MARSS launches portable Interceptor to neutralise hostile drones

Image courtesy MARSS

Combining innovations of its larger sibling, with a smaller size and lighter weight, the Interceptor-SR (Short Range) marks a step-change in vehicle and personnel drone protection.

MARSS’ Interceptor, launched in 2022, is an AI-enabled autonomous UAS, that offers an intelligent, cost-effective and low collateral alternative to short range missiles for the rapidly evolving mission to neutralise hostile drones.

This new portable solution can be used on the battlefield to neutralise CAT1 drones at 1km+, giving mounted and dismounted infantry the confidence of knowing they are always protected, wherever they are, in an inherently safe (no explosive or jet fuel required) manner.

The Mounted Infantry version employs multiple Interceptor-SR launchers, which can be integrated onto a range of crewed or uncrewed vehicles. Combined with NiDAR C2 and sensors onboard the vehicle acting as detector, the Interceptor-SR is launched by the push of a button. Once airborne, the Interceptor-SR uses an onboard thermal sensor to autonomously track the hostile UAV and neutralise it using kinetic energy.

This offers a world leading mobile CUAS system, from ‘detect’ to ‘defeat,’ with a cost-per-engagement significantly more favourable than conventional weapon systems.

For dismounted infantry, a further version is in development, packaged around a re-usable lightweight shoulder launcher, with an integrated thermal sight to find and target hostile drones when deployed. Once launched, the operator remains ‘over-the-loop’ to confirm a successful engagement or to abort at any time.

The Interceptor-SR is fully compliant with the UK MoD SAPIENT standard and as such is interoperable with other compliant battlefield sensors and networks.

Stephen Scott, Head of R&D for Defence at MARSS, commented: “We developed the Interceptor-SR in direct response to customer demand. When we launched the Interceptor at the inaugural World Defense Show last year, many customers commented on the need for a portable CUAS solution that mounted and dismounted infantry could successfully use to defeat category 1 threats at shorter ranges.

“Interceptor-SR is our answer – a mobile solution that’s half the size of our larger Interceptor model but offers many of the same features. Hostile drones are adapting to the battlefield on a weekly basis, and their proliferation will continue beyond current conflicts. We’re always pushing hard to stay ahead of the threat and develop capability in an agile and responsive way for our end users. Interceptor-SR compliments the larger Interceptor and offers another air defence layer to protect against these evolving drone threats.”

MARSS’ Interceptor-SR provides an inherently safe approach to defeat drones that can be deployed in both military and civil operations.

Scott added: “The Interceptor-SR is a unique, portable solution, unlike anything else on the market, so we’re anticipating strong demand, especially given the unfortunate proliferation of drone attacks in the Ukraine conflict.”