DSEI 2019: Skywall Auto Response Nightfighter world’s first integrated vehicle-mounted counter-drone system


Counter-UAS specialists OpenWorks Engineering and SteelRock Technologies launch at DSEI 2019, the International Defense and Security Exhibition in London, UK, the world’s first integrated vehicle-mounted counter-drone system called Skywall Auto Response Nightfighter, combining radio-frequency (RF) disruption with a physical net to provide a highly effective layered defence against unmanned aerial vehicles.


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The Skywall Auto Response Nightfighter at DSEI 2019, International Defense and Security Exhibition in London, UK. (Picture source Army Recognition)


The SkyWall Auto Response Nightfighter is a vehicle-mounted autonomous system that rapidly captures multiple targets in accurately delivered nets. This vehicle-mounted capability can cover a large area and be remotely operated.

The SkyWall Auto Response NightFighter is an integrated vehicle-mounted counter-drone system that combines radio-frequency (RF) disruption and net capture physical defeat to provide a highly effective layered defence against unmanned aerial vehicles. The SkyWall capture system is hidden under a fast deploying cover to ensure the capability is hidden when not in use.

The vehicle can be maneuvered quickly to defeat the target drone using Steel Rock's industry ­leading NightFighter® RF-based effector technology or the SkyWall net capture system after it is automatically deployed from under the cover.

The Skywall can be used as a standalone drone capture system or be integrated with a drone detection and security system to offer a highly capable and easy to operate counter-drone solution. A single SkyWall Auto Response system can protect a high-value asset or multiple systems can be networked and deployed to protect a large site.

The SkyWall Auto Response launches a projectile up to the target drone after the system has autonomously acquired and tracked it using world leading-edge AI technology. The launching system is hidden under covers to remain discrete until required, then it is automatically deployed. It allows the operator to physically capture a drone in a specifically designed 'drone entangling' net or disrupt the flight of the drone using an RF Inhibitor that offers operators a hard-kill and soft-kill capability in an integrated mobile platform.

The onboard targeting enables the system to have a high capture rate by adjusting the launcher aim based on the movement of the target and programming the projectile prior to launch.

The SkyWall Auto Response can be integrated with a drone detection and security system to offer a highly capable and easy to operate counter-drone solution.


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