Organized by the US Army DEVCOM, ARCENT, and the Royal Saudi Air Forces, the Red Sands 24.2 exercise served as a rigorous test environment for the latest CUAS innovations addressing the surge in unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats. MARSS, a returning participant in the Red Sands series, showcased its comprehensive, end-to-end detection-to-defeat C2 systems, now seamlessly integrated with EOS' remote weapon station.
Throughout the exercise, MARSS' AI-enabled NiDAR platform was assessed against a variety of simulated UAS threats, including both Category 2 rotary-wing and Category 3 fixed-wing drones. The platform achieved notable results, defeating multiple advanced drones in real-time scenarios.
This capability is driven by NiDAR's autonomous threat prioritization system, which leverages radar tracks and EO/IR data to assess and rank potential risks, while offering operators an optimized response plan. Managed with a human-in-the-loop setup, NiDAR rapidly communicated target information to EOS' remote weapon station, enabling swift neutralization of threats.
"In Ukraine and across the Middle East, defense stakeholders are identifying significant gaps in existing air defense systems," explained Josh Harman, Vice President of Business Development at MARSS. "With constantly evolving threats, there is an urgent need for sensors, effectors, and integrated capabilities that can respond quickly. Some systems are finding it challenging to adapt."
He continued, "During Red Sands, MARSS demonstrated the effectiveness of its multi-sensor integration through a single, unified interface, reducing the 'detect-to-defeat' decision cycle to mere seconds."
A notable feature of MARSS' participation this year was its completely wireless C2 functionality. Enabled through a collaboration with Silvus Technologies, MARSS integrated multiple sensors, including radar systems from Echodyne and SRC, along with EO/IR sensors from Current Corp, providing a comprehensive tactical overview on a single display.
"Exercises like Red Sands are essential for understanding the demands and operational challenges our customers face," added Harman. "With drone deployments increasing in both frequency and sophistication, a CUAS system must not only neutralize drones but also target their operators."
"MARSS' NiDAR offers this dual capability, providing our customers the tools to counter immediate and future threats. This effectiveness against even Category 3 drones underscores why MARSS' systems are highly valued in today's defense landscape."
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