Airbus has unveiled a counter-unmanned aerial system concept equipped with up to three guided missiles: the LOw-cost Air Defence (LOAD) system.
A modified version based on the company’s Do-DT25 aerial target drone, it can be reused and autonomously search and detect loitering munitions before engaging the target with a human operator’s supervision and authorization from a ground control station.
LOAD is designed to serve as a complementary solution alongside expensive and traditional air defense systems — such as the Patriot and IRIS-T — when it comes to countering large drone swarms typically composed of cheap and attritable aircraft.
The counter-drone system can fill in gaps in radar coverage and address the high cost per engagement, where warfighters can deploy the affordable system instead of using a $450,000 IRIS-T missile to destroy a $20,000 drone.
At the “Unbemannte Systeme (Unmanned Systems) X” trade show in Germany, Airbus added that a prototype armed with a couple of missiles will have its maiden flight by year-end, with the final product planned by 2027.
DWT Unbemannte Systeme X has begun today in Bonn 🇩🇪 where Airbus will present its Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), from light-tactical UAS to such as Aliaca and Flexrotor to the large long endurance #Eurodrone.
Also featured: Low-Cost Air Defence based on our Do DT25 aerial target… pic.twitter.com/UEeb3ALbEO
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) March 25, 2025
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The European aerospace giant has not disclosed specific details about LOAD, such as its dimensions, cost, and the type of missiles it can be armed with.
However, the Do-DT25 target drone it is based on measures 3.1 meters (10 feet) long with a 2.5-meter (8 feet) wingspan, flying at a top speed of 300 knots (555 kilometers/345 miles per hour).
LOAD is launched via catapult and can operate at a range of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) before returning to base and landing by parachute for reuse.
In addition, the Airbus anti-drone system was reportedly manufactured without US components — supporting Europe’s plan to lessen dependence on Washington for defense.
