Drone wars: countries are looking for answers but do companies have the solutions?
Manufacturers are speeding up their counter-drone development efforts as countries increasingly focus on procurements to provide battlefield and national protection.
Northrop Grumman, in partnership with the US Marine Corps, has completed a successful initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) Blocks 1 and 2, the company announced on 13 May.
The milestone demonstrates the suitability and viability of the system, and indicates that the marine corps is ready to operate and field G/ATOR Blocks 1 and 2 in their current configuration.
The AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR is an advanced, multi-mission active electronically scanned array radar that provides comprehensive real time, 360° situational awareness. The radar system is designed to help soldiers detect and take action against complex, modern threats.
To date, eight production systems have been delivered to the marine corps. In early 2017, Northrop Grumman delivered six low rate initial production systems, and the first Gallium Nitride systems were delivered in July 2018.
Manufacturers are speeding up their counter-drone development efforts as countries increasingly focus on procurements to provide battlefield and national protection.
Finnish company SCATA will use the Texelis Celeris chassis for a new vehicle similar to the Serval 4x4 which Texelis is building with KNDS France for the French Army.
The proposed $920 million deal would provide Sweden with a step up from its existing tube artillery and align the country with other northern European nations that have selected the HIMARS platform.
The attack drone threat from first-person view uncrewed aerial systems has been highlighted by recent conflicts and Thales has adapted its Storm 2 counter-improvised explosive device jammer to provide protection.
The move signals significant progress for the delayed Franco-German Main Ground Combat System programme with first powerpack prototypes set to be tested before the end of the decade.
Reported to provide a high percentage of precision in its engagements, the South Korean air defence system has been receiving growing international interest since it was deployed by the UAE to defeat Iranian missiles.