Lithuania is to procure 35 UAVs to bolster its intelligence capabilities. Pictured is Insitu (a Boeing subsidiary) ScanEagle UAV, which the Lithuanian Armed Forces operate. (Boeing)
The Defence Resource Agency, part of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence (MoD), has begun procedures for the acquisition of 35 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Announced by the Lithuanian MoD on 14 September, the Defence Resource Agency intends to purchase 26 ‘mini' UAVs and 9 ‘small' UAV platforms.
The acquisition of the platforms will significantly bolster the Lithuanian army's intelligence capabilities, especially considering the service does not operate these types of tactical-level UAVs, suited for intelligence-based operations, Minister of Defence Arvydas Anušauskas said.
A Lithuanian MoD spokesperson was unable to detail specifics regarding suppliers, although they noted that the country hopes to field the UAVs as soon as possible.
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The Elang Hitam UAV seen here just before its first flight attempt. The programme has since been diverted for civil applications. (Source withheld)
Indonesia will no longer be developing its Elang Hitam (Black Eagle) medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme as a military platform.
Chairman of the country's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) Laksana Tri Handoko confirmed with Janes on 15 September that resources from the project, which would have armed the country's air force with indigenously developed strike-capable UAVs, are being diverted towards civil initiatives instead.
His confirmation corroborates information that has been provided to Janes by industry sources since mid-2022, indicating that the Elang Hitam is at risk of being continued as a military project.
This effectively suspends the country's national ambition of developing a home-grown MALE UAV with military applications, which has been listed as one of the ‘strategic projects' of President Joko Widodo, as outlined under the third Presidential Decree of 2016.
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The mid-2024 arrival of the first MQ-4C Triton autonomous maritime patrol ordered by Australia is expected to enhance the country's maritime surveillance and intelligence gathering operations. (Northrop Grumman/Alan Radecki)
The first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) destined for Australian service was rolled-out on September 15 at the production site in California.
As the first of the three Tritons ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the aircraft is scheduled to complete production in 2023, according to the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).
“The aircraft is due to arrive at RAAF Tindale in mid-2024 and operate from that location,” said Air Vice-Marshal Robert Denney, head of Air Force Capability. He was speaking at a press conference during the unveiling of the aircraft.
The autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft is expected to substantially enhance the scope of the country's maritime surveillance operations, according to Air Marshal Robert Chipman, chief of the RAAF.
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Vapor 55 MX is the latest Vapor UAS variant with enhanced endurance and payload capacity. (AeroVironment, Inc)
AeroVironment has unveiled Vapor 55 MX, an all-electric rotorcraft unmanned aerial system (UAS), which has increased endurance and payload capacity compared with its predecessor – Vapor 55.
With a redesigned modular architecture, the platform's operational endurance is extended by 25%, and its payload capacity is increased by 20% when compared with Vapor 55.
The system, which has heavy-lift capability with improved payload capacity, enables users to choose from single or multiple payload configurations. The UAS has a maximum 19 mile range, with the capacity to carry a 5.4 kg payload for 75 minutes. Its payload capacity can be extended to host a 10 kg payload, although this reduces endurance, the company detailed.
A new payload interface and tool-free quick rail mount enables easy field integration of both current and future payloads for mission flexibility, the company said.
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The Defence Resource Agency, part of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence (MoD), has begun procedures ...
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