Trust Automation has completed a US Army operational assessment of its Small-Unmanned Air Defense System (SUADS) during a National Training Center rotation at Fort Irwin, California.
Conducted with the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the assessment evaluated SUADS in a large-scale combat operations training environment under ongoing uncrewed aerial system (UAS) threats.
During the rotation, Trust Automation’s SUADS detected and engaged UAS between approximately two and six kilometres away, with potential coverage extending to approximately seven kilometres under favourable conditions, the company said in a 12 October press release. Interview participants were not aware of any enemy UAS that penetrated the defended area as a threat within the identified operational ranges without first being detected by the system.
Trust Automation’s integrated system combined radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, NINJA and DroneBuster technologies. MAJ Patrick Smith, Battalion Executive Officer said the system consistently provided layered surveillance, early warning, positive target identification and electronic defeat of hostile UAS before enemy systems could successfully conduct reconnaissance, target acquisition or attack missions.
SUADS brings multiple sensors and effectors into a single integrated system while enabling individual technologies to be added or upgraded as capabilities and threats evolve. Trust Automation is also developing a mobile SUADS variant to support tactical units where forces move frequently.
The company was awarded a USD 490 million indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract from the US Air Force for the rapid research, development, prototyping, demonstration, evaluation, production and transition of unmanned and counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capabilities in January.
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