Alpine Eagle has completed trials of one of the world’s first air-to-air counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technology with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) over the summer, marking a significant milestone in the development of autonomous defence capabilities and their real-world deployment.
“As part of a successful field test, Alpine Eagle’s C-UAS technology underwent rigorous trials in-country alongside Ukrainian forces, demonstrating its effectiveness in the most important operational theatre for autonomous technology and European security that exists today,” said the company in a press release. “Following this trial, Alpine Eagle has been invited back for further collaboration with the AFU, with plans for deeper engagement in Ukraine over the longer term.
Alpine Eagle has created an air-to-air counter-drone system, including software that uses technologies such as machine learning, advanced sensors, and computer vision to detect, classify, and neutralise hostile drones, including small drones and loitering munitions. This is driven by Sentinel, Alpine Eagle’s air-to-air sensor and interceptor network, which has such high levels of automation and data fusion that a defensive swarm of airborne sensors and interceptors can be controlled by a single operator.
Jan-Hendrik Boelens, co-founder and CEO at Alpine Eagle, said: “Ukraine has a clear and pressing need for effective, scalable, and mobile C-UAS capabilities that can effectively integrate into their force structure. The war in Ukraine has driven so much of the development of drone technology, and any European UAS or C-UAS company needs to be able to demonstrate its product in Ukraine, because ultimately, Ukraine’s security is Europe’s security. Ukrainians deserve to live in a country that’s peaceful and secure, so being able to help them reach that goal is the single most important thing we could be doing right now.”
While specific details of future trials remain confidential for operational security reasons, additional testing phases are being planned, which will enable the company to gather essential operational data and contribute to European security.
The trial is the latest milestone in a momentous year for Alpine Eagle, in which the company secured USD10.25 million in seed funding, worked with the UK and US armed forces as part of Project Vanaheim, and marked the opening of its first international office in the UK.
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