Counter-UAS against swarms: EOS and MARSS rely on “human on the loop”

The British technology company MARSS specialises in counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS) as well as AI-supported security and surveillance systems, built on its in-house NIDAR platform. In May this year, MARSS was acquired by the Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS), with which it had already cooperated for many years (-> EOS strengthens its position in the counter-UAS market with MARSS).

In its defence division, EOS develops technologies for optimising and integrating weapon and reconnaissance systems. Its core products include remote weapon systems, vehicle turrets, high-energy laser weapons and modular counter-drone systems.

Put simply, the acquisition brings hardware and software together. The result is a supplier of “turnkey” counter-drone solutions for both the military and the civilian sector.

Around 60 installations, mainly in the Middle East

Johannes Pinl, Austrian by birth, is founder and CEO; his London-based company has existed for a good 15 years. Speaking at the Paris defence exhibition Eurosatory 2026, he said of the solutions in service: “We have around 60 installations worldwide, mainly in the Middle East.” At the heart of the technology is the so-called “Automatic Kill Chain”, a highly integrated and automated engagement chain. It begins with the first radar detection at a distance of up to 20 kilometres, proceeds via verification by electro-optical infrared cameras and ends with the final classification and computer-assisted engagement of the target.

From human in the loop to human as supervisor

Whether a commercial drone, a quadcopter or a larger attack drone such as a Shahed is approaching, the system determines this during target recognition with the help of artificial intelligence. Modern tactics such as highly saturated swarm attacks, however, increasingly push the humans in airspace surveillance to their limits. “The human-in-the-loop idea is no longer realistic in this case. A human cannot keep track of more than four to five drones at the same time,” says Pinl. The system architecture is therefore technically designed as “human on the loop”: sensor detection and the initiation of countermeasures run fully automatically, while the human operator in the command post primarily monitors the situation.

As a multi-domain system, the MARSS platform combines sensor data from the air, the surface and the underwater domain into a common operational picture. Maritime threats can be identified specifically via sonar sensors. “The sensors distinguish, for example, between divers and mini-submarines,” adds Pinl. Open source intelligence (OSINT) further enriches the picture. At sea, for instance, the system automatically queries background data on ships so that their history and most recent ports of call can be assessed.

Counter-UAS with an eye on cost

A software function called “Cost per Kill” addresses the economic side. Based on criteria such as range, collateral damage and cost, the system recommends the three optimal effectors to the operator. Pinl illustrates this: “This prevents cheap threats from being engaged with disproportionately expensive means, such as a Thales LMM missile at 200,000 euros per shot against a simple quadcopter.” And further: “The operator only has to decide which effector is to be used.”

High-energy laser: a shot costs almost nothing

To keep the operating costs of the defence low in the long term, MARSS and EOS are relying on high-energy lasers. In 2027, a first 100-kilowatt laser will go into production; it has already been sold to NATO. At a range of up to 2.5 kilometres, it has to irradiate the drone for around one and a half to two seconds. “This is a cost-efficient solution because a shot costs practically nothing,” says Pinl. He is referring to the comparatively high procurement cost of a laser cannon, presented at Eurosatory under the name Apollo, which is said to be in the double-digit millions. By contrast, the fuel for the integrated generator is said to cost only one to two euros per shot.

Interceptor drones work without an explosive charge

Newly developed interceptor drones are a further defence method. The electrically powered interceptors are stored ready for use in containers; they deliberately ram the incoming drone at a speed of 400 kilometres per hour and destroy it. Because they contain no explosives, they can be deployed without problems near populated areas or infrastructure such as power plants or airports.

On delivery, Pinl announces: “In the coming months, the first interceptor drones are to be delivered to the first customer in the Middle East. The combination of integrated AI and an infrared camera achieves a hit accuracy of 98 per cent.”

Driven by the global defence market, EOS is currently expanding extensively; its headcount is expected to triple this year. MARSS recently opened a new office in Nice, France, and another in Germany is also planned.

Exclusive cooperation with BAE Systems

Alongside its growth in staff, the company is expanding strategic partnerships: at Eurosatory, an exclusive cooperation with BAE Systems in the field of counter-drone defence was announced.

For the BATS counter-drone system (BAE Systems’ Anti Threat System), MARSS provides the AI-supported NIDAR platform for command and control (C2). As an “intelligent nerve centre”, NIDAR integrates all sensors and effectors regardless of manufacturer. Because asymmetric threats are detected, classified and engaged automatically, the decision cycle is shortened – which is also intended to provide protection against coordinated swarm attacks.