Sponsored by Blighter Surveillance Systems
www.blighter.com
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14 Nov 18. GD implements LAV counter UAV system. MyDefence Communication has announced the integration of counter unmanned aerial system (UAS) technology in vehicle platforms, after working closely with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). MyDefence developed the advanced, networked radio-frequency (RF) sensors, which provide on-the-move detect and defeat capability of drones for military operators. The technology detects drones using RF technology and defeats hostile systems using smart jamming, and can be further integrated with third-party battle management systems. It can also communicate and provide feedback to a remote command control system by using any standard tactical link, which provides greater awareness and enhances battlefield effectiveness.
“We are proud to announce the successful integration of our counter UAS sensors into the GDLS Light Armoured Vehicle platform. This is the first fully integrated counter UAS solution available for mobile platforms with support for third-party battle management systems,” says CEO of MyDefence North America Luke Layman.
Testing for integration first began back in 2017 using GDLS platform, and the technology has since evolved to be able to be used with any vehicle platform.
Large-scale demonstrations of the technology will be conducted at the NATO Non-Lethal Technology Exercise 2018.
GDLS’ core business is in armoured vehicles, and the Australian subsidiary operates as a prime contractor to the Australian Defence Force, supplying, upgrading and supporting the ADF’s armoured vehicle fleets. (Source: Defence Connect)
13 Nov 18. RT LTA unveils SkyStar 120 mobile aerostat. RT LTA Systems has introduced SkyStar 120, a new mobile aerostat system for forces operating in rough terrain. SkyStar 120, based on the Skystar 110 platform, is a micro-tactical aerostat system designed to provide commanders in the field with real-time reconnaissance capability. The system’s ground control station is mounted on an all-terrain vehicle, allowing operators to keep moving and manoeuvring with the aerostat either filled with Helium and ready to be launched or already flying in the air. This allows the operating force to better fit the observation and communication lines in real time according to field conditions. Compact and robust, the SkyStar 120 is operational under extreme weather conditions and offers a surveillance range of up to 1,500ft.
Rami Shmueli, CEO, RT LTA Systems, said: ‘We are unveiling the SkyStar 120 today, after an extensive period of research and development, and after it was presented to the Israeli Defence Force and received great feedback. Compact but robust, and easily transportable, SkyStar 120 is an ideal solution for various of military and security forces worldwide, and is ready for operational use.’ (Source: Shephard)
13 Nov 18. RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. A leader in the development, production and sale of tactical land radar for force and border protection – announced the receipt of over $12m in new orders, in recent weeks. Out of these, over $5m were orders for RADA’s software-defined radars for counter rocket artillery and mortar (C-RAM), counter UAV and short range air defense (SHORAD). The majority of these orders were from new and strategic defense organizations, and these orders represent initial orders with potential for much greater follow-on orders in the future. Portions of the orders were follow-ons from customers that have placed initial orders earlier this year. Almost $7m out of the $12m, were follow-on orders for RADA’s legacy avionics, including avionics for UAVs, helicopters, digital video recorders, and ongoing maintenance orders for RADA’s wide installment base of core avionics for military platforms.
12 Nov 18. NRL explores improved over-the-horizon detection and tracking with NG-HFSWR. The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has disclosed the build, installation, and test of an experimental high frequency surface wave radar (HFSWR) embodying a series of features designed to improve detection and tracking performance over legacy HFSWR radar technology. Known as the NexGen HFSWR (NG-HFSWR), the system – configured as a bistatic radar – has been installed at a site on the east coast of the US to provide surveillance over a sea area off the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. The first details of the system were revealed in the NRL’s 2017 annual review, published in August 2018. Typically operating in the lower half of the HF frequency band (3–15 MHz), HFSWR is a well-established, wide-area, over-the-horizon surveillance technology. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Nov 18. SODA-v counter sniper detection system to enter production. South Korea’s Jain Technology has completed development of its SODA-v counter sniper detection system (CSDS), and it is scheduled to enter production in 2019 for an undisclosed customer. For ground-based applications, the CSDS sensor array is installed on a tripod with adjustable legs, connected to the operator’s flat panel display that includes a built-in GPS and compass. It has a total of seven microphones to give coverage through 360°, with one microphone providing vertical cover and the other six horizontal cover. Jain Technology said its system can detect incoming small-arms fire within one second and provide both visual and audio alerts to the operator, such as “2 o’clock at 800 m”. The company did not release details of the maximum calibre of incoming weapons or maximum range of the system. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Nov 18. Airbus Helicopters Delivers Upgraded Night Vision to NPAS’ UK Police Helicopters. Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of seven upgraded National Police Air Service (NPAS) H135 helicopters, under a £1.5m contract signed in December 2017 to equip and standardise the UK police helicopter fleet’s Night Vision (NVIS) capability. Under the new configuration, all seven NPAS’ H135 helicopters will be capable of NVIS operations down to ground level, enhancing their night time surveillance capabilities at all heights and in all environments. The first upgraded aircraft, G-POLF, was first delivered to UK police in 2002 and, with more than 15,000 flight hours, is a global H135 fleet leader. The standardised upgrade, common to all seven helicopters, will deliver the latest NVIS capability and bring these aircraft in line with NPAS’ current NVIS-capable H135 fleet, allowing NPAS to benefit from commonality across the entire fleet.
Oliver Dismore, NPAS T/Accountable Manager, said, “Airbus Helicopters’ UK design team is recognised as a European leader in the design and integration of night vision capabilities across the company’s range of helicopters, while the company’s 30 year heritage supporting the development of UK police aviation and their collaborative approach has meant the impact on fleet availability and operations has been minimised.”
Colin James, UK Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters, highlighted, “Whether designing innovative rotary-wing solutions for UK and overseas customers or supporting UK helicopter fleet availability, our aircraft are the best fit for policing and emergency services missions and our UK team, working 24/7 from sites across the UK, ensures these can be relied on to deliver day in, day out.”
The upgrade includes stripping and re-equipping the majority of cockpit instrumentation across all seven helicopters, including flight and mission equipment and new FENN700+ night vision goggles, to precisely the same standard. NPAS will now operate an enhanced night vision capability across its H135 fleet while standardisation ensures ease of use for pilots and crew.
08 Nov 18. China intent on AESA radar upgrades. Chinese Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars are in evidence at this year’s Airshow China, both for fighters and a potential carrier capable airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft. At its stand, China Electronics Technology Group (CETC) displayed a model of its KLJ-7A AESA radar, which was developed by the Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET). While the KLJ-7A, which appears aimed the Chengdu JF-17, first appeared in 2016, the company also displayed a new AESA set. Unlike the KLJ-7A, which requires a mechanical arm to move the array, the new set is fixed on slanted panel. It also features arrays looking to either side.
In March, Hu Mingchun told the China Daily that the KLJ-7A AESA will be installed on the JF-17.
“Our product will tremendously extend the fighter jet’s detection range, giving it a much longer sight that will help it detect the enemy’s aircraft before they do, and this is very important because in real combat if you see first, you fire first,” says Hu.
AVIC, meanwhile, is promoting what it claims to be the world’s first air-cooled active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for combat aircraft.
The system was developed by Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute as an upgrade for existing second and third generation fighters. A company video shows that the type can be quickly installed on the Chengdu JF-17 Thunder. Other applications could include legacy J-10s in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). (Source: Flightglobal)
09 Nov 18. Elta Systems integrating AI with radars, seeking better image recognition. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary Elta Systems has developed new artificial intelligence (AI) systems and is integrating them with radars to upgrade image recognition and classification, a company representative told Jane’s.
Isaac Finkelshtein, imagery intelligence manager at Elta Systems, said there have been significant breakthroughs in the past two years in the world of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image recognition capabilities. “We started receiving abilities we did not imagine we’d reach,” he said. “AI and visual intelligence have jumped forward by a generation.”
Elta Systems’ AI technology is designed to recognise a SAR image that Finkelshtein described as “far from being an image that a person can identify”. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
09 Nov 18. Ouster Reveals Details of New Lidar Category. Ouster, a manufacturer of high-resolution lidar sensors, unveiled details of its underlying technology, revealing a departure from niche and high-cost materials that are commonly used in the lidar industry. Several fundamental breakthroughs covered by recently granted patents have enabled Ouster’s move toward state-of-the art, high volume, silicon-based sensors and lasers that operate in a near-infrared light spectrum.
Ouster’s new approach to lidar is speeding the deployment of technology ranging from autonomous vehicles, to large-scale mobile robotics, to long-range mapping drones. The new category, called multi-beam flash lidar, carries significant advantages over traditional approaches:
True solid state – Ouster’s core technology is a two chip (one monolithic laser array, one monolithic receiver ASIC) solid state lidar core, which is integrated in our mechanically scanning product lines (the OS-1 and OS-2) and will be configured as a standalone device in a future solid state product. Unlike competing solid state technologies, Ouster’s two chip lidar core contains no moving parts on the macro or micro scale while retaining the performance advantages of scanning systems through its multi-beam flash lidar technology.
Lower cost at higher resolution – Ouster’s OS-1 64 sensor costs nearly 85% less than competing sensors, making it the most economical sensor on the market. In an industry first, Ouster has decoupled cost from increases in resolution by placing all critical functionality on scalable semiconductor dies.
Simplified architecture – Ouster’s multi-beam flash lidar sensor contains a vastly simpler architecture than other systems. The OS-1 64 contains just two custom semiconductor chips capable of firing lasers and sensing the light that reflects back to the sensor. This approach replaces the thousands of discrete, delicately positioned components in a traditional lidar with just two.
Smaller size and weight – Because of the sensor’s simpler architecture, Ouster’s devices are significantly smaller, lighter weight and more power efficient, making them a perfect fit for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), handheld and backpack-based mapping applications, and small robotic platforms. With lower power and more resolution, drone and handheld systems can run longer and scan faster for significant increases in system productivity.
In an article on the company’s website, CEO Angus Pacala wrote, “I’m excited to announce that Ouster has been granted foundational patents for our unique multi-beam flash lidar technology which allows me to talk more openly about the incredible technology we’ve developed over the last three years and why we’re going to lead the market with a portfolio of low-cost, compact, semiconductor-based lidar sensors in both scanning and solid state configurations.” (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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