General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. will deliver two SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft to the Japan Coast Guard in 2025 under a newly awarded contract. SeaGuardian, a variant of GA-ASI’s MQ-9B, is a medium-altitude, long-endurance system that can fly over the horizon via satellite for 24 hours or more, depending on configuration, and uses maritime-specific sensors...
Tag: unmanned systems
Turkey Develops ‘Steel Dome’ to Rival Israeli Air Defense System
Turkey said it now has an artificial intelligence-powered. network-centric air defense system to protect the country from regional threats. The system, dubbed “Steel Dome,” was developed by defense electronics manufacturer Aselsan, Roketsan, Sage and Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corp. under the coordination of the Defense Industry Agency, or SSB. According to an SSB announcement, the...
Canberra Co-Funds Anduril’s Ghost Shark Program to Fast-Track Undersea Drone Development; Pat Conroy Quoted
The Australian government will provide $13 million to co-fund Anduril Australia’s Ghost Shark program, which aims to develop an autonomous vehicle for undersea intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. Anduril is co-investing over $13 million in the program’s early works contract with the Department of Defence. The first manufactured prototype of Ghost Shark was unveiled...
US Extends $500M Package to Aid Philippine Military’s Maritime Modernization; Lloyd Austin Quoted
The United States said a $500 million package under the Foreign Military Financing program is in the works to aid the Philippines in advancing its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for maritime domain awareness. Defense Secretarty Lloyd Austin was in Manila alongside State Secretary Antony Blinken in late July to announce the measure. According to Philippine...
US, SKorea Test Common Unmanned Surface Vessel, Poniard Rockets at RIMPAC Multinational Exercise
The U.S. and South Korean navies performed a live-fire exercise on July 12 as part of the Rim of the Pacific multinational exercise to test the capabilities of a common unmanned surface vessel as a unit escort in high-level unmanned scenarios. The exercise also aimed at validating the capabilities of the Poniard weapon system as...
Italian Navy Modernization Advances With $1.6B Twin Frigate Purchase From Fincantieri-Leonardo Joint Venture
Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture of Fincantieri and Leonardo, has secured a $1.6 billion contract to build two Italian Navy warships through FREMM, a European multipurpose frigate program. According to a Naval News report, the Italian Navy has ramped up its modernization activities over the past 10 years, and Fincantieri is involved in most of...
New UAV to Improve ISR Capabilities at Royal Australian Air Force
Australia has introduced its first MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft system, complementing its existing crewed P-8A Poseidon fleet as it defends its maritime borders. The Royal Australian Air Force unveiled the AUS 1, the first of the four unmanned aerial systems, at a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles. The system provides the...
Thales Receives Precision-Strike Missile Order From UK Defense Ministry; Andy Start Quoted
Thales UK has received a new order of lightweight multirole missiles from the United Kingdom‘s Ministry of Defence. Earlier in the year, the British government placed an order with Thales UK to ensure the supply of vital components in missile manufacturing, part of an effort to ensure the availability of air defense solutions amid the...
UK Royal Navy Achieves Milestones in Autonomous Mine Hunter Technology Tests
The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy has reached milestones in fielding autonomous maritime technologies. In recent trials, engineers from its Mine and Threat Exploitation Group evaluated three platforms’ maneuverability and adaptability to new systems. MTXG’s Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team reached a Degree Three level of autonomy on the uncrewed surface vessel Apollo. In its latest round...
Korean Aerospace Company Becomes Major Shareholder in Ghost Robotics; Gavin Kenneally Quoted
LIG Nex1, a South Korean defense technology company, has acquired a 60 percent control stake in Philadelphia-based Ghost Robotics for $240 million. The acquisition is expected to advance the development and fielding of autonomous robotic platforms, including Ghost Robotics’ Vision 60 ground drone. Ghost Robotics will use LIG Nex1’s defense sector expertise and manufacturing capabilities...