Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL
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13 Dec 24. Insitu Launches UAS Center of Excellence in the UAE. Insitu, a Boeing Company, has announced the opening of its new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence (COE) at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The state-of-the-art facility will localize UAS Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), training, and other essential services for the UAE Armed Forces. This represents a major milestone for the company’s growth and commitment to building a sustainable defense industry, driving local content, and creating in-country value in the UAE.
“We’re thrilled to open the UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi,” said Insitu President and CEO Diane Rose. “This new facility will strengthen our partnership with the Tawazun Council, enhance the support we provide, and create frequent opportunities for collaborating with other Emirati companies across the defense ecosystem.”
Majed Al Shamsi, Director of Economic Programs at Tawazun Council, said: “This center represents a bold step forward, offering a space where cutting-edge unmanned systems technology will take shape. It aligns seamlessly with our national vision, championed by the leadership of the UAE, to position our nation as a global leader in advanced industries. Through this partnership, supported by the Tawazun Council and the Ministry of Defense, we are paving the way for a future defined by technological breakthroughs and enriched by shared expertise.”
By localizing MRO and training services, Insitu’s UAS COE will create value by reducing the cost, complexity, and turnaround time for activities that were previously performed overseas. It will also generate employment opportunities for a skilled workforce and facilitate the participation of local suppliers in the value chain.
With offices in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and now the United Arab Emirates, Insitu manufactures a family of runway-independent, long-endurance UAS including the ScanEagle, Integrator, and Integrator Extended Range, which have logged nearly 1.5 million flight hours supporting the armed forces of more than 35 nations. (Source: UAS VISION)
13 Dec 24. British Army Market Exploration Seeks Revolutionary Uncrewed Systems. The UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has launched a new Market Exploration called ‘Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems’. Run on behalf of the British Army, this Market Exploration is seeking to identify Uncrewed Systems (UxS) with extended range capabilities. The aim is to discover cutting-edge UxS technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above that could potentially be deployed within the next 12 months. Current events have demonstrated the importance of UxS in modern conflict and have shown that relatively low-cost UxS solutions can defeat more expensive systems. The UxS space is evolving at a rapid pace and, therefore, platforms and components must undergo rapid iterations to keep up with the latest battlefield adaptations and requirements. This Market Exploration reflects the growing importance of uncrewed systems in defence strategies and the need for agile, innovative solutions in the face of evolving global security challenges.
Do you have an innovation that could be of interest to the British Army? Read the full Market Exploration document and submit a proposal.
What technologies is this Market Exploration seeking?
The British Army is actively pursuing cutting-edge technologies to enhance their operational capabilities. A key initiative of this endeavour is the development of an uncrewed Deep Recce Strike platform capable of operating at ranges greater than 80 kilometers. This platform should also be able to deliver shorter-range one-way effectors onto designated targets.
In addition to its strike capabilities, the system needs to have the ability to incorporate sophisticated Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) functionalities. These features will enable the identification of dynamic targets and facilitate post-strike Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA).
The British Army is seeking a solution that allows for rapid development, testing, production, deployment, and iterative improvement. To ensure longevity and adaptability, the platform should feature a modular design, providing resilience against advancements in Counter Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining operational effectiveness in EW-contested and GPS-denied environments.
Innovation capabilities that only rely on the supply chains of the UK and its allies are preferred.
UK Ministry of Defence Guidance – Market Exploration Document: Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems
- Summary
On behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), DASA is running a Market Exploration to identify technologies from across industry at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above or ideally capable of integration within the next 12 months.
The information obtained from this Market Exploration will be reviewed to identify technology areas suitable for further research and development, as well as potential procurement opportunities. At this stage, there is no commitment to launch a subsequent competition.
Details of your submission will not be shared outside of UK MOD.
- Background
The British Army is pursuing a goal to double its lethality by 2027 and triple it by 2030. As part of this drive, there is a strong focus on developing new and novel technologies to be integrated into the wider force.
Current worldwide events have demonstrated the importance of UxS in modern conflict. Relatively low-cost UxS solutions can defeat more exquisite systems. This increases survivability of personnel and other crewed platforms.
The UxS space is evolving at a rapid pace. Therefore, platforms and components must undergo rapid iterations to keep up with the latest battlefield adaptations and requirements.
- What we want
The British Army is seeking an uncrewed Deep Recce Strike platform capable of operating at ranges greater than 80km. This platform should also be able to deliver shorter-range one-way effectors onto targets identified by the User.
A further requirement is an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability for identifying dynamic targets and conducting Battlefield Damage Assessment (BDA) following effect delivery.
The User requires the ability to rapidly develop, test, produce, operate, and iterate the system. The platform should be modular to provide resilience against technological advancements in Counter Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Focus should be given to operating successfully within EW contested and Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environments.
Details of supply chain resilience should be included in your submission.
A forecast cost indicator of the platform and associated software/modular add-ons is requested for consideration.
We are keen to seek innovation capabilities that predominantly rely on the supply chains of the UK and its allies.
- What we don’t want
- Technologies below TRL 4 are not required as this does not typically support integration within a 12-month timeline unless this can be shown in the submission.
- We are not interested in literature reviews, paper-based studies, consultancy or non-technical solutions.
- How to submit a Market Exploration Submission to DASA
Responses to this Market Exploration must be submitted via the DASA submission service, for which you will need to register. We recommend you use a Google Chrome browser to access the DASA submission service.
You will be asked for a title and short summary of your innovation, along with questions related to your organisation, your idea and technology maturity. We are seeking to understand what and how much further development is required for a complete solution to meet requirements, or whether a combination of separate solutions is required. The information you provide will assist in developing a statement of requirements for potential future activities.
Submissions must be submitted by Midday 12:00 (GMT) on 4 February 2025. We are unable to accept any submissions after this point.
Please only provide details of one product/capability per submission. If you have a number of potential solutions, please submit multiple forms.
If you have any questions please email with “Air Launched Effects: Revolutionary Deployment Systems Market Exploration” in the subject line. (Source: UAS VISION/UK Defence and Security Accelerator )
11 Dec 24. Dassault’s Neuron Combat Drone Resumes Operations. According to information published by Challenges magazine on December 4, 2024, after a decade of successful trials and a brief period in storage, the Neuron stealth combat drone demonstrator, developed by Dassault Aviation, is set to resume operations. This strategic decision marks a critical step in the advancement of French aerial capabilities as the Ministry of Armed Forces prepares for the deployment of a future stealth drone to operate alongside the Rafale fighter jet in its F5 configuration, planned for the early 2030s. The Neuron, a flying testbed, demonstrated its capabilities between 2012 and 2022, completing 170 test flights. These trials validated groundbreaking technologies, including advanced stealth features, controlled autonomy, and integration into connected command environments. Currently stored at Air Base 125 in Istres, the drone will soon be restored for a new series of tests. The French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) is expected to grant Dassault Aviation a contract to reactivate the demonstrator, reaffirming France’s standing among global leaders in combat drone development. Developed through an ambitious European partnership involving six countries—France, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Greece, and Switzerland—the Neuron is more than a technological program. It has enabled European engineering teams to sustain and enhance advanced technological expertise. Its achievements include precision strikes from an internal weapons bay, stealth evaluation against radar and infrared threats, and autonomous air-to-ground missions. The program also highlighted the efficiency of an innovative industrial management model based on integrated digital collaboration among European partners. The Neuron’s return coincides with a significant announcement: the development of a combat drone to complement the Rafale F5, the future iteration of France’s flagship fighter jet. Scheduled for operational readiness by 2033, this drone will embody next-generation military technologies. Drawing on the Neuron’s advancements, it will feature advanced stealth capabilities, close collaboration with piloted aircraft, and autonomous control with human oversight. This integration is designed to enhance the French forces’ technological edge in future conflicts. France’s strategy places it as a key player in the evolving competition for combat drone technology. While the Neuron remains a demonstrator, it lays a foundation for industrial and operational sovereignty. By combining autonomous drone capabilities with piloted platforms, this initiative redefines aerial operations, making them more adaptable, responsive, and resilient. This effort goes beyond technology validation. By reactivating the Neuron and advancing a new stealth drone, France demonstrates its foresight in addressing the demands of modern warfare. These innovations provide an immediate edge in aerial dominance while establishing a framework for the next generation of integrated systems, where drones and aircraft collaborate in swarms to navigate increasingly complex and digitalized battlefields. This technological ambition also highlights opportunities for broader European cooperation to remain competitive on the global stage. (Source: UAS VISION/Army Recognition)
09 Dec 24. China’s Replica of Original Shahed-136 Drone Bought from Israel. China continues to actively promote its long-range kamikaze drone, the ASN-301 (also known as JWS-01), in the global defense market. This platform has drawn significant attention due to its resemblance to the Shahed-136 UAV. A promotional video released during Airshow China 2024 highlighted the ASN-301 drone’s ability to neutralize radar systems. Unlike typical kamikaze drones, this system is designed to specialize in air defense suppression, equipped with a passive radar-seeking guidance head. This functionality sets it apart from Iranian Shahed drones, which are primarily employed to strike pre-identified static targets. The ASN-301 drone first emerged publicly in 2017 during a military parade marking the 90th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army. Since then, it has been consistently featured in exhibitions, though there are no confirmed export contracts to date. Despite visual similarities to the Shahed drone, the ASN-301 UAV is derived from Israel Aerospace Industries’ Harpy drone, not Iranian technology. In the 1990s, China legally acquired 100 Harpy drones for $55 m, gaining valuable insights into their design and operational capabilities. The narrative took a turn in 2004 when China sent the drones to Israel for modernization. However, the U.S. intervened, pressuring Israel to halt the upgrades and retain the drones. This led to diplomatic tensions, with the U.S. threatening to exclude Israel from the F-35 program. Ultimately, the drones were returned to China unmodified, prompting Beijing to reverse-engineer the system. The ASN-301 drone mirrors several features of the Harpy UAV, including its deployable antennas for radar detection, which can be mistaken for stabilizers. It is noteworthy that the Harpy drone was not an entirely original Israeli development. Its concept is believed to have been inspired by earlier systems such as Germany’s DAR (Die Drohne Antiradar) and South Africa’s ARD-10 UAVs. Other countries have also drawn on the Harpy drone’s design. In 2023, Taiwan’s NCSIST unveiled the Chien Hsiang, a system nearly identical in appearance and function to the Harpy drone. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense Express)
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