Saturday, September 01, 2018

Terminator Times #48

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones):

DARPA's latest drone software allows them to do recon in urban environments, including inside buildings.

DARPA has selected the Silent Falcon to power a drone 10 km away with a laser.

The Missile Defense Agency has given General Atomics a $134M contract for a new sensor for the MQ-9.

The US military confirmed armed drones have been deployed to Niger.

The US Military's Strategic Capability Office used MALD-X drones for an electronic warfare demonstration (and more).  The US Navy will deploy it.

The USAF's replacement for the Joint Stars is very ambitious.  So much so, it sounds like the flying FCS equivalent and strikes me as probably failing.

Does the USAF need a Loyal Wingman UCAV?

An RQ-4 Global Hawk deployed to Alaska for Red Flag Alaska.

An RQ-4 Global Hawk crashed off of Spain last June.

USAF Reapers could be deployed to Romania soon.

The Pentagon is also looking at testing the Reaper in missile defense applications.

The US Army has given General Atomics a contract in support of the jamming capabilities of its Grey Eagle UAVs.

The US Army's West Point Military Academy and AeroVironment are collaborating on UAVs.

The US Army have L3 a contract for new sensors for its UAVs.

The USMC flew is last RQ-7B flight as part of RIMPAC.  The RQ-7B is being replaced by the RQ-21.

The USMC just bought four more Blackjacks.

The US Navy supposedly will have picked the winner of the MQ-25A Stingray tanker drone yesterday.

The US Navy gave Raytheon a contract for an IR/EO sensor turret for its Triton UAVs.

The US Navy awarded Boeing the contract worth $805M for the MQ-25A Stingray tanker UAV.  It's the biggest win for Boeing in defense in a decade.  Some are stating Boeing may end up manufacturing 150 MQ-25As.

The US Special Forces are holding off on using small drones.

The Australian Army has bought DJI Phantom IVs.

Chile has bought a Chinese drone for its navy.



China might have a new unknown, high speed drone.  Jane's had an article about it, but has since pulled it.  I have a post here.  The base location is 42.196365 N 087.162109 E.

China's CASC showed off its latest hybrid UAV.

France has ordered more MQ-9 Reapers.

Germany has ordered the Skeldar UAV V-200.

Israel has found a new Asian customer for its Dominator UAV.

Israel has filed charges on export control violations and fraud against a UAV manufacturer.  Apparently, the manufacturer flew a combat mission for a client as a demo.

Japan's armed services will jointly operate the RQ-4 Global Hawks Japan has procured.

Malaysia is considering drones for its maritime patrols.

The Russians claim to have shot down another drone in Syria.  And another.  And another?  And three more.

Russia has sold Orion UAVs to an undisclosed customer in the Middle East.  Syria, I'd bet.

Spain is seeking a UAV for overseas training missions.

Turkey and Indonesia are collaborating on UAVs.

Turkey has demonstrated control of an Anka S UCAV during a strike.

UAE is deploying its Wing Loong II UAVs to Eritrea.

In Venezuela, President Maduro claims someone tried to assassinate him with bombs attached to drones.

Airbus' Zephyr can fly nonstop for a month.

General Atomics pushed forward on more testing for its MQ-25A design ahead of the September selection by the Navy.

How SAGE will strengthen the General Atomics Sky Guardian.

Insitu won contracts from the USMC and US Special Forces.

Textron demonstrated some manned-unmanned teaming for its Scorpion using their own system.

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (Bolos and Ogres):

The US Army wants to have 70 unmanned supply trucks by 2020.  Groups of 9 will follow a single manned truck.  Oshkosh has stated they can take people out altogether if the army wanted.

The US Army is working to get military robots to right themselves in the event they fall over.

The US Army is currently converting 4 M-113s to be self driving.

Here's a bit more on the US Army's work on UGVs.

Estonia, Lavtia and Finland are teaming up to try to build Europe's next UGV.

IAI and DOK-ING are planning an UGV called CBNE.

Roboteam unveiled new UGVs.

Unmanned Surface Vehicles (Robo Ships):

The US Navy is working unmanned ships being a backbone of their future surface fleet.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles:

What are some of the issues with long range UUVs?

UUVs will change how the US Navy fights with submarines.

Exoskeletons:

The Russians have developed a passive exoskeleton to help with carrying heavy loads and chameleon like camouflage on a helmet, at least.

Mecha:

The Russians claimed to have a ridiculous mecha being designed and tested.

Software Bots:

The US Army is turning to software bots for electronic warfare.

Rather than shunning the Pentagon, Silicon Valley ought to be working with it on AI ethics.

China may be pulling ahead of the US in militarized AI development.

META:

Five hard truths of drone warfare.

This Texas Church has been preaching the power of drone warfare.

A US Army general talks about the manned-unmanned teaming and cautions on over-reliance on drones.

This is the Pentagon's public roadmap for unmanned systems and its ambivalent on killer robots.

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