MARSS is developing a portable version of its UAS countermeasures aircraft (writes Nick Flaherty).

The MARSS Interceptor, unveiled last year and currently under development, is an AI-enabled autonomous UAV alternative to short-range missiles to neutralise hostile UAVs.

The Interceptor-SR (Short Range) version is designed to be launched from a 5 in-diameter tube to neutralise CAT1 drones at a range of 1 km. The electric UAV is inherently safe, as no explosives or jet fuel is required, and it uses the ground-based MARSS Nidar C2 radar and sensor system and an onboard thermal image sensor to hone in on, and crash into, a target UAV using kinetic energy rather than an explosive payload.

The closed-loop thermal sensor works at a range of up to about 100 m, said Stephen Scott, head of r&d for defence at MARSS.

The 5 in diameter presented a key design challenge for the motors, propellers and the battery pack needed to get the 8 kg craft up to a speed of 60 m/s. The avionics control system will be off the shelf with custom-designed motors and folding wings, as well as propellers that allow the UAS to be fired from the launcher tube.

Its battery provides 2 kW to the motors, giving a mission time of about 30 seconds. Depending on the time to interception and the impact, the Interceptor might be able to return to its launch site, but it is more likely to be disposable, which is driving the vehicle’s design choices.