The MegaFly, developed by Para-Flite to meet these requirements was first tested in October 2006, demonstrating the delivery of 25,000 pound (11.3 ton) cargo from an altitude of 25,000 feet. The system uses a 9,000 square foot, fully elliptical, gliding parachute, with a 170 feet span, approximately 20 feet less than the wingspan of a Boeing 747. It can fly autonomously via GPS guidance for distances up to 40 kilometers to a designated point on the ground. The MegaFly is composed of five modular segments which can be separated after the drop to facilitate recovery on the drop zone. In most wind conditions, the Para-Flite JPADS systems can land on a roadway 200 meters long by 40 meters wide. This equates to a 75% reduction in Landing Zone required area when compared to Circular Error Probable (CEP). This type of landing strategy also increases the total number of suitable Landing Zones and decreases recovery time.
Countering the UAS Threat
Tamir Eshel - 0
The ongoing wars in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and the Middle East have emphasized drones as a new and rapidly changing tool of warfare. First manifested in the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the...
Iron Swords War – Air Defense Challenge
Tamir Eshel - 0
Unlike the land campaign in Gaza that involved mostly ground forces on both sides, most activities on other fronts were conducted in the aerial domain, which tasked Israeli air defense forces to spread out their assets, learn to adapt and improve under fire, and engage different threats, the new techniques, and tactics developed by the enemy. This article outlines Israel's current and evolving air and missile defense capabilities in retrospect of the recent events.
SeaGuardian UAS Assumes Net-Enabled Weapons Capability
Tamir Eshel - 0
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and Lockheed Martin are collaborating to provide Net-Enabled Weapons (NEW) capability for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The addition of NEW capability for SeaGuardian will bolster the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T) capability for the aircraft, enabling the platform to rapidly engage targets based on real-time intelligence collected by its sensors. Such capabilities are already supported by the MQ-9 but were not yet implemented by the MQ-8B SeaGuardian.
BAE Systems Showcases the MCWS Turret on AMPV
Tamir Eshel - 0
BAE Systems’ fourth Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) prototype is being showcased at Eurosatory this week. Configured with a common top plate, also known as the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP), the prototype showcases the vehicle’s ability to integrate capabilities and equipment packages internationally. The new turret uses Oshkosh / Rafael MCWS turret selected by the US Army for the Stryker. BAE Systems has also introduced Elbit Systems UT30 gun turret, Patria's Nemo mortar turret and Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) for the CUAS variant.
Kongsberg Teams with MBDA, Diehl to Develop a Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile
Tamir Eshel - 0
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace teams with German partners Diehl Defence and MBDA Deutschland to develop the Tyrfing, an advanced Super-Sonic Strike Missile (3SM). The new missile is expected to replace the Naval Strike Missile...