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03 Oct 25. Thales’s Ground Fire Radar now in continuous series production for the new SAMP/T NG system.
- Thales’s Ground Fire air surveillance and air defence radar has been in full series production since the start of 2025, further to successful conclusion of factory acceptance tests (FAT) in the presence of representatives from the French Armament General Directorate (DGA).
- Intended for the French version of the new franco-italian SAMP/T NG system – the European Medium- and Long-range air defence-based ground system, the Ground Fire is a real game changer with a surveillance range of 400 km and 360° azimuth coverage, and a full 90° elevation coverage.
- Eight Ground Fire air defence radars will be delivered to French armed forces from 2026, demonstrating Thales’ capacity to support France and Europe in their airspace protection and sovereignty needs through reliable production.
- Thales tripled its production of surveillance and air defence radars in 2024 and continues to grow in order to be ready to meet the challenges of protecting the skies.
These factory acceptance test is the culmination of a long series of tests conducted at Thales’ Limours site (Paris region), aimed at ensuring the highest level of performance for the new standalone radar. Based on fully digital multiple beamforming Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology in S-band, the Ground Fire radar delivers high performance in the detection, tracking, and classification of numerous targets, even in challenging environments such as mountainous regions and densely crowded airspaces. It offers a unique one-second refresh rate, with a surveillance range of 400 km, 360° azimuth coverage, and a full 90° elevation coverage, capable of detecting drones as well as ballistic missiles, while maintaining the mobility of a tactical radar. The Ground Fire’s 360° full elevation performance detection meets forces’ needs to stay alert on all fronts with a full recognised air picture. The open architecture of the system facilitates its integration and interoperability with other European systems, enhancing Europe’s air defence capabilities. It ensures strategic autonomy and rapid availability. Its design allows for high mobility with reduced encamp / decamp times and compact dimensions, equivalent to an ISO container for transport. The Ground Fire radar will serve the SAMP/T NG, replacing the Arabel radar in the SAMP/T system already in service to secure the airspace in various European countries. The Ground Fire maximises the performance of the next-generation ASTER 30 missiles, positioning France among the leaders in medium- and long-range air and missile defence. This programme is supervised by Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) for the French Armed Forces Ministry and the DGA. The prime contractor is Eurosam for the overall system, with Thales providing several components, including the fire control unit based on the Ground Fire radar.
“The Ground Fire, designed and produced in Europe, will contribute to a robust European air defence system. We have implemented all the necessary processes to accelerate industrial production, tripling radar production in our factory in Limours from 2022 to 2024 and increasing the robustness of our supply chain and partner eco-system, to ensure swift on-time delivery to contribute to air surveillance and air defence of European nations.,” declared Eric HUBER, Vice-President, Surface Radars at Thales.
03 Oct 25. Hensoldt to produce TRML-4D and Spexer radars at new facility in Ulm. German-based defence manufacturer Hensoldt will produce TRML-4D air surveillance radars and Spexer ground and coastal surveillance radars at its new production site in Ulm, Germany, a company spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 2 October. Starting from 2027, around 1,000 radars are expected to be produced annually at the new facility, the spokesperson confirmed. The company has invested “a mid-double-digit million-euro amount” in the new production site in Ulm, according to a 2 October press release from Hensoldt. An industrial hall has already been leased and converted.
“Our main customers – above all the German Armed Forces – have urgent needs, and under the current structures, we are not in a position to meet these requirements. Therefore, expanding our capacities is not only necessary but also without alternative,” Hensoldt chief financial officer (CFO) Christian Ladurner said in the press release.
At its existing site in Ulm, Hensoldt has approximately 3,000 employees and develops and produces radars, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and components. A company spokesperson declined to comment on the number of radars being produced at the plant, citing the current security situation.
The TRLM-4D is a C-band (4–8 GHz) active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar designed for ground-based air defence (GBAD). The Spexer is a family of X-band (8–12 GHz) AESA radars and frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) radars based on digital beam-forming (DBF) technology. The 2000 3D MkIII is designed for ground, sea, and low-flying air targets, including unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and missiles. It is capable of tracking more than 300 targets within a 120° arc. (Source: Janes)
02 Oct 25. Denmark Deploys Terma’s C-UAS Solution. The recent rise in unidentified drone activity near airports, military sites, and critical infrastructure demands faster, smarter multi-domain awareness. In response, Terma has stepped up, helping deploy an integrated counter-UAS solution across multiple strategic locations, protecting critical infrastructure and military installations. At the heart is an array of multiple SCANTER radars, combined with battlefield-proven Ultra-High Definition Electro-Optical and Infrared cameras with embedded AI models, fixed and taskable cameras securing critical approaches, fused into Terma’s situational awareness systems that combine multidomain data in real time to deliver a single, integrated picture.
“Hybrid threats require hybrid solutions, delivered with flexibility and speed,” said Jesper Bøhnke, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Terma. “This is not about deploying one sensor or one radar. It’s about a next generation integrated approach that fuses data from multiple sensors and domains into a single operational picture – this is the only viable way to detect, classify, and respond before critical operations are disrupted.”
Designed for rapid fielding and continuous operation, the suite strengthens day-to-day resilience and scales for crisis response. It detects and tracks small, low-RCS drones and maintains performance in cluttered environments, helping operators manage hundreds of simultaneous targets and sustain situational awareness around vital assets.
“Recent incidents prove that even small drones can disrupt critical operations,” Jesper Bøhnke added. “Where many other systems stop at merely detection, our approach merges all data, stores all sensor data for forensic analysis hereby enabling operators to learn, adapt, and improve resilience. With deployment now underway, we are advancing Denmark’s ability to secure vital infrastructure and services and keep essential services running.”
The rollout builds on long-standing cooperation with Danish and NATO partners and reflects a broader pipeline of initiatives Terma is advancing with national authorities to counter evolving drone threats. The solution draws on decades of radar engineering, sensor integration, and mission-critical support.
01 Oct 25. Frankenburg Prepares for C-UAS Missile Production. Frankenburg Technologies has officially unveiled its Mk I counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) missile at its headquarters in Tallinn, Estonia, signaling a significant advancement in aerial defense capabilities amidst increasing UAV threats in various regions.
Strategic Deployment Plans
During a press briefing on September 22nd, Frankenburg’s CEO, Kusti Salm, shared insights into the missile’s impending production and deployment across Europe. Notably:
- The Mk I missile has already been introduced in all three Baltic nations.
- Future deployments are set for Poland and Denmark, with additional plans for Germany.
Frankenburg maintains a presence in several countries, including Denmark, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Systems
Salm emphasized the economic advantages of the Mk I, which is priced at approximately one-tenth of the Stinger man-portable air defense system (MANPADS). While the Stinger system is geared toward countering helicopters, the Mk I is specifically tailored to address threats from low and slow-flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a pressing concern for current defense scenarios in Ukraine.
Target Identification
The Mk I missile is designed to engage a variety of aerial threats, including:
- Long-range attack drones like the Shahed
- Reconnaissance UAVs such as Orlan and ZALA
- Small and slow-moving UAVs
- Loitering munitions, including Lancet and Mavic systems
- First-person-view (FPV) drones
Technical Specifications and Features
Frankenburg characterizes the Mk I missile as a high-precision, compact, ultra-short-range air-defense system, enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The mark 1 missile is a solid rocket motor which provides immediate acceleration, bringing the round quickly into an intercept geometry suitable for slow or medium-speed unmanned aircraft.
Guidance is handled on board. Once fired, the round does not require a persistent data link to the launcher, which keeps the engagement chain short and less vulnerable to local jamming or network dropouts. The warhead is sized for small aerial targets with a focus on producing a lethal fragment cloud in the last meters of flight. The body is light, which is not only a handling benefit for the crew but also a logistics advantage when hundreds of rounds must be moved by pickup or utility truck rather than by a dedicated ammunition column.
The launcher is deliberately minimal. The display unit combined two sealed pods on a compact traversing mount with integral power and guidance electronics. It can sit on a light vehicle roof, a static tripod, or a small boat, and it looks simple to bolt down and remove. The form factor is friendly to dispersed units that move frequently and do not want to tow a heavy trailer every time they reposition. Setup appears quick: a crew rolls in, powers up, accepts a sensor cue, fires, and relocates before the enemy triangulates the site.
In base defense, the same launcher can be tucked into shelters or behind revetments to cover final approach lanes that guns or non-kinetic systems sometimes miss.
Industrialization is the headline claim: Frankenburg talks about affordable components, short supply chains, and a design that trades materials for repeatable assembly. European sourcing is a recurring theme, which several ministries now ask for because wartime demand has chewed through imported stocks. The company’s target is not to out-range classic SHORAD but to change the arithmetic of the fight. If a battlefield receives dozens of hostile drones in a night, the defenders must be able to fire dozens of interceptors without agonizing over cost. That shift is more important than a few extra kilometers of range on a spec sheet.
Compatibility with the broader counter-UAS ecosystem appears central to the concept. The launcher can be cued by compact 3D radars already fielded with European users and, based on the demonstrations, accepts tracks from electro-optical sensors or acoustic arrays at the edge. Open interfaces matter here because frontline units rarely enjoy a neat, unified air picture. In practice, a perimeter team around a depot or a battalion command post will stitch together the radar they have, an EO tracker, and a local display. The interceptor’s autonomy after launch reduces the need to push bandwidth through that improvised network at the critical moment.
This is a point defense tool that sits close to what commanders want to protect. The missile’s quick boost and onboard endgame allow short reaction times against drones that pop up from cover or dive in from modest altitude. A typical drill would see a small radar catch the track, a tablet operator confirm type and heading, and the launcher execute a two-round ripple to raise kill probability without wasting expensive ammunition. Because the system is light and the pods are sealed, reloads should be relatively fast. Crews can carry spare pods in the same vehicle that transports the mount. That lends itself to shoot-and-scoot behavior and to dispersed tactics where several launchers cover overlapping sectors rather than one large battery drawing fire.
Key specifications include:
Length: Approximately 650 mm
Weight: Less than 2 kg
Deployment: Lightweight and user-friendly for rapid deployment in various operational environments, including urban and frontline settings.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Mk I missile represents a significant innovation in counter-drone technology, poised to enhance defense capabilities against emerging aerial threats. As global defense landscapes evolve, systems like the Mk I will play a crucial role in shaping strategic responses to UAV proliferation.
This breakthrough is part of a broader trend in which nations reassess and augment their air defense strategies in light of rapidly changing security dynamics. (Source: UAS VISION/DEFCROS News; Army Recognition)
01 Oct 25. South Korea selects L3Harris for airborne early warning programme. South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has selected L3Harris to meet a requirement for a new airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and formally approved a domestic project to develop a new long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM). DAPA said on 30 September that the project to supply four AEW&C aircraft to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) is worth nearly KRW3.1trn (USD2.2bn) up until 2032. The separate LRAAM programme is costed at KRW753.3bn and will run from 2026 to 2033. In a press release, DAPA said it selected L3Harris’ proposal, which features a Bombardier Global 6500 airframe equipped with the ELW-2085 multiband radar produced by Israeli firm Elta, following an evaluation of programme bidders. Janes has previously reported that other contenders for the contract included Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C, which is also based on the Global 6500, and the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail, which is based on the Boeing 737-700 Boeing Business Jet. According to DAPA, the procurement aims to secure “additional AEW&C aircraft through an overseas acquisition to ensure a completeness of air surveillance and airborne control capabilities in response to increasing aerial threats from North Korea and neighbouring countries”. DAPA has termed the procurement its Airborne Early Warning-II (AEW-II) programme. The procured aircraft will augment the RoKAF’s existing four Boeing E-7A Wedgetails, which were acquired from 2011. According to L3Harris, its proposal for the RoKAF, which it has dubbed ‘Phoenix’, integrates a “modular open systems approach (MOSA)” digital backbone that enables upgrades to address new threats. In addition to the ELW-2085 radar, the proposal includes integration of Elta’s artificial intelligence algorithms, said L3Harris. (Source: Janes)
01 Oct 25. Cuashub.com said today that DIU advances rapid prototypes for lower-cost C-UAS interceptors. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has begun prototyping commercial and dual-use interceptors under its Counter NEXT effort, aiming to field lower-cost, mass-producible systems that can defeat Group-3 and larger unmanned aerial threats while preserving higher-end interceptors for the most severe targets. DIU selected Anduril Industries and Zone 5 Technologies in fall 2024 from more than 65 applicants to develop prototype solutions. Both companies completed initial design sprints and baseline flight tests within a year, and DIU says iterative improvements are now under way based on flight data and warfighter feedback. Additional funding has been awarded to refine the prototypes, integrate them with mission partners’ combat systems and conduct safety and qualification testing ahead of a planned live-fire event in summer 2026. Counter NEXT focuses on several operational shortfalls identified by the services. The initiative is aimed at increasing interceptor magazine depth so forces have more shots available against massed or persistent threats, simplifying and accelerating reload processes, reducing the cost imbalance between inexpensive attack drones and expensive interceptors and ensuring seamless integration with existing combat systems. To meet those goals, DIU and its vendors are emphasising commercial off-the-shelf components and modern air-vehicle design to avoid over-engineering and to enable high-rate production. Prototypes employ a modular open-systems architecture so subsystems can be upgraded rapidly as technologies mature. DIU also said all components will be qualified to stringent military standards to deliver an enduring capability for deployed forces.
“The Counter NEXT project is focused on leveraging the best-in-breed commercially derived technology and processes to accelerate the development, production and fielding of these vital counter-UAS interceptors to our warfighters,” said Joshua Zike, Counter NEXT program manager for DIU.
Zike added that while the project targets a specific subset of the counter-UxS problem set, variants for other domains could follow. DIU described the approach as an attempt to close a persistent cost-asymmetry problem, using lower-cost, high-volume interceptors for common threats, while conserving higher-performance interceptors for the most challenging engagements. Further flight testing and safety qualification rounds are scheduled in the coming months as the prototypes are refined for operational assessment. https://cuashub.com/en/content/diu-advances-rapid-prototypes-for-lower-cost-c-uas-interceptors/ (Source: https://cuashub.com/
30 Sep 25. Cuashub.com said today that DefSecIntel and Origin Robotics partner to deliver Europe’s first integrated counter-drone shield. On September 25, DefSecIntel Solutions and Origin Robotics announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a partnership aimed at delivering Europe’s first operational, integrated counter-drone shield. The announcement was made during Estonian Defence Week and marks a significant step toward the creation of the Baltic Drone Wall, a cross-border system designed to detect and defeat hostile drones. The collaboration addresses the rapidly growing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which requires mobile, cost-effective solutions capable of neutralizing diverse UAV types with multiple countermeasures.
EIRSHIELD: A Combat-Proven C-UAS Platform
DefSecIntel Solutions brings its EIRSHIELD system, a modular, turnkey C-UAS platform developed using operational insights from Ukraine. The system integrates advanced technologies from leading European companies and offers long-range detection, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and multi-layer sensor fusion.
“Politicians have called for a Drone Wall. We are ready to build it,” said Jaanus Tamm, CEO of DefSecIntel Solutions. “This is not a concept. This is a live, integrated system that’s ready today and already protecting Europe’s eastern flank. This is not a roadmap or a PowerPoint. We offer European end-users a turnkey C-UAS solution with the best available combat-proven effectors in the Baltic region against low-flying hostile drones.”
Origin Robotics’ BLAZE Interceptor
Origin Robotics contributes BLAZE, an autonomous drone interceptor designed to track, identify, and destroy high-speed aerial targets using onboard AI and computer vision. The man-portable system is equipped with an HE fragmentation warhead for precise threat elimination, even in contested environments.
“The need for a system like BLAZE is immediate; it’s driven by real-world operational demands that are unfolding right now,” said Agris Kipurs, CEO of Origin Robotics. “It delivers fast-launch interception at a fraction of the cost. No theory—this is already in the hands of real users.”
A Scalable, Multi-Layered Defence
The integrated solution combines long-range radar, signal disruption, and autonomous aerial interceptors, providing a fast, modular, and scalable defence against:
- Loitering munitions
- Fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs
- Swarming drone tactics
Fully operational and built on combat-proven platforms, the system is designed to adapt to rapidly evolving threat environments.
DefSecIntel and Origin Robotics partner to deliver Europe’s first integrated counter-drone shield
(Source: https://cuashub.com/
30 Sep 25. Cuashub.com said today that France deploys C-UAS detachment to Denmark following airspace incursions. France has sent a joint armed forces detachment to Denmark to support counter-drone operations, the French Defense Ministry announced Monday. The temporary deployment includes 35 personnel, a FENNEC helicopter and active counter-drone systems. French officials said the unit is already operational and is working in coordination with Danish authorities, stressing that the mission respects Denmark’s sovereignty. The move comes in response to a surge of unidentified drone flights over Danish territory, including incidents last week that forced temporary airport closures and flight diversions. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the activity as part of “a hybrid war unfolding on Danish soil.”
According to the French ministry, the detachment is meant to reinforce Denmark’s own military resources and demonstrate broader European solidarity at a time of heightened security concerns. The announcement was made ahead of an informal EU leaders’ summit in Copenhagen on October 1 – 2, where security along the bloc’s eastern and northern borders is expected to feature prominently. Danish authorities have imposed a week-long ban on civilian drone flights around the summit. Over the weekend, the Danish Armed Forces confirmed they had detected new drones hovering above several of their sites, adding to pressure on Copenhagen and its allies to strengthen airspace defenses.
France deploys C-UAS detachment to Denmark following airspace incursions
(Source: https://cuashub.com/
30 Sep 25. Cuashub.com said today that Sierra Nevada Corporation secures Pentagon contract to support Ukrainian counter-UAS programme. The United States Department of War has awarded Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) a contract worth nearly $15 m to support Ukraine’s counter-drone efforts. According to the official announcement, the agreement covers technical support, maintenance, and sustainment services for the Ukrainian Navy’s Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) programme. As part of the deal, SNC will provide field services and subject matter experts to help maintain and improve the operational readiness of the systems currently in use. The contract also includes “reach back” support, offering remote technical and engineering assistance for equipment deployed across Eastern Europe under NATO operations. Work will be carried out across several locations: Rzeszów in Poland will handle the majority (52%), followed by Englewood, Colorado (44%), and Fort Walton Beach, Florida (4%). The project is scheduled to run until September 2027, with funding coming from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative. The full amount of $14,997,575 was committed at the time of the award. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, based in Patuxent River, Maryland, is overseeing the contract, which was issued as a sole-source acquisition. SNC, headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, is recognised for its expertise in electronic warfare, mission systems, and counter-drone technologies. This contract builds on ongoing U.S. efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defences against threats such as loitering munitions and aerial surveillance platforms used by Russian forces. The agreement also contributes to NATO’s broader strategy to reinforce its eastern flank and improve the interoperability of allied forces.
Sierra Nevada Corporation secures Pentagon contract to support Ukrainian counter-UAS programme
(Source: https://cuashub.com/
22 Sep 25. US think tank says military’s drone defences are “insufficient.” The Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a Washington DC-based think tank, says US drone defences are insufficient and warns that China is scaling up its uncrewed warfare programme. In its new report, CNAS says that while the US defence department (currently operating under the moniker of the Department of War) has invested in both legacy and emerging counter–uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) capabilities for nearly a decade, these efforts have been hindered by insufficient scale and urgency. At the same time, Beijing is rapidly advancing its drone capabilities by developing more autonomous systems and acquiring them at scale. “Without deep magazines of substantially enhanced counter-drone capabilities, the United States risks having its distributed warfighting strategies overwhelmed by massed Chinese drone attacks, and the United States could lose a war over Taiwan,” CNAs notes, calling on the US to act swiftly. “The stakes are not theoretical—without adequate defences, even the most advanced systems and tactics will be rendered irrelevant in the face of overwhelming drone attacks.” The think tank recommends expansion of current counter-drone training efforts and an improvement in testing new systems. It calls for a focus on layered and portable systems to meet an immediate need. For future drone threats, the report says investment in artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate threat identification and engagement is essential and emerging technologies like high-power microwave should be transitioned to programmes of record. In addition, CNAS says long-range, high-resolution passive sensors offer a “survivable alternative” to active radars for finding drones. CNAS’ report is divided into six chapters. The first provides an overview of counter-drone operations and describes the various capabilities that can be used to defeat drones. The second evaluates US defence investments in counter-drone technologies. Chapters three and four present case studies of US Army operations in the Middle East and of US Navy and Air Force operations in the Red Sea. The fifth chapter provides insights about defeating Chinese drones in the context of a protracted conflict. The final chapter analyses the investments, case studies, and tabletop exercise insights to offer conclusions and recommendations. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
23 Sep 25. Copenhagen, Oslo airports temporarily shut after rogue drone sightings. The Danish government today said that drones that halted flights at Copenhagen airport on Monday were the most serious attack yet on its critical infrastructure and linked them to a series of suspected Russian drone incursions and other disruptions across Europe, according to a Reuters report.
“The number, size, flight patterns, time over the airport. All this together … indicates that it is a capable actor. Which capable actor, I do not know,” Danish police inspector Jens Jespersen told reporters at a press conference. The drones in Denmark reportedly came from multiple directions, turning their lights on and off for several hours before disappearing.
Sightings of two or three large drones near Copenhagen airport late on Monday halted all take-offs and landings for nearly four hours. The drone incursions caused about 100 flight cancellations and disrupting travel for roughly 20,000 passengers. Oslo airport in Norway was also shut for three hours after two drones were observed there.
For more information: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/drones-that-shut-copenhagen-airport-flown-by-capable-operator-danish-police-say-2025-09-23/ https://www.euractiv.com/news/capable-actor-behind-drones-at-copenhagen-airport/ (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
24 Sep 25. How the counter-UAS industry supply chain is evolving – the new winners. How would the US army manage today against an enemy which deploys swarm attacks of AI-enabled fast, low-observable drones operating in a closely coordinated manner – with the lead drone flying above the battlefield to coordinate multi-directional deadly and decoy strikes, all linked by a communications network which cannot be hacked, spoofed or jammed? It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that the drone war in Ukraine is defining the size, shape and technical priorities for the global counter-UAS industry, at least in the military domain. As new drone challenges appear on the battlefield at least once a month – with the first elements of the scenario above already in place – military planners around the world are racing to identify and deploy systems which are technically capable, affordable and scalable enough to meet these evolving challenges. In September 2025 the general direction of travel for the industry is becoming clear. In terms of technology, RF detectors and mitigation measures are daily becoming less useful on the battlefield as both Russia and Ukraine deploy AI-based and fibre-optic cable systems which are not vulnerable to RF interference. Strategically (in defence of cities and vital infrastructure) C-UAS networks are required to defend against waves of drones, loitering munitions and ballistic missiles. These need to be not just effective but sustainable. According to Ukraine’s United24 media, 15,933 Shaheds were launched against Ukraine in June, July and August this year. The core technology to do this is available in the form layered defences, where a range of sensors (radar, acoustic, cameras) are integrated with a range of mitigation measures (guns, missiles, intercept drones, net-capture drones, electronic counter-measures). But these are expensive, static and very hard to fully integrate. Just over the horizon the prospect of 100kW AI-enabled laser systems, which have the power and speed to autonomously destroy individual drones at the rate of less than two seconds per engagement, offer a step-change in the ability of cities to defend themselves. On the frontline, where ubiquitous drone attacks have the 15km behind the front line a dead zone for crewed logistics vehicles, more affordable and agile C-UAS systems are urgently needed, with assault-rifle-based small drone targeting systems or low-cost interceptors required as a last-ditch defences alongside passive sensor systems which can provide early warning alerts.
In parallel, new unforeseen threats suddenly appear, such as Ukraine’s “Spider’s Web” operation in June 2025 which used Russia’s mobile telephone networks to coordinate an attack of 117 explosive drones against Russian nuclear-capable bombers across five regions.
The non-military C-UAS markets are also facing shifting challenges. As with the military, the drone threat is escalating with criminals, the careless and very, very occasionally terrorists increasing their presence in and around sensitive civilian and government buildings, including airports, prisons and power stations. Here, RF detectors and effectors are far more useful as 99% of the drone threats come from commercially available drones or homebuilt drones which reply on commercially available components.
“All drone incidents are local incidents first,” said Dr. Ryan Wallace, Professor of Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, speaking at the United States House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Crime and Government Surveillance on September 16, 2025. “Often, the first response to these incidents will be sworn officers from one of the nation’s 17,541 state and local law enforcement agencies …. Most of these agencies lack formal training for dealing with drone incidents, and even fewer are equipped with tools to support the detection, tracking, and identification of UAS.” In the civil world often the detectors of rogue drone incursions are unlikely to have the authority to mitigate the problem. But with beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drones and eVTOLs about to enter the low-level airspace in vast numbers across North America, the Middle East and Europe, there is a growing imperative for security agencies to field systems which spot the rogue drone among swarm of medical and pizza delivery drones – and deal with it.
These operational drivers are creating high levels of churn in the supply chain.
For industry, the ultimate goal is to be able to sell and support a complete integrated system of networked detectors and mitigation measures woven together in a command-and-control system which can autonomously classify the threat and act on it. Most companies will be happy just to be part of the team. But to deal with the coming AI swarm-attack threat on the battlefield and the towns and cities behind, new layered C-UAS networks will be required, with new mitigation and detector systems incorporated into autonomous networks which can automatically respond to these attacks. Very few companies in the world have the expertise to provide this capability. The large-scale integrators (BAE Systems, Boeing, Leidos, Lockheed-Martin, Safran) have in the main been kept busy with huge amounts of government funding to develop strategic new technologies to defend existing ground and naval platforms. In the last few years around USD2 bn has been invested via organisations such as the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the US Army’s (Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office) in directed energy weapons, with most money going into naval programmes. When required, they have bought up niche suppliers to gain access to key technologies – but these are not agile companies. By and large, these big companies are excellent at deploying legacy command and control systems and integrated air defences but rubbish at meeting an urgent operational request for some of the key C-UAS affordable battlefield technologies which everyone wants now, such as low-cost intercept drones and missiles and low-cost battlefield passive detectors. Niche suppliers of these are in a happy place. In the last two years it is the companies in the middle of the supply chain who have been the real winners. These are small enough to respond in an agile fashion to urgent operational requirements but big enough to gain new niche capabilities through acquisition or partnerships. And in the vital corporate process of acquiring niche capabilities acquisition is much more valuable than partnership. The owner owns the IP. Investment, profit-share and marketing responsibilities are far more easily managed from a single company headquarters. These companies are now leading the industry not just in pioneering new technologies but also in offering more flexible, future-proof acquisition models for end-users. The companies that have been successful in this area – including Anduril, Dedrone , DroneShield, D-Fend, Dyzne, EOS, MyDefence, OSL – have been able to navigate the initial “fake it till you make it” stages of the C-UAS industry and develop complex technical capabilities organically, to the extent that many of these pioneers are in a far more capable place of developing and supporting complex layered C-UAS defence systems than the legacy major integrators.
For the unfortunate fact is the Ukraine war has separated the wheat from the chaff in terms of a C-UAS company being able to prove its operational performance matches its marketing spiel. Even governments have now recognised that the lessons of Ukraine – small, fast, effective, entrepreneurial, affordable C-UAS – need to be transferred asap into the C-UAS supply chain. It was something of a landmark moment when the UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey speaking at DSEI UK 2025 in London in September, announced Project Octopus. In this, the UK will mass produce a new C-UAS capability which centred on Ukrainian engineers using “a piece of drainpipe” to build a system that costs less than 10% of the systems it is targeting. “Through Project Octopus, with this drone, our Ukrainian friends will share the technology and intellectual property with the UK. In turn, together, we’ll rapidly develop this further and then mass-produce it, supplying thousands of interceptor drones back into Ukraine each month,” Healey explained. “For Ukraine, this means they can better protect their people, their homeland…for Britain, it means we have access to the best and developing battlefield technology for our own forces.” This is just one of several examples of European governments forging links with Ukraine’s C-UAS industry – and some of these capabilities will be required security forces as well as the military, as AI-enabled attack drones from Ukraine find their way into arsenals of drug cartels and terrorists. As new types of threats evolve, new types of companies are emerging which can respond far more quickly and flexibly to the technology and affordability C-UAS challenges than ever before. https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-industry-directory/ (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
25 Sep 25. Defsecintel and Origin Robotics link to offer EU “Drone Wall” capability. During the Estonian Defence Week, Defsecintel Solutions (Estonia) and Origin Robotics (Latvia) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming the launch of a partnership that will offer a significant contribution to the Drone Wall—Europe’s first operational, cross-border system purpose-built to detect and defeat hostile drones.
“The rapidly growing threat of hostile drones requires mobile and cost-effective C-UAS systems capable of detecting and neutralizing different types of UAVs with a wide range of countermeasures and various effectors,” said the two companies in a press release. “Defsecintel Solutions, drawing on operational insights from Ukraine, has developed and manufactures the EIRSHIELD system – a modular, turn-key C-UAS platform that integrates advanced technologies from leading European companies with combat-proven performance.
“Politicians have called for a Drone Wall. We are ready to build it,” said Jaanus Tamm, CEO of Defsecintel Solutions. “This is not a concept. This is a live, integrated system that’s ready today and already protecting Europe’s eastern flank. This is not a roadmap or a PowerPoint. We offer European end-users a turnkey C-UAS solution with the best available combat-proven effectors in the Baltic region against low-flying hostile drones.”
“Together, the companies offer a system providing long-range radar and signal disruption with autonomous aerial interceptors to deliver a fast, modular, and scalable defence against unmanned threats. The system is specifically designed to counter loitering munitions, fixed-wing reconnaissance UAVs and swarming drone tactics It is fully operational, built on combat-proven platforms, and designed to adapt to fast-changing threat environments.”
“Defsecintel Solutions, the developer of the EIRSHIELD system, brings advanced long-range detection, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and multi-layer sensor fusion—refined through active deployments in Ukraine. Origin Robotics contributes its autonomous drone interceptor, BLAZE, a man-portable, operator-supervised platform that can track, identify, and destroy high-speed aerial targets using onboard AI and computer vision. BLAZE has been engineered to counter drones that evade conventional air defense systems. Equipped with an HE fragmentation warhead, it ensures precise and effective threat elimination, even in contested environments.
09 Sep 25. MSI-Defence Systems Ltd., the British C-UAS and gunfire technology specialist, and Electro Optic Systems (EOS), the Australian weapon systems specialist have announced a new strategic relationship for mutual cooperation, at DSEI 2025 in London. Such cooperation is built on the recognition of the mutually beneficial advantages of on-shore presence and capabilities to manage the challenges faced in supporting in-service equipment from a vast distance, as well as future potential contracts. Under the auspices of AUKUS, both MSI-Defence Systems and EOS recognise each other’s mutually-complementary strengths and advantages in their respective home markets, to provide world-class defence and C-UAS systems and technologies to the UK MoD and Australian DoD, as well as service and support excellence. The relationship builds on the longstanding mutual recognition between the two key players in the defence sector, whose capabilities support remote weapon systems and C-UAS defence solutions in the land, naval, and air domains. It reflects the shared sense of commitment to strengthen security in respective home markets, and augment supply chain resilience and sovereignty to capably meet the future defence challenges of Australia and the United Kingdom.
John Meldrum, Managing Director at MSI-Defence Systems, said: “Two world-class weapon systems specialists are joining forces to work together in the UK and Australia. MSI-Defence Systems are proud to have continued supporting the UK MoD for over 40 years with cutting edge weapon systems and full in-service support across multiple equipment programmes. I believe this strategic relationship with EOS will not only further enhance what we offer to the UK MoD, but also open additional complimentary solutions to the UK MoD in support of their aims and ambitions. I firmly believe that in supporting each other to grow in our respective home markets, MSI-Defence Systems and EOS will be stronger working in cooperation with each other.”
Dr Andreas Schwer, CEO of EOS, said: “EOS has proudly delivered and supported more than 2,500 weapon systems to defence forces worldwide over 45 years of operations. From our foundation in ground systems, we have expanded into maritime solutions and today deliver world-leading C-UAS technology. Through this strategic relationship with MSI-Defence Systems, our complementary strengths will ensure we provide sovereign capability, assured manufacturing and dependable service in our home markets and for defence customers globally. We look forward to working with MSI-Defence Systems and to the opportunities this relationship represents.”
26 Sep 25. US military exercise focuses on defeating small drones. The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command held the Falcon Peak 25.2 counter-small uncrewed aerial systems (C-sUAS) exercise at the Eglin Test and Training Complex from September 3-18. The focus was on detecting, identifying, tracking and mitigating sUAS incursions at military installations, as well as gauging low-collateral defeat options within the United States. Soldiers from the 10th Special Forces Group played the adversary, flying aggressor UAS profiles representative of an actual threat. About 16 defence department and industry partners tried to counter the threats through sensing and mitigation platforms, allowing for real-time feedback which enables leaders to assess new and emerging C-sUAS technologies and advocate for the best resources to defeat those threats. USNORTHCOM demonstrated the capabilities of its new C-sUAS fly-away kit on September 17 and 18 on Eglin’s Santa Rosa Island range. The kit, produced by Anduril, will provide the combatant command with a rapid-response capability to defeat a UAS threat and includes a suite of sensors, effectors and software for homeland defence and deployment missions. During the demonstrations, an aggressor UAS flew over the range while the fly-away kit’s mobile sentry detected and tracked it before Anvil, a low-collateral defeat drone, was launched to intercept the UAS, knocking it out of the sky. As sUAS technology continues to develop, countermeasures will also need to evolve. Falcon Peak will continue to provide a platform where these countermeasures can be evaluated. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
29 Sep 25. Denmark bans civil drone flights during EU summit week. On Sunday 28 September Denmark ordered a ban on civil drone flights from Monday to Friday this week “to eliminate the risk that enemy drones can be confused with legal drones and vice versa,” a statement issued by the transport ministry. The ban covers the period a Copenhagen European Union summit being held this week and has been introduced “after several unmanned aerial vehicles were witnessed at military facilities overnight, following a week in which drone sorties caused the temporary closures of several airports in the Nordic country,” say press reports. Earlier in the week, reported drone sighting closed several of the country’s airports, including Copenhagen Airport, On September 17 Denmark’s defence ministry gave more details of the new air defence measures being introduced to the country.
“The current geopolitical situation makes ground-based air defence an absolute top priority in building up the Danish Armed Forces,” said Minister for Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.”The Danish Armed Forces expect the first part of its ground-based air defence system to be operational later this year, and I am pleased that the parties to the Defence Agreement are responding with a long-term perspective on geopolitical developments,”
In June 2025, a decision was made to rapidly procure medium-range ground-based air defence systems in order to deliver operational effect as quickly as possible. Based on the military expert recommendation of the Chief of Defence, the parties to the Defence Agreement have now decided to procure a total of eight long and medium ranges systems. The rapidly procured medium-range systems will be included in this total., said the ministry. For the long-range system, the French-Italian-manufactured SAMP/T will be procured, while for the medium-range systems, a choice will be made between one or more systems from the Norwegian-manufactured NASAMS, the German IRIS-T, and the French VL MICA, said the ministry.
For more information: https://www.fmn.dk/en/news/2025/parties-to-the-defence-agreement-approve-historic-investment-in-ground-based-air-and-missile-defence-systems/ (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
25 Sep 25. Unmanned Airspace launches the 2025 Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory. Today we launch the Unmanned Airspace 2025 Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory. This is a new, essential reference guide for C-UAS system procurement agencies and a key market/competitor analysis tool for the global industry. It is the world’s only comprehensive, updated guide to C-UAS systems under development or in production around the world and contains over 550 company listings with over 1,000 programme and system descriptions. Since its first publication in 2017, the directory has become a vital source of market information for military, civil and security agency procurers around the world and is the most downloaded page from the www.unmannedairspace.info website. The new 2025 edition has been updated and considerably expanded. It allows readers to quickly and easily search for systems by type or country. It provides readers with the latest information on:
- Manufacturer-derived C-UAS system technical data and capabilities (with sources)
- Contract awards in the public domain
- Countries of origin and website contact details
- Partnership arrangements
- Other relevant market information – approvals, financing etc
The Guide focuses on products and services which are being developed for, or are in operating in, the open market, including ITAR restricted items as well as products developed in Russia, China and Iran. For C-UAS technology suppliers, the Directory gives a unique view of competitor activity in terms of new products, customer buying history and industry partnerships. There is a particular focus on Ukrainian C-UAS systems and companies, given the rapidly changing operational requirements in this region. The Unmanned Airspace 2025 Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory is available now in word, pdf and excel formats for £1,200. The next update to the Directory will be published in January 2026. However, we can provide a bespoke update service on a weekly basis. To find out more about this service and to purchase the Guide or to get further information about the publication, please contact the editor Philip Butterworth-Hayes at or telephone +44 7778 030 633. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
29 Sep 25. Poland Adopts WLKM Gatling Gun for Drone Defence. Poland’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to introduce the WLKM 12.7 mm Gatling gun, a domestically developed weapon designed to strengthen the country’s short-range air defense and counter-drone capabilities. The deputy head of the Polish Ministry of National Defence, Cezary Tomczyk, said in a post on X that the WLKM will be included in the equipment of the armed forces, where it “will be able to shoot at Russian aerial intruders.” Produced by Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów (ZM Tarnów), the WLKM is a four-barrel rotary gun chambered in 12.7×99 mm NATO caliber. It is reported to achieve rates of fire of up to 3,600 rounds per minute, offering the saturation firepower needed to counter small drones or low-flying aircraft. The weapon is designed for integration into remote-controlled weapon stations, making it suitable for mounting on vehicles, naval platforms, or fixed defensive installations. The WLKM was initially developed as a large-caliber machine gun intended for anti-personnel use. However, the developers later shifted their focus to combating drones due to the system’s high fire density.
Role in Poland’s Defence
The unveiling comes in the wake of a major Russian drone incursion into Polish airspace on the night of September 9 to 10, 2025, which prompted a quick-reaction air response. Polish officials later said a Polish F-16-launched missile likely struck a house in the village of Wyryki during the operation, an incident now under investigation. The episode underscored both the operational risks and the cost asymmetry of engaging inexpensive one-way attack drones with high-end air-to-air missiles. AIM-120 AMRAAMs can cost over $1 m per round depending on variant, while Russian Shahed-type drones are typically priced in the tens of thousands to low six figures per unit, according to open-source estimates. The WLKM system is expected to complement Poland’s layered air defense network, which already includes Patriot PAC-3 missile systems, and the Pilica+, another short-range system produced by ZM Tarnów that combines 23 mm guns and a missile system. The system would provide a close-in defense option, capable of rapidly engaging unmanned aerial vehicles and other low-altitude targets. By relying on a domestic design, Warsaw also reinforces its policy of strengthening Poland’s defense industrial base while reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. The Polish Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the value of any contract or the timeline for production. It has also not detailed which military units will be the first to receive the system or the scale of the planned acquisition. If the system proves to be effective in service, it could lead to export opportunities. Other NATO members, including nearby Lithuania, which has also experienced multiple incursions by Russian drones, are looking for cost-effective counter-UAS solutions. (Source: UAS VISION/aerotime)
29 Sep 25. Recent drone incidents in Denmark and Norway, along with increasing sightings over critical infrastructure in Germany, clearly show that the threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is steadily rising. At the same time, incomplete or misleading information about effective countermeasures continues to circulate. With this release, Aaronia AG aims to provide clarity and explain how modern drone detection systems work – and which solutions are already reliably available today.
Sensor Fusion – Multiple Technologies for Maximum Protection
Modern protection systems don’t rely on a single technology but instead on sensor fusion: radio frequency (RF) detection, radar, and cameras complement one another to create a comprehensive situational picture.
- RF detection provides the earliest warning signs.
- Radar independently confirms position and flight path, even without RF signals.
- Cameras enable visual verification, giving security forces the final basis for informed decisions.
RF Detection – The Heart of Early Warning
Many drones are controlled and monitored via radio links to their operators, while others (e.g., “kamikaze” or pre-programmed drones) fly autonomously without ongoing communication. That’s why any detection strategy must combine RF detection with additional sensor technologies.
The AARTOS system by Aaronia is a world leader in RF detection, offering:
- Frequency Coverage: 10 MHz to 8 GHz – covering key civilian and many military bands.
- Range: Detection possible up to 80 km in many scenarios – enough to secure large areas such as airports or industrial sites at an early stage.
- Intelligent Signal Processing: Signals are not only detected but also characterized, localized, and in part decoded. Real-time data such as drone and operator position, altitude, speed, or even serial numbers can be extracted and displayed.
- Jamming Capabilities: The AARTOS 360° Smart Jammer can precisely disrupt individual frequencies across a very wide range – not just standard bands. This makes it possible to counter non-standard or military frequencies with surgical precision, instead of indiscriminately blocking entire bands.
“RF detection is the foundation of effective protection,” explains Stephan Karschansky, CEO of Aaronia Austria. “Our systems often provide the earliest warning, long before a drone is visible. That gives security forces valuable time to assess the situation and plan appropriate measures.”
Radar and Cameras – Verification Stages
While RF detection delivers the first alert, radar independently verifies position and trajectory – even without a signal. Optical verification through cameras then enables clear identification. Only with this multi-step verification can security forces make sound decisions about countermeasures.
From Detection to Defense
Once a drone’s position is precisely located, targeted countermeasures become possible. The AARTOS system identifies both the drone and the potential source of its control signals, transmitting this information in real-time – for example via app – directly to security authorities.
Countermeasure Technologies
- Jamming: Targeted disruption of control links. The AARTOS 360° Smart Jammer precisely interferes with any chosen frequency, including non-standard and military bands.
- Spoofing: Manipulating GPS or navigation signals to mislead drones.
- Takeover: Forcibly assuming control of a drone through technical means.
All countermeasures are subject to strict legal frameworks and may only be used by authorized entities. The goal of modern systems is always to combine effectiveness with minimal side effects.
Proven Protection Worldwide
With more than 650 installations worldwide, the AARTOS system has been extensively field-tested. Users include major international airports such as Changi (Singapore), Muscat (Oman), and London Heathrow (UK). The system has also successfully secured high-profile events, most recently the NATO Summit in The Hague and the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
“The threat from drones is increasing – and so is the responsibility to protect critical infrastructure and large-scale events,” says Karschansky. “With AARTOS, we deliver a solution that is already in use worldwide and demonstrates its capabilities every single day.”
26 Sep 25. Defense Innovation Unit and Marines Select FPV Platforms for Project G.I. Phase One. After eight days of flight demonstrations at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, USMC evaluators selected First Person View (FPV) platforms from Auterion, ModalAI, Neros, and Nokturnal – as well as one component from Kraken Kinetics – to move from the FPV tactical kinetic effects Phase of Project G.I. These selections will now undergo verification for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance and a cyber security review. Over the coming months, as these selections complete the verification process, the Blue UAS List and Blue UAS Framework will expand with new additions, double the amount of FPV’s available for purchase and use in the Department of War from two to four, provide capabilities like fiber optics not currently available, and deliver improved software capabilities.
Additional winners may be announced in the future.
The next six months will feature a series of three iterative 60-day sprints to develop new capabilities and improvements based on end user feedback provided by 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, the Marine Corps designated unit to provide end user feedback. Testing will occur in representative electronic warfare environments, in a variety of geographic locations, and will integrate companies with end users directly to remove bureaucracy from the feedback process. The addition of these new capabilities will continue to provide Department of War warfighters the ability to acquire these capabilities multiple years in advance of the current DoD program of record timeframes. As DIU completes the NDAA and cybersecurity verification process, updates to the Blue UAS List and the Blue UAS Framework will be published here. (Source: UAS VISION/Defense Innovation Unit)
26 Sep 25. Cuashub.com said today that U.S. and Saudi forces lead largest C-UAS exercise in Middle East. The United States and Saudi Arabia have conducted the Middle East’s largest live-fire counter-UAS exercise, bringing together more than 300 personnel and 20 different systems to test layered defenses against modern drone threats. The exercise took place Sept. 7 – 16 at the Shamal-2 Range in northeastern Saudi Arabia as part of the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center. It marked the fourth iteration of Red Sands since its launch in 2023 and focused on integrating radar, sensors, electronic warfare and kinetic effectors into a unified defensive architecture. Adm. Brad Cooper, the new commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Raqed Al-Ruwaili, Chief of the General Staff for the Royal Saudi Armed Forces, visited the event on Sept. 16. The trip was Cooper’s first to the region since assuming command.
“Threats posed by the proliferation of advanced drones are a pressing challenge,” Cooper said during the visit. “Working shoulder-to-shoulder with regional partners to innovate and adapt is more critical than ever.”
The training highlighted multi-domain responses to drone attacks, including ground-based systems such as Skyguard, Shikra and the Mobile-Low, Slow, Unmanned Integrated Defeat System (MLIDS), as well as electronic warfare tools. Newer detection technologies were also evaluated, including the Signal Hunter, a body-worn passive RF sensing and geolocation device, and the Buffer Passive Acoustic Detection System (BPADS). U.S. and Saudi aircraft including AC-130 gunships, AH-64 Apaches, F-15s and Typhoon fighters supported the exercises by engaging aerial targets. Scenarios culminated in close-range engagements using Drone Defeat Rounds (DDRs), 12-gauge shotgun shells carrying tungsten pellets designed to neutralize small drones. The Red Sands initiative was created to provide a testbed for new technologies and tactics while strengthening interoperability among U.S. and regional partners. Organizers said the latest iteration built on lessons learned in previous experiments and accelerated the integration of rapidly prototyped systems into operational training.
https://cuashub.com/en/content/u-s-and-saudi-forces-lead-largest-c-uas-exercise-in-middle-east/ (Source: https://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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