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MBDA showcased HELMA-P laser anti-drone system mounted on Arquus Sherpa armored vehicle.


| 2022

As written by Joseph Roukoz in EDR Magazine, MBDA acts as the system integrator of Team Sky Warden, having understood since inception that a solution against UAS cannot be found using a single type of sensor or effector.
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Sky Warden anti-drone system mounted on a Sherpa 4×4 armored vehicle provided by Arquus (Picture source: MBDA/Laurent Guichardon)


Besides MBDA, Joseph Roukoz adds, Team Sky Warden includes CerbAir, a specialist in drone detection and neutralization, KEAS, specialized in jammers, Cilas, active in the laser domain, Teledyne e2v, specialized in RF technologies with its Safe Stop Air capable to stop a UAV at 400 meters distance of using a 1m² antenna, Saab with its Giraffe G1X radar, and Openworks providing its SkyWall net-based system for capturing drones. As for MBDA, the company provides the Licorne command and control system, a remote electro-optical sensor, a hard kill drone which details were not unveiled, and the Mistral VSHORAD surface-to-air missile system.

One of the anti-drone systems mounted on the Arquus Sherpa, the HELMA-P laser effector designed and manufactured by CILAS (Ariane Group) is a response to the threat posed by UAVs and in particular mini-UAVs. Its mission will be to secure operations on national territory during events and to support external operations by identifying, tracking and neutralizing the fixed or agile threat.

In mid-October 2020, HELMA-P was convinced from the very first shots with its precision, efficiency and ability to neutralize in-flight targets up to one kilometer away in a matter of seconds. All firings systematically destroyed UAVs capable of speeds above 50 km/h and in difficult target tracking conditions.

HELMA-P provides operational units and internal security forces with a new weapon with a technological breakthrough. Effective at greater distances and providing a radical effect, HELMA-P can support other anti-UAV technologies. HELMA-P is therefore the ultimate neutralization solution.

These first tests at Biscarrosse are a success and must be continued in order to fully characterize the performance of the effector, particularly in terms of range and according to different operational scenarios. HELMA-P can be used, for example :
• in the field of UAV control for the protection of sensitive civil or military sites and convoys;
• against improvised explosive devices by neutralizing explosives or destroying electronics ;
• in the context of preparing operations, neutralizing light sensors, camera jamming or even de-camouflaging.

In addition to UAV combat, HELMA-P provides considerable operational gains in air-land combat.
The laser effector is capable of damaging the defense and reaction potential of the enemy before an action. HELMA-P is therefore also a system to support the engagement of forces.


Army Recognition Global Defense and Security news
HELMA-P laser effector designed and manufactured by CILAS (Ariane Group) (Picture source: CILAS)


Army Recognition Global Defense and Security news
In mid-October 2020, HELMA-P was convinced from the very first shots with its precision, efficiency and ability to neutralize in-flight targets up to 1km away in a matter of seconds (Picture source: CILAS)


 

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