UK to Send ‘Drone Killer’ Platform to Ukraine
The UK is sending the Terrahawk Paladin platform to Ukraine, an air defense system that can track and destroy drones and protect critical national infrastructure.
Manufactured by UK-based MSI-Defence Systems, the containerized system is mounted on a NATO-standard Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System (DROPS).
The DROPS module can be deployed on the ground along with a remote control and rapidly be mounted on a military support vehicle or trailer-based system.
The platform is operated by a crew of two: one to watch the targets and another to strike them.
It can be deployed for point defense roles or as part of a combat management system for wider area defense.
Features
The system comprises a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II autocannon combined with a digital fire control system and radar.
The gun fires programmable air burst ammunition at a range of 2 kilometers (1.24 miles).
The effector’s accuracy is provided by MSI’s SATOS sighting system. It also features a thermal sensor and a laser rangefinder.
$121M Package
The aid is part of a 100 million pounds ($121 million) package London announced earlier this month, which includes over 70 million pounds ($85 million) of air defense capability.
The number of air defense systems to be sent to Ukraine has not been disclosed.
Additional equipment covered in the fund includes anti-mining systems, bridging capabilities, and vehicles for the clearance of non-explosive obstacles.
