Building on MBDA’s successful experience with its counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) solution Sky Warden, the newly presented Sea Warden demonstrates a robust, modular approach to counter all uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and uncrewed submersible vehicles (USVs). This system integrates and controls a wide array of sensors and effectors, ensuring effective protection for merchant vessels and warships. “Sea Warden is the response to the need for self-protection of merchant vessels and warships, now and in the future,” the company affirmed.
The maritime sector remains vital to the global economy, and nations aiming to safeguard their sovereign interests face increasing challenges. These challenges range from asymmetric threats such as drones to more sophisticated anti-ship systems. Given the rapid evolution of these threats, naval forces require agile solutions capable of protecting assets across a wide range of scenarios. In response to this pressing need, MBDA’s Sea Warden has been developed to evolve swiftly alongside new and changing threats. “To stay agile, MBDA has developed a scalable system designed to evolve at the same rapid speed as the drone threat to meet the changing demands of our customers and ensure battle readiness,” the company explained.
Sea Warden is engineered to operate effectively in various environments, whether safeguarding ships docked at ports or providing comprehensive protection in open waters. Leveraging its modular design, Sea Warden stands out as the sole defence system capable of delivering full-spectrum protection, from detection to neutralisation, against UAVs and USVs up to class 2. MBDA emphasised the importance of partnerships, noting, “MBDA is working with its partners to integrate capabilities to deliver the appropriate military effect.”
The system is equipped with a suite of sensors, including radar, passive RF, and electro-optical cameras, to identify and classify potential threats accurately. These capabilities ensure that the most appropriate and available effector can be deployed for maximum efficiency. Examples of its advanced effectors include the CILAS HELMA-P directed energy laser, hunter drones, jammers, and MBDA’s collaboration with NOVADEM for a Hit-to-Kill drone. For higher-level threats, the system integrates loitering munitions and missile solutions like MISTRAL 3 and AKERON MP.
Adaptability is at the core of Sea Warden, which has been designed with an open architecture to cater to specific customer requirements. This flexibility allows it to be integrated seamlessly into existing ship combat systems or function independently as a standalone capability. It can be effectively deployed on any naval, maritime, or offshore platform, providing comprehensive defence against uncrewed aerial and surface threats. Highlighting its operational credibility, MBDA remarked, “Sea Warden is the only battle-ready system to manage the full counter-UAV (C-UAV) counter-USV (C-USV) kill chain.”
The presentation of Sea Warden positions MBDA as a leader in providing advanced, multi-layered air defence systems for naval operations. “MBDA is the sole European player that provides a full range of the most advanced naval-based air defence systems, from C-UAV/C-USV systems to systems that defend against the most high-end threats,” the company stated.
Sea Warden represents a strategic advancement for naval forces aiming to address the ever-evolving landscape of modern maritime threats. As nations continue to prioritise the safety of their maritime assets, MBDA’s latest innovation stands ready to support these objectives with cutting-edge technology and proven expertise.
