Monaco-based surveillance and infrastructure protection specialist MARSS announced at DSEI 2023 on 14 September the launch of NiDAR X-Scout: an expeditionary, rapidly deployable counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system.
Described by MARSS as a mobile, flexible and easily deployable C-UAV solution, NiDAR X-Scout has been built around the flatbed of the Toyota Land Cruiser: a pick-up truck is widely used across the Middle East. Transported by such a vehicle, or even air-dropped, NiDAR X-Scout can be placed in any location and remotely operated as a stand-alone C-UAV unit for more than a week.
Despite its small form factor, X-Scout retains all the functionality of MARSS’ wider NiDAR range of C-UAV systems, leveraging MARSS’ proprietary hybrid intelligence software and interface that fuse multiple sensors to detect, classify and neutralise UAV threats. Some of its key features include cutting-edge electro-optical, radar, and radio frequency (RF) detection capable of detecting a Category II UAV from a range of more than 15 km. It also offers RF jamming capabilities and can connect to a wide range of C-UAV effectors – including MARSS’ short- and medium-range, canister-launched hit-to-kill Interceptors – to neutralise hostile UAVs, either controlled from a remote location or operated autonomously.
Multiple X-Scout units can operate in a mesh network with other NiDAR systems and effectors to provide coverage over extended areas.
Frederik Giepmans, managing director at MARSS’ Safety & Security business, was quoted by the company as saying: “We listened to the needs of our customers, who wanted an expedition-ready, drop-and-forget solution – capable of operating autonomously, meshed into a network of other sensor stations – with the same performance of the rest of MARSS’ NiDAR C-UAS capabilities. An operator with minimal training can get X-Scout deployed remotely in under five minutes.”
Giepmans noted that X-Scout “can be used in forward operations, on the battlefield, or in a public space to offer complete protection against UAS.
“X-Scout is not only compact, but it’s cost efficient and modular, giving you everything you need and nothing you don’t,” he added.
As the latest addition to MARSS’ NiDAR X product range, X-Scout joins an array of flexible, mobile defence and surveillance solutions, including the containerised X-JOC Command and Control centre, which was on display at DSEI 2023.
Peter Felstead
