Sponsored by The British Robotics Seed Fund
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10 Jan 24. Skydio Enters Final Phase of U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance Tranche 2 Program. Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight technology, today announced it has entered into the final phase of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) tranche 2 program, where it intends to deliver the powerful Skydio X10D small UAS (sUAS), the next generation of autonomous drone technology.
Skydio remains the solution provider of record for the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance program, which it won in November 2021. With the Skydio X2D, U.S. soldiers today are equipped with a U.S.-manufactured, high performance sUAS to meet their mission needs, increasing situational awareness, safety, and security across multiple defense applications.
“As the largest manufacturer of small drones in the United States, we are proud to further our work with the U.S. Army. Many US government agencies and international allies have already ordered the X10D and we look forward to delivering the X10D to our service members,” said Mark Valentine, President of Global Government at Skydio. “Skydio is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what drone technology can do to protect soldiers, increase mission effectiveness, and ultimately aid in stronger security and greater prosperity around the world.”
Skydio recently debuted its new enterprise drone, Skydio X10, and Skydio X10D, its new drone for defense and government applications. The Skydio X10 platform combines new, cutting-edge data capture cameras, unparalleled autonomy, and versatile hardware to serve a range of industries, including defense, public safety, and utilities. The Skydio X10D drone meets and exceeds SRR specifications for tactical performance and was specifically designed to create tactical advantages for soldiers at any time of day or night by combining maneuverability with best-in-class sensors. Skydio X10D is the first sUAS to enable worry-free 24/7 operations, with the revolutionary NightSense, which enables autonomous, obstacle-avoidance flight in zero-light environments. It is the first small UAS ever to integrate a FLIR Boson+ sensor, achieving the category’s highest thermal imaging quality and more accurate radiometric readings in any location to improve mission success at any time day or night.
Because technology integration is paramount to SRR goals, Skydio X10D delivers enhanced compliance with federal standards, including the Robotics and Autonomous Systems – Air (RAS-A) Interoperability Profile (IoP), and an open, modular platform that supports third-party applications. RAS-A compliance and open MAVLINK protocol enable the use of third-party and government-owned flight application software. Modular ports allow operators to quickly swap attachments in the field for maximum in-field versatility.
The SRR program is designed to equip soldiers with a rapidly deployable small UAS solution to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) activities. The Army is executing multiple tranches for its SRR platforms to advance sUAS technology developments and increase overall performance.
In addition to the SRR program with the U.S. Army, Skydio is proud to support every branch of the U.S. military with sUAS systems. Skydio has worked closely with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to make the acquisition of autonomous drones as simple as possible for the DoD, and has established a National Defense Authorization Act-compliant supply chain to ensure trustworthy sourcing for production at scale. Skydio recently hosted Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks and DIU Director Doug Beck at its San Mateo, California headquarters where, in addition to visiting Skydio’s manufacturing facility, DIU’s Artificial Intelligence for Small Unit Maneuver (AISUM) system was demonstrated. AISUM’s autonomous technology enables a single operator to simultaneously manage a heterogeneous group of drones. For more information on Skydio X10D, please visit: https://www.skydio.com/x10d (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Jan 24. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) demonstrated its rapidly maturing open standards-based autonomy ecosystem for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) on an MQ-20 Avenger® as part of a live flight test on Nov. 2, 2023. The flight combined three autonomy providers, government-provided human-machine interface (HMI) hardware, and GA-ASI’s autonomy core to meet multiple objectives for collaborative combat missions and closed the Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess (F2T2EA) engagement chain using a mix of Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) entities.
The flight, which took place from GA-ASI’s Desert Horizon Flight Operations Facility in El Mirage, Calif., illustrates the company’s commitment to maturing its open standards-based autonomy software ecosystem for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs). Designing the system around government-owned and -maintained standards avoids vendor lock and allows rapid integration of best-of-breed capabilities in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), HMIs, and other skills from third-party providers.
“This flight underscores GA-ASI’s commitment to proving combat operational readiness for vendor-agnostic autonomy architecture for UCAV platforms,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood. “Ultimately, GA-ASI’s series of flight tests demonstrate our unmatched ability to deploy best-of-breed mission software, autonomy, and hardware capabilities on unmanned platforms, accelerating the operationalization of this critical technology for the warfighter. This most recent test shows multi-service compatibility of the autonomy core through the integration of USAF and Navy software skills together.”
Another important goal of GA-ASI’s flights is to demonstrate the company’s commitment to developing an open government standards-based autonomy ecosystem that enables rapid integration and validation of third-party tactical software applications. GA-ASI is focused on supporting the emerging App Store-based model that allows organizations to rapidly develop and deploy software while maintaining safety of flight and ensuring warfighters have up-to-date access to the industry’s best capabilities.
Autonomy skills for the recent flight test were provided by GA-ASI, Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI), and NAVAIR PMA-281’s ARCANE (Architecture and Capabilities for Autonomy in Naval Enterprise) Team. The PMA-281 ARCANE Team accomplishes Intelligent Autonomy & AI integration, compliance, and sustainment objectives for Naval Aviation UAV Tactical Operations. Different skills on the aircraft were activated based on the F2T2EA phase or via human-on-the-loop interaction using the FOX tablet HMI. A government-furnished autonomy core and Open Mission Systems (OMS) messaging protocols were used to coordinate between provider skills during different F2T2EA phases. Rapid integration of these disparate skills was made possible by utilizing government standards, such as OMS, and adhering to state-of-the-art government autonomy design methods.
Collaborative mission autonomy capabilities provided by SSCI successfully commanded a fully autonomous multi-vehicle Defensive Counter Air (DCA) mission—from Combat Air Patrol (CAP) through detection, identification, tracking, and multiple successful engagements.
“Our Collaborative Mission Autonomy (CMA) development kit enables the team to perform development and integration in short time frames in a tactically relevant way,” said David “Heat” Lyons, SSCI’s Vice President of Business Development and former F-16 Weapons Officer and combat fighter pilot. “For the warfighter, we are demonstrating mission-ready behaviors on GA-ASI’s UCAV that are trustworthy, understandable, and explainable.”
GA-ASI provided weapon-target pairing (WTP) and electronic warfare (EW) autonomy skills for the flight. These were developed using GA-ASI’s deep reinforcement learning (RL) framework. The mission skills were activated like play calls in real time, and their status was monitored by the pilot via the FOX tablet.
NAVAIR PMA-281’s ARCANE program delivered a cooperative weave skill, whereby a live lead MQ-20 was paired with a simulated follower MQ-20 to demonstrate a collaborative flight formation technique aimed at increasing survivability. This demonstration showcased the flexibility of GA-ASI’s autonomy core to rapidly integrate third-party best-of-breed skills in support of a wide range of evolving mission types.
Collectively, these skills were integrated into and orchestrated by the government-furnished autonomy core architecture that was enhanced by GA-ASI. The flexibility of the government managed autonomy core software stack enabled rapid and seamless integration of multi-UAS third-party behaviors.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight m flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.
08 Jan 24. Alkantpan UAV testing an Armscor highlight. The lifting of COVID-19 regulations and an increase in demand for suitable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) test sites put Armscor’s Alkantpan test range back on the map, as it were, in the 2022/23 financial year.
The State-owned company resorting under management of Thandi Modise’s Department of Defence (DoD) saw the disappearance of the restrictive COVID-19 regulations in April 2022 result in 16 tests of all kinds undertaken at the 85 000 hectare Northern Cape Province range in the last financial year, up from two in the 2021/22 financial year.
The range hosted its first loitering munitions testing – where ground targets were engaged by aerial vehicles fitted with explosive devices – during the period under review.
UAVs are, according to the report, a significant highlight. “There was a significant increase in requests received, during the reporting period, with actual UAV testing anticipated in the near future.”
Of the 16 tests at the range, these included weapons ranging from 20 to 127 mm being fired.
Alkantpan is now in its 36th year of existence with sparse vegetation, low rainfall and long firing distances easily accommodated on the 67 km long and 13 km wide range making it well suited for conventional ammunition testing (longer range testing can also be conducted once approval from neighbouring farms is obtained – inert ammunition testing can be done up to 80 km).
While the Armscor 2022/23 annual report gives no Alkantpan user names, previous reports have and they include the German Bundeswehr and Diehl Defence Bodensee Geraete Technik (BGT) Defence, also from Germany, and Italy’s Oto Melara. Rheinmetall Waffen Munition and Rheinmetall Defence of Germany as well as the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) of The Netherlands conducted tests with German and South African qualified ammunition previously.
Past South African users include Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), Denel (in the form of its Dynamics, Land Systems and Pretoria Metal Pressings operations), BAE Systems, Reutech Fuchs and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), with some tests demonstrations for foreign clients. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
05 Jan 24. Hermeus completes Quarterhorse subsystem vehicle ground testing. Hermeus has completed tests of its first Quarterhorse hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) – a ground test article dubbed “Mk 0”, according to a statement by the company. The ground tests are intended to pave the way for flight-testing later in 2024.
Testing of what the company calls its “dynamic iron bird” took place at the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) Arnold Engineering Development Complex in Tullahoma, Tennessee, over a 37-day time span. Among other tasks, the craft demonstrated ground-handling qualities of integrated subsystems, taxiing, and lost-link behaviour.
The vehicle was designed and constructed in six months, according to Hermeus.
“This was the first time our flight test team had an opportunity to work in a deployed test campaign with external stakeholders,” Don Kaderbek, Hermeus’ vice-president of test, said in a statement. “The more the team works together and establishes their battle rhythm, the smoother flight-testing will go.” (Source: Janes)
21 Dec 23. British Army Drones Flown in Japan. British Army drones have been flown for the first time in Japan, where they directed mortar fire during live firing training.
Exercise Vigilant Isles 23 (Ex VI23) was delivered by the Japanese 1st Airborne Brigade with British Army units from 1 Royal Gurkha Rifles (1RGR), 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 SCOTS taking part.
16 Air Assault Brigade’s Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Group used the exercise to test and refine the capabilities of its Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) or drone.
Under the umbrella of 16 Air Assault Brigade ISTAR, nine troops from 21 Air Assault Battery, 32 Regiment Royal Artillery launched a Puma UAS while working with a 1RGR mortar platoon.
The Puma identified the mortars’ impact locations and sent corrections to enable accurate adjustments during the live firing tactical training phase of Ex VI23.
While Puma was being put through its paces, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), from 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery, directed close air support from F-2 fighter jets belonging to the Japanese Air Force.
JTACs operate from a forward position, working with RAF, Army and Navy air assets to coordinate ground and air attacks.
These highly skilled and specialised personnel make it as safe as possible for friendly forces on the ground and aircraft to attack the enemy, directing artillery and close air support.
The final unit that deployed to Japan as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade ISTAR was 226 Signal Squadron, 14 Signal Regiment, consisting of seven personnel.
Soldiers from this unit tapped into electronic warfare equipment to find Japanese patrols.
The 226 Signal Squadron personnel worked as part of a Light Electronic Warfare Team (LEWT), demonstrating their electronic warfare capabilities to the Japanese as well as the other British Army units.
The electronic warfare specialists of 226 Signal Squadron used Sabertooth, a piece of equipment which can pinpoint enemy positions when transmitted over a radio frequency.
The enemy’s location was then passed to 21 Air Assault Battery, allowing it to fly the Puma drone to that location and stream a live feed to friendly forces on the ground.
Puma was not the only British Army drone deployed in Japan. Troops from 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, flew the Parrot Anafi drone to identify targets during the live firing tactical training phase of Ex VI23.
Sergeant Scott Jackson, 21 Air Assault Battery, said; “In this terrain we have provided normal camera footage as well as infra-red footage which means we have been able to fly during the day and night. There is software within the system that enables us to take a still of artillery rounds landing on the ground.
“We can then plot where a round has landed and where we are trying to hit, and the system will generate adjustments to ensure the accuracy of guns or mortars.”
Lieutenant William Kirk, 226 Signal Squadron, explained; “We will find a signal of interest, a frequency that we think the enemy could be using to transmit on, and we will then give a rough distance and direction to the drone to try and get a visual fix on what we think is the enemy. The electro magnetic spectrum has quite a broad range of frequencies to choose from.
“So it comes from a little bit of intelligence from understanding what the enemy use as their communications systems. That narrows the frequencies they could be using, then within that we search the spectrum to find the frequency they are using.” (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
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The British Robotics Seed Fund is the first SEIS-qualifying investment fund specialising in UK-based robotics businesses. The focus of the fund is to deliver superior returns to investors by making targeted investments in a mixed basket of the most innovative and disruptive businesses that are exploiting the new generation of robotics technologies in defence and other sector applications.
Automation and robotisation are beginning to drive significant productivity improvements in the global economy heralding a new industrial revolution. The fund allows investors to benefit from this exciting opportunity, whilst also delivering the extremely attractive tax reliefs offered by the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). For many private investors, the amount of specialist knowledge required to assess investments in robotics is not practical and hence investing through a fund structure makes good sense.
The fund appoints expert mentors to work with each investee company to further maximise the chance of success for investors. Further details are available on request.
www.britbots.com/fund
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