The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of C-UAV equipment to Kuwait for $1.98 billion. This approval provides for the purchase of both interceptor drones and a number of related equipment. If the contract is implemented, it could become one of the largest, at least publicly known, purchases of interceptor drones.
For these funds (we recall that this is the maximum possible amount, and the real cost may be less) an unspecified number of C-UAV platforms will be purchased, namely Roadrunner-Munition (Roadrunner-M) and Anvil-Kinetic (Anvil-K) developed and manufactured by Anduril. The procurement package will also include a number of related equipment, including launchers, command and control systems, LRST target detection and tracking systems of various types, Pulsar electronic warfare equipment, generators, etc., as well as training services, software development, engineering and technical and logistical services.
Read more: Ukrainian Interceptors Encounter russia's New AI-Enabled Klin UAV Instead of Expected Lancet Drone (Video)
The U.S. State Department emphasizes that the sale will contribute to the achievement of U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by strengthening the air defense capabilities of an ally outside NATO, which is important for ensuring political stability and economic progress in the region.
From the Defense Express side, we note that although Ukraine became the first country to scale up the use of interceptor drones on the battlefield, the U.S. is actively working to capture a significant share of the market, while Ukraine has long had uncertainties about arms exports.
It is also worth noting that this potential contract could become one of the largest deals for interceptor drones. But not the largest, as other examples include the permission to supply the UAE with 10 FS-LIDS systems together with Coyote Block 2 interceptor drones and KuMRFS radars for $ 2.1 billion. This permission was granted in March of this year.
Recall that the Roadrunner-M is an interceptor drone that is positioned as reusable vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomouse air vehicle - this means the ability to return and land if the target was not destroyed. This drone was first presented to the public at the end of 2023.
The Roadrunner-M is a fairly large interceptor, its length can reach about 1.8 m. It is known that it is a jet drone equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead and is capable of operating autonomously thanks to the Lattice AI system.
Other tactical and technical characteristics of this interceptor are not disclosed, however, they should be quite significant given its size and probable cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit. In addition to UAVs, it can also intercept cruise missiles. According to its characteristics, it can be classified as an intermediate option on the border between an interceptor drone and an anti-aircraft missile.
The Anvil-K is a kinetic version of quadcopter interceptors of this class. It is designed to intercept small and medium-sized drones and can reach speeds of 320 km/h. This interceptor was first publicly unveiled back in 2019.
Defense Express previously reported on whether anti-aircraft drones could actually fly at 700 km/h, and whether this would kill the very concept of interceptors.
Read more: Pilots Can Shoot Down russian Drones in Ukraine from New York or Anywhere Else in the World - Brave1 CEO Told About Interceptor Drones
