How can we detect and counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)? Sputnik News has highlighted a range of systems capable of intercepting UAVs.
Missile Defense Systems
RLK-MTs Valdai, a specialized radar system from Russia designed to detect, intercept, and disable small UAVs – (Photo: SPUTNIK)
In the latter half of the 20th century, the Soviet Union and the United States focused on developing missile defense and air defense systems aimed at combating fighter jets, bombers, transport aircraft, and large, expensive crewed ballistic and cruise missiles.
The primary focus of missile defense and air defense systems remains on missile-launched projectiles designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft and missiles.
For larger UAVs, including unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) such as the Bayraktar TB2, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, or Northrop Grumman RQ-4A Global Hawk, with wingspans of 12, 20, or even 40 meters respectively, the most effective defense remains traditional missiles designed to target jets.
Specialized Radar
For smaller, less detectable UAVs, including mini and micro UAVs, the Russian military has developed a RLK-MTs Valdai air defense system to counter them.
This is a specialized radar system specifically designed to detect, intercept, and disable small UAVs with extremely low radar cross-sections.
Missile system during a parade on the streets of Moscow – (Photo: SPUTNIK).
It is designed to detect enemy UAVs at distances of up to 15 kilometers and neutralize them using electronic countermeasures (employing jamming modules for control and navigation signals) at close ranges of 2 kilometers or less.
General Andrey Demin, commander of the Russian air defense forces, confirmed that the RLK-MTs “have performed combat missions to protect critical military and state facilities, including those in areas of special military operations.”
Laser Systems Against UAVs
Advancements in laser weaponry have improved the prospects for their use in modern warfare. In 2022, Yuri Borisov, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia responsible for defense and the space industry, revealed that the Russian military had tested a mysterious combat laser system called Zadira, capable of burning UAVs within seconds at distances of up to 5 kilometers in Ukraine.
Russia is not the only nation employing laser weapons against UAVs. The United States and Israel are also researching this type of weapon.
Using UAVs Against UAVs
Last but not least on the list of mobile UAV defense systems are other UAVs.
Systems like the ZALA Lancet kamikaze UAV are capable of targeting enemy UAVs.
When an enemy UAV approaches, the Lancet will lock onto the target and dive at high speed to force it out of the sky.
