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
ODU RT

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
PTC rectangle

“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
FIA2026 animated banner
SEA awarded Lockheed Martin Canada RCD implementation support contract

Defence

SEA awarded Lockheed Martin Canada RCD implementation support contract

16 March 2026

Lockheed Martin Canada has awarded SEA Canada, part of SEA Group (a Cohort plc Group company), a multiyear contract to support Lockheed Martin in the project implementation phase of the River-class Destroyer (RCD) programme.

Systematic enhances SitaWare Maritime capability

Defence

Systematic enhances SitaWare Maritime capability

16 March 2026

Systematic has introduced a major new capability in SitaWare Maritime, enabling navies to safely coordinate submarine operations across coalition forces.

Babcock launches SME Engagement Charter

Defence

Babcock launches SME Engagement Charter

16 March 2026

Babcock International Group has launched a 10 point charter designed to enable, reshape and accelerate how the UK defence sector engages with Small-Medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

Robosys Automation launches VOYAGER AI Simulator

Defence

Robosys Automation launches VOYAGER AI Simulator

16 March 2026

Southampton based advanced autonomy and vessel control innovator, Robosys Automation, unveiled its new VOYAGER AI Simulator last week at Oceanology International 2026.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
ARTEC awarded £53m contract for British Army artillery weapon systems

Defence

ARTEC awarded £53m contract for British Army artillery weapon systems

13 March 2026

Increased lethality for the British Army has moved a step closer after a £53 million contract was awarded by OCCAR on behalf of the British Army to ARTEC GmbH for the long-lead production of 37 weapon systems for the Remote Controlled Howitzer (RCH) 155.

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

Defence Space

BAE Systems completes preliminary design review of USSF missile tracking system

12 March 2026

BAE Systems has completed the Preliminary Design Review for the $1.2 billion US Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Resilient Missile Warning & Tracking (RMWT) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) Epoch 2 programme to provide missile warning and tracking of advanced missile threats.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner