During the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA 2022), MBDA’s German branch showed for the first time the new Sky Warden weapon system, for defense against drones at close and very close range.
One aspect highlighted by the company is that the system has the special feature of relying on several effector solutions. Sky Warden uses a high-energy laser effector and SADM (Small Anti Drone Missile) and MISTRAL guided missiles.
Multiple Effectors
The system’s high precision and firepower is intended to ensure the protection of soldiers against airborne threats, in particular drones, which are increasingly present on modern battlefields.
The laser protection system for short and very short ranges uses technologies, components and know-how from the laser system developed for the navy, which will also be available for ground and air forces in the future.
The SADM guided missile is intended to combat small drones and uses the technological basis of the ENFORCER guided missile, currently being introduced.
As a third short-range effector solution, MBDA relies on the fully qualified and marketable MISTRAL missile. Due to its range, its high agility and the speed with which it engages targets, MISTRAL is especially recommended for highly mobile targets, not only against larger drones, but also against a broad spectrum of airborne threats.
VIDEO: Sky Warden NNbS @ILA_Berlin #ILA2022 #Drohnenabwehr https://t.co/jpMlXdwxBh pic.twitter.com/NZvyeOQACl
— MBDA Deutschland (@MBDADeutschland) June 22, 2022
Another decisive advantage is that the effectors can be deployed with highly mobile tactical platforms on the move, for example, with the ENOK protected vehicle.
Guido Brendler, Head of Sales and Business Development MBDA Germany: «The Ukraine war shows how important short- and very short-range protection is for Germany and what threats we have to expect. Protection against threats from the air is a decisive factor in mission success and the protection of soldiers in the field. With Sky Warden NNbS, we offer the Bundeswehr an effective weapon system for countering unmanned aerial systems.»
