Robyn Pirie’s Post

Lots of interesting and compelling thoughts yesterday at #CUASEUROPE2024. The impact of proven mission assured capabilities like Patriot, IBCS, and F-35 cannot be overstated. These systems work, and work well. Years of investment by United States Department of Defense and our allies and partner nations (e.g., UK Ministry of Defence, Ministry of National Defence (Republic Of Poland)) and the people, process, and technology investments by Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and the highly capable and committed suppliers working alongside them cannot be overstated. But it is also clear that the number one issue facing industry and their government customers is their ability to collaborate with each other. This will become more critical as the threat environment continues to evolve more and more rapidly. Assymetric threats, collaborative enemy capabilities (e.g., Shahed 136), and cheap but customized platforms (e.g., DJI) will push our defensive capabilities. Government and industry will have to address long development cycles, the electromagnetic domain, and the lack of robust spending. And the best defensive systems in the world won’t be able to defeat COTS or exquisite threats if there isn’t enough time from when they detect or classify targets to when those targets reach their destination. Are our OODA loops fast enough will be a key question. How we address targets capable of swarm, autonomy, and AI will be critical.And there are many novel technologies being advanced by smaller companies like Echodyne, BlueHalo, Robin Radar Systems, and D-Fend Solutions that are worthy of better understanding and investment. BCE Consulting (BCE)’s team at the conference looks forward to learning more today. Let us know if you are here.

𝗘𝗨 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 The European Commission's decision to provide additional funding for the Eurodrone program highlights its commitment to promoting Europe's defense capabilities. With 100 million euros earmarked for the development of a fully European medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft system (MALE RPAS), the aim is to enhance Europe's strategic autonomy in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. By reducing reliance on non-EU suppliers for critical defense technologies, such as ISR capabilities, Europe aims to strengthen its sovereignty and security. However, the program has encountered challenges, including delays in key milestones like the preliminary design review. These setbacks may impact the timeline for the first flight of the European MALE drone, currently scheduled for January 2027. Despite these challenges, the Eurodrone program remains a collaborative effort involving several EU member states and industry partners. As Europe continues to navigate geopolitical complexities and strives for greater self-reliance in defense, initiatives like the Eurodrone program play a pivotal role in advancing European defense capabilities and ensuring security in an increasingly uncertain world. Photo by Sebastian Sprenger / Staff

Another step ahead for #Eurodrone:    OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) and Airbus Defence and Space, as Prime contractor, have signed the first amendment to the "Stage 2 Development, Production and initial In-Service Support Contract" of the MALE-RPAS (Medium Altitude Long Endurance - Remoted Piloted Air System).    This is undoubtedly a positive contractual milestone in the right direction for this important defence programme, which will give us the first European unmanned aircraft system designed to fly in non-segregated airspace.   This contract amendment introduces an option for training and services, as well as new features requested by the participating countries (France, Germany, Italy and Spain).   The contract was signed in Hallbergmoos (Germany) in the presence of Baptiste Longuet, OCCAR MALE-RPAS Programme Manager, and Erik Lorch, HO Eurodrone Customer Partnership Management at Airbus Defence and Space.   As a cutting-edge UAS innovation programme, #Eurodrone will be designed to perform several types of missions, including maritime and anti-submarine warfare, and will be adapted to the combat cloud.    We must emphasise that the MALE-RPAS programme will guarantee European sovereignty and independence in the management of information and intelligence. https://lnkd.in/dJx7rKks

Following last week's NATO summit in Washington D.C., Canada’s announcement to spend 2% of GDP on defence by 2032 marks an essential commitment. This decision is crucial as the defence industry rapidly evolves, and Canada must establish itself as a leader in innovation, particularly in the Electronic Warfare (EW) domain. As drones become an ever-greater threat on modern battlefields, our expertise in EW is more relevant than ever. At Leonardo Canada – Electronics, we contribute to defence capabilities with Skytender, our leading CUAS simulation technology. Skytender is an operational planning and assessment tool designed to quantify the effectiveness of Counter-Uncrewed Air Systems (CUAS). It enables decision-making superiority and improves asset protection by evaluating the performance of deployed C-UAS systems against potential threats within specific physical and electromagnetic environments. The future battlespace is ever-changing, and we are dedicated to staying ahead of emerging threats. Reaching the 2% goal requires more than just commitment; it requires a detailed plan to outline our objectives and the steps needed to achieve them. Strategic procurement and innovation-driven programs will be key to ensuring Canada can meet its defence targets and secure its role as a global security leader. Reach out today to learn more about Skytender and how it can maximize the protection of assets against all types of drones #NATO #LCE #LeonardoCanada #Defence #Canada #CUAS #Drones

#DefenseInnovation: EDGE Group & Turkish Aerospace's Alliance Skyrockets Airborne Capabilities! In a strategic move that's set to redefine the defense industry's future, the UAE's EDGE Group Platform and Turkish Aerospace have inked a monumental memorandum of understanding. This isn't just a partnership; it's a leap into a future where intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions are elevated to unprecedented heights. 🌐 A Continental Handshake with Global Implications: This alliance is more than a collaboration; it's a bridge between continents, merging the UAE's innovative defense landscape with Turkey's aerospace prowess. The potential integration of payloads and sensors into aerial platforms signifies a transformative era for airborne capabilities. From Past Success to Future Dominance: EDGE Group and Turkish Aerospace aren't strangers to collaboration. Their history of joint projects, including precision-guided munitions and UAVs, sets the stage for a partnership that could dominate the skies. Innovation as the North Star: The strategic significance of this partnership lies in its potential to revolutionize ISTAR missions, making the skies not just a battleground but a domain of unparalleled safety and security. Beyond Tech: A Vision of Stability: At its core, this alliance is about more than just technological advancements. It's about creating a shared vision for peace and stability in a world where geopolitical tensions are ever-present. Investment Insights: 🛰️ Defense Sector Growth: This partnership heralds new opportunities in the defense technology market, especially in advanced ISTAR capabilities. 🛰️ Market Dynamics: Investors should watch for the ripple effects of this alliance on the aerospace and defense industries, as it may drive innovation and shift market dynamics. 🛰️ Visionary Investments: The focus on global security underscores the potential for impactful investments in defense technologies that prioritize a safer world. As EDGE Group and Turkish Aerospace chart a course for the future, their partnership stands as a beacon of collaboration and innovation in the defense sector. For investors and industry leaders, this is a pivotal moment to align with the transformative forces shaping the skies of tomorrow. Stay tuned with Market Unwinded for more insights into the strategic alliances that are defining the future of defense technology. Dive deeper into this alliance: https://lnkd.in/en5xeQJi #Aerospace #DefenseTech #UAV #GlobalSecurity #Innovation #MarketUnwinded #InvestmentOpportunities #StrategicPartnership

In preparation for the Full Spectrum Air Defence conference, Defence iQ has published a News Round-Up of anti-air defence efforts worldwide, providing updates on current developments in the space. >> Download your copy here: https://bit.ly/3wCjWSt Current conflicts have shown the importance of full spectrum air defence. Whether the threat be hypersonic missiles, or small UAVs, democratisation of airborne technologies has opened new avenues of attack. As a result of this several nations worldwide are investing in air defence capabilities. This document outlines the latest developments on all things concerning platform purchases of FSAD technologies amongst key nations. >> View the 2024 Agenda Here: https://bit.ly/4c4HmjZ #fullspectrumairdefence #defence #defense

🇪🇺 Eurodrone program boosts European cooperation in the fields of Security and Defence. Airbus Defence and Space leads the Eurodrone program as the main contractor alongside the French company Dassault Aviation and the Italian company Leonardo , with participation from partner countries France, Germany, Italy, and Spain under the management of the international armaments agency, OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation). ✈️Eurodrone is the first unmanned combat aerial system (UCAS) designed for flight in non-segregated airspace whose main missions will be long-endurance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as ground support with precision-guided weapons. ✅ The program is progressing well and continues to achieve significant milestones. After successfully passing the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) last May, demonstrating that the initial aircraft design has continued to mature and paving the way to proceed with the detailed design, the program is now in the next phase focused on reaching the Critical Design Review (CDR), which will represent the closure of the system´s architecture and design. The partner countries have committed to acquiring 60 units. 🗣️ As Airbus states "the development of EuroDrone is seen as a 'lighthouse' program for Airbus and the entire European aeronautics industry. The future of Eurodrone will be the foundation for future defense programs, such as the European FCAS". #Aeronautics #Eurodrone #Europe #Cooperation #Milestones (Image Resources: Airbus Media Center)

Come visit the Bell Australia team at Rotortech 4-6 June, Booth #46B https://lnkd.in/gRwGmJeX The Asia Pacific helicopter market is rapidly expanding. According to US-based 'Mordor Intelligence', by 2029 this market will constitute US$23B, a compound annual growth on today of 8%. Other observers tell a similar story. https://lnkd.in/gveUPBjD Militaries still drive the bulk of market growth in the region, as they modernise and replace legacy platforms, expand existing fleets, and move into new niche areas (e.g. ASW, attack, CSAR). New acquisitions demand more Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) support. A particular trend is the militarisation of commercial platforms - adding weapons and specialist sensors - leveraging the reliability, ease of supportability, low operating costs and near performance of proven platforms. Demand has also increased in the para-public sector (police, firefighting, air ambulance, border patrol, SAR) where the performance of modern helicopters and the enhancement in organisational capacity is proving ROI. Technologies such as tiltrotor and Bell's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) offer a revolution in capability, as we stand on the verge of unprecedented change in how armies think and manoeuvre in the maritime IndoPacific. Electric VTOL, such as Bell's Nexus and the hybrid-electric Nuuva look to disrupt last-mile logistics and courier passenger services. Future innovations such as HSVTOL are already in development to push the boundaries of traditional rotorcraft beyond anything yet imagined. It's an exciting time to be sharing ideas and exploring opportunities. Daniel McQuestin, Jack Kormas, Grant Boyter

I have a short paper out for the Finnish National Defence University (Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu – Försvarshögskolan – Finnish National Defence University). In it, Dominika Kunertova and I look at the relationship of various emerging and disruptive technologies to the Clausewitzian fog of war. We do so in the context of Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Our analysis touches on drones, open-source intelligence, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic delivery vehicles. We conclude that these technologies are transforming the fog of war, but also contributing to further uncertainty and adding complexity to decision-making. They present complications in the form of hype/exaggerated expectations about weapons and the growing influence of new defense tech firms. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dfmSas6T

From 10 to 20 September 2024, over 450 participants from 19 NATO Allies and three partner-countries gathered in the Netherlands to test the ability of commercially available counter-drone systems to operate seamlessly together. Ukraine participated for the first time, alongside members of the private sector and research community. During NATO’s annual Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Technical Interoperability Exercise (TIE), more than 60 counter-drone systems and technologies such as sensors, drone-on-drone systems, jammers and cyber interceptors were tested live. Ukraine’s first active participation in the exercise is part of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap endorsed by Allied and Ukrainian Leaders at the Washington Summit. Exercises like the C-UAS TIE provide a unique opportunity to address pressing challenges together, such as drone autonomy and interoperability while also learning from Ukraine’s battlefield experience in countering small drones.