A Layered Approach to Drone-Threat Protection

The rising use of unmanned systems to target ground forces and critical infrastructure has prominently surfaced in contemporary conflict zones. As countermeasures against these dangers become available, new drone variants and deployment strategies are continuously evolving.

Given the multitude of unmanned systems utilized in today’s battlespace, a single counter-unmanned system solution cannot cost-effectively address the diverse needs of military users against all types of drone threats. A layered approach of interoperable systems is essential to ensure adequate force protection.

A Collective Initiative for Support

The Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) mission has become a key priority for L3Harris Technologies, aiming to assist global clients with efficiency and effectiveness. The company is swiftly integrating hardware and software to counter an expanding list of UAS threats.

“We are investing to rapidly scale kinetic and electronic warfare technologies for unmanned system engagement,” stated Chris Aebli, President of Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris. “Our portfolio encompasses layered detection, identification, tracking, and defeat capabilities, ranging from tactical-edge operations to fixed-site and deployed-base protection.”

The swift implementation of new artificial intelligence and machine learning features enhances C-UAS capabilities available to allied warfighters today, Aebli added.

Kinetic Solutions for Advanced Threats

The initial UAS threat emerged as sophisticated, large vehicles aiming to penetrate allied airspace, releasing ordnance and returning, which militaries countered using multi-million-dollar missiles.

The L3Harris Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized Rocket Equipment (VAMPIRE®) C-UAS system offers a low-cost, portable capability that can be mounted on various vehicles for the launch of laser-guided munitions. The system’s sensors and software solutions support integration on both tactical and non-tactical platforms.

“Through global combat operations, VAMPIRE delivers precise engagement, effectiveness, usability, and reliability,” remarked Tony Calderon, President of Targeting & Sensor Systems, Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris. “The system transforms the economics of drone engagements by neutralizing low-cost drone threats using affordable, mass-produced laser-guided rockets.”

L3Harris commenced high-volume production of VAMPIRE systems in 2026, directly responding to the urgent requirements of the United States and its allies to tackle persistent drone threats. Military forces have extensively utilized this technology in European combat operations, amassing over 350,000 operational hours since 2023.

Broadening Counter-Drone Capabilities

As medium-size threats and those with longer stand-off ranges emerge in the battlespace, the cost-per-target associated with rocket-based solutions increases while the guarantee of effectiveness declines. In such cases, electronic warfare solutions become preferred.

L3Harris provides a variety of solutions designed to neutralize unmanned systems in this operational context.

The Nimble Finch™ and Nimble Finch Pro™ solutions introduce a specialized jamming platform to the L3Harris portfolio, harmonizing high power and efficient operation in a compact form factor, thereby optimizing mission security and personnel safety. These technologies represent a dedicated mission application within the Nimble family of electronic countermeasure systems, designed to address current target sets while also being expandable to adapt to emerging threats.

Comprehensive Protection for Critical Infrastructure

The UAS threat is not limited to military operations solely, as the affordability of access poses risks to critical civilian infrastructure, including airports, which also necessitates protection against non-state actors.

The L3Harris Drone Guardian® Counter-UAS capability autonomously detects, tracks, and identifies threats before they become visible or audible, integrating inputs from radar, radio frequencies, electro-optical/infrared, acoustic, and other sensors into a unified operational picture.

“Drone Guardian consolidates multiple detections into a single-track picture, aiding automated cueing and camera control to assist operators in confirming and classifying potential targets,” stated Shawn Miller, President of Spectrum Superiority in Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris. “This capability supports layered response options for both fixed and temporary installations, configured for ongoing protection of strategic sites, critical infrastructure, and high-value assets.”

Enhanced Sensing and Battlespace Awareness

For military operators, distributed sensing and situational awareness are vital components of an effective layered counter-UAS strategy. L3Harris’ CORVUS-RAVEN capability provides passive detection and rapid identification of drone activity across complex operational environments.

“CORVUS-RAVEN identifies drone threats to inform proportional response strategies,” Miller explained. “This lightweight and highly portable solution offers operators passive signal detection, enhanced situational awareness, and integrated jamming capabilities, addressing counter-small unmanned aircraft systems and integrated air and missile defense challenges on the battlefield.”

The Individual CORVUS Node (ICN) serves as the core of this solution, functioning as a versatile software-defined radio capable of supporting varied missions, including counter-improvised explosive devices, electronic surveillance, electronic attacks, and counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS). Networked ICNs can exchange sensing information across multiple nodes, enhancing awareness of C-sUAS activity and bolstering broader air defense operations.

Recently, in partnership with ARX Robotics U.K., L3Harris integrated CORVUS-RAVEN onto a remotely operated uncrewed ground vehicle during the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence-Capstone 6. This demonstration illustrated how robotic mobility can extend passive drone detection into forward or hazardous areas while minimizing personnel exposure.

Sense-and-Protect at the Push of a Button

The latest addition to L3Harris’ expanding portfolio of C-UAS solutions is the Wraith Shield™ system, a software-only enhancement of the Wraith® waveform that utilizes radio-as-a-sensor capabilities to deliver a sense-and-protect solution for front-line operators defending against small commercial drone swarms.

“Our Wraith Shield system represents the first integrated solution available in the industry for assured communications and counter-UAS protection at the tactical edge,” emphasized Faisal Munir, President of Mission Critical Communications within Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris. “Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global combat zones have witnessed an upsurge in drone warfare, complicating the strategies and tactics necessary to safeguard borders and front-line troops. Wraith Shield targets smaller commercial drones and their command links, disrupting their network connections to neutralize them without kinetic force.”

L3Harris is collaborating with DataShapes AI to enable operational control via a body-worn end-user device. DataShapes’ application collects and categorizes all radio-frequency data from the interconnected radios to pinpoint potential threats. Spectrum data is intuitively displayed on the user device, indicating when and where signals are detected on the RF spectrum. Users can then target specific drone links to disrupt control connections and mitigate the drones.

The Wraith Shield system will be accessible on L3Harris RF-9820S/AN/PRC-171 and RF-9820S-ER communications devices later this year, with plans for integration on all Wraith-capable devices early next year.

Resilient, Interoperable Communications: Connecting the C-UAS Network

Reliable and interoperable communications networking is crucial for the effective integration of a layered C-UAS system.

L3Harris boasts one of the most extensive global installations of resilient, software-defined communications systems in the industry. Users of the company’s radios, battle management systems, and waveforms can seamlessly exploit the open-system architectures of these solutions to integrate and unify counter-drone ecosystems tailored to their specific threat environments. For instance, Wraith Shield functions as an enhancement of an L3Harris waveform, instantaneously connecting all Wraith waveform-capable devices within a network to create a protective bubble against relevant threats.

Source: L3Harris (2026-11-02)