GBAD - The return of 'FOBS'

[Kirkhill]

Gepards and HAWKs back in action.

Ukraine Solves Modern Drone Defense With 1970s German Gun

Ukraine is using Cold War–era Gepard guns to take down Russian drones, delivering a cost-effective fix to modern drone threats.

euromaidanpress.com

Ukraine wants 40,000 Hawk missiles from US stockpiles

To bolster Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian bombardment, the US State Department has signed off on a new missile deal for Ukraine.

euromaidanpress.com

What did the RRCA do with those GDF-005s again?

 

[GK .Dundas]

Gepards and HAWKs back in action.

Ukraine Solves Modern Drone Defense With 1970s German Gun

Ukraine is using Cold War–era Gepard guns to take down Russian drones, delivering a cost-effective fix to modern drone threats.

euromaidanpress.com

Ukraine wants 40,000 Hawk missiles from US stockpiles

To bolster Ukraine’s air defenses against Russian bombardment, the US State Department has signed off on a new missile deal for Ukraine.

euromaidanpress.com

What did the RRCA do with those GDF-005s again?

I seem to recall they repurposed the radar and fire control unit

 

[Kirkhill]

And we are back to Star Wars and brilliant pebbles. The difference this time is the C-RAM experience. In the eighties the big yuks on late night were being generated talking about the idiocy of trying to hit a bullet with a bullet.

40 years goes by in a blink, don't it?

Here’s the role that space-based interceptors will play in Golden Dome - Breaking Defense

A key advantage of SBIs is they can defeat missile threats earlier in their trajectory.

breakingdefense.com

 

[Kirkhill]

More developments in the GBAD-CUAS front

First of all an old gun on a new Slovakian vehicle - the Slovakian equivalent of the Senator?

DefTech releases new image of its drone hunter vehicle – Defence Blog

defence-blog.com

This might appeal to our 4-person crew afficionados @PrairieFella. New rationale, even with an "autoloader" - driver, commander, gunner and own Sig/EO/IR/Wpns Tech.

The Wolf 25 AD is built on a modular V-shaped 4×4 armored chassis and is powered by a 450-horsepower, 9-liter engine. It features a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour and a maximum range of 700 kilometers. Designed for a four-person crew—driver, commander, technician, and gunner—the vehicle is optimized for rapid mobility, featuring an independent wheel suspension and automatic transmission system suited for off-road and high-threat environments.

....

The weapon interests me. I had forgotten about the Oerlikon competitor to the Bushmaster. Unlike the externally powered M242 the KBA/KBB is gas recoil operated although they all use the 25x137mm ammunition.

The core of the Wolf 25 AD’s capability is its turret-mounted Oerlikon KBA 25x137mm automatic cannon, which supports a range of ammunition types tailored to both aerial and ground-based threats. This includes proximity-fused high-explosive rounds (PX-HE) designed specifically for low-altitude drone interception, as well as armor-piercing and incendiary options for use against light vehicles and dismounted targets.

Interesting that they seem to have stuck with the 25mm rather than stepping up to the more popular 30mm sizes.
If if works effectively in the CUAS role would that make it attractive to the CAF? What are our 25mm stocks like?

The other thing that intrigues me is that the gas recoil weapon, which doesn't need batteries, could be a light infantry support weapon candidate, IMO. The Diana was introduced way back in the 80s but didn't find any takers.



Adding the same firepower to the Light Infantry as found in the LAV Infantry as well as covering the skies.

25mm Oerlikon KBB

 

[Kirkhill]

Other developments from Down Under -

EOS has a novel turreted 100 kW laser

Electro Optic Systems announced it has secured an order for a drone defence capability based on a new type of high-powered laser. The new laser counter-drone capability was developed by EOS to address the urgent market need and emerging strategic requirement to defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost.

This is the world’s first export order for a 100-kilowatt class laser defence system. The order follows extensive and ongoing marketing, sales and customer demonstration activity by EOS. The order is valued at €71.4 million or approximately A$125 million and was placed by a European NATO Member State. It requires production and delivery of the capability, as well as spare parts, training and documentation. The order will be fulfilled during 2025-2028 by EOS in Singapore.

https://asiapacificdefencereporter.com/eos-wins-order-for-counter-drone-laser-weapon/

EOS also delivers a palletized 30mm CUAS RWS.

 

[Kirkhill]

And the Ukrainians are taking the Man out from under the MANPADS

Ukraine Turns Robot Into Helicopter Killer—And It Actually Works

Ukrainian soldiers have created a mobile air defense system by equipping an unmanned ground vehicle with an Igla MANPADS, enhancing battlefield capabilities.

united24media.com

That would pair nicely with the 50 cal UGV

Ukraine Arms “Ravlyk” Ground Robot With M2 Browning, Enters Combat Deployment

Ukraine's "Ravlyk" ground drone evolves into a combat unit with the Droid Raw 12.7, featuring a heavy machine gun for reconnaissance and strike missions.

united24media.com

 

[Kirkhill]

And how do you spend money fast and effectively? Ask Denmark

Denmark to complete $3.4 billion of air defense purchases by year-end

Governments across the continent are scrambling to either bolster what they already have or put in place the means to defend their skies.

www.defensenews.com

Denmark plans to wrap up its acquisition of ground-based air defense systems by the end of the year, with a total planned investment of as much as 25 billion Danish kroner (US$3.4 billion), according to the country’s Defence Ministry.

For the long-range component, Denmark expects to choose between the U.S. Patriot and the French-Italian SAMP/T system during fall 2025, the ministry told Defense News. The country intends to conclude all contracts by year-end, including a potential purchase of additional short- to medium-range systems, the MoD said.

Denmark in the past two months secured air defense systems from three different producers in order to build an initial capability as soon as possible, 20 years after decommissioning its air defense units operating Hawk missile systems.

The country will lease a NASAMS system from Norway, buy two VL MICA fire units from MBDA and an IRIS-T SLM system from Germany’s Diehl Defence.

NASAMS Air Defence System

KONGSBERG/raytheon offers a fielded and proven NASAMS Air Defence System with the capability to protect several areas and high-value assets separated bu large distances. NASAMS is the world´s first operational Network Centric Ground Based Air Defence System and is delivered or under production...

www.kongsberg.com

VL MICA

Vertical launch MICA deploys the MICA fire-and-forget missile, which is the only missile in the world capable of being fitted with either a passive IR (infra-red) or an active RF seeker.

www.mbda-systems.com

Air Defence Systems | Diehl Defence | Diehl Defence

www.diehl.com

ASTER SAMP/T NG

ASTER SAMP/T NG will replace the SAMP/T in the Italian and French armed forces, providing improved performance in range and altitude and greater ATBM capabilities with a new missile and a new multi-function radar.

www.mbda-systems.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Related -

Pentagon awards $7.8 billion in missile contracts for US and allies

The Pentagon ordered thousands of new missiles for the Air Force, Navy and a host of allies, including NATO nations, Ukraine and Israel, among others.

www.defensenews.com

3.5 BUSD for AMRAAMs

 

[Kirkhill]

US Army readies to release new missile defense strategy soon

The Army's new air and missile defense strategy incorporates emerging technology like artificial intelligence to handle growing, complex threats.

www.defensenews.com

The U.S. Army is about three months away from releasing its air and missile defense strategy for 2040, Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commander of the service’s Space and Missile Defense Command, said Tuesday at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium.

The Army is planning to grow its air and missile defense capability by 30% over the next eight years, according to Gainey.

the new strategy must address rising battlefield challenges observed in real conflict and take into account the development of President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome, a missile defense shield for the homeland.

The advent of the Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, which is designed to connect any sensor to any shooter on the battlefield, will be “in every formation,” tying together disaggregated capability across the terrain for defense, and “create pockets of areas of defensive priority where it is needed the most,” Gainey said.

Additionally, the new strategy focuses on “prioritizing smart missile defeat,” Gainey said, which is the ability to get after the missile threat before it even leaves the ground.

Officials have said AI will be an important aspect of homeland missile defense, particularly for Golden Dome, because defending large swaths of territory will require more than what manpower and systems alone can handle.

The Army sees growing involvement in homeland missile defense beyond managing the current Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.

“Space and Missile Defense Command already provides a defense to the homeland, and as we move forward, we see this command taking a larger role in the defense of the homeland,” Gainey said.

That sounds as if it will be presenting the CAF and the diplomats a pile of problems.

The close integration of fires and battle management, both domestically and on expedition.
The short decision cycles.
The implications of strategic counter-battery fire (taking out ICBMs from space before they launch is likely to get people talking).

Not to mention Trump wanting us to pay our fair share for defence of the motherland - and willing to take it out of our hide in trade if we are obstinate.

 

[GR66]

Germany is seriously upgrading its air defence capabilities:

Germany plans to buy 500+ Skyranger air defense systems

Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger says the German defense company anticipates receiving an order from the Bundeswehr later this year for additional Skyranger air defense gun systems worth between six and eight billion euros ($7-9 billion). Speaking during a conference call with analysts, Papperger...

defence-blog.com

As reported by hartpunkt, the Bundeswehr is planning a major expansion of its ground-based air defense capabilities. Well-informed sources told the outlet that demand for the lowest-tier interception layer alone could reach 500 to 600 Skyranger gun systems across all branches of the armed forces. Based on industry pricing estimates for each unit, this would align with Rheinmetall’s projected contract value.

The turret combines a 30×173 mm KCE revolver cannon, short-range surface-to-air missiles, and an integrated sensor suite. For the Bundeswehr variant, Rheinmetall will integrate MBDA’s DefendAir missile — previously known as the Small Anti-Drone Missile (SADM) — intended as a low-cost solution for drone defense. The Skyranger will carry 9 to 12 of these missiles, with a range of up to five kilometers.

I think you'd be incredibly generous to describe our AD aspirations as "modest" in comparison.

 

[FJAG]

VSHORAD exercise in Latvia

 

[GR66]

Something similar to this Chinese AD system would be a good element of a layered air defence system. A gun combined with a large number of modular missile launchers that can be configured with a range of missile types (cheap anti-quadcopter to more expensive anti-cruise missile types) based on the type of threat you are expecting.

China fields new FK-3000 anti-drone system

Beijing has begun fielding a new air defense system designed to counter mass drone attacks, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) adopts measures against the growing threat of low-cost, expendable unmanned aircraft. The FK-3000, first showcased at the 2022 Zhuhai

defence-blog.com

Pair these with something like NASMS for vital point defence or rear area defence tasks and something more like a LAV-VSHORAD to accompany the maneuver units.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

I still like to see a couple of Artillery Reserve units rerolled to AD, using a mobile gun system and simulator for Manpads, eventually getting some real Manpads as well. Possibly buying extra simulators that can go to other Reserve arty units to start training people on them.

 

[Kirkhill]

Something similar to this Chinese AD system would be a good element of a layered air defence system. A gun combined with a large number of modular missile launchers that can be configured with a range of missile types (cheap anti-quadcopter to more expensive anti-cruise missile types) based on the type of threat you are expecting.

China fields new FK-3000 anti-drone system

Beijing has begun fielding a new air defense system designed to counter mass drone attacks, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) adopts measures against the growing threat of low-cost, expendable unmanned aircraft. The FK-3000, first showcased at the 2022 Zhuhai

defence-blog.com

Pair these with something like NASMS for vital point defence or rear area defence tasks and something more like a LAV-VSHORAD to accompany the maneuver units.

Interesting that the Chinese, who seem to be among the leading proponents of swarm technology, are still emphasing kinetic responses as part of their counters.

I guess EW/RF/DE can only take you so far.

 

[Kirkhill]

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/8/25/armys-project-flytrap-looks-to-zap-some-drones

The US Army figures they have the static C-UAS battle sussed. Now they are trying to figure out how to apply the technology to blocking during the offense.

 

[Kirkhill]

https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2025/8/25/armys-project-flytrap-looks-to-zap-some-drones

The US Army figures they have the static C-UAS battle sussed. Now they are trying to figure out how to apply the technology to blocking during the offense.

If the army figures they have a grip on the C-UAS battle why are they conducting a re-org?

Pentagon stands up new task force to coordinate anti-drone efforts

The Army will be in charge of the outfit, which will replace the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office.

www.defenseone.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Another entrant into the C-UAS competition - Cummings Aerospace Hellhound

Cummings fine-tunes Hellhound drone for Golden Dome mission

Cummings Aerospace has designed a larger version of its Hellhound to meet Golden Dome homeland missile defense needs.

www.defensenews.com

The turbojet-powered, 3D-printed Hellhound S3 drone can carry a variety of payloads, and the company is putting that version forward as a loitering munition option for a competition that the U.S. Army is planning to kick off this year.

The S4 variant, designed to take on Golden Dome mission sets, is a scaled-up version of the S3 that adopts its modular architecture such as the removable nose that allows the unmanned aerial system to shift from countering drones to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or serving as a weapon itself like a low-cost cruise missile, according to Sheila Cummings, the company’s CEO.


The S4 is “really a multimission capability as well as a multilaunch platform capability,” she added, “so ground-based is kind of the primary, but then the airframe and launch canister can support both an air- and sea-based launch.”

While the S3 variant is roughly 12 to 14 pounds, depending on the payload, the S4 falls in the 45-pound range. But the majority of the capability uses the same software, additive manufacturing techniques, 3D-printed materials and other commercial-off-the-shelf parts.

For the Huntsville facility, Cummings said her goal is to produce at least 100 S3 air vehicles a month.

The intent is to produce a cheap vehicle. The payloads may be costly.

 

[GR66]

Apparently the Saudis are finding that Chinese laser AD weapons not quite ready for prime time but EW proving to be effective:

Saudi military slams Chinese laser weapon

Saudi Arabia has become one of the first countries in the world to acquire laser-based air defense systems, purchasing China’s SkyShield integrated counter-drone system to protect key sites and expensive air defense assets such as the Patriot from drone attacks. But operational experience in the...

defence-blog.com

 

[Kirkhill]

US Army’s AH-64E Apache showcases ability to counter UAS

The US Army has showcased the capabilities of AH-64E Apache helicopters as a counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (c-UAS) platform.

www.army-technology.com

The Apache's 30mm gun has become a popular CUAS response on a variety of RWS systems, including VSHORAD and EOS Slinger.

The APKWS 70 mm has proven to be a popular lower cost missile solution in the VAMPIRE system among others.

I like both of them as support weapons for infantry and cavalry Base Defence Forces.

The Apache advantages are it exists, its primary anti-tank mission is no longer as viable as it was, but it can be widely deployed, range over long distances rapidly and react effectively against an array of targets.

In addition to the touted CUAS role, in all three traditional domains, it is also being fitted with longer ranged missiles like Spike NLOS.

I await the replacement of the Hellfire and JAGM missiles with the longer ranged Brimstone family.

 

[Kirkhill]

Or better yet this 240 km LRAM LRPF missile that the USMC has launched from the AH-1Z.

USMC fires secretive long-range missile from AH-1Z

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has conducted a successful test launch of a new long-range missile from a Bell AH-1Z attack helicopter.

www.flightglobal.com