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Singapore-developed radio frequency transmitters, drone win defence technology prizes

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In short

The custom-made radio frequency transmitters developed by DSO National Laboratories took more than 16 years to produce and are up to 50 percent smaller than market alternatives. Alongside these sensors, the Veloce 60 hybrid surveillance drone was recognised for its autonomous day and night maritime operational capabilities. During the presentation, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasised that patient, long-term investments in autonomous systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence remain vital for national security.

Key points

  • Customised local hardware development mitigates critical global supply chain risks tied t…: Customised local hardware development mitigates critical global supply chain risks tied to high-power amplifiers and surveillance components.
  • Autonomous vertical take-off and recovery capabilities allow the navy's first indigenous…: Autonomous vertical take-off and recovery capabilities allow the navy's first indigenous drone to operate effectively across day and night environments.
  • Investing in domestic technological innovations helps Singapore overcome acute national c…: Investing in domestic technological innovations helps Singapore overcome acute national constraints regarding physical scale and limited manpower reserves.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Singapore’s Defence Technology Prize recognised home-grown RF transmitters that can blind hostile drone sensors and help create target images. The technology boosts self-reliance and cuts supply chain risk.

- Vincent Leong said the project took over 16 years at DSO National Laboratories. He stressed the need to build local expertise because RF engineering is not a popular field.

- Other winners developed the navy’s first indigenous drone, the Veloce 60, and automation for A330 midair refuelling. Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said future warfare will depend on long-term capability-building.

AI generated

SINGAPORE – The use of radio frequencies (RF) from locally built transmitters allows the Singapore Armed Forces to blind hostile drone sensors before they reach our shores.

These frequencies can also be used to create an image of a target, similar to how a bat uses echolocation, extending the reach of the army.

The custom-made RF transmitters developed over more than 16 years by the DSO National Laboratories won Vincent Leong the Defence Technology Prize Individual (Research & Development) award on Nov 6.

“A major issue in developing…

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