The exercises took place in Huelva from 19 to 23 October. Military and law enforcement units operated under a single command, testing joint procedures against Class I and II unmanned aircraft.
ARACNE connected to the Spanish Aerospace Operational Command’s air defence system through Indra’s COAAAS+ Anti-Aircraft Artillery Operations Centre. The link provided a common operational picture to support threat detection, identification, classification and prioritisation.
The architecture helps operators assign sensors and effectors according to a target’s characteristics, trajectory and risk. Those decisions also take account of the rules of engagement.
Indra said the arrangement shortened decision cycles and reduced duplication between defensive systems. Coordinating engagements is intended to make better use of available resources when forces face multiple threats.
ARACNE’s NEMUS radars allow the system to provide protection while moving with military units. That capability extends coverage to convoys, logistics units, command posts and combat formations without relying solely on fixed installations.
Its C4ARMS command-and-control system connects sensors and effectors with higher air defence echelons. The Brontes jammer provides electronic countermeasures against drones.
EM&E’s OTEOS electro-optical sensor identifies and tracks targets, while its GUARDIAN remote weapon stations provide drone-neutralisation capabilities. Their integrated operation helps maintain target tracking and select a response suited to each threat.
ARACNE is already in service with the Spanish Armed Forces, having been brought into service within two years, according to the companies. Indra and EM&E said the exercise demonstrated its ability to share information and support the protection of forces and critical infrastructure.
