US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
FLIR Systems has entered into a technology collaboration agreement with UAV manufacturer DJI Innovations, FLIR Systems announced on 10 December.
The companies intend to develop a joint product, the Zenmuse XT stabilised camera, featuring FLIR's thermal imaging technology integrated with DJI's Inspire 1 and Matrice aerial platforms.
The Zenmuse XT will combine DJI's Zenmuse stabilised micro-gimbal technology with FLIR's Tau 2 thermal imaging camera core.
Adding thermal imaging to a small UAS platform will bring new capabilities to various commercial applications, including firefighting, search and rescue, wildlife protection, agriculture, and the inspection of bridges, energy infrastructure, and buildings.
Users will be able to view things in complete darkness, see through obscurants such as dust, smoke, and light fog, and measure temperature remotely. Operators will be identify potential problems in buildings, monitor the health of mechanical and electrical equipment remotely, and detect the presence of people or animals.
Andy Teich, president and CEO, FLIR, said: ‘FLIR and DJI today support many of the same commercial applications. FLIR is thrilled to work with DJI to deliver these customers a plug-and-play thermal imaging solution for DJI's established ecosystem of unmanned aircraft and related apps while expanding our collective opportunities in the rapidly-growing commercial UAV market.’
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
Tekever has manufactured the AR3, AR4 and AR5 UAS with all systems sharing common electronics and software architecture, which has enabled the reuse of ground segment elements within the new ARX UAS.
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.