Counter-UAS at “Red Sands III”: Rheinmetall system impresses in Saudi Arabia

At a joint exercise with representatives of US Army Central Command and the Saudi armed forces, a Rheinmetall system for ultra-short-range drone defence has demonstrated its capabilities. “Red Sands III” took place in September 2024 at the Shamal-2 range in north-eastern Saudi Arabia, with the focus on counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS).

Before the multinational exercise, the Ultra-Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) systems had already successfully completed qualification tests. Rheinmetall Canada developed the Ultra-SHORAD system as a last line of defence against small, low-flying and fast-moving drones. On the weapons side, it impresses with effective ranges of between 50 and 700 metres. It is carried by the Mission Master XT unmanned ground system (UGS).

The system comprises the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Multi remote weapon station with twin Dillon Aero M134D miniguns, a radar, an electro-optical package and a target acquisition and tracking system based on artificial intelligence (AI). This multi-layered defence system can fire continuously over long periods. Its multi-domain capabilities allow it to precisely detect, track and engage threats from the air and on the ground.

Desert conditions as an endurance test

The final phase of “Red Sands III” comprised five demanding scenarios simulating real threats. Each tested the participants' capabilities against Group 2 and 3 multirotor drones and Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft. Rheinmetall's Ultra-SHORAD system hit every drone and neutralised each multirotor drone on its first pass. According to a recent press release from the German defence manufacturer, it was “the most cost-effective of all the systems that achieved similar results”.

According to the release, the system was also able to “prove” its rapid readiness under the extreme conditions of the Saudi desert, with temperatures at times reaching 45 degrees Celsius – as well as its resilience against weapon malfunctions, overheating and power supply interruptions. Earlier tests in the USA had shown that it also withstands high humidity and heavy rain. In addition, the AI-controlled tracker detects and classifies drones before engagement, even in dust and poor visibility.

A benchmark for future counter-UAS

For the Canadian subsidiary of the German Rheinmetall group, the exercise – an example of the partnership between the Saudi armed forces and US Army Central Command – was a valuable platform for testing and refining systems in realistic scenarios. Alain Tremblay, Vice-President Business Development and Innovation at Rheinmetall Canada, said: “We are proud to have played a decisive role in improving operational readiness and fostering innovation to effectively counter emerging threats.”