Jordan's integrated air defenses, and its role countering the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) and enhancing regional co-operation, make the kingdom a key security ally in the Middle East.

The kingdom's integrated air and missile defense and counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) development enables the nation to serve as an example to regional allies.

The US Air Force in October 2012 awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to supply the Jordanian military with the OMNYX C4I System, increasing near-real time reporting of Jordanian airspace and facilitating interoperability between the Jordanian military's branches.

"Integrating sensor, voice and data communications, the OMNYX system is capable of gathering information from radars and other data links to provide interoperability throughout the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) and other elements of the country's armed forces," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

"The system will assist in detecting incoming air traffic and equip the service with capabilities required to perform airspace management, air sovereignty and air defense missions," it added.

"OMNYX serves as the backbone for information flow among command centers, enabling Jordanian military personnel to track and identify aircraft, evaluate any threats, and initiate or monitor airborne engagements," Lockheed Martin's Mission Systems & Sensors business director of C4 Systems John Nikolai said.

"The system will provide enhanced situational awareness of Jordanian airspace at all times."

OMNYX complements Jordan's MIM-23 HAWK systems used for medium- and long-range air defense.

Developed by Raytheon (now known as RTX), the HAWK was adopted in 1960 and has since undergone several modernization programs.

Countering drones

Jordan in October 2022 also opened the first site of its kind in the Middle East to test UAS, C-UAS and electronic warfare systems, Janes reported, citing Jordan's Armed Forces.

The facility, which was developed by a Jordanian company called Deep Element in cooperation with the Jordanian Design & Development Bureau (JODDB), has an air traffic management system.

As part of the inauguration, a Jordanian vertical-take-off-and-landing UAS delivered medical supplies from the test site to a target location.

The test site is designed to provide a "living lab" for the development of doctrine, training, certification, and UAS and C-UAS validation.

The range will also test and support the research of electronic warfare technologies to counter hostile drones.

"The inauguration of this UAS, C-UAS, and EW [electronic warfare] test site is a momentous occasion for the Kingdom, demonstrating the continuous elevation of our national capabilities across all levels," said Brig. Gen. Yousef al-Khatib, assistant chief of staff for Planning, Organization and Defense Resources of the Jordanian Armed Forces.

The new test site will also provide further added value to Jordan's partners, aiding in the development of risk mitigation strategies and the preparation of aviation rule waivers and airspace authorisation materials.

It will also aid in the provision of flight-testing infrastructure and the acquisition of special airworthiness certificates in the experimental category, according to Jordan's military.

Interoperability with partners

Building upon its recent innovation push, Jordan has taken part in exercises to further demonstrate interoperability with international partners.

A Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon squadron in April traveled to Jordan to take part in Agile Oryx, a joint air defense exercise.

The squadron was deployed with a small cohort of movement specialists, engineers and pilots supported by C-130 Hercules.

During the exercise, the RAF Typhoons conducted dissimilar fighter integration -- training involving different types of aircraft -- alongside RJAF F-16s.

Jordan has also hosted a French cell dedicated to C-UAS, composed of operators from different air-surface defense squadrons (EDSA).

This cell of specialists is trained to intercept and neutralize all types of drones that would enter a prohibited area.