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23 Apr 26. Axon Vision (TASE: AXN), a leader in vision-based artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for defense and security applications, today announced the successful completion of operational demonstrations and evaluation activities for its EDGE ClearSky drone detection system.
A leading defense force conducted an extensive operational assessment of EDGE ClearSky against a broad range of FPV drone threats targeting maneuvering forces – an increasingly significant operational challenge in modern combat environments. EDGE ClearSky successfully completed the evaluation, supporting its continued operational maturation.
EDGE ClearSky is part of Axon Vision’s EDGE AI family of computer vision solutions, designed to enable rapid detection, identification, and interception of aerial threats directly from armored platforms. Leveraging thermal sensing and AI-driven real-time processing, the system is designed to support an automated closed-loop detect-to-intercept cycle through integration with onboard weapon systems.
Axon Vision also maintains a strategic partnership with Leonardo DRS to supply systems designed to detect and intercept fast-moving aerial threats (C-UAS) for the U.S. military market. As part of this cooperation, Axon Vision has already received an initial order for demonstrator systems providing end-to-end detection and interception capabilities for airborne threats requiring rapid response.
28 Apr 26. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in multi-domain defense solutions, today announced the release of Halo_Shield™, a modular, distributed, and cost-effective counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) designed to predict, detect, track, identify and defeat advanced airborne threats—including Group 1–5 UAS, coordinated drone swarms, and subsonic cruise missiles—protecting critical infrastructure and deployed forces worldwide.
At the core of Halo_Shield is a mission-tailored, distributed and domain-specific tile architecture—comprising Sentinel, Terrestrial, Nautical, Aerial and Celestial tiles.
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AV made the announcement at Modern Day Marine on April 28 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
Developed as part of AV’s holistically integrated C-UAS strategy, Halo_Shield introduces a unique, tile-based layered defense architecture that is open, scalable, and adaptable to today’s evolving threats. The system is designed to support emerging homeland defense priorities by enabling resilient, area-wide protection of high-value U.S. and allied partner assets, including borders, military installations, and other critical infrastructure. AV is currently demonstrating capabilities and has deployed Halo_Shield tiles at select critical sites.
“The character of the air threat has fundamentally changed,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “Cheap, massed, and coordinated aerial systems are stressing traditional point defenses. Halo_Shield is our answer—a collaborative, modular approach that brings together the best of AV and a trusted supplier ecosystem to close those gaps.”
At the core of Halo_Shield is a mission-tailored, distributed and domain-specific tile architecture—comprising Sentinel, Terrestrial, Nautical, Aerial and Celestial tiles. Each tile delivers a specialized combination of sensors, effectors, and command-and-control capabilities, drawing on technology from AV and its trusted ecosystem of suppliers. The result is a cost-efficient defense architecture that is offense-ready, extends protection beyond point defense and sustains decisive situational advantage in contested battlespaces across air, land, sea and space.
Designed for plug-and-play integration, Halo_Shield is deployable as portable fly-away kits and integrates seamlessly with existing customer sensors, effectors, and command-and-control frameworks—delivering scalable, resilient, area-wide protection with minimal training and personnel demands. Powered by AV_Halo™, AV’s unified software platform, the system is purpose-built yet agnostic, designed to incorporate new capabilities while seamlessly integrating with customers’ existing command-and-control systems.
“Halo_Shield is engineered like an edge processing-capable set of tiles for modern air defense,” said Larry Lloyd, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at AV. “Each tile is a self-contained capability that can operate on its own or snap together to build exactly the defense architecture a mission demands. That modularity lets operators scale, adapt, and reconfigure in real time as threats evolve, without redesigning the system or retraining the force. It’s how you move from static point defense to a living, mission-tailored shield.”
The unique tile-based architecture integrates a tailored mix of sensors and effectors from AV and its trusted partners, unified by an overarching battle manager. It includes systems such as AV’s LOCUST® laser weapon system, Switchblade® loitering munitions, and Titan® 4 and Titan MS RF C-UAS systems, among others.
With AV_Halo™ COMMAND, each tile can operate independently or be rapidly combined to extend detection ranges, accelerate the kill chain, and expand coverage across large geographic areas for preferential engagement.
Halo_Shield is a game-changing architecture:
- Affordably extending defensive protection beyond traditional C-UAS point defense
- Optimizing sensors and effectors placement to maximize mission effectiveness
- Maximizing the system’s weapons carrying capacity to address all threat scenarios
- Disaggregating the C-UAS mitigation cycle at the tile level to simplify higher echelon command and control (C2) workload
- Integrating left of launch with offensive delivery to thwart threats prior to attack
28 Apr 26. Teledyne FLIR OEM today announced the release of Prism® C‑UAS, a high‑performance counter‑unmanned aircraft system (C‑UAS) detection and tracking software stack. Designed to address the escalating global threat of unauthorized drone activity, Prism C‑UAS extends detection and tracking range for small, hard‑to‑detect drones. By combining patented thermal infrared (IR) image signal processing with artificial intelligence (AI)‑driven perception, the software enables small‑drone detection with fewer than four pixels on target, maximizing time to respond with counter‑drone measures.
The Critical Role of Software in C-UAS
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports more than 100 drone incursions per month near U.S. airports, while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security testified that more than 60,000 drone flights were detected near the U.S.–Mexico border in the final six months of 2024. Cheap, expendable, and increasingly autonomous drones have shifted unauthorized drone activity from a regulatory challenge into a significant security threat affecting military theaters, national borders, civilian airports, critical infrastructure, and special events like the World Cup and Olympics. To meet this growing global threat, the defense and security industries are rapidly expanding C‑UAS capabilities.
“Software has become a defining performance differentiator in today’s C‑UAS environment,” said Jared Faraudo, Vice President of Product Management, Teledyne FLIR OEM. “Prism C‑UAS enables sub 2×2‑pixel drone detection and tracking, providing a significant increase in drone detection range over conventional systems. It reflects our vertical integration and domain expertise, transforming raw thermal data into actionable intelligence for modern, multi‑layered defense architectures.”
Unmatched Prism Software Performance
Leveraging patented denoise, local contrast enhancement, and upsampling algorithms to enhance target signal‑to‑noise ratio (SNR), Prism C‑UAS increases moving target indicator (MTI) detection range. Once detected, targets are processed by an AI-based object detector and tracked by an efficient multi‑object tracker software to reduce false positives and maintain persistent tracks. The system is optimized specifically for small, fast, and maneuvering drone targets.
Designed for streamlined integration, Prism C‑UAS natively supports data from Teledyne FLIR OEM’s market‑leading Boson®+ and Neutrino® IR camera families, as well as select commercial off‑the‑shelf visible cameras to enable multispectral sensor configurations. Prism C‑UAS lowers integration risk through Teledyne FLIR OEM’s proven technology, robust developer tools, and expert technical support, enabling scalable deployment across a wide range of global C‑UAS architectures.
To see the new Prism C-UAS software and other exciting products, visit the Teledyne FLIR OEM demonstration suite at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Monument Suite #5221 at SPIE DCS 2026, April 28 to April 30, 2026. For more information on Prism C-UAS and the full suite of Teledyne FLIR OEM solutions, visit www.oem.flir.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
28 Apr 26. Unveiled at Modern Day Marine 2026, Teledyne FLIR Defense announced the expansion of its Third-Party Payload Integration Program with the certification of Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR Payload. The agreement will deliver Emesent’s GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities across Teledyne FLIR’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS), ground robots, and radiation detection platforms.
“Teledyne FLIR builds platforms trusted for the most demanding CBRN missions in the world,” said Tung Ng, VP at Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Working with Emesent, we’ll be able to give operators a fused, spatial picture of the threat environment.”
The Emesent–Teledyne FLIR combination addresses a GPS-denial gap in air and ground domains where unmanned systems can lose GPS connectivity in common operating areas, such as tunnels, urban structures, and CBRN-contaminated spaces. Using LiDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), Emesent’s Hovermap payload generates accurate 3D maps without GPS or external infrastructure.
On Teledyne FLIR’s SkyRanger® R70 and R80D SkyRaider® UAS platforms, Hovermap enables mapping even in GPS-denied environments. Mounted on the company’s SUGV™ 325 ground robot, Hovermap provides users with persistent 3D awareness of complex enclosed environments streamed in real-time. And integrated with Teledyne FLIR’s MUVE™ R430 radiation detection payload on the SUGV, Hovermap allows operators to see not just where a robot has been, but where radiation levels are elevated, giving CBRN teams an immediate, geo-referenced picture of the threat environment.
“Knowing the shape of a space is powerful. Knowing where the radiation is within that space, in real time, without putting a person in harm’s way, is an operational game-changer,” said Stefan Hrabar, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Emesent. “Our partnership with Teledyne FLIR Defense brings together GPS-denied mapping and radiation detection in a way that directly addresses what CBRN operators need in the field.”
“Teledyne FLIR builds platforms trusted for the most demanding CBRN missions in the world,” said Tung Ng, vice president of Unmanned Systems North America for Teledyne FLIR Defense. “Working with Emesent, we’ll be able to give operators a fused, spatial picture of the threat environment they simply haven’t had access to before.”
“This is the direction the whole field is heading in, and we’re delivering it now through certified third-party payloads like Hovermap,” Ng added.
Emesent’s Hovermap represents the firm’s success in utilizing Teledyne FLIR Defense’s open-architecture, partner-enabled development ecosystem. Certified payloads are assessed for mechanical fit, electrical interface, software compatibility, and flight performance, giving customers confidence in mission-tailored capabilities from a growing partner ecosystem.
The partnership also establishes a technical foundation for future capability development. Both companies are actively developing autonomous navigation capabilities and expanding multi-sensor fusion beyond radiation to additional CBRN detection modalities.
The integrated systems will be on display at Teledyne FLIR Defense booth #1724 at Modern Day Marine 2026, April 28–30, at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
About Emesent
Emesent is an Australian-headquartered technology company with a U.S. office in Centennial, Colorado, and the maker of the Hovermap autonomous mapping platform. Hovermap uses LiDAR-based SLAM to deliver precise 3D mapping and autonomy in GPS-denied environments. With more than 1,000 systems deployed globally across defence, public safety, mining, and infrastructure sectors, Hovermap is a proven, field-ready platform trusted by military and government operators worldwide. For more information, visit www.emesent.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
29 Apr 26. Marines Debut New Ground Sensor Systems.
Low crawling through the woods for long periods of time is nothing new to Marine Corps Cpl. Joshua Trutna. Splinters, fatigue and heat are all part of the job as a tactical remote sensor system maintainer assigned to the Ground Sensor Platoon, 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.
What is new for Trutna is doing it alongside Tunisian special forces soldiers in the forests of northern Tunisia.
Trutna gained a deeper understanding of what it means to defend a homeland during Exercise African Lion 26, as Tunisian special forces soldiers shared their experiences conducting real-world missions to protect their country from terrorist threats.
“As tough as the training can be, there’s a reason behind it,” Trutna said. “[Tunisian special forces] are actually doing the mission.”
This interaction with Tunisian forces is part of U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa from April 20 to May 8 and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, the exercise involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
Marines assigned to the Ground Sensor Platoon trained with Tunisian forces on remote sensor systems used to detect movement and provide early warning in complex terrain.
Throughout the exercise, Marines shared techniques on how to emplace, monitor and recover ground sensors in daylight and lowlight conditions. They also conducted infiltration and observation of named areas of interest with partner forces to build multinational readiness.
Trutna connected with his counterparts as they worked their way through the dense terrain of the northern Tunisian forests. The shared experience gave Trutna a new perspective on the purpose behind the training and the common hardships endured by warfighters everywhere.
“We all deal with the same things,” he said. “Being tired, sitting in the field, waiting for something to happen.”
Tunisia’s position in North Africa creates distinct security challenges, as its vast and often remote terrain is difficult to monitor with traditional tools alone, which made the Marines’ employment of ground sensors all the more essential. This training paved the way for Tunisian forces to receive faster, more reliable notification of terrorist threats.
“These sensors give us another tool to understand what’s happening in the battlespace,” said Marine Corps 1st Lt. Joseph Kennedy, Ground Sensor Platoon commander.
The Marines demonstrated how these systems can support border security efforts in complex environments.
“Even covering a small area can provide information that helps us determine where movement is happening and how to respond,” Kennedy said.
This training event also represented a significant milestone for the unit. According to Kennedy, the exercise marked the first deployment of the newest generation of ground sensor systems outside of the United States. Earlier this year, his platoon became the first Marine unit to receive the equipment, and they have continued to refine its employment in real-world environments.
“It’s a great opportunity to expose these sensors, not just to our partner forces, but also to other U.S. services that may not have this capability,” Kennedy said.
Trutna, Kennedy and the rest of the Ground Sensor Platoon said they now carry a clearer sense of why their expertise matters. In Tunisia’s forests, they saw how their sensors and skills give partners the ability to spot threats before they strike.
(Source: U.S. DoD)
24 Apr 26. NATO eyes Swedish-Canadian jet for AWACS role in shift away from Boeing. NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency has selected Sweden’s Saab and Canada’s Bombardier to replace the alliance’s aging fleet of Boeing E-3A Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft with the GlobalEye platform, according to French defense publication La Lettre and confirmed independently by the German press agency DPA.
The decision, if formally announced, marks the first time since 1982 that a non-Boeing aircraft will serve as NATO’s common airborne surveillance backbone, and caps a procurement saga defined by American industrial dysfunction and growing European appetite for strategic autonomy.
The outcome was far from inevitable. As recently as November 2023, NATO had awarded the replacement contract to Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail − without a competitive tender − on the grounds that it was the only available system meeting operational requirements in time. Saab CEO Micael Johansson publicly complained that the process had been “rushed” and that the alliance had already made up its mind before the GlobalEye offer even landed on NATO desks.
Washington’s own disengagement unraveled those plans. The U.S. Air Force dropped the E-7 from its fiscal 2026 spending plan in June 2025, citing delays, cost overruns, and survivability doubts in contested environments, and opting instead for space-based surveillance and additional E-2D Hawkeye aircraft. By November 2025, the Netherlands and the remaining European partners announced they were scrapping the six-aircraft Wedgetail buy, with Dutch State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman explicitly noting that the U.S. withdrawal underscored “the importance of investing as much as possible in European industry.”
The GlobalEye, built around Saab’s Erieye Extended Range active electronically scanned array radar mounted on a Bombardier Global 6000 or 6500 airframe, offers detection ranges exceeding 550 kilometers across air, sea, and land domains. NATO’s NSPA is reported to be eyeing between 10 and 12 aircraft at roughly €550 million ($643 million) per unit, a total acquisition value likely exceeding €5 billion ($5.84 billion) before sustainment, training, and infrastructure costs. Saab has claimed the platform can meet NATO’s 2031 operational target, or earlier.
The political momentum behind the GlobalEye had been building for a while. France signed a contract for two aircraft with options for two more in December 2025, and Johansson reported strong interest from Poland and Germany during Saab’s first-quarter 2026 earnings call. Canada is also weighing up to six GlobalEyes.
Still, the deal is not yet signed. Saab’s head of media relations, Mattias Rådström, told AeroTime that no contract had been formally concluded and that the award remained NATO’s to announce. Whether that changes the outcome at this stage seems unlikely. (Source: Defense News)
29 APR 26. Belgium seeks industrial partner to create multi-layered C-UAS solution. The layered system must be able to protect assets ranging from moving vehicles to fixed military sites.
Belgium is looking for a new industrial partner to help create a new, comprehensive counter-UAS (C-UAS) system-of-systems solution to protect its infrastructure and troops.
To discover the appropriate partner, Belgium’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched a competition on 21 April, inviting interested companies to submit their requests to participate by 11 May.
Spanning a 10-year period, the successful partner will be required to deliver, install, maintain, and iterate the C-UAS system, which will feature a broad range of C-UASs, from active and passive sensors to effectors.
What is the requirement?
The operational requirement is driven by the rapid proliferation of uncrewed systems, which now pose a persistent threat to frontline units, infrastructure, and assets.
To address this, Belgium is demanding a multi-tiered C-UAS solution capable of shielding forces in any state – whether at fixed sites, semi-permanent bases, or for highly mobile deployments, the MoD said.
At the heart of this system-of-systems will be a C-UAS command-and-control architecture. It is “the vital component”, ensuring that “all subsystems are integrated and remain integrated within one overarching operational capability.”
The chosen partner must act as the integrator, ensuring all the technologies cooperate effectively.
Additional systems will be procured as the technology and threat evolves, so the C-UAS solution must be highly modular, the MoD said.
Despite not attributing any financial value to the competition, the requirement for a multi-tiered solution that can protect a range of different forces and sites over a 10-year period will require significant investment.
Belgium has been a defence spending laggard. However, following in the footsteps of its allies, Belgium increased defence spending from 1.3% to 2% of GDP last year.
It also unveiled a EUR33.8 billion defence spending programme to significantly enhance its military capabilities in July. The plan details the MoD’s spending priorities for 2026 through 2034. (Source: CLARION
14 Apr 26 C-UAS Hub said today that Ukraine adapts An-28 aircraft to launch interceptors against Shaheds. Ukraine has introduced a new tactic in its defense against Russian long-range drones, modifying the Antonov An-28 to launch interceptor drones in flight.
Video of the modified aircraft was first shared by Ukrainian pilot and volunteer Tymur Fatkullin, who has previously documented improvised aerial tactics, including the use of the M134 Minigun to shoot down drones.
In the latest configuration, the An-28 is fitted with underwing hardpoints carrying two types of Ukrainian-made interceptor drones: the SkyFall P1-Sun and the Merops AS-3 Surveyor. Both are designed to intercept and destroy incoming drones midair.
Fatkullin described the concept as effective in combat conditions, saying the P1-Sun “has already proven effective in real combat conditions” and likening it to “a cheap air-to-air missile.” He also claimed the aircraft has downed 222 Russian drones using gun armament.
The interceptor drones themselves are relatively small and intended to be cost-effective. The P1-Sun uses a modular, 3D-printed airframe, can reach speeds of up to 280 miles per hour and operate at altitudes of around 16,400 feet. The AS-3 Surveyor is a more advanced option, capable of autonomous or remote operation, using onboard sensors to track targets before destroying them via direct impact or proximity detonation.
Ukraine adapts An-28 aircraft to launch interceptors against Shaheds – cuashub.com
14 Apr 26 C-UAS Hub said today that Pentagon seeks more than $70 billion for drone and counter-drone systems.
The Pentagon’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget includes more than $70 billion for military drones and counter-drone technologies, in what officials describe as the largest U.S. investment in counter-uas capabilities to date.
During a briefing on Tuesday, Jules Hurst III and Steven Whitney outlined the Department of Defense’s request for $1.5 trillion in total funding. The proposal includes $1.15 trillion through the standard appropriations process and an additional $350 billion through reconciliation.
Officials said $53.6 billion is earmarked for autonomy, drone platforms and contested logistics, while $21 billion is allocated for munitions, counter-drone systems and advanced capabilities such as collaborative combat aircraft. The figures represent a significant increase from fiscal 2026, when the Pentagon sought $13.4 billion for autonomous systems and $3.1 billion for counter-drone technologies.
“Drone warfare is rapidly reshaping the modern battlefield, and this budget is the largest investment in drone warfare and counter-drone technology in U.S. history,” Hurst said. “Manned-unmanned teaming is the future of combat, and this budget makes it a reality.”
Drone threats drive record investment
The increased funding comes as no surprise to those who have followed the progression of unmanned threats in modern conflict. Low-cost drones have become widely available, with asymmetric tactics now posing one of the greatest threats to military personnel, bases and critical infrastructure. Drone swarms and similar tactics have also been observed in conflicts in Ukraine, across the Middle East and other regions.
Whitney highlighted the pace of technological change, noting that drone and counter-drone capabilities are evolving far faster than traditional defense acquisition cycles.
“We look at that as a capability that’s necessary, that we’ve seen in the battlefields,” Whitney said. “If you look at what’s going on in Ukraine and their ability to have drone-on-drone type warfare – and the ability to do so at cost and scale – it’s really something that we need to figure out how to take advantage of to protect our force.”
Focus on the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group
Budget documents also point to a sharp increase in funding for the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group, rising from $225.9 million in fiscal 2026 to a proposed $54.6 billion in fiscal 2027. The organization was established in 2025 as a successor to earlier initiatives focused on scaling attritable drone deployments.
“I think of the DAWG as a pathfinder. They’re out there finding the best technology for us and working on integration. They’re with these companies live, right now, testing different systems and orchestration tools for autonomy, and they’re giving them live feedback,” Hurst said.
Whitney said the group’s work aligns with research and development funding structures, prioritizing rapid iteration over long-term procurement.
“You’re talking about innovation in terms of weeks and the ability to spin and develop new capabilities – that’s really what we are. It’s not that you’re buying one set baseline and you’re going to procure it forever,” he said.
The overall defense budget proposal reflects a planned increase of 22.6 percent and includes additional funding priorities such as missile defense, artificial intelligence and industrial base support. Officials noted that the drone and counter-drone allocation is focused on deploying existing technologies, with separate efforts aimed at strengthening the defense industrial base.
“That $70 billion is all going into existing systems and technologies. The industrial base support is entirely separate. Obviously, when you buy vast quantities of something, you stimulate the industrial base, but that is a focused effort on actually fueling technology and applying existing technology in a way that’s useful to the warfighter,” Hurst said.
Pentagon seeks more than $70 billion for drone and counter-drone systems – cuashub.com
14 Apr 26 C-UAS Hub said today that Counter UAS Technology Europe conference wraps up in London
The final day of Counter-UAS Technology Europe concluded today, with sessions from across military, industry and government presented to attendees throughout the day.
Discussions offered insights into the various programs being developed and challenges being faced in the counter-drone world across the globe.
Drone Capability Coalition support
Brigadier Stu Nassé of British Army HQ opened the day’s core sessions by outlining the work of the Drone Capability Coalition, particularly its role in supporting Ukraine with the delivery of counter-UAS systems.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to coordinate international support and pointed to future priorities and initiatives.
C-UAS within integrated air and missile defense
Brigadier General Peter Gielen of the Dutch MoD explored how counter-UAS is increasingly being treated as an integral component of integrated air and missile defense. He emphasized that countering drones is no longer a niche capability, but part of a broader defensive framework alongside traditional air and missile threats.
His session also stressed the importance of cooperation and trust across Europe, as well as the role of civil society and industry in building resilience against air threats that cannot be fully mitigated by military systems alone.
Developing capabilities across the UK Armed Forces
A panel featuring representatives from the UK Joint Counter-UAS Office, the Experimentation and Trials Group and DSTL examined how counter-UAS capabilities are being developed and delivered across the British Armed Forces.
The discussion focused on supporting capability development across services, delivering solutions at scale and ensuring that future efforts remain aligned with operational requirements.
Operational lessons from Ukraine
Major Volodymyr Gorodnychyi provided operational insight from one of Ukraine’s most successful counter-drone brigades, detailing the challenges of countering systems such as Shahed drones and other enemy UAS.
Major Gorodnychyi fielded a range of questions from the audience, who were particularly interested to hear about the challenges and successes of the Brigade on the front lines.
Adapting to rapidly evolving threats
Richard Allen-Miles addressed the need for reconfigurable weapon systems, arguing that traditional procurement cycles struggle to keep pace with the speed of drone development.
He emphasized that fixed, single-mission systems risk becoming obsolete quickly, and that future counter-UAS capabilities must be adaptable at the operational level to remain effective.
Protecting critical infrastructure
Ori Marom of SAE Industry Technologies Consortiun and the Port of Rotterdam explored the challenges of defending vital infrastructure such as ports, airports and industrial hubs from drone threats.
He outlined the comprehensive drone and airspace management program the port has been working to develop in recent years.
Operating in domestic environments
The final panel, featuring Major Michel Koopman and 1st Lieutenant Nick Odijk of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, examined how to integrate both kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures within domestic settings.
The discussion highlighted the challenges of operating in densely populated environments and the importance of safety, regulatory considerations and cross-agency collaboration in such conditions.
Counter UAS Technology Europe conference wraps up in London – cuashub.com
14 Apr 26 C-UAS Hub said today that U.S. military deploys Ukrainian counter-drone system at Saudi air base. The United States military has recently deployed Ukrainian counter-drone technology at a key air base in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple sources, as it seeks to strengthen defenses against drone and missile attacks.
The system, known as Sky Map, has been introduced at Prince Sultan Air Base, a strategic installation that has faced repeated aerial threats since the outbreak of regional conflict. The deployment, which has not been previously reported, reflects growing reliance on technologies developed during Ukraine’s war with Russia.
Ukrainian personnel have reportedly traveled to the base in recent weeks to train U.S. forces on the platform. Sky Map is used to detect incoming drone threats and coordinate responses, including the deployment of interceptor drones.
The system was developed by Sky Fortress and has become widely used by Ukrainian forces. It integrates data from sensors and radars into a single interface, enabling operators to track and respond to aerial threats in real time.
Analysts say the move highlights both the rapid evolution of counter-drone technologies in Ukraine and ongoing gaps in U.S. air and missile defense coverage.
“There’s been longstanding gaps in U.S. air missile defense coverage around the world,” said Timothy Walton of the Hudson Institute think tank. “This has been well understood. However, it hasn’t been addressed.”
The deployment comes as the Pentagon continues to increase investment in counter-drone systems amid the growing use of low-cost, mass-produced drones in modern conflict. Prince Sultan Air Base, located roughly 400 miles from Iran, has been targeted by waves of drone and missile attacks, including strikes that have damaged aircraft and infrastructure and killed at least one service member.
Despite the operational collaboration, U.S. political messaging has been mixed. In March, Donald Trump publicly rejected an offer from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to assist with drone defense.
“We don’t need their help in drone defense,” Trump said at the time.
U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations at the base, declined to comment on the deployment. Sky Fortress and Zelensky’s office also did not respond to requests for comment.
The Pentagon’s counter-drone unit, known as Joint Interagency Task Force 401, recently committed $350 million to enhance defenses as part of Operation Epic Fury. The funding supports a range of technologies including sensors, cameras and interceptors.
“There is no ‘silver bullet’ tool that will stop every drone threat,” said Adam Scher, a spokesperson for the unit.
Layered defenses and testing challenges
Sky Map is one of several systems now in use at Prince Sultan Air Base. The base has also deployed interceptor drones such as Merops, developed by Project Eagle, as well as existing platforms like Forward Area Air Defense from Northrop Grumman and Coyote interceptors produced by RTX.
According to sources, some of the newer systems have encountered early testing issues. In one incident, a Merops interceptor reportedly lost control during a test and crashed into a structure on the base.
A spokesperson for Northrop Grumman said its FAAD system “is consistently dependable in theater today and we are confident in the competitive advantage FAAD provides to the warfighter.”
Chris Johnson, a spokesperson for RTX, said the Coyote interceptor has “proven highly effective, defeating hundreds of aerial threats during combat operations.”
24 Apr 26. Lockheed Martin highlights vertical-launch JAGM as flexible counter-drone option
Lockheed Martin is promoting a new vertical-launch capability for its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, positioning it as a flexible option for countering drones across a range of platforms.
The company says recent live-fire demonstrations of its JAGM Quad Launcher show how a missile originally designed for air-to-ground missions can be adapted for ground, vehicle and maritime-based counter-UAS roles. By enabling vertical launch, the system removes the need for a clear forward firing arc, allowing deployment from confined environments such as ship decks, rooftops or mobile platforms.
According to Lockheed Martin, this “launch-anywhere” approach is intended to improve response times and expand defensive coverage around high-value assets. The system is designed to integrate into layered defenses alongside other technologies such as electronic warfare or directed-energy systems.
“In today’s rapid-pace environment, where information, data and threats evolve faster than ever, flexibility and versatility are essential,” said Felipe Benvegnu, a business development director at the company. He added that integrating the launcher with vertical launch “broadens the defensive envelope” and enables deployment from platforms that previously could not fire missiles.
The launcher itself uses a modular, open-architecture design intended to simplify integration with existing combat systems. Lockheed Martin says this allows software updates and new sensor interfaces to be added without requiring major hardware changes. The system is also designed for use across multiple domains, including land vehicles and surface vessels, with a 360-degree engagement capability.
A recent demonstration involved mounting the launcher on a mobile 6×6 vehicle developed by Richard Childress Racing. The test included a vertical, 90-degree missile launch, highlighting the system’s ability to operate from non-traditional platforms.
Lockheed Martin emphasizes that the missile’s dual-mode seeker, combining semi-active laser guidance with millimeter-wave radar, allows it to track targets in a range of weather and lighting conditions, including small drones. The company also argues that using an existing missile design could reduce per-engagement costs compared to dedicated counter-UAS systems.
“JAGM delivers the same lethality as a purpose-built C-UAS system but at a fraction of the cost per shot,” said Casey Walsh, program director for multi-domain missile systems at Lockheed Martin.
The launcher is designed to be reloadable within minutes and includes a gas management system intended to improve safety during operation. Lockheed Martin says these features are meant to support sustained defensive operations without compromising crew or platform safety.
Further demonstrations are planned, including maritime testing in partnership with Saildrone, as the company seeks to validate the system’s adaptability across different mission sets.
Lockheed Martin highlights vertical-launch JAGM as flexible counter-drone option – cuashub.com
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Echodyne is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions for defense and national security applications. The company’s proprietary metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) architecture, a rare breakthrough in advanced radar engineering, leverages a physics-design approach to adapt conventional materials and deliver unexpected and beneficial behavior. The result is a solid-state, low-SWaP unit coupled with advanced software capabilities that delivers superior radar performance and unparalleled data integrity, radically improving system performance and enhancing safety for people and machines. With leading positions in counter-UAS, force protection, base security, and portable ISR, Defense Agencies and Suppliers rely on Echodyne radar for extraordinary accuracy and consistent, reliable operation. For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.
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