Europe developing reusable SwarmShot interceptor drones: What we know
Photo: Reusable SwarmShot interceptor drones are being developed in Europe (Getty Images)
CSG, together with O.F. Mossberg & Sons and Palladyne AI, is developing the SwarmShot reusable interceptor drone with a high level of autonomy, according to a CSG press release.
It is noted that the new drone will feature specialized ammunition, a lightweight airframe, and advanced autonomous technologies to create reusable air-to-air interceptors designed to counter enemy drones.
SwarmShot is being developed as a modular system capable of transforming compatible unmanned aerial vehicles into reusable air-to-air interceptors. Multiple aircraft equipped with SwarmShot will be able to operate together as a coordinated defensive swarm.
The solution combines Federal’s specialized shotgun ammunition for countering UAVs with Palladyne AI’s IntelliSwarm autonomy system, which integrates Brain avionics with SwarmOS collaborative autonomy software.
Federal will oversee ammunition design and terminal effects optimization, drawing on its experience from a recent US Army contract for counter-UAV ammunition.
The system will initially be developed as a modular add-on for the Gremlin-X, a Group 1 quadcopter mini-bomber developed by Palladyne AI Group. The modular architecture is designed to allow the same aircraft to be configured either for the mini-bomber’s existing precision-strike mission or for an autonomous counter-UAV mission.
Ukraine is rushing to develop a high-speed interceptor drone capable of shooting down Russian jet-powered drones. Five such designs are currently being tested.
We also reported that experts have proposed countering jet-powered Shahed drones not only with interceptors but also with missiles. The Ukrainian Council of Armaments noted that aviation and surface-to-air missiles account for 55–60% of intercepted drones, but missiles remain in short supply.
