Military Technology 04/2021

layer of threat” that can affect port infrastructures. The report advises port authorities to get ahead of those activities, starting by enhancing com- munications and information sharing. Increasing in numbers, threats are also appearing from the air, meaning that the threat spectrum is now truly three-dimensional – a fact that applies, of course, worldwide. Unmanned systems – from unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to un- manned aircraft – are key elements in detecting, tracking and monitoring actions, which are undertaken in primarily an asymmetric format. Many countries are now seeking competent programmes, that perhaps need a fresh look and consideration on methods to be more efficient within available resources. In its effort to improve maritime security, Israel’s drone specialist Aeronautics Group decided on investment in a compre- hensive and cost-effective security and protection system, the ORBITER 4. The fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is well-suited to ma- rine border protection and the security of sensitive marine facilities, the manufacturer said. Its high-performance electro-optical/infrared (EO/ IR) and maritime patrol radar (MPR) payloads are described as being well-suited for maritime monitoring, gas and oil rig protection, illegal ac- tivity tracking and search and rescue. With the ORBITER 4, Aeronautics continues the evolution of its ORBITER product line of small tactical UAV. Based on the aerodynamic structure and properties of the ORBITER 3 small tactical unmanned air system (STUAS), the new model’s endurance of over 24 hours, coupled to the ability to carry and operate multiple payloads simultaneously, makes it a more than adequate solution for crippled areas. “There is a growing need today for tactical drones capable of carrying out ISTAR [intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance] missions in chal- lenging marine environments,” noted Matan Perry, Aeronautics’ VP of Marketing and Sales. “As pioneers in the field of [STUAS], we are proud to be able to provide a solution that has been adapted to meet these needs. Having been specifically tailored in this way, we believe it to be the best possible solution to meet all the requirements of [a] navy.” Aeronautics stated that, with advanced image processing capabilities, an automatic take-off and recovery system and the ability to navigate with or without GPS/data-link, ORBITER 4 delivers “superior performance capabilities, operational flexibility and cost-effectiveness in a STUAS design that is unique in its category.” Taking Control Industry sources warn of the “new land-based menace,” – unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). In an asymmetric threat scenario, they can be countered by a range of methodologies, such as communications intelli- gence (COMINT) in general, or even communications jamming (COMJAM). Germany’s LS telcom AG has unveiled cleverly-designed new concepts for COMINT that can monitor those threats, intercepting the data-links used to operate the UGVs. A spectrum monitoring system, called LS OBSERVER, helps border control units monitor the RF spectrum to detect and contain unauthorised activities by smugglers and terrorists. The de- vice covers fixed, mobile, transportable, portable, handheld and airborne applications. With the integration of geo-location and direction-finding (DF) capabilities, such as ‘time difference of arrival’ (TDoA), field strength or angle of arrival (AoA), maritime and law enforcement forces are able to locate the sources of illegal transmissions. With this tool, the user will be able to identify sectors in which illegal transmissions occur frequently, and where intensive surveillance is therefore needed. A solution developed by Narda Safety Test Solutions GmbH in Germany is the IDA 2 handheld interference and direction analyser, which allows the analysis and localisation of signal structures, such as WLAN and Bluetooth, along with remote control for drones. “This was otherwise only possible with large-scale lab equipment,” a company representative said. By changing frequency continuously, several devices can find fre- quencies or channels that are unoccupied. In addition, ELT Elettronica in Italy earmarks its Multi-Role Operations Support (MUROS) mobile Top industry officials say those responsible for maintaining surveil- lance and security in coastal waters need to step up additional meas- ures to provide adequate protection against the constantly evolving threat spectrum. As the lines continue to blur between ‘military’ and ‘security’ missions for governments, the question of port and har- bour security becomes one of increasing concern to armed forces as well as security agencies. Appetite Fuelled by Growing Threats There is ample opportunity for industry – as well as military and non-military organisations – to address coastal security problems. The past several years have seen a number of threats developing, against ports in particular, most of which have come from the sea and from the land. According to a recent report issued by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the presence of explosives adds an “extra 72 · MT 4/2021 From the Bridge Stefan Nitschke Protecting the Backyard Surveillance and Maritime Awareness Systems for Coastal Security Unmanned systems conducting autonomous maritime security missions provide one method of tackling the problem of decreasing coastal security. The ORBITER 4 small tactical unmanned air system is easy to use and maintain, carrying a satisfyingly low logistical footprint. (Photo: Aeronautics Group)