OpenWorks and HP demonstrates new CUAS Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems

According to information released on November 25, 2021, The SkyWall Patrol Net-Capture and HP47 handheld-jamming systems have been used together by leading specialist law enforcement across Europe since 2016. Combining electronic defeat and physical capture to provide a highly effective CUAS capability. OpenWorks and HP are now combining forces to show a new track-defeat concept at the NATO Technical Interoperability Exercise, inVreDePeel Airbase in the Netherlands.

The HP47 system is attached to a quick-release mount on the SkyTrack positioner. Operators can position the SkyTrack-HP47 system in a fixed location for a temporary protective scenario, such as a rooftop. The system can be operated remotely, with the operator receiving high-quality video of the tracked target and on-command precise jamming. The handheld jammer can be quickly disconnected when required and continue the mission in a handheld operation, while the SkyTrack system continues to provide overwatch.

The new concept provides a highly-flexible solution and provides an upgrade option to existing HP47 customers that would like to evolve their existing hardware into remotely operated and autonomous protective systems.

The SkyTrack ultra high-performance EO/IR target tracking system has the ability to network with other CUAS sensors such as radar or RF direction finding, fuse data using the SkyAI control module and scan the sky using AI neural networks to detect and classify UAS targets before tracking them with high accuracy. The SkyTrack system has an integral attachment point that allows additional 3rd party sensors and effectors to be mounted and remotely controlled.

The HP47 handheld jammer is a high-accuracy directional jamming system that allows an operator to halt and take control of any UAS that uses RF communications or GPS navigation. Recent upgrades allow the handheld system to be remotely activated by an external system, and this has enabled the new concept to be provided.

OpenWorks Engineering has developed innovative technologies that are already deployed in integrated counter-drone systems used by the world’s leading security and counter-terrorism authorities, the SkyWall family.

SkyWall systems offer defense and security organizations the capability to autonomously classify, track and capture drone targets; protecting the public, VIPs, service personnel, and critical and sensitive infrastructure from the threats posed by drones.

The SkyWall Autonomous Optics products make use of the latest developments in deep-learning neural network classification to quickly and reliably detect and classify a target. They achieve industry-leading tracking performance by controlling the camera motion using AI, applicable to new and existing PTZ hardware.

SkyWall Net Capture systems are operationally deployed and provide the ability to physically capture a drone in a specifically designed ‘drone entangling’ net. They are often used in conjunction with electronic countermeasures for a layered defense, or in environments where electronic attacks cannot be deployed. They offer a cost-effective, proportionate and physical response to the drone threat.

All SkyWall products are designed to be integrated with a simple to use software development kit. Many C-UAS systems already have the SkyWall interface implemented.