Counter-UAS with Sky Warden: MBDA shows new effector based on DroneHunter at Farnborough

At the Farnborough International Airshow, MBDA presented a new effector concept for its Sky Warden counter-UAS system, a modular solution for countering unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). Specifically, it is a ground-based air defence munition. Its targets are Class 1 small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) (sUAS), smaller Class 2 systems and loitering munitions.

The concept was developed together with Fortem Technologies. DroneHunter technology allows a warhead to be fitted quickly to a drone, making it cheaper to engage threats. According to MBDA, tests have demonstrated the munition’s efficacy and effectiveness. The Sky Warden C-UAS solution also recently showed what it can do in an operational demonstration.

MBDA CEO Éric Béranger was convinced: “The modular Sky Warden C-UAS system is able to keep pace with the dynamic development of drones. The latest tests have shown this remarkably. The innovation consists of an independent effector design. It enables the operator to fit the warhead into a drone in the field if required. Working with emerging technology companies to develop this new, low-cost effector shows once again that cooperation is part of our DNA.”

Counter-UAS in testing: jammers, interceptor drones, lasers and Mistral 3

In the tests, Sky Warden had to hold its own in realistic operational scenarios against numerous offensive drone threats with different kinetic characteristics, and neutralised all of them. The system uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help human operators identify and classify threats. To do so, it relies on several sensors, including radar, passive radio frequency (RF) and electro-optical cameras. To act as efficiently as possible, the sensor suite automatically assigns the most suitable available effector.

Sky Warden has several ways of neutralising attacking drones. In the tests, jammers blocked some drones, interceptor drones caught others and a laser disabled more in rapid succession. A “Shahed-like” drone was even destroyed at very long range by a Mistral 3 missile.

“The modular Sky Warden C-UAS system is able to keep pace with the dynamic development of drones.”
Éric Béranger, CEO of MBDA.

With its scalable design, Sky Warden can neutralise very different threats: tactical drones as well as mini reconnaissance drones and ABT (Air Breathing Threats). From detection to neutralisation, the system covers the entire C-UAS kill chain. It can be used standalone or as an integrated element of a layered air defence architecture. Through a networked ecosystem of continuously developed sensors and effectors, Sky Warden adapts to the threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems and its evolution.