System for Enhanced Threat detection, Interception and soft-kill Neutralisation of Lethal drones

ongoing

The explosive growth of micro, mini and small-size Class I UAS has resulted in cheap and rapid acquisition of modified commercial off-the-shelf assets for use in the defence arena. Today’s battlefield is saturated with a variety of aerial threats, especially from UAS, as demonstrated in recent conflicts and wars. Numerous options exist to combat UAS swarms, but all possess notable shortcomings, especially with regards to detection accuracy and operational costs. SENTINEL-EMP proposes for the first time, the design of a breakthrough lower-layer anti-drone VSHORAD ground-to-air defence system that can be integrated with any medium calibre autocannon embodying an automatic shell feeder. The system utilises programmable, EMP-capable air bursting projectiles to disable such UAS threats (soft-kill), and incorporates advanced AI-based detection, tracking, and targeting capabilities by combining and analysing in real-time data from radar, optical sensors and RF direction finder for accurate trajectory calculation and firing. Each projectile contains miniaturised electronic circuits that allow it to detonate at close proximity to the UAS threat. A Universal Automatic Ammunition Programming System which can be integrated into any medium calibre autocannon, will program each shell just before firing, adjusting the timing or detonation pattern in real-time based on threat analysis provided by the AI algorithm. The EMP payload within the shell will create a high power EMP that disables UAS by frying their electronic or electrical circuits within a sphere of a few meters from the detonation. The SENTINEL-EMP system is highly scalable with a firing rate of at least 50 rounds per minute with the ability to store hundreds of ammunitions in the autocannon’s bank, overcoming the limitations of existing missile-based interceptor ground-to-air defence systems. It will be designed to operate automatically and autonomously 24/7 under the supervision of personnel at the Command & Control Centre.