BAE Systems is accelerating the development of a new counter-drone system designed to address the growing threat posed by drones to both civilian and military infrastructure.
The system, known as the BAE Systems Anti Threat System or BATS, is being developed by engineers within the company’s Digital Intelligence division. Work on the project began in October 2025, with initial system testing expected as early as April and live-fire trials planned for early summer.
Focus on reducing reliance on costly interceptors
The BATS concept is centered on combining software, electronic warfare and kinetic options into a single system aimed at countering drone incursions more efficiently.
According to the company, the system is intended to reduce the need for expensive missile-based interceptors by offering alternative methods to detect and defeat drones targeting national borders, military assets, airports and urban areas.
“Drone incursions are a clear and present issue, putting citizens, military personnel and infrastructure at risk. The technology evolves faster than traditional defense systems can respond, with new behaviours, payloads and tactics emerging almost daily. That’s why we’re moving at pace to build a new system to support our customers in their efforts against this very urgent problem,” said Andrea Thompson, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence.
Software-led approach to counter-UAS
At the core of BATS is a software-driven command and control system designed to fuse data from multiple sensors and provide real-time threat classification.
The system is expected to detect and identify hostile drone activity early by integrating inputs from layered sensing technologies into a centralized data environment. Its decision-support engine will then apply automated logic to recommend appropriate responses based on the threat level.
BAE Systems said the platform will feature an open architecture, allowing users to integrate both current and future counter-drone technologies, including sensors and effectors from multiple domains.
Rapid development timeline
The development timeline suggests an effort to respond more quickly to evolving drone threats, which are a key challenge for defense forces in the Middle East and Ukraine currently.
The company said the system has been developed using expertise from across its air, land and maritime divisions, with a focus on delivering a scalable and adaptable capability for different operational environments.
RELATED CONTENT: U.S. advances infrared-guided APKWS variant to counter drone swarms
Post Image Credit: BAE Systems
Follow C-UAS Hub on LinkedIn for regular counter-UAS content updates.
