New Mini-Drone Provides ‘Eye in the Sky’ for Small Boats
Elbit Systems introduce today the Skylark C - the first naval member of its electrically powered mini-UAV family. Based on the operational and combat-proven Skylark I-LEX Mini UAS, the naval variant extends the Skylark reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities to the maritime domain.
IAI Reports Three New Sales of Loitering Weapons; The Sales Reflect Growing Interest in LM Category
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced today the signing of three significant contracts valued at over US$100 million, for the supply of Loitering Munitions (LM) systems to several countries in Asia. Orders for HAROP loitering weapons for land-based and naval platforms and for ROTEM miniature 'suicide drones' reflect a growing interest in the LM category.
Russia Confirms Tsirkon Hypersonic Missile Test
On 6 October, the Russian Ministry of Defence successfully tested the Tsirkon hypersonic missile. The tests were carried out from the waters of the White Sea, from the “Admiral Gorshkov” frigate. The test is the latest in a series of qualification tests (state tests) of the hypersonic anti-ship missile developed for the Russian Navy and the first performed from a combat vessel at sea.
Preparing for Operational Service, B-1B Fires LRASM in Salvo
Lockheed Martin successfully launched production-configuration Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) from a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber. to be integrated onboard the U.S. Air Force's B-1B in 2018 and on the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E/F in 2019, LRASM will fulfill the US Navy's Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (OASuW) Increment I requirement.
NATO and the Israeli Navy Train Offshore to Repel Swarm Attacks
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan (D37) and Spanish navy frigate ESPS Victoria (F82) completed a training mission in the East Mediterranean sea, as part of the Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 operating in the Eastern Mediterranean. By the end of May, after a short port visit at Haifa, the two warships joined with the Israeli navy on an exercise that involved the 'Protector' Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) that demonstrated how such unmanned boats can assist large vessels in repelling attacks by swarms of fast boats.
Fire Scout Completes Test Series at Sea, Operating with Manned Helicopters
USS Coronado (LCS 4) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) completed the first comprehensive Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned rotary wing platform on June 29, 2018. Results from this IOT&E will inform decision-makers on how best to integrate the Navy’s newest unmanned helicopter with littoral combat ships (LCS) and other platforms.
