DSEI 2019: Skywall Auto Response Nightfighter world’s first integrated vehicle-mounted counter-drone system.

Counter-UAS specialists OpenWorks Engineering and SteelRock Technologies launch at DSEI 2019, the International Defense and Security Exhibition in London, UK, the world’s first integrated vehicle-mounted counter-drone system called Skywall Auto Response Nightfighter, combining radio-frequency (RF) disruption with a physical net to provide a highly effective layered defence against unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Skywall Auto Response Nightfighter at DSEI 2019, International Defense and Security Exhibition in London, UK. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The SkyWall Auto Response Nightfighter is a vehicle-mounted autonomous system that rapidly captures multiple targets in accurately delivered nets. This vehicle-mounted capability can cover a large area and be remotely operated.

The SkyWall Auto Response NightFighter is an integrated vehicle-mounted counter-drone system that combines radio-frequency (RF) disruption and net capture physical defeat to provide a highly effective layered defence against unmanned aerial vehicles. The SkyWall capture system is hidden under a fast deploying cover to ensure the capability is hidden when not in use.

The vehicle can be maneuvered quickly to defeat the target drone using Steel Rock's industry ­leading NightFighter® RF-based effector technology or the SkyWall net capture system after it is automatically deployed from under the cover.

The Skywall can be used as a standalone drone capture system or be integrated with a drone detection and security system to offer a highly capable and easy to operate counter-drone solution. A single SkyWall Auto Response system can protect a high-value asset or multiple systems can be networked and deployed to protect a large site.

The SkyWall Auto Response launches a projectile up to the target drone after the system has autonomously acquired and tracked it using world leading-edge AI technology. The launching system is hidden under covers to remain discrete until required, then it is automatically deployed. It allows the operator to physically capture a drone in a specifically designed 'drone entangling' net or disrupt the flight of the drone using an RF Inhibitor that offers operators a hard-kill and soft-kill capability in an integrated mobile platform.

The onboard targeting enables the system to have a high capture rate by adjusting the launcher aim based on the movement of the target and programming the projectile prior to launch.

The SkyWall Auto Response can be integrated with a drone detection and security system to offer a highly capable and easy to operate counter-drone solution.