Thales and UK-based Autonomous Devices have teamed up to create a drone-mounted electronic warfare package called the EW-UAS1. The system pairs Thales’ mature electronic-warfare payload with a long-endurance, highly maneuverable unmanned air vehicle from Autonomous Devices, and is being offered as a turnkey capability for naval and land forces. Initial trials are already underway and will continue through the year as developers refine performance.
Designed to provide both electronic support measures and electronic attack, the EW-UAS1 can detect, identify and geolocate hostile emitters, while also carrying offensive jamming capabilities. In practice the system can act as a ship self-protection layer — sensing incoming anti-ship missile seekers and deploying countermeasures to disrupt guidance — reducing reliance on kinetic interceptors.
The platform supports proactive protection of high-value assets across sea and land by degrading enemy radar and targeting through targeted jamming and deception. Because the drone is quick to reposition, it can extend surveillance coverage for early warning and then manipulate the electromagnetic picture — creating false returns or suppressing signals — to confuse adversary operators and steer threats away from friendly forces.
