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- Birds of Goodness executes 35th humanitarian aid airdrop in north Gaza
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2021-03-01
EDGE Launches Smart Loitering Munitions, UGVs at IDEX
EDGE, an advanced technology group for defence and beyond, launched its first family of multirotor loitering munitions, the QX range, on the first day of the recently-held International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021) in Abu Dhabi.
In addition, Shadow 50 and Shadow 25, Rash 2 gliding munition kit, as well as new variants of the RW24 range – all designed and manufactured in the company’s first year of operations – were also unveiled.
The launching of the Class-1 electric unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) took place at the EDGE pavilion in the presence of Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE, and Ali Al Yafei, CEO of ADASI.
Faisal Al Bannai stated: “Drone technology is revolutionising our world with the full potential of unmanned and autonomous capabilities still to be further explored – not just in the military sector, but the commercial sector too. With the future increasingly relying on unmanned systems that provide a higher degree of tactical flexibility, we have invested extensively to fast-track R&D investments in these domains, bringing related products to market with speed.”
The QX family of loitering munitions comprises of four products: QX-1, a micro-UAV, QX-2, a mini-UAV, QX-3, a small UAV, and QX-4, which features an impressive vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed wing. The precision-guided systems use sophisticated AI algorithms to target and strike, boasting accuracy of 1 m CEP (circular error probable) – with an aim similar to laser guided munitions.
The second range of loitering munitions consists of Shadow 50 and Shadow 25. Shadow 50 can carry a payload of 50kg –double its counterpart. Shadow 25 is a high-speed system equipped with a jet engine and boasts a short reaction time.
Also launched at IDEX, the Rash 2 is a fixed-wing guidance kit for mortars and other in-house designed payloads, capable of gliding in flight and directing munitions to ground targets, available in different sizes to accommodate varying payload capacity, range, and endurance.
ADASI has secured AED 55 million contract to supply Rash 2 to the UAE Armed Forces.
Stealth SCORPIO-M for Special Forces
Separately, ADASI, a regional leader in autonomous systems and services, unveiled an armed robotic vehicle (ARV) and two new unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), at IDEX.
ADASI has collaborated with NIMR, its sister company within EDGE Group, to convert the AJBAN 440A armoured 4-door manned vehicle into an unmanned system called the AJBAN armed robotic vehicle (ARV). The vehicle withstands small arms fire, artillery shell splinters and survives mine and improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, and has a payload capacity of 1,200kg.
Operated via a ground control station (GCS) with a communication range of 12km and endurance of up to eight hours, it can travel up to speeds of 50 km/h to support Armed Forces with greater firepower while reducing risk to soldier lives.
ADASI also launched mini- and small-UGVs, named SCORPIO-M and SCORPIO-S respectively, that are stealth in operation, with capability to climb slopes and stairs at a gradient of 40-45 degrees and communicate with the autonomous control station at a range of up to 3km.
SCORPIO-M is lightweight and portable, with capacity to carry a payload of up to 10kg with endurance of up to two hours, while SCORPIO-S can carry a payload of up to 100kg, with endurance of up to six hours – additionally supporting a robotic arm extendable to 1m and equipped with a lightweight and innovative Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS).
Designed for Special Forces deployment, SCORPIO-M Mini Unmanned Ground Vehicle provides situational awareness in open-air and indoor urban environments. With multi-visual and stair-climbing capabilities, the SCORPIO-M is ideal for monitoring access points and other areas of interest.
Both UGVs were designed to support special force deployment, with the mini capable of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations in open-air and indoor urban environments, and the small created for more tactical, dual day-night functionality.
Upgrades by AL TARIQ
AL TARIQ, an EDGE Group company involved in the design and manufacturing of precision guided munitions (PGMs), showcased its integration of the AL TARIQ guidance kit on a newly developed Penetration Warhead. The programme is currently in the final phases of qualification and field testing and will be ready for production towards the end of 2021.
This development will enhance AL TARIQ’s capabilities to successfully engage hardened targets. AL TARIQ has also provided details on the major upgrades to its family of PGMs.
The system integration onto a new generation Penetration Warhead is a milestone achievement for the company, making it possible to field such a purpose-built warhead on the guidance kit. This new feature enhances the capability to neutralise strategic infrastructure such as bridges, reinforced shelters, control centres and fortified installations utilising the warhead’s superb penetrating performance.
Theunis Botha, CEO of AL TARIQ said: “The integration of our first-ever Penetration Warhead reflects the versatility of our PGM systems. Our Block 2 upgrade is testament to our commitment to delivering best-in-class capabilities in international markets.”
UAE’s First Air Defence Missile
HALCON, a regional leader in the production and supply of precision-guided weapons, unveiled SkyKnight - the first UAE designed and manufactured counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) missile system, at IDEX.
EDGE Group, parent company of HALCON, has been developing a short-range air defence system, as has Germany-based Rheinmetall AG, which was actively seeking a missile system to form part of its Skynex air defence system.
The companies decided to jointly offer a solution, with HALCON providing SkyKnight, the missile system to the highly regarded Oerlikon Skynex Air Defence System.
HALCON’s SkyKnight was designed to counter the full spectrum of modern threats, providing early warning signals and precise surface-to-air intercept capabilities targeting of rotary-wing aircraft, UAV rockets, artillery, mortar, and other fixed-wing aircraft at a range of up to 10Km.
Faisal Al Bannai explained: “SkyKnight is the UAE’s first, but will not be the last air defence missile developed by HALCON. We are pleased to team up with Rheinmetall, a leading player in the defence industry, for us to jointly offer the world’s most advanced C-RAM solution leveraging our SkyKnight missile and Rheinmetall’s Skynex solution.”
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG commented: “Rheinmetall Air Defence’s technologies are well suited to cover the recently shown gaps in ground-based air defence against challenging new threats. Combined with Rheinmetall Denel Munitions capabilities in missile technology the cooperation of Rheinmetall and HALCON offers exciting new potential.”
HALCON Cruise Missile
HALCON also unveiled its HALCON AntiShip-250 (HAS-250) cruise missile at IDEX.
The HAS-250 is a UAE-designed and developed surface-to-surface missile capable of travelling at speeds of up to 0.8 Mach, with a range of over 250Km. During its terminal phase, it can fly towards its target at a sea-skimming altitude of below 5m.
The HAS-250 utilises Global Navigation Satellite and Inertial Navigation Systems (GNSS + INS) and for high accuracy targeting it is equipped with an active/passive terminal seeker and radio altimetre.
Saeed Al Mansoori, CEO of HALCON said: “Designed and developed by HALCON in the UAE, this weapon will assist in the active defence of the UAE’s water ways, and build on EDGE’s expanding reputation for being bold, agile, and disruptive.”
High-Performance Weapons
CARACAL, a world-renowned, UAE-based small arms manufacturer, launched two pioneering products. The second-generation CARACAL F Gen II pistol and the CSA338 Semi-Automatic rifle were unveiled for the first time at IDEX 2021.
Hamad Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer, CARACAL, said: “We are proud to be able to release these new industry-leading products at IDEX 2021 – the second-generation CARACAL F Gen II pistol, and the CSA 338 Semi-Automatic rifle. They represent the pinnacle of innovation, performance, and reliability.”
The CARACAL F Gen II pistol builds on the strengths of its 9mm pistol predecessor, with a low bore-axis and unique handling ergonomics. There is a new ‘solid slide’ integrating multiple components and giving the pistol improved performance and ease of maintenance.
Fast Patrol Boat
ADSB, the regional leader in build, repair, maintenance, refit and conversion of naval and commercial vessels, unveiled a 16m and a 12m fast patrol boat (FPB) which were both fully designed and built in the UAE by ADSB, and launched on the first day of NAVDEX 2021.
The 16m boat is modular in design to accommodate either a short cabin with space for surface-to-surface missile systems or a longer one for troop transport.
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