MARSS, a global leader in AI-powered security solutions, has completed a successful customer evaluation of its cutting-edge Counter-UAS capabilities.
Conducted in the Middle East, in mid-August, the trial showcased MARSS's ability to detect, track, classify and defeat a variety of drone threats in challenging environmental conditions, and deliver a force multiplier to end-users.
The two-day exercise featured a series of complex scenarios designed to test the system's effectiveness against fixed-wing, VTOL (vertical take-off and landing), micro, and mini drones. MARSS's integrated solution exceeded all customer expectations, detecting and tracking micro-drones from distances over two kilometres away – with clear optical identification at 1.5 kilometres – and defeating all targets with RF soft-kill technologies.
Josh Harman, Vice President of Sales at MARSS, commented on the trial's success: “This was a challenging target set, with varying complex scenarios in a particularly busy and convoluted environment. Our team's ability to perform flawlessly under these conditions is a testament to the robustness and reliability of our core command and control and integration process, as well as the talent of our partners."
A key highlight of the trial was the system's ability to operate effectively in extreme temperatures, with daytime highs exceeding 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). This proof performance is crucial for potential customers in regions where equipment must withstand intense heat. Moreover, exercises took place during day and night-time periods to prove the system’s effectiveness at any time it is called into action, and demonstrated NiDARS AI capabilities to classify and verify asymmetric targets.
In terms of the system and its components, the MARSS solution integrates best-in-class technologies from partner vendors, including short and long-range RF detection from BlueHalo, long-range EO/IR cameras from L3 Harris, an impenetrable 360 degree radar-web from Echodyne, along with directional RF defeat systems from Kirintec. All of these solutions seamlessly integrated into MARSS's proprietary NiDAR platform, providing operators with end-to-end capability on a single interface that reduces the decision cycle to a matter of seconds and greatly reduces the cognitive burden on operators.
Khalid Albadr, Business Development Manager, Middle East, at MARSS, added: "By successfully demonstrating our 'detect to defeat' capabilities against the customer's chosen target set, we've shown that MARSS can deliver on its claims. Our ability to detect, identify and track micro-drones, which are barely twice the size of a mobile phone, addresses a critical security concern for many of our potential clients."
The trial was attended by representatives from various agencies within the prospective client nation, reflecting diverse interests in critical infrastructure protection, national defence, and border security.
This trial marks a crucial step in the client’s competitive bid process by invitation, following presentations and technical submissions over the last 12 months. By demonstrating its capabilities in real-world conditions, MARSS has reinforced its position as a contractor capable of delivering comprehensive, agnostic integrated security solutions for complex threat environments.
