The proliferation of drones on the battlefield is forcing military leaders to consider how to deal with this threat in the most efficient and cost-effective way. Credit: Shutterstock

The C-UAS sector is experiencing significant advancements driven by emerging technologies and the growing use of drones in conflict, such as in Ukraine and the Middle East. Commercialisation of drone technology is also pushing the development and procurement of UAVs, as technological advancements reduce the cost and increase access. According to GlobalData’s Thematic Intelligence on Counter-Drone Technologies (September 2024) investment in defensive C-UAS capabilities will accelerate as countries such as Russia and China actively pursue advancements in military UAV technology. 

During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both sides have widely used UAVs, with Ukraine destroying Russian ‘Terminator’ fighting vehicles using drone swarms. Meanwhile, China has identified drone swarms as a key feature of its defence modernisation plans, as it aims to achieve military parity with the US. 

Russia is also expanding its UAV portfolio beyond the Iranian-made Shahed family of systems. In October 2024, the US Treasury and State Department laid out the latest sanctions to be implemented against entities within the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Russian defence organisations, with the aim of disrupting the supply and production of ‘Garpiya’ long-range loitering munitions. 

Fuelled by the war in Ukraine and the ongoing events in the Middle East, the development and advancement of drone technology requires the procurement of robust C-UAS systems to counter various UAV threats. Further, the potential for the weaponisation of commercially available small UAS (sUAS) – such as the installation of grenades and mortar on recreational quadcopters as seen in Ukraine – will also continue to drive capable C-UAS systems on all scales. 

The proliferation of drones on the battlefield is forcing military leaders to consider how to deal with this threat in the most efficient and cost-effective way. This includes using technologies that include passive techniques such as jamming, active techniques using traditional cannon and missile-based approaches, as well as high energy laser weapons, interceptors and nets. 

GPS (GNSS) – denied operations 

One of the most critical technological trends is the development of UAS capable of operating in GPS-denied environments. This advancement is crucial as it undermines the effectiveness of existing global navigation satellite system (GNSS) jamming systems, designed to disrupt the connection between drones and satellites. Emerging technologies, such as quantum radars, are paving the way for precision positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems that can function without GPS. This evolution presents a significant challenge for current C-UAS systems, as they may struggle to counter UAS that are no longer reliant on GNSS for navigation. 

Kinetic solutions 

Kinetic solutions are the primary choice for effective drone defence. While surface-to-air missiles are effective for UAV interdiction, they are unsuitable for smaller drones due to high cost-per-shot. Machine guns and cannons remain the most common and effective means of defeating smaller drones, but collision drones, nets, water cannons and water barrier lines are also being used to deliver kinetic kill impacts to intruding UAS. Developing trends include the development of C-UAS 70mm rockets and specific small missiles in the C-UAS role.  

Other technologies being investigated for inclusion in kinetic C-UAS systems include the implementation of AI to improve detection, identification, tracking and target allocation, which will improve kill ratio (and potentially kill rate) for counter drone swarms. 

Also in development are more advanced types of ammunition with next-generation proximity and air-burst fuses and higher accuracy cannons, alongside highly modular and versatile Remote-Weapon-Stations (RWS) which already accommodate and integrate a number of different effector types. 

In the long-term, the dominance of kinetic solutions may be challenged by HEL systems, which are becoming more affordable over time, but for now kinetics remain the most effective choice. 

High-energy lasers and microwave weapons 

Directed energy weapons (DEWs), such as high-energy lasers (HEL) and high-power microwave (HPM) weapons, are becoming essential components of C-UAS strategies. Their mobility and ability to fire multiple shots quickly make them suitable for modern warfare where quick response times are essential. HPM weapons disable drones by directing pulses of microwave energy at them, incapacitating their electronic systems. 

Lasers offer a low-cost-per-shot option and can effectively destroy critical parts of a drone’s airframe, making them a strong contender for neutralising drone swarms. Further, these weapons can blanket a wide area, potentially neutralising multiple drones simultaneously, which is particularly advantageous against swarm attacks.  

Swarm technologies 

Swarms consist of multiple autonomous drones that can operate in a coordinated manner, presenting a complex challenge for traditional C-UAS methods that rely on limited ammunition. The inherent redundancy within such swarms means that conventional surface-to-air projectiles may not be effective in neutralising them. This has led to increased investment in DEWs, which can potentially counter these massed platforms more efficiently by incorporating DEWs such as lasers and HPM weapons.  

However, kinetic solutions remain highly effective and can destroy 8-12 UAS per minute. If several systems are deployed to defend a target, they can be effective against swarms depending upon the number of drones in the swarm and the range at first engagement. 

Advanced detection and interdiction techniques 

The integration of various detection methods can enhance the accuracy of C-UAS systems. By combining data from multiple sensors, such as radar, acoustic and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems, C-UAS can more effectively distinguish between legitimate threats and false positives. This multi-faceted approach is crucial in dealing with the fast-moving and numerous targets presented by drone swarms. 

Countermeasure resilience 

As drone technology evolves, particularly with the use of inertial and visual navigation methods, traditional jamming techniques may become less effective. C-UAS systems must adapt by developing new methods that can counteract these advancements without disrupting other communications. This includes exploring techniques that can operate in GNSS-denied environments where emerging technologies like quantum radar are expected to challenge existing jamming systems. Quantum radar’s capabilities could allow for better detection and tracking of drones even when traditional jamming techniques are employed, thus enhancing the resilience of C-UAS systems against electronic warfare tactics. 

AI and autonomous operations 

AI based software has already become a game-changer in drone warfare. AI enhances the capabilities of drones, allowing them to autonomously avoid incoming projectiles and improving their operational effectiveness.  

This poses a significant challenge to kinetic kill C-UAS systems, which may find it increasingly difficult to intercept drones equipped with advanced AI. As this capability develops, C-UAS systems will have to be upgraded accordingly, encompassing AI competence to identify AI-based operations and manoeuvring patterns of such intelligent swarms. This will allow the defender to make the correction decision in allocation of various effectors in the most effective manner. 

Cost effective defence solutions 

As drone technology rapidly evolves, so do the threats they pose on the battlefield. As such, the need for versatile and cost-effective defence solutions has never been more pressing. Canberra-based Australian defence company, Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is focused on delivering counter-drone technologies that are both efficient and accessible to a wide range of defence forces worldwide. 

Its counter-drone systems are flexible and can be customised to meet the demands of military operations and the security requirements of critical infrastructure. They offer lightweight kinetic options and a layered lethality solution, including kinetic and directed energy effectors, and integrated third-party soft kill effectors. 

EOS was recently included as part of a US security assistance package to Ukraine. This package included the stabilised Slinger counter-drone weapon system, containing radar for tracking and drone engagement and a 30mm cannon with proximity-fuse and high explosive ammunition. The Slinger counter-drone system effectively counters modern drone threats with a lethal shot, incorporating EOS proprietary stabilisation and pointing technology, capable of tracking and engaging moving drones beyond 800m.  

EOS has also entered strategic partnerships with other effectors and sensor providers to deliver an integrated C-UAS, including leaders in their respective technology domains in AI, RF sensing and jamming, rockets and missiles. This allows EOS to integrate such sensors and effectors on its wide range of RWS such as R400 and R800. EOS has also integrated its effectors successfully into its own C2 system and into its partners’ various C2 systems. All this allows EOS to deliver tailored end-to-end C-UAS solutions to its clients. 

For more information on EOS and C-UAS, please download the free paper below.