Developed in partnership with Marshall Land Systems, specialists in the design and integration of deployable, mission-critical infrastructure, Containerised Falcon Shield was unveiled at Defence Vehicle Dynamics (DVD).
The new configuration integrates Leonardo’s HYAS Command and Control (C2) system and Nerio Ultra-Long Range (ULR) surveillance and target acquisition capability into a standard-sized ISO container. Thanks to its open architecture, Falcon Shield can then integrate with the most advanced sensors and effectors to establish a comprehensive layered C-UAS defence.
Designed to be modular and adaptable to any operational environment, the Falcon Shield ecosystem includes sensors such as radars, electronic surveillance measures, and electro-optical and infrared capabilities. It also includes kinetic (hard kill) effectors to shoot drones out of the sky, as well as non-kinetic (soft kill) effectors such as cyber and electronic warfare systems.
Containerised Falcon Shield can be transported and rapidly deployed around the world by air, land or sea – carried by military transport aircraft, moved by road or shipped – enabling customers to establish a layered C-UAS ecosystem wherever and whenever it is needed.
Paul Norry, UK Campaign Manager for Falcon Shield, Leonardo, said: “Falcon Shield has been developed to give operators and commanders the flexibility to build the right C-UAS capability for their mission, rather than being vendor-locked into specific hardware or software. Its open architecture means we can integrate the best sensors and effectors available. By putting this proven capability into a standard ISO container, we are making it even easier to deploy rapidly, scale as requirements change, and network with other Falcon Shield systems to meet an ever-evolving threat with minimal infrastructure requirements.”
Gareth Williams, CEO at Marshall Land Systems, said: “Modern military operations demand capabilities that can be deployed quickly and adapted to changing circumstances. Our partnership with Leonardo brings Falcon Shield together with a highly deployable, mission-ready infrastructure that can be moved by air, land or sea. The containerised configuration gives customers the flexibility to position C-UAS protection where it is needed, while retaining the ability to expand and adapt the capability as the mission evolves.”
Falcon Shield systems are in use around the world with customers including the UK’s Royal Air Force and the Canadian Armed Forces. In RAF service, the UK military version of Falcon Shield, known as Orcus, officially entered service in 2018 and has since been used extensively in the UK and overseas, including on operations and to protect major international events. Orcus was most recently deployed in response to the threat of One-Way Attack drones.
