Navy SBIR/STTR Transition Program (Navy STP)’s Post

Ukraine is the first country to devote an entire branch of their Armed Forces to unmanned systems: The Unmanned Systems Forces (USF). It will be interesting to see if devoting a branch of service will dramatically increase the effectiveness, lethality, and development of unmanned systems, vice each service working on their own. Either way, the war in Ukraine has opened eyes to the widespread use of cheap unmanned systems and the need to counter measures. I remember attending Keystone in 2017, and one of the first lectures we heard was about inexpensive, drone swarms that could render assets like F-35s, tanks, etc. ineffective in contested environments. For now, cheap unmanned systems have somewhat leveled the playing field, but some say this is just a short phase and countermeasures will make drones a moot point. Only time will tell. https://lnkd.in/gebVs8-M

The U.S. Army has deployed at least one robot dog armed with an AI-enabled gun turret to the Middle East for testing as a counter-drone solution. This robot, a Ghost Robotics Vision 60 Quadrupedal Unmanned Ground Vehicle (Q-UGV), was seen equipped with an AR-15/M16-pattern rifle on a rotating turret during rehearsals at the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center in Saudi Arabia. This test is part of ongoing efforts to integrate AI into military operations, especially for counter-drone missions. The robot dog, which engaged static ground targets during testing, represents one of several new technologies being trialed alongside 15 counter-drone platforms. While robot dogs have been used for tasks such as explosive ordnance disposal and perimeter security, the military is increasingly experimenting with mounting weapons on these machines to enhance combat capabilities. Other nations, such as China, are also exploring similar technologies, further emphasizing the global trend toward autonomous weaponized platforms. This shift is driven by the need for more cost-effective solutions to counter low-cost drone threats, which have been challenging traditional defense systems like missiles. Autonomous systems, such as the AI-powered gun on the robot dog, aim to offer more efficient, lower-cost defense options compared to current methods. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e4QgnZaG

The Marine Corps is on the hunt for innovative counter-drone technologies to protect its ground troops from the growing threat of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). According to a recent announcement from Marine Corps Systems Command, the service is seeking electronic warfare attachments, specialized ammunition with “buckshot-like” capabilities, and advanced optics for the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle. This equipment is intended to enhance the ability of dismounted Marine squads to detect and neutralize drones. The Marine Corps’ focus is on equipping every squad, from logistics units to reconnaissance teams, with the necessary tools to counter drone threats. This move is part of a broader effort to ensure that all units can conduct self-defense against Groups 1 and 2 drones, which weigh up to 55 pounds. The initiative was detailed in a request for information (RFI) posted on July 15, inviting industry developers to submit white papers outlining potential solutions for drone detection and neutralization. Capt. Taylor Barefoot, the Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Capabilities Integration officer at the Marine Corps’ Capabilities Development Directorate, emphasized the need for a “rudimentary, essential, self-defense capability” for every Marine unit. The Corps aims to find squad-portable tools capable of identifying drones within a half-mile and weapons effective against drones up to 55 pounds. The budget for this equipment is expected to be similar to that of the gear used for jamming improvised explosive devices in previous conflicts. #usmc #CUAS #drone #DoD

This is interesting considering the current state of play in Ukraine and Israel. Both have been plagued by small drones for tactical uses. When combining Elbit Systems Ltd. tech with either or both #passiveradar and #Dopplerradar that can detect BLOS targets - and not be seen (depending on the radar), then one has a solution that can keep out the best drones from Iran, Turkey, Qatar, or whatever Russia has left to put in the air.

The UAS threat as a lethal powerful weapon has changed completely the battlefield from what we used to know until recently . Read all about the challenges, needs , scenarios and solutions from ELBIT Systems on my article . Looking forward to meet and discuss.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that a decision on the use of robotic platforms was being prepared jointly with the Ministry of Defence. He wrote about this on Facebook, Censor.NET reports. "The other day I worked at one of the training centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where various forms of integrated use of ground and air robotic and unmanned systems in real combat are being tested (investigation tests). This is a very important project, and we have the first successes in its implementation. One of the peculiarities of modern warfare is the active use of robotic and unmanned systems in the combat order of a combined arms unit with the sole purpose of ensuring the withdrawal of personnel from the most dangerous areas and their replacement by robots. My highest priority is the rapid practical introduction of innovative ground- and airborne unmanned and robotic combat platforms into the armed forces. Together with the team of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine, we are making every effort to prepare system solutions for the effective use of a wide range of robotic platforms. Our goal is to shorten the time it takes for a technical invention (innovative idea) to get from the laboratory to the production shop and then to the combat unit. I would like to thank everyone, from development engineers, manufacturers to pilot operators, for their contribution to the combat effectiveness of our units. The next step is to develop tactics for the use of combat ground robotic systems, crew trainings and scale up the units of the Unmanned Ground Vehicles in combat units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and practice techniques and methods of operation of unmanned systems in various types of combat," Syrskyi wrote.  Source: https://lnkd.in/duZ8Kedd

Hey, that's me! 😄 Very grateful for the AARC's assistance in reviewing, editing, and publishing this short paper through their Land Power forum. The paper discusses emerging UAS technology such as the terrain-raycast technique, how it's currently being used in the Ukraine war, and what's ahead with #AI and #machinelearning capabilities becoming increasingly prolific in drones. Despite my background as a technologist, this paper is written for the commander's perspective, focusing on how this technology is increasingly disruptive to conventional maneuver (manoeuvre) doctrine. Commanders must be aware of the potentials and perils of this technology in order to successfully conduct maneuver in any 21st century conflict. Theta Informatics Bobby Krupczak Samuel Bendett #UAS #drones #drone #sUAS #ISR #GIS #technology #doctrine #warfighting #maneuver #DJI #Skydio #cUAS  #dronephotography #dronetechnology

Small drones (UAS) have become an integral component of contemporary combined arms warfare. They've seamlessly integrated into the existing concert of armaments and are now changing the tune. This whitepaper from our founder considers the implications of UAS proliferation as the use of #AI and a novel digital terrain-raycast technique render the battlefield transparent at all times. The traditional war-fighting actions of massing and maneuver are not possible under these conditions. Commanders must understand the evolution of this technology and procure countermeasures to preserve their ability to conduct maneuver. The paper considers the disruption of emerging UAS technology from the commander's perspective, provides new insight into technology developed and used in #Ukraine, and prescribes recommendations to commanders for adapting to a new paradigm of maneuver doctrine #UAS #drones #ML #machinelearning #sUAS #cUAS #doctrine #maneuver #warfighting #technology #disruption #combinedarms

The C-UAS (Counter Unmanned Aircraft System) is Elbit Systems' response to the rising threat of fighter drones and other UAS. The ability to easily modify and enhance store-brought drones into potential weapons has been constantly evolving, disrupting even advanced combat platforms and elite mission forces.   Elbit Systems' team has been following technological developments, improving their product to match evolving combat scenarios, resulting in a unique solution which combines several capabilities into a unified, effective defense system for various unmanned aerial platforms.   The holistic integration of the product's layers positions the C-UAS as a robust solution safeguarding against a wide range of airborne threats.   Read more: https://bit.ly/3PjyzRj

#AndurilIndustries #Altius700M "Anduril Industries has issued a press release showing its new Altius 700M loitering munition hitting a mockup target in a September test. The video is intimidating. The point of the release and the footage is to highlight a successful test of the newest variant of Anduril’s Altius family (600/600M, 700/700M) of air-launched weapons. Last September the 700M scored six direct hits across six missions in a live-fire test at the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah according to Anduril. The California-based company released footage of the drone striking a mock Russian SA-17 surface to air missile launcher vehicle with a live warhead during the Dugway tests. Anduril did not offer details of the warhead but its effect on the tracked vehicle and the planform of the Altius 700M in flight make for shivers for anyone familiar with being under live fire. ... The September live-fire testing was the first full test of the 700M from launch to striking the target. Anduril claims up to 100 miles of range and 75 minutes of flight time for the Altius 700M, characterizing its range and payload as “class-leading”. The video shows the Altius being launched from a ground vehicle, suggesting (along with the Dugway location) that the Army may be the first customer for the weapon. Anduril’s spokesman confirmed that the company has a customer for the 700M but declined to identify it. However, he did say that there are multiple ongoing efforts for the Altius family system. The Army’s Project Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (PM UAS) is interested in acquiring the non-munitions variant of the Altius (Altius 700) according to Anduril. That interest may jive with Army air-launched tests of the Altius 700 in December using a UH-60 Blackhawk. An additional Army demonstration of the 700 (which Anduril refers to as an intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting or IRS&T variant) is slated for the end of fiscal 2024 and a fielding decision for the drone is scheduled in 2025 according to the Army. A longer video of Altius munitions tests on Anduril’s website shows them tube-launched launched from a MRZR light infantry vehicle and UH-60. The company says the munitions have also been launched from other platforms including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), AC-130J Hercules and Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie autonomous drone. The 700M is the dedicated anti-armor variant. Anduril says it offers munition payload capacity comparable to an AGM-114 Hellfire missile. The release affirms that, “With significant payload mass, high terminal velocity, and optional delayed fuze payload configurations, 700M can easily penetrate target walls to deliver maximum effect on armored targets.” It appears to do so in the video shot at Dugway and it’s possible there are videos of Altius 600 munitions striking targets in Ukraine. The U.S. has provided the earlier variant of Anduril’s loitering drone to Ukraine as confirmed in this ..."