An airborne electro-optical laser sensor designed to detect minefields has demonstrated the ability to detect simulated improvised explosive devices. The Airborne Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Minefield Detection System (ASTAMIDS) developed by Northrop Grumman, demonstrated this capability during an Army evaluation of the new system. The system was flown on the MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aerial system.

ASTAMIDS combines multi-spectral electro-optical sensors employing different sensing methods, including texture analysis and change detection, to spot recently buried objects suspected as mines or IEDs. In addition to its primary counter-mine and counter-IED mission ASTAMIDS also provides reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition capability. The system’s laser can also designate targets for laser guided munitions. Under the Army evaluation the system successfully designated targets for three Hellfire missiles.

Through a recent test series conducted in September 2010, ASTAMIDS flew 12 missions on an Army UH-1 and the Northrop Grumman owned MQ-8B unmanned vehicle. These flight tests evaluated the system’s C-IED nadir step stare, off-nadir road following and large area precision mapping capabilities.

These capabilities were supported by the new ‘ASTAMIDS Ground Exploitation Station’ (AGES), integrated with the systems’ ground control segment for the test. AGES processed streaming telemetry data obtained from the airborne sensor, enabling operators to identify target locations in near real-time.

The core of the system is the gimbaled, lightweight, multi-spectral, electro-optical and infrared imaging sensor designed to be flown on both manned and unmanned aircraft. The airborne payload weighs about 36 kg (80 pounds). Integrated with AGES processors and software, the system detects, locates and identifies ground targets, minefields, obstacles and IEDs, determines ranges to ground targets, and, as proven in the tests, designates targets for attack by laser-guided munitions.

According to the U.S. Army PM Close Combat Systems, “ASTAMIDS will give Army Brigade Combat Teams unprecedented situational awareness and target designation capabilities.” The near-real time response of the system is critical for counter-IED missions, as it provides warfighters with actionable intelligence minutes after a specific area is analyzed.

“These tests proved we’ve achieved our goal with ASTAMIDS – we can identify ground threats and deliver targeting-quality data to adjacent warfighters to destroy the threats and do that in near real time” said Dan Chang, Northrop Grumman vice president of Maritime and Tactical Systems.

The Micro-Viper is a man-portable, light weight, tracked robotic platform designed to perform effectively in both outdoor and indoor environment as well as in underground scenes. The Mini-Viper is equipped with 360 degree vision by multiple staring video cameras. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

Following are first impressions from today’s exhibition at Latrun, Israel.

The Mini-Panther from IAI Malat made a surprise appearance at Latrun today. Mini-Panther is a 12 kg tilt-rotor UAV which provided the first proof of concept for the Panther line of vehicles. IAI plans to develop a wide range of aerial vehicles, configured for VTOL, high speed, tethered (kite-like platforms that can disconnect the tether and hover for extended period), as well as manned platforms. This photo shows a unique feature of the Panther - the flat lifting body and the payload bay that will eventually enable the vehicle to drop off or collect objects using a miniature manipulator arm. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense Update

The Pincher from Rafael is a mini-robotic counter-IED system, employing pirophoric arrows to deflagrate and deactivate explosive charges from a distance of 15 meters. The photo shows the payload and launchers stacking 4-16 pencil-sized rocket-propelled arrows fired precisely to hit a suspected charge. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

IAI/Malat Panther weighs 65 kg and carries the Mini-POP payload. Its power sources are suffucient to sustain about six hoiurs of flight. Panther could be equipped with rechargable or primary batteries or a hybrid system comprising a battery and fuel cell. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

The Mule from Urban Aeronautics continues flight testing, and has demonstrated stable hovering and low level flight. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

The Mule is designed to be transportable in heavy transport helicopters such as the CH-53 and EH-101, C-130 and C-17. In the operational scenarios, flying at a speed of up to 100 knots, Mules will offer safe evacuation of casualties from hot combat zones and an effective means of pushing supplies forward to combat troops. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense-Update

Eltics continues to move forward with its Black Fox thermal stealth system. At the Latrun event Eltics demonstrated its latest Black Fox prototype, designed to demonstrate the ability of the system to blend the signature of a full size vehicle with its surrounding, effectively providing 'thermal stealth' capability. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

IAI Ramta displayed at Latrun a stretched version of the RAM armored vehicle, fitted with an assault or rapid evacuation ramp designed to enable access to higher floors in urban areas. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

IMI has unveiled a modified version of the Russian Tigr (Gaz-233014). The vehicle received an armor and automotive upgrade in Israel and was displayed at Latrun mounted with IMI's Bright Arrow - the active protection system integrated weapon station. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

Plasan displayed the new 'Sandcat Commando' - a semi-protected long range patrol vehicle, offered with all-round protection, rear flatbed, roof gun mount and heavy duty suspension for improved mobility on rough roads. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

In 2008 the Israel Police has selected and ordered a specially configured version of the Sandcat. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update.

IMI unveiled the Hornet - a new all-terrain vehicle (ATV) assembly designed for air assault (helicopter-borne) mortar teams. The two vehicle team comprises of two ATVs, equipped with target acquisition and precision aiming systems, mechanically reclined mortar assembly kit and ammunition carrier.

After unveiling the mini-Spike in last year's Latrun event, RAFAEL is now focusing on the integration of the lightweight missile with existing Spike kits, while reducing the weight and improving performance of the entire system. Designed as an anti-personnel guided weapon, Mini-Spike provides precision attack capability at ranges exceeding 1300 meters. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense-Update.

IAI Elta displayed the latest generation of its EL/I-6001 unattended ground sensor Network (UGSN) offering continuous tactical area monitoring. Photo: Noam Eshel, defense Update

Elbit presented the SAND - Smart, All-terrain Networked Sensors, advanced, persistent sensor that can monitor a wide area, detect and track human or vehicle movements and report alerts over secure, wireless networking. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense-Update

===

The Panther combines the flight capabilities of an airplane with helicopter-like hovering, takeoff and landing employing tilt-rotor propellers, and a vertical lift augmenting propeller. Photo: IAI

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is unveiling two new unmanned systems, representing a breakthrough in Vertical Take off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designs. Both designs, named Panther and Mini-Panther employ a new tilt-rotor propulsion concept patented by IAI. Both are designed for tactical use. The Panthers have already performed test flights and are expected to operational ready next year. The new Panther will be displayed tomorrow in Latrun, Israel

Panther combines the flight capabilities of fixed wing airplane with helicopter-like hovering, takeoff and landing, by employing two tilt-rotor propellers, and a vertical lift augmenter propeller providing additional lift for hovering, takeoff and landing. This configuration enables the Panther to be runway-independent, taking off and landing from unprepared areas. This unique, concept can be applied to UAVs of different sizes, providing land forces and special operations units at tactical level the capabilities commonly associated with much larger platforms.

This image shows the two tilt-rotors pointing upward, along with the augmenting propeller that is activated only for takeoff, landing and hover. Photo: IAI

Weighing about 65 kg, the Panther is powered by three electrical motors and packs sufficient power to loiter on missions of up to six hours at an altitude of 10,000 ft. At this altitude operational radius can exceed 60 km. The Panther carries IAI’s MiniPOP multi-sensor electro-optical day-night payload comprising stabilized day and night cameras, laser rangefinder, laser pointer or laser designator. The smaller Mini-Panther is a 12 kg tilt-rotor mini-UAV designed for mission endurance of two hours. This version operates at lower altitudes and carries the miniature ‘Micro-POP’ EO stabilized payload. Both versions are powered by ultra-quiet electrical motors contributing to the Panther’s stealth capability. The Panther’s flight control system is enhanced with automatic transition flight modes controlling the transitions between hovering and forward flight, enabling the Panther to take off and land automatically by a simple click of the operator console, thus eliminating the need for an external pilot. The Panther system employs compact ground control station and support systems packed into a midsize vehicle, storing up to three aircraft, communications datalink, and support equipment, allowing tactical units an autonomous operation. The ground control segment has two operators, using two fully redundant and identical consoles. The two consoles are employed for maximum mission efficiency – according to IAI, the Panther can be operated by a single operator as well. Designed as a portable system, the mini Panther includes two aircraft and a command and control unit carried by two soldiers. The Panther control station, transported on a midsize vehicle, can store up to three aircraft, as well as the ground data link, the support equipment and spare parts, all of which allow the troops’ autonomous operation on the field at a tactical level. Two operators control the mission using two fully redundant identical consoles. IAI is unveiling the Panther tilt-rotor tactical UAV tomorrow, at the Latrun Conference in Israel. IAI’s new UAV will make its international debut later this month, at the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) 2010 Annual Meeting and Exposition in the USA.

The Mini-Panther from IAI Malat made a surprise appearance at Latrun today. Mini-Panther is a 12 kg tilt-rotor UAV which provided the first proof of concept for the Panther line of vehicles. IAI plans to develop a wide range of aerial vehicles, configured for VTOL, high speed, tethered (kite-like platforms that can disconnect the tether and hover for extended period), as well as manned platforms. This photo shows a unique eature of teh Panther - the flat lifting body and the payload bay that will eventually enable the vehicle to drop and collect objects using a miniature manipulator arm. Photo: Noam Eshel, Defense Update

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin meet Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak September 6, 2010 in Moscow. Photo: Novosty

Israel and Russia have signed today a military cooperation agreement and are negotiating the establishment of a joint venture to develop and produce unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia. Israel’s minister of defense Ehud Barak and his host, Russian minister of defense, Anatoly Serdyukov have signed a military cooperation agreement today, paving the way for tighter cooperation in the field of unmanned systems, counter terrorism and asymmetric, urban warfare – fields Russia expects a dialog with Israel could be beneficial.


“It is very important to us that in the transition to a new image, the Russian armed forces use the experience the Israeli armed forces have and the work they have done” Serdyukov said, adding Russia has bought 12 UAV systems from Israel, and 50 servicemen are currently being trained to operate them. Gradually opening to the world defense market, Russia is planning several acquisitions of major platforms, including helicopter carriers, and Italian armored vehicles. Past cooperation with foreign defense industries were limited to contracts where customers insisted on the integration of non Russian avionics or weaponry.  The acquisition of Israeli UAVs was one of the first procurements foreign systems completed by the Russians.

The twelve UAVs Russia has acquired were delivered by IAI off-the-shelf, to fulfill ad-hoc requirements for military and homeland security uses. Among the off-the-shelf available systems were two Bird Eye 400 systems, eight I-View MK150 tactical UAVs and two Searcher Mk II tactical short range UAVs. Some 50 Russian military servicemen are currently undergoing training in the use of these systems.

A second contract worth $100 million is expected to be delivered this year. The Russians were also after more advanced UAVs of the Heron 1 class, but after long deliberation Israel’s defense ministry decided to exclude such advanced systems as ‘too sensitive’ for transfer to the eastern bloc. However, to enable the deal to go forward the MOD approved IAI to proceed and establish a Joint Venture with a Russian partner, to establish a UAV development and production center in Russia. Prospects for the Russian demand for such systems are estimated at $300 million. According to various estimates, the Russian military needs up to 100 UAVs and at least 10 guidance and control systems to ensure effective battlefield reconnaissance.

Despite the warming relations with the country once known to be its enemies largest arms provider, Israel is concerned of Moscow’s determination to pursue arms transfer plans to Syria, particularly of the Yakhont P-800 supersonic anti-ship missiles which keep Israeli naval vessels at risk throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Israel is particularly concerned about a possible transfer of such weapons from Syria to Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Another issue is the transfer of S-300 air defense missiles to Iran, which has been dragged for years. Moscow has never clarified its position regarding the fulfillment of the contract signed with te Iranians.

The issue of missiles transfer to Syria was dealt with Moscow on discrete channels for some time but has raised opposition in the Kremlin, as many officials refused to back off from the commitment to its Syria ally. In the past Russia denied Israel’s claims of the use of Syrian-supplied Russian made missiles by Hezbollah, during the 2nd Lebanon War in 2006. However, since that war Russian defense manufacturers continuously refer to the successful combat use of their Kornet and Metis guided missiles, without openly mentioning Hezbollah as the ‘end user’.

Two weeks ago Israel’s prime minister raised this issue with Russian prime-minister Vladimir Putin and today. This topic was also include din today’s meeting between Putin and Barak. The P-800 missiles have a range of 300 kilometers, carry a 200-kilogram warhead and feature a unique ability to cruise several meters above the surface, making it difficult to detected and intercept it.

General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Aircraft. Photo: USAF

An MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft operating under the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio crashed yesterday in the Mojave desert area, north of El Mirage Airfield, in Southern California. The aircraft flew on a daylight test mission. It took off from the Gray Butte Airfield located about 5 miles east of El Mirage. Both airfields are about midway between Palmdale and Victorville and are about 15 miles south of Edwards AFB.  The cause of the accident will be investigated by an Air Force investigation board.

General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Aircraft. Photo: USAF

An MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft operating under the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio crashed yesterday in the Mojave desert area, north of El Mirage Airfield, in Southern California. The aircraft flew on a daylight test mission. It took off from the Gray Butte Airfield located about 5 miles east of El Mirage. Both airfields are about midway between Palmdale and Victorville and are about 15 miles south of Edwards AFB.  The cause of the accident will be investigated by an Air Force investigation board.

A Fire Scout unmanned helicopter fly over the Webster Field in Maryland. Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update

A ‘runaway’ MQ-8B FireScout flew for 20 minutes out of control on August 2, 2010, travelling about 23 miles from the U.S. Navy Webster Field in Maryland toward the capital the CNN reported today. As ground communications failed, the unmanned helicopter continued to fly away from the base, instead of returning back to its launch point, the standard automatic procedure in such an event. The new course  took it out of the field’s restricted military flight zone, into the National Capitol Region restricted air space, alerting the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the Federal Aviation Administration. After about 20 minutes, the crew managed to re-program the drone to turn back, as it was about 40 miles from the capital.

Fortunately, this incident did not deter the FAA from allowing the U.S. Army to fly their new ‘Grey Eagle’ (previously known as Sky Warrior or ERMP) in the national airspace, along with civilian and commercial aircraft, out of the restricted area over El-Mirage in Southern California. According to the Army, the new permission enables UAS to fly only night missions, when commercial traffic is minimal. For situational awareness operators will rely on ground based radars,  providing the ‘Sense and Avoid’ function commonly employed by pilots in manned aircraft. According to the FAA restrictions that followed the Certification of Authorization (COA), an FAA representative will be present in the control center when UAVs are operated in the area. The Army is hopeful that after a while, FAA will waive the restriction of their representative presence in the center, enabling the service to exercise full control over the mission.

ITT is introducing new Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS) sensor architecture and a special WAAS payload at the AUVSI 2010 exhibition opened today in Denver, CO. The new architecture enables the warfighter to access collection of data from multiple sources. The new stabilized multi-megapixel-class day/night payload designated WAAS-W comprises a turret sensor designed to operate with the new architecture.

WAAS-W generates multiple high resolution views of specific regions, simultaneously, across the payload’s widest footprint, enabling users to track multiple targets in different parts of the field of view. The system enables the user to instantly obtain high resolution, detailed images sufficient to track dismounts. The payload uses two separate imagers, 160 day/night imager and 64 megapixel mid-wave infrared imagers covering a wide field of view with fixed optics, producing two simultaneous feeds updated at a rate of several frames per second.

For more information on WAAS see also Defense Update article “Night Eyes for the Constant Hawk” published 19 September, 2009.

We also suggest the coverage of ITT’s “Broad Area Persistent Surveillance System” on Defense-Update.

AAS-W generates multiple high resolution views of specific regions , simultaneously, across the payload's widest footprint, enabling users to track multiple targets in different parts of the field of view. Photo: ITT

ITT is introducing new Wide Area Airborne Surveillance (WAAS)sensor architecture and a special WAAS payload at the AUVSI 2010 exhibition opened today in Denver, CO. The new architecture enables the warfighter to access collection of data from multiple sources. The new stabilized multi-megapixel-class day/night payload designated WAAS-W comprises a turret sensor designed to operate with the new architecture.

WAAS-W generates multiple high resolution views of specific regions, simultaneously, across the payload’s widest footprint, enabling users to track multiple targets in different parts of the field of view. The system enables the user to instantly obtain high resolution, detailed images sufficient to track dismounts. The payload uses two separate imagers, 160 day/night imager and 64 megapixel mid-wave infrared imagers covering a wide field of view with fixed optics, producing two simultaneous feeds updated at a rate of several frames per second.

For more information on WAAS see also Defense Update article “Night Eyes for the Constant Hawk” published 19 September, 2009.

We also suggest the coverage of ITT’s “Broad Area Persistent Surveillance System” on Defense-Update.

A U.S. Air Force accident investigation board determines that the crash of an Air National Guard MQ-1B Predator drone on April 20th in Southern California was caused by pilot error. Photo: U.S. Air Force

A U.S. Air Combat Command accident investigation board determined the cause of a crash of a Predator MQ-1 B unmanned aerial vehicle at Southern California Logistics Airport during an April 20 training mission was human error. According to the report, the crash was caused by a student pilot’s failure to recognize the aircraft’s speed was too low for the weather conditions and aircraft configuration. Unexpectedly difficult wind conditions at the field during the landing contributed to the mishap, officials said.

UAV Crash statistics have shown that most accidents involving remote piloted UAVs are caused in the takeoff and landing phases. To eliminate this risk most modern UAVs are equipped with automatic take-off and landing systems (ATOL). However, the U.S. Air Force insists on flying their UAVs with remote pilots.

The Predator crashed on April 20th was an Air National Guard aircraft from the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing at March Joint Air Reserve Base, Calif., operated by members of the 3rd Special Operations Squadron under the supervision of instructors from the 163rd Operations Group Formal Training Unit also based at this base. The investigation found that during final approach the Predator stalled after approaching landing at insufficient air speed. This resulted in a hard landing that exceeded design limitations for the aircraft. Upon impact, the left wingtip dragged on the ground, causing the aircraft to leave the prepared runway surface and subsequently break apart. While no injuries occurred as a result of the accident, the aircraft and one inert Hellfire training missile were a total loss. The estimated damage to government property, including a runway light, is valued at about $3.7 million.