The effectiveness demonstrated by drones in the Ukrainian war is transforming modern military strategies. The numerous efforts to develop all types of drones are joined by those necessary to counteract them, such as the new interceptor drone hitchhiker, ‘Hitchhiker’ in Spanish, from American companies IronNetspecialized in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and Asterion Systemsa leader in unmanned aerial systems technologies, which combines advanced artificial intelligence and electric propulsion technologies.
The proposal of these American companies is not limited to the drone. The defensive network is formed by combining the cybersecurity system Iron Dome from IronNet, which provides real-time detection of cyber threats, with Asterion’s Hitchhiker anti-drone technology. The system is designed to neutralize hostile unmanned aircraft.
So, this ‘revolutionary’ high-speed interceptor uses advanced algorithms to detect, classify, track and neutralize enemy dronesincluding Iranian models Shahid used by Russia, without the need for expensive defense systems such as missiles Patriot.
The large scale drone attacks They are usually preceded by cyber attacks intended to deactivate defense systems and put critical infrastructure at risk. IronNet and Asterion’s solution ensures defenses are protected from cyber threats even before enemy drones are launched. IronNet’s advanced cybersecurity capabilities protect systems from attack while Asterion’s anti-drone technology can be deployed to destroy incoming enemy drones, providing a proactive, layered defense against cyber and air threats.
This is the Hitchhiker interceptor drone
Asterion has developed the hardware architecture of the drone, while IronNet has created the digital environmentl that allows an efficient defense system in complex combat scenarios.
According to The Defense Post, the drone, which uses an all-electric propulsion systemoffers lower operating and maintenance costs compared to other air defense systems and has been deployed in Ukraine to test its effectiveness in real combat situations.
The Hitchhiker weighs less than 8kgmeasure 121cm long and has a wingspan of 70cm. It can be launched automatically when a threat is detected and, with a maximum speed that exceeds 300km/his capable of intercept a target at a distance of 5 km in less than 60 seconds. The drone is guided by radar using the software Perimaster of PGIwhich allows you to track and attack your target while provides video image and target identification using artificial intelligence. It can track the target or neutralize it using technology designed to minimize collateral damage.
The development of the drone has focused on reduce costs and improve operational flexibility and efficiency on the battlefield. According to the former colonel of the French Navy and military analyst Peer de Jongthis ‘all-inclusive’ model has the potential to transform modern warfare by integrate systems capable of identifying trajectories, prioritizing targets and quickly responding to multiple enemy drone threats. For his part, Admiral Mike Hewitt, director of IronNet, has described this technology as a revolutionary change in military strategy, highlighting its potential impact on contemporary operations.
“We have shared this capability from both IronNet and Asterion with different leaders in Ukraine who are on the front lines. And I will tell you that the feedback we received is how quickly can you get this capability here? And that came from people who are actually executing on the front lines at a very high level. So we take it with a lot of confidence that this It would change the rules of the game in Ukraine. Our intention is to bring this collaborative partnership to Ukraine“Hewitt noted.