Bird of Prey Interceptor Gives European Armies a Reusable Answer to One-Way Attack Drones.

Airbus Defence and Space unveiled the Bird of Prey reusable interceptor drone at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 as a dedicated counter to Shahed type one-way attack drones. The programme seeks to give European forces an affordable way to defeat mass drone attacks without relying on costly air defense missiles.

Derived from the proven Do-DT25 target drone, Bird of Prey is equipped with low-cost interceptor missiles supplied by Estonia's Frankenburg Technologies. The reusable system is designed to engage one-way attack drones repeatedly, reducing interception costs while providing a scalable response to the growing use of inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.

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Bird of Prey interceptor drone displayed at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, armed with Frankenburg Mark I low-cost counter-drone missiles. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The widespread use of low-cost one-way attack drones has altered the economic balance of air defence. Built with commercial components, piston engines and relatively simple airframes, these drones can be produced for tens of thousands of euros, while the missiles used to intercept them often cost several hundred thousand or even several million euros. According to Airbus Defence and Space, 5,749 attacks involving Geran-type drones, including decoys, were recorded in Ukraine during June 2026, averaging 192 attacks per day.

The Bird of Prey is based on a modified version of the Do-DT25 target drone, a platform originally developed for surface-to-air and air-to-air missile training. The Interceptor measures approximately 3 metres in length, has a wingspan of 2.6 metres, and is launched by catapult. Designed as a reusable platform, it is recovered after each mission for rearming and redeployment, unlike conventional interceptor missiles that are expended after a single engagement.

The aircraft can be equipped with a range of payloads depending on the mission, including electronic warfare systems, anti-radiation missile simulators, chaff and flare dispensers, and lightweight interception systems. In its counter-drone configuration, it carries Mark I guided missiles developed by Estonian defence company Frankenburg Technologies. The prototype demonstrated during testing is equipped with four missiles, while the operational configuration is expected to carry up to eight. Each fire-and-forget missile is approximately 65 cm long, weighs less than 2 kg, has an engagement range of up to 1.5 km and uses a fragmentation warhead designed to destroy drones through proximity detonation.

According to Airbus Defence and Space, the programme progresses from concept to its first demonstration flight in approximately nine months. The trial takes place at the end of March 2026 at a military training area in northern Germany. During the demonstration, the Bird of Prey autonomously searches for, detects and classifies a medium-sized one-way attack drone before engaging it with a Mark I missile. The event also marks the first launch of the Frankenburg missile from an airborne platform.

The interception sequence relies on a high degree of automation. The system performs target search, detection, classification, tracking and designation before requesting engagement authorisation from a human operator. Once approval is granted, or depending on the selected rules of engagement, the drone launches its missile and continues its mission. Its capacity to carry multiple interceptors is intended to enable several engagements during a single sortie before returning for recovery and rearming.

The system operates through Airbus Defence and Space's Integrated Battle Management System (IBMS), allowing integration into NATO air defence command-and-control architectures. The manufacturer also states that the solution is based entirely on European technologies and is free from U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), facilitating export and integration into sovereign defence networks.

Airbus Defence and Space plans to conduct additional live-fire trials throughout 2026 as part of the system's operational development and evaluation by prospective customers. The Bird of Prey programme reflects a broader effort among European defence manufacturers to develop dedicated counter-drone interceptors capable of addressing the increasing use of low-cost one-way attack drones such as the Shahed family and similar systems on contemporary battlefields.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.