Impresión 3D para circuitos electrónicos alojados en nano-UAVs

Durante los últimos años, los nano-UAVs han venido siendo utilizados como un instrumento clave en operaciones encubiertas llevadas a cabo por la CIA, el FBI, el M16, el Mosad, la Sayeret Matkal así como otros grupos de inteligencia de diversos países.

Lo ideal para misiones ISR sería contar con un instrumento dotado de un conjunto de sensores capaces de llevar a cabo la misión permitiendo al operario ver mediante cámaras multiespectro, escuchar todo tipo de sonidos dentro y fuera del rango 20Hz-20KHz, e incluso detectar la presencia de explosivos, isótopos radioactivos, gases tóxicos, etc.

Por supuesto, ese instrumento debería estar diseñado para no ser detectado a simple vista por un humano, pasando desapercibido como un insecto. Ok, ¿Y qué más? Porque todo eso requiere diseñar circuitos electrónicos muy complejos, que deben ser alojados en volúmenes muy reducidos de geometría muy compleja, y ante ese tipo de situaciones, el diseño y fabricación convencionales de circuitos electrónicos no sirve.

Se hacía necesario pensar otra manera de fabricar, y otra manera de diseñar. Afortunadamente esta nueva manera de fabricar ya está disponible no sólo para uso militar sino también para uso civil, y sus siglas son AME que corresponden a Additive Manufacturing for Electronics. Una tecnología extraordinaria desarrollada en Israel por ingenieros de la firma Nano Dimension. ¿Se imaginan diseñar circuitos electrónicos no sólo en XY, sino también en Z? ¿Se imaginan poder ocultar componentes electrónicos en el interior de una PCB? ¿Y si la PCB pudiera tener cualquier geometría en los tres ejes?

Es increíble hasta dónde puede llegar esta tecnología. Les invito a descubrirlo a través de este vídeo:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GeucfOCJU&feature=emb_logo

Trends in Israeli Military Innovation

It should not be surprising that Israel has become a leader in military innovation given the demands of national security. Among the technologies that it has advanced are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Even though other nations have conducted experiments with these vehicles, Israel developed and fielded them as battlefield systems.

(Read more)

Aeronautics Ltd. wins $13m UAV deal

Aeronautics Ltd. (Yavne, Israel) develops and manufactures UAVs, observation balloons, bomb fuses, and advanced navigational systems.

The company is controlled by the KCPS, Viola, and Bereshit funds. Aeronautics' CEO is Amos Mathan, and its chairperson is Major General (res.) Eytan Ben Eliyahu.

The company reported that it would supply to a classified customer with UAVs for $13 million, with delivery spread over an 18-month period and payment taking place accordingly.

¿Can 3D Printing get married with traditional technologies?

More and more, Additive Manufacturing is now seen as a complementary technology, as witnessed by the increased in hybrid printers that combine 3D Printing and CNC machining.

Now, Stratasys, one of the leading players in the 3D printing industry, is sharing some of that expertise via a new whitepaper titled "How Additive and Traditional Manufacturing Mix".

The whitepaper is free to download from 3dprint.com after you fill out a brief form, by clicking here: https://3dprint.com/stratasys-how-additive-and-traditional-manufacturing-mix/.

Israel shows its latest UAV interception technology

As leader in defense and heavy electronic warfare, the world has for many years looked to Israel for security and intelligence, and Israel’s defense industry has got  leading international companies exporting to countries across the globe.

It is the case of ORAD, an Israeli company based in Holon. According to Yossi Gofer, vice president of sales and marketing at the company,  its Drone Defense System DROM is the “most capable and cost-effective” system to counter the threat posed by hostile UAVs.

ORAD has already sold the system to clients in several countries including Portugal, Spain and Thailand. ¿Its main advantage? the cost reduction: Of course there are missile systems capable to shoot down a hostile UAV, but at $3 million per missile, this is an expensive way to down a device that may only be worth $200: As far as I remember, in August 2014, a Patriot missile shot down a drone that entered Israeli airspace from the Quneitra region in Syria close to the Israeli border. But the scene got worse two years after, when in July 2016, two Patriot missiles were fired at a hostile UAV that crossed into Israeli airspace from Syria: Both missed their target and the unmanned aircraft returned to Syria. Probably the Israel enemies still are remembering it and laughing. 

Technically, the DROM has a weight of just 38 kilograms and comes pre-engineered and pre-assembled to be easily deployed on land or at sea in any weather conditions, to detect an approaching UAV at more than 3.5 kilometers away and take its control. Very useful to fight against the Islamic State, that has used weaponized drones against both Syrian and Iraqi forces, and groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, who have sent UAVs into Israel and are said to have been working on upgrading the group’s UAVs for use in both offensive operations and intelligence gathering.

The latest version of the system also comes with an RF Detection Unit, that detects the presence of a UAV by analyzing signaling channels and radio transmissions. Once a UAV is detected, an alarm is automatically triggered and alerts the system operator of the UAV presence, to land it in a pre-defined location after intercepting it so any intelligence that may have been gathered does not fall into the hands of the enemy.

US Air Force to Phase Out MQ-1 Predator

The US Air Force said that it is retiring the 21-year-old MQ-1 Predator UAV and is transitioning to the MQ-9 Reaper: "We are going to stop flying the MQ-1 completely by July 1, 2017," 20th Attack Squadron commander Lt. Col. James said in the release. "We're converting an MQ-1 squadron… to an MQ-9 squadron in combat operations without taking a single day out of combat."

The Air Force explained the MQ-9 Reaper will be used for close air support for US troops along human piloted aircraft, and also for intelligence gathering and real-time reconnaissance: "The MQ-9 is better equipped than the MQ-1 due to its high definition sensors and increased speed," the release stated. "The fresh MQ-9 design picked up where the MQ-1 left off, boasting a nearly 4,000-pound payload and the ability to carry missiles and bombs."

Russian military will receive Svarog's VR helmet to control UAVs

Despite its cumbersome appearance, the device weighs 400 g, which is a standard weight of the current VR helmets.

"Now the Svarog is under trial and will be delivered to the Ministry of Defense as soon as possible during this year," Alexei Pechkin, a researcher at Mari State University, told the Izvestia newspaper. "We continue to improve the helmet and experiment with the characteristics of its lenses, but even now the resolution of the screen is twice that of its foreign rivals, while the angle of vision of Svarog is limited by the user's natural field of vision ".

The device has a set of sensors to measure the position of the eyes and the inclination of the head: The operator can vary the altitude of the UAV by raising or lowering his head as well as change the direction of the flight by moving only his eyes to a point of interest.

"Using a VR device to control an unmanned reconnaissance aircraft has many advantages over the traditional display and the joystick," says Maxim Chizhov, a VR expert. "An updated VR helmet gives the UAV operator a more realistic picture of the battlefield, allowing for faster decision making and more effective drone control at high speed."

IDF intercepts Hamas UAV

An Israel Air Force F-16 downed an unmanned aerial vehicle belonging to Hamas on Thursday 23th afternoon, intercepting it after it left the Gaza Strip and bringing it down into the sea before it managed to enter Israeli airspace.

Weaponized drones is something “that Israel must prepare for,” Yoram Schweitzer, senior research fellow and head of the Program on Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, told in a recent interview.

Hamas and Islamic State have used weaponized drones to carry out attacks: Regarding Hamas, during Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012, the IDF struck facilities that were being used to develop drones capable of carrying explosives, with the OC Southern Command at the time, Maj.-Gen. Tal Russo, saying that the military destroyed “advanced weaponry like the development of a UAV that isn’t used for photography but for attacks deep inside Israel.”

And regarding Islamic State, recently posted several photos online with instructions on how to weaponize a small quadcopter with an RKG-3 anti-tank stick grenade, RPG-22 one-shot disposable anti-tank rocket launcher, and RPO anti-tank rocket. It has also made dozens of claims of having used drones to drop explosive devices onto Iraqi troops in the ongoing battle for Mosul.

UAV Swarms

The military thinks differently about UAVs, but they still want to make the most of their capabilities.

However, since not many armed forces can afford to buy a large UAV that can carry payloads of multiple sensors to simultaneously meet the needs of different ground and air forces, the armed forces are beginning to demand UAVs capable of operating in groups or rather in swarms.

The UAV industry has seen a gold reef in that demand, and wants to make the most of it. ¿What will the future be? ¿Who knows? But as UAV swarms are here, I think the future is there: Two eyes can see more than just one, and four bombers can reach more targets than just two.

The Face of the Bubbling Armed UAV Industry

The extensive use of UAVs by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan has raised debates over issues like civilian deaths, international law, efficacy of strikes and deterrence.

The Israeli Air Force used a weaponized drone, the Pioneer, in the 1982 war in Lebanon which impressed US for increased UAV procurement and research. Nineteen years after, the 9\11 terrorist attack created a new demand to hunt down terrorists in remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Today, the US uses three types of drones built by General Atomics with offensive capabilities: the MQ-1 Predator, the MQ-1C Sky Warrior, and the MQ-9 Reaper. The US military uses them in two broad ways: Reconnaissance and hunter-killer missions.

Drone surveillance and attack capabilities have been effective psychologically as fear keeps also plays a major part. While drone attacks are the most effective weapon against terrorism, its net effects are difficult to judge. The presence of armed drones is a reality of the modern battlefield, but only a limited group of countries has the technological ability to produce them or the military capacity to operate them.

Currently, US and China export armed drones, and Israel is in the vicinity. As Russia, Turkey, South Korea and others join the market, a surge in globally available systems for a fruitful market could lead to a new dangerous era.

(Read more...)

Aerial Refueling of UAVs

The USAF is seeking UAVs that can be refueled in midair, by other UAVs. The proposal, titled “Aerial Refueling of UAVs”, is aimed at developing a better way for air-to-air refueling of Class 4 and Class 5 UAVs, which comprise the larger drones such as the Global Hawk and MQ-9 Reaper. (Read more...)

The Drone Threat to Israeli National Security

Analysts continue to debate possible futures of UAV terrorism, and an emerging consensus suggests that violent non-state actors will increasingly seek to exploit drone technology for nefarious purposes.

For years, both Hizballah and Hamas invested considerable resources into developing their respective UAV programs. As the world’s most powerful militant organization, Hizballah maintains a fleet of UAVs equipped with surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, as well as munitions.

Since Hizballah’s military intervention in the Syrian Civil War, the organization has successfully utilized UAVs for a variety of functions, particularly intelligence gathering and coordinating military operations. Though Hizballah and Hamas maintain domestic drone production capabilities, both groups rely on external support for their more advanced UAVs. It is no mystery why Israeli national security personnel view UAV developments by militant groups with great concern.

Afghanistan: Germany to Operate Heron-1 for Additional Year

Germany has extended a leasing contract to operate the Israeli Heron-1 unmanned aerial system (UAS) for another year in support of ongoing operations in Afghanistan.

Estimated at tens of millions of dollars, the contract concluded between the German Defence Procurement Agency and Airbus DS Airborne Solutions, a subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space, extends Heron operations in Afghanistan until February 2018. 

In its news release, IAI noted that its Heron-1 recently marked 30,000 hours in Afghanistan since the German Air Force began operating the system in 2010. The German Air Force also is operating the Heron-1 in Mali as part of a United Nations policing mission. “Our connection with the German Air Force is of course highly important, and we are proud to continue to provide an operational solution together with the excellent cooperation we have with Airbus,” said retired Israeli Air Force Brig. Gen. Shaul Shahar, IAI's executive vice president and general manager of the firm’s Military Aircraft Group.  

El dron español de 70.000 € que ha causado un conflicto entre Israel y Rusia

Un pequeño helicóptero no tripulado fabricado en España, que tiene una autonomía de unas dos horas, que puede recorrer entre 30 y 40 kilómetros y que se puede elevar hasta 3.000 metros, ha causado un buen revuelo en Israel. (Seguir leyendo)

US To double Drones in Afghanistan

For the Pentagon, it seems, drones are invaluable: The United States is looking to reduce its man presence in Afghanistan, and instead “the Air Force aims to double the number of drone squadrons over the next five years,” the Hindustan Times reports. Drones are already a major presence in Afghanistan in particular, and in US missions around the world at large. “In the wars we fight, this is the future,” said drone pilot Lt. Shaw, who operates out of the US Air Force drone base in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. The US doesn’t release detailed statistics of drone involvement in Afghanistan, but it is clear that they play a major role in operations in the country. (Read more)

Vídeo: El Harop en acción

El IAI Harop es un vehículo aéreo no tripulado de combate (UCAV) desarrollado por la división MBT de Industrias IAI. En vez de portar separadamente una ojiva explosiva, el Harop es en sí mismo la munición. Está diseñado para merodear por el campo de batalla y atacar objetivos, autodestruyéndose con ellos.

IAI comienza la producción en serie del Bird Eye 650D

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) ha dado comienzo a la producción en serie del Bird Eye 650D. Este UAV de pequeño tamaño capaz de ser configurado con diferentes cargas de pago, está concebido para misiones tácticas y ofrece una autonomía de más de 15 horas a una distancia de hasta 150 km.

Airobotics desarrolla un sistema de vigilancia aerea completamente autónomo

La firma israelí Airobotics ha desarrollado un sistema de vigilancia aerea completamente autónomo, basado en el uso de UAVs. El sistema recibe un programa de vuelo y lo lleva a cabo de manera totalmente autónoma desde el despegue hasta el aterrizaje. Más aún: Si detecta un nivel de batería por debajo de un umbral establecido, regresa a la base y un brazo robótico le cambia las baterías para que pueda continuar la misión.

Israel: Nuevos STUAS para uso militar

Cuatro fabricantes israelíes de UAVs han presentado nuevas versiones de pequeños UAVs para misiones tácticas, [técnicamente denominados Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (STUAS)]. 

Estos nuevos sistemas vienen a seguir la estela del Boeing InSitu RQ-21 Blackjack desarrollado para las US Marine Forces. El Blackjack presenta un peso bruto al despegue [técnicamente denominado Gross Take Off Weight (GTOW)] de 61 Kg, que incluye 18 Kg. de carga de pago, básicamente sensores EO/IR. Sin embargo y a pesar de su versatilidad operacional, está bastante limitado en sus posibilidades debido a las reducidas capacidades de su carga de pago actual. Se prevé que en futuras versiones la carga de pago incluya otras capacidades, pero de momento "esto es lo que hay".

Sin embargo los israelíes, conscientes mejor que nadie de la ventaja que los STUAS aportan en el campo de batalla, han optado por mejorar los diseños en base a la reducción de peso y al aumento de las prestaciones de su carga de pago. Vamos a ver algunos ejemplos:

Como primer ejemplo tenemos al Orbiter 3B, un STUAS de propulsión eléctrica y GTOW de 30 Kg., desarrollado por Aeronautics Defense Systems. Este UAV es capaz de sobrevolar el territorio enemigo a una altitud de hasta 3.048 metros durante 7 horas, con una carga de pago de hasta 5,5 Kg.

Como segundo ejemplo tenemos a la nueva versión del Skylark 3, desarrollado por Elbit Systems. Esta nueva versión está propulsada asimismo por un motor eléctrico, presenta un GTOW de 40 kg., una carga de pago múltiple (EO/IR, ELINT y COMINT) de hasta 10 Kg. y una autonomía de hasta 6 horas a una altitud de hasta 4.572 metros.

Como tercer ejemplo tenemos al BirdEye 650D de IAI, que presenta un GTOW de 30 Kg. y es capaz de sobrevolar el territorio enemigo a una altitud de hasta 4.572 metros y hasta 15 horas, con un radio de acción de hasta 150 Km. En cuanto a su carga de pago, puede llevar hasta 5,5 Kg. de sensores multiespectro, y contramedidas electrónicas RWR/RWL pasivas.

Por ultimo pero no por ello menos importante está el ThunderB de BlueBird Aerosystems, propulsado por un motor EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection). Presenta un GTOW de 28 Kg., una envergadura de 4 metros, y es capaz de operar durante 24 horas en un radio de acción de hasta 150 Km.

Elbit Systems / Hermes® 900 UAS

The Hermes 900 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) designed and built by Elbit Systems, made its first flight December 9, 2009 in the northern Negev desert. Unlike other Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV systems, such as the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper and Heron I, the Hermes 900 can be operated as part of existing, tactical UAV units currently operating the smaller Hermes 450, dramatically extending mission endurance, payload capacity and operational capabilities, without fielding additional infrastructure and support.