Swarm Defense Takes Off

Featured This Week:

• Army Training Command Incorporates UAS Swarm Defense

• TSA Launches Drone Detection Test Platform at LAX

• Lessons from Ukraine: Unique Operational Testing for US Systems Underway

• Market News: FAA Autonomous Airspace, Asia-Pacific C-UAS Deals Announced

• Upcoming Events and C-UAS Acquisition Deadlines

Train Like You Fight

Ft. Irwin hosted a training event on 11 September that incorporated drone swarms to target prepared defenses. The drones simulated lethal munition capable drones and incorporated MILES, a digital "laser tag" used to record simulated kills and casualty scoring.

The swarm is managed by a team led by the COLSA Corporation, under contract to the Army's Threat Systems Management Office (TMSO) at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. C-UAS technologies on hand to defeat the swarm included Raytheon's 50kW Stryker-mounted laser system and Boeing's High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD). Read more from TheDrive here.

LAX Detection: TSA Unveils New C-UAS Testbed

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that it has begun testing innovative technologies to detect, track and identify (DTI) UAS entering restricted airspace around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). LAX joins Miami International Airport in TSA’s UAS Test Bed Program as one of two locations nationwide currently testing this type of technology in an operational airport environment. 

Market News

• The USAF selected a Liteye-led team for swarm management solutions in $1.8M, 1Y contract.

• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the sale of 'several dozen' DroneGuard ComJam systems to an undisclosed Asian customer to protect military bases, critical infrastructure, and 'maneuvering forces.'

  • Impact: Outside of the United States, the Asia-Pacific region offers the highest growth potential for UAS/C-UAS services. Asian-Pacific states have rushed to embrace UAS and C-UAS technologies amidst increasing border security, maritime detection, and airport security needs.

• ANRA Technologies announced multiple major awards focused on its development of autonomous airspace management solutions.

  • The New York Power Authority selected ANRA to provide UAS operation software necessary for BVLOS operation at power stations and critical infrastructure facilities.

  • Record FAA Contract: ANRA was a part of two separate winning teams selected as part of the FAA's Systems Engineering and technical Innovative Solutions (SETIS) portfolio. SETIS is the FAA's largest-ever award, totaling $2.27B across 10 years as the agency seeks to meet its airspace modernization and mission support goals.

  • Major Partnerships: In May, Raytheon selected the firm to provide access to its SmartSkies platform of airspace management and data services.

• New Details Emerge on Droneshield's Domestic C-UAS Airport Deal: Though they were the first, the deal represents more of a public relations coup than major business success. The end user has been identified as a Class-II airport in Arizona, with a total contract value under $500,000.

C-UAS Lessons from Ukraine Shaping U.S. Attitudes

Army Must Start Leaning on Kinetic Options for Counter Drone as Autonomous Drones Proliferate. Breaking Defense

• Army Maj. Gen Sean Gainey, Director of the Joint Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Office, highlighted the challenge posed by increasing UAS autonomy to traditional C-UAS systems.

• Built-in redundancy to jamming among newly fielded UAS is seen as limiting the effectiveness of traditional, electronic warfare (EW)-based systems.

• High Power Microwave (HPM) solutions remain a key tool to fight drone swarms. The push towards autonomy “is a direct attempt to evade the EW-type (electronic warfare) of capability because now you’re not cutting a link. You’re going to start leaning more towards having a kinetic solution.”

• The Pentagon has partnered with Ukraine to deploy developing C-UAS technologies for operational assessment in real-world environments.

Will the Drone War Come Home? Ukraine and the Weaponization of Commercial Drones. Modern War Institute at West Point

• Proliferation of small commercial drones represents a dangerous asymmetric threat to civilians and critical infrastructure.

• Easy modifications convert commercial drones into military weapons.

  • Ukrainian forces have incorporated modified fish tackle feeders, Russians use plastic cups to deploy grenades from civilian drones.

Upcoming Community Events of Interest

Drones and Robotics Summit 2022, Sep 20th, NYC 

• Second-annual event bringing together founders, investors, and policymakers to explore the ways in which autonomous systems are impacting the construction, agricultural, transportation, supply chain, energy, aeronautics, consumer, and defense industries. For more details and to register, visit the official site.

National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Propel Demo Day | Sep 28 | NYC 

• The National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Decisive Point, and Newlab, will host Propel Demo Day to showcase emerging dual-use technology for government and defense. The program supports early-stage ventures with commercial applications to develop practical acquisitions, knowledge, and capacity necessary for success in the federal market. Registration (free)

Autonomous Navigation Assessment Event for sUAS | SOFWERX | Nov 2022 

• SOFWERX, in collaboration with SOF AT&L, will host an assessment event to identify solutions for sUAS to navigate to points of interest without relying upon GPS or continuous operator control. Submissions are due by 05 October. The event is expected in November 2022. Full details are available via SAM.gov.

Active Contract Opportunities

• AFRL Seeks Air Launched sUAS for ISR, Kinetic Engagement (Details)

  • Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) issued a RFI seeking demonstration of air launching capabilities that would enable sUAS to deploy from existing air assets, navigate to a desired mission area, whether controlled or autonomously, conduct ISR or C-UAS missions, and communicate back to a ground station or other air assets. The sUAS would then either be flown back to ground forces or terminated and considered expendable.

• FAA UAS Detection and Mitigation Research Program 

  • Seeks to identify eligible manufacturers, vendors, and integrators of UAS detection and/or mitigation technologies and/or systems in support of the FAA’s Airport UAS Detection and Mitigation Research Program. Due: Ongoing

• RFI for Systems for Detecting, Tracking, Identifying and Mitigating Unmanned Aerial Threats and C-UAS System Spectrum Measurements Support for DHS S&T (Details)

  • Seeks market research and information on potential C-UAS systems to support existing and future DHS S&T C-UAS priorities.

  • Unique opportunity to understand, shape, and compete for future DHS C-UAS opportunities.