Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
Pointer target acquisition system. (Photo: Asio Technologies)
User feedback and technological advances have already prompted one manufacturer to improve its target acquisition system. But according to some military personnel, combining target acquisition with infantry unit-operated small UAS (sUAS) would make them more helpful to frontline troops in combat operations.
David Harel, CEO of Israeli manufacturer Asio Technologies, described various improvements to the Pointer system. He told Shephard that the mission computer has been upgraded to give the system ‘limitless capabilities’ for communications, data processing and multimedia.
Pointer now includes a 3D model view, enhanced terrain analysis capabilities and augmentation of geolocated map entities for rapid orientation and
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Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
New counter-drone technologies, autonomous launchers and manufacturing modernisation initiatives highlighted emerging opportunities for defence suppliers, while the UK advanced a major military vehicle procurement programme.