CHARTING A CLEAR PATH TO BECOMING A GLOBAL LEADER IN ADVANCED AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS _

World military powers both large and small are pursuing advanced autonomous systems for offensive and defensive applications, fundamentally altering the way force is exerted and deployed, and efficiently levelling many previous overmatch capabilities on the battlefield. The ongoing advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has further improved the efficiency and accuracy of these systems – reinforcing the idea that embracing emerging technology will have a game-changing and outsized impact on military power across the spectrum of conflict.

Recognised as one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, EDGE has successfully reaffirmed the UAE’s position as a competitive and synergised producer of innovative solutions. Generating a 400 percent increase in the existing product range and a portfolio of over 100 products and solutions – with 70 of those having been launched and developed since its inception in November 2019 – EDGE is successfully building a national defence industrial base, increasing in-country value, developing sovereign capabilities, and positioning the UAE as a serious global player within the advanced technology industry.

As a key area of focus in its aggressive product development roadmap, EDGE is making significant advancements in boosting the country’s autonomous capabilities. In line with the UAE’s Industry 4.0 agenda, EDGE is playing a major role in leveraging advanced technologies such as AI to develop superior autonomous solutions, both to bolster national and regional defence, and further afield to key markets for export. With the future increasingly relying on unmanned systems across land, air, and sea, EDGE is investing extensively to fast-track R&D investments in these domains, bringing more than 20 new products to market in the areas of autonomous systems and smart munitions, with many more in the pipeline.

As customers evolve their unmanned missions, EDGE is advancing its capabilities, providing longer endurance, offering increased payload capabilities, and focusing on tactical flexibility in dynamic environments across air, land, and sea domains.

Air

Designed for ISR operations, GARMOOSHA is a UAE-made tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) that can carry payloads of 150 kg with an endurance of 8 hours and range of 150 km. Combining the expertise of precision-guided systems manufacturer HALCON and autonomous systems leader ADASI, EDGE has also made impressive strides in the development of loitering munitions.

Designed to provide small ground units and special operations forces with significant situational awareness, the QX family makes use of artificial intelligence algorithms to target and strike, and has an aim accuracy similar to laser guided munitions. Delivering high precision strike against fixed targets and advanced guidance capabilities, the SHADOW family carry heavier payloads and provide long range and high speed munitions. The RASH family comprises fixed-wing guidance kits that can be attached to a standard mortar or DESERT STING-16 fragmentation warhead to convert it into a glider-based guided munition system.

Similarly, the HUNTER 2-S is a tube-launched swarming drone equipped with advanced AI technology. Integrated with a fragmentation munition, HUNTER 2-S drones share information to perform coordinated surveillance and strike missions, track and maintain positions, and engage targets.

Land

As observed twenty years ago, the initial uptake of drones was slow as armed forces adapted their concept of operations (CONOPS) early in the product lifecycle. Today, we can draw parallels to unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology with numerous countries undergoing intensive testing and evaluation with plans to initiate larger-scale adoption and use in operational environments.

The SCORPIO range of UGVs is designed to make battlefields and specific environments safer for humans. These systems demonstrate a robust ability to undertake several high-pressure tasks, including public safety, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, and other diverse missions.

ADASI also fitted NIMR’s AJBAN 440 with a robotic kit to create the ADASI armed robotic vehicle (ARV) which provides a rapidly deployable platform for last mile delivery in high-risk zones. The vehicle can seamlessly switch between manned and unmanned functionalities and can be fitted with a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) and a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.

Sea

While the maritime industry has been comparatively slower to adopt these technologies, it is certainly evolving and diversifying, and the rising popularity of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) is prompting an increase in procurement and deployment by many navies and border security organisations around the world.

As R&D accelerates, USVs and UUVs will play a very significant role in protecting human operators, securing national waters, and assisting naval missions. EDGE is currently working with local and global partners to develop next-generation unmanned and autonomous maritime platforms, enabling the UAE to benefit from the international expertise of leading industry players.

As we advance our adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, interoperable autonomous and autonomy-enabled systems across air, land, and sea will greatly assist in preventing hostilities, in shaping the security environment, protecting critical infrastructure, and safeguarding borders and coastlines – thereby contributing to the safety and security of the country which is crucial for development and growth.