US Navy Fast-Tracks Advanced Anti-Drone Systems for Deployment in Middle East.

On February 26, 2024, the U.S. Navy expedited the acquisition of advanced anti-drone systems to protect its forces stationed in the Middle East. The newly ordered system, named the Electronic Advanced Ground Launcher System (EAGLS), utilizes 70mm laser-guided rockets to neutralize unmanned aerial threats.
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 MSI Defense Solutions Eagle Laser-Guided Rocket Anti-Drone system (Picture source: MSI Defense Solutions)

MSI Defense Solutions excels in utilizing the latest technological advances to meet accelerated production schedules. The company specializes in the design, engineering, and delivery of comprehensive solutions across various defense sectors, efficiently and effectively enhancing operational capabilities.

Nguyen Trinh, CEO of MSI Defense Solutions, expressed pride in winning this contract, highlighting the system’s crucial role in protecting lives and critical infrastructure. "This recognition reaffirms our team's continuous commitment to excellence and their expertise in delivering cutting-edge defense solutions that meet current security challenges," said Trinh.

This system, quite similar to the VAMPIRE systems used by Ukraine, was ordered just before the recent Iranian missile strikes on Israel, highlighting the urgency of securing American installations in the region. The contract, valued at over $24 million, was awarded to MSI Defense Solutions. It includes delivering five EAGLS units, auxiliary equipment, and training support.

The EAGLS system comprises three main components: a remotely operated weapon station equipped with a four-round 70mm rocket launcher, a sensor turret incorporating electro-optical and infrared cameras, and a small radar array. According to the manufacturer, the radar, a compact AESA RPS-40 model from Leonardo DRS, can detect targets up to 10 kilometers away.

The system can be installed in a palletized form or mounted on a vehicle, with an MSI demonstration showing an installation on a pickup truck-style variant of the 4x4 Humvee. This modularity allows for rapid adaptation to various threat scenarios that American forces might encounter.

The swift adoption of the EAGLS by American forces demonstrates the priority given to combating drones, seen as a significant and growing threat to the security of military operations in conflict zones. The choice of systems like EAGLS and VAMPIRE also underscores a trend towards platform-agnostic solutions, capable of integrating with different types of existing military equipment.

These developments occur in a context where the U.S. and its allies are looking to bolster their short-range air defense capabilities against increasingly equipped adversaries using sophisticated drone technologies. The effectiveness of these systems in real combat scenarios, such as in Ukraine, provides a reassuring precedent for their potential deployment in other strategic regions.

MSI Defense Solutions Eagle Laser-Guided Rocket Anti-Drone system (Picture source: MSI Defense Solutions)