Airbus shows low-cost LOAD defense drone against kamikaze drones
Fighting multiple kamikaze drones with conventional air defense systems is difficult. A defense drone from Airbus should change this and be cheaper.
Rendering of the LOAD drone. It will fly for the first time in 2025.
(Image: Airbus)
Airbus has developed the LOAD defense drone (Low-Cost Air Defence – LOAD), a low-cost unmanned air defense system. The system, based on a Do-DT25 drone, is primarily intended for use against kamikaze drone swarms. Airbus is exhibiting the LOAD drone for the first time at the current DWT conference "Unmanned Systems X" in Bonn, the company announced at X on Tuesday.
The LOAD drone consists of a modified Airbus Do-DT25 drone. It can carry up to three guided missiles and has a range of around 100 km. It is controlled from a ground station, but operates largely autonomously. It uses radar data and aerial images to detect targets autonomously. The targets are then engaged with the approval of a human controller. The drone is launched from the ground using a catapult.
Use against kamikaze drones
The LOAD drone is used to destroy parts of large swarms of enemy drones. These are difficult to combat using conventional air defense systems such as IRIS-T, Patriot or the German NNBS (Nah- und Nahbereichschutz). LOAD, on the other hand, is suitable for this and works more effectively – and is cheaper. However, Airbus has not yet provided any specific details on the price.
The system can be used together with reconnaissance platforms such as Eurodrone. This makes it suitable for use in areas that cannot be monitored by ground-based radars. The military can thus react more flexibly to new threats.
The first prototype is scheduled to take off for its maiden flight in 2025. Initially with two guided missiles. Airbus is aiming for the LOAD drone to enter service in 2027.
The LOAD defence system does not require any US technology and therefore does not need to be approved for sales, making it suitable for sale in countries worldwide.
The "Unmanned Systems X" conference will be held in Bonn from March 25 to 26. A LOAD drone from Airbus will be on display there to demonstrate the technology.
(olb)