Britain's Royal Navy is urgently seeking a ship-based counter-drone system and recent world events likely explain why.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) from industry, to gather details and refine requirements ahead of a potential tender under the codename of Project TALON, as spotted by defense site UK Defence Journal.
The program is moving fast as the MoD wants responses by March 17, and if it goes ahead with the procurement, expects to issue a contract and take delivery of the initial capability within one month.
The RFI (Word document) calls for a "rapidly procured and installable Counter UAS (unmanned aircraft system) capability" that is "suitable for maritime platforms to detect, track, identify, and defeat airborne threats."
Project TALON will combine a mix of "effectors" both kinetic and non-kinetic to counter the threats posed by the proliferation of drones, and is intended to complement current complex missile-based systems, including the Sea Ceptor rolling out across the Royal Navy's frigates and destroyers.
Kinetic implies the use of a projectile or missile to down a drone through force of impact or by explosive means. Non-kinetic involves the use of lasers, microwaves or electronic jamming to disable it.
The RFI also talks of adopting a "system of systems" approach to introduce mass via numerous low-cost effectors. This implies that more than one type of weapon will be required, such as a gun system combined with low-cost short-range missiles, for example.
The RN also wants to focus on mature products, meaning it will likely be a package of existing weapons systems and sensors.
Whatever solution is chosen, it is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy, most likely to avoid the need for a lengthy integration process with the fire control systems and sensors of Royal Navy ships that would stymie a rapid deployment.
The famous Phalanx close-in weapon system (CIWS) is an example of this, as it has its own radar and can track and engage threats by itself when enabled.
Project TALON is expected to defeat NATO Class 2 uncrewed air systems, which covers medium-sized drones up to about 600 kg in weight, covering the Shahed 136 and its LUCAS counterpart that the Iranians and Americans are using in the current gulf conflict.
The chosen system must give the host ship a defended area of between 100 km2 up to 2,500 km2 (about 965 square miles), and engage at least 25 targets before reloading, though 100 targets is the desired benchmark.
The Royal Navy is already due to receive the DragonFire laser weapon, capable of defeating high-speed drones, but it will be fitted initially to one Type 45 destroyer in 2027, before being rolled out more widely if all goes well.
Already in service are Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters, which carry the Martlet, or Lightweight Multirole Missile. This is a laser-guided weapon designed to disable fast attack boats, but has proven to be equally capable of taking out aerial drones in trials.
The MoD announced that two Martlet-armed Wildcats are being deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean amid the ongoing Iran conflict. ®
Source: The register