Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has entered into a contract with Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment to deliver a counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) based on the Protector Remote Weapon Station (RWS).
The contract worth 250 MNOK was won in an international bidding process. Germany is the first country to acquire a C-UAS solution with the Protector as a kinetic effector.
The emergence of inexpensive, small UAS poses a relatively new threat to both military units as well as civilian infrastructure and events, such as airports, government buildings, power plants, political gatherings and sporting events. Kongsberg cooperated with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) to evaluate possible technologies and solutions, iterating the Protector RWS with advanced sensors, tracking algorithms and rapid engagement capability.
For the German project, Kongsberg has cooperated with Hensoldt and is integrating the Hensoldt Spexer 3rd generation radar for UAS detection and tracking. The solution utilizes a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher with airburst ammunition.
“Kongsberg is very proud to win this first C-UAS competition, and we look forward to a long-term close cooperation with the German Army," Pål E. Bratlie, Executive Vice President Protech Systems, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS, said.
Australia was one of the first export countries to purchase the Protector in 2004.