Tel Aviv: Israel’s efforts to efficiently solve the problem of detecting and intercepting low flying armed drones is being taken seriously by other defence forces including the US army.
Lockheed Martin has successfully integrated the Q-53 multi-mission radar (MMR) with Anduril’s Lattice Command and Control (C2) environment during the US Central Command Desert Guardian exercise held at Fort Drum earlier this month. Desert Guardian is part of a set of exercises aimed at filling key gaps in its ability to detect and track drone threats.
“The successful integration of the Q-53 MMR and Lattice showcases Lockheed Martin’s valued partnership with the US Government and industry partners, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions for our customers,” said David Kenneweg, director of Multi-mission Air Defence Radars at Lockheed Martin. “At Desert Guardian, we were able to collaborate to uncover customer needs as we continue to innovate the technology needed to detect and counter emerging threats to make smarter, faster decisions.”
During Desert Guardian, Lockheed Martin’s Q-53 MMR rapidly integrated into the Lattice C2 Network and pushed data to Lattice to integrate and create a common air picture. This integration demonstrated the capability to significantly enhance the overall operational picture, enabling more informed and timely decision-making in a netted environment.
“We are adapting to our customers’ mission and developing capabilities that will benefit operators; we will continue to work with the Department of Defence in addressing and solving for joint urgent operational needs,” said Kenneweg.
Lockheed Martin is building on the successes of Desert Guardian and preparing for a second exercise, coordinated by CENTCOM, to take place at a base in the Middle East. According to Lockheed Martin, its multi-domain expertise will help their customer integrate sensors into a single interface used by operators in the field.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
