UAVs in multiple classes proliferate in South Korea
South Korea is rapidly advancing its UAV programmes and counter-drone capabilities in response to increasing threats from North Korea’s unmanned aerial systems.
The US Navy has selected Finmeccanica's Osprey AESA radar for its newly-upgraded Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter, the company announced on 17 October.
Under the new contract, an initial batch of five radars will be delivered to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for evaluation and testing. Once the testing is complete, NAVAIR will have the option to purchase more radar systems.
The company has already built several Osprey radars, so the primary task within the contract will be to integrate the system with the MQ-8C Fire Scout.
The AESA radar is designed to enable operators to spot threats that are beyond the range of standard ship-based sensors. An Osprey-equipped MQ-8C Fire Scout will use high-frequency radio waves to detect targets at long ranges in severe weather, night and other low-visibility conditions. Osprey's flat-panel technology enables it to be installed within the mould line of the helicopter rather than in an underslung belly-pod.
The two-panel radar will provide an instantaneous 240-degree field of view along with various digital modes such as air-to-air targeting, weather detection and a ground moving target indicator. It has an open architecture for the navy to insert future technologies, and an 'E-Scan' design with minimal moving parts for simplified maintenance.
The MQ-8C Fire Scout is expected to be integrated with the navy's littoral combat ships. The helicopter will be launched from the decks of the combat vessels to identify distant threats.
South Korea is rapidly advancing its UAV programmes and counter-drone capabilities in response to increasing threats from North Korea’s unmanned aerial systems.
Inspired by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the British Army has one eye on the future as it develops its ability to operate FPV UAS.
The confrontation followed a history of untroubled fly-throughs by similar drones en route to Ukraine.
The contract covers disposal and training vehicles for the Belgian and Dutch navies.
The hangar will be used to eventually produce 200-300 drones per year.
The system will now move on to data analysis and rapid prototyping, so it can be deployed as fast as possible.