AFWERX’s Post

The KuRFS radar and Coyote® effector deliver essential detect and defeat capabilities in the defense against unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, also known as drones. That’s why these proven Raytheon capabilities are crucial components of the U.S. Army’s integrated counter-UAS solution. It’s called LIDS: the Low, slow, small, unmanned aircraft Integrated Defeat System. In October 2022, Raytheon was awarded a contract to initially equip two Army divisions with its Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor for 360-degree threat detection and Coyote® for low-cost, highly effective UAS defeat. In 2023, an additional quantity of fixed site and mobile LIDS systems was awarded to further support the Army’s Central Command operations. A third contract followed, intended to equip a third Army division. In LIDS, the Army integrates Raytheon’s KuRFS and Coyote with Northrop Grumman’s Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control system, or FAADC2, and the electronic warfare system made by Syracuse Research Corporation for the integrated LIDS counter-UAS solution. LIDS is deployable as either mobile or fixed, relocatable platforms. The system can provide both stationary support for an installation, asset or site, and a transportable configuration for deployment flexibility. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/dtXUHs2r

A new era has dawned: the Unmanned Systems Forces 🇺🇦 Ukraine became the first country in the world to create a new branch of the armed forces — Unmanned Systems Forces. Its combat operations use air, sea, and ground unmanned and robotic systems. Establishing this branch within the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine highlights the recognition of drones as a powerful next-gen weapon. Now more than ever, there is a growing need for personnel with deep theoretical knowledge and practical skills – both for the state and the TAF Drones team. More: https://lnkd.in/dExa6bF4

𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗤-𝟵𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗔𝗩 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘁 The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is embarking on a significant journey to enhance its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Following their earlier announcement to double the fleet size from four to eight air vehicles, GA-ASI has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap of upgrades set to elevate the capabilities of these formidable assets over the next three years. The enhancements slated for the RNLAF's Reaper fleet are nothing short of groundbreaking. From maritime radars and extended range fuel tanks to electronic support measures (ESM) and even weapons integration, these upgrades represent a quantum leap in the UAV's operational prowess. This strategic move highlights the Netherlands' unwavering commitment to promoting its national defense capabilities and fulfilling its NATO obligations. As Lieutenant Colonel Jan Ruedisueli, the esteemed commander of the RNLAF's 306 Squadron pointed out, these enhancements will enable the Netherlands to deploy its Reapers across an expanding spectrum of mission sets, catering to both national security imperatives and NATO's collective defense requirements. With a focus on supporting NATO's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts, as well as maritime surveillance missions throughout Europe, the RNLAF is poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding regional stability and security. This milestone highlights the pivotal role played by innovative technologies in shaping the future of defense. By harnessing the latest advancements in unmanned aerial systems, the Netherlands is not only enhancing its operational capabilities but also reinforcing its status as a key player in the global defense landscape. Photo by Royal Netherlands Air Force

Turkey’s leading defense electronics company ASELSAN has marked a pivotal milestone by delivering the first ASELFLIR-400 Electro-Optical Reconnaissance, Targeting, and Surveillance System. Tailored specifically for employment on Turkish rotary-wing air platforms and land vehicles, this cutting-edge system signifies a substantial leap in Turkey’s quest to reduce dependency on foreign technologies in the electro-optics sector. The ASELFLIR-400’s deployment on the homegrown T-129 ATAK attack helicopter underscores Turkey’s commitment to enhancing its aerial combat capabilities with advanced indigenous solutions. Designed as a multifunctional sensory apparatus, this sophisticated system boasts enhanced features and a more compact structure in comparison to its predecessor, the ASELFLIR-300T/D. With a range extending up to 20 kilometers, the ASELFLIR-400 incorporates a suite of state-of-the-art components, including a High-Performance Infrared Camera, Full HD Color Daytime Camera, Laser Distance Finder, and cutting-edge image processing capabilities. These features collectively elevate its performance, facilitating precision targeting, comprehensive border and coast guard operations, as well as long-distance detection, diagnosis, and recognition tasks. The successful completion of extensive testing of the ASELFLIR-500 in 2023 served as a testament to Turkey’s technological prowess, particularly in unmanned aerial capabilities. This advanced variant is meticulously crafted to play a pivotal role in National Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) platforms, further cementing Turkey’s foothold in the burgeoning realm of unmanned aerial systems. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/gUbtWxtJ

https://lnkd.in/gTfAqBfw -A great article on AFSOC’s Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E); what it is, why it’s needed, and where it’s headed.  If you’re wondering where AF and SOF efforts in small UAS and associated autonomy are going, take a read.

According to Ryan Robertson, Anchor, Unmanned aircraft are the future of warfare: Weapon of the week, "Unmanned aircraft are the common thread in the way militaries could fight future conflicts. Military leaders are already factoring technology for fully autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft into battle plans. While this weapon of the week is not a part of those plans yet, it soon could be. 'The Vigilant is a tilt-rotor that’s designed from the ground up to take all of the human stuff out and give you as much range as you can out of a system,' Bell Director of Government Relations Rob Freeland said. 'What really helps is when you can launch from an unknown areas and affect a large part of the battlespace from that unknown spot. It keeps the enemy thinking.' Officials from Bell said the Vigilant’s versatility and mobile footprint make it a strong candidate for several missions moving forward. 'If you design something that has a lot of vertical lift capability and you can fold it up up and stuff it into the hanger on a destroyer, you don’t have to remote pilot it,' Freeland said. 'It’s rules based autonomous.' Freeland said the aircraft can help with tasks like surveillance and reconnaissance, precision strikes, aerial escorts and delivering supplies for troops. The Vigilant can travel more than 300 knots per hour and can carry up to 9,000 pounds of equipment at more than 25,000 feet in the air. Several branches of the U.S. military have shown interest in unmanned aircraft like the Vigilant for their versatile capabilities. 'The Navy is very interested in something that can take off vertically from a destroyer and get out to really long ranges that are relevant to them and their warfight,' Freeland said. 'The Marine Corps is really interesting in using this. And once you get the basic aircraft in place, there’s all kinds of stuff you can do with it. You can even do logistics work with. So the idea is a multi-mission aircraft, and we’ve come a long way in that in that design.'" The 247 can play a significant role working in coordination with platforms such as the H-60R & P-8. If the tenants of ASW are ensuring our high value units remain outside the torpedo danger zone and destroying an adversary's hostile submarine as far from friendly units as possible, then the V-247 equipped with an ASW mission system will be essential in any conflict. The operational advantage of significantly increased speed, range, endurance, and the operational flexibility of aircraft like the V-247 is unmatched. Naval Aviation has been operating tiltrotors for decades in the form of the USMC’s MV-22. Now that the Navy is getting a chance to see first-hand what tiltrotor technology can bring to the fight.    Graphic below of a V-247 launching an ASW weapon.

Shield AI, Inc., a defense technology company building the world’s best AI pilot, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets and an industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems (UAS), today announced the successful completion of the first phase of Shield’s AI-piloted flight-testing on-board Kratos platforms as the two companies move toward productizing Shield AI’s pilot for the XQ-58 Valkyrie. Having successfully flown AI pilots on five aircraft — three classes of quadcopters, the MQ-35A V-BAT, and the F-16 in fully autonomous air combat training — Shield AI’s Hivemind AI pilot has now successfully flown on and controlled the Kratos MQM-178 Firejet. These successful flights are a major milestone in the comprehensive integration project as Shield AI and Kratos look to ultimately productize another configuration of the Valkyrie, in this case with Shield AI’s Hivemind AI pilot. #military #defense #defence #militaryleak https://lnkd.in/g2AuTejn

Uncrewed win over manned helicopter programme? The US Army is calling off the development of its much-awaited Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA). The service made the decision despite already spending at least $2 billion and requesting an additional $ 5 billion budget to sustain the program over the next five years. Army leaders told a select group of media that a “change in priorities” was the main reason behind the program’s cancellation. They said the service will opt to invest more in existing rotary aviation platforms and new uncrewed systems, recognizing that the country “could go to war tonight, this weekend.” “We are learning from the battlefield – especially Ukraine – that aerial reconnaissance has fundamentally changed,” Army Chief Gen. Randy George said. “Sensors and weapons mounted on a variety of unmanned systems and in space are more ubiquitous, further reaching and more inexpensive than ever before.” With the army’s recent announcement, the FARA program cancellation is one of the most significant of the last decade, especially as it was once tagged as a top modernization priority. #helicopter #usarmy #unmanned #uncerewed #sensors #drones #uas #uav Pravo Consulting Campaign Catapult

The United States Marine Corps is on a mission to enhance its counter-drone capabilities, and they want it done yesterday! As they rush to roll out new systems, they are determined to stay ahead of near-peer adversaries like Russia and China in the evolving landscape of warfare. Over the past five years, the Marine Corps has made significant progress in improving its counter-drone systems. They have come a long way from relying solely on Stinger missile systems. Now, they are looking to field upgraded systems such as the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and the Medium Range Intercept Capability (MRIC). These systems will provide enhanced capabilities to target cruise missiles and drones. The urgency to acquire, test, and deploy unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has increased as drones continue to pose a significant threat on the battlefield. The Marine Corps is actively training its personnel in counter-drone tactics, and some units have already been equipped with counter-drone systems like the Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System (L-MADIS). The ever-changing character of war, exemplified by conflicts like the one in Ukraine, has highlighted the need for the Marine Corps to adapt quickly. Commercial drones, first-person-view drones, and even cell phone-operated drones are on their radar. The Marine Corps is committed to staying at the forefront of technology to effectively counter these evolving threats. The Marine Corps acknowledges the urgency of acquiring counter-drone capabilities and emphasizes the need for swift action. Their goal is to ensure the safety and security of their personnel and maintain a competitive edge in the face of emerging challenges. #MarineCorps #CounterDrone #MilitaryTechnology #MilitaryProgress #TechnologyAdvancements #UAS #Training #MarineCorps #AdaptiveWarfare #ModernWarfare #SafetyFirst #CompetitiveEdge #MilitaryNews #MarineCorpsNews #Marines #Military #Defense #Technology #Innovation #Security #NationalSecurity #MilitaryReadiness #UnmannedAerialSystems #MilitaryExpo #ModernDayMarine

Airbus Unveils New Wingman Drone at ILA Berlin by Robert Schreiber Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jun 04, 2024 Airbus will showcase its new Wingman concept at the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin. Traditionally, a Wingman is a pilot in another aircraft supporting the flight lead. In the Airbus concept, the Wingman is a drone controlled by a pilot in a combat aircraft, such as the Eurofighter, taking on high-risk missions that would be too dangerous for manned aircraft. The full-scale model, on display from June 5 to 9, highlights capabilities like low observability, advanced sensors, and connectivity. This model will serve as a foundation for future Wingman designs. The Wingman is designed to augment manned combat aircraft with uncrewed platforms that can carry weapons and other effectors. Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, stated, "The German Air Force has expressed a clear need for an unmanned aircraft flying with and supporting missions of its manned fighter jets before the Future Combat Air System will be operational in 2040. Our Wingman concept is the answer. We will further drive and fine-tune this innovation made in Germany so that ultimately we can offer the German Air Force an affordable solution with the performance it needs to maximise the effects and multiply the power of its fighter fleet for the 2030s." The Wingman's tasks include reconnaissance, jamming targets, and engaging targets with precision guided munitions or missiles. Pilots in manned aircraft will control the missions, making final decisions while benefiting from the protection and reduced risk exposure offered by unmanned systems. An additional focus is on increasing combat mass affordably to match the number of opposing forces in conflicts. https://lnkd.in/e69DMcQt