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Allen-Vanguard Collaborates with Metis Aerospace to Deliver Enhanced Counter-Drone Capabilities

Monday, November 18th, 2024

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customised solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is very excited to announce a strategic collaboration with the domain knowledge experts in passive RF detection, Metis Aerospace. This collaboration has been established to leverage their respective expertise and proven products to address the growing requirement for a highly mobile counter unmanned air system (C-UAS) capability that delivers a tried and tested baseline capability to detect and defeat an increasing range of threats posed by the nefarious use of drones. Both Allen-Vanguard and Metis Aerospace will be at the Specialist Defence and Security Convention (SDSC) on 18th-20th November 2024 at Telford International Centre, UK to discuss this collaboration and their respective range of existing products and capabilities.

Metis has extensive experience in the RF detect domain, with several products that are already the cornerstone of many larger protection systems across a wide range of sectors. For over 10 years, they have been at the forefront of C-UAS detection capability development, advising the MoD and receiving research funding to develop their innovative technologies, such as SKYPERION. Allen-Vanguard is equally an operationally proven subject matter expert in defeating RF threats, including cutting-edge counter-drone solutions, like ANCILE, that are used by militaries, security forces and NGOs globally to protect their personnel and key assets.

In an era where drone technology is rapidly evolving, and how drones are being employed on the battlefield is going through an unprecedented revolution, the Allen-Vanguard and Metis collaboration combines their respective ground-breaking and innovative technologies to provide the necessary expertise, agility and technology to properly mitigate this threat. The operationally proven ingenuity and agility of both companies can be brought to bear on the key subset of the C-UAS market that is demanding increased manoeuvrability and effectiveness at a practical price point. In addition, both companies have built an excellent reputation for enduring customer support to ensure deployed systems are maintained with the latest detection and defeat waveforms as the RF battlespace evolves.

Tony Burnell, CEO of Metis Aerospace said: “We are very excited to be collaborating with Allen-Vanguard to develop this capability that we see meets a growing market demand. It makes perfect sense for us to work together and exploit our expertise in the detect function and then fully synchronise and integrate with an Allen-Vanguard defeat capability. This combination will be a real protection benefit for all our customers.”

Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard said: “I am delighted to announce this collaboration with Metis that, as fellow SME domain knowledge experts, perfectly complements our own portfolio of products. The ability to combine the detect and defeat functions into one capability will undoubtedly deliver enhanced C-UAS capabilities to better counter modern hostile drone operations.” He added, “We are also pursuing a number of qualified opportunities in the Middle East and Eastern Europe from users who have reached out, seeking a cost-effective and efficient system for a baseline, mobile C-UAS capability. The strength of Metis’ portfolio of offerings also has applicability to domestic and international requirements outside the scope of C-UAS and we’re actively engaged in exploring these exciting opportunities”

Posted in EW, Industry, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Army Experiments with Capabilities, Multi-Domain Integration at Vanguard 24

Saturday, November 9th, 2024

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — The 3rd Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force, partnered with the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, Joint and Allied forces, and industry partners to execute the Vanguard 24 experiment from September 8-24, 2024.

Mission-tailored teams of 3rd MDEB Soldiers operated from the 1st Lt. John R. Fox Multi-Domain Range, the Buffalo Soldier Electronic Test Range and other training areas in the Southwest. Vanguard provided a venue for 3rd MDEB Soldiers to experiment with and assess various cutting-edge sensors, high altitude platforms and data transport solutions that are not yet Army programs of record.

“Multi-Domain Task Forces are the signature formations for the Army’s continual transformation. The emerging capabilities our Soldiers are training on help inform the Army on which capabilities should be pursued and possibly developed further and integrated at scale across the Army and DOD,” said Col. Michael Rose, 3rd MDTF commander.

These teams executed training and experimentation focused on integrating cyber, electronic warfare, extended range sensing and data transfer. The distances between training areas and teams replicated the distances required to operate in the Indo-Pacific Command theater, where 3rd MDTF is assigned.

“The challenge with extended range multi-domain sensing comes down to several problem sets — platforms, payloads, data backhaul and analysis. Vanguard provided the venue for the MDEB to tackle each of these problem sets at operationally relevant distances,” said Rose.

“My team was able to effectively locate signals of interest, aggregate the sensor data, pass it back to the MDEB tactical command post at Fort Huachuca, then integrate the data into mission command systems to include the Army Intelligence Data Platform, and send the data to the TF level All Domain Operations Center back in Hawaii,” said MDEB Commander Lt. Col. Pablo Diaz. “We met our key training objectives and look forward to taking the lessons learned to keep pushing the envelope.”

Objectives for 3rd MDEB were to experiment with high altitude and persistent platforms such as high-altitude balloons and unmanned aerial systems, various electronic warfare and cyber payloads, long range data backhaul solutions and validate defensive cyber capabilities

Vanguard 24 is an annual capstone experiment that provides a venue to explore, integrate, and test emerging technologies, tools, and concepts that address specific capability gaps and future warfighting requirements.

Vanguard provided capabilities development, testing, and training elements, with an INDOPACOM operational scenario that expanded the scope and scale of the experiment, which spanned from Fort Huachuca’s Buffalo Soldier Electronic Test Range and 1st Lt. John R. Fox Multi-Domain Operations Range, as well as across the Southwestern U.S.

By MAJ Stephen Page

Posted in Army, Cyber, EW, Forces Focus, Guest Post, ISR, UAS | No Comments »

MSRS Navigation – A Solution for Navigating in a GPS-Denied Environment

Wednesday, September 25th, 2024

I get excited when I find out about small businesses with innovative technologies that solve real problems, particularly those owned by fellow veterans. Even better when these capabilities are low cost.

Take for example, MSRS Navigation, which was founded by a retired Tier One operator after having experienced GPS jamming while deployed overseas. In fact, all five of the company’s employees are Veterans and the gear is made in Asheville, NC.

Confronting the Electronic Warfare threat is now a challenge faced by everyone and the Western use of Global Positioning System for navigation can no longer be solely relied upon to accurately determine position and route.

MSRS Navigation has developed the only ITAR-free, Denied-GPS navigation system. What’s more, the system is completely non-RF, with no reliance on satellites or any signals for that matter. There’s nothing to jam.

Having been awarded two patents with three more in process, they instead rely upon an AI/ML engine which examines data and identifies errors from GPS degradation, identifying last known good point to base modeling from. This is supplemented with real-time data from multiple sensors. The result is .1 meter accuracy per mile and is correctable by the end user at any point by simple correction via drag/drop of the icon on the map-based interface GUI, to the correct point. Alternatively, there is a plug-in for ATAK users.

The systems runs independently from, but in parallel with GPS, allowing the user to rely upon GPS in high-fidelity environments. At any point, the user can switch to MSRS if for example, they enter a degraded environment such as jamming or dense foliage or tunnels. MSRS always runs in the background.

The current Army program of record is Mounted Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing System (MAPS) Gen II which is great if you’re part of the BOIP. If not, MSRS is available today, for immediate deployment. Over forty of their fly away kits (FAK) are currently in use with US and International SOF in overseas combat environments.

Simple to employ, the FAK comes packed in a Pelican 1200 and can be installed in under 30 minutes. Additionally, MSRS is about the quarter of the price of MAPS.

While the system is currently configured for ground and sub-T navigation, the company has a CRADA in place with USSOCOM through SOFWERX to support an upcoming evaluation of the system. To expand its use, they have partnered with Hefring Marine out of Iceland to build a Maritime system and expect to have a working prototype in early 2025.

For more information, visit www.msrsnav.com.

–Eric Graves

Posted in Comms, EW | 5 Comments »

Allen-Vanguard Receives Significant Follow-on Order of SCORPION ECM Systems for a NATO Ally

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

Allen-Vanguard, a global leader in providing customized solutions for defeating Radio Frequency (RF) based terrorist and extremist threats, is pleased to report it has received a significant follow-on order for SCORPION Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) systems, accessories and spares from the NATO ally it supplied 68 systems to at the beginning of the year.

The follow-on order is for over 30% more of the hugely versatile SCORPION ECM manpack system, which is man portable, can be vehicle mounted or even protect static locations from both R-CIED and UAS threats, both of which have been prolific during recent campaigns in both Europe and the Middle East. With its flexible, modular architecture and wide range of power options, antenna configurations and carriage systems SCORPION is highly suitable for a myriad of protection tasks. It is a hybrid, full spectrum system with extensive threat band coverage giving it superior usability which, combined with advanced technologies, makes SCORPION a very powerful response to present and future RCIED & Drone threats.

As with the previous order, Allen-Vanguard will provide various support services including Train the Trainer packages to ensure that end users are fully equipped, trained and prepared to deploy this vital life-saving capability with full operational autonomy. In line with Allen-Vanguard’s philosophy of developing a full sovereign capability for their clients, the T3 package will ensure that the end user can train and evaluate their own personnel on the SCORPION hardware both now and into the future.

Allen-Vanguard’s Business Development Director, Stuart Wilson, said “I think it is testament to both SCORPION’s excellent capabilities and the support that we at Allen-Vanguard provide for our customers that we have received this significant follow-on order before we have even finished the full deployment of the original order. We will continue to work in partnership with the end users to ensure this invaluable protection capability is fully embedded and supported to deliver the best possible protection for their troops.”

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US Army Announces Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack Contract Award

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD – The U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) recently awarded a contract to Mastodon Design LLC in the amount of $99,991,845 for the procurement, training, and fielding of the Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack system.

“The efforts to demonstrate, test, and rapidly procure a COTS-based product significantly accelerated the procurement timeline and will result in early capability to the field starting this year. The TLS BCT Manpack is a mature, well-adopted system that will make a significant contribution to winning the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) fight,” said Ken Strayer, Project Manager Electronic Warfare and Cyber (PM EW&C). After successful prototyping and operational demonstration with Soldier touch points, the TLS BCT Manpack program received approval to transition into Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Fielding with a first unit issued planned in 2024.

The TLS BCT Manpack system is a tailorable, modular, terrestrial capability that allows the integration of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) collection, processing, exploitation, reporting, and effects capabilities within the SIGINT Collection Team (SCT) and Electromagnetic Warfare Team (EWT) elements. It provides the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Commander a tactical advantage with a robust state-of-the-art mobile EW capability for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). The fully configurable system can conduct radio frequency (RF) surveying, signals collection and direction-finding operations, electromagnetic attack and force protection operations, and EMS visualization and scanning/surveying operations.

Posted in Army, Contracts, EW, Press Release, Sensors | Comments Off on US Army Announces Terrestrial Layer System – Brigade Combat Team (TLS BCT) Manpack Contract Award

350th SWW Reactivates Two Historic EW Squadrons

Sunday, May 12th, 2024

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —

To meet the Air Force’s growing demand for spectrum effects, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing recently reactivated two historic squadrons, the 563rd Electronic Warfare Squadron, in San Antonio, Texas, and the 388th Electronic Warfare Squadron, at Eglin Air Force Base.

The 563rd EWS’ history dates to World War II, and the unit most recently served as the Air Force’s electronic warfare and navigation officer training squadron. It provided undergraduate training to newly commissioned officers as the 563rd Flying Training Squadron until its deactivation in 2010.

Many officers at the 350th SWW either served in or were trained by the 563rd FTS. Multiple alumni attended the ceremony, including retired Col. Eric Paulson, former 563rd FTS instructor and former 350th SWW deputy commander.

“I was honored to be a part of this historic ceremony and see the heritage of the 563rd continue,” Paulsonsaid. “As a previous EW instructor at the 563rd Flying Training Squadron, we saw great capability delivered to the Air Force, and now we’ll see the 563rd Electronic Warfare Squadron deliver essential EW capability to directly to the warfighter.”

The 563rd EWS’ new mission is to design, develop and employ software-based EW capabilities that provide modern capabilities to warfighters. The unit will focus on executing software development, exploring areas for new software initiative, and educating the 350th SWW on software integration.

The 563rd EWS reactivated on April 25 and Lt. Col. Charles Friesz assumed command.

“The modern threats we are facing are software defined,” Friesz said. “The 563rd will be the Air Force’s answer to combatting our challenges in the spectrum. The next generation of electromagnetic capabilities will be generated and supported at this unit.”

One week later, the 388th EWS reactivated on May 2 with Lt. Col. Timothy West assuming command.

The 388th EWS’ history began in World War II with an antisubmarine mission in the Atlantic before being reassigned to the Pacific in support of the Island-Hopping Campaign. It most recently operated as the 388th Electronic Combat Squadron based out of Naval Air Station Whidbey, Washington, flying EA-6B Prowlers until its deactivation in 2010.

Previous members of the 388th ECS were in attendance for the reactivation, including Col. John Christianson, 350th SWW deputy commander, who served as a flight commander before the unit deactivated.

“It was amazing seeing a squadron with such history reactivate,” Christianson said. “My time in the 388th during its last iteration was a formative assignment for me as a young captain, and I look forward to seeing all the amazing things are they are going to do this time around.”

The 388th EWS will focus on weapons and tactics, intelligence, test management and education and training. The 388th EWS will evaluate & assess adversaries’ capabilities and identify their vulnerabilities, informing capability prioritization and development at the wing.

Focusing on improving the Air Force’s EW capability and driving waveform development, the 388th EWS will ensure warfighters are integrating EW effects into operations in a way that directly increases lethality and survivability of platforms and systems.

“There is not a single kill chain that does not inherently rely on the spectrum,” West said. “We are weaponizing the electromagnetic spectrum and will punish our adversaries for believing they can rely on the electromagnetic spectrum to achieve their objectives.”

The 563rd and 388th EWS bring the number of new units at the wing in the past year up to five. This rapid growth reinforces the Air Force’s commitment to prioritizing electromagnetic spectrum operations and the critical role they play in military operations.

“The 563rd and 388th will allow the wing to deliver the capabilities the Air Force needs to take on the pacing challenge in the spectrum,” said Col. Josh Koslov, 350th SWW commander. “The challenges we face in the electromagnetic spectrum are demanding and we can’t afford to be stagnant.”

As the Air Force reoptimizes itself for a new strategic environment, the electromagnetic spectrum is the global common that unites all domains of battle. The 350th SWW serves as the Air Force’s most consequential wing in winning its battles of today and tomorrow in the spectrum.

“If we don’t win in the spectrum, we won’t win at all,” Koslov said. “The 563rd and 388th have provided our forces with strategic excellence in the past, and that’s what we are asking of them again. We’re ruthlessly pursuing spectrum superiority over our adversaries, and the growth we’ve had in the past week is a how we achieve that.”

By Capt Benjamin Aronson

350th Spectrum Warfare Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, EW, Forces Focus, Guest Post | Comments Off on 350th SWW Reactivates Two Historic EW Squadrons

SOF Week 24 – Anduril Pulsar EW System

Thursday, May 9th, 2024

Offered in ground and vehicle mount versions, the Pulsar is a family of modular, multi-mission-capable EW systems which rapidly identify and defeat current and future threats across the electromagnetic spectrum, including small and medium-sized drones using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Initially developed in 2020, Pulsar has been in operational use conducting electronic countermeasures (ECM), counter unmanned systems, electronic support, electronic attack, direction finding, and geolocation on air, ground and maritime platforms, but was not offered commercially until now.

Pulsar uses software defined radios and an open architecture to enable futire upgrades as well as integration with other systems.

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Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool (EWPMT) Contract Cancellation

Thursday, May 2nd, 2024

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD – The U.S. Army recently announced the cancellation of the Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool (EWPMT) task order competition under the RS3 Enterprise contract. The decision was prompted by evolving requirements and a strategic realignment within the program.

As part of this realignment moving forward, the U.S. Army continues to prioritize its service specific EWPMT fielding of current capability and will also focus on EWPMT software architecture modernization. Program Executive Office – Intelligence, Electronic Warfare, and Sensors (PEO IEW&S) is working on a pilot as part of the architecture modernization in collaboration with the United States Marine Corps (USMC), shifting EWPMT’s electromagnetic warfare and spectrum management capabilities to the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) framework. This effort is being led by the Electronic Warfare Integration (EWI) product management office.

TAK-X is a framework on which applications for presenting situational awareness data and geospatial visualizations can be built. Transition to the TAK framework is consistent with ongoing efforts to deliver capability at speed by leveraging common technologies across the Services with a similar user experience. The TAK user community collaborates across the EW user space and presents opportunities for technology advancement and integration across the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Special Operations Command, and the Joint Communities of Interest.

This strategic move aims to ensure that EWPMT is a relevant capability at the forefront of emerging operational requirements. The results of the U.S. Army-USMC collaboration on the TAK-X foundation will provide for microservice-based, modular software architecture satisfying Joint and individual Service requirements. It will enable agile development, integration, and ability to rapidly adjust to evolving operational requirements.

The initial releases of the modernized architecture, EWPMT-X, will be piloted and demonstrated over the next year to gain EW operator feedback. If the pilot effort proves successful, EWPMT-X will replace the current version of EWPMT in Fiscal Year 2026, ushering in a new era of Joint electronic warfare and spectrum management capabilities.

The U.S. Army program office is assessing future contract efforts based on operational and support requirements. Updates on future contract opportunities will be released via SAM.gov and PEO IEW&S – hosted Acquisition Lead Time (ALT) Industry events.

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