Tech

Eight startup companies that graduated today from the first class of Israel's Defense and HLS Accelerator demonstrated that developments of defense systems can sometime be quick and efficient. In only four months, these start up ventures have met significant milestones - proof of concept, prototype development, product design and development and capital funding. The second class has already started...

UVision has introduced an extended-range variant to the Hero family of loitering weapons. The Hero-400EC offers extended range and loitering capability, The new Hero-400EC combines some of the features of smaller Hero family platforms, with a larger fuselage and cruciform wing design which performs better against targets in complex terrain. The new variant replaces the traditional Hero-400 piston engine motor...

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has announced it has enhanced its SPYDER air defense system with a Counter-TBM (tactical ballistic missiles) capability. The enhancement was developed in response to urgent operational requests from several customers. The program will extend the capabilities of the SPYDER's effectors and implement various Counter-TBM derivatives across the system.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) will begin flight testing of an Improved Avenger in October 2016. This enhanced version of the semi-stealthy drone will enhance the Avenger's capabilities on long endurance, intelligence gathering missions carrying the new MS-177 Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), successfully performed the first flight of the Avenger Extended Range (Avenger ER) remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). With wingspan increased to 76 feet and 2,200 pounds of additional fuel, the ER extends the legacy Avenger’s endurance from 15 hours to 20 hours.

By 2018 the US Army expects to field a new command-and-control (C2) system developed to deliver a single, unambiguous view of the battlespace. The Integrated (air and missile defense) Battle Command System (IBCS) developed and built by Northrop Grumman will significantly enhance aircraft and missile tracking, and improve the ability of combatant commanders and air defenders to make critical decisions within seconds.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has formed an industry team to pursue the US Navy MQ-25 Stingray, the future carrier-based aerial refueling drone program. The most surprising member is the Autonomous Systems division of the Boeing Company. Boeing is also pursuing the MQ-25 opportunity with its own MQ-25 platform, developed by its rapid prototyping center - the 'Phantom Works'.

The Marine Corps plans to buy or lease active protection systems (APS) for its M1 Abrams main battle tanks, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for combat development and integration, told members of the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on seapower April 13. that are vulnerable to proliferating anti-tank guided missiles.

BAE Systems is developing a new type of depth charge designed for deployment from UAVs. The weapon consists of a small cylindrical container packing an explosive charge and a triggering mechanism activating the blast at the designated depth. The weapon is in an advanced development phase and has already attracted customer interest, for its ability to enhance counter-diver security in coastal and shallow waters.

Aurora Flight Sciences will integrate the Tactical Autonomous Aerial Logistics System (TALOS) on a UH-1H helicopter for capability demonstration to the US Navy and Marine Corps, flight demonstrations of the unmanned, autonomous Huey are planned in 2017-2018.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense revealed today a major achievement in a high energy laser program undergoing with the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D). Investments in laser technology made by the department have led to the ability to precisely focus laser beams on long-range targets, overcoming atmospheric disturbances.

The Australian company DroneShield announced the first sale of its DroneGun tactical drone jammer to a government in the middle east. As a point-and-shoot weapon, the DroneGun is designed to be effective against a wide variety of drones. By neutralizing drones from a safe distance, DroneGun offers advantages over alternative kinetic solutions such as nets or bullets, as it allows for safe handling of situations such as drones carrying explosives or biological payloads.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Iron Drone today announced that they have entered a collaboration agreement for the integration of Iron Drone's interception capabilities into IAI’s advanced anti-drone system, Drone Guard. The system can deploy several intercepting drones simultaneously, thus addressing multiple threats or swarms. The Iron Drone interceptor uses sensors and Artificial Intelligence (AI) based computer vision to home and locks on the target and homes-in up to the physical contact.

The International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2023 showcased the future of armored vehicle technology, featuring Turkish industry leaders. This article covers many of the innovations on display, from the unveiling of medium-weight tanks Tulpar and Kaplan to anti-drone systems and mobile repair variants. The event also highlighted export successes, including ARMA II 8x8's strong foothold in the UAE and Kazakhstan, underscoring the global impact of these advancements.