Singapore Airshow 2024: High Point Aerotechnologies debuts latest-gene…

High Point Aerotechnologies displayed its latest-generation Sawtooth counter-unmanned aircraft system. (Janes/Prasobh Narayanan)

US-based High Point Aerotechnologies showcased its latest-generation Sawtooth counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) for the first time at Singapore Airshow 2024 held from 20 to 25 February.

Speaking to Janes, the chief revenue officer of High Point, Evan Hunt, said the Sawtooth C-UAS uses layered technologies to adequately detect unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The system comprises a passive radio frequency (RF) system, radar, electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor, and jammers.

As a first step of detection, the Sawtooth uses the passive RF system to detect UAS communications in frequencies that are in known libraries. As the second step, in the case where the frequency is not known, the Sawtooth uses its radar.

“Usually, we use passive RF and radar to find the drone and then cue an EO/IR sensor that is looking in the mid-wave and the short wave, so it is day or night operable,” adds Hunt.

The EO/IR enables to zoom in and transition to an optical track, by which the user can positively identify the type of UAV and if any ammunition is being carried. After the UAV is identified, the user can decide on how to mitigate the threat.

The Sawtooth employs directional jammers as a threat mitigation measure. These jammers can be mounted on the system in line with the EO/IR sensor. The jammers can neutralise threats operating on multiple bands such as Wi-Fi, GPS, and global navigation satellite services (GNSS).

According to Hunt, the Sawtooth does not use kinetic means for threat mitigation but is rather used for front-end detection, tracking, and non-kinetic mitigation, and can be paired with larger weapon systems to destroy or defeat the threat.