Maturing Regulations, Counter-UAS, and Defence
Week 36: 2 Sep - 6 Sep
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Welcome to this week’s newsletter!
We have the most interesting news stories on maturing regulations, counter-UAS, and defence applications. Let’s get going.
Maturing Regulations
EASA has launched a public consultation to gather feedback on its drone safety and certification proposals, with the aim to shape future drone regulations, ensuring safe integration into European airspace.
At the Commercial UAV Expo 2024 in Las Vegas, FAA officials shared updates on drone policy, focusing on beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. Key topics included streamlining waivers and addressing environmental challenges to support wider drone use in the U.S. while balancing innovation with safety. FAA is aiming to publish the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register by the end of this year.
Percepto, a drone services provider , has achieved a major milestone by earning a Type Certificate from the FAA, which boosts the safety and reliability of their drones. This certification confirms that Percepto's drones meet strict safety standards for large-scale operations. It also simplifies international deployments for Percepto and their customers, showcasing their commitment to global aviation safety.
Schiebel's CAMCOPTER S-100 received the first-ever Design Verification Report (DVR) for a rotary wing drone from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). After 300 flight hours and extensive testing, the DVR ensures safer and easier military and civilian deployments across Europe.
Counter-UAS (aka, anti-drone)
At MSPO 2024, Poland introduced two advanced anti-drone systems. Maddos unveiled the ORION FCS, a hard-kill system that detects and neutralises drones using long-range radar to track targets and automatically direct its turret, equipped with 23mm cannons or 12.7mm machine guns, to destroy drones from up to 2.5 km away. It is highly mobile, effective day or night, and targets a range of NATO class 1 and class 2 drones. Another system, developed by Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów and the Military University of Technology, features a 12.7mm Gatling-style machine gun capable of firing 3,600 rounds per minute, targeting UAVs up to 2 kilometres away, and offering manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic modes.
Allen Control Systems showcased its Bullfrog™ counter-drone system at a Department of Defense event, demonstrating its ability to autonomously detect, track, and destroy drones using AI and computer vision integrated with an M240 machine gun. The Bullfrog™ system stands out for its low cost and effectiveness, engaging multiple drones in rapid succession, offering a cost-per-kill of about $10.
The Spanish Civil Guard plans to equip agents on overseas missions with portable anti-drone systems to counter UAV threats. The new systems, weighing under 20 kg, will jam drones across multiple frequency bands and have an operational range of at least one kilometre. This acquisition is expected by the end of 2024 and aims to enhance the safety of Civil Guard agents.
Meanwhile, China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) struggled to counter small, fast-moving drone swarms during air defence drills, achieving only a 40% success rate, and is looking to improve its defences with newer technologies like electronic jamming and surface-to-air missiles.
Defence
Ukrainian forces have deployed a flamethrowing drone equipped with thermite to destroy Russian positions in the Zaporizhzhia region. The drone, operated by the 108th Territorial Defense Brigade, used a mixture of metal powders that can reach temperatures of 2400°C, capable of igniting trees and other vegetation.
Ukrainian troops also shot down a mysterious new Russian jet-powered drone, marking its first appearance on the battlefield. The drone, with a "flying wing" design, was unarmed and lacked surveillance equipment, suggesting it might have been used as a decoy or to test Ukraine's air defences. Military analysts believe this rudimentary drone was experimental and not a high-end model.
Turkey's Anka-3, an advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), completed its first flight with ammunition, showcasing its capabilities in deep-strike operations. Developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), this stealth jet features low radar visibility, high-speed flight, and a payload capacity of 1,200 kg. The successful flight marks a significant milestone in Turkey's efforts to strengthen its domestic defence industry.
Canada's plan to deploy military drones in the Arctic faces significant challenges, including extreme cold, remote icy runways, and limited satellite coverage, all of which complicate operations. The General Atomics MQ-9B Reaper drones, set for delivery by 2028, will undergo modifications to withstand Arctic conditions. Despite these hurdles, the drones will enhance Canada's surveillance and defence capabilities, both domestically and internationally.
Other interesting news stories from the past week:
Elsight Launches the DroneCommX™, an Aftermarket Kit for DJI’s Matrice 30 and 350 Drones
Coromandel Intl bets big on agricultural drone market through Dhaksha
GoAero Competition Seeks the Next Generation of Emergency Response Drones
Sphere Drones secures major tender with WA Police Force to support drones as First Responder Program
That’s it for this week.
There are way more stories than we can cover in 5-minutes, so our criteria of choosing the stories is simple: the news story must provide direct or indirect insight into where the industry is going.
Have a great week ahead!
-Adit