Airbus reveals LOAD counter-drone UAS

An artist's impression of the LOAD concept that is designed to provide a low-cost and ITAR-free counter-UAS capability based on the Airbus Do-DT25 target drone. (Airbus)

Airbus has revealed a new low-cost counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solution based on a missile-equipped version of its Do-DT25 target drone.

Announced on 25 March, the LOw-cost Air Defence (LOAD) system comprises a modified Do-DT25 drone equipped with up to three guided missiles for the cost-effective downing of enemy UAVs.

“Since each LOAD drone can take out up to three kamikaze drones with its guided missiles, they are particularly suitable for cost-effective defence against large swarms of drones, which can saturate and pose challenges even for complex ground-based air-defence systems,” Airbus said, adding, “This makes LOAD systems an ideal supplement to [other ground-based] air-defence systems such as IRIS-T, Patriot, or Nah- und Nächstbereichsschutz (NNbS close- and medium-range protection).”

As noted in the announcement, LOAD drones are launched by catapult and have an operational range of more than 100 km. They are supervised from a ground control station that co-ordinates the drones on the basis of radar data or air situation images and can therefore autonomously search for, detect and – following the approval of their engagement – combat enemy one-way attack (OWA) drones/loitering munitions. After their mission, they return to their base and land by parachute and are readied for reuse.

“In combination with a reconnaissance drone, such as a Eurodrone in future, LOAD systems can also be used in regions that are not yet fully covered by ground-based air-defence radars. This enables armed forces to react flexibly to changing threat scenarios,” Airbus said.