Indra’s multi-layered counter-UAS capabilities

Protecting airspace from fast-moving UAS threats requires a highly innovative, integrated approach in which multi-layered capabilities can detect, identify, track, and neutralise UAS both effectively and efficiently. These capabilities are fully integrated into IAMD through SAMOCs.

Indra Group has developed one of the world’s most advanced and comprehensive counter-UAS capabilities available across global markets, combining deep and varied expertise and solutions including the integration of advanced technologies and AI to rapidly analyse threats, minimise false alarms and promote increasingly informed decision making.

Indra has also placed interoperability at the centre of its technology development, ensuring that its systems can seamlessly integrate with a range of other air defence threat detection and countermeasures. This was recently demonstrated when Indra participated for the fourth time in NATO’s annual NCIA TIE exercise, in which the company’s counter-UAS system was among the winners in the performance category. This exercise demonstrated Indra’s technological excellence and outstanding level of connectivity as it successfully interconnected with almost all participating nodes and systems.

Here are the main capabilities Indra has developed in the counter-UAS space:

CROW: Modular counter-UAS defence for critical infrastructure

Recent EU security alerts featuring drone incursions at airports, power stations and ports have highlighted the threat drone attacks may pose to critical national infrastructure.

Indra’s counter-UAS system CROW is a comprehensive, modular and flexible solution, adaptable to any terrain and protection scenario. Its effectiveness has been proven and demonstrated in protecting a broad range of scenarios, including critical infrastructure, combat areas and major international summits.

CROW provides the most advanced set of sensors and effectors, managed by an intelligent command-and-control (C2) system with an intuitive interface.

Its modular, scalable and flexible architecture allows evolution aligned with armed forces doctrines, operational plans and applicable procedures in each case.

CROW can be deployed in different fixed, semi-static and mobile configurations on various types of land vehicles, as well as used on multiple land and naval platforms.

CROW subsystems: C4ARMS System Core

CROW transforms data into operational decisions. CROW acts as the brain of the command-and-control system, integrating real-time information from radars, RF sensors and electro-optical systems. Its software-centric and mission-centric architecture fuses all data into a unified global view, creating a single tactical picture that enables rapid detection, identification, prioritisation and coordinated response to drone threats aligned with the mission.

CROW is able to interoperate with all kinds of sensors and systems which is particularly valuable in responding to attacks featuring swarms of drones. This has been demonstrated at multinational exercises including the NATO NCIA TIE 26 exercise outlined above.

NEMUS AESA Radar: Vehicle-mounted UAS and missile tracking

NEMUS is one of the most advanced systems of its kind and a critical component for a military’s capability to protect their vehicles from UAS attacks through its integration with active countermeasures across military platforms. The NEMUS provides active, last-mile, protection and is based on a small and lightweight AESA electronic scanning radar designed to detect and track UAS and missiles while installed on any military platform, such as mechanised vehicles or tanks. This technology helps guarantee the sovereignty and autonomy of any military given its importance for activity in modern theatres of operations.  

AirDef Suite: Multi-domain command and control (C4I) systems

Indra’s Air and Missile Defence Command, Control, Communications, Computing and Intelligence (C4i) systems have been developed over the past 30 years based on a collaborative approach between Indra and the Spanish Ministry of Defence, and are aligned with NATO standards and doctrine.

C4i systems are the core solution of any air defence system, providing the Armed Forces with situational awareness of national airspace and the means to ensure sovereignty over it.

Indra has the most sophisticated, proven and integrated air defence C2 capabilities on the market, providing an effective response to new aerial threats through multi-layered and multi-domain system integration.

The AirDef system suite comprises operationally proven, configurable solutions with an intuitive interface, e.g., Indra’s SAMOCs, designed to meet both national and NATO Air C2 functionalities and their security accreditation requirements.

AirDef is structured in a modular way, offering a suite of solutions to address the different layers of Air Defence, from the SpaceDef module for Space Defence, through functionalities for Air Operations Planning, BMD, Air Surveillance and Control, which natively integrates multiple sensors, weapon systems and tactical data links, as well as support functionalities such as Testing and Training, Simulation, Auditing and Maintenance. It also includes the APP Approach Control module for Air Bases and the Anti-UAS subsystem.

Indra is building a safer and more resilient European sky through innovation

In today’s world, fast moving, unpredictable threats require a range of new, innovative, and interoperable detection and countermeasure solutions, designed to deliver effective protection in a cost-effective manner. Through our technology, Indra is meeting this challenge, enabling the safe integration of drones into European airspace, protecting critical assets and infrastructure, and supporting national airspace and sovereignty to prepare organisations for the evolving challenges of modern aerial defence. When we meet in London later this month, we will showcase those capabilities and work together with partners for safer, more secure, and more resilient Europe.