BERLIN, Tuesday, January 21, 2025 — The German military, the Bundeswehr, is gaining the capability to actively shoot down small drones with live ammunition, a significant escalation in its defense against unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This development comes as electronic countermeasures prove insufficient in certain scenarios.
Enhanced Drone Defense for the Bundeswehr
The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) has commissioned HENSOLDT to integrate kinetic agents into the defense system against small unmanned aircraft (ASUL), which has been tried and tested for years.
What is the ASUL system? ASUL is a modular drone defense system designed to detect, classify, identify, and combat small UAS in real time, utilizing a combination of radar, electro-optical sensors, and various countermeasures.
ASUL, a holistically oriented air defense system, employs a scalable and scenario-specific mix of sensors and effectors. Previously, ASUL’s capabilities were limited to “soft-kill” methods – disrupting drones without physically destroying them. Now, the integration of kinetic agents dramatically expands its options.
HENSOLDT is integrating the KONGSBERG weapon station into a 10-foot container, adapting it for use with existing Bundeswehr weaponry. A new command container will facilitate close collaboration between the commander, the Elysion operator, and the weapons station operators. This allows for a more coordinated and effective response to drone threats.
The update to ASUL’s sensor technology, including the latest generation of the HENSOLDT SPEXER radar, was initiated at the beginning of 2025, paving the way for this groundbreaking step. In the future, ASUL systems will be able to be equipped with multiple effectors, enabling them to protect larger areas, even against drones resistant to soft-kill tactics.
- The Bundeswehr is now equipped to use live ammunition against small drones.
- HENSOLDT is integrating kinetic agents into the ASUL defense system.
- A KONGSBERG weapon station is being adapted for use with existing Bundeswehr weapons.
- The system allows for scalable defense, protecting larger areas from UAS threats.
This enhancement to ASUL represents a significant increase in its combat value, providing a more robust and versatile defense against the growing threat of small unmanned aircraft.
