UAS | Soldier Systems Daily Soldier Systems Daily

Archive for the ‘UAS’ Category

Schiebel Awarded New RPAS Contract with EMSA

Friday, January 24th, 2025

Vienna, 23 January 2025 – Schiebel has been awarded another multi-year service contract for the CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The contract is for service provision with Remotely Piloted Aircraft Services (RPAS) for supporting EU member states in emission monitoring and maritime surveillance operations.

For the third time in a row, Schiebel has been awarded a tender with EMSA. In 2018, Schiebel signed its first contract to support European coast guards and maritime authorities, followed by a second contract in 2021. The now newly awarded contract spans for up to four years – two fixed years with an option for an additional two years.

Since 2018, the S-100 has conducted over 1780 deployment days for EMSA and operated across Europe, in Croatia, France, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Romania, Lithuania, Iceland, Germany and Belgium. Stationed either on land or on ships, the S-100 performs general night and day maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations and oil spill detection, as well as monitoring of sulphur content of ships’ emissions to ensure compliance with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) limits.

The CAMCOPTER® S-100 can carry multiple payloads with a combined weight of up to 50 kg. Due to its unique and proven nature, and its ability to fly slowly and hover, it is ideally suited for maritime operations.

“We have been supporting European maritime authorities for almost six years now and are extremely proud to continue our success story with EMSA. It proves once again, that the availability and reliability of the S-100 is unrivalled,” said Neil Hunter, Head of Global Sales for Schiebel.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Texas Air National Guard’s 111th Attack Squadron Named RPA Squadron of the Year

Thursday, January 16th, 2025

SAN DIEGO – 15 January 2025 – The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) presented the 2023 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Squadron of the Year Award to the 111thAttack Squadron (ATKS) of the Texas Air National Guard, Joint Base Ellington Field, Texas. The award was presented at a ceremony at Ellington Field’s Lone Star Flight Museum on January 11, 2025. The award is given annually to the Squadron that distinguishes itself through its employment of RPA in meritorious service.

The award was presented by GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue and Lt. Gen. (Ret.) David Deptula of the Mitchell Institute.

The 111th ATKS “Aces” distinguished themselves as the first Air Force MQ-9A unit to achieve full operational capability in the newly fielded Satellite Launch and Recovery system. Additionally, during Exercise Air Defender, they executed the first Satellite Launch and Recovery operation at a civilian European airfield.

“I couldn’t be prouder of all the nominated units for their outstanding performance in 2023,” said Blue. “But the 111th Attack Squadron truly set the bar, achieving a flawless 100 percent execution rate. Their hard work supported eight named operations across three continents, nine operating areas, and six launch and recovery sites. That kind of dedication and precision doesn’t just happen—it’s a testament to their incredible leadership, teamwork and commitment.”

The Aces have paved the way for future RPA operations and demonstrated the ability of highly trained airmen equipped with cutting-edge combat capabilities to defend this great nation.

“It was an intense training ambition, but the 111th led the United States Air Force, under the unit’s own initiative, to be the first squadron to achieve full operational capability with the MQ-9A’s new Satellite Launch and Recovery capability, all while maintaining an exemplary 100 percent sortie execution rate,” said Lt. Col. Nathan Rieber, 111thATKS Commander.

These accomplishments distinctly identify the Aces as the Air Force’s most outstanding RPA squadron.

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Schiebel Camcopter S-300 UAS Selected For Major European Defence Project

Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Vienna, 13 January 2025 – Schiebel, as part of the SEACURE consortium led by Thales, has been awarded a grant agreement under the European Defence Fund’s call for unmanned anti-submarine and seabed warfare solutions.

The SEACURE (Seabed and anti-submarine warfare capability through unmanned feature for Europe) consortium consists of 35 companies from 13 European countries and aims to progress joint Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Seabed Warfare (SBW) with unmanned air, surface and underwater systems protecting critical maritime infrastructure. The focus is on detection, classification, identification and tracking of underwater threats in demanding conditions.

Schiebel’s latest product, the CAMCOPTER® S-300, will serve as the dedicated Unmanned Air System (UAS) for this project. With a maximum take-off weight of 700kg, the S-300 offers an impressive endurance in excess of 24 hours with a camera and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) or typically 6 hours with a 250 kg payload. It is the first operational VTOL in its class to achieve these capabilities. The SEACURE project is scheduled to culminate in a large-scale sea trial by 2028.

“We have been working successfully with Thales on various ASW solutions for the S-100 since our first participation at the NATO exercise REPMUS in 2022. Due to its longer endurance and higher payload capacity, the S-300 opens up a multitude of new possibilities for ASW and SBW. The SEACURE project aligns perfectly with our S-300 development roadmap and we’re proud to be part of such a significant project,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

Posted in Contracts, International, Maritime, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Freedom Atlantic Becomes an Official Reseller and DOD Development Partner for USAS

Monday, January 13th, 2025

Freedom Atlantic is thrilled to announce its partnership as an official reseller and Department of Defense (DoD) development partner for USAS, a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide cutting-edge solutions for modern operational challenges.

Why This Partnership Matters

USAS is at the forefront of UAV innovation, offering advanced systems designed to meet the complex demands of surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical operations. As an authorized reseller and development partner, Freedom Atlantic is uniquely positioned to deliver these state-of-the-art UAV products to clients while contributing to the evolution of next-generation systems tailored for military use.

Advancing DoD Integration Through Strategic Development
A pivotal aspect of this partnership is our role as a DoD development partner. Freedom Atlantic and USAS are working closely to design and refine UAV systems specifically tailored for seamless integration into Department of Defense operations.

This collaborative effort focuses on:

Enhanced System Compatibility: Ensuring UAV technology aligns with existing DoD frameworks and communication protocols.

Custom Payload Solutions: Developing adaptable payload options to address mission-specific needs across diverse operational environments.

Future-Proof Innovations: Anticipating emerging challenges to provide advanced capabilities that support the evolving landscape of military operations.

By combining USAS’s technological expertise with Freedom Atlantic’s operational insights, we aim to deliver solutions that empower warfighters with unmatched efficiency, reliability, and tactical advantage.

What This Means for Our Clients
With this partnership, Freedom Atlantic becomes your go-to source for USAS UAV products and a key contributor to their ongoing development for DoD applications. From high-performance drones capable of operating in the harshest environments to modular payload designs, we offer solutions that redefine what’s possible in unmanned operations.

These systems are designed to enhance situational awareness, streamline operations, and provide critical support where it matters most. Clients can trust that the products we deliver not only meet the highest standards but are also built with direct input from military experts.

Our Mission Continues
At Freedom Atlantic, we are dedicated to empowering our clients with innovative technology that drives success. By incorporating USAS UAV products into our offerings and contributing to DoD-focused development, we are advancing our mission to provide superior tools for real-world challenges. This partnership highlights our commitment to delivering excellence and supporting the evolving needs of our clients.

What’s Next
We’re excited to bring USAS’s UAV solutions to a wider audience. Stay tuned for announcements about product demonstrations, training opportunities, and exclusive promotions. Our team is ready to help you explore how these advanced UAV systems can elevate your operations.

For inquiries or to learn more about the USAS UAV products now available through Freedom Atlantic, contact us at Info@Freedom-Atlantic.com. Together, we are redefining the future of unmanned technology.

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

Exercise Reaper Castillo Pathfinds MQ-9 Capabilities in Austere Environments

Monday, January 13th, 2025

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

An MQ-9 Reaper circles above the Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico, surveying the area below as it prepares to land on a dirt strip. On the ground the 1st Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team (SOMST) secures the landing zone, ready to refuel and rearm the aircraft.

More than 1,100 miles away, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, an MQ-9 pilot and sensor operator control the remotely piloted aircraft from a ground control station.

The 65th Special Operations Squadron hosted Exercise Reaper Castillo Nov. 4 to Dec. 18, 2024 to sharpen mission-essential tasks and develop MQ-9 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities. The goal: create a lighter, leaner and more agile force.

The exercise validated the MQ-9’s ability to conduct key operations in austere environments, including dirt-strip landings, refueling, rearming and rapid relaunch.

“In the future fight, we assess we will no longer be able to rely exclusively on the main operating bases that have persisted,” said the 1st SOMST flight commander. “Operating in austere environments anytime, anyplace and anywhere is critical. It enables commanders to have options – something critically needed in special operations forces.”

Typically, the MQ-9 requires a paved runway with a group of maintainers and extensive support functions. However, during the exercise a light SOMST footprint on an austere dirt airfield provided all necessary functions to support mission execution.

“If special operations MSTs can enable mission generation at the forward edge of the battlefield, it can increase the lethality, range, and overall capability of the aircraft for strategic and tactical national interests,” the flight commander said.

The MQ-9 Reaper is a versatile and precise intelligence, surveillance and strike platform and its adaptability and range of capabilities make it an asset for modern military operations.

These capabilities align with ACE, a strategy focused on enhancing flexibility and resilience by dispersing forces across multiple, often austere, locations. With its ability to operate in remote environments and adapt to rapidly changing mission requirements, the MQ-9 plays a role in supporting ACE’s emphasis on decentralized operations and rapid deployment.

“The MQ-9 is extremely relevant in today’s fight and will be in the future as well,” said a 65th SOS MQ-9 evaluator pilot and exercise mission commander. “It allows us to go places and do things that we cannot risk sending manned aircraft – such as high-threat environments.”

The exercise builds on the hard work of the 65th SOS’s sister squadrons over the past few years and will provide important data and lessons learned for the next squadron to push the concepts even further, said Lt. Col. Kurtis Paul, 65th SOS commander.

“On its surface, Reaper Castillo 24 is an exercise created and executed by the 65th SOS. But in reality, it’s another step in Air Force Special Operations Command’s efforts to push MQ-9 operations beyond conventional means,” Paul added. “It brought together many members from multiple AFSOC wings and it’s humbling to have the Lucky Dicers’ stamp on this iteration – this was truly a win for all of AFSOC remotely piloted aircraft and where we’re headed in the future.”

As the future of Air Force operations adapt to emerging technologies and evolving threats, the forward-thinking approach of these teams is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the MQ-9.

“We have to break out of the mindset that we need a huge, paved runway with co-located launch and recovery aircrews,” the mission commander added. “If we can free ourselves from the traditional mindset, it makes MQ-9 combat reach nearly limitless.”

By Senior Airman Deanna Muir, 1st Special Operations Wing

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, SOF, UAS | No Comments »

U.S. Army Takes Delivery of Textron Systems’ MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde System for Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program

Tuesday, December 24th, 2024

Redstone Arsenal, AL – The U.S. Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (FTUAS) Product Office has officially taken receipt of the Textron Systems’ MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde system, marking a significant milestone in the program’s rapid prototyping effort. This achievement follows a comprehensive two-year development and testing process, which included extensive technical testing, ground and flight acceptance testing, and a joint effort between the vendor and the United States Government (USG).

The delivery of the system, formalized through the DD-250 process, transfers ownership to the USG. The FTUAS team will now proceed with New Equipment Training (NET) to qualify instructors and operators at the Redstone Test Center on the MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde system. This training is expected to be completed by late January 2025.

Upon completion of NET, the FTUAS team will embark on a USG-led developmental testing cycle, which will culminate in the program’s capstone event. This testing effort will occur in parallel with the ongoing efforts to evaluate production proposals for award, anticipated in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025.

The FTUAS program will provide Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) with an organic capability for reconnaissance and surveillance operations, enabling them to collect, develop, and report actionable intelligence. This will allow BCT commanders to maintain dominance during Multi-Domain Operations. The FTUAS system boasts transformational capabilities, including vertical take-off and landing, on-the-move command and control, and Soldier-led, field-level maintenance. Its Modular Open Systems Approach enables rapid capability insertions, ensuring the system keeps pace with evolving technology.

The Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation, located at Redstone Arsenal, AL, is responsible for modernizing the Army Aviation fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft. PEO Aviation’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office is dedicated to rapidly fielding innovative UAS capabilities to Army formations, maintaining the Army’s asymmetric advantage over peer adversaries in large-scale combat operations.

Courtesy Story from Program Executive Office, Aviation

Photos by David Hylton

Posted in Army, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on U.S. Army Takes Delivery of Textron Systems’ MK 4.8 HQ Aerosonde System for Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Program

DroneShield at the Forefront of Counterdrone Expertise in Response to Rising Threats

Saturday, December 21st, 2024

Warrenton, Virginia – DroneShield (ASX:DRO), a global leader in counterdrone technologies, continues to lead the charge in addressing the rapidly evolving drone threat. Recent events, including a wave of high-profile drone sightings and growing concerns from law enforcement and public safety agencies, have brought the need for advanced countermeasures into sharp focus. DroneShield’s focused commitment to drone detection and counter-UAS technologies makes the company an invaluable resource for understanding and addressing the complex threats posed by unauthorized drone activity.

Recently, DroneShield has been at the center of a national conversation on the need for legislative reform to address gaps in U.S. drone laws. DroneShield’s leadership has resulted in frequent appearances in national media outlets. DroneShield’s Director of Public Safety, Tom Adams, has shared expert insights on major platforms such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, among others, where he provided commentary on counterdrone technologies, their critical role in providing accurate airspace awareness, and the urgent need for legislative reforms to allow for proper use of the technology to protect and inform the public.

Tom Adams, Director of Public Safety at DroneShield, provides expert commentary amidst the growing concern of drone sightings in the United States.

In a live broadcast with CNN, Tom Adams shared, “the current vulnerability being demonstrated is that current federal laws and regulations really limit the types of tools and technologies that owners and operators of critical infrastructure can deploy, as well as state and local law enforcement.”

The growing threat of unauthorized drones, from criminal activity to national security risks, highlights the need for robust legal frameworks that empower law enforcement agencies to take decisive action. DroneShield is leading calls for legislation that balances public safety and privacy, ensuring that counter-UAS technologies can be deployed effectively while upholding civil liberties.

“Our goal is simple – to provide the tools that allow law enforcement and public safety agencies to operate with confidence in protecting their communities,” said Matt McCrann, CEO of DroneShield USA. “DroneShield is committed to advocating for the responsible and effective use of counterdrone systems, and we look forward to continuing to support productive and informative discussion on the matter.”

As the industry’s foremost specialists in counter-UAS technology, DroneShield offers a suite of solutions focused on Radio Frequency sensing, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Sensor Fusion, Electronic Warfare, and Rapid Prototyping. The company’s products provide comprehensive, scalable protection for both public and private sectors and have been deployed by government agencies around the world.

In addition to its expertise, DroneShield has the rapid deployment capability necessary to meet the evolving needs of its customers. Whether responding to immediate security concerns at major events, critical infrastructure, or defense missions, DroneShield’s products are designed for fast integration, ensuring that operators have the protection they need at a moment’s notice.

As public concern continues to rise over drone-related incidents and reports, DroneShield remains dedicated to being at the forefront of both technological advancements and the ongoing conversation about how best to secure our skies.

Posted in Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Poland To Acquire Three MQ-9B SkyGuardians From GA-ASI

Friday, December 20th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 16 December 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces the sale of three MQ-9B SkyGuardian®Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems to the Polish Ministry of Defence. The MQ-9B is the newest model of RPA produced by GA-ASI, and will serve as the foundational intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform for Poland. The sale to Poland also includes two Certifiable Ground Control Stations (CGCS) and three years of GA-ASI’s SkyGuardian Global Support Solutions.

MQ-9B delivers exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under SATCOM-only control, and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system.

“The purchase of MQ-9B SkyGuardian will deliver persistent multi-domain situational awareness, which is vital to Poland,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “SkyGuardian is a critical security tool and GA-ASI is proud to continue to build on its strong partnership withPoland.”

In 2022, Poland began operating MQ-9A Reapers as part of a lease agreement with GA-ASI. The success of those missions opened the door for the purchase of the MQ-9B aircraft.

The Polish National Defense Ministry said: “In the presence of Deputy Prime MinisterW?adys?aw Kosiniak-Kamysz, a contract was concluded for the supply of MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned reconnaissance systems, which will increase the capabilities of the Polish Armed Forces in the field of ISR.”

First customer deliveries of MQ-9B began in 2022 to the U.K. Royal Air Force. Contracts have also been signed with Belgium, Canada, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has additionally supported various U.S. Navy exercises this year, including Northern Edge, Integrated Battle Problem, and Group Sail.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »