The demonstration simulated a realistic operational scenario involving a medium-sized one-way attack drone. After identifying the target, the interceptor carried out an autonomous engagement, marking a milestone in counter-drone capability development.
“Against the current geopolitical and military backdrop, defending against kamikaze drones is a tactical priority that urgently needs to be tackled,” said Mike Schoellhorn. “With our Bird of Prey and Frankenburg’s affordable Mark I missiles, we are providing armed forces with an effective, cost-efficient interceptor, filling a crucial capability gap in today’s asymmetric conflict theatres.”
Successful first demo flight: Airbus’ uncrewed Bird of Prey interceptor autonomously engages kamikaze drone with @FrankenburgTech missile.
The Airbus ‘Bird of Prey’ is designed to seamlessly operate within NATO’s integrated air defence architecture via established command and… pic.twitter.com/u3Yd5K9uSY
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) March 30, 2026
“The integration of Bird of Prey into Airbus’ air defence battle management suite IBMS acts as a force multiplier,” he added.
Frankenburg Technologies Chief Executive Kusti Salm said the development represents a shift in air defence approaches. “This is a defining step for modern air defence.”
“Together with Airbus, it marks the first integration of a new class of low-cost, mass-manufacturable interceptor missiles onto a drone, creating a new cost curve for air defence and enabling defence against mass aerial threats at a fundamentally different scale,” he said.
The prototype is based on a modified Do-DT25 drone and features a wingspan of 2.5 metres and a maximum take-off weight of 160 kilograms. During the test, it was equipped with four missiles, while future operational versions are expected to carry up to eight.
The Mark I missiles are designed as lightweight, high-subsonic interceptors with a range of up to 1.5 kilometres. Their design allows the reusable platform to engage multiple targets per mission at relatively low cost.
Airbus said the system is designed to integrate with NATO’s air defence architecture through its Integrated Battle Management System. The company said this would enable the platform to function as part of a layered air and missile defence network.
Further test flights, including live warhead demonstrations, are planned throughout 2026. Airbus and Frankenburg Technologies said these trials aim to advance operational readiness and demonstrate the system to potential customers.
