Sponsored by EOS
www.eos-aus.com
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19 Dec 25. German Navy to field SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft. The German Navy is to field the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft system (UAS), the Budget Committee of the Bundestag disclosed. The planned procurement was included in a wider tranche of approvals posted on 18 December, in which the committee noted the “procurement of MQ-9B drones for the German Navy for unmanned maritime reconnaissance and for submarine hunting with sonobuoys”.
The notification did not disclose proposed numbers or a delivery timeline.
The SeaGuardian is essentially the SkyGuardian equipped with the Leonardo Seaspray 7500 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar in a detachable underfuselage fairing. Acquiring the SeaGuardian is in line with the German Navy’s recent acquisition of the Boeing P-8A Poseidon multimission maritime aircraft (MMA), the first of eight of which arrived in Germany on 7 November. The concept of operations sees the unmanned SeaGuardian acting as a force multiplier for the manned Poseidon, providing over-the-horizon sensor and weapons capabilities. In this respect, German Naval Aviation (Marineflieger) will employ the same concept of operations as Denmark, which recently signed for the SeaGuardian and is expected to shortly do the same for the Poseidon, and the United Kingdom, which has acquired both systems (as has Canada and India). Norway too fields the Poseidon, and the SeaGuardian is in competition in that country currently. The SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian has a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 ft, a maximum endurance of more than 40 h, and a maximum airspeed of 200 kt. It has nine external stores or stations for carrying sensors (in addition to the integrated undernose-mounted Wescam MX-20 high-definition electro-optic/infrared [EO/IR] camera) and/or weapons. (Source: Janes)
18 Dec 25. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® and XTEND collaborated to integrate the XTEND Operating System (XOS) into Skunk Works’ MDCX™ autonomy platform, allow simultaneous Command and Control (C2) of multiple classes of UAS, creating improved situational awareness for lower-level mission execution in joint all-domain C2 (JADC2) scenarios. In November, the two companies demonstrated an integrated Multi-Class MDCX (MC-MDCX) workstation in support of a marsupial drone mission. In the demonstration, a larger class UAS delivered a smaller UAS class 1 drone to perform a close-in mission. In previous constructs the operator of the larger class UAS would pass control over to an operator with lower-level controls for classes 1 or 2 vehicles. These types of controls include first-person views, mark-and-fly commands, and immersive environments for the drone operator to fully execute the mission. With the planned integration of XTEND’s XOS into Lockheed Martin’s MC-MDCX, a single operator can conduct both missions. The integration demonstration proved a reduction in total manpower for complex mission executions, removing the need for mission handoffs to lower-tiered operators, and improving situational awareness across the mission space. XTEND is a leader in combat-proven drone C2 solutions, deployed by militaries around the world. Their products provide a layered response and operational stepdown process, enabling platform operations even when Global Positions System (GPS) signals are denied, or radio frequency datalinks are jammed. XOS allows new operators to conduct missions at near expert-level proficiency, thus reducing training time, increasing operational effectiveness, and improving informed decision-making. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and XTEND are now focused on how these techniques can be applied to JADC2 missions and decision loops for advancing autonomous systems. Skunk Works is dedicated to enabling piloted and drone teaming to optimize operational flexibility, abbreviate data-to-decision timelines and improve pilot safety. We continue to collaborate with and invest in enabling technologies to keep our customers ahead of emerging threats.
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EOS
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is an Australian technology company with a global presence, delivering advanced solutions across defence and space. With operations in Australia, the United States, Europe, Singapore, the Middle East and New Zealand, EOS has been designing and manufacturing precision technologies for more than four decades.
In defence, EOS is a leader in remote weapon systems, with more than 2,500 delivered and proven in operational service with allied forces. The company designs, develops and manufactures highly accurate counter-drone solutions for force and asset protection. These include both kinetic and high energy laser options that defeat drone threats effectively and at a comparatively low cost per shot. In August 2025, EOS secured the world’s first export contract for a 100 kW-class high energy laser weapon, with delivery scheduled between 2025 and 2028.
In the space domain, EOS is internationally recognised for its expertise in space domain awareness and space control. Its ground-based optical systems track and characterise satellites and debris to support both defence and commercial operations worldwide. Through its New Zealand subsidiary, EOS also designs and manufactures precision optics for space and astronomy applications.
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