Canberra defence technology company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has unveiled its new Slinger counter-UAS weapon system which it says can deliver “one shot, one kill” of drones beyond 800 metres.
EOS says that means Slinger is a cost-effective answer to the proliferation of small drones, as has been seen in Ukraine. It also means it can be used in built-up areas.
Slinger is based on the EOS R400 Remote Weapon Station (RWS), equipped with the Northrop Grumman M230LF 30x113mm lightweight Bushmaster cannon firing Northrop Grumman’s new 30mm proximity fused round.
Matt Jones, EOS executive vice-president for defence systems, said the accuracy came from the gun itself and the EOS RWS, with its proprietary stabilisation, tracking and pointing technology and targeting algorithms.
“The Slinger is designed to snipe drones out of the sky with a one shot one kill capability,” he said.
“With a highly accurate cannon like the M230LF, with proximity fused ammunition, married to a highly accurate and precise weapon station with all the tolerances that we maintain, we can achieve those long-range engagements.
“If we can put the round within two metres of the target, we will kill it.”
Jones said other air defence gun systems, such as the Rheinmetall Skyranger 30, used programmable air burst ammunition, requiring distance to the target to be determined and the round then programmed in the gun to explode at a specific distance.
That takes time and the target drone may have moved. Consequently these systems need to fire a pattern of dozens of rounds.
“We can achieve first round hits beyond 800 metres against the small quad drones,” Jones said.
Two kilometre hits on drones will be achievable with the larger 30x173 cannon, though its proximity fused ammunition is still in development.
Northrop Grumman has demonstrated its own counter-UAS gun system also using its M230LF gun and proximity fused rounds, though with a large mast mounted sensor.
Slinger features a dual sensor with Echodyne targeting radar and EOS day/night optics in a single unit able to be mounted in the back of a SUV or atop an armoured vehicle.
Jones said drone threats were multiplying, presenting a unique challenge to traditional military forces.
“Comparatively cheap, increasingly armed and difficult to target especially in built up environments. We have designed the Slinger specifically for these scenarios where we see significant demand in overseas markets,” he said.
Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said this was a great example of Australian ingenuity and innovation in the defence space which would provide a valuable tool to counter drones into the future.
“The great thing about this technology is it is completely developed right here in Australia and manufactured right here in Australia with over 100 countries involved in the supply chain. And of course it has great export potential,” he said.