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Rheinmetall Canada demonstrates Its Drone Defense capabilities at Red Sands III Exercise in Saudi Arabia.
In September 2024, Rheinmetall Canada showcased its advanced drone defense system during the Red Sands III exercise, held at the Shamal 2 firing range in northeastern Saudi Arabia. This multinational event, which brought together participants from US Army Central Command and the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces, focused on countering uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS). It provided an opportunity to evaluate various C-UAS solutions in a realistic and challenging environment.
Developed by Rheinmetall Canada, the SHORAD system is mounted on the Mission Master XT unmanned ground system. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)
The exercise allowed for the testing of Rheinmetall's ultra Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD) system, a solution designed to defend against small, low-flying, and fast-moving drones. With an engagement range of 50 to 800 meters, the system proved highly effective in intercepting and neutralizing aerial threats. This performance was enhanced by the system’s resilience in the extreme desert conditions, where temperatures reached as high as 45°C. Despite these challenging circumstances, the system remained operational and continued to function with precision, demonstrating its readiness for deployment in similar real-world environments.
Developed by Rheinmetall Canada, the SHORAD system is mounted on the Mission Master XT unmanned ground system (UGS), offering a stable and mobile platform for defense operations. The system includes the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Multi remote-controlled weapon station, equipped with two Dillon Aero M134D miniguns, radar, electronic optics, and an AI-based targeting and tracking system. This layered defense technology enables the system to detect, track, and engage both aerial and ground threats effectively, offering multi-domain capabilities for comprehensive protection.
During the final phase of the exercise, Rheinmetall's SHORAD system excelled in five challenging scenarios simulating real-world threats. The system successfully engaged Group 2 and 3 multi-rotor drones as well as Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft, scoring direct hits on all targets and neutralizing every multi-rotor drone on the first attempt. The system's performance was on par with or even superior to that of advanced missile systems, highlighting the SHORAD system's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
One of the main advantages of Rheinmetall’s system is its low cost per engagement, making it a sustainable and economical solution for modern defense operations. The advanced AI-based tracker allows for early detection and classification of drones, even in challenging conditions such as dusty environments and poor visibility. Its resilience against weapon interference, overheating, and power supply interruptions further adds to its reliability, as demonstrated in previous exercises at Fort Drum, New York, where the system withstood high humidity and heavy rainfall.
Alain Tremblay, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at Rheinmetall Canada, emphasized the company’s role in enhancing operational readiness and fostering innovation in modern defense capabilities. This exercise contributed to the ongoing development of C-UAS technologies that meet the evolving demands of global defense operations.
As drone technology continues to pose challenges to military forces worldwide, Rheinmetall’s participation in the Red Sands III provides next-generation solutions capable of effectively addressing the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems.