Drones once hailed as technological marvels, have become a double edged sword on the modern battlefield. While they offer unparalleled surveillance and strike capabilities for those who wield them, they pose a grave threat to those on the receiving end of their devastating payloads.
As the use of drones continues to proliferate, the need for effective countermeasures has become increasingly urgent. One such countermeasure is the KuRFS, a radio frequency sensor developed by Raytheon.
This technology, which has been deployed in combat zones for over a decade, is designed to detect and track drones, allowing for their neutralization. The KuRFS has proven to be highly effective, capable of engaging multiple drones simultaneously.
The recent integration of the KuRFS with the Coyote weapons system has further enhanced its capabilities. This combination allows for the rapid detection, tracking, and engagement of drone threats, providing a comprehensive defense against aerial attacks.
As the threat of drone warfare continues to evolve, the development and deployment of advanced countermeasures like the KuRFS will be essential in ensuring the safety and security of military forces and civilians alike. Raytheon’s KuRFS radar system has successfully demonstrated its ability to detect and track a swarm of unmanned aircraft vehicles, thanks to recent software improvements.
The 360-degree radar can identify not only drones but also rockets, artillery, and mortars. Once targets are identified, the Coyote takedown system engages them, either individually or in swarms. The system’s enhanced capabilities allow it to counter threats of various sizes and maneuverability more quickly than before.
Raytheon hopes these improvements will attract the attention of the U.S. Army, which is expanding its counter-drone arsenal. The KuRFS system is designed to be upgradable to keep pace with evolving drone technology, and Raytheon has invested in additional equipment and tooling to support increased production capacity.
