The US was in search of a low-cost reusable drone interceptor system.
The program began four years ago to create an integrated system for thwarting
attacks from self-guided small unmanned aircraft. The goal is to protect high-value
convoys moving through potentially populated regions where there is a
requirement to avoid using explosive defensive weapons and mitigate collateral
damage.
The technology demonstrator successfully neutralized tactically relevant
drones using a newly-developed X band radar that automatically senses and
identifies unmanned aerial system threats. The radar then pairs targets to
specific interceptors through an automated decision engine tied to a command
and control system, launching and guiding rotary and fixed-wing interceptors with
two types of drone countermeasures while on the move and without operator
intervention.
The requirement that the system field non-kinetic solutions pushed
concepts that could be employed in and around civilian areas. The primary drone
negation mechanism shoots strong, stringy streamers from reusable interceptors
that foul propellers are causing loss of propulsion. Additionally, other
non-kinetic techniques were developed and demoed. The focus on defeating raids
with multiple threats, rather than single unmanned aerial attackers, required developing
an integrated solution of sensors, autonomy, and mitigation solutions more
robust than existing systems. Dynetics was the primary systems integrator.
DARPA is currently working with the military services to transition
technology developed in the MFP project into various acquisition programs.