Interceptor drone Drizzle: Indra relies on carrier drones against drone swarms at UNVEX

Indra has presented a new family of autonomous interceptor drones called Drizzle at the Spanish trade fair UNVEX. The interceptor drone is intended to protect infrastructure, convoys and deployed units against large-scale drone attacks.

According to Indra, the compact, lightweight system reaches more than 400 kilometres per hour with a range of around 80 kilometres. With the help of a carrier drone, the range is to be increased to about 130 kilometres.

At its heart is a seeker and tracking system developed in-house by Indra, designed to distinguish threats and track targets accurately. In the terminal phase of the attack, electro-optical and infrared sensors assist the drone. A radar is also planned for a later development stage.

Existing counter-drone systems can integrate Drizzle as a hard-kill effector. It can also be used for the self-protection of land vehicles or helicopters.

Carrier drone extends the interceptor drone's reach

For longer-range missions, Indra has built a carrier drone that carries several interceptor drones. It is first to cover up to 80 kilometres at an altitude of around 9,000 metres and then release the interceptors for the final phase of the mission.

According to Indra, several carrier drones can also be used as a swarm. Releasing numerous interceptors simultaneously is intended to saturate enemy defences. After the transport task, the carrier drones could themselves serve as attack assets.

Drizzle is designed as a low-cost expendable system. Against drones that are numerically superior and comparatively cheap, Indra thus aims to offer an economically scalable response.