The Colombian Air Force (FAC) deployed the Spanish-manufactured “Crow” counter-drone system to ensure security during the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) in Cali.
The system was activated to protect the Blue Zone, where delegates and state officials from the 196 countries that attended the summit were hosted.
“In support of this important international event focused on the fight against climate change and environmental preservation, the FAC deployed its air, space, logistics and technological capabilities,” the FAC said in a statement.
Combining Crow with other systems, the Colombian forces detected over 300 unmanned aerial systems and blocked 90 unauthorized drone activities.
Features
The Crow system, developed by the Spanish firm Indra, initiates early detection with high-resolution radars capable of identifying targets, including small drones, at long ranges.
It features an optical system that allows it to assess whether a detected object poses a threat and pinpoint its location.
Once a threat is confirmed, the system employs jamming technology to disrupt guidance.
Multiple Crow units can be coordinated to operate simultaneously for broader coverage, ensuring protection over larger areas.
Crow in International Deployments
Crow was recently deployed during NATO exercises in the Netherlands and during the Spanish Air Forces’ operations in Mali.
Moreover, several European manufacturers have chosen to integrate Crow’s command and control parts into their sensor systems.
Partnering with other Spanish firms, Indra in June signed a contract to develop a new counter-drone system with radar, optronics, and radio frequency technologies for the Spanish Armed Forces.