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Archive for the ‘UAS’ Category

Australia Deputy Prime Minister Visits DroneShield Facility

Monday, June 24th, 2024

DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (DroneShield or the Company) is pleased to advise that Hon Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, has visited the new DroneShield Sydney facility in mid June.

DroneShield was included into the Australian Government’s Ukraine aid package in late 2023, contributing its rapidly deployable C-UAS sensors and effectors, and was approximately half of the total package amount at the time ($10m out of the $20m total). Its products are continued to be used on the frontlines in Ukraine to stop Russian drones, as well as a substantive number of other locations globally.  

The Company has moved into the new and substantially enlarged premises earlier this year, with the facility currently hosting approximately 130 staff, including over 100 engineers, as well as operations, business and corporate teams. With a larger own manufacturing floor combined with growing outsourced manufacturing capacity, DroneShield has a current manufacturing capacity of approximately $400m per annum. All of DroneShield’s R&D and manufacturing is done in Australia.

Hon Richard Marles receiving a brief at the DroneShield facility

Hon Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, commented: “DroneShield is an example of an Australian high-tech success story, with world-class cutting edge local R&D and manufacturing, and growing exports around the world, with focus on the US.”

Hon Richard Marles inside the DroneShield anechoic test chamber

Oleg Vornik, DroneShield CEO, commented: “Over the last 10 years, DroneShield has become a global leader in AI-powered C-UAS solutions. Critically in the current geopolitical environment, it is also a significant sovereign manufacturer. We are pleased to have had an opportunity to brief the Deputy Prime Minister on our operations, and look forward continuing to support Australia and its allies with our advanced technologies.”

Hon Richard Marles receiving product brief in the display area from DroneShield CTO Angus Bean

 

Schiebel Opens Facility in France

Friday, June 21st, 2024

Vienna, 20 June 2024 – The Schiebel Group is strengthening its European footprint by establishing Schiebel Aéronaval SAS in Toulon, France.

The CAMCOPTER® S-100 has been in service with the French Ministry of Armed Forces since 2012. In order to more closely support this successful partnership and meet the operational requirements of the Armed Forces in case of major engagements, Schiebel has established a company in France, situated close to its customer, in Toulon. The new Schiebel entity will provide localised support for the French Navy’s fleet of S-100 within the framework of a 5-year contract DMAé (Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique) awarded to Schiebel at the end of 2023.

Schiebel Aéronaval SAS will house a production and repair facility to conduct the assembly and maintenance of the S-100 systems for the French Navy and other customers. The new Schiebel company will also have a training department to train operators and maintenance technicians.

Furthermore and significantly, the entity is intended to become the main European production and payload integration site for the evolving CAMCOPTER® S-300.

Schiebel Aéronaval SAS embeds itself into the French Aerospace industrial network, works closely with other local French companies and is expected to generate many employment opportunities in the Toulon area.

“We are extremely proud to count France, renowned for its emphasis on strategic autonomy, among the CAMCOPTER® S-100 users. Opening a facility in Toulon not only enables us to serve the French Navy better, but also to be closer to our French industrial partners and benefit from the advantages of the region, including direct access to the sea. We are more than excited about the new opportunities this important step will bring“, said Lubos Sramek, CEO of Schiebel Aéronaval SAS.

Rheinmetall and Anduril Industries Join Forces to Develop the Most Sophisticated Military C-sUAS System

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Paris, 19 June 2024 – The Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall and the US company Anduril Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during Eurosatory in Paris, one of the world’s leading trade shows for defence and security. Under this collaboration, Rheinmetall and Anduril will work together to design, develop, and produce new layered Counter small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) air defense systems. The scope of this collaboration is primarily to address European markets first.

These C-sUAS systems will combine Rheinmetall’s command and control system, Skymaster, and high-power guns with Lattice and open, modular and scalable hardware components including Anduril’s Sentry Tower, Wisp sensors and Anvil, its autonomous interceptor. By combining the unique capabilities of both companies, an unmatched layered solution for C-sUAS will be offered. Overall, the MoU aims to bring together the complementary skills of these two leading companies.

Oliver Dürr, CEO of Rheinmetall Air Defence AG: “This cooperation will showcase the most innovative C-sUAS system – combining the strength of Rheinmetall military capabilities and the edge cutting development speed of Anduril. I am absolutely confident that this combination will address the future needs of our clients and that we shall bring the right solution at the right time on the market.”

Greg Kausner, Anduril’s SVP of Global Defence states: “The pace of warfare is accelerating at the speed of technology development. Global defence forces must face a rapidly evolving set of threats from both emerging unmanned systems and legacy manned platforms. Air defence systems require a layered approach that is flexible, adaptable and rapidly deployable. Anduril’s partnership with Rheinmetall will bring an innovative, software-defined and hardware enabled C-sUAS system to our customers to ensure they stay one step ahead of the drone threat.” For more than a century, Rheinmetall has delivered high-power air defence guns and systems globally, providing unmatched firepower. Anduril, a global defense technology company, has developed a growing family of low-cost autonomous weapons systems all powered by its AI-enabled, interoperable Lattice software platform. 

This cooperation will enable both companies to fulfill the strategic ambition to jointly develop and implement a systematic approach covering a wide sensor and effector mix. Ranging from diverse hard kill effectors to non-lethal effectors to gun missiles and state of the art active and passive detection sensors. The system will increase the survivability dramatically and allow new strategic and operational advantages.

Quantum Systems Equips the Romanian Ministry of Defence with Vector systems

Tuesday, June 18th, 2024

Munich, 17.06.2024 – Quantum Systems, the Munich-based manufacturer of dual-use reconnaissance drones that use multi-sensor technology to collect data for government agencies and commercial users, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a significant contract to supply the Romanian Ministry of Defence (MoD) with its advanced Vector unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

The contract, valued at aproximately 18.4 million EUR was finalized on May 14, 2024, and will span over a period of 36 months. This marks a significant step in enhancing the capabilities of the Romanian Armed Forces with state-of-the-art UAS technology. Romtehnica S.A., the purchasing authority, has contracted Quantum Systems to supply these advanced systems to the Romanian Armed Forces, who will utilize them in various operations across the region. 

Meeting the Romanian MoD’s requirements

The decision criteria for the contract were heavily weighted towards quality. Quantum Systems’ Vector UAS was selected based on its superior range, flight autonomy, sensor quality, and robust warranty terms, along with a competitive pricing structure.

The vertical take-off and landing capable drone type Vector provides the Romanian MoD with a market-available tactical reconnaissance system meeting requirements in terms of range, flight time and sensor capability. The Vector enables precise reconnaissance and has a flight duration of up to three hours. The integrated ‘Raptor’ combi-sensor is equipped with an optical and an infrared camera, enabling day and night operations in all climates and under challenging environmental conditions.

LETEL Gains the Aerial Advantage with Drone LiDAR Technology from GeoCue

Monday, June 17th, 2024

See How LETEL Stands Out with Industry-Leading Surveying Services in New Episodes of the Drone Surveying Reality Series Down to Earth.

For Release, June 17, 2024

Buchanan, GA- GeoCue, announces the premiere of the latest episodes of its award-winning drone surveying reality series, Down to Earth. The new episodes highlight LETEL, a leader in civil engineering, drone technology, LiDAR, and construction services, and their innovative use of TrueView LiDAR technology and LP360 software to overcome complex surveying challenges in construction services and land development.

Before starting LETEL, John Downing began his journey in the construction industry digging ditches and getting his boots muddy. Determined to rise above, John embraced cutting-edge technology and invested in drones, a decision that transformed his career and led to the creation of LETEL.

Now, with over 20 years of experience, John has grown LETELinto a powerhouse in the construction and development industry. LETEL offers comprehensive services, from civil engineering to advanced drone technology, LiDAR, and construction solutions. The expert team of surveyors, engineers, LiDAR technicians, and pilots at LETEL can handle any project, big or small.

In these latest episodes of Down to Earth, watch as the LETELteam takes on a challenging 400-acre site with thick vegetation, steep elevation changes, and dense Georgia Pines. See how they use TrueView LiDAR technology to efficiently gather crucial data and quickly calculate volumetrics for their top client, Magnum Construction. All while the team skillfully navigates steep cliffs and steers clear of hazardous construction equipment, demonstrating the remarkable efficiency and precision of TrueView drone LiDAR.

See how the LETEL team leverages their Aerial Advantage on Down to Earth. Watch now!

“Down to Earth” is a documentary-style reality series that shows how real surveyors collect data and turn it into real deliverables, despite challenging conditions, hidden dangers, and inclement weather.

In the first episode, John and the LETEL team tackle a daunting 400-acre North Paulding site in Georgia, with significant elevation changes and dense pine forests. Using advanced TrueView LiDAR technology, they demonstrate how drone surveying can be completed in hours which would take traditional surveyors’ days or even months. Watch as they meticulously plan and execute their mission and coordinate their efforts seamlessly to deliver precise, high-quality data.

“The North Paulding Track presents quite a few challenges,” explained Downing. “There’s a 300-foot elevation change across a 400-acre fully wooded area. Georgia’s dense pine forests can interfere with our signal, making this a complicated job. However, I’m confident we’ll complete it within a day.”

In the second episode, the LETEL team heads to Thompson Ridge to perform a critical dirt quantity check for Magnum Contracting. This episode showcases the incredible efficiency and accuracy of drone LiDAR technology in the construction industry. Despite the challenges posed by heavy machinery and active construction sites, the team gathers essential data swiftly and safely, enabling their clients to stay on top of project requirements and make informed decisions.

“As a customer of LETEL, we quickly realized the importance of their Drone LiDAR data,” said Brad Cox Founder and President Magnum Construction. “It has been a natural fit for our contracting and civil work, significantly enhancing our productivity and efficiency. The TrueView equipment is phenomenal, capturing incredible detail, even down to dozertrack ridges in the topos. Their verification processes give us complete confidence in the accuracy of the data.”

In the third and final episode, dive into the data processing phase with Christopher Bagley and the LETEL team as they transform raw LiDAR data into actionable insights using LP360 software. This episode highlights the meticulous steps taken to ensure accuracy and quality in their final deliverables. From classifying ground layers to creating detailed 3D models, see how the team leverages advanced tools to provide clients with unparalleled precision for new developments, even in heavily forested areas.

“We use LP360 because it’s the best tool available for ensuring accurate, reliable, high-quality data,” said Bagley. “It captures extensive details, including trees and elevation changes, and provides a comprehensive 3D view. The TrueView LiDAR performed flawlessly over the challenging terrain of the North Paulding site, giving us all the necessary data to create our deliverables.”

Rheinmetall and MBDA Sign Agreement to Integrate the Small Anti Drone Missile into the Skyranger 30 and Other Military Platforms

Sunday, June 9th, 2024

To close the existing capability gaps in mobile defence against drones at short range, Rheinmetall Electronics and MBDA Deutschland signed a corresponding Letter of Intent (LOI) at ILA 2024. The companies intend to integrate MBDA’s Small Anti Drone Missile (SADM) into the Skyranger 30 and other Rheinmetall military vehicles. Utilising Enforcer technologies, this new guided missile offers an effective solution against small and medium-sized drones providing a high hit probability at long stand-off distances. For its part, the 30mm cannon on the Skyranger 30 offers highly efficient, mobile defence against airborne threats by combining firepower, intelligent sensor technology and high mobility at shorter ranges. This means that the two weapons complement each other perfectly. 

The Letter of Intent aims at a long-term cooperation for the integration of the missile into the Skyranger 30 and other military vehicles as well as the development, production and integration of a launcher onto various turret systems and Rheinmetall’s digital system architecture. 

On the MBDA stand at ILA, location G3/001, the missile is displayed on the turret of the Skyranger 30 system.

Thomas Gottschild, Managing Director of MBDA Germany: “The current conflicts have clearly shown that drone defence is one of the key challenges for armed forces. In order to provide the best possible solution, we are joining forces and building on our partnership with Rheinmetall and their turret solutions to close capability gaps in drone defence with the help of our Small Anti Drone Missile.”

Timo Haas, Chief Digital Officer von Rheinmetall: “As the prime contractor for the Skyranger 30 system in Germany, the Small Anti-Drone Missile is an ideal and logical addition to the capabilities of Rheinmetall’s systems and vehicles. We are working in advance and are already creating the conditions for the industrial set-up in order to quickly implement the customer’s decisions.”

GA-ASI on Contract to Build and Field First Gray Eagle 25M Unit for Army National Guard

Monday, June 3rd, 2024

SAN DIEGO – 31 May 2024 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces that the Army National Guard (ARNG) has ordered 12 Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) paid for as part of 2023 congressional funding. The funding comes after ARNG leaders, which make up 45 percent of the U.S. Army’s combat divisions, requested GE 25Ms to make ARNG Divisions mirror the active component in being Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) capable, deployable, and better able to team with newly formed Division Artillery Brigades (DIVARTY). They will also be available to support domestic missions, such as homeland defense and disaster response, as needed.

GE 25M is a modernized model of the Gray Eagle designed to meet the U.S. Army’s needs forMDO capability for both active duty and National Guard units. GE 25M is equipped with the new EagleEye multi-mode radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors, and can host a wide range of additional kinetic and non-kinetic payloads. Equipping ARNG Divisions with organic GE 25Ms makes possible the necessary mission planning, targeting, communications, detailed coordination, and realistic training needed to employ the systems successfully in combat. GE 25M will allow ARNG Divisions to have Divisional Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) for the first time.

“The Gray Eagle platform has a proven record of performance with over a million hours of safe operations, including automatic takeoff and landing capability,” said GA-ASI Vice President of DoD Strategic Development Patrick Shortsleeve. “The aircraft excels as an enabler for Fires, Maneuver, Network, and Intelligence operations. It is also an integral part of the Army Aviation team, working closely with manned rotary-wing systems to achieve overmatch against pacing threats.”

GE 25M flew its maiden flight on Dec. 5, 2023, following the award of an undefinitized contract award announced on Dec. 1, 2023, for the Gray Eagle 25M Production Representative Test Aircraft.

GA-ASI Completes Durability Test for HFE 2.0 Engine

Friday, May 31st, 2024

200-HP Heavy Fuel Engine Will Be Used for New Gray Eagle 25M

SAN DIEGO – 29 May 2024 – On May 16, 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) completed durability testing for its new 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine at its El Mirage, California, flight facility. The Heavy Fuel Engine (HFE) 2.0, featuring a new GA-ASI-designed gear box and dual brushless generators from General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS), is designed to bring the engine and all ancillary components to 2,500 hours between scheduled overhauls and greatly increase maintenance-free operational periods.

“Our HFE 2.0 engine is now the best heavy fuel engine in aviation,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. “Hats off to our Internal Research and Development team whose ingenuity and technical sophistication inspired the HFE 2.0 program, allowing us to develop a more reliable and durable engine that also addresses diminishing manufacturing sources for aviation heavy fuel engines and components.”

The final durability test simulated a full 2,500-hour engine life operating the highest flight loads that could ever be seen in the field. The test included conditions simulating 1,250 full power take-offs and climbs to high-cruising altitude, and over 200 hours of cruise in a worst-case generator loading conditions. 

The HFE 2.0 engine is being considered by the U.S. Army to become the fleet replacement for the current 180-horsepower engine used on GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). HFE 2.0 is also the cornerstone of the modernized Gray Eagle 25M (GE 25M) UAS currently being produced under a U.S. Army-funded program to support future Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) UAS missions.

GA-ASI and its affiliate General Atomics Europe partnered with global leaders in high-performance engines — supported by propulsion technology innovator Cosworth — to develop an engine with increased horsepower, durability, and reliability. GA-ASI also brought in GA-EMS to design and build the engine’s dual brushless generators, which will dramatically reduce field maintenance and with the same Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) of the existing brushed generator, will deliver over 50 percent more electrical power for new payloads and mission capabilities.

Final 150-hour qualification testing is scheduled to be completed in September followed by certification from the U.S. Army.