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18 Aug 23. Drone display takes MOD public safety message to new heights. A dramatic drone display lit up the night sky of a Welsh coastal town to deliver a serious public safety message. The drones took to the sky on 16 August in Tenby, Wales, as part of a Ministry of Defence (MOD) campaign to remind the public of the simple actions they should take to stay safe when using military training land. The display, made up of 100 drones, used a series of stunning aerial images to show how quickly military training areas can change from calm surroundings to combat zones. Moving lights transformed kites into military helicopters and mountain bikers into tanks during the display, which was part of the MOD’s Respect the Range safety campaign. Respect the Range aims to raise awareness and understanding of the personal safety risks that the public face when accessing military land, including live firing, unexploded ordnance and fast-moving military vehicles. Recorded instances of the public dangerously accessing the UK Defence Training Estate totalled around 3,000 over the 12-month period from September 2021 to September 2022. Of these, almost 10% were classed as near-miss incidents. Instances have included people walking across live firing ranges and areas set up for pyrotechnics and explosives, dogs running into areas of training activity, and people picking up military debris, all of which had the potential to cause a fatality or a life-changing injury. This phase of the Respect the Range campaign is targeting visitors to a number of holiday hotspots across the UK, with Tenby chosen for the drone display due to its proximity to Castlemartin Training Area. Other locations where Respect the Range is being rolled out this summer include: Lulworth, Longmoor, Barry Buddon, Catterick, Holbeach & Donna Nook, Aldershot, and Salisbury Plain. To ensure they stay safe and protected while using military land, the MOD is urging holidaymakers, day-trippers and locals to:
- always check training and live firing times before they travel
- stick to public paths, bridleways and byways
- observe safety information including red flags, fences, signs and by-laws while on military land
Brigadier Jonathan Bartholomew, DIO’s Head of Overseas and Training Region and the Defence Training Estate, said:
In the last two years alone the threats and challenges our country faces have evolved. Our Armed Forces are central to protecting the UK’s interests, especially at a time of heightened tensions across the globe.
Through the Respect the Range safety campaign, we are asking the public to help us to keep them safe when accessing training land, as well as ensuring our Armed Forces can carry out their vital training uninterrupted.
For more information on how to access MOD land safely, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
16 Aug 23. Draganfly to Set Up Manufacturing Facility in India. US-Canadian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) company Draganfly has signed an agreement with Hyderabad-based Remote Sensing Instruments (RSI) to produce and distribute Draganfly products in India.
Paul Mullen, CEO of Draganfly, told Janes,
“RSI will help in licensing production of Draganfly UAVs and sensors under the manufacturing unit named Draganfly India.”
Mohith Buragadda, RSI’s vice-president of business development, said, “We are currently in talks with the state government where the manufacturing unit is planned to be built.” Draganfly and RSI plan to establish the facility in Telangana state.
One of the Draganfly products being promoted to India is the Commander 3 XL UAV, which was showcased at the 4th Drone International Expo held in New Delhi from 26 to 27 July.
The Commander 3 XL is categorised as a small UAV, with a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg and a maximum payload weight of 10 kg. Its fuselage consists of a rectangular tube with two quick-release arm assemblies, which are inserted into either end of the tube. The propellers can be folded or released quickly. Batteries are semi-permanently attached to carrier plates, allowing for automatic connection during installation.
The Commander 3 XL UAV is fitted with a winch-down mechanism to deliver payloads. Payloads can also be dropped by the UAV.
Mullen said the UAVs that Draganfly and RSI plan to build in India will be modified to enable high resistance to extreme temperatures. He said they will also be highly modular to accommodate wider payloads to match the requirements of Indian customers. (Source: UAS VISION/Janes)
17 Aug 23. Russia to Get New Suicide Drone, Gastello Named After Russia’s 1st Kamikaze Fighter Pilot. In another self-funded effort, private Russian companies, engineers, and academia have produced a new kamikaze drone (suicide drone or loitering munition), Gastello, based on a First-Person View (FPV) operating module.
The development resulted from feedback from frontline troops employing other such Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and distinguished itself by using more Russian electrical and electronic components. This reduces dependence on Western imports, which were blocked following sanctions.
Interestingly, the drone is named after a famous World War-2 Russian fighter-bomber pilot, Nikolai Gastello, who flew his Ilyushin Il-4 aircraft on a German ground target in a classic kamikaze/suicide fashion.
A famous Soviet hero from the war, which Russia refers to and still celebrates as the ‘Great Patriotic War,’ Gastello, rammed his aircraft after sustaining German anti-aircraft fire in what is described as a “fire taran” on a German Panzer tank column on June 22, 1941.
Three-Dimensional Significance
The industrial effort, historical-cultural significance, and military application are consistent with developments in the three spheres within Russia over the last two years. One is the Russian effort to lead in electronics and electrical systems manufacturing and become a drone power spurred by the need thrown up in the nearly one-and-a-half-year-old war.
Secondly, resurrecting Gastello’s legacy in the kamikaze drone stems from Russia’s perception that the West has either turned a blind eye or backed (or sometimes both) Nazi and far-Right groups before and after the Second World War.
Their presence in Ukraine was again widely reported since 2014. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) continued expanding and repeatedly mentioned admitting Ukraine until late 2021 and early 2022, precipitating this view.
One of Russia’s stated goals in the Special Military Operation (SMO), the “denazification” of Ukraine, stems from this perception. Thirdly, kamikaze drones have become a defining feature of the war, with cheap, commercially available leisure drones being used after being rigged with ammunition.
New FPV Suicide UAV
According to a report in RIA Novosti, the FPV drone was influenced by feedback from troops participating in the Special Military Operation (SMO). “In particular, the copter will have the ability to fly at night. The design capacity of the new production is five thousand units per month,” an unnamed official associated with the drone’s development said.
Thirty percent of the components inside the drones assembled on the new conveyor line, seen in videos posted on X (formerly Twitter), are Russian. In particular, these are carbon frames and cases. “In the coming months, the number of Russian components in the new Gastello strike FPV drones will be increased to 95 percent,” the official said.
The FPV module – where the operator can see the image from the video camera on a monitor shaped as a ‘video helmet’ or video glasses strapped to the forehead over the eyes – is more convenient for rapidly operating and maneuvering the UAVs in complex environments.
The video shows a manufacturing or assembly unit with the drone’s components, body assembly, and wiring stacked together amid soldering machines and mechanical tools. The airframe covering in the clip shows a four-rotor quadcopter, much like the UAVs Ukraine retrofits with ordnance to be used against Russian ground targets. Even the Russian Ghoul UAV, developed following a self-funded industry initiative, has a similar quadcopter shape but differs in size from the Gastello. (Source: UAS VISION)
16 Aug 23. AID, DGA and the French Navy Test Launching Mini-Drones from Submarine. On May 4, the final test of the reactive experimentation operation (OER) “UAV on submarine” was held off Toulon. The objective of this project is to send a drone from a submerged submarine in order to recover the video data and to pilot it from the submarine.
Supported by several entities of the Ministry of the Armed Forces in connection with the industrial environment*, this project aims to increase the vision of the submarine in its environment. Using a drone will allow the submarine to extend the perimeter and horizon of its sensors and capabilities. (Intelligence missions, surveillance, reconnaissance (visible or infrared ISR), radio relay, small parcel depots, etc.) It is also a question of providing a new medium-term disruptive operational capability that can be integrated into the current fleet.
Conclusive tests carried out in the harbor of Toulon
During the tests, the drone system developed by Naval Group and the SME Diodon was sent from an SNA in immersion. It came to the surface in a waterproof protective cocoon made by Naval Group. On the surface, this cocoon opened, and the drone positioned itself above sea level. The SNA then took out its communication antenna to establish the data link. Once communication was established, the drone was piloted from the submarine, providing video feedback from the drone’s camera on the piloting console.
This OER contributes to the reflection on the operational concepts that are made possible with this type of drone. The next steps should allow these concepts to be confirmed internally by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, etc. This conclusive test is in any case encouraging for foreseeing operational capabilities in the fairly near future.
*This project is led by:
— The Defense Innovation Agency for the overall management of the project;
— The DGA Techniques Navales (naval expertise) and Techniques Terrestres (microdrone expertise) centers;
— The French Navy via the submarine squadron (ESNA) and the Center of Expertise for Naval Programs (CEPN);
— The manufacturer is Naval Group and its subcontractor, the SME DIODON.
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ French Defense Innovation Agency)
15 Aug 23. MITRE Opens New Experimentation Range Dedicated to Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). As a pioneer of drone technology and applications for more than 20 years, MITRE opened a new facility dedicated to small uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). Located in Orange, Va., the site serves as a proving ground for MITRE’s technologists and U.S. government sponsors to develop, test, and evaluate the newest technological advances for commercial robotics, autonomous systems, drones, and counter-drone systems.
“This new testing range will enable agencies and industry to work hand in hand to build safer communities.”
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“We take great pride in being a trusted partner for agencies in helping them select and evaluate the right UAS and C-UAS tools for their unique needs,” said Yosry Barsoum, MITRE vice president and director, Center for Securing the Homeland. “This new testing range will enable agencies and industry to work hand in hand to build safer communities.”
The opening of the range included a ribbon cutting which drew distinguished guests, including Jeffrey Vincent, executive director of the FAA’s UAS Integration Office, and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Virginia, who represents the area in Congress.
“The Drone Range will provide a tremendous opportunity for valuable collaboration amongst government, industry, and academic researchers benefitting the drone community at large,” said Jeffrey Vincent, Executive Director, UAS Integration Office, FAA, who spoke at the opening.
“This moment marks a major milestone for Orange County, Virginia’s economy, and this technology’s promise to make America safer and stronger. As someone with a background in national security, I understand how critical — and how necessary — these technologies are for the future defense of our homeland, our communities, and our people,” said U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger. “That’s why I was proud to join MITRE leaders and local officials as we reiterated our commitment to making sure Virginia continues to lead the way in this field. I’m thrilled that MITRE has selected Orange County for this range, and it’s truly an exciting day to be a Virginian.”
MITRE has a rich history of drone innovation and public safety applications. MITRE has partnered with police, firefighters, and security and public safety organizations across the country to enable drone technology specifically tailored for the situations first responders encounter most frequently. This includes recent work with the New York Police Department to transform hazardous materials response units.
Both the Army and Navy are implementing MITRE’s groundbreaking smartphone app-controlled counter-drone solution, CARPE Dronvm, equipping soldiers and sailors with the means to swiftly report and thwart aerial threats. MITRE Engenuity, a subsidiary of MITRE, has researched the benefits of wide-area 5G cellular network architectures on UAS, specifically those intended to operate beyond visual line of sight. Engenuity is also actively developing a training program for first responders on how to safely, effectively, and efficiently conduct drone operations.
“Our team of experts works tirelessly to ensure our drone solutions are not only cutting-edge but also user-friendly, allowing agencies to harness the full potential of uncrewed aerial systems,” said Steve King, MITRE, senior manager. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
15 Aug 23. Armscor looking to acquire unmanned underwater vehicle. Armscor is looking to acquire a single REMUS 100 unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) for research and development purposes, and has issued a tender to this effect.
The tender was issued on 7 August with interested manufacturers/suppliers given three weeks until 28 August to submit written bids. Tender R&D/IMT-2023/018 calls for the “supply and delivery of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) system”.
Wording of the documentation has it the UUV system “shall be the REMUS 100(M) variant”. The REMUS (Remote Environmental Monitoring UnitS) was developed by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and its Oceanographic Systems Laboratory (OSL). More recently REMUS vehicles have been manufactured by spin-off company Hydroid Inc, once a wholly owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and subsequently acquired by Huntingdon Ingalls Industries (HHI) in March 2020.
On hardware the Armscor documentation has it “a single UUV shall be provided with full OEM (original equipment manufacturer) specifications as per part number 1705371-03”. A complete set of shipboard equipment to prepare, operate, maintain and support the UUV as well as software and documentation are also part of the tender along with “online training”. This covers preparation, mission planning, operation, post mission analysis, routine maintenance and diagnostics.
The REMUS 100 takes its name from its maximum operating depth of 100 meters. It is available in several variants, including REMUS 100B with a high-resolution sonar; REMUS 100E for collecting ecological data; and REMUS 100M for mine countermeasures surveying, search and recovery, and rapid environmental assessment.
The REMUS 100 is used by expeditionary forces to conduct shallow-water mine countermeasures and port and harbour clearance. Using side scan sonar, the REMUS 100 surveys large areas autonomously which allows operators to review the data away from the minefield to identify and classify mine-like objects.
The REMUS 100M weighs nearly 40 kg, has a speed of 8 km/h, endurance of 10 hours, and maximum range of nearly 70 km. It is powered by a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery driving a three-bladed propeller.
Armscor’s tender calls for “operator and maintenance training for experienced IMT staff” indicating the REMUS 100M will be used by the Institute for Maritime Technology (IMT), part of the Armscor defence institutes, which conducts research and test activities in the maritime domain.
The IMT has for a number of years worked on autonomous underwater vehicle technology for mine countermeasures work, for instance conducting multiple UUV tests for the SA Navy in Simons Town in 2015. In 2011, the SA Navy awarded the IMT a contract to develop autonomous underwater vehicle technology in line with an SA Navy requirement for a number of AUVs, including for four offboard minehunting systems in terms of Project Mapantsula.
The IMT has designed and developed an underwater locator beacon detection system in collaboration with the SA Navy to detect cockpit voice and flight data recorders on crashed or ditched aircraft. The underwater locator beacon (ULB) has been fitted to an unmanned vessel. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
11 Aug 23. GRSE launches autonomous underwater vehicle. India’s state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has launched an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) that can be used for a range of military operations. A GRSE spokesperson told Janes in early August that the AUV, named Neerakshi, is equipped with mine-detection technologies to assist mine countermeasures (MCM), and sensors and imaging systems to aid search-and-rescue (SAR) missions.
In addition, the Neerakshi can be used to monitor underwater structures and as a reusable target to support anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training by warships, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that the Neerakshi has a length of 2.15 m, a weight of 45 kg, and a speed of 3 kt. It has an operating depth of 300 m and an endurance of more than four hours.
GRSE collaborated with Tamil Nadu-based Aerospace Engineers Private Limited to develop the Neerakshi, the spokesperson said.
GRSE is involved in discussions with relevant stakeholders including the Indian Navy for potential induction of the Neerakshi into their service, the spokesperson added. (Source: Janes)
14 Aug 23. French Reaper Block 5 UAVs Upgraded for Home Territory Operations. France has successfully completed trials of a significant software upgrade to its fleet of General Atomics Reaper Block 5 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), marking a crucial milestone in expanding the country’s military capabilities. This software upgrade enables the Reaper UAVs to conduct operations from French bases and fly over French territory, bolstering its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The upgrade, designated as the v2408 software version, has been meticulously tested by the nation’s military aviation expertise center and the DGA Flight Test Center of Expertise and Test. These trials were conducted with the steadfast support of the French Air and Space Force. The software upgrade ushers in the integration of advanced armament and communications-intelligence capabilities, signifying a leap forward in the UAV’s versatility and strategic applications.
During the test flights, the Reaper UAVs were accompanied by two Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jets, showcasing the collaborative nature of France’s military endeavors. The successful outcome of the trials paves the way for the planned upgrade of all French Reaper Block 5 aircraft to the v2408 software by the close of 2023. This transformational enhancement not only empowers the Reaper UAVs to operate over French territory but also facilitates training exercises within the country with minimized restrictions. The journey to this accomplishment has not been without challenges.
The first French Block 5 Reaper was delivered in January 2020, yet its operational status was delayed due to clearance issues from the defense procurement agency DGA. The inaugural flight of a Block 5 Reaper took place in March, followed by the commencement of operational missions in May 2021, showcasing the dedication of French military personnel in overcoming obstacles.
The strategic importance of these enhanced capabilities is underscored by France’s deployment of armed Reapers to regions such as Niger. However, this operational significance has not been devoid of setbacks. In May of the preceding year, a Block 1 variant of the Reaper experienced a crash while preparing to land at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey. Additionally, a Reaper crashed in Niger five years prior following operations in Mali, highlighting the inherent risks associated with such missions.
Notably, in August 2021, France’s Ministry of Armed Forces disclosed that a French Block 5 Reaper successfully dropped a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb in the Sahel region as part of Operation Barkhane, demonstrating the tangible impact of these advanced capabilities in real-world scenarios. The culmination of these efforts signifies a pivotal moment in France’s defense landscape, enhancing its unmanned aerial capabilities and bolstering its national security posture.
The General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) primarily for the United States Air Force (USAF). The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as Remotely Piloted Vehicles/Aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF to indicate ground control by humans. On 31 May 2013, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed the order of two MQ-9 Reapers, to be delivered by the end of 2013. It was chosen to replace the EADS Harfang and was picked over the Israeli Heron TP.
On 27 June 2013, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to France for 16 unarmed MQ-9s, associated equipment, ground control hardware, and support, worth up to $1.5bn total. On 26 August 2013, France and the US Department of Defense concluded the deal for 16 Reapers and 8 ground control stations, with French operators beginning training. (Source: UAS VISION/Military Leak)
14 Aug 23. Rohde & Schwarz sponsors HORYZN and LEVITUM student initiatives with test equipment for drone development. As a gold sponsor, Rohde & Schwarz provides test equipment to the HORYZN and LEVITUM student initiatives of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) to help with drone development. The students at TUM are working hard to develop, build and test vertical takeoff and landing drones for various applications. The drones will be used in rescue operations or to complete long-distance journeys with the help of fuel cells. Rohde & Schwarz provides its latest generation of R&S MXO 4 oscilloscopes for control electronics testing, plus accessories and training.
HORYZN seeks to apply the theoretical knowledge gained during degree studies to the development of unmanned aerial vehicles capable of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). As an international and interdisciplinary team, the students work on innovative solutions to real-world problems. During their first project, they developed and designed the largest eVTOL UAV in the history of TU Munich. In their next projec, they will trial UAVs in a medical use case – the transportation of defibrillators. This will also stimulate public debate about the deployment of civilian UAVs.
The LEVITUM initiative is working on a hydrogen-powered eVTOL drone capable of traveling over 300 km without refueling. The team uses ultramodern fuel cell systems and state-of-the-art type IV pressurized tanks to develop the “Mercurius” prototype – the world’s longest-range UAV with less than a 25 kg takeoff weight that outperforms any commercially available drone. Minimal refueling and lower overall costs are other factors here.
The TUM initiatives are proving instrumental in helping students to translate scientific methods into practical applications.
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