UAVs australianos serán equipados con una cámara gimbal autóctona

CM234 Spitfire Gimbal will Equip Army Tactical UAS

CM234 Spitfire camera gimbal (photo : AscentVision)

Home-grown technology central to Defence unmanned aerial system project

The Australian Defence Force will soon be equipped with world-leading Australian developed camera sensor technology featuring next generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. They are specifically designed for use on tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Recent progress in the ongoing tender evaluation process for the Tactical UAS Replacement and Enhancement Project (LAND 129 Phase 3) has confirmed the CM234 Spitfire camera gimbal will be incorporated into the Australian Army’s new tactical unmanned aerial system.

Director General Army Aviation Systems, Brigadier James Allen, described the Spitfire camera gimbal as a generational leap in optical camera sensor and image stabilisation technology that offers a significant capability advantage for Defence.

“The Spitfire camera gimbal is an extremely lightweight sensor package that provides a day-and-night surveillance and reconnaissance capability on the installed aircraft, which will significantly boost Army’s tactical UAS capabilities,” Brigadier Allen said.

“UAS are a key component of Army’s ISR capability, with some smaller unmanned systems used last year on Operation Bushfire Assist.

“Insitu Pacific Limited and Textron Systems Australia have been selected as the final two companies in the tender evaluation process for LAND 129 Phase 3, and both have confirmed the inclusion of the Spitfire camera gimbal in their solution.”

Both companies will continue to refine their offerings over the coming months, prior to a Government decision on the new unmanned platform later this year.

Assistant Secretary Defence Capability and Innovation, Andrew Hodgkinson, said the advanced Spitfire camera sensor technology was a great demonstration of a home-grown innovation from Australia’s technology sector transitioning into defence capability.

“The advanced CM234 Spitfire camera gimbal has been developed by Melbourne-based Australian company Ascent Vision Technologies, with support and investment from the Defence Innovation Hub,” Mr Hodgkinson said.

“This Australian invention will allow capabilities traditionally reserved for manned aviation systems to be introduced on tactical unmanned aerial systems.”

The imaging system uses electro-optical, short wave and medium wave infrared cameras, along with laser range finding and target designation technology.

Ministerio de defensa de Australia

Filipinas quiere equipos para detectar despliegue de misiles

PH to Acquire Equipment to Detect Missile Deployment

Mischief reef South China Sea 

PH to Acquire Modern Anti-Missile Equipment

The Philippine government is acquiring a state-of-the art equipment to detect missile deployment after admitting it has yet to verify China’s reported installation of such defense system in the South China Sea.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the country’s new missile detection technology was “forthcoming,” citing information from National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

“National Security Adviser told me that there’s a technology that we need that we still don’t have to be able to verify it for ourselves,” Roque said when asked if the government’s knowledge about the missile system reportedly installed by China.

“We’re awaiting (delivery) so that we can have finally our own capacity to verify for ourselves,” he added.

Pending the arrival of such equipment, Roque said the government could get information about China’s reported missile deployment from third-party resources. “But that would not be first party verification,” he added.

China has reportedly quietly installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile system on three territories in the South China Sea, including in one reef declared by an international tribunal as part of Philippine territory. It has defended the deployment of defensive facilities in the region, saying it has indisputable sovereignty over the territory.

Roque insisted that government was concerned over China’s reported missile deployment, and assured all diplomatic initiatives would be taken to address the matter.

“We are viewing this with much concern because any possible scenario that would encourage military action in our backyard, in our Exclusive Economic Zone and in the—one of the busiest sea lanes in the world is troublesome,” he said.

“So like the rest of the world, we value freedom of navigation. But we have more of an interest because this is covered by our EEZ,” he added.

The Palace official however does not consider China’s reported missile deployment a betrayal of the country’s trust.

“I do not know why it’s even betrayal of trust. Why is it betrayal and trust?” he said.

Roque instead expressed confidence that the country would not be a target of China’s missiles due to the revitalized bilateral relations.

“You can’t ignore the fact that because of very good relations, we can be confident that that China as a country does not view us as a threat,” he said. “There is no reason why assuming they have missiles that they can use, they will use it on us. That’s all that we are saying,” he added.

For now, Roque assured that the government was trying its best to address the latest situation in the West Philippine Sea. He said the matter was being handled by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“We have to deal now with existing realities and ang sinasabi nga ni Presidente is what the President says is] we are trying to do the best that we can under existing circumstances. We are exploring all diplomatic options, which does not mean we are not doing anything,” he said.

Manila Bulletin

Australia selecciona sensor antiminas

Australian Navy Picks Thales for Deployable Mine Countermeasures

Autonomous and remote controlled mine countermeasures

Deployable Mine Countermeasure Capabilities For Navy

The Royal Australian Navy is forging ahead with new technologies to counter the threat of sea mines to military and commercial vessels.

The Head of Navy Capability, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, said the prevalence and increasing sophistication of sea mines means the Royal Australian Navy must continue to improve the way it finds and disposes of these mines.

“New autonomous and remote-controlled technologies deployed from within the maritime task force provides the opportunity to find and dispose of sea mines more safely and efficiently,” Rear Admiral Mead said.

“In the 2030s, Defence will seek to replace its specialised mine hunting and environmental survey vessels with a single fleet of multi-role vessels embarking advanced autonomous and uninhabited systems.”

Rear Admiral Mead said these newly introduced systems are the first step in realising a future capability which would allow the Royal Australian Navy to clear sea mines with minimal risk to its people and assets.

“Thales Australia Ltd will deliver and support the new equipment over the next 15 years,” Rear Admiral Mead said.

The new capability will primarily be based and sustained at HMAS Waterhen in Sydney, New South Wales.

MinDef Australiano