British Defense Ministry launched new PANOPTES innovative development competition, within which viable assets for economically feasible enemy UAV destruction must be created that will not depend on ammunition supply and must have high autonomy.
As stated in competition description, current key problem for ground unit air defense systems is small ammunition volume, high employment cost, low system maneuverability and production complexity. Therefore solution should lie in destroying targets through energy produced by air defense asset itself.
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Additionally, such asset must have broad autonomy in terms of detecting, tracking, identifying and neutralizing mass UAV threats, rather than requiring significant human resources. It must have open architecture and modular design, as well as capability for installation on UGVs. It is also considered as solution for rear facility protection.
Defense Express notes overall idea is directed at solving key disadvantage of all existing air defense systems — dependence on ammunition quantity. At same time, in case of army air defense asset, to quantity problem is added aspect of delivering corresponding quantity to near-front zone.
This is precisely why decision to concentrate on engagement assets requiring only energy is entirely logical. From available developments these may be lasers or electromagnetic weapons. Autonomization of air defense assets is generally one of few options for ensuring effective interception of numerous drones attacking in swarm.
Considering task complexity, first competition stage provides only for finding companies that will receive assistance in accelerating existing developments and transitioning to creating workable system. Only at further stages will most viable projects be selected. Moreover, currently task focuses on countering Group 1 drones per NATO classification, meaning with mass up to 20 kg.
At same time, PANOPTES competition still provides for quite fast pace, as its final goal is commissioning such anti-drone solution in less than 2 years.
From the Defense Express side, we urge readers to join a fundraiser for a solution that is already proving effective: the One United Fundraiser, organized by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to support interceptor drones.
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