Ukraine will be the first country to test a drone defense system developed in France that can deploy hundreds of interceptor drones simultaneously. The French start-up Atreyd is supplying both the drones and the associated software.
It is common knowledge that drones pose a danger to aircraft. A collision with a drone in flight can quickly lead to a critical situation: Damage to cockpit windows, measuring devices such as dynamic pressure probes, flaps, rudders or propulsion systems can severely impair the aircraft’s ability to fly – and even cause it to crash. Atreyd’s concept is to deliberately use such collisions as an air defense system.
The Atreyd Drone Wall System (DWS-1) is a container-based defence solution for detecting, intercepting and neutralizing airborne threats. Atreyd promises unprecedented efficiency: with the help of a swarm of up to 1,000 small interceptor drones, the DWS-1 forms an AI-controlled, flying structure in the sky – an “impenetrable barrier” against enemy drones, gliding bombs and even missiles. Whether protecting military bases, critical infrastructure or high-security zones – according to Atreyd, this autonomous, adaptive shield ensures maximum protection in any environment.
The drones are housed in closed, transportable containers that allow them to be deployed quickly to almost any location. Networked with existing security and defense networks, the swarm is steered into the flight path of the approaching threat using AI. Each drone acts as a “building block” in an adaptive air structure and constantly repositions itself to counter incoming threats.
The AI-controlled coordination enables real-time adjustments to different attack patterns. This creates a maneuverable “flying minefield” in the sky. Each drone in this dense interceptor curtain is equipped with a warhead that neutralizes the enemy’s incoming ammunition before it reaches the target.
Each unit can either be controlled autonomously by the AI or by a single operator, who can control up to 100 drones simultaneously. Thanks to pre-installed 3D maps, the system works independently of GPS.
Atreyd describes the system as the “last line of defense” against threats from the air – such as Shahed drones or Russian glide bombs. Once internal tests have been completed, the Ukrainian armed forces deploy the technology for the first time.
Atreyd is one of the three companies that are part of a NATO-competition for the development of advanced countermeasures against Russian glide bombs.
Here for more news about the Ukrainian armed forces and here to our drone topic area with all the latest news on the subject.
