Airbus Defence and Space Partners with Alta Ares in Anti-Drone Efforts
Airbus Defence and Space and Alta Ares, a European specialist in AI-equipped anti-drone systems, signed a letter of intent on Thursday to develop and integrate anti-drone air defense solutions. This partnership aims to strengthen the European defense ecosystem against increasing asymmetric threats.
A Cooperation on the Integration of Anti-Drone Systems
The partnership between Airbus Defence and Space and Alta Ares is based on combining Airbus’s expertise in system and software integration with Alta Ares's proven tactical expertise in air defense enhanced by artificial intelligence. As an integrator, Airbus will deploy its Fortion IBMS (Integrated Battle Management Software), its command and control solution, and its Fortion SAMOC suite for surface-to-air missile operational centers. Alta Ares, as a capability provider, integrates its anti-drone solutions and adds a new layer of tactical air defense combining software and hardware. Alta Ares's anti-drone systems have been operationally deployed in Ukraine since 2024.
Two Interceptors to Address Diverse Threats
The partnership covers the development and deployment of the Black Bird, a medium-range interceptor capable of reaching 30 kilometers, designed to engage high-speed targets like cruise missiles, as well as the X-Lock, a short-range system (15 km) intended to counter drone threats. The integration of these solutions into Airbus’s tactical air defense management suite (IBMS) is expected to act as a force multiplier and contribute to the development of a fully integrated European ecosystem of solutions against various air threats.
