C-UAS News
ETH Zurich: Killing Sanctuary: The Coming Era of Small, Smart, Pervasive Lethality
“According to J Noel Williams, lethal miniature aerial munitions (LMAMs) are set to have a revolutionary impact on the future of warfare. Indeed, he contends that this unmanned aircraft system’s ability to allow for precise and rapid strikes from multiple directions means that combatants and non-combatants alike will soon have no sanctuary from detection or attack. So why, asks Williams, has the US been so slow to recognize the potential of this technology?”
From AISC: If you only have time to read one of these newsletter articles, we highly recommend this one.
Engadget: DJI drones are getting an offline mode for secret flights
“Chinese manufacturer DJI is adding a local data mode to its drones. Once enabled, the new feature will stop the company’s apps from collecting user data (such as photos, videos, and flight logs). Although, DJI claims the update is in response to public demand, it’s hard to ignore the security concerns recently raised by the US army. Less than two weeks ago, the military ordered staff to halt use of all DJI hardware and applications, citing “operational risks.””
Washington Post: Drone breach at Michigan prison went undetected for 2 months
“Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman Chris Gautz said video surveillance shows that inmates at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility received two packages dropped by a drone May 29. Prison officials suspect the packages contained cellphones that were found inside the prison in July.”
Flight Global: DARPA and AFRL take laser aim at small UAVs
“The US Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) are ramping up their efforts to thwart small unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), with two recent requests out looking for sensors and lasers to shoot down or disable them.”
The Hill: Armed US drone shot down in Yemen
“An armed U.S. drone was shot down in western Yemen on Sunday, the Pentagon confirmed Monday. The incident involving a MQ-9 Reaper is under investigation, Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Rankine-Galloway said in a statement to The Hill.”
Gizmodo: Video Shows US Drone Shot Down by Houthi Rebels in Yemen
Shepard Media: AUSA 2017: US Army tests MANET counter-UAS solution
“According to Barry McElroy, Senior VP for sales at Rajant Corporation, the company’s solution comprises a swarm of approximately 20 vertical take off/landing UAVs pre-positioned at a forward operating base which can be triggered by a radar identifying RAM and UAS targets.”
CNBC: Watch this DroneHunter stop trespassing drones with radar and a net
“Fortem’s DroneHunter is adapted from a DJI octocopter, the kind typically used to hoist heavy cameras into the sky, and equipped with Fortem’s lightweight radar units and net-shooting cannons. The radars are about the size of a paperback book and require only as much power as it takes to run a single LED lightbulb.”
Janes: JCREW orders climb as demand for C-UAS capability increases
“Northrop Grumman has observed an increasing demand for its Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device (RCIED) Electronic Warfare (JCREW) system as ground forces seek options to defend themselves against the threat posed by small unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).”
UAV Expert News: We Knew It Was Going To Happen – Drone Collides With An Army Helicopter
“The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced yesterday that they have launched a full-on investigation after an incident occurred late last month. The incident occurred just east of Staten Island, New York and involved a civilian drone and an Army UH-60 helicopter.”
Next Big Future: US Senate budgeting $200 million in 2018 to speed laser and microwave weapons
“The $200 million the Senate bill provides could be used to prototype various directed energy weapons at the assistant secretary’s discretion, it highlights several “specific missions in which directed energy could provide solutions to capability gaps,” including fighting off UAVs, rockets, artillery, and mortars.”
Military.com: Marines Deploying Counter-Drone Task Force in Middle East
“Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Central Command, a unit of roughly 2,200 troops that deploys in seven-month rotations to various locations in the Middle East, set up a counter-unmanned aerial systems working group ahead of its most recent deployment.”
Times of India: Three arrested for using UAV near Meenakshi Temple
“The city police arrested three persons including a hotel owner in connection with using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to capture the footage of Meenakshi Amman Temple. They were later released on bail. Investigation with them revealed that they were taking the footage for an advertisement.”
Irish Examiner: Gardaí receive nearly 100 complaints over drones
“Almost 8,000 drones have been registered here and their use has generated nearly 100 complaints to gardaí. So far there has been one successful prosecution under the Small Unmanned Aircraft (Drones) and Rockets Order, which came into force at the end of 2015.”
The Telegraph: European Commission demands EU laws on drones after string of near-misses with aeroplanes
“There were more than 1,200 “safety occurrences” involving drones in Europe last year, including several involving planes, the commission, the EU’s civil service, said.”
The Daily Telegraph: Vic drone driver busted for car damage
“A Melbourne drone driver was unable to fly under the radar of police after his remote device fell from the sky on AFL grand final day, damaging a car.”