A Rheinmetall-system for the defense of drones in the ultra-close range has been tested in a joint exercise with representatives of the Central Command of the US Army (-> current news about the US armed forces) and the Saudi Arabian armed forces demonstrated its capabilities. The “Red Sands III” exercise took place in September 2024 at the Shamal-2 firing range in north-eastern Saudi Arabia and focused on countering unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).
The transnational exercise was preceded by successful qualification tests of the ultra-short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems. The Ultra-SHORAD system was developed by Rheinmetall Canada as the last line of defense against small, low-flying and fast-moving drones. On the weapons side, it has an impressive operational range of between 50 and 700 meters. The carrier platform is the Mission Master XT unmanned ground system (UGS) (-> Rheinmetall shows Mission Master portfolio). https://militaeraktuell.at/das-bundesheer-sucht-die-jubilaeumsfanfare-2025/ The system consists of the Rheinmetall Fieldranger Multi remote-controlled weapon station with a twin Dillon Aero M134D minigun, a radar, an electronic optics package and an artificial intelligence (AI)-based target acquisition and tracking system. This multi-layered defense system can fire continuously over long periods of time. It offers multi-domain capabilities that provide precision in detecting, tracking and engaging threats from the air and ground.
Strong performance despite harsh desert conditions
In the final phase of “Red Sands III”, five challenging scenarios simulating real threats had to be mastered. In all scenarios, the participants’ skills were tested against Group 2 and 3 multi-rotor drones and Group 3 fixed-wing aircraft. Rheinmetall’s Ultra-SHORAD system was able to score hits on all drones and successfully neutralize every multi-rotor drone on the first pass. It was “the most cost-effective of all the systems that achieved similar results”, according to a recent press release from the German arms manufacturer.
Even under the extreme conditions of the Saudi Arabian desert – where temperatures sometimes reached up to 45 degrees Celsius – Rheinmetall’s Ultra-SHORAD system was able to “prove” its rapid operational readiness and its resistance to weapon malfunctions, overheating and interruptions to the power supply. Earlier tests in the USA also demonstrated the system’s resistance to high humidity and heavy rain. Another feature is the system’s AI-controlled tracker, which recognizes and classifies drones before they are deployed, even in dusty conditions and poor visibility.
A benchmark for the future development of CUAS
The exercise – an example of the partnership between the Saudi Armed Forces and the US Army Central Command – provided a valuable platform for the Canadian subsidiary of the German Rheinmetall Group to test and refine systems in real-world scenarios. “We are proud to have played a critical role in improving operational readiness and fostering innovation to effectively combat emerging threats,” says Alain Tremblay, Vice-President Business Development and Innovation at Rheinmetall Canada.
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