The Dutch Army has recently completed a two-day live-fire counter-drone trial using Smart Shooter’s SMASH Fire Control System. The test took place in the Austrian High Mountains, as part of the Dutch Defence Department’s examination of different ways to combat small unmanned systems.
Tested at a range of up to 200m in harsh weather conditions (fog, and blowing snow) the SMASH Fire Control Systems proved to be highly effective as all 67 drone targets were successfully hit with up to three shots each. It made no difference whether the drones were stationary in the air or moving.
The Dutch Armed Forces reported the trial on its Facebook channel, saying that with the Smart Shooter SMASH Fire Control System, soldiers are able to deliver a locked shot at ground targets and drones, therefore significantly increasing hit probabilities. The Robotic Automated Systems (RAS) platoon of the 13th Light Brigade tested the SMASH in Austria at the tactical level. However, the system may also be of value in protecting sensitive strategic assets such as air force bases or ships. Testing the intercept capability fits within the roadmap of the Nucleus C-UAS of the Dutch Armed Forces.
SMASH is a combat-proven Fire Control solution for small arms that ensures each round finds its target. Bringing precision-missile targeting algorithms and advanced electro-optical processing capabilities into standard assault rifles, Smart Shooter’s SMASH Fire Control Systems works automatically but not autonomously, allowing the operator to quickly and effectively neutralise any ground or airborne target, manned or unmanned. It is a cost-effective solution that can be integrated onto any type of assault rifle and combined with other C-UAS systems to provide an effective multi-layer defence solution suitable for the modern battlefield.
Jack Richardson
