Venom plays C-UAS role
Northrop Grumman’s ground-based targeting system Venom has demonstrated the ability to identify and track small UAS and deliver accurate targeting data while on the move, the company announced on 8 December.
The demonstration was conducted at the US Army Maneuver-Fires Integrated Experiment (MFIX) in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The targeting ability of Venom enabled other systems in the network to counter the UAS.
During the demonstration, Venom supported counter-UAS functions from two vehicles and provided precision target coordinates for fire support. This included receiving slew-to-cue messages and identifying and tracked low-flying, small UAS. The system also demonstrated its on-the-move precision targeting capabilities as a mounted sensor controlled under armour.
Venom features Northrop Grumman's Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) - designed to provide target designation for delivery of precision-guided munitions - on a vehicle-agnostic, gimballed and stabilised mount.
Kay Burch, vice president, communications, intelligence and networking solutions, Northrop Grumman, said: ‘By continuing to invest in Venom, we have been able to repurpose our mature LLDR technology for additional missions. Adding counter-UAS and on-the-move targeting will give our warfighters greater flexibility in mission planning and execution.’
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