Roke introduces CORTEXA GUARDIAN
Image courtesy Roke
CORTEXA GUARDIAN is a modular and highly customisable C-UAS system that can detect, track and identify multiple aerial threats - designed specifically to help the UK and its allies defend against the growing threat created by small, low cost unmanned aircraft.
Traditionally, C-UAS systems would be operated by a specialist that has undergone months of training on a specific technology. CORTEXA GUARDIAN can be used by any soldier on the battlefield, and operators can be trained in days.
First unveiled at DSEI 2025, CORTEXA GUARDIAN has moved swiftly from concept to operational deployment. Working as a mission partner with military customers across Northern Europe, Roke has iterated the system based on real-world feedback, ensuring that what reaches the market today reflects the demands of genuine operational environments rather than controlled test conditions. Early customers have already received and deployed units independently, validating the system's defining characteristic: the ability to move from receipt of kit to unsupervised operational use in under 48 hours.
Officially launched to the market today at the Counter-UAS Forum, in London, it is now available to government, defence and public safety organisations.
CORTEXA GUARDIAN was developed to deliver a credible counter UAS capability that can be used by any soldier, not just specialists.
Military users are typically operational within days, with many achieving confident, independent use far sooner.
This reduction in training time has been achieved by deliberately hiding complexity rather than removing capability. Advanced sensing, tracking, prioritisation and classification functions operate automatically beneath a simple, intuitive interface. Operators are presented only with the information they need to act, reducing cognitive load and allowing them to remain focused on their primary mission.
This ethos extends to every element of the system's physical design. CORTEXA GUARDIAN is mounted on commercial camera tripods rather than specialist military masts - eliminating the need for additional hardware training and making deployment simple and intuitive, regardless of technical background. The software interface runs on any standard device, laptop, tablet or mobile, via a web browser, requiring no specialist hardware or infrastructure to operate.
While simple to operate, CORTEXA GUARDIAN delivers sophisticated counter UAS capability.
The system is modular and highly configurable, enabling it to be tailored to different mission requirements and environments. It can detect, track and identify multiple aerial threats simultaneously, forming a critical part of a layered counter drone approach.
By integrating sensors and software into a single coherent system, CORTEXA GUARDIAN provides commanders and operators with early warning and clarity in contested airspace. It is designed to support dispersed units, forward operating bases and wider force protection tasks, where timely understanding of aerial threats is essential.
The architecture has also been built to evolve over time. As threats change and new sensors become available, capability can be updated without disrupting the operator experience.
Marc Overton (above), Managing Director at Roke, said: “Small unmanned systems are among the most disruptive threats facing defence and security forces today. Countering them effectively requires capability that can be integrated rapidly, adapted as threats evolve, and used by the people who need it most, not just specialists.
“CORTEXA GUARDIAN was developed to meet that requirement. It reflects close collaboration with military partners and a clear focus on operational reality. This launch marks an important step in making that capability available more widely.
CORTEXA GUARDIAN is available now to government, defence and public safety customers across NATO and Northern Europe. Roke welcomes enquiries from organisations with requirements in military, border security, critical infrastructure protection and public safety domains.
