The TARPS system was displayed at the AUSA 2009 exhibition installed on the JLTV model developed by the GTV team. Photo: Defense Update
The TARPS system has been modified through its developmental process, becoming more robust and adaptable to different types of light and medium protected vehicles. (Photo: Defense Update).
Textron Defense Systems’ Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) Airbag Protection System, (TRAPS), has recently completed the first phase of testing at the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) in Socorro, New Mexico. During these tests the system defeated live RPGs fired at different angles and from both short and long ranges. Phase II testing followed in late fall of 2009. The third, system level test series was completed in March 2010, where TRAPS demonstrated its effectiveness against different types of RPGs and over a much larger range than in prior phases. These tests validated the hardware modifications introduced to the system, based on the Army Fuze Safety Review Board’s recommendations. All three phases of testing utilized a TRAPS architecture design for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, vehicle.
The TARPS system was displayed at the AUSA 2009 exhibition installed on the JLTV model developed by the GTV team. Photo: Defense Update
TARPS is designed for use for the protection of light and medium protected vehicles. The system employs a sensor detection technology combined with airbags and non-lethal countermeasures to defeat threats.“Goals for this round of testing included recording extensive system data, as well as evaluating its baseline operational performance,” says Chief Technology Officer Tom McNamara of Textron Systems Corporation.
TARPS was created as the ‘inflating airbag system’ (IAB) developed by a company named IST, which developed a prototype that combined an inexpensive radar sensor and airbag systems which are inflated before the RPG hits the protected vehicle. The airbag disrupts the shaped charge fuse, as the projectile collapses upon itself, jamming the time-out fuse, thus defusing the shaped charge before it hits the vehicle’s skin. During the initial tests, the system was installed on up-armored Humvees doors, and demonstrated effective protection of the crew compartment. IABS was also effective in protecting the transparent armor (windows) which were broken, but were not penetrated by the RPG.
Two images depicting the RPG impacting the airbag, resulting in crushing the fuze and dsrupting the warhead to minimize the lethal effect of its shaped charge warhead. Photo: IST
Czech Mi-171 taking part in the Gap Tallard multinational helicopter exercise sponsored by the European Defense Agency, March 2009. Photo by Alexander Drevet
Afghan M-8 HIP helicopters
NATO intends to establish a multi-national helicopter unit, to assist the smaller members of the alliance, primarily Eastern European countries that do not have the resources to sustain helicopter units to support of their own forces. The unit will be supported by nine NATO alliance countries. Created in February 2009 and led by the Czech Republic, the HIP Helicopter Task Force is responsible for the development of a multi-national transport helicopter program for NATO. The multi-national unit will deploy transport helicopters in-theatre through the collective support of other Allies. Czech Republic and Hungary, who already operate HIP type transport helicopters such as Russian made MI 8, MI 17 and MI 171, would benefit from the program, when required to set up a multi-national deployable operation.
The new initiative was endorsed in the recent NATO meeting in Bratislava by the Czech Republic, Albania, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia Spain, Turkey and the UK. The declaration provides the mandate to start mitigating critical utility helicopter shortfalls, particularly in the conduct of ISAF operations in Afghanistan. The assistance to be provided by the unit will support operational pre-deployment training; command and control capabilities; base support or financial aid. A parallel NATO program addresses other helicopter shortfalls with the UK-French Multinational Helicopter Initiative (MHI), providing multi-national resources to finance helicopter deployment-related activities.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), U.S. Navy and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) performed the third successful missile intercept with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). It was the third and final test in a the vessel’s qualification, verifying the capabilities of Japan’s newest destroyer, JS MYOKO (DDG-175), recently upgraded with the Aegis BMD missile engagement capability.
Before returning to Japan, JS MYOKO will be loaded with additional SM-3 Block IA missiles. The ship will arrive in Japan ready to provide additional ballistic missile defense capability against the increasing ballistic missile threat present in that region.
DDG-175 JS Myoko AEGIS missile destroyer sails along the US Navy SS CVN-76 Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier on a naval exercise in the Pilippines, 2007. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call
In this test, the Japanese navy Ship was cruising off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii, intercepted a ballistic missile target launched from the island. The Japanese crew detected the missile, developed an intercept plan and was ready to fire an SM-3 Block 1A missile about four minutes after the target was launched.
Approximately three minutes later the interceptor hit the target at an altitude of approximately 100 miles above the ocean.
Raytheon introduced at AUSA 2009 a new enhancement of the MLRS family, based on the Hammer ground-launched multi-role loitering missile. The Hammer was designed as a low-cost, land based loitering weapon system, based on the Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) family, extending the Army’s electronic attack and Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD) capability.
Powered by a TJ-150 turbojet engine Hammer sustains flight duration of 60 minutes at 30,000 ft. at a cruising speed of 0.6 mach. The missile can cover a range of 200-500 km guided by on-board GPS/INS navigation unit. Flying an autonomous mission along a pre-programmed path, the missile can loiter near the target, receive and acknowledge target updated in flight, through a two-way communications link. The missile is controlled via the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Net-Enabled Command Capability (NECC) through a two-way communications link, which also supports pre-launch mission planning. The Hammer can be loaded with several warheads, containing an electronic attack unit to suppress enemy air defense missiles and radars and a semi-active laser seeker, performing long-range precision strike with unique re-attack capability. A unitary warhead and a tri-modal active seeker complement the Hammer effects, with the tri-modal seeker enabling operation under all weather conditions and engagement of moving targets. The missile uses existing MLRS/HIMARS launchers, each loading one (HIMARS) or two (M270) six-pack containers.
BAE Systems has completed a real-time mobile tests of new wireless military radio technology designed to transfer critical communications without interruption under combat and emergency conditions. Developed as part of the DARPA Interface Multiple Access (DIMA) program, these new digital wireless radios will be able to overcome interference typically encountered with digital communications, ensuring increased network capacity and uninterrupted performance in highly congested mobile networks.
BAE Systems has completed a real-time mobile tests of new wireless military radio technology designed to transfer critical communications without interruption during battle.
The test was part of a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Interface Multiple Access, or DIMA, a $15.5 million program developing wireless radios that can untangle interfering digital communications signals. The development aims to increase network capacity and performance in highly congested mobile networks.
Unlike current networks that share frequency or time slots between different users, The new radios will allow multiple transmissions to occur simultaneously on one frequency and can support up to five simultaneous conversations over each frequency slot, even in the presence of severe interference. “DIMA buys back the capacity loss caused by those limitations with technology that separates multiple, interfering digital signals.” says Dr. Brian Pierce of DARPA.
Known as multi-user detection, BAE Systems’ real-time technology enables users to communicate simultaneously on the same channel without centralized control or infrastructure. Recent experiments validated the technology in a mobile, ad-hoc network environment and demonstrated the vehicle-mounted DIMA radio’s ability to receive up to five simultaneous transmissions from different users while traveling at 15 mph. According to Joshua Niedzwiecki, manager of BAE Systems’ communications and signal exploitation research group, the system will be further improved and tested at higher speeds, “By next March, we expect to operate at speeds greater than 30 mph in highly interfering scenarios, and may even operate as high as 60 mph,” he said.
Thales is offering a tactical internet called DI@NE. The network comprises an internetworking system of systems, including interfaces to PR4G tactical radios and long-range HF radios, which are interconnected into the network via T@CNODE gateways, which convert standard CNR radios into secure voice/data networks utilizing VoiP capabilities. T@CNODE supports messaging, file transfer and data distribution services optimized for the limited bandwidth available with current tactical VHF networks.
For the shorter range, and intra-Command Post (CP) applications, Secured WiFi links operated over reserved military frequencies are used while vehicular local networks support interconnection between several workstations and resources at each mobile or stationary CP. To access the network, users at CPs are utilizing the SOTAS M2 featuring IP LAN, intercom, telephone and voice/data radio integration.
Typical applications sharing the new military internet are BMS and logistics support systems. The network’s backbone consist of a system of high capacity 34 Mbps TRC4000 microwave radio relays, managed centrally from a central DI@NE communication canter, via NMS2000 network management system.
Raytheon has received two contracts worth in excess of $100 million from RAFAEL for the design and development of the Stunner missile and associated firing unit, as part of the ‘David’s Sling’ Weapon System (DSWS). RAFAEL is the prime contractor for the DSWS development, a joint program between the Missile Defense Agency and the Israel Missile Defense Organization. The system will defeat short-range ballistic missiles, large-caliber rockets and cruise missiles in their terminal phase of flight. Employable in a variety of engagement scenarios that combine ground-, sea- and air-based sensors, Stunner offers substantial operational and deployment flexibility.
The interceptor missile is an advanced hit-to-kill interceptor designed for insertion into the DSWS and allied integrated air and missile defense systems. The missile will be stored in and launched from the missile firing unit (MFU), vertical launcher. ”
Rafael and Raytheon are responding to the worldwide demand for affordable missile defense by co-developing a next-generation hit-to-kill interceptor,” said David Stemer, Rafael’s Missile Division general manager. “The Stunner interceptor redefines the performance-cost value equation for terminal missile defense and provides all-weather hit-to-kill performance at a tactical missile price.”
The two companies are planning to offer the Stunner and MFU as stand-alone elements as well as an enhancement of existing air defense systems, offering extended air and missile defense. “Large-caliber rockets and short-range ballistic missile threats are inexpensive, plentiful, easily concealed and largely exempt from international arms control accords,” said Mike Booen, Raytheon’s vice president of Advanced Security and Directed Energy Systems. “Stunner offers a near-term and affordable solution to this asymmetric threat.”
More than 150 soldiers will be participating in the three-week Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment (AEWE 2010), performing 14 different missions. The experiment will take place in early 2010 at the Army’s Maneuver Battle Lab at Fort Benning, Ga. The experiment will call for the integration of more than 25 technologies from 20 different companies and government agencies, operating on a single integrated backbone network, linking together communication devices, command and control applications and sensor platforms.
Raytheon was selected to provide the network, utilizing its MAINGATE solution as the network backbone, linking together unattended ground sensors, unmanned ground vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems. According to Jerry Powlen, vice president, Raytheon’s Integrated Communications Systems, the network will support the most advanced protocols with simultaneous support of multiple full-motion video channels; robust, detailed situational awareness; command and control; chat; voice nets and call groups; and on-the-move access to web 2.0 applications. The bi-annual AEWE program support the Army’s rapid and long-term development, and support the evolution of relevant doctrine and TTP’s to support the current force while examining future force requirements and formation through simulations and experimentation.
In France, Sagem has been selected as prime contractor for the Phoenix 2010 experimentation program, evaluating improvements and capabilities of the French army’s future combat systems. Similar programs have already been undertaken by the French Army in 2007, 2008. Sagem has partnered with the Land & Joint Systems division of Thales to support the 18 month experimentation program, considered an important milestone in the preparations for “Operation Scorpion”, supporting the French army’s future network centric transformation.
Phoenix 2010 program will kick off in the second half of 2010. Running for a period of 18 months, it will organize and carry out field demonstrations in specific areas, using hardware and software from Sagem and its partners, optimized for these trials. Focusing on regiment, company and platoon levels, the experiments will demonstrate advanced close combat capabilities including tracking friend/foe positions, robust tactical communications, and continuity between mounted and dismounted phases, surveillance and air-land support.
BAE Systems and the UK Ministry of Defense signed at Farnborough2008 a jointly funded, first phase advanced concept technology demonstration (ACTD) program to develop an Unmanned Autonomous System (UAS) that will help shape technology development for the UK’s future UAS capability. The new platform called Mantis will be used to evaluate and test persistent, autonomous Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) as well as unmanned ground attack capabilities.
By October 2009 the Mantis completed the first series of test flights and await sfunding approval to proceed to the next phase.
According to BAE Systems, the twin-engine Mantis platform and associated ground control infrastructure is already underway, with ground testing planned for later this year, leading to first flight by early 2009. The initial phase will be focusing on persistent ISTAR applications, ‘Spiral’ II on multi-sensor applications while weapons capabilities performed in Spiral III.
The aircraft will be able to carry weapons on six under-wing stores. Possible weapons load Include up to six Paveway size guided weapons, or 12 brimstone missiles, in addition to two Electro-optical (EO) payloads and a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). It will be capable of operations extending over 24 hours. Although BAE Systems did not elaborate on specific performance, it is assumed that the Mantis is designed for medium and high altitude operations from 25,000 to 50,000 ft, supporting the warfighter through a range of direct support roles, among them persistent ISR and attack of “short lived” time critical targets.
The powerplant used for the first aircraft is the Rolls Royce RR250B-17 but, according to Kane, final decision on te specific type and maker of the engine to be used in serial aircraft will be made later in Spiral I. current According to BAE Systems, the development will be based on several steps (‘spirals’) which contribute to an accelerated development cycle. “We plan develop the Mantis from a blank page into a flying unmanned aircraft in 15 months” said Mark Kane who leads the Company’s UK UAS activities.
“The rapid development of Mantis will provide indicators of how we can improve the acquisition process to deliver capability swiftly into the changing military environments” said Air Vice Marshal Simon Bollom, Director General Combat Air at the British Ministry of Defense. “We expect to see positive early results before deciding about further investments in a longer term program’ he cautioned.
The current development phase includes an industry team headed by BAE Systems, including Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, Selex Galileo and Meggitt. The Mantis program benefit from earlier investment made by BAE Systems and MOD in unmanned systems, particularly in flight autonomy.
U.S. Army paratroopers prepare to load into a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an air-assault mission to detain a known militant in the Bermel district of Paktika province, Afghanistan, Oct. 13, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Andrya Hill (This photo is not related to the accidents reported above)
Three helicopters crashed today in Afghanistan claimed 14 lives and 25wounded. According to information provided by ISAF the helicopter was supporting a search mission over a suspected compound in the Darabam district in the north western Badghis province, where the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is engaging insurgents conducting narcotics trafficking. In a separate incident two U.S. Marines helicopters were involved in a mid-air collision during a night mission.
Late night on October 26, 2009, a combined team of Afghan and international forces and U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) members was conducting a mission to disrupt arms smuggling and narcotics trafficking in the Darreh-ye Bum Village in the Afghan province’s Qadis district. Finances from these illegal activities provide support for the insurgency. The mission developed into a heavy firefight killing 12 insurgents.
CH-47 Chinook landing and takes off in typical ‘brownout’ conditions in Iraq
On leaving the area, one of the Boeing MH-47 helicopters supporting the operation went down killing ten of the passengers, and wounding 23 Afghan troops, U.S. soldiers and one DEA agent. Among the wounded 14 are Afghans, eight U.S. soldiers and one DEA agent. The Taliban has claimed it shot down a helicopter in northwest, but this has not been verified but U.S. sources claim that Militants did not fire at the helicopter at any point during the departure or crash.
According to information released by the U.S. Defense Department two days later, the cause for the MH-47 crash was a combination of factors caused by very low visibility. According to the Pentagon, the incident occurred about 3:30 a.m. when the helicopter lifted off following a successful operation against militants. Thick dust stirred up from the initial takeoff and overwhelmed the visibility of the helicopter crew (brownout condition). As the crew tried to correct the aircraft’s movement, it struck a tall structure, causing it to crash.
The second incident involved two U.S. Marines helicopters involved in a mid-air collision on a night mission over the southern Helmand province. The accident involved a UH-1 Huey and an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. Four Marine aviators were killed in this accident, and two were wounded.
The Challenge of Combat Flying at Night
The following video depicts some of the difficulties of helicopter combat night flight. Flying over Iraq, the scene is usually well illuminated, enabling pilots equipped with ANVIS night goggles to have effective situational awareness. In the vast empty deserts of Afghanistan, the nights are much darker and NVG provides limited night vision, therefore, aviators usually employ various illumination devices to mark the helicopter’s rotor disc and position.
An MH-53 Pave Low helicopter performs terminal operations during a tactical night mission over the Eglin Air Force Base live fire ranges Aug. 6, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)
A Pacbot 510 deploying the 'Red Owl' multisensor payload on a semi-erected position during a field demo at the AUVSI 2007 event. Defense Update photo.
A Pacbot 510 deploying the 'Red Owl' multisensor payload on a semi-erected position during a field demo at the AUVSI 2007 event. Defense Update photo.
After developing 3D touch controllers for video and computer games, Novint Technologies is moving on to the real world, developing a Remote Touch Kit (RTK) for the PackBot, under contract from the robot manufacturer iRobot.
The RTK will enable the robot operator to feel how hard the PackBot’s “gripper” squeezes an object, safely pick up and handle fragile objects, and feel when the robot’s arm touches a wire or reaches a movement limit. When driving the robot, soldiers will also feel bumps and jerks of the robot, improving performance over rugged terrain.
Applying such sensory feedback is expected to reduced task times and operator burden, enhance situational awareness. The contract was awarded by iRobot, as part of project funded by the Secretary of Defense Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise through the Robotics Technology Consortium (RTC).
In 2007 Novint Technologies and Sandia labs introduced the first controller to make high-fidelity, interactive three-dimensional touch possible and practical for consumer computing applications. Novint develops 3D haptic technology and products that enable people to experience a realistic sense of touch using their computer. Using our 3D haptic interface device, the Novint Falcon, and patented 3D haptic software, computer users may feel 3D objects, feel their shapes and textures, feel the dynamic properties of objects, and feel many other effects. The Novint Falcon gives force feedback through interchangeable handles that a user holds on to.
Two typical payloads carried by the A160T include eight Hellfire / JAGM missiles or the foliage penetrating ground surveillance Forrester radar.
October 25, 2009: Boeing A160T Hummingbird unmanned helicopter successfully completed 20 test flights testing the Foliage Penetration Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar (FORESTER), developed under a DARPA / US Army program.
The tests, conducted at Fort Stewart, Ga., validated the radar-carrying A160T’s flight characteristics with more than 50 hours of flying time. The new radar will be able to detect and track moving vehicles and dismounted troops under foliage, filling a current surveillance gap. Vic Sweberg, director of Unmanned Airborne Systems (UAS) at Boeing considers the recent test a validation of the “operational readiness of this important capability”. He said that the combination of these unique platform and sensor make a formidable system.
The U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (ARDEC) has already received two FORESTER radars and is planning to acquire a third system from Syracuse Research Corporation (SRC), with options for three additional systems. The system’s development began in 2005 under a $35 million DARPA funded program. As the system has been matured through testing and demonstration, the Army plans to move to the third phase, buying three addional systems. These radars will be installed on A160T unmanned systems.
Two typical payloads carried by the A160T include eight Hellfire / JAGM missiles or the foliage penetrating ground surveillance Forrester radar. Photo: Defense-Update
The Foliage Penetrating Radar System was developed under a joint DARPA/Army program that demonstrated how airborne UHF radar is capable of detecting people and vehicles moving under foliage. The radar can operate under all weather and visibility conditions, providing persistent, stand-off coverage of moving vehicles and dismounted troops under foliage. These radars have already been tested in both single and double canopy foliage, operating on Blackhawk helicopter and on an A160 high altitude, long endurance UAV helicopter.
The A160T is a turbine-powered unmanned helicopter that can perform numerous missions, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, communications, and precision resupply. It holds the world record for endurance for its class (more than 18 hours unrefueled), can hover at 20,000 feet and can carry up to 2,500 pounds of cargo. The Hummingbird recently was selected to participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory’s Immediate Cargo Unmanned Aerial System Demonstration Program. Boeing will demonstrate that the A160T can deliver at least 2,500 pounds of cargo from one simulated forward-operating base to another in fewer than six hours per day for three consecutive days.
Lockheed Martin has also developed and tested a FOPEN radar. The latest phase of the program, known as TRACER, is currently being tested on a surrogate UAV platform.
A graphical presentation of an A160T with FORRESTER radar detecting human targets, such as ambush, hidden under dense trees. Photo: DARPA.
Tel Aviv – 22 October 2009: Israel and the United States have launched today, Wednesday October 21, their first day of the three-week Juniper Cobra 10 air defense exercise, being the largest ever joint-military exercises in missile defense, to be held by the two nations. About a thousand U.S. troops, from all four branches of service, will work alongside an equal number of Israel Defense Force personnel, taking part in computer-simulated war games intended to ensure the two countries can jointly respond to a crisis. The two countries have held five such exercises since 2001. The Joint Task Force commander is Rear Admiral John M. Richardson, deputy commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet. The exercise began October 21st and will last through November 3rd, 2009.
Juniper Cobra 2010
17 Sixth Fleet warships, including AEGIS destroyers armed with Standard SM2 missiles and support vessels are participating in the drills, along with 1,000 personnel from the U.S. European Command and about the same number of Israeli military personnel. The Juniper Cobra biannual exercises began in 2001, as the missile defense cooperation between Israel and the U.S. expanded. U.S. Patriot air defense batteries were deployed to Israel for the first time in 1991, to help defend the country from Iraqi missile attacks. These exercises are improving the interoperability and coordination between the two forces and establish close working relations between Israeli and U.S. personnel involved with missile defense.
Brig. General Doron Gavish and Rear Admiral John M. Richardson announce the beginning of Juniper Cobra 10 erercisein Tel Aviv. Photo: Defense-Update.
As Exercise Juniper Cobra unfolds, it is expected to deal with an escalating scenario, challenging the bilateral, integrated missile defense systems with multiple types of simultaneous threats fired from different ranges. These could include coordinated missile barrages launched from Iran and Syria, along with continuous attacks by medium and short range rockets fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon and Hamas from Gaza. Such air defense missions will be performed simultaneously with extensive air operations, characteristic of wartime activity. According to Brig. General Doron Gavish, commander of Israel’s air defense forces, the exercise will focus on active defense (missile interceptors) and will not address other aspects of Israel’s defense posture, such as pre-emptive – offensive or passive defense. During the first phase unfolding this week, the forces will practice field deployments of air defense units. The second week will focus on command-post exercises, as deployed units and command posts on land and at sea will deal with simulated threats . The third and phase will involve live firing of Israeli Patriot missiles.
Among the systems expected to be deployed and tested during the drills are the Arrow-2 System Improvement Program (ASIP), and its associated Advanced Green Pine radar, the U.S. TPY-2 radar already positioned and operating in southern Israel, Israel Air Force Patriot and Hawk missiles systems; Patriot PAC-3 missile-interceptors deployed by U.S. forces from their European based, elements of the new Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system and the naval-deployed AEGIS missile defense systems.
The U.S. forces are conducting regular exercises with international allied nations. Such exercises are planned more than a year in advance and require extensive coordination and preparation. However, joint exercises could also be used to mask strategic movements of forces. Just recently, the U.S. Central Command concluded the bi-annual Bright Star exercise in Egypt, rehearsing a massive parachute airdrop and equipment delivery. A similar exercise in 1990 preceded the coalition liberation of Kuwait, in response to the Iraqi invasion. According to some speculations, the U.S. could leave behind some of its advanced air defense systems deployed for the Juniper Cobra exercise. Such systems could include infrastructure equipment of even complete Patriot PAC-3 systems or elements of the THAAD, to be stored in the U.S. Army prepositioned equipment storages in Israel. However RADM Richardson stated that all U.S. units will be redeployed after the exercise.
In April this year, about 100 Europe-based personnel took part in a missile defense exercise that for the first time incorporated the U.S. owned X-Band TPY-2 radar system, which was deployed to Israel’ AIr Force base at Nevatim in the Negev desert in October 2008. This radar is intended to give Israel early warning in the event of a missile launch from Iran. For the past year, a small unit of U.S. troops and Defense Department contractors have been managing the radar station’s operations on site.
October 20, 2009: IAI has unveiled today a compact unmanned ground robotic vehicle designed to support infantry units in combat. The platform, dubbed REX has a useful payload of 200 kg (450 lb), providing logistical sustainment for an infantry team or squad (3-10 soldiers) over a 72 hours mission. IAI expects the international market for such products will evolve over the next years, developing a demand for tens of thousands of units for military and civilian applications.
The REX 6x6 robotic platform developed by IAI, providing close combat support to dismounted infantry teams. Photo: IAI
REX is designed with a level of sensing, situational awareness, and machine intelligence to apply a level of autonomy allowing the robot to follow a designated soldier at a constant distance. Each of the team members can control the robot without being distracted from the mission at hand. The key to this capability is the unique man-machine command interface patented by IAI. The REX control system is derived from dog training. The robot is trained to follow specific commands such as ‘stop!’, ‘fetch!’ and ‘heel!’ enabling the robot operator to stay focused on the mission while commanding the robot to perform the tasks within the level of autonomy it is assigned for. According to Ofer Glazer, head of innovation at IAI, “Controlling the robot in this way allows for intuitive interaction and rapid integration of the product on the field within a short time frame”.
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® and XTEND have achieved a major milestone in JADC2 by integrating the XOS operating system with the MDCX™ autonomy platform. This technical breakthrough enables a single operator to simultaneously command multiple drone classes, eliminating the friction of mission handoffs. From "marsupial" drone deployments to operating in GPS-denied environments, explore how this collaboration is abbreviating the data-to-decision timeline and redefining autonomous mission execution.
As traditional defense primes face mounting competition from agile “neoprimes” such as Anduril, Palantir and Helsing, the balance of innovation is shifting toward software-defined warfare and scalable, dual-use technologies, while global industry consolidation—marked by Boeing’s integration of Spirit AeroSystems and other strategic mergers—signals an intensified race to secure control over the defense technology value chain. Our Defense-Tech weekly report highlights these trends.
In early October 2025, a coordinated wave of unmanned aerial system (UAS) incursions—widely attributed to Russia—targeted critical infrastructure across at least ten European nations. The unprecedented campaign exposed the fragility of Europe’s air defenses...
Executive Summary
The past week (September 18-25, 2025) represents an inflection point where strategic defense concepts have transitioned from doctrine to tangible reality. An analysis of global events reveals four primary, interconnected trends shaping an...
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, U.S. Air Force and Space Force leaders unveiled major updates on next-generation fighters, bombers, unmanned systems, and space initiatives, highlighting both rapid innovation and critical readiness challenges as the services race to outpace global competitors. A short version is available here, with a more detailed version for subscribers.
The Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) 2025 crystallized around four dominant strategic themes that collectively illustrate Taiwan's comprehensive approach to defense modernization amid escalating regional tensions. Based on a detailed report by Pleronix (available upon request). Includes a Podcast discussion on TADTE 2025's highlighting Taiwan's four strategic themes beyond the post's coverage.
Israel’s Iron Beam 450 high-power laser system has completed final testing, marking a major leap in air defense. Developed by Rafael, it offers precise, cost-effective interception of rockets, UAVs, and mortars, and is set for IDF deployment by 2025.
