Trade Compliance Analyst

KONGSBERG selects Echodyne MESA radar for counter-uas weapon systems. Low-SWaP, precision-tracking radar integrated with PROTECTOR RS4 and RS6 remote weapon stations to strengthen detection-to-defeat performance against drones Echodyne, the radar platform company, today announced that KONGSBERG has selected Echodyne's MESA(R) radar platform for a range of air and surface applications. Among the first use cases, KONGSBERG has integrated MESA radar into the PROTECTOR RS4 and PROTECTOR RS6 remote weapon stations (RWS), adding the precision radar data needed to turn the world's most widely deployed RWS family into a highly effective counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) effector. The selection pairs KONGSBERG's proven weapon-station architecture and Collaborative Fire Control capabilities with Echodyne's compact, solid-state radar. The result is a scalable approach for adding high-fidelity detection, tracking and targeting data to static, crewed and uncrewed platforms without the size, weight and power demands traditionally associated with high-performance electronically scanned array radar. "KONGSBERG has set the standard for remote weapon systems through decades of field experience, disciplined engineering and close collaboration with operators," said Eben Frankenberg, CEO of Echodyne. "Integrating MESA radar gives the PROTECTOR family the precise, stable and persistent tracks needed to cue the fire-control system, sustain target lock and act decisively against fast-moving, low-signature drone threats. Just as important, MESA delivers that performance in a compact, software-defined package that can scale across a large installed base and adapt as the threat evolves." Precision radar data for the fire-control chain. Radar track quality is fundamental to effective fire control. Echodyne's low-SWaP MESA radar supplies high-fidelity range, range-rate, bearing and kinematic data while maintaining the track stability and persistence needed to compute and execute a firing solution. By stabilizing and cueing the optical fire-control system onto a target, the radar helps the weapon station hold lock longer, shorten the detection-to-engagement timeline and improve hit probability against agile, low-radar-cross-section threats. That precision is particularly important when PROTECTOR systems employ programmable airburst munitions. Accurate range and range-rate measurements support the timing needed to place the munition's effect at the correct point in the target's flight path. In networked operations, a cooperative search radar or another sensor can pass a threat track to the radar-equipped RWS; the local MESA radar then refines and sustains the track for fire-control use. This search-cue-track-engage workflow allows distributed systems to share the air picture, assign targets and rapidly retarget as threats are defeated. Validated through a multi-year field program. Echodyne and KONGSBERG have spent multiple years integrating, testing and demonstrating the radar-enabled solution in keeping with KONGSBERG's philosophy to prove capability in the field. Beyond the various PROTECTOR integrations, Echodyne and KONGSBERG are exploring additional uses for high-performance radar across air and surface missions within the KONGSBERG portfolio. The companies expect to continue joint technical work focused on resilient sensing, networked fire control and scalable protection against rapidly evolving threats. Echodyne and KONGSBERG will exhibit at the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, September 8-11, 2026

Red Cat wins $2.49M U.S. Air Force order for Black Widow drone systems. July 30, 2026 BY Red Cat Holdings, Inc. Red Cat Holdings Inc. said its Teal Drones subsidiary received a $2.49 million fixed-price contract from the U.S. Air Force to supply Black Widow small unmanned aircraft systems, training and related support. The award includes Black Widow drones, train-the-trainer instruction, batteries, spare parts and shipping. The systems will be used by the U.S. Air Force Security Forces Center to conduct technical and operational assessments of Black Widow as a potential replacement for its current Teal 2 drone fleet. The Air Force Security Forces Center oversees training, equipping and program execution for active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve security forces. The evaluation could position Black Widow as a successor across the organization's existing Teal 2 fleet. Red Cat CEO Jeff Thompson said the assessment reflects increasing demand for U.S.-made drone systems for defense and security missions. Black Widow is Red Cat's flagship short-range reconnaissance drone and the platform selected by the U.S. Army for its Short Range Reconnaissance Program. The contract calls for delivery by Aug. 24, 2026. By Lockheed Martin July 20, 2026 Lockheed Martin introduced MORFIUS X-Rotor, a reusable high-power microwave counter-drone system that the company says can disable more than 50 drones in a single mission. The company plans additional testing and accelerated prototype production as it advances the system for military use. July 09, 2026 Echodyne has opened a new Washington manufacturing facility capable of producing more than 30,000 MESA(R) radar systems annually, expanding production capacity to meet growing global demand for counter-drone and defense applications while adding up to 200 jobs. July 06, 2026 Schaeffler and Delair will establish a new drone production line in France capable of manufacturing up to 100 drones per day by late 2026, strengthening Europe's unmanned aerial systems manufacturing capacity. June 17, 2026 DroneShield has produced its first EU-manufactured counter-drone systems, marking a key step in expanding its European manufacturing footprint. The move supports regional defense industrial goals, strengthens supply-chain resilience and enables European customers to access locally produced versions of the company's AI-powered CUAS technology June 11, 2026 Skyfront has secured a U.S. Army contract to field its Perimeter 8 long-endurance hybrid-electric drone alongside Army units, integrating the aircraft into existing command-and-control networks and armored combat vehicles. The company will also train soldiers and instructors and provide ongoing sustainment. The first phase was completed during a three-week Colorado deployment with partner AeroIntel Systems, where soldiers flew the aircraft on beyond-visual-line-of-sight surveillance missions at ranges up to 10 miles. October 13-14, 2026 ALERUS CENTER | GRAND FORKS,NORTH DAKOTA The UAS industry is in the midst of an economic and technological evolution. The 20th annual UAS Summit and Expo - set in Grand Forks, North Dakota, near the heart of some of the most prominent U.S. UAS activity currently happening - is set to showcase and explain the evolution of UAVs while revealing the current state of the commercial UAS industry. It's the original epicenter of drone research, earned its place as the Silicon Valley of Drones and as you'll see from the commercial, government and military flight activity filling the sky of the Northern Plains and beyond every day, it has truly become America's UAS proving grounds.View More

Echodyne launches ATAK plugin for MESA radar platform. Source // Echodyne July 23, 2026 BY Echodyne Echodyne has announced the availability of an Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) plugin for its MESA radar platform, enabling users to configure, control and visualize radar data directly within the ATAK environment. The integration allows military, public safety and security organizations to incorporate MESA radar data into existing TAK-based workflows, helping streamline deployment, reduce operator workload and improve real-time situational awareness. The plugin supports both individual radar deployments and distributed radar networks, providing high-resolution radar data through a familiar operational interface. The ATAK plugin is included with Echodyne's Software & Support package and is available immediately through the company's customer portal. July 23, 2026 Red Cat Holdings has integrated its Black Widow drone with C3A Solutions' OBERON-enabled tactical fires networks, allowing the aircraft to deliver ISR data directly into digital fires workflows while supporting greater interoperability and faster information sharing for military operations. July 20, 2026 Quantum Systems has been selected by Japan's Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency to participate in a proof-of-concept program evaluating next-generation counter-drone technologies for the Japan Self-Defense Forces, expanding the company's defense partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. July 20, 2026 Ondas secured a $6.9 million contract from the Australian Department of Defence to supply portable counter-drone DTIM kits through its Ondas Sentinel division, expanding the company's international defense business July 15, 2026 MatrixSpace AI Systems Vice President and General Manager Matt Kling has joined the Security Industry Association's Drone Security Subcommittee, where he will contribute the company's expertise in AI-powered counter-UAS technologies to support industry collaboration, policy development and secure airspace initiatives. July 13, 2026 Innoviz Technologies and AeroNous Solutions partnered to integrate LiDAR technology into AeroNous' counter-drone command-and-control platform, adding centimeter-level 3D localization to improve tracking and response to aerial threats. October 13-14, 2026 ALERUS CENTER | GRAND FORKS,NORTH DAKOTA The UAS industry is in the midst of an economic and technological evolution. The 20th annual UAS Summit and Expo - set in Grand Forks, North Dakota, near the heart of some of the most prominent U.S. UAS activity currently happening - is set to showcase and explain the evolution of UAVs while revealing the current state of the commercial UAS industry. It's the original epicenter of drone research, earned its place as the Silicon Valley of Drones and as you'll see from the commercial, government and military flight activity filling the sky of the Northern Plains and beyond every day, it has truly become America's UAS proving grounds.View More