These new weapons will be included in the recently announced military aid package, writes Defense One. The defense company SAIC will send 10 mobile c-UAS anti-drone systems to Ukraine.
It successfully tested BAE Systems’ APKWS laser-guided missiles in January, which showed 100% hit accuracy. The tests aimed to destroy third-class drones weighing more than 25 kg, although the Shahed-136 weighs about 220 kg.
SAIC said that one shot of their system costs less than $30,000, much cheaper than the classic air defense missiles currently being used by Ukraine.
During the tests, the system detected the drone at about 10 km and struck at 5 km, although a range of 2 km was required.
The complex also contains an M240 machine gun installation and an electronic warfare system that can take control of commercial drones, including the infamous Chinese DJI.