CERBAIR, a leading French anti-drone company, announced in a press release on November 5, 2024, that it has been selected to provide a maritime version of its radio frequency detection system for the French Navy.
Last year the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) ordered seven new offshore patrol vessels 2023 for the French Navy. CERBAIR has since been awarded the contract to equip these new vessels, with the company’s HYDRA system able to locate both UAS and their pilots via its advanced analysis of the radio-frequency spectrum. This upgradeable direction finder, which features signal processing algorithms, is reported by CERBAIR to be “non-emissive and undetectable” and therefore offers discreet and effective protection.
This announcement further demonstrates the importance the French Navy are placing on the protection of its maritime vessels from malicious drone use. In March this year French, US and UK forces reported the downing of dozens of Houthi drones in the Red Sea. Furthermore, in late September the French Navy organised Wildfire, a training exercise in advanced anti-drone combat. The exercise featured a number of methods for defeating maritime UAS, including the use of the weapon system of the EBRC Jaguar Armoured Reconnaissance and Combat Vehicle chained to the deck of a warship to identify and down incoming drones.
Brian Girard, VP of Sales at CERBAIR, commented:
“This contract represents a major milestone for CERBAIR in our commitment to providing on-board solutions that are increasingly adapted to the operational needs of the French armed forces and their allies.”
With CERBAIR’s modular architecture enabling the HYDRA system’s sensors to be easily integrated into new vessels, or retrofitted to older ones, it is possible that the French Navy will equip existing vessels with the capability in the future.
Post Image Credit: CERBAIR.
