End of March, MBDA participated to the Innovation Square of XLAD 2025, a major joint exercise in counter UAV field, organised by the Agence Innovation Défense and the French Air and Space Force.

As a key player in Ground Based air defence, MBDA presented its SKY WARDEN system and its Hit to Kill (HtK) effector, developed to meet our customers' needs in the field of counter UAV action.

The fight against drones is, and probably will be, for years to come, a major security challenge. Exercise XLAD25 is a continuation of many other exercises in France and Europe that contribute to the success of the counter UAV mission and provide a high-level doctrinal and methodological platform. It allows experts in the field to reflect on other themes such as anti-drone action coordination in times of crisis, in the context of high-intensity conflict or the management of swarm flights.
 

Sky Warden, the only C-UAV System able to manage the full C-UAS and GBAD kill chain

With its modular and scalable design, SKY WARDEN protects fixed sites, high-value installations, deployed units and air defence units. It uses a multi-sensor approach to provide accurate, real-time situational awareness, is able to manage a variety of effectors to neutralise aerial threats, and can be used autonomously or integrated into a broader air defence architecture.

Thus, SKY WARDEN is the only C-UAV system able to address the challenge posed by full spectrum of UAVs from micro/mini drones to loitering ammunition with various effectors from jammers to Drones “Hit to Kill” up to Mistral missiles solutions.

MBDA has demonstrated the capability of its SKY WARDEN system in a recent successful operational demonstration.

Hit to Kill (HtK), the new effector developed to neutralise drones

The Hit to Kill (HtK) effector combines efficiency, accuracy, collateral damage control, compactness, intercept distance and the ability to neutralise interference-resistant drones. Threat neutralisation is achieved through the energy generated during the kinematic impact on micro or mini drones. The HtK system consists of a drone and a ground station with a touch-screen tablet to operate the system. It can be connected to a higher-level command system.

By participating in XLAD 2025, MBDA is confirming its willingness to remain a key player in the Ground Based Air Defense domain as an innovative C-UAS manufacturer.
 

>> Learn more about SKY WARDEN