Euronaval 2024: Diehl Defence Unveils Skysphere Anti-Drone System with Advanced Capabilities

As drones become increasingly pivotal on modern battlefields, both for reconnaissance and lethal strikes, counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) have emerged as a critical line of defense. Diehl Defence, a German company based in Überlingen on Lake Constance, has long been at the forefront of drone neutralization technology, primarily through High-Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) systems that disable drones electronically. However, with the rising UAS threat, the need for layered defense solutions has grown. In collaboration with Swiss company Skysec, Diehl Defence introduced a promising new C-UAS system, Skysphere, at Euronaval 2024. Designed to provide a hard-kill option against drones, Skysphere brings together cutting-edge technology and sophisticated tactics for countering unmanned aerial threats.

Skysec Partnership: Expanding Capabilities Beyond HPEM

Skysec, a Swiss firm based in Turbenthal, Zürich, developed an innovative non-lethal interception technology known as the Sentinel Catch. This system is essentially a drone with a net that captures enemy drones and, using a parachute, brings them safely to the ground. Equipped with a five-blade propeller and powered by an electric motor, the 700-mm long mini-missile can reach speeds of up to 65 m/s and has an operational range of 5 km. It carries a cylindrical cone that releases a net to entangle hostile drones. Upon detection by sensors, Sentinel Catch deploys its net around the incoming drone and deploys a parachute, enabling a controlled descent.

This non-lethal capture method was the foundation for Skysphere, but as Diehl Defence aims for broader applications, Skysphere has taken Sentinel Catch's design to a new level. The system is now a hard-kill military solution designed to intercept and destroy enemy drones in close-quarters combat, with lethal payloads rather than a net.

Skysphere's Lethal Payload and Swarm-Defense Capability

While maintaining the fundamental design of the Sentinel Catch, Skysphere introduces significant modifications for military purposes. The most prominent enhancement is the addition of a high-explosive, 500-gram fragmentation warhead in place of the net and parachute. This warhead is engineered to destroy multiple Class 1 drones in swarm attacks, where drones operate in close proximity, making the explosive and shrapnel impact highly effective.

Another key addition to Skysphere is its advanced radar seeker embedded in the nose. This radar seeker enables the system to lock onto targets with precision, ensuring head-to-head interception and optimal warhead detonation timing. Additionally, Skysphere integrates a data-link capability, allowing individual units within a swarm of Skysphere missiles to communicate and coordinate their actions. This communication network could employ AI-based algorithms to maximize effectiveness, although specific details on the AI implementation were not disclosed by Diehl Defence.

This capability for swarm-against-swarm operations signifies a breakthrough, enabling Skysphere to react quickly to multiple incoming threats and coordinate defense mechanisms among multiple units. With a maximum speed of over 200 km/h and a 3-4 minute flight endurance, Skysphere combines speed and endurance to target and intercept drones before they reach critical assets.

Lightweight Design and Cost-Effectiveness for Battlefield Efficiency

Another important aspect of Skysphere’s design is its simplicity and ease of production, reflecting lessons learned from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. To keep production costs manageable, Diehl Defence and Skysec have tested various materials, from metal to lightweight foam, with the goal of making Skysphere mass-producible at low cost—even in field conditions. By developing a system that is both powerful and cost-effective, Diehl Defence aims to provide a solution that military forces can deploy at scale to address high-demand scenarios.

Enhanced Launch Options: Toward a Versatile Deployment System

The current Skysphere model can be hand-launched, a feature tested in initial trials, but Diehl Defence has also been optimizing the system for canister launching. This would enable Skysphere to be deployed in multi-canister configurations, a practical choice for larger defense systems. Canister launching provides flexibility, as it allows for rapid deployment and offers greater storage options, facilitating integration with a range of platforms, from ground vehicles to naval vessels.

Anticipated Military Adoption and Future Prospects

With Swiss military backing, Skysphere is expected to be operational within two years, adding a significant hard-kill option to existing C-UAS systems. The system’s layered defense capability, radar targeting precision, swarm-coordination potential, and canister-launch versatility position it as a valuable tool for defense forces facing escalating drone threats. Diehl Defence’s innovative approach to adaptable and cost-efficient design could mark a pivotal step forward in the future of anti-drone defense, setting a new standard in protecting critical assets from ever-evolving aerial threats.

As drones continue to shape modern warfare, Skysphere’s development illustrates the intense focus on developing countermeasures that are as advanced and agile as the threats they are designed to neutralize.