At the recent Enforce Tac in Nuremberg, Skylance GmbH unveiled DroneHammer, a close-range counter-UAS system designed to defeat drones weighing up to 25 kilograms.
Founded last year in Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, Skylance focuses on affordable, high-effectiveness drone defence solutions for military and civilian security users.
Designed for Deployment
DroneHammer is a laser-guided, jam-resistant system built for rapid, precise engagements with minimal collateral damage. Scalable from a single portable launcher to multi-launcher configurations, it integrates with existing command-and-control structures. Each interception is estimated to cost around €2,500 ($2,900), positioning it as a comparatively economical option.
Potential users include the German Armed Forces, allied militaries, and government agencies responsible for protecting critical infrastructure.
Skylance DroneHammer integrated on a MOSOLF special vehicle platform. In the foreground are the precision interceptor missiles for combating small drones – Carsten Vennemann
Effective Without Explosives
The interceptor missile weighs under one kilogram and has a range of up to 2,000 meters. A laser-guided optical seeker enables precise targeting. Drones can be acquired optically at distances up to 500 meters, with laser designation used for longer ranges.
Powered by a small rocket motor, the missile deploys a compressed-air cartridge near the target, dispersing multiple small pellets to disable the drone without explosives. An optional parachute allows controlled descent after engagement.
According to Managing Director Philipp Bohne, laboratory demonstrations have confirmed system effectiveness. Field trials at Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 91 in Meppen will evaluate real-world performance.
Flexible Integration
At Enforce Tac, Skylance demonstrated DroneHammer’s adaptability across platforms. A 12-tube launcher was mounted on a pickup with the Mosolf Group. Eiselin Landsystems integrated a single launcher onto its SAND-X Dual Operating Vehicle, while RISEPORT EUROPE incorporated the interceptor into its ARGOS APS LANCE system.
Future plans include mounting the interceptor beneath a drone, further expanding operational flexibility.
Top Photo: The interceptor missile can also be launched from a portable single launcher, which can optionally be used shoulder-mounted as a manpad, or mounted on a mobile platform – Carsten Vennemann
Source: wehrtechnik