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23 Nov 23. Greenroom Robotics to partner with Austal on patrol boat autonomy. Perth-based, veteran-owned Greenroom Robotics has announced a partnership with Western Australia-based shipbuilder Austal to support the development of an autonomous patrol boat capability, through a Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT).
As part of the PBAT program, Greenroom Robotics will demonstrate its advanced maritime autonomy capabilities with GAMA (Greenroom Advanced Maritime Autonomy), a state-of-the-art autonomous surface vessel (ASV) control software package.
With the integration of the company’s GAMA capability into Sentinel, a decommissioned Armidale Class patrol boat, the vessel will become outfitted with modern autonomous navigation, remote pilotage and control, as well as advanced mission planning and operational capabilities.
Harry Hubert, chief technology officer of Greenroom Robotics, welcomed this milestone achievement for the company, saying, “GAMA is an effective autonomous maritime capability from an Australian partner, offering innovation, adaptability, and efficiency. We’re thrilled to be working with Austal on the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial and looking forward to demonstrating our locally developed technology on Sentinel.”
Greenroom will leverage Austal Australia’s extensive experience and pedigree as a naval shipbuilder both at home and across the globe, with the collaboration providing the defence SME the opportunity to share and enhance the companies maritime innovation.
Glenn Callow, chief technology officer at Austal Australia, welcomed the exciting collaboration with Greenroom and highlighted the importance of the PBAT program to the future of the Navy’s operational capabilities, saying, “We’re delighted to welcome Greenroom Robotics to the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial and look forward to GAMA integrating seamlessly with the vessel’s command and control systems, including Austal’s proven MARINELINK technology.
“AMA’s specifications and capabilities align perfectly with the objectives of the trial which includes a number of risk reduction activities, fleet optimisation, and learnings objectives,” Callow added.
The Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial is a joint effort among Austal, Trusted Autonomous Systems, and the Royal Australian Navy’s Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) branch, seeking to integrate robotic, automated, and autonomous features into the Royal Australian Navy’s patrol boats. (Source: Defence Connect)
22 Nov 23. Uzbekistan Shows Off Recent Drone Acquisitions. The Uzbek government has published images of new military drones put on display for President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s recent visit to the Surxondaryo region.
On November 16, President Mirziyoyev toured a military unit in the region operating new drones recently purchased for the military. Images published on the presidency website showed what appeared to be a Chinese-made Wing Loong, as well as four Turkish Bayraktar TB2s. All were seen armed with air-to-surface missiles.
Eight Orlan-10 drones were shown off, evidently purchased from Russia.
An Uzbek-designed Lochin reconnaissance drone was present at the facility, as well.
In a statement, the presidency website said, “The President was informed about the work on increasing the potential and strengthening the material and technical base of the Armed Forces, the readiness of personnel, the management and maintenance of modern weapon complexes and unmanned aerial vehicles.”
It is not known when Uzbekistan placed orders for the Chinese and Turkish drones. Neighbor Kazakhstan already operates the Wing Loong, while TB2s have recently emerged in Kyrgyz and Turkmen service, as well. (This article was first posted on Forecast International’s Defense and Security Monitor blog.) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Forecast International)
21 Nov 23. Collaboration Begins on Uncrewed Surface-Subsurface Vessel.
Kraken Technology Group is excited to announce a formal partnership with L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) to advance the integration of control systems within the K4 MANTA prototype.
This collaboration marks a crucial milestone in the technological evolution of Kraken’s K4 MANTA platform, laying the groundwork for developing enhanced autonomous capabilities and, ultimately, achieving full autonomy.
The K4, an uncrewed surface-subsurface (USSV) platform, utilizes foils for rapid surface transit before submerging for covert maneuvers. As a high-performance vessel, the K4 requires robust and cutting-edge control systems, and L3Harris brings the necessary components and expertise for seamless integration into the K4 MANTA. These integrated systems will facilitate remote control of the uncrewed platform, supporting engineering testing, foil development, powertrain calibration, and demonstration in preparation for further advancements in subsequent developmental stages.
“We look forward to working with L3Harris on the implementation of key systems for K4 MANTA as a foundation for future developments,” said Mal Crease, Founder and CEO of Kraken Technology Group.
“L3Harris is proud to collaborate with Kraken on this groundbreaking platform,” said Mark Exeter, Managing Director, ASV, L3Harris. “Our two companies possess complementary skills, benefiting both organizations through this venture. Furthermore, this collaboration paves the way for broader collaboration, capitalizing on our shared expertise and further facilitated by our proximity to Portsmouth, a renowned UK marine innovation hub.” (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
21 Nov 23. Brazilian Firm Announces Kamikaze Drone. A Brazilian defense organization, Mac Jee Group, which displayed the loitering munition prototype at the Dubai Airshow, said the weapon has a range of 120 kilometers (62 miles), operates at 612 kph (380 mph), has a one-hour endurance and can carry a payload of 20 kilograms (44 pounds).
“It’s a new product from Mac Jee that aligns exactly with the new war doctrines,” Mathieu Izquierdo, the group’s sales business development director, said in reference to similar weapons used in Eastern Europe conflicts. “The Anshar was developed to meet the requirements of our customers outside Brazil.”
The drone “was designed to destroy high-value targets at a low cost, with simple maintenance and easy operation,” Izquierdo said, without providing details about the equipment cost.
Izquierdo noted a demonstration of the drone will take place next year during the World Defense Show in Saudi Arabia, which is scheduled for Feb. 4-8. “Mac Jee exports the majority of its products to the Middle East,” he added.
The company plans to launch the actual product in early 2025, he said.
Mac Jee is based in one of Brazil’s main defense hubs, the city of São José dos Campos, which is also home to aerospace specialist Embraer and other defense firms. (Source: UAS VISION/C4isrnet)
21 Nov 23. Iran Introduces Shahed-147 Surveillance Drone. Iran’s defense industry has introduced a new surveillance drone – the Shahed-147, a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system.
According to local sources, the new drone stands out with its features, boasting a wingspan spanning 26 meters and an impressive ceiling altitude of 60,000 feet. Fueled by a turboprop engine, this twin-boom surveillance drone reportedly incorporates state-of-the-art technology, notably the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), enhancing its surveillance capabilities to unprecedented levels. The unveiling of this advanced drone underscores Iran’s dedication to enhancing its aerial reconnaissance capabilities. Operating at high altitudes for extended periods, the Shahed-147 will demonstrate prowess in surveilling vast areas, making it a formidable asset in monitoring and intelligence gathering.
The integration of Synthetic Aperture Radar further amplifies the Shahed-147’s capabilities, allowing it to generate high-resolution imagery even in challenging weather conditions. This cutting-edge feature solidifies its position as a key player in Iran’s future surveillance drone fleet. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)
21 Nov 23. UK Protector drone conducts first flight from RAF Waddington. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the RAF Protector RG Mk1 taxied and flew a series of circuits around RAF Waddington airfield under the control of a pilot operator.
The first Royal Air Force (RAF) Protector RG Mk1 remote piloted aircraft system (RPAS) has taken to UK skies for the first time over RAF Waddington, the latest milestone in the programme that will see the new drone replace the in-service MQ-9A Reaper RPAS.
According to a UK MoD release published on 17 November, the flight will be followed up with additional serials conducted under the test and evaluation phase of Protector’s entry into RAF service, due to take place in 2024.
The UK MoD said the RAF Protector RG Mk1 taxied and flew a series of circuits around RAF Waddington airfield under the control of a pilot operator.
The arrival of 15 further aircraft from manufacturer General Atomics in the US into the UK will be a phased delivery over the coming years. All aircraft are expected to be delivered and in service by July 2025, the MoD stated.
The Protector drone will typically be tasked with performing a range of operations such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime security, and search and rescue. The aircraft will be certified by Nato safety and certification standards allowing it to operate in the UK and European civilian airspace.
The UK Protector drone fleet will be based at and remotely operated from RAF Waddington, with the platform capable of operating at heights of up to 40,000ft for up to 30 hours. Although the UK Government rarely, if ever, confirms overseas drone operations, it is possible the type could be forward based at UK military sites in the Middle East or Mediterranean.
Protector RPAS programme has seen difficulties
The first of the RAF’s Protector RG Mk1 RPAS arrived at RAF Waddington in September to commence trails before the fleet’s eventual entry into service, with the programme more than £500m ($607.2m) over budget and having suffered delays to service entry and initial operational capability (IOC).
The aircraft was assembled by the newly reformed 31 Squadron who prepared it for ground and air testing. The MoD stated that 31 Squadron, which previously operated the Tornado GR4, will operate and maintain the aircraft.
A key differentiator of Protector compared to the RAF’s current MQ-9A Reapers is the type’s ability to operate within commercial airspace, enabling a much greater area of operations, due to integrated sense-and-avoid technology. The UK RAF’s ageing MQ-9A Reaper RPAS have been in service for more than 15 years, and widely used in surveillance and strike operations.
The Protector programme budget increased from the 2016 Main Gate Business Case, which approved a whole life cost of £1.24bn, albeit with “50% confidence”, according to official UK Government parliamentary responses. As of March 2023, the current whole lift cost projection exceeded £1.76bn, comprised of a £325m difference in acquisition costs and around £190m in through life costs.
In addition, delays initiated by the UK MoD to the delivery of Protector, which required an extension of the RAF’s Reapers, resulted in a cost of £48.6m by March 2023, offset using support funding previously allocated to the Protector programme.
Initial planning for the Protectors at the 2016 Main Gate forecast an out-of-service date (OSD) of 2035, which has now shifted to 2040, according to the latest MoD planning. On current planning, Protector is expected to enter RAF service in late 2024, with an IOC declared in 2025.
The shift of the IOC to 2025 has been attributed to “software integration within the Prime Contractor and infrastructure challenges at RAF Waddington”, according to a 3 July UK parliamentary written response.
The 2040 time frame for Protector’s withdrawal from service is also 24 months later than outlined in March this year, with the UK Government Major Projects Portfolio 2023 data listing an OSD of 2038. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
17 Nov 23. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted a first-of-its-kind demonstration of its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability on the HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, using the Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System. The demonstration took place on November 15, 2023, when the Prince of Wales was underway off the East Coast of the U.S., and the Mojave was controlled by an aircrew within a control station onboard the ship. The demonstration included takeoff, circuits, and approaches and ended with a landing back onto the carrier.
“We applaud the Royal Navy’s foresight in embracing this unprecedented capability for its carriers,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We knew our STOL capability would enable a UAS to safely take off and land on the Prince of Wales. Seeing our Mojave operate successfully in this environment opens myriad new ways our aircraft can be used to support multi-domain naval operations.”
Mojave is a short takeoff and landing UAS demonstrator originally developed to prove STOL operations at unprepared landing sites. While Mojave shares common systems and components with GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle model, a STOL wing set option is likewise being planned for the larger, more capable MQ-9B aircraft, which includes SkyGuardian®, SeaGuardian®, and the new Protector RG Mk 1 currently being delivered to the UK Royal Air Force. The MQ-9B version, called MQ-9B STOL, is being considered by the Royal Navy and other navies that operate aircraft from large flat-deck warships without catapults and arresting gear.
Royal Navy Director Develop, Rear Admiral James Parkin, whose team planned the trial, said: “The Mojave trial is a European first – the first time that a Remotely Piloted Air System of this size has operated to and from an aircraft carrier outside of the United States. The success of this trial heralds a new dawn in how we conduct maritime aviation and is another exciting step in the evolution of the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group into a mixed crewed and uncrewed fighting force.”
Equipping UAS with STOL capability provides greater versatility and allows the aircraft to operate in areas previously deemed unsuitable for UAS operations, including landing onto and taking off from an aircraft carrier. MQ-9B STOL will be capable of carrying the same payloads and conducting the same missions as the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian, including maritime surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and surface strike.
17 Nov 23. Elbit Delays Delivery of Final 3 Hermes 900 Drones to Switzerland. The Director General of Armaments Spoke with the Elbit Company. On November 15, 2023, Urs Loher, Director General of Armaments of Switzerland, met with representatives of the Elbit company for a working meeting in Cyprus. Discussions focused on current acquisition projects, but also in particular on the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15) project and the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.
On November 15, 2023, Armaments Director General Urs Loher met with representatives of Israeli supplier Elbit Systems Ltd for a working meeting in Larnaca, Cyprus. The company Elbit is a contractual partner in various procurement projects of the Federal Armament Office armasuisse, such as the reconnaissance drone system 15 (ADS 15). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress of the acquisitions and the continuation of the procedure, particularly in the context of the conflict in the Middle East.
Pending deliveries of drones and ground control stations will not take place this year as initially planned. The parties are now studying how these material receipts and deliveries can be implemented. As in the past, it is impossible to comment definitively on other possible consequences of the conflict on acquisitions.
This working meeting was the first of its kind for Urs Loher, who took up his role as Director General of Armaments on September 1, 2023.
The company Elbit supplies systems to the Swiss army as part of various acquisition projects of armasuisse. Elbit Systems Ltd is an international company specializing in aeronautics, aerospace and electronics. It has its headquarters in Israel and branches in different countries in Europe and the world. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Swiss Defense Procurement Agency, Armasuisse; issued Nov 16, 2023)
17 Nov 23. USAF to set up experimental squadron to refine Collaborative Combat Aircraft force structure.
The US Air Force (USAF) is to set up an experimental squadron in 2024 to experiment with force structure in advance of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) acquisition, Thomas Lawhead, the service’s assistant deputy chief of staff for strategy, integration, and requirements, told at a Mitchell Institute talk on 15 November.
“We’ll start up in an experimental [operations] unit beginning next year that really paws into, how do we actually go about operating our CCAs?” Lawhead said.
The CCA is to be an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to fight in near-peer conflicts. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall revealed earlier in the year that the service intends to purchase 1,000 CCAs to fly alongside advanced fighters. (Source: Janes)
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