Janes 360: Rheinmetall demonstrates Skyranger counter-UAV capabilities
Rheinmetall demonstrated its Skyranger system’s capabilities to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at its Ochsenboden firing range in Switzerland on 18–19 September. The system, consisting of a Boxer 8×8 vehicle with an Mk4 turret equipped with a 35 mm Oerlikon Revolver Gun and an electro-optical (EO) tracking sensor, shot down a jet UAV by firing a 24-round burst of advanced hit efficiency and destruction (AHEAD) air burst munition on 18 September and another UAV of the same type with only three rounds on 19 September.
sUAS News: U.S. Regulator Approves $3.2m order for 70 DroneGuns
On 14 June 2018, DroneShield Ltd (ASX:DRO) (“DroneShield” or the “Company”) advised the market that it had received a $3,200,000 order for 70 DroneGunsTM for use by a Middle Eastern Ministry of Defence. The announcement stated that the Company’s ability to fulfil the order was subject to approval by the relevant U.S. regulator and that there were no guarantees that the approval for that particular order would be granted. The Company is pleased to advise that the relevant U.S. government approval has now been granted.
sUAS News: Defending Against Drone Swarms with DroneTracker 3.5
Dedrone is excited to release DroneTracker 3.5, the drone detection industry’s response to understanding airspace activity and ensuring that protected sites are aware of all drone activity overhead, whether it be a single or orchestrated drone incursion.
UAS Vision: OpenWorks Partners with Liteye Systems for North America
OpenWorks Engineering Ltd and Liteye Systems Inc., have formed an exclusive partnership to support military, law enforcement and security authorities with their counter-UAS missions; The two companies are joining forces to offer an integrated low-collateral-damage C-UAS defeat layer to Liteye’s already successful counter unmanned systems offerings.
C4ISRNET: Dedicated drone tracker can now detect swarming robots
For every military innovation, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Tanks are met with anti-tank missiles, planes are met with anti-air missiles, uncrewed aerial vehicles are met with dedicated counter-UAS lasers. But drones, specifically smaller, cheaper drones, guided by swarming AI, can scale like software, overwhelming traditional defenses that match one-to-one countermeasures to airframes. Dedrone, a drone detection company, hopes to start changing that exchange in favor of the defense, with the announcement of new drone detection software that can track swarms.
Bloomberg Government: Government Would Gain Power to Shoot Down Drones in FAA Bill
Drones that are deemed a threat could be tracked and taken down by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice under legislation unveiled Sept. 22. The provision was included as part of a larger bill (H.R. 302) to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. The House is slated to vote on the measure as early as Wednesday, with a Senate vote expected next week as well as lawmakers seek to have the FAA bill enacted before the current authorization expires Sept. 30.
NPR Illinois: Under New State Law, Cities Can’t Regulate Drones
Drone enthusiasts, be aware – the rules for the small, unmanned aircrafts could be changing in Illinois. A new law bars cities from regulating the use of drones. The law excludes the city of Chicago, but a spokesman with the Illinois Department of Transportation says it will create consistent rules around the rest of the state.
sUAS News: University of Dayton Research Institute – Risk in the Sky?
Tests performed at the University of Dayton Research Institute show that bigger may not always be better in contests between manned aircraft and UAVs. When a large military helicopter collided midair with a small quadcopter last year, the helicopter sustained only minor damage and returned safely home; the drone was destroyed. But tests performed at the University of Dayton Research Institute show that bigger may not always be better in contests between manned aircraft and even small UAVs.
sUAS News: AT&T and Dedrone Team Up on IoT Solution to Protect Against Malicious Drones
AT&T and Dedrone, a San Francisco-based drone detection technology startup, are teaming up on a drone detection solution that helps protect military bases, venues, cities, and businesses, from malicious drones.
DoD: Army Air Defenders participate in Black Dart 2018
Soldiers of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participate in Black Dart 18 to hone and develop their tactical technical procedures to keep pace with the rapidly evolving small, unmanned aircraft systems threats (UAS). Black Dart 2018, which began Sept. 5, and concluded Sept. 21, is an annual Department of Defense field demonstration of current and emergent counter-UAS technologies. The event is coordinated and overseen by the Joint Staff J8; Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization. The training event brings industry personnel, observers from allied nations and military participants from across the Department of Defense.
CBS News: U.S. powerless to fight drone attacks, top official says
The Department of Homeland Security is pressing Congress for more powers to stop malicious drones that could threaten the United States. Intelligence officials are increasingly concerned about the use of drones by terrorists and drug cartels. CBS News correspondent Jeff Pegues got rare access to some drones in action at a Customs and Border Protection facility in Tucson, Arizona.