While some are debating which weapon is most effective for countering drones, the Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo decided to mount nearly every available option onto a Stryker chassis, naming it the Counter-UAS Directed Energy Stryker. This vehicle carries a 30mm automatic cannon, an electronic warfare system, a surface-to-air missile launcher, and a combat laser.
Leonardo offers this mobile anti-drone system to the U.S. Army, which has been experimenting with similar, but less heavily armed, vehicles.
Read more: Anduril's Bolt FPV Drone With Machine Vision: Promising Concept, Wrong Approach
In this case, Leonardo acts more as an integrator of existing solutions than a developer of each individual component. The Stryker platform comes from General Dynamics, while all the mounted anti-drone weapons are the result of partnerships with seven key companies. For instance, the combat laser, LOCUST, with a power output of 26 kW, comes from American firm BlueHalo.
The vehicle's weapon station, the R400 from Australian company EOS, features an XM914 30mm automatic cannon and a secondary machine gun. Combined with the station’s advanced fire control system, it becomes a highly effective tool against unmanned aerial vehicles.
For its missile-based air defense solution, Leonardo chose the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), developed by British company BAE Systems — a cost-effective and pragmatic choice, likely influenced by real combat experience in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Defense Forces have used APKWS in conjunction with the Vampire launch system since February 2024, and it proved particularly effective against Shahed kamikaze drones deployed by the russian invasion army.
Footage of Ukrainian naval forces downing a Russian Shahed-131/136 attack drone over Odesa. pic.twitter.com/WzIh4wHN0l — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 11, 2024
In addition to these weapons, the C-UAS Directed Energy Stryker is equipped with an electronic warfare system, though the video doesn't showcase its capabilities.
No less important than the means of destruction is the ability to detect and track UAVs. For this, the C-UAS Stryker relies on a direction-finding system and a network of small nMHR radars with active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, developed by Leonardo. These radars are already in use on other military platforms, such as the IM-SHORAD.
At this stage, the purpose of the C-UAS Directed Energy Stryker’s demonstration is to draw attention to its potential. Leonardo is targeting primarily the U.S. Army, which is actively seeking effective anti-drone solutions to protect ground forces while on the move, at deployment sites, and during all stages of battle.
Read more: Chinese Laser Weapon Similar to British Dragonfire Reportedly Spotted in Iran
