General Atomics

Smith Myers launches ARTEMIS-Flex

Smith Myers has launched ARTEMIS-Flex, an innovation in rescue technology and evolution of the award-winning ARTEMIS Mobile Phone Detection & Location System (MPDLS).

Image courtesy Smith Myers

The genesis of ARTEMIS-Flex dates to late 2023, when Smith Myers answered the call of Mountain Rescue Teams worldwide with the launch of the ARTEMIS Mountain Rescue (MR) Backpack. This world-first pioneering product swiftly became a lifesaving hero in Europe’s mountainous regions. Demand grew from rescue organisations worldwide for adaptations to suit various platforms, from 4×4 vehicles and ATVs to Skidoos and Coast Guard vessels.

Andrew Munro, Managing Director at Smith Myers explained: “Our mantra, ‘We listen, we design, we deliver,’ has guided us to this moment. The MR Backpack’s success revealed it could be so much more. By integrating a few ancillaries and tweaking the housing, ARTEMIS-Flex was born.”

ARTEMIS-Flex is engineered to be the paradigm of versatility and resilience, seamlessly adapting to ground and sea operations. ARTEMIS-Flex is ideal for locating and communicating with individuals in distress without depending on cellular networks, even in hazardous weather conditions.

One European Coast Guard Commander commented: “After adapting the ARTEMIS backpack for our Coast Guard cutter, we quickly rescued a small boat in distress. Its versatility across our fleet is clear. If we can swiftly dismount it for backpack use, even better. It was immediately obvious we needed this capability across our fleet.”

Designed for all-weather capabilities, ARTEMIS-Flex ensures SAR teams can operate effectively, even when aircraft are grounded due to adverse weather.

Unlike cameras that may fail in poor visibility, ARTEMIS-Flex excels even in darkness and severe weather, ensuring continuous search and rescue operations. The system’s robust, waterproof housing safely stores ancillaries like the GETAC rugged tablet, shielding them from harsh environments. With ‘hot swappable’ lithium batteries providing up to 18 hours of continuous operation, and options for mains or vehicle power, ARTEMIS-Flex stands ready for any mission.

Smith Myers ARTEMIS suite of SAR products have been saving lives around the world. Most recently selected by the UK Maritime Coast Guard Agency under the UK’s new SAR2G programme, the growing global customer base includes programmes in Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Asia. ARTEMIS-Flex is being used in conjunction with ARTEMIS systems mounted on crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

Related

Record-breaking August rounds off Stansted’s busiest ever summer
Stansted Terminal Security entrance.
Record-breaking August rounds off Stansted’s busiest ever summer
Whilst welcoming over 100,000 passengers on every day of August, London Stansted Airport achieved its busiest ever day, month and summer on record.
Aerospace

16 Sep 2026

UK MOD accelerates low-cost drone turbojet development with Alloyed
Image: MOD Crown Copyright
UK MOD accelerates low-cost drone turbojet development with Alloyed
A new UK-developed turbojet engine has reached flight-ready status in less than seven months, highlighting the potential of advanced manufacturing to accelerate defence propulsion.
Aerospace Defence Test

16 Sep 2026

Airlines should cover full climate cost if Heathrow expands, CCC says
London Heathrow
Airlines should cover full climate cost if Heathrow expands, CCC says
The Climate Change Committee says Heathrow expansion is not compatible with UK Net Zero targets. It calls for aviation to pay the cost of removing CO2.
Aerospace

16 Sep 2026

MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
MSI-DS unveiled the TERRAHAWK RAPTOR during the opening day of DVD2026 on 16 September 2026. This RWS is optimised for C-UAS operations. Image: MSI-DS
MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
The new TERRAHAWK RAPTOR remote weapon station is designed for integration across tracked and wheeled platforms, including 4x4 vehicles and UGVs, as MSI-DS targets growing demand for mobile C-UAS capability.
Defence Security

16 Sep 2026

NP Aerospace secures new protected cab order
Protected cab
NP Aerospace secures new protected cab order
With its latest order for protected vehicle cabs, NP Aerospace has taken its total protected cab order book to over 60 units.
Defence Member News

16 Sep 2026

Scottish defence sector faces skills shortfall and ‘debanking’ concerns, MPs warn
The UK's first Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow (F88), is seen under construction at BAE Systems' shipyard in Govan, Scotland, on 29 June 2021. Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Jack Eckersley
Scottish defence sector faces skills shortfall and ‘debanking’ concerns, MPs warn
A new report from the Scottish Affairs Committee has highlighted skills shortages, supply chain barriers and the ongoing ‘debanking’ of defence SMEs as challenges to Scotland’s ability to capitalise on increased UK defence investment.
Defence

16 Sep 2026

Harwell-based Open Cosmos secures €300m to scale sovereign satellite production
Open Cosmos
Harwell-based Open Cosmos secures €300m to scale sovereign satellite production
Harwell-based Open Cosmos has raised €300m to expand satellite manufacturing and space-based intelligence as the UK strengthens sovereign capability.
Defence Space

16 Sep 2026

AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
5G NTN
AccelerComm awarded ESA regenerative 5G satellite network contract
The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected AccelerComm to help build one of Europe's first regenerative 5G base stations that directly run onboard satellites, shifting away from today's 'bent-pipe' satellites that simply relay signals back to the ground.
Member News Space

15 Sep 2026

The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
ADS Advance magazine - the drone age- is out today
The Drone Age: What does the UK need to get right?
Leading experts examine where UK drone capability is advancing, where gaps remain and what industry and government need to fix next.
MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
MSI-DS unveiled the TERRAHAWK RAPTOR during the opening day of DVD2026 on 16 September 2026. This RWS is optimised for C-UAS operations. Image: MSI-DS
MSI-DS launches TERRAHAWK RAPTOR mobile counter-drone weapon station
The new TERRAHAWK RAPTOR remote weapon station is designed for integration across tracked and wheeled platforms, including 4x4 vehicles and UGVs, as MSI-DS targets growing demand for mobile C-UAS capability.
Defence Security

16 Sep 2026

UK recruits hundreds of officers in £500 billion money laundering crackdown
Home Office
UK recruits hundreds of officers in £500 billion money laundering crackdown
Following National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that over £100 billion is laundered through UK or UK corporate structures each year, 500 officers will target money laundering networks linked to organised crime, building on Operation Destabilise.
Security

16 Sep 2026

Defence and industry open collaboration hub at RAF Wyton
FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub at RAF Wyton
Defence and industry open collaboration hub at RAF Wyton
The new FAIRFAX Collaboration Hub has been opened at RAF Wyton by defence and industry partners, marking a key step in its growth as the UK's intelligence hub.