The Microwave Imaging Curtain to detect concealed firearms using microwave technology was one of the Detection of Explosives and Firearms to Counter Terrorism (DEXTER) technologies demonstrated in the Rome Metro on 24 May under NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme. (Brooks Tigner)  One of NATO's flagship counter-terrorism research consortia has moved a step closer to market with a live demonstration of its capabilities. Once commercialised, the project's real-time threat detection systems could fan out to civil critical infrastructur...

Handheld radios prior to a TSM waveform exercise in February 2020. (US Army)  The US Department of Defense (DoD) is launching a new development initiative geared towards improving waveform resiliency for its growing arsenal of software-defined radios (SDRs), according to a recent departmental solicitation to industry.  Led by the DoD's Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) and managed by the US Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), details of the waveform resiliency programme have largely been kept under wraps. However, detail...

A DARPA schematic on how the MINC programme would improve on combat data management systems (DARPA)  The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has begun prototype development of a new system to automate data flow and dissemination of combat information across myriad service-centric networks, regardless of domain.  The goal of the Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme is to move US armed forces away from static or manually controlled battlefield data networks into ones that are managed according to the needs of a giv...

A Tub m/8502 400 mm torpedo launcher fitted inside the weapon deck of the Visby-class corvette HMS   Nyköping  . The new Tub m/20 torpedo tube will replace the m/8502.  (NAVYPIX/Richard Scott)  Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab Dynamics to supply new 400 mm diameter torpedo launcher systems for Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) surface combatants.  Announced on 24 May by both Saab and FMV, the approximately SEK150 million (USD15.3 million) order covers the delivery of the new Tub m/20 laun...

The MSubs S201 XLUUV, pictured at sea. The UK MoD has completed deployment testing of the XLUUV fitted with a KraitArray thin-line towed array sonar. (SEA)  The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has successfully demonstrated the capability to deploy a thin-line towed array sonar from an extra-large uncrewed undersea vehicle (XLUUV).  The trials, held off Plymouth, UK, in the second quarter of 2022, involved the MSubs 9 m S201 XLUUV and SEA's thin-line towed KraitArray sonar.  In an 18 May statement, SEA said the trials “[have] proven the ability t...

A US Air Force Special Operations Weather Technician sends intelligence to the Reconnaissance Operations Center during the Marine's Reconnaissance Team Leader Course's final exercise on 31 October 2017. SOCOM is soliciting industry proposals to improve its Global Analytics Platform to process, exploit, and disseminate battlefield intelligence. (US Department of Defense )  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is exploring a new edge networking concept, focused on operationalising chat and data-sharing environments patterned closely after c...

FlashHawk is designed to enable small airborne platforms to perform 3D geolocation of communications emitters. (Avantix)  French electronic warfare (EW) house Avantix has begun initial production of its FlashHawk airborne communications intelligence/communications electronic support measures (COMINT/CESM) system in anticipation of launch orders.  Intended for integration on a range of air platforms – including fixed-wing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft; helicopters; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs); and balloons...

Alrosa   pictured before its overhaul and upgrade, which commenced in 2014.  (Russian MoD)  The Russian Navy Kilo-class Project 877V diesel-electric submarine (SSK) Alrosa (ex-B 871) is set to start sea trials following the completion of its overhaul and modernisation programme.  In comments to Russian news agency TASS on 16 May, a representative from Sevastopol's military and security authorities confirmed that Alrosa had docked at the Black Sea Fleet's naval base in Sevastopol, Crimea, after departing the service's 13th Ship Re...

The Combat Net Radio is expected to replace the L3Harris-built RT 1523 SINCGARS VHF radio. (ITT Corporation)  Thales USA has secured a multibillion-dollar procurement deal to provide advanced tactical radios, under the US Army's Combat Net Radio (CNR) programme and is developing a manpackable communication solution to meet mobile ad hoc networking (MANET) requirements for US Special Operations Command (SOCOM).  Thales was awarded one of the two USD6 billion indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contracts to produce communication pl...

The Dronaam C-UAS is pictured in ruggedised transportable cases. (Gurutvaa Systems)  Indian firm Gurutvaa Systems has delivered the first set of the indigenously developed ‘Dronaam' counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs) to the Indian Air Force (IAF).    Harshad Dave, director of Gurutvaa Systems, told  Janes  that an undisclosed number of Dronaam C-UASs were delivered to the IAF earlier in May under a contract signed in August 2021. The system was delivered within nine months.   Dave said the system underwent design re...

The Collins Aerospace NavHub-100 (part of its MAPS Gen II solution) installed in a vehicle. (Collins Aerospace)  The benefits of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are ubiquitous. They provide the positional information for navigation syste...

The US Navy expects to reach initial operational capability in 2022 with the Littoral Combat Ship countermine mission module, which will employ unmanned surface vessels like this prototype developed by Textron. (US Navy)  Despite the officially required US Navy (USN) notification on 13 May of significant cost growth for Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) Mission Module (MM) packages, programme officials say the work for remaining MMs is moving ahead as anticipated.  Navy spokesperson Captain Clayton Doss confirmed to Janes on 16 May that the USN no...

The Dronaam C-UAS is pictured in ruggedised transportable cases. (Gurutvaa Systems)  Indian firm Gurutvaa Systems has delivered the first set of the indigenously developed ‘Dronaam' counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs) to the Indian Air Force (IAF).  Harshad Dave, director of Gurutvaa Systems, told   Janes  that an undisclosed number of Dronaam C-UASs were delivered to the IAF earlier in May under a contract signed in August 2021. The system was delivered within nine months.    Dave said the system underwent design review in Oc...

The “signing ceremony” marking IAI's contract to supply MiniPOP EO/IR systems to the Philippine Navy. (Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI))  Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has secured a contract to supply its MiniPOP electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems for the Philippine Navy's patrol vessels, the company announced in a media release on 16 May.  This particular MiniPOP system that is focused on maritime applications has been developed by IAI's Tamam Division, and is “designed to operate during both day and night, and meet harsh environm...

MilDef signs seven-year framework agreement with Sweden's FMV for communication and command equipment. Pictured is the MilDef RW14 laptop - designed for tactical military environments where reliability and performance are critical. (MilDef)  The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has signed a framework agreement with MilDef for command and communications equipment, the FMV announced on 13 May.  The agreement applies to hardware in tactical IT, which will be integrated on command vehicles, combat vehicles, battleships, and personnel...

Fincantieri lays the keel for Qatar‘s new LPD at its Palermo yard on 17 May. (Fincantieri)  Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has laid the keel for the landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ship on order for the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces.  An official keel-laying ceremony was held at the shipbuilder's yard in Palermo on 17 May.  Fincantieri is building the LPD for Qatar under a contract awarded in 2016. The multiship order, worth EUR4 billion (USD4.16 billion), also includes the delivery of four Al Zubarah-class corvettes and two offsh...

Radar operators have relocated to a specialised hub – TATCC, which will help to monitor critical data. (MoD Crown Copyright 2022)  As part of Project Marshall, radar operators at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington have relocated to a new specialist hub at RAF Coningsby, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 12 May.  This is the first of a series of transitions that will involve approach control room radar operatives, from multiple units, moving to a centralised Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre (TATCC), the announcement said....

A Chinese PLAN intelligence collection vessel,   Haiwangxing  , pictured operating off the north-west shelf of Australia.  (Commonwealth of Australia)  A Chinese intelligence collection ship has been tracked for a week off the West Australian coast and within 50 n miles (93 km) of a sensitive naval communications base, Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton disclosed on 13 May.    Dutton said the People's Liberation Army Navy's (PLAN's) Dongdiao-class (Type 815/815A) intelligence collection ship (AGI)...

Israeli soldiers wearing ‘tactile sleeve' devices as part of the Edge of Tomorrow programme that is focused on improving the performance of infantry at the platoon level. (Elbit Systems)  Israel's Ministry of Defense's (MoD's) Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) and Elbit Systems announced on 10 May a new programme to improve infantry lethality and survivability called Edge of Tomorrow.  Led by Elbit's C4I and Cyber Systems Division and the DDR&D, the programme is designed to boost “stamina, cognitive load, enemy exposure,...

Radar operators have relocated to a specialised hub – TATCC, which will help to monitor critical data. (MoD Crown Copyright 2022)  As part of Project Marshall, radar operators at Royal Air Force (RAF) Waddington have relocated to a new specialist hub at RAF Coningsby, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 12 May.  This is the first of a series of transitions that will involve approach control room radar operatives, from multiple units, moving to a centralised Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre (TATCC), the announcement said.  Project...