Austrian Armed Forces Trials New Counter-small UAS System

The Austrian Armed Forces has selected the latest version of Rheinmetall’s rapidly deployable Counter-small Unmanned Aerial System (C-sUAS) solution for a six-month period of testing and evaluation.

The system comprises two shelter units, enabling rapid deployment on standard trailers and trucks. The sensor unit elevates automatically and can be equipped with detection technologies including X-band and S-band radar, passive emitter locator, ADS-B receiver and others if required. An integrated, stabilized 360° electro-optical PTZ sensor provides state-of-the-art verification and tracking capabilities.

Based on the tried-and-tested Oerlikon Skymaster command and control system, the separate C2 shelter is a fully fledged operator workstation. Skymaster delivers a high level of sensor data fusion and multiple operational functions, including scalability, to integrated target cueing devices and effectors for different countermeasures as well as links to higher echelons.

The Austrian Armed Forces will test the Rheinmetall C-sUAS solution at several locations in Austria, gaining valuable expertise and experience by simulating air base protection, integration into other military units and providing C-sUAS protection in urban areas. There will also be a public demonstration of the C-sUAS at the AIRPOWER 2022 air show at Hinterstoisser Air Base, home of the Eurofighter, near Zeltweg, Austria.

Rheinmetall Air Defence will lend its support throughout the next six months to ensure that Austria gets the maximum benefit out of the project.