Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support has commissioned HENSOLDT to integrate kinetic countermeasures into the ASUL drone defense system, expanding its ability to defeat small drones beyond non-kinetic methods.
The decision follows a sensor technology update completed earlier this year, which introduced the latest generation of HENSOLDT’s SPEXER radar into ASUL. With the addition of kinetic effectors, the system’s engagement options are broadened to address a wider range of threats, including drones designed to resist soft-kill measures.
ASUL is a modular counter-small UAS system designed for real-time detection, classification, identification and engagement. It combines active and passive radar, electro-optical sensors and a mix of countermeasures sourced from HENSOLDT and partner companies.
These elements are coordinated through the Elysion Mission Core command-and-control software, which uses AI-supported algorithms to fuse sensor and effector data and provide decision support to operators. The software can also integrate data from other networked air defense and counter-UAS systems.
Until now, ASUL relied on soft-kill capabilities such as electronic measures to disrupt or neutralize drones. Under the new effort, HENSOLDT is integrating a KONGSBERG weapon station into a 10-foot container and adapting it for use with weapons already in service with the German Armed Forces. The company is also introducing a new command container intended to support closer coordination between the system commander, the Elysion operator, and weapon station operators.
According to HENSOLDT, each ASUL deployment will be able to field multiple kinetic effectors depending on the threat environment. The aim is to improve the protection of large areas against small UAS, including targets that are hardened against electronic countermeasures.
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Post Image Credit: HENSOLDT AG
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