Northrop Grumman has developed new counter drone solutions using latest technologies of weapons


Today’s emerging threats on the modern battlefield are small and inexpensive unmanned aerial and ground systems also called drones which can easily be purchased on the Internet. To counter these drones, American Company Northrop Grumman has developed a counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) solution by combining three technologies including the M-ACE system, Bushmaster chain guns, and specific ammunition.
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American company Northrop Grumann has developed new counter-drone solutions by combining three technologies including the M-ACE system, Bushmaster chain guns, and specific ammunition. (Picture source Northrop Grumman)


The Mobile – Acquisition, Cueing and Effector (M-ACE) vehicle is equipped with a command and control system with open network architecture to detect, track, identify and defeat targets.

The M-ACE utilizes three-dimensional (3D) radar, Radio Frequency (RF) sensors, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, global position systems (GPS), and secure radio for transmitting data over command and control (C2) networks. All sensors and effectors are high technology readiness level (TRL) as currently implemented, many having been fielded in operational environments around the world. Systems can be swapped out or adapted to meet any end-user’s requirements.

The M-ACE uses M-ACE C2, an NG-developed open architecture software system that supports all major industry protocols, integrates with hundreds of sensors and cameras, and has exceptional reliability.

The M-ACE C2 is exportable and has a software development kit (SDK) available so that partners could assist in managing the system and its integrated sensors/effectors. M-ACE C2 leverages advanced man-in-loop autonomy and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML) plug-ins to compress the decision cycle, identify targets, classify threats, and cue effectors.

The Bushmaster chain gun mounted on a mobile platform is used to defeat smaller, closer targets. The M-ACE platform “cues” the exact target location to the gun truck, which is armed with Northrop Grumman proximity ammunition. When used together, Northrop Grumman CUAS capabilities provide precise accuracy to identify, track and defeat moving unmanned systems.

The XM1211 30x113mm High Explosive Proximity (HEP) round can sense ground and air targets using an onboard proximity sensor. These advanced munitions provide enhanced lethal effects that greatly increase effective ranges against ground targets.