Airbus Defence and Space Partners with Alta Ares to Build Integrated European Counter-Drone Defence System
Airbus Defence and Space has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with French defence-tech firm Alta Ares to co-develop an integrated European counter-drone solution. The partnership combines Airbus's systems integration expertise with Alta Ares's AI-driven tactical air defence technology, including the Black Bird mid-range interceptor (30 km) and the X-Lock short-range counter-UAS system (15 km).
Highlights
- Airbus Defence and Space and Alta Ares signed an MoU to co-develop integrated European counter-drone defence solutions.
- Alta Ares's counter-drone systems have been operationally deployed in Ukraine since 2024, providing real-world combat validation.
- The Black Bird mid-range interceptor offers a 30 km engagement range targeting high-speed threats such as cruise missiles.
- The X-Lock short-range system covers a 15 km range and is purpose-built for countering drone threats.
- Airbus will act as systems integrator, using its Fortion IBMS and Fortion SAMOC platforms to deliver a unified sensor-to-shooter kill chain.
Airbus Defence and Space Teams Up with Alta Ares on Integrated Counter-Drone Defence
Airbus Defence and Space has formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French defence-technology company Alta Ares to jointly develop and integrate a European counter-drone solution. Alta Ares specialises in counter-UAS systems and airborne artificial intelligence technologies.
According to an Airbus press release, the collaboration will combine Airbus's expertise in systems and software integration with Alta Ares's AI-powered tactical air defence capabilities. Notably, Alta Ares's counter-drone systems have already been operationally deployed in Ukraine since 2024.
A Complete Kill Chain from Detection to Neutralisation
Hadrien Canter, Co-founder and CEO of Alta Ares, commented: "Modern air defence is neither a pure software problem nor a pure hardware problem — it requires both to work together, at scale and simultaneously. Integrating Pixel Lock and our interceptors into Fortion IBMS means operators get a single, complete sensor-to-shooter kill chain from detection to neutralisation. That is exactly the capability theatre commanders actually need."
Airbus's Core Command-and-Control Software Platforms
As the systems integrator, Airbus Defence and Space will leverage the following core platforms:
- Fortion IBMS (Integrated Battle Management Software): A command-and-control (C2) solution
- Fortion SAMOC Suite: A surface-to-air missile operations centre solution designed to counter threats from a wide range of effectors and missiles
Two Key Interceptor Weapon Systems
On the weapons side, Alta Ares and Airbus will continue to develop and field two systems:
- Black Bird: A mid-range interceptor with a 30-kilometre engagement range, designed to intercept high-speed targets such as cruise missiles
- X-Lock: A short-range system with a 15-kilometre range, purpose-built to counter drone threats
The partnership marks a significant step in Europe's effort to establish sovereign, integrated air defence capabilities — particularly relevant given the rapidly escalating drone threat environment in current international security contexts.
Image credit: Airbus
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