2017 – 2023) in Global Energy & Resource Management Market.
The Government market holds the largest market share in Global Aerial Imaging Market by End User in 2016, and would continue to be a dominant market till 2023; growing at a CAGR of 11.3 % during the forecast period. The Agriculture & Forestry market is expected to witness a CAGR of 12.5% during (2017 – 2023). Additionally, The Civil Engineering & Archaeology market would garner market size of $536.1m by 2023.
The market research report has exhaustive quantitative insights providing a clear picture of the market potential in various segments across the globe with country wise analysis in each discussed region. The key impacting factors of the Global Aerial Imaging Market have been discussed in the report with the elaborated company profiles of Blom ASA, Fugro N.V., EagleView Technology Corporation, Digital Aerial Solutions, LLC, Cooper Aerial Surveys Co., Landiscor Real Estate Mapping, Kucera International Inc., John Deere Agri Services Inc (GeoVantage, Inc.), and High Eye Aerial Imaging Inc. (Source: ASD Network)
21 Feb 18. In a move set to revolutionize the light attack and tactical C4ISR aircraft industry, the launch of the BRONCO II aircraft is announced today by newly created Bronco Combat Systems (BCS) USA. The original Bronco was renowned for its impressive mission capabilities. The BRONCO II, which is based on the AHRLAC aircraft (Advanced High-Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft), is a two-crew C4ISR and precision strike aircraft, capable of carrying a wide range of weapons, sensors and systems in extended airborne mission operations. It is a unique platform that is built for purpose; uses a pusher propeller and has an open system architecture allowing for the rapid incorporation of current and emerging systems, setting a new standard for mission flexibility and adaptability.
Paramount Group International Chairman Ivor Ichikowitz said, “This aircraft is a real game-changer for the warfighter. It is unique in that it has been designed specifically as a light attack and ISR platform from the onset. This is not simply an armed variant of a civilian crop-duster or a modified training aircraft. Every inch of this aircraft is designed for purpose – specifically for the kind of asymmetrical warfare that sophisticated military forces are now being asked to conduct. These missions demand rapidly deployable, hybrid ISR and close air support capabilities for which no other platform has been specifically designed.”
AHRLAC, the platform upon which the BRONCO II is based, is already in production using the latest advanced aerospace manufacturing technologies. The fact that the aircraft is 100% digitally designed makes the ability to industrialize the BRONCO II in its totality in the United States a reality. Work has started on establishing a manufacturing base that will enable the full production of the airframe and mission systems integration in the United States.
Ichikowitz went on to say “BRONCO II was designed with the US market in mind; it contains significant American content and we are now excited to be able to commit to bringing full production of the aircraft home to the USA.”
The BRONCO II’s internal Interchangeable Multi-Mission System Bay (IMSB) allows a single airframe to be easily and rapidly re-configured to perform multiple roles, incorporating high-performance targeting sensors, network communication systems, precision weapons, an electronic self-protection suite, and mission planning systems.
The aircraft is a purpose-built, sophisticated airborne Find/Fix/Finish/Exploit/Analyze (F3EA) system able to operate for extended periods in remote theaters with minimal infrastructure and a small logistics and maintenance footprint. The BRONCO II operates at a fraction of the procurement and lifecycle cost of an aircraft with similar mission applications and capabilities.
Fulcrum Concepts LLC will lead weapons and system integration for BRONCO II. Fulcrum Concepts Co-Owner and President of Engineering Solutions Scott Richman said, “BRONCO II is the ultimate solution to the F3EA capability, a truly multi-role aircraft with real-time C4ISR perfectly suited to the kind of light attack requirements we are seeing coming out of the U.S. military forces and a number of other programs in the U.S. market. We are excited by the opportunity to be one of the lead partners in bringing this innovative capability to the United States.”
Dr. Paul Potgieter, the CEO of the Aerospace Development Corporation which designed the aircraft, stated: “This aircraft is a completely clean-sheet, next-generation design, using the latest CATIA and digital design systems specifically for digital production. Even the factory in which this aircraft is currently being produced embraces the innovative principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution by emphasizing the use of rapid digital prototyping, laser additive and 3D printing, and a jig-less manufacturing approach.”
Bronco Combat Systems has been established as a US based entity which will bring the aircraft to the US end user. The founding partners are Paramount Group USA, Fulcrum Concepts LLC, and ADC, who designed the AHRLAC platform. Bronco Combat Systems are actively engaging with other domestic U.S. partners to scale the entity in both capability and reach.
“This is a very exciting time for us, our partners and future US customers who will benefit from the rapid fielding of the Bronco II and its unique capabilities. Discussions are underway with highly respected and experienced US suppliers for total supply chain management, mission software, and mission training.” added Ichikowitz.
21 Feb 18. The U.S. Air National Guard will soon be able to conduct airborne assessment of natural disasters across wider areas and greater distances than ever before now that UTC Aerospace Systems has successfully completed an Operational Assessment of its DB-110 airborne reconnaissance system on the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper. Conducted in fall 2017 by the 174th Attack Wing at the Syracuse Air National Guard Base, the assessment addressed the system’s utility for domestic operations missions, such as defense support for civil authorities during natural disasters. UTC Aerospace Systems is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
Currently in service with 14 countries around the world for military intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the DB-110 is a dual-band electro-optic and infrared reconnaissance pod that produces high-resolution day and night imagery, from overhead and at long ranges. Operating in three fields of view and capable of collecting still imagery, it provides three-dimensional and stereo imagery, and wide-area persistence surveillance.
The DB-110 offers a significant capability improvement relative to the Guard’s existing sensors that have a comparatively shorter range and smaller field of view. For example, while current systems have a slant range of roughly 15 nautical miles, the DB-110 is able to produce high-resolution imagery from a slant range of 80-plus nautical miles. In addition, the DB-110 provides an overhead view from higher altitudes and can collect more than 10,000 square miles of imagery per hour. Ultimately, this significantly enhanced capability will allow the Guard to assess natural disasters more rapidly and more comprehensively, boosting operational efficiency in its humanitarian assistance operations. Commanders anticipate using the sensor during such natural disasters as hurricanes, wildfires and floods.
UTC Aerospace Systems was contracted by the Guard in 2017 to support the installation and assessment of the DB-110 on the 174th Attack Wing’s MQ-9 Reaper. Following the first Operational Assessment, the Guard is evaluating long-term solutions to field the next-generation sensor of the DB-110 family, the MS-110, in a new pod that will be compatible with both the MQ-9 Reaper and C-130 Hercules. The MS-110 will produce multispectral color imagery across 7 bands, thereby enhancing the long-range and wide-area attributes of the DB-110. For the Guard, the MS-110 would enhance the service’s ability to assess critical infrastructure during poor weather conditions, through smoke and below the surface of the water, while also helping to detect objects against a cluttered background.
“As the most advanced tactical-reconnaissance sensors of their kind, the DB-110 and MS-110 will greatly improve the Air National Guard’s ability to carry out its mission of saving lives and providing humanitarian assistance,” said Kevin Raftery, vice president of ISR and Space Systems at UTC Aerospace Systems. “The imagery they provide will enable the timely assessment of critical infrastructure such as power plants, energy corridors, roads and highways, and civilian domiciles. Collecting this information rapidly across wide areas and disseminating the data directly to incident commanders will help save lives and property during natural disasters and emergency situations.”
20 Feb 18. Nightforce Optics to Introduce 4A Reticle at IWA. Nightforce® Optics, leading manufacturer and marketer of premium sport optics and related products including riflescopes, spotting scopes, and accessories, announces the introduction of a new 4A reticle designed exclusively for its international markets. The new Nightforce Optics 4A reticle design is available in select SHV™ riflescopes and will be on display at the IWA Outdoor Classics Show 2018 from March 9-12 in Nuremberg, Germany.
“Popular with European hunters for more than a century, the iconic 4A reticle design features bold posts at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions surrounding a clean crosshair,” said Gordon Myers, Nightforce director of sales and marketing. “Nightforce’s 4A reticle allows you to see the most target possible, while intuitively and instantly drawing your eye directly to the center of the crosshairs. The dark posts offer maximum visibility in low or changing light conditions, and with less clutter in the field of view, you’re on target quickly.”
“Particularly effective when hunting in brush, dim lighting conditions, and at closer distances, the Nightforce 4A reticle supplies rapid precision for your hunting needs with a high level of contrast and ultra-clear glass,” Myers added.
The new Nightforce Optics 4A reticle is available in select SHV riflescopes for international markets only. The new 4A reticle, along with the entire line of Nightforce premium optics and accessories will be on display at IWA Outdoor Classics 2018 in Hall 4A, Stand 4A-506. See the 4A reticle on select SHV riflescopes in the Nightforce/Lightforce booth.
21 Feb 18. IARPA Wants Better Tools for Drone Surveillance. The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), a group within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence that deals in “high-risk/high-payoff research programs,” is looking for help.
In a challenge posted to Challenge.gov, IARPA offers prizes totalling $75,000 for algorithms that can enhance and restore images “acquired under less than ideal circumstances.”
IARPA is looking for two things: image enhancements that can aid analysts looking through the images by hand and algorithms to improve automatic object recognition. The latter is important because of the sheer volume of data the drones can collect.
“Human analysts cannot manually sift through data of this scale for actionable intelligence information,” the challenge statement reads. “Ideally, a computer vision system would be able to identify objects, events, and human identities of interest to analysts, surfacing valuable data out of a massive pool of largely uninteresting or irrelevant images.”
The statement goes on to note that machine learning will be helpful with this task but that there aren’t any off-the-shelf components the agency can use because “they do not take into account artifacts unique to the operation of the sensor and optics platform on a small UAV.”
The challenge is being organized and evaluated by the University of Notre Dame — winners will be announced in May 2018. (Source: UAS VISION/fedscoop)
21 Feb 18. Elbit Systems of America, LLC announced that its joint venture with Rockwell Collins, Rockwell Collins ESA Vision Systems, LLC (RCEVS) will incorporate the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System II (JHMCS II) helmet-mounted display into Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-16 aircraft.
“Our next-generation, helmet mounted display systems provide game-changing situational awareness capabilities for pilots,” commented Raanan Horowitz, president and chief executive officer of Elbit Systems of America. “We are committed to giving U.S. and allied warfighters the technology and capabilities needed for the decisive edge in mission effectiveness and pilot safety.”
The ROKAF version of the JHMCS II helmet provides pilots with enhanced situational awareness during day and night missions with immediate and accurate visor-projected display of friendly, threat, and unknown targets. The JHMCS II Night Vision Goggle (NVG) and Digital Eyepiece (DEP) solution allows pilots to easily convert from day to night operations by using one hand while airborne and without removing the helmet. With the JHMCS II NVG/DEP night solution, pilots are able to fly with HMD symbology during both day and night missions.
Like its predecessor, the combat-proven JHMCS, the JHMCS II provides pilots and aircrew the capability to direct sensors and aim weapons. The JHMCS II system also includes an inherent future growth path to enhanced capabilities including full-color symbology generated by a digital image source, full color video, and pilot health monitoring. The JHMCS is used in the F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 aircraft. Elbit Systems of America and Rockwell Collins, through RCEVS, also supply the F-35 Helmet Mounted Display System.
19 Feb 18. Airbus creates maritime surveillance division. Former Airbus subsidiary Signalis has been rolled into the larger business structure to form a maritime surveillance division. Airbus first acquired the subsidiary when it was formed in 2011, and the new division will be the company’s centre of competences for maritime safety and security. Signalis has sat under the Communications, Intelligence and Security (CIS) business line since 3 January 2018, Airbus announced on 19 February, and the decision to form the new division was a result of growing interest in the maritime surveillance market, and is in line with the company’s “one brand” strategy.
“We have brought all the maritime surveillance experts in the security solutions domain together in order to structure and strengthen Airbus Defence and Space´s position as a leading maritime company,” Evert Dudok, head of CIS, said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
15 Feb 18. US Army requests expeditionary and mobile systems to counter ‘low, slow, and small’ UASs. The US Army is looking to rapidly deploy two new systems to protect its forces against ‘low, slow, and small’ unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), the service disclosed on 14 February.
Two separate requests for information (RFIs) related to the requirement were posted on the same day for the rapid development, deployment, and support of the Mobile-Low, Slow, Small UAS Integrated Defeat System (M-LIDS), and for the Expeditionary (E-LIDS) system.
Both RFIs noted, “The US Army has identified a need to develop countermeasures against enemy-armed and intelligence gathering UASs operating at various speeds and altitudes, which are targeting US interests both at home and abroad.
“[These RFIs] include all incidental services to develop, produce, integrate, deploy, and sustain the M-LIDS/E-LIDS in multiple theaters of operation.”
No details on either system were disclosed, except that the RFIs were given a classification code listing of ‘Guided Missiles’. Interested parties have until 1600 h Central Time on 2 March to respond to the solicitations.
These RFIs come two-and-a-half months after the US Army said that it was looking for an interim close-in air defence and counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) system to field on its Stryker wheeled infantry carrier and reconnaissance vehicles. That RFI, issued on 5 December 2017, was for 72 Interim Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (IM-SHORAD) systems that would be capable of neutralising unmanned aircraft through both kinetic and non-kinetic means. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
19 Feb 18. Pentagon Budget 2019: Congressional opposition mounts to USAF’s JSTARS recap cancellation. Key Points:
- Capitol Hill opposition to the USAF’s JSTARS recapitalisation cancellation is growing
- Lawmakers have stopped the service from divesting platforms, such as the A-10, in the past
Influential lawmakers are opposing the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) plan to cancel the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) recapitalisation effort. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) member David Perdue of Georgia, Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, House Appropriations defence subcommittee (HAC-D) member Tom Graves of Georgia, and Representative Sanford Bishop of Georgia are against the USAF’s plan to cancel the JSTARS recapitalisation programme, their spokespeople told Jane’s on 16 February. House Armed Services Committee (HASC) member Austin Scott of Georgia told Jane’s in a 15 February interview that the USAF has made many poor decisions in recent years to retire aircraft. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
16 Feb 18. Small Unmanned Aircraft Prove Worth in Battlefield Reconnaissance Role. Small drone aircraft the Army is using are proving their worth as a useful tool for battlefield reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. Infantry units are seeing the advantage of small unmanned aircraft systems, which are an integral part of the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, assigned to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center at 7th Army Training Command’s Hohenfels Training Area here.
Army Sgt. Christopher Curley, the small unmanned aircraft systems master trainer assigned to Company B with the regiment’s 1st Battalion, said drone aircraft can account for up to 60 percent of intelligence gathering during exercises.
Reconnaissance Duties
“We typically can cover large areas of the “box” in rapid succession with our [small unmanned aircraft systems] teams,” Curley said. “We paint a large portion of the intelligence picture with minimal risk to men and equipment. What may take a scout team a day to do may only take three hours for us.”
The battalion is using three types of small drone aircraft: a commercial-off-the shelf quadcopter, an RQ-20 Puma unmanned aerial vehicle, and an RQ-11 Raven unmanned aerial vehicle.
The quadcopter can be used in a variety of roles to replicate current and potential threats for the purposes of the rotational units training here. Under perfect conditions, it offers short-range collection capabilities up to 4.3 miles, with a high-resolution camera sensor and can carry a small payload of up to 3 pounds about six-tenths of miles in distance, Army officials said.
The Raven, currently used by the U.S. military and several NATO and partner nations, has a much longer battery life of up to 60 minutes, and a cruising distance of about 6.2 miles, but it is not as versatile as the quadcopter with its hovering ability.
The Puma has arguably the longest battery life — about two hours — and a 12.4-mile range.
Quadcopter: ‘A Great Tool for Quick Recon’
“The quadcopter is a great tool for quick recon,” Curley said. “I relate it to fishing: you cast your reel, check that area and then move on. With the quadcopter you are more agile, but you lack the range of the Raven and some of the great tools it has. With the Raven, you get a lot of those tools, but you lack the agility, and it takes more time to master it and train soldiers to use it.”
The Puma, on the other hand, “has the real ability to get out there and touch someone, with its extended battery life,” he said.
According to instructors from Fort Benning, Georgia, who recently conducted a small unmanned aircraft systems master trainer’s course here, Army Pfc. Lucas Bria, with Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment here, is now the Army’s youngest SUAS master trainer after receiving a wavier for his rank to enroll in the course.
Eye in the Sky
“SUAS gives us a unique view in the sky,” Bria said, “where we can view objectives and targets from above, and the enemy usually doesn’t account for this view. They’ll usually set up camouflage and defenses linear to their position, not vertically.”
The soldiers here share their gathered intelligence and methods of collecting it with the units they’re opposing during rotational exercises after they have concluded. Their intent is to relay how successful SUAS operations can be and how all Army units should start implementing them into their repertoire of tactics, techniques and procedures.
During Exercise Allied Spirit 8, Curley said, a quadcopter was launched from a remote area deep in the wooded training area, and within 15 minutes an enemy’s position was spotted and grid coordinates were accurately reported to the team’s higher command.
“Having this capability allows us to paint the big picture,” Bria said. “We can provide information for indirect fire, for enemy movement, and anything our higher command may use it for. We’re giving them a new view, and new information that they weren’t able to get as quickly as before.”
(Source: US DoD)
16 Feb 18. Fortem Announces DroneHunter Counter UAS Solution Using AI-Enabled Radar Technology. Fortem Technologies, Inc., has announced the release of DroneHunter, the first military-tested unmanned aircraft that provides perimeter intrusion detection and protection by autonomously patrolling an airspace and towing away any rogue drones from the sky.
Using AI algorithms, the DroneHunter system provides detection, monitoring and capture of rogue drones over restricted airspace or no-fly zones. Once a rogue drone is detected and captured, DroneHunter can tether and return, or safely discard to a predefined safe zone.
“Drones are accessible to everyone now and are beginning to proliferate to enable many new services,” said CEO of Fortem Technologies, Timothy Bean. “However, to fully embrace these benefits, we must monitor the airspace and secure no-fly zones. Fortem’s safe, low-cost detection and mitigation systems like DroneHunter are game-changing, enabling the benefits of a drone world to be realized.”
Equipped with Fortem TrueView radar, DroneHunter includes an autonomous guidance system and an open command and control platform to detect, identify and tow away hostile drones within a secured geo-fenced perimeter. DroneHunter notifies authorized personnel of potential aerial threats in real time. The command center ground station provides monitoring and manual intervention override options to meet situational requirements.
The Fortem DroneHunter Platform
DroneHunter is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that operates autonomously and provides an onboard autopilot and navigation system, and optional 4Kcamera for real-time video. DroneHunter operates on multiple UAV platforms. The most popular models are light (under 16 lbs.), compact and easy to transport.
The Fortem Netgun effectively captures its target and can be configured for single or multiple shots. For higher speed targets, the Fortem Drape Net autonomously blocks fast-moving drones before they reach restricted areas or no fly zones.
Fortem TrueView Radar
Fortem TrueView Radar is at the heart of DroneHunter, and provides advanced detection, classification and monitoring, day and night and in all ground and weather conditions including smoke, clouds, fog and smog.
(Source: UAS VISION)
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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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