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.
Day 1 at #CUAS Technology Europe is off to a great start this morning. It started with a fantastic keynote from Group Captain Gary Darby MSyI MSc, UK Defence Director Joint C-UAS Office. Everyone is aware of Iran’s recent air attack on Israel, which launched 300+ missiles and drones from multiple countries for 4+ hours. 99% of these systems either failed at launch or in-flight or were affected by Israeli, US, UK, or other allied nations’ forces. As industry and militaries design, test, evaluate, and operationalize CUAS systems, the systems’ ability to protect against saturated air attacks, like that from Iran, will be critical. And as the second speaker of the day Stephan Kraschansky, MD Aaronia AG, emphasized, CUAS strategy requires a layered approach. There is no silver bullet. As the drone threat continues to evolve a layered approach to counter-measures will be increasingly important. Radar, RF, visual, and acoustic systems need to work in tandem. And the systems have to address a broader range of frequencies to counteract the increased use of abnormal frequencies. Additionally, industry vendors should closely track international opportunities to shape customers and collaborate with the soon-to-be-established Joint CUAS offices (JCOs) in countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Thank you to all five speakers this morning: Roy Bookham, Gary Darby MSyI MSc, Stephan Kraschansky, Brigadier General Kazimierz Dynski, and Lars Krogh Vammen. Craig Belanger, BCE Consulting (BCE), Joe Giandomenico, Anirudh Suneel, Ben Osterholtz, Mark Kipphut, Kristin Robertson, Jerry Spruill, Aaron Prupas, Dennis Carroll, Doug Reep, Scott Bethel, Jim Walker, James Hvizd, Tony Cothron, Richard Mascolo, Martin J. Bowling, Jeff Snyder. SAE Media Group , SAE Media Group Defence #CUAS #technology #europe #cuastecheurope #airdefence #defense #uas #unmannedsystems #CUASEUROPE24