R&S M4ACS is an end-to-end mission control communication system being used by the Belgian Air Component for air traffic control. (Belgian Ministry of Defence)  The Belgian Air Component has selected Rohde & Schwarz's (R&S) end-to-end mission control communications system – R&S M4ACS – to improve air traffic control management.  Announced by the company at DSEI 2023 in London, the acquisition involves one fully redundant system with over 43 controller working positions.  The internet protocol (IP)-based voice communication system is now bein...

Northrop Grumman's BattleOne would network sensors and shooters across the battlespace. (Northrop Grumman)  Northrop Grumman demonstrated its BattleOne vision of a connected battlespace at DSEI 2023 in London, with the concept drawing on the company's Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), which is being fielded by the US and Polish armies.  Jon Ferko, Northrop Grumman's director for business development, told journalists at DSEI 2023 that BattleOne integrates systems from across domains and different countries' armed forces to generate a d...

The ICAVS(D) in use for training. (Elbit Systems)  Elbit Systems UK (ESUK) has been awarded two simulation contracts by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the company announced at DSEI 2023 in London. No contract values were disclosed.  The first contract, which is for three years, is for the Interim Indirect Fire Simulator (IIDFS) programme, which will provide artillery and mortar simulators to the Royal School of Artillery (RSA) at Larkhill, the Combined Arms Manoeuvre School (CAMS) at Warminster, and the Collective Training Group (CTG) for...

SPX CommTech 953 COMINT receiver, displayed at DSEI 2023, can support counter-unmanned aircraft system activities and operates over low-bandwidth and intermittent networks. (Janes/Olivia Savage)  SPX CommTech debuted its new tactical communications intelligence (COMINT) receiver at DSEI 2023 held from 12 to 15 September in London.  The solution – known as the 953 COMINT RF (radio frequency) Receiver – performs continuous, unmanned, remote, and real-time signal collection with low size, weight, and power (SWaP) for dismounted operations.  One...

The MCM100 with DiveTrack transponder. The transponder slots into the recess in the back cover of the rebreather, which is shown separate from the equipment. Note the wrist monitor and the LED head-up display in front of the mask. (Janes/Giles Ebbutt)  Avon Protection and Sonardyne have combined to develop a system that can provide command-and-control (C2) for divers when they are submerged.  The system combines Avon's widely used MCM100 multirole military rebreather with Sonardyne's DiveTrack acoustic transponder to give an underwater commun...

The A7700 airborne flat panel OTM satcom antenna displayed at DSEI 2023 and designed by Hanwha Phasor enables multi-orbit connectivity. (Janes/Olivia Savage)  Hanwha Phasor – a subsidiary of Hanwha Systems – will launch a land, maritime, and manportable variant of its on-the-move (OTM) satellite communications (satcom) antenna, Janes learnt at DSEI 2023 held from 12 to 15 September in London.  The land variant will be available for customers by the end of 2024 and is suited for command-and-control vehicles such as Humvees, large artillery pla...

Hughes' Jupiter 3 commercial satellite spacecraft is pictured above. The LEO spacecraft being developed for the USSF will likely be similar in size, according to company officials. (Hughes )  Hughes Network Systems is developing a new S-Band satellite communications (satcom) network, to support proliferated-low Earth orbit (P-LEO) requirements outlined by the US Space Force (USSF), a company senior executive told Janes.  “As part of the P-LEO contract, the EchoStar Lyra constellation will provide the S-Band network capability, distributed by...

Drone Evolution's Sentinel tethered UAV, displayed at DSEI 2023, is suited for forward operating bases or border security. (Janes/Olivia Savage)  The UK-based Drone Evolution has debuted a new tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at DSEI 2023, held from 12 to 15 September in London.    Known as Sentinel, the UAV can be used as an airborne surveillance solution or as a rebroadcasting node that can eliminate blackspots, enabled with Steatite's MPU5 Mesh radio, Toby Townrow, co-founder and business development director at Drone Evolution,...

The ISTARI constellation will be fully operational by 2031, underpinned by several concept demonstrators such as Oberon – a cluster of three synthetic aperture radar-based satellites. (Airbus)  The UK's ISTARI constellation will begin launching from 2026, Lieutenant Colonel James Cheeseman, capability development lead at UK Space Command, told Janes at DSEI 2023, held from 12 to 15 September in London.  The launch of the satellites will be staggered, with an expected full operational capability (FOC) achieved by 2031 that will deliver “UK-gen...

The new ASW sonobuoy dispensing capability, unveiled at DSEI in London, is based on the Skeldar V-200 vertical take-off and landing UAS. (Janes/Kate Tringham)  UMS Skeldar and Ultra Maritime have jointly developed a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonobuoy dispensing capability for rotary-winged unmanned aircraft systems (UASs).  The new capability, which is based on the Skeldar V-200 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS, was displayed for the first time at the DSEI 2023 exhibition in London.  It enables the Skeldar V-200 UAS to be used...

NiDAR X-JOC Command and Control Centre (MARSS)  MARSS has developed a new command-and-control (C2) centre and counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS), and displayed them for the first time at the DSEI 2023 in London.  At the core of both products is the company's NiDAR software, a scalable C2 system that integrates legacy and new sensors into a common situational awareness platform.  NiDAR X-JOC is a static C2 centre with an integrated long-range UAS detection and countermeasures capability. It is staffed by four operators and is designed to...

A computer-generated image of the P2012 Sentinel SMP equipped with sensors such as an EO/IR pod and IMSAR's NSP-7 radar for ISR operations. (IMSAR)  Taiwan's Apex Aviation and Utah-based IMSAR have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition 2023 (TADTE 2023) to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) services to the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) of Taiwan.  IMSAR will integrate its NSP-7 radar system into Tecnam's P2012 Sentinel Special Mission Platform (SMP) ai...

The KraitOptimise underwater situational awareness tool is designed to optimise sonar positioning and performance. (SEA)  Systems engineering and sensors house SEA unveiled a new underwater situational awareness capability for sonar operations at the DSEI 2023 exhibition in London.  The new offering, named KraitOptimise, uses high-resolution environmental and ocean model data sources to provide underwater situational awareness intended to significantly improve sonar positioning and performance.  The ability of sonar to find and monitor submar...

The Norwegian Army will receive new COMINT and jamming solutions from R&S to enhance situational awareness. (Forsvaret)    The Norwegian Army will be equipped with new communications intelligence (COMINT) and jamming solutions from Rohde & Schwarz (R&S),   Janes   learnt at DSEI 2023, held from 12 to 15 September in London.   The new electronic warfare (EW) solutions are being delivered under the Heimdall project, which will enable the Norwegian Army to detect, locate, and analyse information faster and more efficiently whi...

The deployable variant of Saab's Giraffe 1X radar displayed at DSEI 2023, which has been acquired by the UK military. (Janes/Olivia Savage)  Saab has launched a deployable variant of its Giraffe 1X 3D radar at DSEI 2023, held from 12 to 15 September in London.  Known as the Deployable Set, the new configuration is designed as a compact, robust, and highly deployable radar that can be easily transported and quickly set up.  A key difference with the deployable variant is its ability to operate on the move when deployed on naval vessels or land...

Hughes' Jupiter 3 commercial satellite spacecraft is pictured above. The LEO spacecraft being developed for the USSF will likely be similar in size, according to company officials. (Hughes )    Hughes Network Systems is developing a new S-Band satellite communications (satcom) network, to support proliferated-low Earth orbit (P-LEO) requirements outlined by the US Space Force (USSF), a company senior executive told   Janes  .   The P-LEO service will be provided by OneWeb Technologies and distributed by Hughes, which also d...

Displayed at DSEI 2023 is MARSS' Interceptor (left) and the new manportable variant – Interceptor Short Range (right). (Janes/Olivia Savage)  UK company MARSS has developed a manportable version of its vertically launched, reusable kinetic counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS).  Known as the Interceptor Short Range (SR), the solution still utilises kinetic force and four motors to defeat small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but weighs less than half the size compared with the original solution, Stephen Scott, head of Countermeasures at MA...

Intelsat's New Dawn (Intelsat 28), designed to transmit across C-band and Ku-band at GEO orbit, to provide voice, wireless backhaul, internet, and media application services to African customers. (Intelsat)  Satellite communications (satcom) company Intelsat has created a new international business development unit, geared specifically towards expanding the company's government and defence portfolio in Europe, as well as emerging markets in Africa and the Indo-Pacific region, a senior executive told Janes.  Currently, the majority of the comp...

With three large, vertically placed displays, the Future Operator Workspace provides a clear and distinct presentation of the tactical and operational environment. The 27.6 inch central display shows the tactical situation, while the side 21.9 inch side displays are used for presenting information and data. (Saab)  Saab will display for the first time a prototype of its new ‘Future Operator Workspace' concept at the DSEI 2023 exhibition, to be held in London from 12 to 15 September.  The company describes the new operator combat console as a...

Poland's Pilica+ air-defence system will be equipped with new Zenit-MP+ Automated Command Posts. (Polish Armament Agency)  Poland will acquire 22 Zenit-MP+ Automated Command Posts (ZSD) for the Pilica+ air-defence system.  The PLN650 million (USD151 million) deal, signed between the Polish Armament Agency (AA), State Treasury, and PGZ-Pilica+ consortium, was announced at the MSPO 2023 defence exhibition held in Kielce from 5 to 8 September.  Deliveries are scheduled from 2025 to 2029, with training and service packages, as well as technical d...