ROME, Italy - Fincantieri has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar's Barzan Holdings for the joint development of an anti-drone radar, the Italian defense company announced on October 22.

The two companies will work together on the Omega360 radar, which Fincantieri said "will serve as the central sensor for Qatar's national anti-drone system." The memorandum outlined steps towards creating a joint venture for the system, including localizing a production line in the Gulf country.

At least 40 Omega360 radars will be produced, with the first expected to be completed before the end of 2026.

Fincantieri noted in a press release that the Omega360 is a short-range radar capable of detecting and classifying micro and nano drones, adding that the radar's design features "extensive implementation of artificial intelligence algorithms."

Proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has prompted global defense companies to invest heavily in counter-UAS capabilities, which are needed to protect soldiers on the battlefield as well as critical infrastructure. Fincantieri CEO and General Manager Pierroberto Folgiero said in a statement, "With Omega360, we are pioneering the introduction of cutting-edge technologies into a highly complex market. This project embodies our industrial vision: not only as integrators of advanced systems but as enablers of sustainable and technological growth."

Source: Fincantieri
Associated URL: https://www.fincantieri.com/en/media/press-releases/2024/fincantieri-group-signs-mou-with-barzan-holdings-for-anti-drone-radar-system-in-qatar/

WASHINGTON - Saab Inc., East Syracuse, New York, is awarded a $41.6 million modification (P00005) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001923C0049). This modification procures three SPN-50(V)1 shipboard traffic radars and three onboard repair parts kits in support of new air traffic control surveillance radars. SPN-50(V)1 is the primary air traffic control surveillance radar for Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers and Amphibious (LHA and LHD(LH)) type ships.

Work will be performed in Syracuse, New York, and is expected to be completed in March 2027. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Source: U.S. DoD
Associated URL: http://www.defenselink.gov

WASHINGTON - Safran Defense and Space Inc., Norcross, Georgia, is awarded a $47 million firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to procure airborne instrumentation modular data recorder system hardware to include solid state recorders, recorder modules, cameras, connector kits, and power supplies which come together to form completed airborne instrumentation modular data recording systems, as well as associated repair services to support the Naval Air Systems Command Special Flight Test Instrumentation Pool under the Prototyping Instrumentation and Experimentation Department, Airborne Instrumentation Division for use on F/A-18, EA-18G, V-22, F-35, E-6, C130, CH-53K, MQ-4, MQ-8, MQ-25, P-8, H-1, and MH-60 aircraft in addition to various other platforms for the Navy.

Work will be performed in Patuxent River, Maryland and is expected to be completed in October 2029. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity (N0042125D0003).

Source: U.S. DoD
Associated URL: http://www.defenselink.gov