Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • BAE Systems tech to disrupt illegal drug trade into US

Defence Security

BAE Systems tech to disrupt illegal drug trade into US

BAE Systems Australia will export sovereign defence technology designed and developed in Australia to detect and disrupt illicit drugs entering the United States.

Above: Gabrielle Costigan MBE, CEO, BAE Systems Australia.
Courtesy BAE Systems

The company today announced it will deliver a multi-mission digital high frequency (HF) receiver system into the US Government’s Maritime-centric Over the Horizon Radar (MASOR) project which is now a critical part of the war against drug imports into the United States.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

The technology, designed and developed by the company alongside Australian academics and SMEs, will be integrated into the US Navy’s Forces Surveillance Support Center. BAE Systems Australia has been at the forefront of the development of high frequency systems technologies for more than 40 years.

The $18 million digital receiver system enables the integration of multiple images so the US Navy can accurately identify targets of interest across a range of up to 3,000 kilometres. Increasing these maritime surface target detections and tracking capability is expected to help cut the entry of illicit drugs entering the US.

BAE Systems Australia has invested significantly in establishing and continuously improving high frequency technology systems and surveillance capability, working alongside defence, academia and industry in Australia to build this strategic investment in local talent and research and development activities.

BAE Systems Chief Executive Gabby Costigan said: “Through collaboration with defence, industry and academia, Australia leads the world in HF technologies.

“Our commitment and investment to support the spiral development of these sovereign technologies enables us to develop valuable new opportunities to collaborate with allied nations and grow the nation’s exports.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“We have been collaborating with the US on High Frequency radar technologies for over a decade and we’re extremely proud to work on projects like MASOR which leverage our world class Over The Horizon Radar capability and expertise to improve strategic surveillance capabilities in the US.”

 

 

Advertisement
ECS leaderboard banner
HRH The Princess Royal tours MTL Advanced in Rotherham

Aerospace Defence Events

HRH The Princess Royal tours MTL Advanced in Rotherham

10 March 2026

HRH The Princess Royal visited Rotherham based MTL Advanced (part of WEC Group) on Friday 20th February to meet apprentices, engineers and senior leadership, gaining an insight into the company’s continued investment in skills development, innovation and regional growth and learning about its new Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC).

ALL.SPACE and Viasat advance Ka-band connectivity

Defence Security Space

ALL.SPACE and Viasat advance Ka-band connectivity

10 March 2026

ALL.SPACE today announced a strategic collaboration with Viasat and the successful certification of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network, which provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access for government and defence missions.

IFS completes acquisition of Softeon

Aerospace Defence Security Space

IFS completes acquisition of Softeon

10 March 2026

IFS today announced the completion of its acquisition of Softeon, providing enterprises across manufacturing, logistics and retail, with access to a new category of supply chain technology.

Babcock to support British Army

Defence

Babcock to support British Army's FEPS

9 March 2026

Babcock International Group has been awarded a contract to provide the British Army with in-service support for its Field Electrical Power Supplies (FEPS) power generators.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
BAE Systems OneArc selected by Danish Army

Defence

BAE Systems OneArc selected by Danish Army

9 March 2026

BAE Systems OneArc has announced that it has been selected by the Danish Army as the foundation for its next-generation enterprise virtual training environment.

Isembard raises $50m to open 25 AI-powered factories

Aerospace Defence

Isembard raises $50m to open 25 AI-powered factories

9 March 2026

UK manufacturing startup Isembard - which manufactures components for aerospace, defence and robotics in factories powered by its proprietary agentic AI platform MasonOS - today announced it has closed $50 million in Series A funding, less than 12 months after its Seed round.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Advertisement
Security & Policing 2026