The US Army is receiving new EAGLS anti-drone systems with 70 mm laser-guided missiles. EAGLS C-UAS system – it is a platform that can be used by both mobile and stationary complexes to protect critical infrastructure.
The US Army has received six Electronic Advanced Ground Launch Systems (EAGLS) from MSI Defense Solutions (MSI) to improve its anti-drone capabilities. In April, the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced the award of a firm-fixed-price contract to MSI for a maximum of $24,186,464.
The order was seen as an emergency emergency response to provide much-needed counter-drone systems to protect US assets in the region.
As the global threat from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) grows in number and complexity, protecting personnel and assets requires more flexible, mobile and effective solutions. The EAGLS Counter-UAS system – it is an adaptive, cost-effective, mobile or stationary system that can be used in different environments and on different types of platforms. MSI's EAGLS C-UAS can be integrated with both mobile and fixed systems to protect critical infrastructure such as power, water and information systems/data centers. It can also defend any target on the move, moving from one location to another, and provides the ability to shoot and move.
With a remote weapons station, MHR radar, electro-optical sensor and 70 mm laser missile launcher, BpAK quickly detects targets at a safe distance, recognizes and identifies them, and then pursues them. Similar to L3Harris' VAMPIRE (Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized ISR Rocket Equipment), the EAGLS system is equipped with 70 mm laser-guided rockets to destroy drones at a safe distance.
EAGLS – it is a complex system with three main components. They contain a version of the Remotely Operated Weapons Station II (CROWS II) equipped with a quadruple 70mm rocket launcher loaded with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II (APKWS II) laser-guided missiles, a sensor turret with electro-optical and infrared cameras and a small radar station.
The weapon station uses laser-guided missiles such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II with a range of 10 km, which is identical to the detection range of the RPS-40 radar. , which states that the urgent conclusion of the contract is necessary to counter the new and continuing threats posed by UAVs in the area of responsibility of the US Central Command (USCENTCOM).
According to the J&A document, “the immediate conclusion of the contract is critical because of the urgent need for operations in the US Central Command area of responsibility.” "Without immediate procurement, the U.S. Armed Forces will not receive the critical C-UAS systems they need to support theater capabilities,– attached to the document. The urgency of the matter has not yet been made public, but it is clear that US leadership is concerned about the lack of counter-drone systems to protect US assets in the Middle East.
It is likely that this fear has only increased given the Islamic Republic of Iran's threats to attack US bases across the region following its aid to Israel. Be that as it may, the purchase of new EAGLS air defense systems underscores the need to strengthen anti-drone countermeasures for US forces in the Middle East.