Ukraine hosts test of classified US missile defense system
MANPADS (Photo: wikipedia)
The US is preparing for the potential deployment of a new mobile counter-drone system, which could significantly enhance unit protection against aerial threats and change the approach to drone warfare at the tactical level, reports The War Zone.
Read also: Ukraine prepares powerful upgrade for Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG missiles.
New counter-UAV system for the US Marine Corps
The system in question is the advanced Denied Area Sprinter-Hellfire (DASH), which is likely a modification of the Tempest surface-to-air missile system first unveiled last fall.
The American defense company V2X may receive a contract from the US Marine Corps to supply this mobile system, designed specifically to combat unmanned aerial vehicles.
According to published information from the US Marine Corps Systems Command, the complex will be equipped with AGM‑114 Hellfire missiles; however, the exact configuration and technical characteristics have not yet been officially disclosed.
Capabilities and operational format of the DASH system
The primary mission of the Denied Area Sprinter‑Hellfire (DASH) will be the detection, identification, tracking, and subsequent neutralization of small drones.
At the same time, the counter‑drone system is expected to be delivered in a highly mobile configuration, enabling its use in dynamic combat conditions and allowing rapid repositioning on the battlefield.
Procurement plans and delivery timeline
Under current plans, the US Marine Corps intends to purchase up to 50 DASH systems. The first two units are expected to be delivered by May 30 of this year, with the remaining 48 scheduled for delivery no later than December.
Initial operational capability is planned for the 2027 fiscal year, which begins on October 1 of this year. The contract is expected to be signed in the near future.
Readiness level and connection to Tempest
An important requirement is a technology readiness level of TRL‑9. This means the system must be fully developed and proven effective in conditions as close to actual combat as possible.
In this context, the company V2X previously unveiled the Tempest surface-to-air missile system. This development was first showcased in October 2025, and later reports emerged about its classified testing in Ukraine, where the system appeared in footage from the Center Air Command.
European countries have also agreed to strengthen air defense support for Ukraine, focusing on joint procurement of modern surface-to-air systems, including platforms adapted for counter-drone operations. Under this new initiative, the first deliveries of such equipment are planned for next year.
Meanwhile, in the US, a long-term program is underway to modernize air and missile defense systems. The new multi-year contract funds work to address one of the most vulnerable elements of existing systems and are aimed at improving their overall resilience and effectiveness.
