Airborne C4ISR

Four unmanned systems developers from Israel are introducing new versions of Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (STUAS) at Eurosatory, addressing the growing interest in tactical UAS among military forces worldwide.

Some of the new systems introduced today by Israel's defense companies at the 51st Paris Air Show.

EADS Defence & Security (DS) will equip the German Armed Forces’ CH-53GA transport helicopters with the networked logistical and operational support system, enabling an integrated mission of planning and logistical support. A similar capability has already been provided by the company in support of German Tiger attack helicopter and NH-90 medium lift helicopters. The current Eur 10 million order...

Northrop grumman has developed a modern AESA radar for the B-1B Lancer bomber. Based on the company's SABR design, the new radar uses an antenna array three times as large as the F-16s' APG-83, providing large synthetic aperture radar maps, and sensor integration that supports situational awareness for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting.

BIRD Aerosystems will enhance the performance of ASIO SMA already operated by the customer, by upgrading their Mission Management System (MSIS), adding sensor enhancements, and improving connectivity and data sharing within the task force.

The Centaur optionally piloted aircraft (OPA) has flown multiple unmanned flights over the State of New York, operating from Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York during the past month. The flights marked the first time any large-scale, fixed-wing aircraft has flown at either of six FAA-designated unmanned aircraft test sites in the U.S.

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) began the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System to enhance its capabilities to support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). Under the current program, the U.S. Army-funded program includes two aircraft. Flight tests and qualifications will start later this year. 

The Brazilian Air Force is upgrading its E-99 Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft. Saab Defence and security company announced today it has received an order from the Brazilian company Embraer Defense and Security, for the upgrade of the Erieye AEW&C Mission System. The total order amounts to about US$60 million

The British MOD is set to select soon the future Airborne Early Warning (AEW) system to be deployed on the future Royal Navy (RN) Queen Elizabeth II aircraft carriers. Thales UK and Lockheed Martin submitted final offers for the Crowsnest AEW solutions last month, competing for the £500 million ($761 million) contract.

the French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales a contract to adapt ASTAC tactical electronic reconnaissance pods for the Mirage 2000D. The process is due to complete by 2014, when the Mirage F1CR currently operating with the system is expected to phase out of active service.

Boeing is modifying its single-isle flagship - Boeing-737-800 airframe into a fighting machine. The first fuselage was completed by Spirit Aerospace and moved by rail from Wichita, Kansas to Renton, Washington, where the first B-737-800 is transformed into the P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime aircraft (MMA), a future successor of the venerable P-3 Orion. As it enters service in 2013...

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. will release the Recce-U, persistent, unmanned, surveillance and reconnaissance system at the Paris Air Show next week. Recce-U is a self-contained, multi-sensor ISR system for the UAV platform, based on the RecceLite tactical reconnaissance pod for combat aircraft. Recce-U simultaneously collects high-resolution infrared and visual digital images, day and night, within a very wide field...

The Singapore Airshow 2010 is opening today, could signal the rebound in Asian aerospace market, after a difficult year. 800 exhibiting companies from over 40 countries have gathered for the event, among them 62 of the top 100 global aerospace companies. More than 85% of the 2008 exhibitors are back this year although some big names have skipped this...

BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated a passive geo-location capability that enables aircraft to quickly pinpoint the location of enemy emitters positions (radars, communications equipment etc) in crowded radio frequency (RF) environments. The new system can be deployed on any type of military aircraft. The company demonstrated, for the first time, the ability to nearly instantaneously construct a geo-location solution,...