Counter-UAS & Counter-Drone Technology
Drone detection, tracking and defeat: counter-UAS technology, news and analysis for the military, police and critical infrastructure.
Counter-UAS laser: US Army puts Locust X3 into production with Aerovironment and Leonardo DRS
From testing to production: for the first time, the US Army has ordered a high-energy laser weapon system for drone defence. Quantities, contract value and delivery dates remain undisclosed.
Laser counter-drone system: Inleap Photonics starts series production of Fastlight Held in Hanover
Inleap Photonics is starting series production of its laser counter-drone system in Hanover. The first turnkey Fastlight Held units go to partner Stark, and the new hall will be officially opened on 30 October.
UGV Max1 from Romania intercepts drones – Maximus Labs stays silent on where it is deployed
Maximus Labs shows its Max1 UGV in a video and speaks of a deployment in an active war zone. Which army uses the tracked platform, and where, remains open – as do contracts and unit numbers.
Counter-drone turret with Gatling gun: Valhalla Turrets develops new Skythunder version
A cannon, laser-guided rockets and radar on an Oshkosh chassis: Slovenia's Valhalla Turrets has further developed the Skythunder turret for counter-drone defence. The US components are fuelling speculation about contracts from the US Department of Defense.
Interceptor drone Blade: Ukrainian Ministry of Defence approves procurement from Phantom Defense
With its inclusion in the procurement plan, the way is clear for the Blade interceptor drone to reach the Ukrainian armed forces. This does not yet mean ordered quantities or large deliveries – and the drone is not meant to work on its own anyway.
Counter-drone defence with four layers: Swiss LOCUS programme relies on domestic industry
Instead of fighting cheap drones with expensive missiles, Switzerland is relying on low-cost, modular counter-drone defence in its LOCUS programme. Demonstrators already exist; trials of the complete system will follow in spring 2027.
Counter-drone protection for vehicles: Graz start-up Guardaero wins “Protection Award” in Munich
At the Defence Innovation Pitch Day 2026 in Munich, the “Protection Award” went to Graz. Guardaero won it for APS1, an active counter-drone system designed to protect military vehicles automatically against FPV drones. Market readiness is planned for 2027.
Interceptor drone Skyron set to benefit: Quantum Systems flies Apex Recordhunter at 777 km/h
On a military training area in central Germany, the Apex Recordhunter breaks 777 km/h, but the flight in the opposite direction fails. For Quantum Systems, more than a world record is at stake: the know-how is to flow into a faster interceptor drone.
Counter-UAS in live fire: Aselsan demonstrates Korkut 35 air defence system
Military delegations from twelve countries watched as the Turkish Korkut 35 engaged various types of drones. The counter-UAS demonstration also focused on firing accuracy on the move.
Counter-UAS with microwaves and hypervelocity projectiles: BAE Systems presents MDACS and HPM
At AUSA 2026 in Washington, BAE Systems is pursuing two paths against drone swarms and missile attacks: kinetic effect with MDACS and directed energy via HPM – a dual approach to counter-UAS for which no orders or timelines have yet been named.
Counter-UAS from Austria: GuardAero APS1 protects military vehicles at close range
A win at the ADIC hackathon became a research project with the BMLV and the Bundesheer: Graz start-up GuardAero has tested its APS1 counter-UAS system in live-fire trials. Vehicle integration, market readiness by 2027 and a further funding round are next.
Counter-UAS via the mobile network: Rheinmetall and Deutsche Telekom develop a joint protective shield
The goal is a protective shield against drones and cyber attacks: for counter-UAS, Rheinmetall contributes its effectors and Deutsche Telekom its mobile network. The aim is to protect critical infrastructure, civilian sites and major events.
Counter-UAS with shotgun ammunition: CSG develops autonomous Swarmshot system with US partners
Shotgun ammunition from the air against small, low-cost drones: for counter-UAS, CSG is combining ammunition, a weapon module and swarm software with Mossberg and Palladyne AI. The timeline, customers and financing of the Swarmshot project remain open.