Leonardo to equip Canadian Armed Forces with counter-drone technology
Released On 6th Mar 2024
- The Falcon Shield Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) will safeguard Canadian airspace, installations and people against the threat posed by rogue drones
- Its acquisition by Canada follows Falcon Shield’s success in-service with the UK Armed Forces, where it has ensured the protection of critical assets and national security
- Leonardo’s counter-drone technology (ACUS- Enhanced System) is on contract also with the Italian Armed Forces and its modular, scalable systems are readily exportable worldwide
Leonardo has been awarded a contract by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to provide its Falcon Shield C-UAS system for operation by the Canadian Armed Forces. The company will provide a number of systems and a 10-year sustainment package that includes options for additional equipment and the spiral development of new capabilities. First systems will be delivered later this year with the Canadian Armed Forces that will immediately deploy Falcon Shield to forward operating bases to protect deployed personnel.
Falcon Shield is the UK’s operationally-proven solution to the growing threat from group 1 to 3 (smaller, slower and lower flying) UAS, which are usually undetectable by conventional air surveillance equipment. Using a mix of advanced sensors from Leonardo and industry partners, the system rapidly detects, tracks and prioritises threats and gives operators the means to neutralise them effectively. Produced at Basildon and Southampton sites, Falcon Shield is in service with the UK’s Armed Forces, is trusted by close allies on operations and is readily available for export customers worldwide. Leonardo continues to update Falcon Shield to ensure it remains cutting-edge in a rapidly evolving security landscape.
For its UK Royal Air Force (RAF) customer, Leonardo has delivered seven complete baseline counter-drone systems (called ORCUS in RAF service) for the service’s ‘Synergia’ research and development program.
The RAF is also employing these systems as a national standby capability in support of the Emergency Services. In this role, the RAF has operated Leonardo counter-UAS technology during a number of high-profile events including the 2021 G7 summit in Cornwall and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth games. During Christmas 2018, Falcon Shield has been deployed at both London Gatwick and Heathrow airports following suspected drone sightings, allowing air operations to resume.
Leonardo has also been working with the United States Armed Forces as part of the ongoing collaboration between the UK and US on counter-drone research and development. Under this partnership, the company has integrated the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)’s NINJA technology into the RAF ORCUS system and demonstrated its ability to detect dozens of small drone platforms in the airspace around airbases and then mitigate them.
Leonardo will be operating Falcon Shield at Canada’s ‘Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox 2024’ exercise, being held in Suffield, Alberta this June, where it will counter drones flown by the Canadian Armed Forces’ ‘red team’ operators.
