Kinetic Countermeasures Integrated into Bundeswehr Drone Defence System

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support has commissioned HENSOLDT to integrate kinetic countermeasures into the ASUL drone defence system.

This development follows an earlier sensor technology update in 2025 that equipped the system with the latest generation of HENSOLDT SPEXER radar. The ASUL system functions as a modular Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) designed to detect, classify, and identify small drones in real time using a scalable mix of sensors and effectors.

While the system previously relied on soft-kill capabilities, the new contract expands the spectrum to include kinetic options. HENSOLDT is integrating the KONGSBERG weapon station into a 10-foot container, adapting it for use with weaponry already utilized by the German Armed Forces. This configuration allows each ASUL system to be outfitted with multiple effectors to secure large areas against drones that may be shielded against soft-kill measures.

To manage these new capabilities, a new command container has been developed to facilitate coordination between the commander, the system operator, and the weapon station operators. The system utilizes Elysion Mission Core C2 software, which employs AI-supported algorithms to merge data from active and passive radar, electro-optical sensors, and networked air defence systems to provide decision support for personnel.

The ASUL platform has been in active service since 2022. HENSOLDT continues to expand the modular architecture of the system to meet evolving threat scenarios and the immediate capability requirements of military personnel.