Rheinmetall has partnered with Australian company Praetorian Aeronautics to deliver AERIE; Autonomous-Engagement-Rapid-Interceptor-Effector – a containerised Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft System (C-UAS).
The Australian collaborative research and development partnership has delivered a prototype from concept within 12 months.
The AERIE containerised air defence solution is an interceptor agnostic self-sustained, containerised deployable C-UAS launcher. It has the ability to house 20+ interceptors and packs into a 20ft ISO shipping container.
The demonstrator features Praetorian Aeronautics' Arrow Interceptor and Hadrian Command and Control (C2).
Arrow Interceptor is an autonomous, high speed, low cost interceptor for kinetic neutralisation of multiple UxS threat-types beyond visual range. Hadrian C2 is an advanced AI-enhanced system for management of autonomous effectors across air, land and maritime domains.
Able to be rapidly deployed and reloaded, AERIE offers a containerised, low-cost solution to counter the threat posed by the increasing availability of low-cost uncrewed drones and aerial systems.
"Rheinmetall has a long and proud history of transferring technology and forging alliances with partners around the world. Our work with Praetorian Aeronatics continues this focus and has delivered a working concept of advanced C-UAS using Australian ingenuity with global air defence engineering and manufacturing know-how" Nathan Poyner, Managing Director Rheinmetall Defence Australia, said.
Praetorian Aeronautics' CEO, Brett Hill spoke of the pioneering Australian organisation's growth and global partnerships.
"Praetorian Aeronatics has been developing cutting edge systems for more than three years. Our partnership with Rheinmetall brings together our unique AI-enhanced C2 system and Arrow Interceptor with Rheinmetall's engineering systems and production capability," Praetorian Aeronautics' CEO, Brett Hill, said.
"Together, we have delivered an Australian air defence solution for emerging global threats."
The AERIE system is scheduled to move to full operator demonstrations in Q4 2026.