Counter UAS Platform – Drone Defence Vehicle

The WELP Group and H.P. Marketing & Consulting Wüst GmbH present the “Counter UAS Platform”, a pioneering concept vehicle that combines protection against unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with a highly effective ballistic and explosive protection concept. The focus is clearly on developing a practical, mobile solution for current and future threat scenarios – particularly in the context of increasingly available and capable drone technology.

A key milestone in the system’s development was its successful testing at SeaSec in Rostock. There, the platform was already deployed under realistic conditions and assessed by users from NATO countries. The results of these applications confirm the system’s high operational relevance and technical performance in a real-world environment. In particular, the combination of a mobile platform and integrated drone defence met with great interest from international users.

Furthermore, the vehicle concept has already been presented to the specialist public at Enforce Tac, where it met with great interest from representatives of security agencies and military organisations. The discussions held there, as well as feedback from the market, are continuously incorporated into the further development of the system.

At the heart of the C-UAS platform is a fully integrated drone defence solution designed specifically for mobile deployment. In the context of SeaSEC, HENSOLDT’s “Elysion® C-UAS Mission Core” platform formed the operational centrepiece from which the Drone Defence Vehicle was controlled.

Modern operational scenarios clearly demonstrate that threats from unmanned aerial vehicles occur not only in stationary situations but increasingly in dynamic scenarios as well. This is precisely where the system comes into play: it enables the detection, tracking, classification and neutralisation of drones directly from a protected, mobile vehicle.

The underlying system architecture is based on an end-to-end sensor-to-effector chain. Various sensors – including radar, RF detection and optical systems – detect potential threats at an early stage and consolidate the acquired data into a central situational picture. On this basis, a rapid and well-founded decision regarding appropriate countermeasures can be made. The effectors used are modular and can be adapted to suit operational requirements.

A central component of the system is the integrated operator workstation. This is located fully protected inside the vehicle and offers the operator an ergonomically optimised control environment. Via a monitor and joystick-based controls, the operator can control all drone defence functions in real time. The operating logic is based on established systems from the military and law enforcement sectors, ensuring intuitive use and rapid operational readiness.

In addition to the technological capabilities of the drone defence system, the vehicle impresses with its comprehensive protection concept. The platform is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 and has been designed to meet the highest safety requirements. It complies with protection class VPAM BRV Edition 3 VR7 and is optionally available up to VR9. The vehicle thus offers reliable protection against a wide range of ballistic threats.

 In addition, it meets the requirements of VPAM ERV Edition 3 and STANAG 4569, thereby also providing protection against blast effects from landmines and hand grenades. This combination of protection, mobility and integrated technology represents significant added value for emergency services.

The Counter UAS Platform is highly versatile and addresses a wide range of application scenarios. These include the protection of critical infrastructure, the security of airports and military facilities, border protection missions, and convoy escort duties. The mobile platform particularly demonstrates its strengths in dynamic operational situations where airborne threats arise rapidly and must be neutralised just as quickly.

A further advantage lies in the system’s high flexibility and scalability. Thanks to its modular design, different technologies can be integrated and adapted to specific customer requirements. Furthermore, future integration with higher-level command and control systems is planned, enabling the vehicle to be seamlessly integrated into existing security architectures.

With the Counter UAS Platform, the WELP Group and H.P. Marketing & Consulting Wüst GmbH aim to create a comprehensive solution for countering modern threats. The combination of tried-and-tested drone defence technology, protected mobility and modular system architecture represents an innovative approach that meets the requirements of current and future operational scenarios.