Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has launched its Australian made counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) named the “Slinger”.
Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, who officially launched the innovative local technology, said that he continued to be impressed by the world-leading capability of Australia’s defence industry.
Executive Vice President of EOS Defence Systems, Mr Matt Jones, said EOS was excited to launch the Slinger in response to growing international demand for advanced counter-drone technologies.
“This is a big day for Australia, the Slinger is a cutting-edge capability that demonstrates Australian innovation can lead the world in response to global security needs”, said Mr Jones.
“We have applied the hard-won lessons from the battlefields, including Ukraine, to our Slinger system, ensuring it will give real edge to those looking to hit back against the growing threat of drones.”
The Slinger incorporates a radar, a 30mm cannon with specifically designed ammunition, and EOS’ proprietary stabilisation and pointing technology for counter-drone operations.
It can track and discriminately engage moving drones at a range of more than 800 metres, with unique ammunition making it suitable for use in built-up environments. It is also capable of dealing with UAV swarms, a spokesperson for EOS told Janes.
“The optical/radar-based UAV detection and engagement system supports tracking multiple and simultaneous UAV threats,” the spokesperson said.
“The ‘one-shot-one-kill’ performance of the system enables the Slinger to quickly cycle through the [UAV] targets. When integrated into a networked [C-UAS], the Slinger can be directed by the centralised fire direction centre to engage priority [UAV] threats in coordination with other Slinger or alternative [UAV] defeat mechanisms,” the spokesperson added.
According to company specifications, the Slinger weighs less than 400 kg, and is “stabilised for on-the-move operations”.
EOS said that the Slinger is equipped with the Echodyne EchoGuard 4D multi mission surveillance radar; a fourth-axis sighting system with a sensor unit that moves independently of the gun in both elevation and azimuth; the Bushmaster M230 Link Fed (LF) 30×113 mm cannon; and the Lightweight 30mm Proximity Sensing Ammunition with radio frequency proximity-fuzed, high-explosive/fragmentation round.
The Slinger has a maximum ammunition load of 150 rounds, EOS added.
The Echodyne EchoGuard radar that is integrated onto the Slinger has a detection range of more than 3.5 km for vehicles, and more than 2.2 km for humans, EOS said.
The Slinger has been designed and developed in Australia specifically for export markets, with a focus on addressing contemporary and emerging threats based on lessons learned in recent conflicts, such as Ukraine.
Top Photo: Matt Jones with The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP
Sources: Press Release; Janes