Missiles, drones and counter-drone systems: A look at day 2 of AFA
From counter-drone lasers to cutaway engine blocks, here are some of the sights from around the trade show floor.
Army awards first-ever laser production contract to AV, with $465M value
“One of the key exciting components of this particular production program is introducing production-directed energy for the first time in the nation's history,” AV’s vice president of directed-energy systems told reporters.
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In the age of drones, a bigger fence around your facility doesn’t protect you anymore
Traditional thinking about how to protect facilities must adapt to new threats such as drones or downstream attacks.
An Army leadership shakeup, plus lasers on the border
US soldiers are demonstrating new systems to shoot down drones while the Army starts the search for a new secretary.
Military uses AV directed-energy system to ‘defeat’ drones at the border
The task force did not disclose exactly where the drones were engaged or who was suspected of flying them, but suggested they could have been used for reconnaissance by a drug cartel.
JIATF-401 awards CACI $500M for non-kinetic cUAS
JIATF-401 also awarded AeroVironment (AV) a $500 million three-year contract earlier this month.
Army reveals new details on autonomous launcher, high energy laser program
Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano told an audience Tuesday that the service is looking to award the first contracts for its CAML program next month, and it is in final negotiations with AV for its E-HEL initiative.
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Leonardo in ‘advanced’ talks to expand Italian Army’s AW249 combat helicopter fleet
One of the use-cases envisaged for the platform could be to “fly at high-speed and low-level in order to penetrate deep into enemy territory,” Marco Marinoni, head of the AH-249 acquisition program in the Italian Army, said.
Army awards AV LASSO award, joining Textron, Uvision in prototyping competition
The company said in a release today that it will be providing its Switchblade 400 product, a portable, anti-armor loitering munition with medium range.
Marines to field light loitering munition to operational units in ‘June timeframe’: Official
Currently OFP-L systems from three manufacturers are being tested by units at Dugway Proving Grounds outside of Salt Lake City.
AeroVironment introduces new line of launched effects modeled after Switchblade
The first product in the MAYHEM line is dubbed MAYHEM 10, a launched effect system with a 10lb payload.
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Physics AI is different and changes the way defense systems are designed
Models that replicate real-world physics streamline design, testing and iteration processes.
AV unveils LOCUST X3, latest entrant into laser counter-drone race
The unveiling at AUSA's Global Force comes as militaries the world over race for cheaper ways to confront the drone threat.
AeroVironment to acquire California drone maker ESAero in $200M deal
The multimillion dollar deal for Empirical Systems Aerospace will "accelerate AV's ability to bridge the gap between conceptual design and manufacturing execution," AV chief Wahid Nawabi said.
AV launches new Switchblade variants, VTOL drone design
The defense firm rolled out a new Switchblade design dubbed the Switchblade 400, as well as an update to its VAPOR vertical takeoff-and-landing drone.
GDLS to roll out drone-killer robot, tank-launched switchblades, more at AUSA
"We’re locked in step with the Army, we’re fired up about the future, and I think what you’re going to see at AUSA really supports where the Army is headed," Geoff Norman, director of US strategy and growth at GDLS, told Breaking Defense.