Review of C-(s)UAS effector technologies and models

Abstract

Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) are becoming increasingly prevalent in both military and asymmetric conflicts worldwide. Combining small signatures, with often low-altitude and low-speed flight patterns, they pose significant challenges to existing counter-measures. This work examines the engagement/neutralisation segment of counter-sUAS (C-sUAS) killchains by providing a survey of current effector technologies, including guided and unguided kinetic means, electronic warfare technologies, and directed-energy weapons. Furthermore, propagation models used for on-target effect deposition, together with some target vulnerability models, are introduced, offering a structured basis for the analysis of the effectors’ effectiveness and providing guidance for future C-sUAS developments. Finally, a conceptual overarching software architecture is outlined, demonstrating how the different C-sUAS effector aspects can be integrated in a flexible, scalable, and maintainable manner to facilitate further software development.