Milipol 2015: Unmanned Vehicles for Homeland Security
A collection of photos taken at Milipol 2015 depicting new unmanned systems, payloads and robotics spotted by Defense Update team at the event. All photos: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update
Thales’ SpyRanger lightweight drone. SpyRanger was designed by a team of experts from Aviation Design, a French SME specialized in aerospace and Thales. SpyRanger has an operating range from 15 to 30 km, and its mission endurance is 2.5 hours.SpyRanger can carry a small, lightweight gyrostabilized payload comprising thermal and TV cameras, also made by Thales.Thales is providing Fly-n-Sense’s SECUR micro-drone as part of its citizen security solutions.BlueBird’s new Thunderbee fixed-wing drone, has demonstrated the capability to remain airborne over 20 hours.At Milipol 2015 the Thunderbee was displayed with a standard configuration comprising a nose-mounted multi-sensor payload (T-STAMP from Controp).This ‘Guardian Angel’ mini quadcopter developed b SKK can be launched and retrieved from the operator’s hand. It has a mission endurance of 30 minutes and a fixed payload of two cameras – one daylight and the other IR.Malou Tech displayed its drone snatcher net, enabling this hexarotor drone to catch smaller drones with a net dropped from the drone, retrieving intruders safely to the ground without using risky kinetic interception methods that can cause damage or impose additional risk on the ground.The DJ-120-4B Drone Fighter ‘EW gun’ from CPM is another ‘soft kill’ countermeasures against drones.Cyclone riot control drone system from Ispra provides police forces with the capability to disperse less lethal munitions from drones, allowing maximum accuracy, real time control of riot situations and minimum injuries to civilians while maintaining distance between police forces and rioters. The kit weighs 1.5-2 kg (depending on load) and contains 12 submunitions of 38mm diameter.Aero Surveillance displayed this ASV-150 miniature helicopter fitted with two MPL-30 tear gas dispensers developed by Alsetex of the Lacroix group. Key applications are law enforcement, crowd and riot situation control, avalanche triggering and meteorological conditioning.Aero Cougar from Alsetex is an airborne dispersing system for riot-control munitions, compatible with small or medium size platforms (25-150 kg). Each unit carries 9 munitions, each of 56mm diameter. The total weight of the system is 14.8 kg (per unit). The dispensers can deploy various munitions including tear gas, illumination, hygroscopic torches, obscurant smokes, explosives etc.Woodpecker Light from Netline is a communications jamming module embedded in an EO payload sitting mini-UAVs. The system can jam communications signals over 20MHZ-6GHZ bands. An optional reception module enables the system to act in reactive jamming mode.EZ-K9 counter-IED payload for EOD/C-IED robots enables operators to detect concealed IEDs. The system is seen here on the MTGR robot from Roboteam. The IED detection is based on a microwave effector that enables non-line-of-sight detection and localization from a standoff distance. The Detection System can be mounted on a variety of Man Transportable Robotic Systems. In the background, a man-portable, hand-held EZ-K9 configuration is visible, used for For dismounted operations.The IRIS miniature man portable robot was displayed at Eurosatory in this Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) variant, carrying an EOD disruptor.RAFAEL’s Rambot is also based on Roboteam’s IRIS. The Rambot employs a grenade size fragmentation charge mounted on the robot. The robot is safely controlled from a distance, through the robotic operation system. Once reaching the target and verifying it, the unit is armed, triggering the fragmentation charge. If the target is not located or cannot be engaged satisfactorily, the Rambot can be retrieved and disarmed.Two configurations of TeleMax EOD robot on display at Eurosatory – the wheeled and tracked variants.
Founded in the late 1980s, Controp has evolved from a boutique electro-optical house to a global provider of integrated EO/IR solutions. Leveraging advanced optics, sophisticated stabilization, and AI-driven analytics, the company’s “Defining Clarity” ethos shapes a new era of defense capabilities, offering enhanced situational awareness for air, land, and maritime operations.
Vietnam Defence 2024 showcased the country’s military modernization, defense industry growth, and shift from Russian arms dependency. With key exhibitors from the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Asia, the event highlighted naval defense, air force upgrades, UAVs, and cyber warfare. Israel featured SPYDER air defense and Heron UAVs, while Russia, China, and Iran promoted missile and drone technologies. The exhibition reinforced Vietnam’s commitment to self-reliance, strategic autonomy, and regional security, positioning it as a rising defense player in Southeast Asia.
The British Armed Forces have successfully tested a revolutionary Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) capable of neutralizing drone swarms at a fraction of conventional defense costs. The system, developed by a UK-based consortium led by Thales, can disable multiple unmanned aerial systems for as little as 10 pence per engagement.
XTEND, an AI-driven drone technology expert, has been awarded an $8.8 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to supply VR-operated Precision Strike Indoor & Outdoor (PSIO) small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), a first DoD-approved loitering munition platform for both indoor and outdoor operations. With cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), these tactical drones deliver real-time, high-precision strikes, redefining smart munitions in modern warfare.
Greece is actively modernizing its military capabilities with two significant procurements. Firstly, the Government Council for Foreign and Defense Affairs, known as KYSEA, has approved the purchase of approximately 590 U.S.-made Switchblade loitering munitions,...
