Japanese authorities said they were forced to abandon plans Thursday to send in drones* for a second day to probe one of the damaged reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant because of equipment failure. Continue reading
Rheinmetall Gets Further Skynex Air Defence System for European Customer
Rheinmetall has been awarded a further contract to supply Skynex air defence systems to a European customer. The systems will enhance the customer’s ability to defend itself against aerial threats. The order has a value in the lower three-digit million euro range. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Modifying Global Hawk Drones for Hypersonic Tests
Northrop Grumman is now adapting the next two RQ-4 Global Hawk drones into aircraft that can monitor hypersonic system tests and expects to start integration testing on the pair later this summer. Continue reading
‘False Transit’ Loophole Supplies Russia’s War Machine Through Kazakh Companies and Belarusian Warehouses
On February 24, Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine will enter its third grueling year, with no sign of ending. Countries around the world have imposed sanctions intended to cripple Russia’s ability to wage war, but the flow of high-tech foreign goods into the country continues. Continue reading
German Frigate Mistakenly Fires on MQ-9 Over the Red Sea
On the evening of February 26, the crew of the German frigate “Hessen,” operating in the Red Sea as part of the European Union mission, attempted to shoot down an unknown drone after efforts to clarify its nature with U.S. forces were unsuccessful. Continue reading
German Army Orders Rheinmetall’s Skyranger Mobile Air Defence System
The German Army (Bundeswehr) has ordered the Skyranger 30 mobile air defence system from Rheinmetall for the German armed forces. Worth €595 million (including value added tax), the contract encompasses delivery of a prototype and another 18 series production vehicles. Continue reading
Swiss-Austrian Consortium to Laser Scan Swiss Alps by Drones
A Swiss-Austrian consortium will test large-area laser scanning applications in the Swiss Alps, using innovative drones. The partners are Dufour Aerospace, RIEGL, BSF Swissphoto and the SLF, who will collaborate for a series of test flights over several months. Continue reading
Leonardo to Equip Canadian Armed Forces with Counter-Drone Technology
Leonardo has been awarded a contract by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to provide its Falcon Shield C-UAS system for operation by the Canadian Armed Forces. The company will provide a number of systems and a 10-year sustainment package that includes options for additional equipment and the spiral development of new capabilities. Continue reading