MBDA unveiled its Laser+Missile hybrid C-UAS system, combining the DEFENDAIR mini missile, high-energy laser, and a sensor suite at the ILA2026 exhibition.
MBDA’s new air defence system, focusing on UAVs, is a palletised turret with a laser weapon and the small-sized DEFENDAIR (SADM) missile offering more endurance.
Unveiled at ILA2026, the hybrid C-UAS system with the DEWS-L laser weapon at the centre is fitted with 24 DEFENDAIR missiles (12x2) and uses a combination of AESA radars and independent EO/IR for detection/targeting.
DEFENDAIR is an air defence missile mainly aimed at UAVs with a small size and lower cost (Compared to MANPADS and larger generic missiles). The missile with a range of five kilometres is presumed to use TV guidance with automatic target recognition.
Aside from the hybrid C-UAS system, DEFENDAIR is also being integrated on the Skyranger 30 air defence system, which will be capable of carrying nine missiles in place of four MANPADS-grade missiles.
The system can be summarised as combining the strengths of a laser weapon and the emerging class of C-UAS missiles. The former offers extremely low engagement costs in the form of energy but suffers from short range and is not instant in terms of effects. The latter delivers longer range and increased lethality, but the costs per shot (No matter the missile’s cost) are considerably higher. Thus, one could infer that the laser weapon is reserved for more fragile and smaller UAVs, while DEFENDAIR is the better choice for larger UAVs like Shaheed-136/Geran-2 kamikaze UAV.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
