Germany's new Cicada electric drone killer expands land and naval defense against low-altitude threats.

Diehl Defence is presenting its Sky Sphere drone defense system at the German Enforce Tac exhibition in Nuremberg, taking place from February 24 to 26, 2025. A key feature of the exhibition is the eMissile Cicada, presented under this name for the first time in Europe. The Cicada is designed to counter Class 1 and 2 drone threats and is available in both lethal and non-lethal configurations.
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Diehl Defence is already in discussions with potential customers regarding integration projects, with plans to have the Sky Sphere system and the Cicada missile commercially available by late 2026. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Cicada is an electrically driven missile designed for two operational roles. The non-lethal variant neutralizes drones with a catch net, while the lethal version incorporates a fragmentation warhead to destroy aerial threats. As part of the Sky Sphere system, the Cicada integrates into a sensor-to-shooter chain, providing flexibility in configuration. The system can be customized with components from Diehl Defence or partner companies to meet specific customer requirements.

Diehl Defence is already in discussions with potential customers regarding integration projects, with plans to have the Sky Sphere system commercially available by late 2026. For instance, the German Army is reportedly considering its integration with the Skyranger 30 short-range air defense vehicle, and industry sources suggest it may also be tested aboard an F125 frigate following trials of the Iris-T SLM surface-to-air missile later in 2025. Diehl Defence representatives stated that Cicada currently holds a technology readiness level of 5 to 6, indicating it has moved beyond laboratory testing to functional prototype evaluations in controlled environments. A 2024 Bundeswehr review highlighted the necessity of systems like Cicada to address the growing presence of drones in combat. Vice Admiral Rainer Brinkmann also emphasized the need for enhanced drone defenses in Germany’s naval fleet to counter evolving aerial threats.

Cicada is a lightweight, vertical-launch system with an estimated weight of less than 50 kilograms, designed for compatibility with various platforms. The missile features foldable fins for compact storage within a 30-centimeter-diameter tube, deploying mid-flight for stability and maneuverability. Its guidance system includes an active radar seeker for target acquisition and an uplink-downlink communication channel for in-flight adjustments. The missile’s high-explosive fragmentation warhead is designed to create a 10-meter kill radius, enhancing effectiveness against drones.

The missile’s propulsion relies on a solid-fuel rocket motor, generating an initial thrust of approximately 1,000 meters per second. The burn time supports an engagement range of 8 to 12 kilometers, with an operational ceiling of 5 kilometers. In contrast to the Iris-T SLM’s 40-kilometer range, Cicada is designed for short-range drone interception. The missile employs a steep ascent followed by a guided descent to engage targets, utilizing algorithms designed for tracking unpredictable drone movements.

Under the name Sky Sphere, the Cicada, developed by Diehl Defence in collaboration with the Swiss company Skysec, was previously presented at Euronaval 2024 as part of efforts to enhance defensive capabilities against drones, which have become widely used in reconnaissance and offensive operations. Sky Sphere builds on Diehl Defence’s High Power Electro-Magnetic (HPEM) systems, adding another layer of drone defense. The Sky Sphere is based on Skysec’s Sentinel Catch concept, originally designed to capture enemy drones using a net before descending safely with a parachute. The updated design retains the same airframe but replaces the net system with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, allowing for the destruction of multiple drones in swarm attacks.

At Euronaval 2024, the missile was presented with a radar seeker for target acquisition and a data-link system to coordinate responses between multiple interceptors. The system was said to have a flight duration of three to four minutes, a maximum speed exceeding 200 km/h, and a range of up to five kilometers. At that time, Diehl Defence and Skysec were optimizing the missile for canister launch to enable multiple-launch configurations. The companies were also testing different materials, including metal and foam, to refine the production process and reduce manufacturing costs. The Sky Sphere system was projected to reach operational status by 2026, with support from the Swiss military.