Counter-drone programme transfers to in-service capability

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Erica Benson

Innovative counter-uncrewed aerial system will provide enhanced protection against drone strikes for UK sites.

Project Synergia was originally procured as a research and development programme in response to the threats posed by uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).

Managed by DE&S’ Future Capabilities Group (FCG), Project Synergia, the counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) study is considered of high importance to national security and a means of further protecting UK military operating bases from hostile drone activity.

Using technology delivered by Leonardo, it will enable the RAF to establish the most effective way to detect, track, identify and defeat hostile drones, as well as evaluate a range of capabilities including advanced radar, electro-optic and radio frequency sensors, and counter-measures.

The system has been deployed for use in operations and used in the UK for Military Aid to Civilian Authorities (MACA). FCG have transitioned the capability to the Joint Sensor and Engagement Networks (JSENS) delivery team, meaning that the equipment can now be incorporated into the DE&S supply chain.

Rakesh Takooree, DE&S FCG Assistant Head for Air and Strategic Command Projects, said: “We’re seeing the threat from Uncrewed Air Systems heightening across the globe. It is vital that our armed forces are equipped with the latest technology to counter emerging threats from our adversaries. This programme is part of a wider C-UAS ecosystem and demonstrates how to effectively collaborate with other defence teams and government departments, both nationally and internationally. This leads to being able to combat an evolving threat by combining innovation and the expertise within that ecosystem, and is important because it strengthens Defence’s ability to react to the latest threat quickly. This is by being a platform to knowledge share about the evolving threats and latest advances in technology. The effectiveness of the Synergia equipment and collaborative ways of working have been recognised by both the Secretary of State for Defence and the Minister for Defence Procurement, resulting in the team receiving an acquisition and innovation award.”

The next stage of the programme will see the C-UAS taken forward as a formal programme of record. This means the project will be managed by an in-service delivery team at DE&S and incorporated into a portfolio of other in-service capabilities. Synergia is on a good footing to inform future programmes across Defence.

Group Captain Jason Davies, RAF Air Command, said: “This project is facilitating the rapid development of the knowledge necessary to define future capability to protect RAF sites and assets. As a result, the programme is supporting the development of worldleading counter-UAS technologies within UK Defence.”