At AUSA 2025, Dedrone by Axon and Germany’s Tytan Technologies unveiled a cooperative solution that pairs AI-based detection with high-speed kinetic interceptors. The demonstration sketched an end-to-end counter-UAS chain from detection through neutralization.
System Architecture
Dedrone’s sensor fusion platform combines radar, RF, optical and acoustic inputs into a unified air picture. That fused track data cues Tytan’s expendable interceptor, which shifts to onboard perception and computer-vision guidance during the terminal phase. Human oversight is retained for launch authorization and control, while autonomy handles the collision intercept in GPS-denied scenarios.
Interceptor Characteristics
The showcased interceptor is a lightweight, additive-manufactured drone with an approximate launch mass near 5 kg and a roughly 1 kg strike payload. Open-source figures suggest a 15+ km engagement envelope, cruise speeds exceeding 250 km/h, and flexibility to deploy from man-portable rails or vehicle/container launch modules.
Operational Benefits
Targeting Group 1–3 threats, the integrated stack prioritizes affordability and magazine depth — key when defending bases, logistics hubs and convoys against frequent, low-cost incoming UAS. The autonomous chase profile lessens operator workload during swarm events while keeping a human in the decision loop for safety and rules-of-engagement compliance.
Field Testing And Adoption
Company briefings note that the combined system is undergoing testing in Ukraine with intercepts approaching 300 km/h. Early European adoption signals include Germany selecting Tytan for a large-scale interceptor program aimed at adding a kinetic defensive layer for critical infrastructure with containerized and man-portable launcher options.
Strategic Consequences
As Shahed-type one-way attack drones place daily pressure on NATO air defenses, the Dedrone–Tytan pairing offers a scalable, lower-cost kinetic layer that complements jamming and short-range guns. By trading expensive missile shots for attritable interceptors, forces can preserve high-end interceptors and achieve higher engagement density against persistent threats.
