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15 Aug 24. Portable Mini Drones Undergo Rigorous Tests.
Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials at RNAS Predannack in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.
Portable mini drones have been put through rigorous trials at RNAS Predannack, Cornwall.
Under Project TIQUILA, Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.
As a step change in equipment procurement, Project TIQUILA will deliver cutting-edge small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) to UK Forces at pace, whilst also offering spiral capability development opportunities throughout the life of the 10-year project.
In keeping pace with both technological and battlespace advances, Project TIQUILA is currently assessing the STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 with both platforms providing superior ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) for the User Community.
Of specific note, STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 will enable the User to find and accurately locate targets at multiple ranges, across a variety of environments and conditions.
The recent trial was undertaken by an expert team made up of the Joint UAS Test and Evaluation Flight (JUAS TEF), part of 744 Naval Air Squadron (744 NAS), Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) and Defence Equipment and Support’s TIQUILA Delivery Team.
As a key part of capability acceptance, the initial Flight trials provide an essential body of evidence to prove the equipment is capable and that it will provide value for money to both the User and the UK taxpayer. Whilst focussing on the STALKER VXE30 thus far, it is expected that the same sort of rigorous testing will next be conducted on the Indago 4 in due course.
Hannah Haggett, DE&S, said: “The REIVER series, as a vital part of Project TIQUILA, is the latest in a series of important T&E trials as part of the wider TIQUILA enterprise. It is crucial we provide the military with cutting-edge capabilities now but also equipment that can be continually upgraded to keep pace with emerging threats in an ever-evolving, demanding battlespace. Testing early and appropriately will underpin both capabilities and from the evidence generated from the trials thus far, the equipment is high quality and is performing as expected.”
In December 2022, it was announced that more than 250 mini drones would be delivered to the Armed Forces under a contract worth £129 million with Lockheed Martin UK, which supports jobs in Havant and Gloucester as well as across the wider UK supply chain.
Weighing a little over 20kg and with a 4.88 metre wingspan, the STALKER VXE30 Air Vehicle (Av) is an operationally proven, vertical-launched, near-silent drone providing up to eight hours of imaging capability and able to range out to 60km.
Indago 4, a smaller quadcopter type Av, weighing only a little over 4kg, can be folded and carried in a backpack and deployed in just three minutes, with a range of up to approximately 12km.
Similar to the STALKER VXE30, the high-resolution camera system on the Indago 4 provides an exceptional zoom capability to accurately identify people, objects, vehicles and weapons, both in day and night conditions.
Both sUAS are on track and are expected to be operational by the front line by the end of 2024. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)
15 Aug 24. Russian Kronstadt Group Presents Grom-U Wingman Drone to Assist Su-35 and Su-57 Fighters.
At the Army-2024 exhibition in Moscow, the Kronstadt Group presented an updated version of its Russian-made Grom supersonic jet unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), informally designated as Grom-U.
This latest version is a modification of the original model, which was first unveiled at the Army-2020 forum. The most significant change in this iteration is the replacement of the initially planned flat-nozzle engine with a conventional engine, likely a decision aimed at reducing production costs. The Grom-U, currently under development, is designed to function as a “loyal wingman” for manned aircraft such as the Su-35 and Su-57 fighters, aligning with contemporary aerial combat strategies.
The most notable change is the replacement of the initially planned flat-nozzle engine with a conventional one, likely an RD-33 or RD-93 engine, potentially with afterburner capability. This change, along with a simpler overall design, seems aimed at reducing production costs, making it more competitive against alternatives like the Su-70B. The updated design is less stealthy than its predecessor but still incorporates measures to reduce its radar cross-section, including an internal weapon bay and an S-shaped intake.
The design of the Grom-U is reminiscent of the Tu-141 Strizh, a Soviet-era operational-tactical reconnaissance UAV developed by OKB Tupolev. The Tu-141, which made its debut in the 1970s, was originally designed for deep reconnaissance missions, equipped with both photo and infrared capabilities. Recently, Ukrainian engineers have weaponized the Tu-141, converting it into a cruise missile used against Russian forces. The Tu-141’s robust engineering and operational versatility, particularly its ability to reach speeds of 1,110 km/h and operate at altitudes up to 6,000 meters, likely served as a historical precedent for the development of the Grom-U.
The Grom UAV was initially introduced as a full-size mockup at the Army-2020 forum and has since attracted attention from both domestic and foreign military delegations, particularly during its updated showcase at the Army-2024 forum. According to the lead designer at Kronstadt, the development of the Grom is driven by the goal of protecting pilots and piloted aircraft by assigning the UAV to undertake high-risk tasks during operations.
Development of the Grom UAV is being carried out for the Russian Aerospace Forces, with the project reaching the preliminary design stage, as confirmed during the Army-2022 forum. The UAV is intended to work closely with manned aviation, executing missions that include precision strikes, reconnaissance, and the suppression of air defenses. Its design emphasizes a tactic where the Grom would fly ahead of a group of aircraft, prompting enemy air defenses to reveal their positions by engaging the UAV. Following the exposure of these defenses, the Grom is designed to coordinate a strike with a swarm of 10-12 Molniya (Lightning) strike drones, which would be launched from a carrier aircraft. This approach aims to neutralize enemy air defenses, facilitating further attacks by manned aircraft such as Su-57 fighters, Su-34 bombers, and the S-70 “Okhotnik” UAV.
The Grom-U is equipped with four hardpoints, two under the wings and two inside the fuselage, allowing it to carry various munitions. These include Kh-38 air-to-surface guided missiles and guided aerial bombs with calibers ranging from 100 to 500 kilograms, along with unguided bombs of similar sizes. The UAV is also anticipated to be capable of carrying the Izdeliye 85 guided missile, which would enhance its strike capabilities. In addition to its own weaponry, the Grom has the capability to control a swarm of up to ten Molniya strike drones, which could be launched from another carrier, thereby increasing its operational flexibility.
Regarding its technical specifications, the Grom-U can carry a maximum combat load between 1,000 to 2,000 kilograms. It is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 1,000 kilometers per hour, with a cruising speed between 650 and 800 kilometers per hour. The UAV operates at altitudes up to 12,000 meters and has an operational range of 700 kilometers, enabling it to engage targets over considerable distances.
The Grom-U is designed to serve as a “wingman” in the forward attack echelon, working in coordination with manned aircraft like the Su-35 and Su-57 fighters to enhance the effectiveness of aerial operations. Its roles include detecting and engaging tactical and local air defense systems, conducting reconnaissance, and performing electronic intelligence gathering. The UAV’s missions also include the ability to strike surface and land targets at tactical and operational depths, which could be of particular interest to the Russian military.
The “loyal wingman” concept is under development in several countries. Australia is working on Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat in collaboration with the Royal Australian Air Force. The United States is advancing projects such as Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie and the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative. Meanwhile, Russia and India are developing their own projects, including the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik and HAL CATS Warrior, respectively. Europe has also initiated its own program with Airbus’s Loyal Wingman initiative, which seeks to integrate unmanned systems with European fighter jets.
The Grom-U is part of an integrated aviation weapons system, which includes the UAV itself, a ground control station (operator module), and an aviation armament system (KAB). This system is intended to ensure that the Grom-U can be deployed effectively in various combat scenarios, whether in support of manned aircraft or operating independently. This new variant of the Grom UAV is expected to play a role in the modernization of aerial combat tactics and the operational capabilities of the Russian Aerospace Forces. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)
15 Aug 24. Anduril Australia set to build Australian Ghost Shark factory. Anduril Australia has announced it will build its first Australian manufacturing facility to deliver Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles for the Royal Australian Navy and the commercial Dive-XL variant. Anduril’s autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) are designed from the outset to be produced at scale by incorporating a modular design while providing affordable mass through the incorporation of advanced, scalable manufacturing techniques that enable rapid iteration based on specific customer requirements.
To accelerate production readiness of Ghost Shark ahead of a transition to mass production, Defence and Anduril Australia have entered into a co-funded AU$20.1m (US$13.2m) early works contract.
David Goodrich OAM, executive chairman and CEO of Anduril Australia, welcomed this milestone announcement, saying, “The $20.1 m early works contract is a strong signal of government support. It has prompted Anduril to make another significant investment, in the creation of a cutting-edge Australian manufacturing facility with state-of-the-art production systems to manufacture Ghost Sharks right here in Australia. This is the first uncrewed submarine manufactured at scale by the Australian maritime defence technology industry.”
The Commonwealth’s investment of AU$20.1 m is set to be significantly exceeded by Anduril Australia as it invests in expanding the local hiring and rapid scaling of the sovereign supply chain and building infrastructure to transition the Ghost Shark program from prototype to production following further government approval, with first production variant available by the end of 2025.
Anduril Australia’s Ghost Shark supply chain involves more than 42 Australian companies and the early works contract will facilitate investment into the Australian industry supply chain so it can grow and scale alongside Anduril Australia.
“We are thrilled to announce Anduril’s first Australian manufacturing facility for Ghost Shark XL-AUVs. We are excited about accelerating the delivery of Ghost Sharks at unprecedented speed in lock-step with our Defence and Australian defence industry supply chain partners,” Goodrich said.
Ghost Shark is a collaboration between the Royal Australian Navy, Defence Science and Technology Group, Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), and Anduril Australia.
The head of ASCA, Professor Emily Hilder, said, “Ghost Shark is a powerful example of how ASCA can help accelerate capability to our warfighters, bringing together parts of the Defence enterprise as well as Anduril Australia, to help deliver an asymmetric advantage.”
Dr Shane Arnott, senior vice-president engineering, Anduril Industries, added, “Anduril’s maritime division is developing advanced, autonomous undersea capabilities with the best engineering talent in the country. There’s a lot of talk but not enough ‘walk’ in delivering affordable maritime mass. This is Anduril stepping up with another significant investment to show how to get things done.
“Many companies create R&D AUV systems without committing to building the factory in order to scale production, leading to a chicken and egg situation on affordability. We are changing the game by building our first full-rate maritime autonomy factory for Ghost Shark here in Australia,” Dr Arnott said.
This comes following the announcement that the US company had secured US$1.5bn (AU$2.27bn) in investor capital to establish “Arsenal-1” to hyperscale defence manufacturing in the United States.
Ghost Shark is an extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle (XL-AUV) that will provide Navy with a cost-effective, stealthy, long-range, trusted undersea capability that can conduct persistent and disruptive intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike.
(Source: Defence Connect)
14 Aug 24. Ireland issues tender for small rotary UASs. The Irish Defence Forces has issued a tender for 14 small, rotary unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) to equip its Corps of Engineers.
Posted on the European Union (EU) Tendering website on 13 August, the tender requires manportable UASs that are easy to use, capable of delivering high-resolution imagery, and designed with an emphasis on operator safety.
The procurement – valued at approximately EUR600,000 (USD657,132) – is divided into two separate lots and each will result in a separate contract: lot 1 requires commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UASs, while lot 2 seeks UASs with additional data encryption, such as Advanced Encryption Systems (AESs). The supplier will be required to provide accessories, software, and training.
Tenders must be submitted no later than 12 September, with deliveries to Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, by 31 December 2024.
According to the tender, the UASs will be used for a range of purposes including surveillance, survey, inspection, and search and rescue (day and night). The precise applications envisaged for these systems are operationally sensitive. The UASs procured under lot 2 may also have to operate in ‘security sensitive’ locations and/or GPS-denied environments.
(Source: Janes)
14 Aug 24. Cuashub.com said today that Aloft completes FAA onboarding for the LAANC. Aloft has announced the successful completion of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) onboarding process for the latest iteration of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). Since becoming a UAS Service Supplier (USS) in 2018, Aloft has supported operators in recreational, commercial, government and public safety sectors.
The updated version of LAANC introduces several enhancements, particularly benefiting Part 107 operators and those engaged in further coordination requests. These updates aim to streamline the authorisation process and improve communication between operators and Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Key features of the updated LAANC:
- Reduced expiration time for further coordination requests
The automatic expiration period for further coordination requests has been shortened from 24 hours to 3 hours. This reduction is designed to provide ATC with increased flexibility to review and approve requests in a more timely manner, expediting the operational workflow for UAS operators.
- Enhanced feedback mechanism from ATC
The updated system now allows ATC to furnish specific feedback on denied requests. For instance, if a request is denied due to altitude constraints, ATC can advise the operator to “resubmit 100ft lower.” This targeted feedback mechanism enables UAS operators to adjust their submissions more effectively, potentially increasing the success rate of following authorisation requests.
These features have been developed in response to ongoing advocacy for improved efficiency and utility in the LAANC process, as documented in Aloft’s “State of LAANC” reports over the past few years.
The newly integrated capabilities are currently operational across the Aloft Air Control platform. Operators can access these features through various interfaces, including iOS and Android mobile applications, as well as via the web.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/aloft-completes-faa-onboarding-for-the-laanc/?utm_campaign=C-UAS%20Hub%20General&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9krM3AeSnIoVMGmOQ-NXUitP_ruB8jnAzXgvNilUIp_eBbWulvxLFE8W7lXLbfKzuZjwbyJdL6ofkq03u68we4IpbKmpCynuzANHeZjr6nvp0LsyQ&_hsmi=319857008&utm_content=319857008&utm_source=hs_email (Source: https://cuashub.com/)
14 Aug 24. Iran Shows Long-Range Drone at Russian Exhibition.
Iran has put its long-range Mohajer-10 drones on display at a defense exhibit in Russia, Iran’s official news agency reported Monday.
U.S. officials have accused Iran of sending drones to Russia, including the Mohajer-10’s predecessor, the Mohajer-6, that Moscow had used in its invasion of Ukraine. Tehran denies this.
Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency said the more advanced system was being shown at the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum, an event that runs from Monday to Wednesday in Patriot Park outside Russia’s capital.
Iran released details of the Mohajer-10 system in August last year, saying it had an enhanced flight-range duration and could carry a greater payload.
A video accompanying that report showed the drone alongside other military hardware, with text saying “prepare your shelters” in both Hebrew and Persian.
According to Iranian media reports, the drone has an operational range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) and can fly for up to 24 hours. Its payload can reach 300 kilograms (661 pounds), double the capacity of the Mohajer-6, the reports have added. (Source: UAS VISION/VOA)
13 Aug 24. Northrop’s Stealthy Loyal Wingman Drone Breaks Cover – with a Cockpit. The first images of Northrop Grumman’s Model 437, an advanced air combat drone that could potentially fill the requirement for the Air Force’s and/or Navy’s “loyal wingman” Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programs, as well as those of allies, have hit social media. The relatively small tactical jet looks impressive and is very much in line with the concept renderings we have seen of it, aside from one major detail — it has a cockpit.
Yes, that’s right, the Model 437 prototype features a cockpit for a pilot. While this may seem extremely odd for what is supposed to be an advanced unmanned air combat aircraft, it actually makes some sense and it could give Northrop Grumman (NG) an advantage in the red-hot contest to provide hundreds, if not thousands, of highly autonomous drones to the USAF, as well as the Navy.
When concept art was first unveiled back in 2021, the Model 437 was envisioned as working alongside manned aircraft collaboratively, both fighters and larger combat aircraft, including in an asset protection role for the latter. In our initial report on the concept design, which you should read for full context of this article, its general characteristics were stated as follows:
“With regards to the new Model 437 design, it is also expected to have a range of some 3,000 nautical miles when carrying a load of 4,000 pounds of fuel, and will be able to cruise at around 0.8 Mach, according to Aviation Week. The drone has an internal centerline payload bay that is designed to carry up to 1,000 pounds of stores or other systems, as well. The outlet said that a pair of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) or a side-looking radar imaging sensor were two possible loadouts.“
We don’t know if those design goals have changed, but they generally look copasetic with the aircraft in the pictures from Mojave Air And Space Port.
The aircraft, which sports the registry N437VN (certified in January of this year, according to FAA data), features a bowless bubble canopy, a pointed nose with a semi-trapezoidal fuselage, mid-set swept wings, a long dorsal air intake that hugs the rear of the canopy, a distinct chine-line that wraps around the airframe, trailing-link landing gear, and a splayed v-tail adorned in a camouflage pattern.
The aircraft also features a round exhaust and a long air data probe, which is customary for initial flight testing and is also visible on its nose. Once again, it looks very much like the Model 437 renderings, just with a bubble canopy. Overall, paired with its small size, it has a very futuristic, almost movie-prop-like look.
But why build the Model 437 prototype, supposedly a highly autonomous drone, with a cockpit?
Here are the possibilities and our overarching analysis, which is subject to change as we learn more about the state of the program:
Having this initial prototype piloted drastically increases the potential for rapid flight test and development of the Model 437 airframe and concept. The advantages include just accessing airspace pretty much anywhere its owners and potential customers want it to go.
Unmanned aircraft are still quite restricted as to where and how they can operate. A pilot totally changes this massive bottleneck and means the aircraft can be flown wherever it needs to go, to participate in any developmental flights or training exercises, no matter how complex. It can do this unburdened by typical drone airspace restrictions and the need for chase aircraft that can be required in certain situations. Just ferrying to a different location while manned, so it can access airspace where it can fly as if it were an unmanned aircraft, is a giant advantage.
For many tests, having a human onboard can accelerate the speed at which they can be accomplished. At its most basic, initial primary flight testing of the airframe will go far faster with a pilot at the controls. Overall, more risks can be taken when executing autonomous activities with a pilot there to take over and act as a safety backstop if needed.
The X-62 is being used in this exact manner today and it has been highly successful in doing so. But that is an adapted F-16D that is running autonomy agents (software), not a near-production representative CCA-like airframe. This is a huge difference, especially considering one is actually looking to be bought in large quantities, while the other is a one-off test surrogate.
If the Model 437 prototype we are seeing is a dedicated piloted configuration, it’s very possible that NG and SC have another Model 437 prototype airframe in the unmanned configuration, or at least one under construction. Then there is the possibility that the aircraft we see is truly optionally manned. (Source: UAS VISION/The War Zone)
09 Aug 24. Some Replicator tranche 2 systems have already been selected, DIU head says. The Pentagon has selected a unknown number of systems to be part of Replicator’s second tranche, but will be keeping details quiet for the foreseeable future, according to the Defense Innovation Unit.
Doug Beck, director of the DIU, said over 500 companies have expressed interest in being involved in the Replicator program through proposal responses. He added that out of these companies, the innovation hub has selected an undisclosed number of systems to partake in the program’s second tranche.
“We now have two tranches of systems across domains,” Beck said at the National Defense Industrial Association conference Thursday. He added that DIU has “selected some systems already,” however “there’s other things that we are still kind of finalizing.”
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He added that 30 unique prime contractors have been selected across the hardware and software realms, and over 50 subcontractors have signed on.
Though he didn’t disclose the names of the companies or the systems, Beck did offer some teases.
He said the range of companies selected include manufacturers of PRIME sUSV systems, a category he said stands for production-ready, inexpensive, maritime expeditionary small unmanned surface vehicles. He added that out of the other companies involved, one is a venture-backed startup, another is a growth stage software led “nontraditional” company and one is a “more established player.”
It’s been nearly one year since the Replicator program — designed to counter China’s military capabilities by producing thousands of “attritable autonomous systems” across multiple domains by August 2025 — was announced. It has drawn significant attention from industry and Congress, including a healthy dose of skepticism about whether the effort has real weight behind it or is simply grouping together a number of items the department already planned to buy.
Advances in RPA technologies signal a future where aircraft could operate from a variety of austere locations, making it much more difficult to find and target large air bases.
With just one year until the program is scheduled to be deployed, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks told the audience at the NDIA conference Wednesday that the program is on track.
“Although we have lots more work to do, we are on track to meet Replicator’s original goal of enabling ‘multiple thousands in multiple domains in 18-24 months’. That is, by the end of August 2025. In so doing, Replicator is demonstrating from the top and across the enterprise how to deliver all kinds of capability at speed and scale,” Hicks said. (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
08 Aug 24. Cutting-edge Stalker Mini Drone Undertakes Rigorous Trials. Portable mini drones being delivered to the Armed Forces to provide cutting-edge capability have been put through rigorous trials at RNAS Predannack in Cornwall.
Under Project TIQUILA, Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.
As a step change in equipment procurement, Project TIQUILA will deliver cutting-edge small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) to UK Forces at pace, whilst also offering spiral capability development opportunities throughout the life of the 10-year project.
In keeping pace with both technological and battlespace advances, Project TIQUILA is currently assessing the STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 with both platforms providing superior ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) for the User Community.
Of specific note, STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 will enable the User to find and accurately locate targets at multiple ranges, across a variety of environments and conditions.
The recent trial was undertaken by an expert team made up of the Joint UAS Test and Evaluation Flight (JUAS TEF), part of 744 Naval Air Squadron (744 NAS), Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) and Defence Equipment and Support’s TIQUILA Delivery Team.
As a key part of capability acceptance, the initial Flight trials provide an essential body of evidence to prove the equipment is capable and that it will provide value for money to both the User and the UK taxpayer. Whilst focussing on the STALKER VXE30 thus far, it is expected that the same sort of rigorous testing will next be conducted on the Indago 4 in due course.
Hannah Haggett, at DE&S said: “The REIVER series, as a vital part of Project TIQUILA, is the latest in a series of important T&E trials as part of the wider TIQUILA enterprise. It is crucial we provide the military with cutting-edge capabilities now but also equipment that can be continually upgraded to keep pace with emerging threats in an ever-evolving, demanding battlespace. Testing early and appropriately will underpin both capabilities and from the evidence generated from the trials thus far, the equipment is high quality and is performing as expected.”
In December 2022, it was announced that more than 250 mini drones would be delivered to the Armed Forces under a contract worth £129 m with Lockheed Martin UK, which supports jobs in Havant and Gloucester as well as across the wider UK supply chain.
Weighing a little over 20 kilogrammes and with a 4.88 metre wingspan, the STALKER VXE30 Air Vehicle (Av) is an operationally proven, vertical-launched, near-silent drone providing up to eight hours of imaging capability and able to range out to 60km.
Indago 4, a smaller quadcopter type Av, weighing only a little over 4 kilogrammes, can be folded and carried in a backpack and deployed in just three minutes, with a range of up to approximately 12 km.
Similar to the STALKER VXE30, the high-resolution camera system on the Indago 4 provides an exceptional zoom capability to accurately identify people, objects, vehicles and weapons, both in day and night conditions.
Both sUAS are on track and are expected to be operational by the front line by the end of 2024. (Source: ASD Network)
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