Zitat:US Army Selects Textron, Griffon to Advance RQ-7B Shadow Replacement Program

The US Army has selected Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems to proceed to the second phase of its RQ-7B Shadow drone replacement program. The two companies edged out AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman, and Sierra Nevada Corporation in the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) Increment 2 competition.

According to the service, Griffon and Textron were chosen after a careful evaluation of proposals focusing on performance, modular open systems approach (MOSA), costs, and associated risks. [...] In the second phase, the army will evaluate weapon system designs, leading to a critical design review and light demonstrations.

Zitat:US troops test aerial drone that relays vital signs of wounded on the ground

A medical drone the Army is testing may one day prove the difference between life and death for American troops in combat. Iowa National Guard soldiers trained with a drone that can scan wounded troops from the sky to get vital signs like heartbeat and breathing rates, Army officials said Wednesday. The drone also sets a geolocation pin to help medics find the wounded. [...]

With the information supplied by the drone, they determined the condition of soldiers and distinguished them from mannequins, who were considered dead for exercise purposes. “If there’s one (soldier) that’s more critical than the others, that’s the one you need to save first, and you can make that decision before you leave cover,” Goff said. [...]

The drone sensor can detect vital signs from 30 to 150 feet away, even through body armor, an Army statement during the August exercise said. The prototype drone system is part of the VISTA project, which has been in the works for four years.

Zitat:TREMBITA MISSILE

Cruise missile or flying bomb - Ukraine [...]

The design of the Trembita missile is grounded in the principles of the V1 flying bombs, which were utilized by Germany during World War II. According to the Ukrainian engineers responsible for its creation, this missile represents a new class of weaponry that can be launched from either a combat vehicle or a ship, using a pneumatic catapult or a solid-fuel booster.

The Trembita missile is designed with the capability to target a variety of land targets, including combat vehicles and air defense systems. This adaptability enhances its value on the battlefield and contributes to its overall effectiveness in combat scenarios. [...]

The Trembita missile is designed to be capable of transporting a warhead weighing 20 kilograms. This warhead can be equipped with one of two different types of explosive charges. One option is a thermobaric charge, which creates a blast wave of extremely high pressure by rapidly releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and light. Alternatively, it can carry a high-explosive charge, which detonates more quickly and with more concentrated energy output. In some cases, a combined high-explosive charge is used, which blends features of both types for a multipurpose effect. [...] It can reach a maximum speed of 400 kilometers per hour. It also boasts a significant cruising range, being capable of covering up to 140 kilometers before needing to refuel.

Zitat:Ukraine’s Air Force Spokesperson, Yuriy Ignat, has issued a stark warning about the emergence of unattributed drones built with engines sourced from online marketplaces like AliExpress.

These improvised unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are raising concerns for their potential dangers, posing yet another challenge to Ukrainian air defenses.

Ignat remarked, “We are dealing with non-standard UAVs. We have fragments and remnants, giving us insights into what the enemy is using. In essence, their drones incorporate engines purchased from AliExpress. This isn’t the first time they have cobbled together these makeshift aircraft from basic materials, often referred to as ‘sticks,’ launching them in the direction of our state. These DIY UAVs are of the attack variety, carrying several kilograms of explosives, making them dangerous.”

(25.10.2023, 19:32)Quintus Fabius schrieb: Die Frage inwieweit Laser zur Drohnenabwehr eingesetzt werden kann ist meiner Meinung nach auch eine der Größe des Kriegsraumes.

Zitat:Recent reports have emerged suggesting that Russia is already using an upgraded version of the “Lancet” kamikaze drone with a sophisticated artificial intelligence-based guidance system.

The Ukrainian outlet, Defense Express, highlighted these claims. The footage in question depicted an attack on an object identified as an RM-70 Multiple Rocket Launcher on October 18th, located about 9 kilometers from the frontlines near Toretsk.

In the video, the operator initially keeps the object within a large square frame before it’s encircled by a green border, with the message “target acquired” displayed. Following this, the crosshair of the targeting reticle continues to remain fixed on the object until the strike is executed.

While the Kremlin-connected Russian Telegram channels’ claims suggest the use of the “Izdelie 53” drone from Zala (part of the Kalashnikov Concern), a review of the video footage suggests it’s more likely the “Lancet” drone with two X-shaped wings of equal length, not the “Izdelie 53.”

According to Defense Express, this could indicate the deployment of a potentially mass-produced version of the “Lancet” with enhanced capabilities, achieved through software updates rather than structural changes.

The reference to “artificial intelligence” and “autonomous target identification” likely pertains to advanced image processing technology and target tracking, which indeed plays a role in the “machine learning” aspects of drone operations. However, it doesn’t imply full autonomy, as these systems still rely on operator input.

The technology essentially assists operators in the guidance and targeting process, rather than enabling complete autonomy. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that autonomous target searching and identification are features commonly associated with reconnaissance drones.

Zitat:Electronic Warfare System Hunting Drones Wanted By SOCOM

Specialized seekers would help loitering munitions find and destroy electronic warfare systems, but could have other applications.

Zitat:SOCOM's interest in this kind of capability does underscore how very real a threat electronic warfare systems pose to U.S. forces now, something that is only expected to become more pronounced as time goes on.

Ground-based jammers, in addition to systems in other domains, could scramble friendly communications, disrupt GPS connectivity, and otherwise hamper the functioning of other key networks. GPS jamming, as well as spoofing, could be particularly problematic given that the system is used for both navigation and weapon guidance, meaning that this could prevent the use of certain key precision munitions or at least reduce their effectiveness.

(20.11.2023, 15:56)Turin schrieb: Die Idee ist jetzt erstmal, wie im Zielbild 2035+ abgebildet, den Rest ueber eine bisher undefinierte UAV-Faehigkeit zu erledigen. Je nachdem, wie das verlaeuft, wird das dann Nachforderungen bewirken (oder nicht). Vor 2030 wird es sicher keine neue Forderungen nach mehr P-8A geben, es sei denn, man faehrt bei den UAVs vor die Wand (nicht auszuschliessen).

(20.11.2023, 20:49)Broensen schrieb: Da gäbe es dann eigentlich auch eine Option, MAWS eben in diese unbemannte Richtung zu entwickeln.