DIMDEX 2024: PLA deploys new integrated C-UAS suite

The CEW-102E UAV countermeasure system replica is displayed at DIMDEX 2024. (Janes/Ajay Shankar Pandey)

China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is deploying a new counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) suite known as the CEW-102E from domestic company Poly Defence, Janes learnt at the DIMDEX 2024 show held in Doha from 4 to 6 March.

A spokesperson for the company was unable to provide details to Janes about when and how many units had been ordered.

The CEW-102E is an integrated detection, tracking, and jamming C-UAS suite designed to counter small to large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The suite comprises four vehicles in total and is subdivided into two separate countermeasure solutions, with one designed to address small UAVs and the other targeting medium to large vehicles.

The small UAV countermeasure system is integrated on a single vehicle, comprising an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR), radio reconnaissance, and direction finding (DF) system as well as a radar and electronic jamming device. The solution is capable of detecting and disrupting UAV control signals from distances up to 30 km, and can electronically interfere with UAV satellite navigation signals from distances up to 10 km. Satellites include GPS-L1C/A, GPS-L2C, GLONASS-L1 civil code, and GLONASS-L2 civil code, according to the company.

The radar can detect targets with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.01 m² from distances up to 6 km.

The remaining three vehicles comprise the medium-large UAV countermeasure system. Each vehicle encompasses a detection and jamming solution that operates over a different frequency band (ultra-high frequency [UHF], L, C, and Ku-bands) to counter the varying UAV threats. The company said it can jam UAV control link signals up to 300 km in line of sight and UAV satellite navigation signals at ranges up to 100 km.