DRS Technologies - Experts & Thought Leaders

D-Fend Solutions, the pioneer in radio frequency (RF), cyber-based, non-kinetic, non-jamming, counter-drone takeover technology, announced the expansion of its U.S. team. In response to the rapid growth in demand for the organisation’s solutions, these additions to the company will support the continued advancement of its U.S. presence and operations from its Mclean, Virginia office. The company has appointed Gordon Kesting as Vice President, U.S. Sales and Business Development, and Glenn McArthur as Business Development Manager. With their expertise and experience, D-Fend Solutions is poised to continue developing and leading in multiple C-UAS market sectors through its U.S. operations, sales, partnerships, and implementations. Part of D-Fend Solutions "Gordon and Glenn have tremendous and highly relevant experience and industry presence, and we’re fortunate to have them as part of the D-Fend Solutions team," said Zohar Halachmi, Chairman & CEO of D-Fend Solutions.  "The extensive leadership and proven on-the-ground experience of our new hires will be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand our presence in the U.S. market and focus on providing our partners with the most trustworthy technology for their counter-drone challenges," said Danny Rajan, U.S. General Manager, D-Fend Solutions. Prior roles of Kesting  Kesting has previously held positions at pioneering defence companies including prime contractors Gordon Kesting joins the team as Vice President, U.S. Sales and Business Development, and he is responsible for the region’s sales, capture management, customer engagement, and business development.  Kesting has previously held positions at pioneering defence companies including prime contractors and mid-tier firms such as Hughes Aircraft Company/Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, and DRS Technologies. In his most recent role at Elbit Systems of America, Gordon led the company's growth into the homeland security and international foreign military markets. Prior roles of McArthur Glenn McArthur joins the team as Business Development Manager, responsible for driving business growth and strategic partnerships in homeland security and other public safety sectors. Prior to joining D-Fend Solutions, Glenn had an extensive career with the U.S. Border Patrol, spanning twenty-five years. During this time, McArthur held multiple leadership positions, most recently focused on C-UAS intelligence and operations within the agency.

DRS Technologies Inc., a Finmeccanica Company, announced the new Aquila™ Micro product from Liteye Systems, Inc. as the first commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) thermal payload to receive a “Powered by DRS” product accreditation. Developed in collaboration with Unmanned Experts, Inc., and utilising DRS Technologies’ advanced thermal imaging technology, the Aquila Micro is the first in the new line of thermal imaging UAV payloads from Liteye Systems. The “Powered by DRS Technologies” accreditation is available only to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that collaborate with DRS. The equipment supplied by DRS and inserted into the OEMs product includes infrared camera modules and detectors. Liteye Systems, a designer and manufacturer of covert thermal cameras, and Unmanned Experts, a top provider of unmanned consultancy, training and services, teamed to design a thermal payload with simplified integration into an array today’s most prevalent UAVs. The Aquila Micro “Powered by DRS” successfully integrates Tamarisk® thermal camera cores from DRS into a flexible system with unparalleled thermal image clarity, and many additional features and capabilities that end-users require. “We are very proud that all our efforts have been rewarded by becoming the very first UAV payload to receive the coveted Powered by DRS accreditation,” said Tom Scott, President of Liteye Systems. Liteye Systems has begun shipping to pre-booked customers and is prepared to take additional orders immediately.

DRS’ WatchMaster thermal cameras are on display at the 2014 ISC West exposition DRS Technologies, Inc. a Finmeccanica Company, announces the availability of WatchMaster® thermal camera families on the Autodesk® Seek service, a leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) web application service accessible to Autodesk® Revit® users. The addition of WatchMaster® thermal cameras to the Autodesk application is consistent with DRS’ strategy to extend and strengthen its collaboration with Architects, Engineers and Security Consultants in the surveillance and facilities industries. The Autodesk Seek tool allows users to access 3D models and critical camera specifications, aiding design and visualisation of WatchMaster® camera performance in a variety of security applications from an early stage in project development. With access to the WatchMaster® thermal camera families, users can evaluate key specifications including, the spread of the camera’s field of view, range and depth of target detection, as well as mounting height and rotation specifications. WatchMaster® thermal camera families let security system designers insert camera models directly into CAD building plans and visualise the areas the cameras will cover. The camera CAD models allow for flexible configurations to enhance layout and reduce unexpected blind spots. “Making WatchMaster® cameras available on Autodesk Seek provides Architects, Engineers and Security Consultants with information needed to more effectively specify our advanced thermal imaging products and is a direct example of our commitment to providing tools to complete projects on-time and under budget,” said Todd Brown, DRS senior director of worldwide sales and marketing for commercial infrared systems. WatchMaster® cameras deliver a competitive edge by providing 24/7/365 affordable thermal camera solutions, with both IP and Analogue connectivity and a variety of lens options for easy integration into existing surveillance and security infrastructure. The WatchMaster® product portfolio enhances the reliability of detection while delivering energy efficient solutions. WatchMaster® thermal cameras from DRS Technologies will be on display at the 2014 ISC West exposition, April 2-4 at the Sands Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nev and at PSA-TEC, May 7th at the Westin Westminster in Westminster, CO.

Video surveillance, or CCTV, is becoming increasingly common in cities and other public places all over the world. The benefits of video surveillance cameras to prevent crime and aid police investigations have been well documented, and there have been several high-profile cases in which video was instrumental in solving a crime. Still, whenever video surveillance is proposed in a public place, there can be opposition, based on privacy concerns, from various interest groups and the general public. Effectively managing those objections is a critical step in the success of any public surveillance application. We asked our panelists to advice governments and other relevant authoritative bodies on how to manage privacy objections when installing surveillance cameras in public places. 

Maintaining a high level of customer service can be a challenging experience when an acquisition takes place.This issue is of particular relevance to the security industry, where merger and acquisition activity continues to rise. We asked some of our Expert Panellists to share their thoughts on how both the acquired company as well as the company making the acquisition can retain the focus on their customers throughout the integration process. Here’s what they had to say.