The centerpiece of the JTAC training system is the Joint Terminal Controller Training and Rehearsal System (JTC TRS), providing a high-fidelity, fully immersive, realistic training and rehearsal environment for controllers, establishing real-time and persistent total air-ground virtual training environment for networked air/ground training and mission rehearsals. In the new simulator JTACs will also be able to practice calls for fire training (CFFT) artillery missions. This system will be used to train both JTAC and combat air crews assigned to accomplish complex missions in close proximity to ground forces. The JTC TRS will connect to distributed mission operations networks to enable geographically separated high-fidelity close air support platforms and JTAC and CCT teams to train together.
The prototype JTAC Virtual Trainer Dome, built by Lockheed Martin, uses 19 META VR VRSG channels, 14 of which are for the dome itself. Mersive Technologies’ camera-based auto-calibration software is used for warping and blending the multi-projector display. The projectors for the JTAC dome are provided by Electric Picture Display Systems. The prototype JTAC Virtual Trainer Dome, built by Lockheed Martin, uses 19 VRSG channels, 14 of which are for the dome itself. There are 7 VRSG channels for 360-degrees around the bottom half of the dome, and another 7 channels for the top half of the dome. The remaining VRSG channels are used for various emulated hand-held command and control (C2) devices inside the dome (binoculars, laser range finders, and so on), a sound channel, and a single AAR/stealth channel. The system comes with models of the Mark VII laser ranger finder, M22 binoculars and Ground Laser Target Designator (GLTD) II, built by Minerva Engineering.
Lova Drori, Executive Vice President for Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Rafael is optimistic about expanding its cooperating with local defense and industry establishments in India, following the supply of the first Spyder air defense systems to the Indian Air Force, and the potential for increased sales, addressing the future air requirements of Indian air, land and naval commands. Israeli participation has been dominant in most recent Indian air defense programs.
Following the formal approval of the Spyder procurement order, Rafael has completed the first Spyder-SR unit, comprising six mobile launchers, a command and control system, missile loaders and support elements. Delivery of the second unit is currently underway. The system raised great interest in India and throughout the region, being the first employment of standard air/air weaponry in a multi-role, all-weather, close-in and beyond-visual-range capable air defense system. In the past, similar performance could be achieved with much more complex and dedicated surface-to-air missiles. Rafael is hopeful that the initial Spyder sale to the Air Force will open the door for additional roles in the Indian Defense Forces, particularly, as a planned Quick Reaction SAM (QRSAM) program, the Army’s successor for current forward air defense assets and medium-range missiles.
Following the formal approval of the Spyder procurement order, Rafael has completed the first Spyder-SR unit, comprising six mobile launchers, a command and control system, missile loaders and support elements. Delivery of the second unit is currently underway. The system raised great interest in India and throughout the region, being the first employment of standard air/air weaponry in a multi-role, all-weather, close-in and beyond-visual-range capable air defense system. In the past, similar performance could be achieved with much more complex and dedicated surface-to-air missiles. Rafael is hopeful that the initial Spyder sale to the Air Force will open the door for additional roles in the Indian Defense Forces, particularly, as a planned Quick Reaction SAM (QRSAM) program, the Army’s successor for current forward air defense assets and medium-range missiles.
Since Spyder-SR uses standard air/air missiles (Python 5 and Derby) launched from a ground mobile launcher, fielding the missiles in India opens attractive opportunities for Rafael’s air/air weaponry with other services as well. While Derby is already fielded with the Indian Navy Sea Harriers, and is considered to equip the LCA, Python 5 missiles are considered as part of the Mirage 2000 upgrade and for future upgrades of the Jaguar attack aircraft. Rafael’s missiles are addressing all the Indian mandatory requirements and are considered part of the weapons packages preferred by the Indians submitted by most of the contenders for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA). Rafael missiles are already included in all platforms proposed by western manufacturers, including F-16, F/A-18, and Gripen; integration of its missiles on the Rafale and Typhoon fighters will be performed by Rafael, is selected. Regarding the MiG-35, the Israeli company has some limitations performing the work directly with Russian industries and future integration of its weapons and systems on MiG-35 will be performed in India, if this multi-role fighter is selected for MMRCA.
Lova Drori, Executive Vice President for Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
To strengthen its offering in India, Rafael is expected to establish a private partnership company with a local industry partner in India, to which the Israeli company could transfer know-how and manufacturing technology, specifically related to seekers, and missile production. Rafael is hopeful that such a local entity will establish its market position and also contribute to lowering production costs, thus becoming even more competitive in the world market. According to the Indian magazine Domain-B, Rafael is to form a joint venture company with Bharat Electronics Ltd to manufacture several of the company’s air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon systems. Negotiations about the establishment of the venture have reached “advanced stages”, according to Rafael’s vice-president, marketing Lova Drori.
Rafael is also developing the Barak 8 missile, the principal interceptor of two of India’s newest medium and long-range SAM systems. In 2006 Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has been selected as a prime contractor for the supply of Long Range Surface/Air Missile (LRSAM) systems to the Indian Navy surface vessels, extending the coverage provided by current Barak-1 missiles. By January 2009 the Government approved enhancing it into land-based systems, protecting strategic land facilities, under the Air Force’s MRSAM program. Under this program, IAI and DRDO will be responsible for the complete system, while IAI divisions and Rafael will develop specific subsystems. The team is also considering extending the range of future MRSAM to 150 km, by adding a booster to the current Barak-8 missiles.
BAE Systems is expecting an Indian decision on a follow-on order for 57 additional Hawk trainer jets to be used for the training of Indian Navy and Air Force pilots. This second batch will include 17 aircraft for the Navy and 40 for the Air Force. India had ordered 66 Hawk jets in 2004 for $1.45 billion. 24 of these aircraft were delivered from the UK while the remaining to be locally produced in India by HAL. BAE Systems is also seeking other business opportunities in India, including sales to the Indian Army. The company is competing for the supply of 400 towed howitzers to India and expects further requirements for additional 1,000 – including lightweight howitzers.
Homeland security and naval products are two sectors BAE expect to grow in. To strengthen its local presence, in accordance with the local regulation, BAE Systems plans to jointly produce radars, body armor, command and control systems and naval security equipment. An initial cooperation with Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, India’s biggest sport-utility vehicle maker, has already been launched. According to the local law, the Indian partner will hold the majority 74 per cent stake in the venture. BAE is also considering expanding its partnership with Wipro Ltd, India’s third-biggest software exporter by sales. The companies announced their cooperation plans in November 2007.
At Aero-India 2009 BAE Systems launched the international debut for its newly developed autonomous air vehicle, Mantis. Sofar Mantis appeared only once since being unveiled at last year’s Farnborough airshow. Apart from Mantis, the new autonomous Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) being developed by BAE Systems will include the Herti. The Indians are quite impressed with the opportunity to enter early and learn a lot from a technology demonstration program like the Mantis. Phase one of the program is currently underway with BAE Systems working alongside the UK MoD and industrial parties, including Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ, GE Aviation, SELEX Galileo and Meggitt.
New production Raven (RQ-11B) Small UAVs to be delivered to the US Army will be equipped with Digital DataLinks (DDL) for the first time. In January 2009 the Army placed an order valued $16 million for the production of 50 Raven systems, equipped with the new DDL.
All of AV’s small UAS originally employed a four-channel analog data link, limiting the number of aircraft that could be operated in a given geographical area. “This Digital Data Link enhances the capabilities of our Raven system by increasing the number of communication channels by a factor of four, enabling our customers to use more Raven systems where they need them,” said John Grabowsky, executive vice president and general manager of AV’s UAS segment.
“Our DDL also provides enhanced communications security, and establishes the foundation for a new, highly capable and portable communications network over the battlefield. This marks the transition of an important research and development program into production.” Grabowsky added.
The DDL was designed to conform to the weight, volume and power parameters of the Raven. The Army also plans to retrofit 206 existing Raven systems with the new link. AV plans to develop a smaller version of its DDL that can be incorporated into its smallest production UAS, Wasp.
This artists concept shows a possible future application of Automated Aerial Refueling in which an unmanned, long-range bomber is refueled in flight.. Photo: Boeing Graphic.
The US Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) is developing Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) capability for autonomous aerial vehicles under a $49 million AFRL program. This new capability will enable an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to autonomously rendezvous with a tanker aircraft and refuel.
The program has already demonstrated how a single UAV could safely maneuver among seven refueling positions behind a tanker aircraft, and conduct a breakaway maneuver. Currently entering Phase II, more complex flight tests will include autonomous multiship operations and the actual delivery of fuel to a manned surrogate UAV.
This artists concept shows a possible future application of Automated Aerial Refueling in which an unmanned, long-range bomber is refueled in flight.. Photo: Boeing Graphic.
To demonstrate this capability the team is integrating a network of avionic systems simulating the automatic and autonomous refueling process, utilizing multichannel Precision Global Positioning System (GPS)-based navigation system, an automated flight control system, and AAR-specific command and control system components to accomplish boom and receptacle aerial refueling testing.
Non-GPS, sensor-based navigation measurement systems will also be tested in the program’s ‘spiral 2’ phase, facilitating support for probe and drogue refueling.
The ‘AAR Integrator Team’ led by Boeing includes prime contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, plus aerospace suppliers Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, GE Aviation, Rockwell Collins, and the Sierra Nevada Corp. As team leader, Boeing will be responsible for program execution and product delivery.
The UK’s Future Air to Surface Guided Weapon (FASGW) is being developed as a family of guided weapons comprising of a light and heavy missile systems, improving the Royal Navy’s armaments to equip the future Naval Vertical Lift aviation systems. In the immediate term, FASGW will improve the firepower and effectiveness of the Royal Navy ‘Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft program’ (SCMR), currently consisting of the Sea Lynx carrying the Sea-Skua missile.
MoD considers meeting the broad FASGW requirements with modified versions of existing missile systems, comprising the Lightweight Multi-Role Missile System (LMM) anti-material guided missile rocket developed by Thales UK (designated FASGW-Light). The lighter version will utilize a modified Thales ‘Starstreak’ missile system, to be used primarily against small surface targets such as rubber dinghies or for precision attack of unprotected targets on board surface vessels and on land. For the heavier weapon, MBDA’s Sea-Skua IR missile represents the heavier weapon class, offering longer range and effective anti-ship capability required by FASGW (Heavy). The combination of FASGW Light and Heavy is expected to be capable of defeating the wider threat target set encountered in today’s maritime and littoral theatre of operations.
Lightweight Multi-Role Missile
As part of the CW Assessment Phase the Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) is being designed by Thales UK’s Belfast site, with low cost being one of the key drivers. The missile uses proven laser beam-riding guidance and propulsion system derived from the Starstreak air defense missile. Unlike the Starstreak employing the kinetic energy of the sheer impact as kill mechanism, LMM uses a small explosive charge in the warhead, to engage small targets at sea, on the ground, or in the air – anything from FIAC/FAC, landing craft to wheeled or medium armored tracked vehicles to unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters. The missile is designed for use from very small platforms, including airborne UAVs, and has zero recoil when fired. It was recently demonstrated fired from the Fry UAV system, a derivative of the Herti UAV.
The missile, sealed in its canister, consists of a two-stage motor, warhead and safe arm unit, together with guidance and control equipment. Skid to turn commands to the canards in the nose give extremely accurate guidance of the missile. The blast fragmenting shaped charge warhead, coupled with the proximity fuze, provides the required level of lethality against the target set defined for the weapon. The system will also be offered with a family of warheads to provide maximum effect against the wide target set out to ranges of around 8km. Initially the missile will be offered with laser beam riding guidance but there will also be a semi active laser (SAL) variant.
As part of the FASGW Assessment Phase MBDA is leading the design of a new 100kg modular, infrared-guided weapon based on the Royal Navy’s Sea Skua lightweight anti-ship weapon system capable of sinking or disable Fast Attack Craft. Preliminary work based on the Sea Skua 100kg concept is currently underway. Implementing modular modifications to the current weapon, FASGW (H) is expected to be available from around 2013.
Development of the FASGW (H) could be part of a cooperative development signed by the governments of France and the UK. The French requirements for ANL (Anti-Navire Légère) are similar to the British MoD FASGW (H) category. Furthermore, the two schedules of the programs could be merged quite easily as both services anticipate the weapon to become operational by 2015. France expects to deploy its ANL weapon from its NH90 and Panther helicopters.
Sea Skua entered service with the Royal Navy in the 1970s as a lightweight anti-ship weapon system for fast helicopters such as the Westland Lynx. Combat tested during the 1982 Falklands war and subsequent campaigns in the Persian Gulf.
The target set for the new missile encompasses the Fast Attack Craft (FAC) class from approximately 50 tons up to 500 tons and extends to larger targets such as Corvettes in the 1000 ton class. The extended range capability enables the helicopter to remain safely outside the enemy air defense range, a limit that continues to grow as air defense systems and their proliferation develop. The new missile will weigh about 100kg class and carry a blast fragmenting warhead weighting about 40 kg. FASGW (H) will have the general external dimensions and mass similar to the current Sea Skua, allowing existing ship storage and transportation to require no modification. However, the new weapon will have significant advantages over the current Sea-Skua, capable of operating at a range almost doubled over the current missile. The FASGW will also introduce the capability enabling the operator to select the precise target aim point for optimal terminal effect. The seeker option will allow a target image to be relayed via a data link to the operator. This image, coupled with the two way data link, will enable the operator to make changes to the missile flight right up to the point of impact. This facility allows the operator to decide whether to simply disable the target or destroy and sink.
FASGW (H) will establish the basis for subsequent weapons offering extended range and capabilities, primarily the future air-to-ground missile known as SPEAR 2 (Selected Precision Effects At Range) which is expected to equip British strike fighter force in the next decade.
In a recent test sponsored by the U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, a team lead by Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories (ATL) demonstrated how the flight paths of multiple, small UAVs could be planned, safely separated and dynamically deconflict, with minimal communications and processing resources. The system employed for the demonstration was based on a new version of Lockheed Martin’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Airspace Management System (UAMS) operating as a battalion level aerial vehicles command and control system.
Operating as a battalion echelon system UMAS demonstrated its ability to deconflicts flight paths, utilizing integral sensors supporting “see-and-avoid” functions on board, avoiding obstacles and other aircraft. These utilities were developed as part of the UMAS in the past three years. According to David Van Brackle, ATL’s UAMS project manager, this work will improve safety and mission success for future UAV systems.
Brackle’s team distributed the processing of the airspace management and deconfliction problem through the different aerial vehicles, each operating an ‘intelligent software agent’, linked to the ground based ‘airspace manager’. The system separates deconfliction into three activities: maintaining situational awareness and common, relevant operating picture; detecting conflict; and modifying flights paths. UAMS performs these activities on a centralized server or distributes them to the UAVs for deconfliction. It can also use a combination of both techniques, dynamically shifting among the three performance approaches based on the situation, user-defined policies based on terrain, communications load, server load, and other factors.
UAMS also uses sensor input to detect and react to obstacles, giving the UAV a “see-and-avoid’ capability, allowing the UAV to react quickly while UAMS deconflicts the new path with other UAVs. UAMS works over a range of operational environments, from large rolling terrain to smaller urban airspaces.
For the program, ATL developed the distributed, vehicle-information-management technology, concept of operations, and systems engineering. Teammate SRI provided avoidance-planning algorithms, and teammate SkEyes provided key avoidance sensor capabilities, including forward-looking, conic, laser radar and acoustic sensors.
SkEyes, founded in 2003 by faculty members of Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute, is the prime contractor or subcontractor on several U.S. Army-sponsored robotics projects. The company owns a fleet of several Yamaha RMAX unmanned helicopters used for evaluation of airspace route deconfliction techniques, obstacle and collision avoidance.
The RQ-16A T-Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle propels itself from the ground, beginning a display highlighting some of its abilities at Kandahar Airfield, Jan 14 2011. The T-Hawk can fly up to 50 minutes at a time at an altitude of over 5,000 feet. (Photo: Spc. Jonathan W. Thomas)
Feb. 2009: Honeywell announced receiving a US Navy order for six T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicle systems, destined for the British MoD. In addition to the six T-Hawk MAV units, the MOD will receive training, field support, maintenance and spare parts. The order is an addition to the Navy’s existing T-Hawk contract with Honeywell announced in November 2008 for 90 systems.
The systems will be delivered to the Ministry of Defence in 2009. In November the Navy awarded Honeywell its first production contract for the T-Hawk MAV. The T-Hawk MAV will be used by joint force EOD (Explosive Ordinance Device) units in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other locations.
The circular vehicle, weighing 17 pounds (8kg) and 14 inches (35.5 cm) in diameter, can fly down to inspect hazardous areas for threats without exposing warfighters to enemy fire. The T-Hawk MAV has the ability to take off and land vertically and can fly more than 40 minutes. In addition, the T-Hawk MAV can move at more than 40 knots (75km/h) of airspeed and operates at altitudes of more than 10,000 feet (3,048 m).
The RQ-16A T-Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle propels itself from the ground, beginning a display highlighting some of its abilities at Kandahar Airfield, Jan 14 2011. The T-Hawk can fly up to 50 minutes at a time at an altitude of over 5,000 feet. (Photo: Spc. Jonathan W. Thomas)
GDRS developed the Thor robotic vehicle control system, a scalable battle management system, designed for robotic and unmanned systems. The system enables the small combat unit to operate various unmanned systems as part of their routine activities providing situational understanding, battle management, mission planning and execution. Thor supports four levels of control, including tele-operation of vehicles and payloads, autonomous tactical behaviors incorporating movement, vision, and shooting skills, automatic planning and computerized aids assisting in the rapid execution of time critical tasks. The system also supports collaborative operation, communicating between multiple platforms, sensors and users.
Thor hardware uses standard rugged or military PC terminals, running commercial operating systems such as Microsoft Windows XP, Linux, Pocket OS or Tablet, as well as the Integrated Computing System developed for the FCS program. The application uses a common base code to match all systems and minimize training. Thor crew-station configuration will offer a multi-display console designed for operation ion the move, offering full C4ISR capability, planning and control of on board and remote assets, including unmanned systems, unattended sensors and intelligent munitions. A single panel vehicle mounted version which will include a moving map 2D or 3D display, will be used to command multiple unmanned assets from within the vehicle. The system is also offered in dismounted versions, including a GPS enabled tablet PCs designed for dismounted leaders and medics and a wrist controller, combined with wearable computer and headset, used by the warfighter.
electrically powered, Vertical Take off and Landing (VTOL) Micro-Air Vehicle is in development at Cornerstone Research Group. This vehicle is designed with to offer unique thrust/weight characteristics, utilizing a ducted fan concept where the outer fuselage is made of multi-functional battery structure, using solid-state battery technology and carbon fiber laminate layers combined into a unique structure designed to minimize weight and maximize endurance.
The vehicle has low acoustic signature and is compact and lightweight enough to be carried in a backpack. Its propulsion system uses a pair of coaxial rotors and thrust vectoring system designed specifically for vehicles of this size, enabling the vehicle to withstand gust loads and travel in any direction with no apparent nose or tail, enabling the MAV to stop, hover and change course without rotating the body for maneuverability and camera stability.
This vehicle will be equipped with ‘insect behavior’, to autonomously navigate its surroundings and make logical decisions to avoid obstacles.
A lightweight optic flow sensor is integrated into the vehicle’s obstacle avoidance system, enabling it to rely on vision-based strategies to recognize objects and plan alternative routes, much like insect behavior. This obstacle avoidance system will be integrated into the flight control system, added with GPS/INS navigation, communication and camera-centric control. CRG are developing the vehicle to meet a specific requirement from a classified US military program which will probably support Intelligence, Surveillance ad Reconnaissance as well as precision attack and forcible response by the use optionally lethal versions of the Miniature vehicle.
Weighing less than 40 pounds ( kg) the complete system consists of two air vehicles with support equipment of fuel, batteries, an observer/controller unit, remote video terminal and starter. It can be packed inside or on top of a standard Modular LigtWeight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) system. Each vehicle weighs 17 pounds ( kg) fully fueled. The MAV vehicle has a diameter of 13 inches ( cm).
MAV is designed for 50 minute endurance, and can take off and land in wind speed conditions up to 15 knots and fly a mission under wind speed of up to 20 knots, as well as under rain conditions. Service ceiling is 10,000 ft. The vehicle usually operates at altitudes of 100 to 500 feet above ground level, and can provide forward and down-looking day or night video or still imagery. The vehicle will operate in a variety of weather conditions including rain and moderate winds. The MAV uses a small gasoline powered piston engine, driving a counter-rotating ducted fan system. Although the MAV can be quite noisy at close quarters, it is virtually inaudible (60 dBA) at a distance of 100 meters. Steering is performed by flat deflectors controlled by the automatic pilot, which rotate the cylindrical vehicle to the required direction to point the payload at the target, and develop forward thrust for lateral movement and acceleration.
An alternative propulsion system using a micro-turbine, is under development at Locust USA. The current version is consuming slightly more fuel than the piston engine powering the MAV, but is considerably more powerful. A future version of a reciprocating turbine will improve fuel consumption to improve mission endurance and payload capacity.
MAV carries its sensors and datalink in a pod mounted on one side of the vehicle, counter-balanced by the avionics and control pod on the other side. Payloads include a forward and downward looking EO and IR imaging sensors, capable of detecting and recognizing a man-sized target at 250 meters during daylight (125 m at night). Based on its own position and measuring of payload aiming angles, the payload can also extract the coordinates of the target, at a target location error (TLE) of 20 meter. The interchangeable pod uses modular design, accommodating other sensors according to the mission requirement. The MAV is controlled via tough tablet computer converted into a ground control station with an integrated video recorder storing up to 60 minutes of sensor imagery. Operating modes include autonomous flight via dynamic re-tasking and manual intervention, hover and stare and remote launch modes. The system stores up to 100 waypoints in a flight plan. Up to 10 flight plans can be stored on the ground station.
Miniature Turbine Powerplant for the MAV
Locust USA, producers of a family of miniature turbine engines designed for mini UAVs. The company developed several turbines delivering from 5 to 150 shp,
One of the applications of this micro-turbine offers an alternative propulsion system for the Miniature Aerial Vehicle (MAV) Class I UAV developed by Honeywell. Using a micro-turbine, the current version is consuming slightly more fuel than the piston engine powering the MAV but is considerably more powerful. A future version of a reciprocating turbine will improve fuel consumption to improve mission endurance and payload capacity.
The Visually Integrated Sensor (VIS) introduced by AnthroTronix can be used as a self-contained robotic controller, multi-modal display and sensor alert device for dismounted troops. VIS unit serves as both low level controller and high level tasking device for a number of JAUS compliant vehicles.
In the direct viewing mode the VIS video display will support a daylight zoom camera and night IR camera, laser rangefinder, GPS and inertial measurement unit. In the indirect mode, VIS will display views from a selected remote asset. Head tracking will give the user natural control of the sensor’s line of sight. The device will also support a map mode with full situational awareness and blue force tracking. Another mode will be the enhanced 3D mode, depicting a wireframe overlay of the area, derived from a 3D terrain map or a real-time view in low visibility or occluded positions.
India is inducting the Israeli HAROP loitering weapon. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense Update
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is developing a loitering killer drone that has the capability to hunt illusive ground targets, such as anti-aircraft systems and mobile or concealed ballistic missile launchers. This expendable unmanned aerial vehicles, known as Harop, can be launched over a suspected area without specifically acquiring a specific target. Designed to reach targets at distances over 1,000km away, the UAV loiter over a suspected area for hours, spot target as they are exposed before activation and attack them immediately. IAI is already negotiating potential export sales of the weapon with India and Turkey. The company exposed the system for the first time in India, before the Aero-India 2009 airshow.
Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update
Harop resembles an earlier IAI’s ‘suicide drone’ known as Harpy. The main differences are the outer wing extensions, the longer nose and canard foreplane. Like Harpy, Harop is launched from a vehicle-mounted container. Harop augments the Harpy’s RF seeker with an electro-optical sensor, allowing it to acquire and pursue non emitting targets and moving targets, as well as ‘quit’ targets such as shut-down radars. As a loitering weapon, Harop can also be used against suspected ballistic missile sites, where target missile silos and shelters as they are opened before firing.
India is considering acquiring Harpy 2 (also known as ‘Harop’) killer drones developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, as part of a procurement program valued over $US1 billion. Harop is an evolution of the Harpy killer drone, optimized to operate against enemy radars and surface/air missiles. Harpy was developed in the 1990s and has been successfully exported to countries around the world.
Turkey is also interested in this Lethal Unmanned Aerial System capability and by the end of 2008 the Ministry of Defense was considering enhancing the Harpy radar killer drone capability with the loitering killer drone version of the system.
The Harop has evolved at IAI through a series of international cooperations that have never fully matured. In 1999 IAI discussed a joint prograp Raytheon known as the “Cutlass”, pursuing a ‘Combat Uninhabited Target Locate and Strike System’. Initially displayed in the Paris Air Show in 1999, the system combined the airframe of the Harpy UAV, made by Israel Aircraft Industries, with advanced sensors made by Raytheon Systems, which also manufactures the HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation) missile. Cutlass was adapted for ship-based operations to support US Navy operations over land. It is designed for six hours missions, flying at speed of 100 knots and maximum range of 1,000 km. Unlike the autonomous Harpy, Cutlass also has a direct line-of-sight datalink capability at range up to 150 km. This range can be extended via relays built into each weapon.
In October 2005 Harop dubbed ‘White Hawk’, was presented to the UK Ministry of Defense, by a team lead by MBDA that also included IAI/MBT Division. Although MBDA was eventually selected as one of the finalists for the UK Loitering Munition Capability Demonstration (LMCD) program (which later evolved into the Fire Shadow), White Hawk was not selected for the program, as the MOD insisted on an ‘all British’ team.
Warrior (Aero-Marine) Ltd began flying of the first 4.0 meter span Gull 36 UAV in the English Channel. The Gull’s design utilizes Warrior’s unique ‘stepless’ seaplane hull, enabling the flying boat to handle twice as large waves as equivalent seaplanes.
“Both the hull and configuration contribute to the Gull working effectively in common sea conditions.” said James Labouchere, CEO of Warrior Aero-Marine. “Its wave-piercing ability enables useful taxi speeds for surface operations and the Gull uses wave profiles to its advantage for take-off.” he added that the Gull is the first UAV seaplane that has been conceived and developed for both the coastal and offshore environment. No other published concept that we have seen can even approach the Gull’s combination of performance and seamanship.
New opportunities arise from the Gull combining boat functions and aircraft cruise performance, and switching spontaneously between aerial and surface functions. This combination enables surface work to be achieved at higher speeds than any vessel, and greater effect is won by the use of aerial detection and reconnaissance during transit.
These attributes offer exceptional capabilities for sampling, persistent tracking and observation of surface and subsurface targets. They will also enable fast remote insertion/extraction of small secondary unmanned surface and underwater vessels.
Combined with its use from lake, river and shore, and dirt strips with amphibious gear, the Gull is expected to achieve tasks that currently need multiple vehicle types and complex communications. In doing so, the GullL will enable a robust multi-role solution with a minimum of communications and one-stage data processing, to then transmit usable information and instruction.
To simplify deployment from ships at sea, the Gull could use the sled interface also developed by Warrior. Developed with the support of UK Defence Technology Centre R&D funds, Warrior developed and tested a towed-sled Launch and Recovery System. The SledLARS system can automatically launch and recover a fast-taxiing seaplane UAV (or a USV) from either the beam or stern of a parent vessel. This can be done while under high speed tow and on any point of wind. This removes the need for deck-mounted equipment for either launch or recovery, enables the GULL to be operated from both small and large vessels and allows ships’ other aerial activities to continue simultaneously with little or no interference.
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.
