Operation Safe Mediterranean: Frigate Rizzo completes ScanEagle on-the-job training

Original article in Italian here.

November 20 – The frigate Luigi Rizzo, within the scope of Operation Safe Mediterranean (OMS) under the Tactical Command of the Commander of the Second Naval Division, Admiral Andrea Petroni, reaches an important milestone for the Naval Fleet with the completion of the last phase of On the Job Training for the specialist personnel of the Scaneagle remotely piloted aircraft .

This important result comes just a few weeks after the conclusion of the system acceptance tests and will soon allow the unit to use a drone “on the field” for the first time, in a real operational context. The integration of the Scaneagle
system on board the frigates represents an important step forward for the Navy, which continues to invest in cutting-edge technologies useful for facing modern challenges within the dynamic international context.

The Scaneagle is in fact a light and precise long-range system, equipped with advanced and highly autonomous sensors which, flown by military pilots supported by qualified specialist personnel from the Navy’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Section (SEZAPRM), contributes to the collection of highly detailed real-time operational information, useful for ensuring Maritime Situation Awareness to monitor vast areas of sea and identify potential threats or high-risk situations.

Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft above Drenthe

Original article in Dutch here. Translated via Google.

All photos by Martin Bos

November 19, 24: This week, the hum of an unmanned military reconnaissance aircraft can be heard above the Drenthe fields. Defense is practicing with the X-300 Integrator reconnaissance system that has been part of the armed forces since 2019. In this article, we will take you through all the steps involved in a successful reconnaissance flight. The technical information about the X-300 can be found on the separate theme page .

The X-300 Integrator is deployed by the 107 Aerial Systems Battery (107 ASBt) of JISTARC , the specialist intelligence unit of the army. JISTARC stands for Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance Command and is an intelligence unit of our armed forces. The current personnel comes from the army, air force and marine corps. Even someone from the Defence Service Year has found his place there.

Own training 107 ASBt

The X-300 Integrator is a complex and (in terms of weight) heavy system. This means that specialized personnel are needed. The pilots are trained by the manufacturer Insitu in the United States. The 107 ASBt trains its own ground crew at the Tonnetkazerne in ‘t Harde at the Flight Training Organization. However, good flying (and everything that comes with it) is not something you learn only at the barracks. Now that the Dutch army is focusing more explicitly on Main Task 1 (defending the Netherlands and allies), it is also important to practice in our own country. The unit trains between the fields of Drenthe where new employees of the battery put the profession into practice.

The total exercise of 107 ASBt lasts 2 weeks. The Dutch climate in November presents its own challenges. Fog and (drizzle) rain determine the operations. Gusts of wind also limit flying. Flying during the day or in the dark does not matter to the unit.

Prepare and plan

A reconnaissance flight requires thorough preparation. Preparations begin months before the exercise. Landowners give permission for the use of their land, including during the sugar beet harvest. The Dutch aviation authorities have been informed. The unmanned aircraft flies at an altitude of between 500 and 2000 meters.

Time to practice. The complete reconnaissance aircraft fits into a pair of carbon fiber storage boxes transported on a Gryphus. The aircraft is assembled under the shelter of a tent cloth.

Skilled hands simultaneously prepare the launch facility. The generator on the launch facility also provides the power needed to start the aircraft’s electronics on the ground.

The military performs a large number of preflight checks. Is the fuel system correct? Is the pitot tube (the rod on the front of the aircraft that measures speed and altitude) clean? Does the navigation system work? And of course, refueling is an important part of the process. As is warming up the engine so that it will start and run smoothly later.

If everything is correct, the aircraft is placed on the launch rails. The engine is started. A few final checks and then…

Launch

The launch of the reconnaissance aircraft is done from a launch rail. A compressor fills an air tank and with a push of a button the pressure is released and the take-off begins. With an enormous force the aircraft gains so much speed that it can continue on its own at the end of the rails. After all the noise of a running engine at full speed, it is suddenly quiet again between the fields. Within a few seconds it is out of sight.

Explore

The actual flight is monitored from two DAF four-tonners. With one vehicle, the connection with the reconnaissance aircraft is maintained with a beam transmitter. From the container on the other DAF, the aircraft is controlled and the reconnaissance equipment is operated. The actual interpretation of the video images is in a different location, all images are forwarded there. A generator provides the whole with electricity.

The vehicles are now standing here in the open in the field. This exercise is about training the crew to operate the reconnaissance system. There is therefore no need to operate hidden or camouflaged. Something that is of course different in a battle.

The unmanned aircraft flies in Dutch airspace where others (civilians and military) also fly. The aircraft is therefore not ‘camouflaged’ but made visible. During the entire flight, the aircraft transmits a radio signal so that it can be followed by everyone.

To land

After hours, the X-300 flies above our heads again. Ready to land. This landing is done via the so-called ‘skyhook’. The aircraft flies against a rope and hooks onto it. In this way, no runway is needed. The crew then lowers the aircraft in a controlled manner onto the transport vehicle. The catching system is next to the vehicles in the open field. In an operational situation, the catching system can of course be placed anywhere. Or only be there when an aircraft has to land.

Aftercare

The unmanned reconnaissance aircraft is safely back on the ground. The soldiers are completing the last part of the operation. The aircraft is completely checked and the on-board computer is read out. Fuel is sucked out of the aircraft and the exercise is briefly evaluated.

I am very proud of the men of 107 Aerial Systems Battery who made this possible, all the preparations and the hard work of the platoon this week made the flights possible. The mechanics of the Maint also provided great service. You see, believe in a goal and put your shoulders to the wheel together, then a lot is possible. The “new” personnel has shown a nice upward trend. And the image analysts are also well trained with a realistic scenario. This exercise is already a great success.
_{Chief Warrant Officer Frank}

For today’s exercise, this aircraft is packed back into its storage boxes. Another Integrator is allowed to fly. With their experience, 107 ASBt can keep an aircraft in the air continuously!

Postscript: At the request of Defence, all employees of 107 ASBt have been made unrecognisable in this article. Rough editing was chosen because subtle adjustments can be (partly) undone with modern software.

ScanEagle Part of Successful Security Strategy of the Colombian Air Force for COP16

Original article here.

November 2, 2024: To ensure the successful development of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP 16, held for the first time in Colombia, in Santiago de Cali, the Colombian Air Force (FAC) implemented the _Shield Plan,_ a strategy that was added to the work of the Public Force, the local, departmental and national government to provide security to all participants of this event.

In support of this important international event focused on the fight against climate change and environmental preservation, the FAC deployed its air, space, logistics and technological capabilities, under a concept of integration of Air, Space and Cyberspace Power, for the safe development of COP 16.

The FAC had nearly 1,500 men and women from different disciplines and specialties, who were essential in the implementation of this comprehensive security plan, where with their participation it was possible to carry out 115 missions of airspace control, electromagnetic protection, mobility, recognition, surveillance, command and control. Likewise, space monitoring tasks were carried out through the Space Operations Center, SPoC, for the constant monitoring of critical points, accumulating a total of approximately 230 flight hours in manned fixed-wing aircraft, rotary wing aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft, ARP.

Likewise, the anti-drone system (C-UAS) developed technologically by the FAC was used, together with the support of another system of the same type provided by the Spanish company INDRA, achieving more than 300 detections and 90 inhibitions. These operations have not only allowed for permanent and real-time monitoring of the summit activities in the green, blue and orange zones, but also offered vital support to preserve the safety of attendees and the general population.

Likewise, from the Military Air Transport Command, CATAM, located in Bogotá, more than 1,360 passengers and more than 37,550 kilograms of cargo from the National Army, the National Police and other entities have been transported by air to Cali, in support of COP 16. These actions strengthened security in the city, benefiting both locals and tourists, who gathered for this event of great international impact and which underlines Colombia’s potential as a country rich in culture and biodiversity, protected by its Public Force.

The Colombian Air Force continues to demonstrate its commitment and leadership in protecting the environment and national security, standing out as a key player in the success of COP16 and in strengthening Colombia as a leading nation in biodiversity and environmental responsibility with the capacity to lead global events that foster the socioeconomic growth of our country.AuthorCACOM 7 and EMAVI Public Communications Office

Original article in Spanish (translated to English via Google Translate)

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Exitosa estrategia de seguridad de la Fuerza Aérea Colombiana para la COP16

02 de Noviembre de 2024: Para garantizar el desarrollo exitoso de la Conferencia de las Partes de la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático, COP 16, realizada por primera vez en Colombia, en Santiago de Cali, su Fuerza Aérea Colombiana (FAC) implementó el _Plan Escudo,_ una estrategia que se sumó al trabajo de la Fuerza Pública, el gobierno local, departamental y nacional para brindar seguridad a todos los participantes de este evento.

Es así como en apoyo a este importante evento internacional centrado en la lucha contra el cambio climático y la preservación ambiental, la FAC desplegó sus capacidades aéreas, espaciales, logísticas y tecnológicas, bajo un concepto de integración del Poder Aéreo, Espacial y Ciberespacial, para el desarrollo seguro de la COP 16.

La FAC contó con cerca de 1.500 hombres y mujeres de distintas disciplinas y especialidades, quienes fueron esenciales en la implementación de este plan de seguridad integral, donde con su participación se hizo posible la realización de 115 misiones de control del espacio aéreo, protección electromagnética, movilidad, reconocimiento, vigilancia, mando y control. Así mismo se adelantaron labores de monitoreo espacial a través del Centro de Operaciones Espaciales, SPoC, para el seguimiento constante de puntos críticos, acumulando un total aproximado de 230 horas de vuelo en aeronaves tripuladas de ala fija, ala rotatoria y Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas, ARP.

De igual manera, se dispuso del sistema anti-drones (C-UAS, por sus siglas en inglés) desarrollado tecnológicamente por la FAC, sumado al apoyo de otro sistema del mismo tipo provisto por la compañía española INDRA, logrando más de 300 detecciones y 90 inhibiciones. Estas operaciones no sólo han permitido monitorear de manera permanente y en tiempo real, las actividades de la cumbre en las zonas verde, azul, naranja, sino también ofrecer soporte vital para preservar la seguridad de los asistentes y la población en general.

Así mismo, desde el Comando Aéreo de Transporte Militar, CATAM, ubicado en Bogotá, se ha realizado el traslado aéreo de más de 1.360 pasajeros y más de 37.550 kilogramos de carga del Ejército Nacional, la Policía Nacional y otras entidades, hacia Cali, en apoyo a la COP 16. Estas acciones fortalecieron la seguridad en la ciudad, beneficiando tanto a propios y turistas, que se congregaron para este evento de gran impacto internacional y que subraya el potencial de Colombia como un país rico en cultura y biodiversidad, protegido por su Fuerza Pública.

La Fuerza Aérea Colombiana sigue demostrando su compromiso y liderazgo en la protección del medio ambiente y la seguridad nacional, destacándose como una pieza clave en el éxito de la COP16 y en el fortalecimiento de Colombia como una nación referente en biodiversidad y responsabilidad ambiental con la capacidad de liderar eventos globales que fomenten el crecimiento socioeconómico de nuestro país.

Autor: Oficina Comunicaciones Públicas CACOM 7 y EMAVI

Italian Navy Frigate Luigi Rizzo Completes ScanEagle UAV Acceptance Trials

Original article in Italian here. Translated via Google Translate

Nov 13, 2024 Frigate Luigi Rizzo has recently completed the acceptance activities of the ScanEagle remotely piloted aircraft by the Navy in the Tyrrhenian Sea, thus increasing the operational capabilities of the armed force and confirming its commitment to continuous technological innovation.

After an initial and intense period of work stoppage spent by the FREMM at the Military Arsenal of La Spezia to allow for the installation of the new system, the military pilots and qualified maintainers employed to form the first Remotely Piloted Aircraft Section of the Navy (SEZAPRM) of the Rizzo vessel took advantage of the sea trials to integrate with the on-board crew. This allowed them to test the new operating procedures and the organization of the Unit to be implemented in the near future during the employment of the ScanEagle.

The synergy and sharing of intent recorded between the personnel of Nave Rizzo and the same specialists in force at the UAV Department of the Naval Squadron Air Force Command – supported for the occasion by the engineers and technicians of the INSITU company, the manufacturer of the aircraft – which characterized the intense days of preparation and planning of the activities, have in fact led to the first “green light on the bridge” so as to be able to test the command and control capabilities of the drone from the naval unit during the on-task period, as well as being able to verify its actual capabilities for launching and recovering from board, in line with the technical specifications required by the Navy.

The ScanEagle is equipped with advanced sensors and, thanks to its light weight, high autonomy and precision, it allows for long-distance reconnaissance missions, significantly increasing the naval unit’s surveillance capability.

As evidence of the versatility of the FREMM class units and in light of an international context that sees unmanned systems acquiring ever greater relevance, thanks to the milestone achieved during these important acceptance tests, the Luigi Rizzo vessel is now also ready to employ the ScanEagle system that will very soon lead it to further optimize the effectiveness, flexibility and safety of its operational activities, thus marking a further step forward in the evolutionary process of the Navy’s Maritime Situation Awareness capacity and in the role of the armed force itself within the international context.

Original article in Italian

La fregata Luigi Rizzo completa le prove di accettazione dell’UAV ScanEagle

Nov 13, 2024 Nave Luigi Rizzo ha recentemente ultimato nel Mar Tirreno le attività di accettazione del velivolo a pilotaggio remoto ScanEagle da parte della Marina Militare, incrementando così le capacità operative della forza armata e confermando il suo impegno verso la continua innovazione tecnologica.

Dopo un iniziale e intenso periodo di sosta lavori trascorso dalla FREMM presso l’Arsenale Militare della Spezia per consentire l’installazione del nuovo sistema, i piloti militari e i manutentori qualificati impiegati per costituire la prima Sezione Aeromobili a Pilotaggio Remoto della Marina (SEZAPRM) di Nave Rizzo hanno sfruttato l’occasione dei test in mare per integrarsi con l’equipaggio di bordo. Questo ha permesso di sperimentare le nuove procedure operative e l’organizzazione dell’Unità da implementare nel prossimo futuro durante l’impiego dello ScanEagle.

La sinergia e la condivisione di intenti registrate tra il personale di Nave Rizzo e gli stessi specialisti in forza al Reparto UAV del Comando delle Forze Aeree della Squadra Navale – affiancati per l’occasione dagli ingegneri e tecnici della ditta INSITU, costruttrice del velivolo – che hanno caratterizzato gli intensi giorni di preparazione e pianificazione delle attività, hanno infatti portato al primo “verde al ponte” così da poter testare le capacità di comando e controllo del drone dall’unità navale durante il periodo di on task, oltre che a poterne verificare le effettive capacità per il lancio e recupero da bordo, in linea con le specifiche tecniche richieste dalla Marina Militare.

Lo ScanEagle è dotato di sensori avanzati e grazie alla sua leggerezza e all’elevata autonomia e precisione, permette di effettuare missioni di ricognizione a lunga distanza, aumentando in modo significativo la capacità di sorveglianza dell’unità navale.

A testimonianza della versatilità delle unità della classe FREMM e alla luce di un contesto internazionale che vede i sistemi unmanned acquisire sempre maggiore rilevanza, grazie al traguardo raggiunto durante questi importanti test di accettazione, anche nave Luigi Rizzo è ora pronta ad impiegare il sistema ScanEagle che la porterà molto presto ad ottimizzare ulteriormente l’efficacia, la flessibilità e la sicurezza delle proprie attività operative, segnando così un ulteriore passo in avanti nel processo evolutivo della capacità di Maritime Situation Awareness della Marina Militare e nel ruolo della stessa forza armata all’interno del contesto internazionale.

Insitu Announces Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit Satellite Control for Integrator UAS with 2,000 Nautical Mile Range

BINGEN, Wash., November 7, 2024 – Insitu, A Boeing Company, is now leveraging Proliferated-Low Earth Orbit (P-LEO) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) control for its Integrator Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS). This capability enables Integrator to fly up to 2,000 Nautical Miles (NM) point-to-point with 27.5 hours of endurance, the longest range/endurance of any small UAS in its class.

Integrator with P-LEO SATCOM capability can be controlled from anywhere in the world. This new capability adds another SATCOM option for Integrator, alongside current Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) SATCOM on Integrator, providing end users with even more options for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) control.

“We are excited to bring this game-changing capability to the battle-tested Integrator UAS platform,” said Insitu Vice President of Engineering, Programs and Flight, Justin Pearce. “With a range of 2,000 nautical miles, Integrator can easily fly from Guam to Okinawa in one sortie and operate from small naval vessels anywhere in the vast INDOPACOM theater. This is the type of capability Combatant Commanders have been waiting for, and Integrator offers a lower cost, attritable, persistent long range ISR option when flying large Group 5 UAS is too risky or too expensive,” he added.

Integrator’s new P-LEO SATCOM control capability is available for approved customers and can operate with the Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES) Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) kit, which enables launch and recovery from small ship decks in gusty winds and heavy seas, as well as from expeditionary land sites. Unlike tail-sitter aircraft, FLARES VTOL system does not need operators to hold the UAS on launch or catch the UAS on recovery, ensuring maximum safety.

P-LEO does not occupy any of the six currently available payload bays, ensuring that Integrator’s 1,000+ multi-intelligence configurations remain available to customers. Best-in-class payload options include communications relay, Electronic Warfare (EW), multi-spectral optics, AI-assisted wide-area search, and kinetics. With 40lb of field-swappable payloads across six bays, it is the most flexible and capable UAS in its class.

Integrator is battle-proven, with thousands of combat hours in the most challenging conditions including GPS-contested airspace and extreme climates. It is currently being further weatherized for operations in the Arctic and High North.

Insitu’s current UAS product line includes ScanEagle and Integrator, both VTOL-capable with FLARES. Insitu UAS offer a full suite of command, control, and data processing solutions including INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, and an open architecture Common Ground Control Systems. Learn more at Insitu.com.

Media Contact:
Jill Vacek
jill.vacek@insitu.com

Brazilian Navy uses ScanEagle to support CFN in Operation Formosa for the first time

Original article by by Guilherme Wiltgen on Defesa Aerea & Naval translated from Portuguese by Google Translate

09/25/2024: On September 10, the Marine Artillery Battalion (BtlArtFuzNav) and the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (QE-1) carried out pioneering training in Field Artillery Fire Observation and Control using the RQ-1 Scan Eagle, during Operation “Formosa 2024”.

In the training, unprecedented for both Units, the control and correction of real Artillery fires were carried out, from the aircraft’s flight control station, by BtlArtFuzNav military personnel. The action allowed us to demonstrate yet another possibility of using the aircraft, designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions.

The training demonstrated that the Navy, through the Marine Corps and the Naval Air Force, continues to keep up to date with the challenges currently faced, with the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft and modern Field Artillery.

Commonality, interoperability and security of supply: Insitu’s keys for success in serving NATO Europe

Original article on European Security & Defense by Curtis Hand

24 September, 2024

Insitu Incorporated, a Boeing company, reached a milestone this year: 30 years of unmanned aircraft innovation excellence – and nearly 20 years of supporting NATO, helping it to project NATO power on land and at sea from the air. ESD’s Curtis Hand spoke with Insitu CEO Diane Rose about what is next for the company in terms of current and future operational theatres, warfare’s evolution, and new industrial partnerships and strategic alliances – all to strengthen NATO and its affiliates.

ESD: What is next for Insitu in terms of what you and your team see as the next theatre in Europe to support … and technologies to develop to fill an anticipated need?

Rose: We expect supporting Ukraine will remain a top priority in the European theatre for some time, along with our European NATO allies that border Russia and Belarus and those that support NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Eastern Europe. The technological need is clear: we must focus on integrating capabilities that enable routine and reliable unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations in the contested electronic and kinetic environment. Without getting into specifics, we can say this generally means the ability to operate with increased autonomy, the ability to operate without space-based position, navigation and timing (PNT) input and the ability to deliver kinetic and electronic effects – all at a scale that is affordable and attainable while remaining reusable.

To that end, Insitu and our parent company Boeing recently entered a strategic partnership with the Antonov Company of Ukraine to explore working together to provide training, logistical support and overhaul services for the ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) used by the Ukrainian armed forces. We’re excited about this opportunity to further support Ukraine and potentially expand into engineering activities that enable us to rapidly integrate emerging technologies together. We will continue seeking additional partners across Europe who can help.

ESD: NATO Europe is in a unique position with various threats along its eastern boundary and a variety of climatic conditions, from the Arctic to the Black, Mediterranean and Red Seas. What did Insitu learn during Operation ‘Atalanta’, the EU counter-piracy military operation off the Horn of Africa, and how has that affected its research and development (R&D)?

Rose: Since 2015 the Spanish Navy has been Insitu’s primary customer supporting Operation ‘Atalanta’, having deployed ScanEagle aboard the landing platform dock Galicia (L51) and the frigate Santa María (F81) from 2015 to 2017 and once again aboard the frigates Santa María, Numancia (F83), Reina Sofia (F84) and Canarias (F86) from 2020 to 2024. Like many of our other maritime customers, their operations focused primarily on interdicting piracy and smuggling in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and northwestern Indian Ocean for several years.

As a result, much of our R&D during that period focused on integrating capabilities that enable our platforms to detect small vessels across vast expanses of ocean. In more recent times we’ve seen an increasingly contested electromagnetic spectrum across the region, which, along with feedback from our end users in Ukraine, has led us to focus much of our R&D on integrating capabilities that enable our platforms to operate in jamming and spoofing conditions.

Insitu has been also working with industry partners in Norway to optimise our platforms for the harsh weather and other environmental challenges found across Northern Europe and especially in the Baltic and Nordic regions. These R&D efforts include greater tolerance for operating in heavy rainfall as well as active anti-icing and de-icing capabilities among others.

ESD: When did Insitu first enter the NATO Europe market and how has its experience here shaped its success in Europe and other markets?

Rose: Insitu has been active in the NATO Europe market for nearly two decades and our experience there has been particularly influential for our naval and coast guard customers around the globe, not only when it comes to shipboard installation and operations but also with respect to testing and certification for the shipboard and maritime environment. As of August 2024 Insitu’s UASs have operated from more than 45 classes of ship, including several types of European NATO warships. During 2006 ScanEagle deployed aboard the UK Royal Navy frigate HMS Sutherland (F81), supporting the UK Ministry of Defence’s Joint UAV Experimentation Programme to inform future UAS requirements in the maritime and littoral environments. After subsequent trials aboard the auxiliary landing ship docks RFA Mounts Bay (L3008) and RFA Cardigan Bay (L3009), the Royal Navy would go on to deploy ScanEagle aboard eight additional Type 23 frigates from 2014 to 2017. Along the way, ScanEagle earned a Statement of Type Design and Assurance per STANAG 4703 from the UK Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA).

Meanwhile, the Polish Special Forces acquired and fielded ScanEagle via the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanism during 2010. The Royal Netherlands Army then fielded ScanEagle as an interim solution for their Short-Range Tactical UAV (SRTUAV) requirement during early 2012 and deployed the system aboard HNLMS Rotterdam (L800), supporting the NATO counter-piracy Operation ‘Ocean Shield’ off the Horn of Africa.  They subsequently deployed ScanEagle to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) from 2014 through to 2015. Besides gaining considerable operational experience on land and at sea during this period, ScanEagle also gained military type certification per STANAG 4671 – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Airworthiness Requirements – from the Netherlands MAA.

Around the same time the Lithuanian Air Force and the Romanian Land Forces fielded ScanEagle via FMS during 2013, followed by the Army of the Czech Republic and the Spanish Navy during 2014. The Czech Army deployed ScanEagle to Afghanistan, supporting NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) during 2015 through to 2020, while the Spanish Navy, in addition to their support for Operation ‘Atalanta’, deployed ScanEagle to Iraq, supporting Operation ‘Inherent Resolve’ during 2017 through to 2019. The Italian Navy chose ScanEagle during 2016 to enhance their maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and after achieving military type certification from the Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) in 2021, ScanEagle began operating from the frigate ITS Carlo Bergamini (F590) during 2023.

Additionally, after operating ScanEagle as an interim system for five years, the Royal Netherlands Army selected Insitu’s Integrator UAS for their SRTUAV programme during 2017. By 2019 the Luxembourg Army had joined the SRTUAV programme, followed by the Belgian Land Component in 2021, making their collective programme the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world. Also during 2021 the Netherlands MAA issued a military type certification for the Integrator UAS per STANAG 4703. During 2022 the Polish Special Forces fielded the RQ-21 Blackjack variant of the Integrator UAS via FMS, in addition to their ScanEagle systems.

Our experience with these customers has shaped our success in the NATO Europe market because commonality, interoperability and security of supply are so foundational to the alliance. Today we have seven NATO allies plus the Armed Forces of Ukraine operating ScanEagle and six NATO allies operating Integrator or the RQ-21 Blackjack. This customer base represents one third of NATO, and we’re excited to compete for additional opportunities across the alliance. We are also pleased to co-operate with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), providing acquisition and lifecycle support for allies who field the Insitu UAS.

 ***

Insitu Inc CEO Diane Rose: professional highlights

Diane Rose joined Insitu in 2018. During her tenure there, before becoming president and CEO, she served as Vice President of Programs, responsible for executive oversight and leadership of all Insitu programmes. Prior to that role, she was dual-hatted as Director of Domestic Programs and RQ-21A Blackjack Program Director.

Rose also provided programme management oversight and leadership across the largest portfolio of Insitu defence programmes, including for the US Marine Corps RQ-21A Blackjack fleet, Naval Special Warfare MQ-27B ScanEagle fleet, US Navy and US Coast Guard intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance services to land and maritime units, and all Foreign Military Sales cases through Naval Air Systems Command.

Previously, Rose spent 13 years with the US Department of the Navy as a civil servant in senior programme management and acquisition roles. Among her accomplishments and credits, she was recognised with the coveted Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

Read the original article here.

Boeing, Antonov to Collaborate on Defense Projects

– MOU represents Boeing’s commitment to work with Ukrainian industry

– Includes exploring opportunities for collaborating on in-country support of Unmanned Aerial Systems

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 22, 2024 — Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Antonov Company today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities to collaborate on defense-related projects.

“We’re pleased to continue working with the Antonov Company to support Ukraine development and economic growth,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This agreement demonstrates our ongoing efforts to find more opportunities to work with Ukrainian industry, which was underscored by our signing of the Ukrainian Defense Industry Compact earlier this year.”

The areas of potential collaboration identified in the agreement consist of training, logistical support and overhaul services for tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems utilized by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which includes the ScanEagle. In addition, the companies will also explore opportunities for Antonov to provide engineering support to Boeing.

“A strong, innovative, and efficient defense industry is key to sustainable economic development and national security, and we are extremely excited to collaborate with Boeing,” said Ievhen Gavrylov, CEO of Antonov Company. “This agreement brings a whole new level of opportunity to implement the latest and most effective solutions – in addition to the possibility of future projects with Boeing in the aerospace and defense industry.”

# # #

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

Contact
Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com

NAM ‘Atlantic’ launches ScanEagle for the first time

Original article by Guilhereme Wiltgen translated from Portuguese via Google Translate.

Docked at the Port of Rio Grande (RS), the Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier (NAM) Atlântico (A 140) launched, in an unprecedented way, last Friday (28), an Embedded Remotely Piloted Aerial System (SARP-E).

The operation, which represents an important milestone in the technological advancement of the Brazilian Navy (MB), aims to identify the situation of the places most affected by flooding in Rio Grande do Sul, recording situations of flooding, debris and the possibility of places not yet verified.

During the action, regions such as Lagoa dos Patos, Ilha dos Marinheiros and the entire coastal area were observed.

All captured images are transmitted simultaneously to the team on land at the Naval Component Force of the 5th Naval District, in Rio Grande, which is part of the Joint Command of Operation “Taquari 2”.

The launch was conducted by the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (EsqdQE-1). According to one of the team members, the use of technology is another way to support actions in the South. “It is the ability to put the eyes of the Naval Force in the air so that we can observe everything that is necessary and continue to provide humanitarian aid in the region.”

About the aircraft

The Insitu ScanEagle (RQ-1) used is capable of performing surveillance, reconnaissance and data collection missions with high precision. The maximum range is 54 nautical miles (approximately 100 km) from the base ship and up to 24 hours of autonomy.

The equipment, considered low cost, can hold up to eight liters of fuel, has a wingspan of 3.1 meters and has an electro-optical camera with a zoom that zooms in up to 171 times. This means that, flying at an altitude of two thousand feet, the system is capable of recording the image of a vehicle’s license plate, for example.

For the operation to be carried out, the Squadron needs to embark all the support material such as the launcher, the control station and the recovery system. The process of returning the aircraft occurs by reducing its speed until it is captured.

Technological advancement in the Force

With this launch, the Brazilian Navy is adapting to the needs of the operation with the resources and capabilities it already has and paves the way for future SARP-E operations from the Atlantic. The expectation is that, with the continuous development and adoption of new technologies, drones will play an increasingly important role in several areas, contributing to safety, efficiency and sustainable development.

This milestone reinforces the Navy’s role in the search for innovative solutions for the benefit of society and the country’s defense.

Original article in Portuguese…

NAM ‘Atlântico’ lança o ScanEagle pela primeira vez

Atlântico (A 140) lançou de forma inédita na última sexta-feira (28), um Sistema Aéreo Remotamente Pilotado Embarcado (SARP-E).

A operação, que representa um marco importante no avanço tecnológico da Marinha do Brasil (MB), tem o objetivo de identificar a situação dos locais mais afetados pelas enchentes no Rio Grande do Sul, registrando situações de alagamento, destroços e a possibilidade de locais ainda não verificados.

Durante a ação, foram observadas regiões como a Lagoa dos Pat

os, a Ilha dos Marinheiros e toda área da costa.

Todas as imagens captadas são transmitidas simultaneamente para a equipe em terra na Força Naval Componente do 5º Distrito Naval, em Rio Grande, que faz parte do Comando Conjunto da Operação “Taquari 2”.

O lançamento foi conduzido pelo 1º Esquadrão de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (EsqdQE-1). De acordo com um dos integrantes da equipe, o uso da tecnologia é mais uma forma da apoiar as ações no Sul. “Trata-se da capacidade de colocar os olhos da Força Naval no ar para que a gente possa observar tudo que for necessário e poder dar continuidade à ajuda humanitária na região.”

Sobre a aeronave

O Insitu ScanEagle (RQ-1) utilizado tem capacidade de realizar missões de vigilância, reconhecimento e coleta de dados com alta precisão. O alcance máximo é de 54 milhas náuticas (aproximadamente 100 km) de distância do navio-base e até 24 horas de autonomia.

O equipamento, considerado de baixo custo, recebe até oito litros de combustível, tem 3,1 metros de envergadura e possui uma câmera eletro-ótica com um zoom que aproxima em até 171 vezes. Isso significa que, sobrevoando a dois mil pés de altitude, o sistema é capaz de registrar a imagem da placa de um veículo, por exemplo.

Para que a operação seja realizada, o Esquadrão precisa embarcar todo o material de apoio como o lançador, a estação de controle e o sistema de recolhimento. O processo de retorno da aeronave ocorre a partir da redução da velocidade, até que ela seja capturada.

O avanço tecnológico na Força

Com o lançamento, a Marinha do Brasil se adéqua à necessidade da operação com os meios e capacidades que já possui e abre caminho para futuras operações de SARP-E, a partir do Atlântico. A expectativa é que, com o contínuo desenvolvimento e a adoção de novas tecnologias, os drones desempenhem um papel cada vez mais importante em diversas áreas, contribuindo para a segurança, a eficiência e o desenvolvimento sustentável.

Esse marco reforça o papel da Marinha na busca por soluções inovadoras em prol da sociedade e da defesa do País.

QE-1 Squadron turns 2 years old

Original article by Guilherme Wiltgen. Translated from Portuguese (Brazilian) via Google Translate.

the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (EsqdQE-1) was created by Ordinance No. 90/MB/MD of March 29, 2021, by the then Navy Commander AE Ilques Barbosa Júnior, and activated at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base on July 5, 2022.

The new Squadron is subordinate to the Naval Air Force Command and will have the purpose of contributing to the decision-making process of planning and employment of Naval Power through the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (ARP).

The activation of Squadron QE-1 began the 5th phase of Brazilian Naval Aviation, with Frigate Captain Fabio Bernardo Nunes being appointed as the first Commander.

The military ceremony took place at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base and was attended by the Commander of the Navy, Fleet Admiral Almir Garnier Santos, the Commander of Naval Operations, Fleet Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, the General Director of Navy Material, Fleet Admiral José Augusto Vieira da Cunha de Menezes, the Commander in Chief of the Fleet, Vice Admiral Arthur Fernando Bettega Correa and the Commander of the Naval Air Force, Rear Admiral José Augusto Augusto José da Silva Fonseca Junior.

The Harpy Squadron

The new Squadron chose as its symbol the Harpy Eagle, one of the largest birds of prey in the world, found in Brazil’s Amazon and Atlantic Forest regions. The QE-1 has a crew of 37 military personnel, including ten officers (eight pilots trained at the manufacturer) and 27 enlisted men, all from the Navy’s various fixed-wing and rotary-wing Squadrons.

Its aeronautical assets consist of six Embedded Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (EARS), designated RQ-1 ScanEagle with registrations N-8001 to N-8006, two launchers (one onboard and one on land) and two recovery systems. The Harpia Squadron shares the “ALFA” hangar of the HA-1 Squadron, located at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base (BAeNSPA).

On March 23 and 25, 2022, the Deployment Center of the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (NI-EsqdQE-1) received from the Material Sector the equipment that makes up the ScanEagle Embedded Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (SARP-E). The 25 tons of material were transferred by air from the United States of America to Brazil and nine trucks carried all the material and equipment to the facilities of the future QE-1 Squadron.

First flights

The first launch of ScanEagle was carried out on the afternoon of 06/27/22, at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base, using the RQ-1 N-8001.

On May 3, the first night launch of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft was carried out in the Brazilian Navy, an important operational milestone for the Squadron, beginning the use of its RQ-1 ScanEagle aircraft.

The first night flight took place on September 19, with the launch of the ScanEagle configured with the MWIR 3.5 camera, which allows obtaining night images due to the use of the infrared spectrum, and can be used in nighttime clarification missions in support of Special Operations, Actions against Cross-border and Environmental Crimes, Humanitarian Operations, Disaster Monitoring and others.

On the same date, another important operational milestone was achieved with the first double launch of ScanEagle on the same day, totaling approximately 10 hours of flight, with the first ScanEagle being launched at 10:00h and the second collected at 22:00h.

Onboard operations

On November 21, 2022, the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (QE-1) carried out, for the first time, the flight from the Ocean Patrol Vessel Apa (P-121).

On June 28, 2024, docked at the Port of Rio Grande (RS), the Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier (NAM) Atlântico (A 140) launched the RQ-1ScanEagle for the first time, with the aim of identifying the situation of the places most affected by flooding in Rio Grande do Sul.

The next step is to launch and retrieve the vessel while it is underway.

The start of embarked operations of EsqdQE-1 represents a milestone for Naval Aviation by validating the contribution of SARP-E to the benefit of the Brazilian Squadron.

Its current Commander is Frigate Captain Raphael Estrella Nogueira.

Ex Occulto Investigare Et Agnoscere
(Of the Hidden, Clarify and Identify)

Original in Portuguese (Brazilian)

o 1º Esquadrão de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (EsqdQE-1) foi criado pela Portaria nº 90/MB/MD de 29 de março de 2021, pelo então Comandante da Marinha AE Ilques Barbosa Júnior, e ativado na Base Aérea Naval de São Pedro da Aldeia no dia 05 de Julho de 2022.

O novo Esquadrão está subordinado ao Comando da Força Aeronaval e terá o propósito de contribuir com o processo decisório de planejamento e emprego do Poder Naval por meio do emprego de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (ARP).

A ativação do Esquadrão QE-1 iniciou a 5ª fase da Aviação Naval brasileira, sendo nomeado como primeiro Comandante o Capitão de Fragata Fabio Bernardo Nunes.

A cerimônia militar ocorreu na Base Aérea Naval de São Pedro da Aldeia e contou com as presenças do Comandante da Marinha, Almirante de Esquadra Almir Garnier Santos, do Comandante de Operações Navais, Almirante de Esquadra Marcos Sampaio Olsen, do Diretor Geral de Material de Marinha, Almirante de Esquadra José Augusto Vieira da Cunha de Menezes, do Comandante em Chefe da Esquadra, Vice-Almirante Arthur Fernando Bettega Correa e do Comandante da Força Aeronaval, Contra Almirante José Augusto Augusto José da Silva Fonseca Junior.

O Esquadrão Harpia

O novo Esquadrão escolheu como seu símbolo a Harpia, uma das maiores aves de rapina do mundo, encontrada no Brasil na região da Amazônia e da Mata Atlântica. O QE-1 possui uma tripulação composta por 37 militares, sendo dez oficiais (oito pilotos formados no fabricante) e 27 praças, todos oriundos dos diversos Esquadrões de asa-fixa e rotativa da Marinha.

O seu acervo aeronáutico é composto por seis Sistemas de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas Embarcado (SARP-E), designadas RQ-1 ScanEagle com matrículas N-8001 a N-8006, dois lançadores (um embarcado e um terrestre) e dois sistemas de recolhimento. O Esquadrão Harpia compartilha o hangar “ALFA” do Esquadrão HA-1, localizado na Base Aérea Naval de São Pedro da Aldeia (BAeNSPA).

Nos dias 23 e 25 de Março de 2022, o Núcleo de Implantação do 1º Esquadrão de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (NI-EsqdQE-1) recebeu do Setor de Material, os equipamentos que compõem o Sistema de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas Embarcado (SARP-E) ScanEagle. As 25 toneladas de material foram transladadas por meio do modal aéreo dos Estados Unidos da América para o Brasil e nove carretas conduziram todo o material e os equipamentos até as instalações do futuro Esquadrão QE-1.

Primeiros voos

O primeiro lançamento do ScanEagle foi realizado na tarde do dia 27/06/22, na Base Aérea Naval de São Pedro da Aldeia, sendo utilizado o RQ-1 N-8001.

No dia 3 de maio, foi realizado o primeiro lançamento noturno de uma Aeronave Remotamente Pilotada na Marinha do Brasil, um importante marco operativo para o Esquadrão, iniciando o emprego de suas aeronaves RQ-1 ScanEagle.

O primeiro voo noturno ocorreu em 19 de setembro, com o lançamento do ScanEagle configurado com a câmera MWIR 3.5, que permite a obtenção de imagens noturnas em virtude do aproveitamento do espectro infravermelho, podendo ser empregada em missões noturnas de Esclarecimento em apoio às Operações Especiais, Ações contra Delitos Transfronteiriços e Ambientais, Operações Humanitárias, Monitoramento de Desastres e outras.

Nessa mesma data, outro importante marco operativo foi alcançado com o primeiro lançamento duplo do ScanEagle em um mesmo dia, totalizando cerca de 10 horas de voo, tendo sido lançado o primeiro ScanEagle às 10:00h e o segundo recolhido às 22:00h.

Operações embarcadas

Em 21 de novembro de 2022, o 1º Esquadrão de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (QE-1) realizou, pela primeira vez, o voo a partir do Navio-Patrulha Oceânico Apa (P-121).

No dia 28 de junho de 2024, atracado no Porto de Rio Grande (RS), o Navio-Aeródromo Multipropósito (NAM) Atlântico (A 140) lançou pela primeira vez o RQ-1ScanEagle, com o objetivo de identificar a situação dos locais mais afetados pelas enchentes no Rio Grande do Sul.

A próxima etapa é realizar o lançamento e recolhimento com o navio navegando.

O início das operações embarcadas do EsqdQE-1 representa um marco para a Aviação Naval ao validar a contribuição dos SARP-E em prol da Esquadra Brasileira.

Seu atual Comandante é o Capitão de Fragata Raphael Estrella Nogueira .

Ex Occulto Investigare Et Agnoscere
(Do Oculto, Esclarecer e Identificar)