Countering UAS is a growing part of defence requirements, and industry is stepping up to the demand.
The unmanned drone threat to the security of not only government and military operations and facilities but also to commercial, industrial, and public events has grown rapidly. Industries in the Asia-Pacific region, capitalising particularly on their expertise and experience in electronics, sensors and processing, have pursued a number of counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) initiatives.
In many cases these firms, in levering and adapting often existing commercial technologies and processes, have been able to develop and field products more rapidly in response to urgent requirements. The timely presentation and targeted success of these counter-drone systems have contributed to establishing these regional firms as leaders in the applicable technologies and offering both individual and integrated system solutions.
Singapore
Several of the most interesting counter-drone success stories in the region are found within Singapore. Here, often supported by the Ministry of National Defence (MINDEF), companies have developed products directly focused on addressing specific end-user needs. One of these is Singapore-based TRD Systems which has become a leader in soft-kill counter-drone systems. The founder and CEO, Dr Sam Ong, combines 25 years Singapore Army experience, time at the US Marine Corps Warfighting lab and Singapore’s Ministry of Defence System Engineering and Senior Programme Management as well as a Master of Science degree in Defence Technology Royal Military College of Science at the United Kingdom’s Cranfield University.
The company’s ORION line of ‘soft-kill’ counter-drone systems address applications from the man-portable to mobile/vehicle and fixed site systems. The 10 MP Manpack directional jammer and portable detection system offers an effective range of up to 1.2 miles (2km) with 360 degree protection inside 1,600 feet (500m). The ‘gun’ weights 6.6 pounds (3kg) while the manpack is 33lb (15kg) with each able to cover six RF and four GNSS bands. The Orion H9/H10 offers an individual ‘gun’ with similar performance at 15.4lb (7kg). An optional Mobile Ops Console allows connection to a broader command and control (C2) network. The company’s mobile platform mounted ORION SP system provides a counter to the satellite navigation drones/UAS with omni-directional ‘spoofing’ at ranges of between half a mile and 3.7 miles (1-6km). It can be integrated with search radar, electro-optic tracking, and other CUAS measures. TRD’s success has been primarily with security/law enforcement, however, it is seeing interest with military and naval users.
Another counter-drone initiative from Singapore is the Sky Artemis from CWT Aerospace Services. According to the company, this battery operated portable anti-UAV system weighs only 5.5lb (2.5kg) and has an operational time of two hours. It has three jamming modes ― jamming just the GPS, jamming just the control radio frequency and jamming both the GPS and radio frequency. The firm also offers its Artemis Customisable DDS Jammer in a portable package that can impact drone RF signals at around three quarters of a mile (1.2km). It provides two hours operation with internal battery an four with an external one plus it can be adapted to line power in a fixed site installation. All can be set to attack frequencies from 20Mhz to 6Ghz. Equally important, they do not interfere with friendly communication links.
Having counter-drone ‘effectors’ addresses only one aspect of the problem. Integrating and coordinating these systems is of equal importance. Recognising this, Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), collaborating with MINDEF, the Singapore Army, the Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) designed a command, control and communications (C3) system to identify and neutralise errant drones and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The Drone Defence C3 (DDC3) provides a single platform that connects drone defence operators to a wide array of sensors and effectors in real time. According to Development Programme Manager (C3 Development) Shaun Lim, “DDC3 provides a comprehensive situation picture and the means to neutralise threats promptly through direct integrations with various counter-UAS systems. This shortens the time gap between threat detection and action, or what is called the ‘sensor-to-shooter’ cycle. The system makes sense of the information coming from multiple sensors using fusion algorithms to correlate data with embedded decision support systems that recommend the appropriate course of action.” A mobile version for Android devices, allows critical information to be disseminated to teams on the ground for more precise target engagement.
Republic of Korea
Faced with an eminent challenge to its security just north of the demilitarised zone (DMZ), it comes as little surprise that the Republic of Korea (South Korea) has been highly proactive in its counter-drone/C-UAS efforts. Furthermore, the military centralised drone activities under a single drone operations command. Major General Lee Bo-hyung explained at the UMEX defence conference on 22 January that the project aims to acquire a counter-drone capability. According to a statement by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS): “The drone operations command is a unit based directly under the Ministry of National Defense, and will be under the supervision of the JCS chairman. It is the first joint combat unit to be composed of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.”
The Defence Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) in 2023 issued a notice for a $37.2 million initiative aims to strengthen South Korea’s defences against unauthorised drones. This was awarded to aerospace and defence firm Hanwha systems with $26.6 million in contracts to establish integrated counter-drone protection against small-UAS for critical facilities like airports, metropolitan Seoul, and military sites. Hanwha has indicated this could include 22 drone jamming systems consisting of a detection radar, electro-optical and infrared thermal observation devices, a jammer and an integrated console for operations. The urgency for such a system was highlighted in 2023 when North Korean drones entered the South’s airspace with one even entering the no-fly zone around the president’s office.
Hanwha also received a contract to provide mobile drone detection and counter-measure systems for the ROK Army. A company spokesperson suggested that they view the counter-drone capability as also having a high potential export demand. As a result it has become a key focus by the company’s development and market presentation.
Another of the major efforts by South Korea is its development and intended fielding of a kinetic ‘hard kill’ counter-drone system that will allow for intercepting drones at up to 18.5 miles (30km). The system will employ ‘smart’ missiles equipped with tracking and homing sensors. The concept is similar to the US Army’s Coyote being provided by RTX. The effectors will be fired from a specialised multi-tube trailer mounted ground launcher. The Agency for Defense Development (ADD) initiated the project at the end of 2023 and will beging conducting flight tests in late 2024.
The first step in any counter-drone effort is simply detecting the drones. In this, TORIS SQUARE, an AI based radar company established in 2021 is offering the Elijah Ai Anti-Drone Radar Solution system. Elijah is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operating in the X-Band that can precisely detect and track multiple small drones. It is offered in two, four and five bay configurations and can be fixed or mobile mounted.
Peoples Republic of China (PRC)
The PRC has been giving greater attention to counter-drone as it both watches their increasing presence in various world conflicts and the considering being given to them by Western militaries. Reflecting this the number of Chinese firms that have showcased rather traditional soft-kill counter-UAS solutions at various domestic and international defence shows. Xinxing Cathay International Group’s counter-UAS system is designed to jam a drone’s on-board navigation, ground control, and video datalinks. CETC’s JN3141 Remote Control UAV jammer resembles other riflestyle systems designed to jam on-board satellite navigation while and ZR Aerospace’s counter-UAS System jams both on-board navigation and the ground control link.
However, the Peoples Liberation Army is also fielding hard-kill capabilities such as the recently demonstrated short-range air defence/CUAS Type 625. It combines a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and four launchers mounted on an eight-wheel chassis. It features a six-barrel 25mm Gatling gun with four short-range surface-to-air missiles. Both a high-definition radar and electro-optic sensors offer the ability to detect, track and engage a spectrum of aerial threats including uncrewed platforms. The mobility of the 8×8 assures it can stay-up with manoeuvring forces.
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Taipei is pursuing its drone capabilities two national programs – the Drone National Team with nine firms focusing on building and producing a variety of military drones, and the Drone Defence National Team centring on counter-drone systems. Prime contractor for the latter is Tron Future. The company uses subcontractors to provide sub-systems that are incorporated into system configurations by the prime. The programme has aggressive goals for fielding systems. This was highlighted by an incident several years ago where Taiwanese soldiers stationed at Kinmen’s Lieyu Garrison Battalion were captured on video throwing rocks at an intruding civilian drone. As a result the defence ministry approved a $146 million budget in 2022 to buy the drone defence systems, which are being deployed through 2026 at military bases across Taiwan.
Australia
Australia has become a leader in counter-UAS not only due to it being the home of DroneShield, one of the more prevalent counter-UAS firms but also the commitment of its Ministry of Defence. In March 2024, it announced its acquisition of the Fractl:2 laser system developed by Melbourne-based AIM Defence. The system’s precision allows it to shoot down a drone travelling at over 60 miles per hour (100km/h). The battery-operated system can shoot down 50 drones before recharging is required. The introduction of the Fractl:2 could be the first operational deployment of a tactical counter-UAS laser system.
DroneShield is “an Australian/U.S. publicly listed company focusing on RF sensing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, sensor fusion, electronic warfare, rapid prototyping and MIL-SPEC manufacturing.” It has become known for its line of counter-UAS technology and systems. These include the DroneGun Tactical “designed for two hand operation and long range defeat”. Its high performance directional antennas in a lightweight robust rifle style design engage the range of jamming frequencies for target defeat. When disruption is triggered, drone targets lose control either coming to the ground or returning to its remote controller or starting point.
The latest DroneGun Mk4 is a smaller, more compact handheld effector that can disrupt the control, navigation and video of multiple drones simultaneously. It not only disrupts the drone flight but also the video feed to its operator.
DroneSentry-X Mk2 is, according to the company, “a software-defined detection and adaptive disruption system suitable for mobile operations, field expedient pop-up, and fixed-site protection”. It can both detect and defeat in a single self-contained platform. DroneSentry-X Mk2 can be mounted to military vehicles, surface vessels, and uncrewed mobile platforms. It can also be deployed as a permanent or fixed site install on standard tripod masts or towers, and supports local or remote operations.
DroneShield also offers C2 Tactical command-and-control that provides operators with real-time counter-UAS situational awareness.
Being aware that a drone maybe operating in the area of a friendly unit has become a critical part of situational awareness for soldiers on the ground. DroneShield’s RfPatrol is a completely passive/non-emitting UAS detection device that can be worn by the individual. It is simple and non-intrusive yet offers the user real situational awareness. The RfPatrol device automatically detects drones moving at any speed and alerts the user to their presence, thereby, allowing for appropriate passive or active counter measures.
Counter-UAS direction
The rapid evolution of the drone/UAS has been both an asset and a threat, particularly in that smaller drones and the widespread adaption of commercial platforms to military roles has opened opportunities a wide range of commercial technology developers in the Asian-Pacific region to establish themselves as successful suppliers to military and security/law enforcement. Their abilities to respond rapidly in providing solutions has favourably positioned them as suppliers to fill military requirement, particularly with soft-kill solutions. With increased attention toward more broadly capable integrated counter-UAS solutions this may shift. The entry of Hanwha may reflect this future trend. However, currently the innovation being exhibited by firms in the region is finding a ready user audience worldwide.
by Stephen W. Miller
