Leonardo has taken the opportunity of AOC Europe, the annual electronic warfare conference being held from 13 to 15 May 2024 in Oslo, Norway, to launch a new counter-uncrewed air system (C-UAS) planning and assessment tool.

Called SkyTender, the system addresses the requirement for effective C-UAS solutions in congested radio frequency (RF) environments and draws on the latest in simulation technology from Leonardo Canada – Electronics (LCE).

SkyTender enables users to simulate C-UAS effectiveness prior to physical deployment, aiding pre-acquisition evaluation, pre-mission planning and the efficient set-up of ground-based air defences. The system ensures maximum effectiveness in countering hostile uncrewed aerial vehicles by determining optimal sensor deployment and placement.

“SkyTender offers a comprehensive set of capabilities, developed to meet the evolving UAS challenges faced by armed forces and security organisations,” the company stated in a press release. “The tool is able to evaluate spectral environments and topography and simulate threats, sensors and platforms, in combination with cyber, electromagnetic and kinetic effects. Operators can optimise the detect, track, and identify functions of their C-UAS solutions, enabling them to plan, test, evaluate, rehearse, and refine C-UAS mitigation options effectively.”

The tool caters to multiple operational domains, ensuring readiness and superiority across all RF environments. Providing an intuitive user interface for defining operational environments and accessing pre-configured scenarios and library assets, SkyTender is supported by comprehensive training and support services to ensure the readiness and effectiveness of defence and security personnel.

“SkyTender joins Leonardo’s portfolio of C-UAS capabilities, which includes complete sense-to-effect systems that are already protecting airspaces, installations and people against the threat posed by rogue drones,” Leonardo stated. “The company’s modular, scalable C-UAS systems are readily exportable worldwide and its Falcon Shield C-UAS system was recently acquired for operation with the Canadian Armed Forces. This followed Falcon Shield’s success in service with the UK armed forces, where it has ensured the protection of critical assets and national security. Elsewhere, Leonardo’s ACUS-Enhanced C-UAS system is on contract with the Italian armed forces.”

An image showing the SkyTender software at work. SkyTender enables users to simulate C-UAS effectiveness prior to physical deployment, aiding pre-acquisition evaluation, pre-mission planning and the efficient set-up of ground-based air defences. (Image: Leonardo)