Sponsored by BCB INTERNATIONAL
http: https://www.bcbin.com/
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
10 Jan 25. Iranian Men Indicted for Providing Material Support to Foreign Terrorist Organization to Procure Sensitive US Technology Used in Military Drones. Two men who were arrested earlier in December 2024 have been indicted on charges related to a scheme to illegally export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran.
Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, a dual U.S.-Iranian national of Natick, Mass. and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, A/K/A Mohammad Abedini (Abedini), 38, of Tehran, Iran, were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act “IEEPA) and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions (ITSR) regulations; and three counts of violation of the IEEPA and the ITSR. Abedini was also indicted on four additional counts of violation of the IEEPA and the ITSR; as well as one count of conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death; and one count of provision and attempted provision of material support to a foreign terrorist organization resulting in death.
On Jan. 28, 2024, three U.S. service members were killed, and more than 40 others were injured, in a drone attack by IRGC-backed militants on a military base located in northern Jordan, known as Tower 22. According to court documents, analysis of the drone that was recovered from the site of the attack showed that the drone was an Iranian Shahed UAV and that the navigation system used in the drone was manufactured by Abedini’s company.
The defendants were charged by criminal complaint on Dec. 16, 2024 and were arrested on Dec. 16, 2024. Sadeghi was arrested in Massachusetts and remains in federal custody. Abedini was arrested in Italy by Italian authorities at the request of the United States and is pending extradition proceedings.
According to court documents, Abedini is the founder and managing director of an Iranian company, San’at Danesh Rahpooyan Aflak Co. (SDRA or SADRA), that manufactures navigation modules used in the IRGC’s military drone program. SDRA’s main business is the sale of a proprietary navigation system—known as the Sepehr Navigation System—to the IRGC, which the United States designated as an foreign terrorist organization (FTO) on April 15, 2019. The primary application of SDRA’s Sepehr Navigation System is for use in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) – also known as drones – as well as cruise and ballistic missiles.
Sadeghi was employed by a Massachusetts-based microelectronics manufacturer (U.S. Company 1) and was one of the founders of a Massachusetts-based technology company (U.S. Company 2) that specializes in wearable sensors that provide kinetic monitoring for fitness applications.
As alleged in court documents, Abedini, Sadeghi, and others conspired to evade U.S. export control and sanctions laws by procuring U.S. origin goods, services and technology from, U.S. Company 1 and causing them to be exported and supplied to Iran and, in particular, Abedini’s Iranian company, SDRA.
As further alleged, in or around 2016, Sadeghi traveled to Iran to request funding for U.S. Company 2 from the Iranian National Elites Foundation (INEF), which is an Iranian governmental organization whose main purpose is to recognize, organize and support Iran’s elite national talents. In exchange for funding for U.S. Company 2, which Sadeghi’s company ultimately received from the INEF, Sadeghi and others created a second company in Iran (Iranian Company 1). Shortly after forming Iranian Company 1, Sadeghi, through Iranian Company 1, entered into a contract with SDRA for the purchase of SDRA’s technology. It is also alleged that, since in or around 2016, on multiple occasions, Sadeghi has helped Abedini procure U.S. export-controlled electronic components for Abedini’s use in Iran.
Due to U.S. laws restricting exports to Iran, Abedini established a Switzerland front company for SDRA, Illumove SA (Illumove). According to court documents, with Sadeghi’s assistance, Abedini, through Illumove, entered into a contract with U.S. Company 1 to develop a mechanism to evaluate U.S. Company 1’s electronic components, including sophisticated semiconductors. It is alleged that Sadeghi and Abedini subsequently caused U.S.-origin goods, services and technology to be transferred to Iran, through Illumove, for the benefit of SDRA. Certain of the electronic components that Abedini allegedly obtained through Illumove were the same types of electronic components used in SDRA’s Sepehr Navigation System.
According to court filings, the same navigation system that was determined to be used in the drone that struck Tower 22 and caused the death of three U.S. service members.
Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the IRGC Aerospace Force, which is a strategic missile, air and space force. Since at least in or about 2014, SDRA has had multiple projects with the IRGC Aerospace Force, including projects for guided rockets and integrated navigation systems. As alleged, between 2021 and 2022, approximately 99% of SDRA’s sales of the Sepehr Navigation System, which are used in IRGC one-way attack drones, were to the IRGC’s Aerospace Force.
Sadeghi and Abedini each face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million fine on the charges related to violating the International Emergency Economics Powers Act. On the charges related to providing material support to a Foreign Terrorist Organization, resulting in death, Abedini faces up to life in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jared Dolan and Alathea Porter of the District of Massachusetts’ National Security Unit; Trial Attorney Christina Clark of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section; and Trial Attorneys Katie Sweeten and David Smith of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing assistance and is seeking extradition of Abedini from Italy.
This prosecution is being coordinated through the Disruptive Technology Strike Force, an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Departments of Justice and Commerce designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states.
Under the leadership of the Assistant Attorney General for National Security and the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, the Strike Force leverages tools and authorities across the U.S. Government to enhance the criminal and administrative enforcement of export control laws.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. (Source: UAS VISION/U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts)
10 Jan 25. UAV Corp Partners with Atlantic Industrial Group. UAV Corp had an outstanding 2024, marked by groundbreaking innovations, strategic alliances, and significant advancements in key markets. Looking to 2025 the company is focused on securing $1.5bn in contracts, unveiling innovations like the DART SA70-12, and expanding its state-of-the-art facilities, including the “SKY” hangar.
Building on this momentum, UAV Corp has announced a strategic partnership with Atlantic Industrial Group (AIG), integrating AIG’s newly acquired Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) technologies into Skyborne Technology’s cutting-edge facilities in Gulf County, Florida. This collaboration, supported by a licensing agreement, combines the strengths of both companies to develop next-generation VTOL systems.
Under the agreement, AIG will manufacture and develop its advanced airframes using Skyborne Technology’s manufacturing facility in Wewahitchka, Florida with future new Generation 3D printing systems and infrastructure. Concurrently, UAV Corp will advance its innovative platforms, ensuring seamless integration between AIG’s VTOL technologies and UAV Corp’s proprietary systems.
“This is an exciting step forward in UAV Corp’s mission to lead the aerospace industry with transformative technologies,” said Michael Lawson, CEO of UAV Corp. “Our collaboration with AIG enables us to leverage shared resources, including engineering expertise and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Together, we are creating a cohesive platform that will set new standards in VTOL innovation.”
AIG’s acquisition of VTOL technologies includes 20 years of research data, advanced airframes, and the renowned Verticopter, Converticopter, and Elytron vehicles, which have earned certificates of completion from NASA and Ames Laboratory. These technologies, combined with UAV Corp’s expertise, will produce the most maneuverable and efficient VTOL platforms on the market.
Engineers from both companies are working closely to integrate their respective systems, enabling interoperability and maximizing performance across platforms. This collaborative manufacturing approach will streamline production, ensure the highest quality standards, and accelerate the commercialization of these groundbreaking technologies.
In December 2024, the Board of Directors implemented a substantial reduction in the company’s authorized share count as part of its broader strategic objectives. Early next week, the Board will reconvene to deliberate on the potential for an additional reduction, underscoring its continued commitment to optimizing the company’s capital structure and acting in the best interests of its shareholders. This initiative reflects the company’s steadfast dedication to enhancing long-term shareholder value. (Source: UAS VISION)
18 Jan 25. First Visuals of China’s WZ-9 Divine Eagle AEW Drone Surface Online. A video has emerged of China’s unorthodox Wuzhen-9 (or WZ-9) “Divine Eagle” unmanned aircraft, which has been described in social media posts as an uncrewed AEW (Airborne Early Warning) aircraft. The drone has been seen previously in scale models and satellite images.
The sighting comes close on the heels of Beijing flying two new claimed sixth-generation aircraft – a regional stealth bomber and a smaller fighter jet. This also displays how the PLA is realizing its vision of a heavily “mechanized” and automated military, as advocated in its successive defense white papers.The unusual design integrates radar arrays in its booms, as well as satellite communication, which would allow the PLA to create a networked mesh of manned and unmanned AEW assets, offering redundancy and flexibility.
The massive UAV is seen flying overhead, clearly showing its unusual design. The aircraft is based around a twin-boom structure, with a smaller wing acting as horizontal stabilizer in the front and the main wing in the rear, and two vertical stabilizers. The main wing also connects the two booms/fuselages.
Scale models, concept renditions and satellite images posted on X earlier this year show that the drone is powered by a single jet engine, sitting atop the main wing between the two booms and vertical stabilizers.
The front part of both booms (or in this case the fuselages) have domes, as seen in the cutaway small-scale model bearing the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) logo. One of the domes is carrying what looks like a satellite communication antenna dish.
While only one of the fuselages is shown carrying this antenna, it is possible they might be present in both of them, given the sheer size of the drone. This could serve as a fail-safe in case one malfunctions, but both might also function together for a stronger control signal to avoid jamming.
The sides of the fuselages seem to house the radar arrays. Another image, posted by leading Chinese military analysis profile ‘sugar_wsnbn’ on X, is a computer-generated illustration showing the WZ-9 in flight, sporting a yellow paint scheme. The scale model and this illustration appear exactly the same, with little discernible differences.
However, the aperture and sensors’ placement around the drone are not visible in the latest video of the overhead flight. Also, it is not clear if the drone has flown before or was only captured on camera for the first time. Whether the drone is fully or semi-autonomous, and eventually the degree of man-in-the-loop control, or other features like optical and electronic sensing devices also are not known.
Larger manned airborne radars today also have other functions like coordinating with ground-based air defense systems and even guiding BVR (Beyond Visual-Range) missiles fired from manned fighters. The Meteor BVRAAM, for instance, can receive target updates from friendly AWACS/AEW&C after leaving its launching aircraft. (Source: UAS VISION/The Aviationist)
08 Jan 25. Chinese UAVs finding a large market in Africa. If the United States have made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) mainstream through their extensive use of such armed aircraft in their wars in Afghanistan, Iraq or Somalia, among others, it is surprisingly not the States that commands the lion’s share of the market.
China has become the world’s biggest exporter of UAVs, both armed and unarmed. In the last decade, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that CASC, CAIG and other important Chinese UAV manufacturers sold 282 combat drones to 17 countries, while the United States only traded 12 armed UAVs.
Beijing successfully usurped Washington in this domain, producing an extensive array of drones since the early 2010s. Affordable, often reliable and free from ethical constraints, they are starting to become a real best-seller in Africa. The continent has the perfect use for these systems, as many countries face armed rebellion, jihadist movements, gang wars and difficulties to control their large territories. Moreover, China has brought an interesting way of paying: as some African countries are struggling to stabilize their public finances, Chinese companies are also accepting natural resources for payment.
Chinese UAVs offer long ranges, a variety of sensors and weapons payloads, and most importantly, are very cheap. With a price tag of $1 m, the Wing Loong I can carry two munitions, usually guided-bombs or missiles, enabling governments to track, observe, and conducts strikes all over their territory.
In the last several years, and in Africa only, it was Algeria (24 UAVs), Morocco (14 UAVs), Democratic Republic of Congo (9 UAVs), Egypt (4 UAVs), Nigeria (3 UAVs) and Ethiopia (unknown) that have been seduced by Chinese UAVs.
It is often the cheaper CH-4 and Wing Loong I, comparable to the American Predator, which are purchased, the few more capable Wing Loong II present in the continent, deployed in Libya for example, are often donations from Gulf States. The only exception being the richer Nigeria, which opted for the latter UAV to participate in its fight against Boko Haram, a jihadist movement plaguing Africa’s most populated country. Abuja was one of the first to buy Chinese UAVs, starting with smaller tactical CH-3s before 2014.
As most armed groups are short on air defence, UAVs can sometimes have a decisive impact on a conflict, the best example being Ethiopia. In 2021, the Tigrayan defence forces were storming on the capital from their positions in the north, causing panic in Addis Ababa as the government declared a state of emergency. Foreign powers started to ask their citizens to evacuate when drones entered into action, destroying columns of pick-ups and tanks only 200 km away from the city. Although it appears the UAVs were also Turkish (Bayraktar TB2) and Iranian (Mohajer 6), and not only Chinese (Wing Loong I), they proved their value. The same Chinese drones have since been suspected to be operated by the army against civilians from the Omoro, Ahmara and Tigray ethnicities.
Ethiopia’s government has also been supported by Wing Loong II strikes made by Emirati drones based in a secret base in Eritrea, further increasing the impact of these systems on the outcome of the war.
For its part, Egypt is also stepping up purchases of Chinese drones, with rumours of a contract for 32 Wing Loong 1Ds in 2021. So far, only four Wing Loong I appear to be employed, with future 1D upgraded versions of the UAV able to stay in air for 35 hours while carrying double the amount of armament. Cairo is an old client of Chinese drones, as the country bought and builds under license smaller ASN-209 observation drones.
The Egyptians’ armed drones have since been extensively used in Sinai to fight against the local Daesh uprising and near the Gaza strip to spot and hit smugglers’ tunnels. Sign that the Al-Sisi’s junta is mainly purchasing these drones to fight in guerilla-style conflicts, the Chinese manufacturer CAIG has been asked to integrate synthetic aperture radar in order to use the Wing Loongs to spot improvised explosives devices and roadsides mines.
An article from Al-Jazeera published in January 2023 also underlines a major fact of Chinese drones’ success in Africa: America’s export controls. Having signed in 1987 the Missile Technology Control Regime, made to prevent countries from accessing technologies able to carry nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, the US hasn’t been totally free to sell its UAVs. China has taken advantage of this gap, as well as of the desire of some Southern capitals to distance themselves from Washington. Moreover, US drones can be as much as 15 times more expensive to purchase: going for made-in-China UAVs can therefore help to build a much larger fleet for the same money. Not mentioning the fact that the munitions equipping these systems are also probably less expensive when procured by Beijing.
The latest African country seduced by the Chinese proposal is the Democratic Republic of Congo, which face tens of different armed groups in its western region. Kinshasa ordered in 2023 no less than nine CH-4s, with the first three having already been delivered. They are also showing another groundswell, as drones are often as effective as manned aircraft for bombing of lightly armed forces in low-intensity conflicts. This fact will create a lot of changes on the continent.
Indeed, Russia has been the traditional provider of old ground attack aircraft to many African countries, whether they are old Mig-21, L-39, more elaborate Su-25 or Mig-23 and even sometimes Su-27 fighters. But these are expensive to buy, to operate and to maintain. They also involve complex mechanic: a jet-engine is both harder to obtain and to repair than a small turboprop, and training pilots is also complex for some countries.
Drones are, besides for aerial policing operations, quite effective: they are cheap, easier to maintain and more discrete. Hence the switch in the military procurement of African militaries, moving from Russian aircraft to Chinese UAVs, which could eventually lead to a modification in geopolitical affiliations for some countries. This change could even be quicker than expected, as Russia is facing important losses in Ukraine, probably putting under stress the supply chain of parts for some aircraft such as the Su-25.
China, on its side, is putting on the market more and more potent drones, with CASC developing the Rainbow family: the new CH-5 is said to be equivalent to the Reaper drone; the CH-6 is propelled by jet engines and the CH-7 is considered an equivalent to the stealthy X-47B. The WZ-7 and WZ-10, from the same manufacturer of the Wing Loong, are marketed as the Chinese equivalent of the American RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long endurance UAV. Far from simply copying American drones, China is now proposing a whole generation of low-cost, unrestricted UAVs to win over the emerging African market.
(Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
07 Jan 25. Royal Navy to test submarine-hunting robot helicopter. Proteus drone is designed to locate enemy positions in complex warfare missions. A submarine-hunting robot helicopter designed to help the Royal Navy is to be trialled this summer. The autonomous Proteus drone, which has been developed by defence company Leonardo, is meant to be a low-cost jack of all trades. It weighs about three tonnes and will have a “modular mission bay” slot where a cabin would normally go, so that different payloads can be swapped out easily. This means it could potentially be used for a variety of operations by the Navy, from simple supply runs to more complex anti-submarine warfare missions. For example, the mission bay would be able to carry and drop “sonobuoys” – used to pick up engine and propeller sounds underwater – allowing one or multiple Proteus drones to help triangulate an enemy submarine’s position. Leonardo said the unmanned aircraft would also have the ability to swap its payload for fuel, adding: “The ability to plug in specific payloads for different missions aims to give commanders in the field a wide range of options from a single type of aircraft.
“This is both operationally useful and delivers value for money by avoiding the need to buy and maintain multiple different fleets of aircraft.”
On Tuesday, the company unveiled the “demonstrator” design of the aircraft and said it expected a flight test to take place in mid-2025. The aircraft will be used to pioneer cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, including the use of 3D printing and new composite materials, as well as autonomous flight software. It comes after the Navy awarded Leonardo a four-year, £60m contract to develop Proteus in 2022. If the design is taken forward, it would be manufactured at the company’s site on Yeovil, where the submarine-hunting Merlin and Wildcat attack helicopters are also made. The Navy is seeking to develop flexible, autonomous drones as a cheaper alternative to manned, highly specialised aircraft. It is hoped this will allow more of them to be produced, giving the armed forces low-cost “mass”. The Proteus programme is part of the Navy’s “maritime aviation transformation”, which runs to 2040. Leonardo said the test drone would “demonstrate the viability of large unmanned aircraft systems in the maritime environment and function as a test bed for the development and demonstration of autonomous capability”. (Source: Daily Telegraph)
07 Jan 25. A new partnership between maritime technology specialists EIVA and Tuco Marine will provide integrated autonomous systems for inspecting subsea assets, such as cables transporting renewable energy.
EIVA, a developer of software and equipment for surveying below the water’s surface and Tuco Marine, producers of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) have announced they are now working together to provide an integrated system solution.
The ProZero 8m Naval Intelligence USV by Tuco Marine sails to an area of interest and launches the remotely operated towed vehicle (ROTV) ViperFish by EIVA. ViperFish is a sensor platform for high-resolution seabed imaging, as well as mapping depth and magnetic signals to monitor subsea assets.
‘Leveraging the complementary nature of our technologies, EIVA is looking forward to working with Tuco Marine to offer the market a solution that we see a lot of demand for – a fully integrated system to autonomously survey subsea assets,’ explains Christian Thomsen, CEO at EIVA.
‘By combining a USV, like our ProZero, together with EIVA’s ROTV sensor platform and survey software, it’s possible to monitor the conditions of critical subsea infrastructure much more thoroughly and frequently than with conventional setups,’ explains Managing Director Jonas Pedersen from Tuco Marine.
Ensuring integration of technologies: tailored solutions and strong partnerships
A deciding factor for the safety and efficiency of autonomous systems is that all parts must be not only be reliable on their own, but also work well together through integration. Both EIVA and Tuco Marine have the internal competences needed to achieve this, as the companies are highly experienced in developing tailored solutions.
In addition, their technologies are well-proven within both maritime and defence industries. For example, EIVA’s sensor platform ScanFish is among the most used solutions worldwide for UXO surveys, while their ViperFish, launched in 2023, is designed for autonomous USV systems, based on customer inputs. Tuco Marine has delivered their reliable ProZero vessels for use in offshore wind farms, environmental surveys, defence and aquaculture.
The quality of data delivered with this system also benefits from positioning and imaging sensor technologies thanks to strong partnerships within the international Covelya Group. EIVA’s sister companies in this group include sensor providers Sonardyne and Wavefront Systems, as well as Forcys, which provides defence expertise for customers seeking to deploy this technology for mine countermeasures, rapid environment assessment and more.
07 Jan 25. Why UK’s Watchkeeper UAV Failed the Test of Time. The UK government’s decision to send its Watchkeeper uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs) into early retirement marks an ignominious end for a once-ambitious effort to boost the British Army’s airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capabilities.
Announcing the step among a tri-service package of decommissioning measures on 20 November, defence secretary John Healey said 46 Watchkeeper air vehicles would be removed from use in 2025, while describing them as “14 year-old army drones that technology has overtaken”.
“We are getting rid of Watchkeeper because that system has been in service since 2010 and, according to all the military chiefs, is out of date,” minister of state Lord Coaker added in the House of Lords on 25 November. “The Ukraine war has shown that we need to replace it with something else,” he adds.
Potential perceived shortcomings could include the type’s low operating altitude – it flies at a maximum of around 15,000ft – engine noise, vulnerability to hostile fire and sizeable logistics footprint for deployment and operation. The type also is not equipped with air-launched weapons.
Acquired as a replacement for the BAE Systems Phoenix – a less capable type which saw use as a reconnaissance asset over Kosovo and Iraq in the 1990s – the Watchkeeper platform is a further development of Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 tactical UAV. It carries an electro-optical/infrared sensor and the Thales UK I-Master synthetic aperture radar/ground moving indication payload.
A combined development and production contract awarded to Elbit/Thales joint venture U-TacS in August 2005 and worth £700 m – at that time the equivalent of $1.25 bn – covered the delivery of 54 UAVs, plus ground control stations and other supporting equipment.
In advance of fielding the new type, the army contracted Elbit to provide Hermes 450s for use in Afghanistan and Iraq from 2007, under an urgent operational requirement activity dubbed Lydian.
Interim service using Hermes 450 air vehicles saw Elbit-supplied type operate from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan – Crown Copyright
The first flight of a Watchkeeper air vehicle took place in Israel in April 2008, with a UK debut completed two years later: a 20min sortie flown from the ParcAberporth test centre in west Wales.
Programme delays meant that the system was only deployed to Afghanistan in September 2014. Full operational capability was declared in November 2018, with a full release to service clearance made in April the following year.
Additional deployments included operating from Ascension Island, and the type was also flown in support of the UK Border Control service in late 2020 as the nation attempted to tackle illegal immigration by small boat across the English Channel from France.
Meanwhile, the 46-aircraft figure cited by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) indicates that 15% of the original fleet has been depleted within a decade, including during several training accidents.
Most recently, the army deployed Watchkeepers and more than 60 soldiers to Estonia to participate in the exercise Athena Shield, with sorties flown from near Parnu airport in the south of the country.
Operated by 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, the deployed aircraft recently underwent a sensor upgrade to enhance its ISTAR credentials.
“The training involved working with Estonian military and civilian authorities to plan and execute flying operations in different weather conditions,” the army says. “The flights also included conducting airspace deconfliction and interoperability with the Estonian control and reporting centre, part of NATO’s air defence system to monitor airspace across the Baltic region.”
47th Regiment Royal Artillery operated Watchkeeper in Estonia during recent exercise Athena Shield Watchkeeper in Estonia – British Army
“Exercise Athena Shield has proven a number of key assumptions for the army’s Watchkeeper regiment,”
says Colonel Richard Ball, commander of the service’s uncrewed air systems group.
“It has demonstrated the ability to deploy at relatively short notice to a new flying location overseas, conduct planning with the host nation… and shown the utility of the platform to perform the army’s land tactical deep find role.
“It has also demonstrated the army’s commitment to supporting the Estonian Defence Force and securing NATO’s Eastern Flank,” he adds.
No detail has been provided about a potential replacement activity, and it is unclear if this will be considered within the UK government’s Strategic Defence Review activity, which is due to report its conclusions in the first half of 2025.
Also unclear is whether the UK could consider gifting its redundant Watchkeeper air vehicles to Ukraine, or offering them for sale to other nations. London has previously made multiple donations of UAV equipment to Kyiv, involving smaller systems.
“While it is disappointing that Watchkeeper will be coming out of service in 2025, we are proud of Watchkeeper’s success in Afghanistan, support to Border Force and, most recently, being deployed in Estonia,” says Thales UK.
“Thales continues to work with the UK MoD on developing the next generation of uncrewed autonomous systems across domains, and Watchkeeper has provided valuable learnings that can be taken forward into future programmes,” it adds.
In addition to U-TacS’ production and support activities for the British Army, an export-version WK-X air vehicle also has been sold to NATO member Romania. Bucharest in June 2023 signed a deal with Elbit to acquire three systems, with the contract including technology transfer and local industrial participation. (Source: UAS VISION/FlightGlobal)
05 Jan 25. Spain advances SIRTAP programme: development of first fully indigenous tactical military drone. Spain’s Ministry of Defence has announced significant progress in the SIRTAP Programme (High-Performance Tactical Remotely Piloted Aircraft System), marking a milestone for Spanish aerospace innovation. The programme has maintained its planned schedule, with the first prototype and flight of the advanced drone expected in 2025, following the Critical Design Review achieved in June 2024. The SIRTAP will be Spain’s first fully domestically developed military aviation system in the Class II/III category. Designed to enhance the tactical capabilities of both the Army and the Air and Space Force, the drone will operate in demanding environments. It is equipped for advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in day and night operations, withstanding extreme weather conditions, including high and low temperatures. The project envisions the production of nine systems, each comprising three unmanned aircraft, a ground control station, and two simulators. The first system and simulator are slated for delivery in 2026, with serial production to begin the following year and the project expected to conclude by 2030.
All aircraft will be manufactured and assembled at the Airbus Defence and Space plant in Getafe, Madrid. This facility serves as the programme’s industrial leader, integrating numerous Spanish companies through its Industrial Participation Plan. This initiative is expected to be a catalyst for growth in Spain’s aerospace sector.
The SIRTAP drone, measuring 7.3 metres in length, nearly 2.5 metres in height, and boasting a wingspan of 11.3 metres, has a range exceeding 2,000 kilometres. This state-of-the-art system underscores Spain’s commitment to advancing its defence capabilities while fostering domestic technological innovation. (Source: Google/Spanish Ministry of Defence/https://defence-industry.eu/)
03 Jan 25. BIS Publishes Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Regulating Unmanned Aircraft Systems – (90 Fed. Reg. 271) – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment to inform the potential development of a rule to secure and safeguard the information and communication technology and services (ICTS) supply chain for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. BIS seeks public feedback on several matters outlined in the ANPRM, including: definitions of UAS and components, assessments of how potential classes of ICTS transactions integral to UAS may present undue or unacceptable risks to U.S. national security, evaluations of risk posed by different foreign adversaries, potential processes for the public to request approval to engage in an otherwise prohibited transaction, the economic impact such regulation could have on certain entities, and, where feasible, potential mitigation measures. This ANPRM is issued pursuant to BIS’s ICTS authorities established under Executive Order (EO) 13873, “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain.” EO 13873 authorizes the Department of Commerce to investigate and prohibit or impose mitigation measures on ICTS transactions that (1) pose an undue or unacceptable risk of sabotage to or subversion of ICTS in the United States; (2) pose an undue risk of catastrophic effects on the security or resiliency of U.S. critical infrastructure or the digital economy of the United States; or (3) otherwise pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of U.S. persons. Interested persons have until March 4, 2025, to submit their comments. (Source: glstrade.com)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
BCB certainly has a rich history (1854) and an impressive portfolio of products designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of NATO defence personnel in various environments.
The core competency of protecting lives in hostile environments, includes:
LAND:
BCB`s camouflage creams and camouflage nets have been standard issue to conceal generations of British and NATO forces.
Our newly developed MultiSpectral Cam technology, the MK8 Phantom, camouflages and protects people/vehicles/assets in the visual, IR and thermal (SWIR/MWIR/LWIR) spectrums.
FireDragon, our eco field cooking fuel, burns cleanly so can also be used in the confined space of a foxhole or tent. It is waterproof, easy to light, non-toxic and smokeless.
SEA;
Our patented Floating Body Armour is unique, versatile and sensibly protects both you and your life jacket, under the soft and hard armour. Designed to be low bulk, it`s massive 275 newtons of buoyancy is self-righting. We say it will “save your life twice”.
Our range of Boat Stopping Systems, provided a layered non-lethal stopping capability against all sizes of vessels, including unmanned threats. So you can stop and search, defeat pirates from boarding, prevent terrorists from getting near your vessel or close off quickly a waterway, port or maritime borders.
AIR;
BCB`s sister company UAVE have been manufacturing since 2013, the Dragon MK3, large, long range (1,000km) long endurance (12hours), versatile and mission-ready UAV. It is proven and operational from the polar regions to 45deg C heat in the Middle East and Asia. The larger of the 3 models, carries 25 kilos payload.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–