Project TIQUILA: Neue Drohnen für die britischen Streitkräfte

[theoderich]

Portable mini drones being delivered to the Armed Forces to provide cutting-edge capability have been put through rigorous trials at RNAS Predannack in Cornwall.

Under Project TIQUILA, Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.

As a step change in equipment procurement, Project TIQUILA will deliver cutting-edge small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) to UK Forces at pace, whilst also offering spiral capability development opportunities throughout the life of the 10-year project.

In keeping pace with both technological and battlespace advances, Project TIQUILA is currently assessing the STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 with both platforms providing superior ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) for the User Community.

Of specific note, STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 will enable the User to find and accurately locate targets at multiple ranges, across a variety of environments and conditions.

[theoderich]

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/defence- ... 40513-sFsh

[theoderich]

DVD 2026: UK announces first Recce Strike contracts

UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard announced the first Recce Strike contracts during a speech on the first day of the Defence Vehicle Demonstration (DVD) 2026 exhibition held in Millbrook, UK, on 16-17 September.

He said three small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) had been awarded contracts with a combined value of GBP16 million (over USD21 million) for more than 1,000 small intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to provide soldiers with battlefield tactical awareness.

These include 245 FOXE-NATO unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) from Hampshire-based Evolve Dynamics. The UASs weigh less than 250 g and are equipped with dual 4K electro-optical/infrared sensors for day/night ISR, with an endurance of 35 minutes.

Another contract is for 670 UAVs from Surrey-based Marlborough Communications Limited that the company says can be deployed in less than 40 seconds, with a maximum speed of 72 km/h and an endurance of 40 minutes. The UAVs carry high-resolution visual and radiometric cameras in modular sensor packages.

The third SME contract is for 110 Sonora UAVs from a partnership between Exeter-based Brigantes Consulting and Texas-based Harmattan AI designed for training soldiers before they use similar UAVs in real operations.

The three small UAV contracts were delivered by the UK National Armaments Director Group as part of Project Rapstone, the British Army's programme to bring new technology to soldiers faster, aiming to double the service's fighting power by 2027 and delivering new equipment from industry to the frontline within 24 months.

https://www.janes.com/defence-intellige ... -contracts

1️⃣Up to £400m will be invested with TEKEVER to bring their AR5 drone into service for the British Army. The AR5 is a long-endurance surveillance drone that can carry up to 50kg of cameras and sensors, replacing Watchkeeper.

2️⃣The delivery of 1,000 drones is almost complete thanks to our £16m deal with three UK-based SMEs - Evolve Dynamics, Marlborough Communications Limited and a partnership between Brigantes Consulting and Harmattan AI. This deal forms part of the Army’s Project Rapstone to get new equipment from industry to the front line within 24 months.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/national ... 90816-MaSz