The ongoing wars in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and the Middle East have emphasized drones as a new and rapidly changing tool of warfare. First manifested in the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, were famous for their ability to perform extended reconnaissance and […] The post Countering the UAS Threat first appeared on Defense Update ..read more

Unlike the land campaign in Gaza that involved mostly ground forces on both sides, most activities on other fronts were conducted in the aerial domain, which tasked Israeli air defense forces to spread out their assets, learn to adapt and improve under fire, and engage different threats, the new techniques, and tactics developed by the enemy. This article outlines Israel's current and evolving air and missile defense capabilities in retrospect of the recent events. The post Iron Swords War – Air Defense Challenge first appeared on Defense Update ..read more

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and Lockheed Martin are collaborating to provide Net-Enabled Weapons (NEW) capability for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The addition of NEW capability for SeaGuardian will bolster the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T) capability for the aircraft, enabling the platform to rapidly engage targets based on real-time intelligence collected by its sensors. Such capabilities are already supported by the MQ-9 but were not yet implemented by the MQ-8B SeaGuardian. The post SeaGuardian UAS Assumes ..read more

Recent combat operations have demonstrated the profound influence of unmanned aerial vehicles on recent warfare. This article highlights the new roles and utilization of UAS in ISR, logistics and attack, leveraging hybrid designs of VTOL, fixed wing, ICE and electric propulsion. The post The Evolving Role of Military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) first appeared on Defense Update ..read more

Armored fighting vehicles face other challenges when operating in urban combat. They are exposed to snipers or anti-tank teams operating from elevated positions on rooftops or accessing underground shafts too close for the crew to respond. In these conditions, technology must augment situational awareness, allowing the crew or defensive systems to focus on the most […] The post AFV Situational Awareness in the Urban Battlespace first appeared on Defense Update ..read more

Operating drones low above ground and in complex terrain represents unique challenges, as most drone controls are limited to line of sight and uninterrupted satellite-based navigation. To endure in a GNSS-contested environment and operate indoors or underground, standard drones would not operate in such conditions. The drone platforms specially designed for subterranean or indoor environments require unique networking, sensing, navigation, and controls to enable such operations. Since these missions are complex and the drones are small, they are used in mission-specific roles such as autonomo ..read more

Historically, military forces favored open terrain to avoid the defender’s advantages in urban and complex environments. This article explores the critical importance of advanced situational awareness in urban battlespaces, highlighting several innovations that enable dismounted forces to navigate and respond effectively, ensuring mission success and minimizing collateral damage. The post Dismounted Situational Awareness in the Urban Battlespace first appeared on Defense Update ..read more

BAE Systems’ fourth Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) prototype is being showcased at Eurosatory this week. Configured with a common top plate, also known as the External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP), the prototype showcases the vehicle’s ability to integrate capabilities and equipment packages internationally. The new turret uses Oshkosh / Rafael MCWS turret selected by the US Army for the Stryker. BAE Systems has also introduced Elbit Systems UT30 gun turret, Patria's Nemo mortar turret and Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) for the CUAS variant. The post BAE Sys ..read more

TDW is introducing an improved weapon fitted with an RF datalink, which enables remote control over a longer distance (4 km). The remote control is used to arm or disarm the mine, enabling friendly forces to move along roads that are covered by PARM weapons. The post TDW Expands Counter-mobility Capability with PARM NextGen first appeared on Defense Update ..read more

RENK Group AG unveiled the ATREX transmission system at Eurosatory 2024, designed for main battle tanks. ATREX combines traditional transmission technology with modern innovations to improve fuel efficiency, digitalization, and autonomous driving. Key features include an electro-mechanical steering system, Silent Watch, Silent Manoeuvring, and Sprint Boost for tactical advantages. The post RENK Unveils ATREX Hybrid Transmission System first appeared on Defense Update ..read more