Amid a growing threat picture for land forces, the need to develop complementary air defence networks is critical. Gordon Arthur reports.

在地面部队面临的威胁日益严峻的背景下，发展配套的防空网络至关重要。戈登·亚瑟报道。

 

The SAMP/T NG system fires MBDA’s Aster family of surface-to-air missiles. Credit: MBDA

SAMP/T NG系统发射紫菀系列地对空导弹。来源：欧洲导弹集团（MBDA）

 

Not only must air defence systems – usually gun- or missile-based – defend against traditional air-breathing targets such as aircraft and helicopters, but contemporary conflicts have become much more complicated due to the proliferation of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV), loitering munitions, and cruise missiles.

防空系统（通常基于火炮或导弹）不仅要防御飞机和直升机等传统吸气式目标，而且由于无人驾驶飞行器（UAV）、巡飞弹和巡航导弹的泛滥，当代冲突已变得复杂得多。

 

In fact, GlobalData, in its UAV market forecast for 2024-34, predicted the global market will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.3% to reach $25.7bn by 2034. The same report stated that while loitering munitions accounted for 10% of the global UAV market in 2024, it will have the highest growth rate of any UAV segment till 2034, at 7.1% over the next decade.

事实上，GlobalData在其2024-2034年无人机市场预测中预测，到2034年，全球市场将以6.3%的复合年增长率增长，达到257亿美元。该报告还指出，虽然2024年滞空弹药占全球无人机市场的10%，但在未来十年，其增长率将在所有无人机细分市场中位居首位，达到7.1%。

 

With such an expansion of aerial threats, the calculus for ground-based air defence (GBAD) has become far more challenging.

随着空中威胁的日益增多，地面防空（GBAD）的计算变得更具挑战性。

 

Layering and integration

分层与集成

 

US President Donald Trump is jumping feet first into air defence, after passing a vaguely worded executive order mandating “Iron Dome for America”. This intent is seemingly based on Israel’s Iron Dome system, which has a high interception rate against rockets, artillery, mortars, UAVs and air-breathing threats launched from 4-70km away.

美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在通过一项措辞含糊的行政命令后，正大举进军防空领域，该命令要求“为美国打造铁穹”。这一意图似乎是基于以色列的铁穹系统，该系统对从4至70公里外发射的火箭、火炮、迫击炮、无人机和吸气式威胁具有很高的拦截率。

 

Whilst Iron Dome is ideal for countering militants’ rockets fired against the small territory of Israel, it is difficult to see how it could protect the United States from the more likely ballistic and hypersonic missile threats that it faces from adversaries like Russia and China.

美国总统唐纳德·特朗普在通过一项措辞含糊的行政命令后，正大举进军防空领域，该命令要求“为美国打造铁穹”。这一意图似乎是基于以色列的铁穹系统，该系统对从4至70公里外发射的火箭、火炮、迫击炮、无人机和吸气式威胁具有很高的拦截率。

 

GlobalData expects global missiles and missile defence systems to grow at an average annual rate of 5.3% over the coming decade to reach $76bn by 2034. Alarmed by Russian antics in Ukraine, Europe is investing in air defence, with France acquiring SAMP/T NG systems and the Netherlands the Patriot, for instance.

GlobalData预计，未来十年全球导弹和导弹防御系统的年均增长率将达到5.3%，到2034年将达到760亿美元。由于对俄罗斯在乌克兰的举动感到担忧，欧洲正在投资防空系统，例如法国采购了SAMP/T NG系统，荷兰采购了爱国者导弹。

 

There’s still a need to be able to defend against a wide spectrum of threats – MBDA spokesperson

仍需具备防御多种威胁的能力——MBDA发言人

 

European nations are also clubbing together to integrate their air defence networks at a continental level via the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).

欧洲各国还通过“欧洲天空盾计划”（ESSI）联合起来，在大陆层面整合其防空网络。

 

Asked whether there is still a place for expensive surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, an MBDA spokesperson told Global Defence Technology: “The trends and character of current conflicts around the world portray a complex environment with multiple threats. Conventional and non-conventional weapons and tactics are being used to gain tactical, operational and even strategic advantage.

当被问及昂贵的地对空导弹（SAM）系统是否仍有用武之地时，MBDA的一位发言人告诉《全球防务技术》杂志：“当前世界各地冲突的趋势和特点描绘了一个充满多重威胁的复杂环境。各方正在使用常规和非常规武器和战术来获取战术、作战甚至战略优势。

 

“Therefore, despite the prevalence of the drone/loitering munition threat, there’s still a need to be able to defend against a wide spectrum of threats, from improvised weaponised quadcopter drones, to uncrewed combat aerial vehicles and loitering munitions, through to cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as the airborne platforms that deliver some of these threats.”

“因此，尽管无人机/巡飞弹威胁普遍存在，我们仍需具备防御各种威胁的能力，这些威胁包括简易武器化的四轴飞行器无人机、无人作战飞行器、巡飞弹、巡航导弹和弹道导弹，以及携带其中某些威胁的空中平台。”

 

The representative added: “This means there’s still a strong place for air defence, which also covers counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). To provide it, you need an integrated and layered air defence system of complimentary effectors that provide both military and homeland defence.”

该代表补充道：“这意味着防空领域仍有强大的发展空间，其中也包括反无人机系统（C-UAS）。为了实现这一目标，你需要一个由互补效应器组成的综合分层防空系统，以提供军事和国土防御。”

 

Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun systems are still widely used, such as China’s PGZ07. Credit: Gordon Arthur

自行高射炮系统仍被广泛使用，如中国的PGZ07。图片来源：Gordon Arthur

 

MBDA went on to describe the various GBAD layers it has on offer. Its flagship C-UAS system is the Sky Warden, which the spokesperson described as “a scalable system that can effectively neutralise any form of threat, from tactical drones to reconnaissance mini-drones, as well as other traditional ‘air-breathing’ threats”.

MBDA继续介绍了其提供的各种地面反无人机（GBAD）系统。其旗舰产品C-UAS系统是“天空守护者”，发言人将其描述为“一个可扩展的系统，能够有效压制任何形式的威胁，从战术无人机到侦察微型无人机，以及其他传统的‘吸气式’威胁”。

 

Vehicle-mounted or dismounted, it employs artificial intelligence (AI) to assist human operators identify and classify threats, and then automatically assign the most appropriate effector.

无论是车载还是非车载，它都利用人工智能（AI）辅助操作人员识别和分类威胁，然后自动分配最合适的应对措施。

 

Moving up in capability, the Mistral represents MBDA’s very short-range air defence layer. Further on, the European missile house markets the hot-launched VL MICA NG and cold-launched Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions (EMADS); the latter utilises the Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) family.

在能力方面更上一层楼的是，西北风（Mistral）代表了MBDA（欧洲导弹公司）的极短程防空层。此外，这家欧洲导弹公司还推出了热发射的VL MICA NG和冷发射的增强型模块化防空解决方案（EMADS）；后者采用了通用防空模块化导弹（CAMM）系列。

 

MBDA notes that the MICA NG is the only missile in the world equipped with two interoperable seekers – an active radio frequency active electronically scanned array seeker for all-weather shoot-up/shoot-down capability, and the second a passive imaging infrared seeker.

MBDA指出，MICA NG是世界上唯一一款配备两种可互操作导引头的导弹——一种是主动射频有源电子扫描阵列导引头，具备全天候向上/向下射击能力；另一种是被动成像红外导引头。

 

The company’s highest-tier air defence product is the SAMP/T NG medium-/long-range system that fires Aster-family missiles. It can operate standalone or integrated into a network and can fire up to eight missiles in ten seconds.

该公司的最高级别防空产品是可发射“阿斯特”系列导弹的SAMP/T NG中远程防空系统。该系统可独立运行或集成到网络中，并能在10秒内发射多达8枚导弹。

 

Ukraine’s battlefield experience

乌克兰的战场经验

 

Western countries have bolstered Ukrainian air defences with a hodgepodge of disparate systems like the Aspide, Aster-30, Crotale, Gepard, IRIS-T, MIM-23 HAWK, Mistral, NASAMS, Patriot PAC-2, Piorun, RBS 70, Skynex, Starstreak, and Stinger.

西方国家通过一系列不同的系统来加强乌克兰的防空能力，这些系统包括“蝮蛇”（Aspide）、“紫苑-30”（Aster-30）、“响尾蛇”（Crotale）、“猎豹”（Gepard）、“IRIS-T”、MIM-23“霍克”（HAWK）、“西北风”（Mistral）、“奈克萨姆”（NASAMS）、“爱国者PAC-2”、Piorun、RBS 70、Skynex、Starstreak和“毒刺”（Stinger）。

 

MBDA offers the modular Sky Warden system. Credit: MBDA

MBDA提供模块化的“天空守卫者”系统。资料来源：MBDA

 

Interestingly, German-supplied Gepard self-propelled antiaircraft gun systems, first developed in the 1970s, have proven very practical against UAVs thanks to their effective cost-to-kill ratio.

有趣的是，德国提供的“猎豹”自行高炮系统，最初研发于20世纪70年代，由于其有效的杀伤成本比，已被证明对无人机非常有效。

 

In Ukraine, air warfare has been transformed by the proliferation of precision air attack weapons. Yet these still rely on reconnaissance assets to provide target coordinates, often low-cost UAVs whose cheapness and dense saturation constitute a devilish threat. Such UAVs create high volumes of simultaneous targets and raise the spectre of long-term cost – it is not feasible to use expensive missiles against throwaway UAVs.

在乌克兰，精确空袭武器的激增改变了空战格局。然而，这些武器仍然依赖于侦察设备来提供目标坐标，而这些侦察设备往往是低成本无人机，其廉价性和密集饱和性构成了极大的威胁。这些无人机同时产生大量目标，并带来了长期成本问题——使用昂贵的导弹来对付一次性无人机是不可行的。

 

Consequently, massed air defence assets of sufficient quality to counter a broad range of threats are required. Yet air defence platforms near, and far, behind the frontlines are under intensive threat from reconnaissance assets, and they can be quickly targeted.

因此，需要部署足够质量、足以应对各种威胁的大规模防空力量。然而，部署在前线附近和后方远处的防空平台面临着来自侦察力量的巨大威胁，它们可能很快就会成为攻击目标。

 

Survivability and recoverability are therefore vital considerations for air defence units too. Because radars emit signatures and can be swiftly counterattacked, passive infrared search and track is proving practical for military operators, even if only for short-range targeting.

因此，生存能力和恢复能力也是防空部队必须考虑的重要因素。由于雷达会发出信号特征且易受快速反击，被动红外搜索与跟踪技术已被证明对军事作战人员而言切实可行，即便仅用于短距离目标定位。

 

Ukraine has also developed its Zvook network of passive acoustic sensors, comprising parabolic antennas connected to computer algorithms, to detect air targets.

乌克兰还开发了由抛物面天线组成的Zvook被动声学传感器网络，这些天线与计算机算法相连，用于探测空中目标。

 

Furthermore, Ukraine’s experience has shown that anti-aircraft weapons need to be integrated into effective air defence networks. This requires robust communications and command and control. Effectors need to be resupplied with ammunition in a timely fashion, emphasising the need for efficient logistics.

此外，乌克兰的经验表明，防空武器需要融入有效的防空网络。这需要强大的通信以及指挥和控制能力。执行机构需要及时得到弹药补给，这凸显了高效后勤保障的必要性。

 

When asked about lessons being learned from Ukraine, a spokesperson from the Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) highlighted three things. The first is that a variety of effectors must be multi-layered. Next, “longer-range effectors are required (part of the multi-layered approach). Rockets and missiles are in demand, but ideally, they must be cost-effective and used against appropriate UAV targets.”

当被问及从乌克兰危机中吸取的教训时，澳大利亚公司光电系统公司（EOS）的一位发言人强调了三点。第一，各种效应器必须是多层次的。其次，“需要更远距离的效应器（作为多层次方法的一部分）。火箭和导弹有需求，但理想情况下，它们必须具有成本效益，并且用于打击合适的无人机目标。”

 

Finally, the EOS representative said: “It’s becoming more difficult for ‘soft kill’ solutions such as jammers and spoofers to remain effective as drones become more hardened against these effects. More and more, it’s the kinetic effectors that have the most effect.”

最后，EOS代表表示：“随着无人机对这些干扰和欺骗等‘软杀伤’手段的防御能力增强，这些手段越来越难以奏效。越来越多地，动能效应器发挥了最大的作用。”

 

Defending against drones

防御无人机

 

Indeed, integration of C-UAS is one of the most pressing issues for GBAD systems. Different technologies are pertinent, and EOS, for example, offers three types of platforms: the Slinger remote-controlled weapon station (RWS) optimised for C-UAS through radar, software and effectors; a laser dazzler; and a high-energy laser weapon.

事实上，反无人机系统（C-UAS）的集成是地面与机载防御系统（GBAD）面临的最紧迫问题之一。涉及多种相关技术，例如，光电系统（EOS）提供了三种类型的平台：通过雷达、软件和效应器针对反无人机系统进行优化的斯林格遥控武器站（RWS）；激光致盲器；以及高能激光武器。

 

Asked about what advantages the Slinger RWS brings to the C-UAS role, EOS stated it offers value-for-money engagement of UAVs, and they are platform-agnostic for land or maritime environments.

当被问及“斯林格”机载雷达武器系统（Slinger RWS）对反无人机系统（C-UAS）的作用有何优势时，EOS表示，该系统能够以高性价比的方式与无人机进行交战，且适用于陆地或海上环境，不受平台限制。

 

Additionally, their size and weight allow them to be installed on anything from pickup trucks to main battle tanks. They are versatile too, since they can perform ground-to-ground attack roles when not defending against UAVs.

此外，它们的大小和重量使其能够安装在从皮卡车到主战坦克的各种设备上。它们还具有多功能性，因为它们在不防御无人机时，可以执行地对地攻击任务。

 

Meanwhile, Australia is finally moving to eliminate a glaring C-UAS capability gap as it seeks solutions to protect infrastructure, bases, dismounted personnel, and vehicles. Project Land 156 will address the threat posed by UAVs weighing up to 55kg. An approach to market for a systems integration partner to manage C-UAS acquisitions occurred last November, though a minimum viable capability is not expected until 2032.

与此同时，澳大利亚终于开始着手消除反无人机系统（C-UAS）能力上的明显差距，以寻求保护基础设施、基地、徒步人员和车辆的解决方案。Land 156项目将应对重量高达55公斤的无人机所构成的威胁。去年11月，澳大利亚开始向市场寻求系统集成合作伙伴，以管理反无人机系统的采购，但预计至少要到2032年才能具备最低可行能力。

 

EOS told Global Defence Technology: “We’ve been working for some time in anticipation of the approval of the Land 156 project. We’re excited that the project is moving ahead and look forward to participating and contributing to the capability.”

EOS向《全球防务技术》表示：“我们为等待陆军156项目的批准已努力了一段时间。我们很高兴该项目正在推进，并期待参与其中并为该能力做出贡献。”

 

EOS markets the Slinger weapon station optimised for counter-UAS missions. Credit: EOS

EOS公司推出了针对反无人机任务优化的Slinger武器站。图片来源：EOS

 

Illustrating the need to broaden the scope of GBAD, Kongsberg and Raytheon are looking to expand the popular NASAMS system’s capability. John Fry, managing director of Kongsberg Defence Australia, told Global Defence Technology that the partners will bring in full-spectrum air defence with a longer-range missile as well as more tightly coupled C-UAS effectors.

为说明扩大 GBAD 应用范围的必要性，康斯伯格和雷神公司正致力于提升这款广受欢迎的 NASAMS 系统性能。康斯伯格防务澳大利亚公司总经理约翰·弗莱向《全球防务技术》表示，双方将部署具备远程导弹的全谱防空系统，并配备协同作战的C- UAS 作战单元。

 

The former would require a new launcher to accommodate larger missiles capable of perhaps even countering tactical ballistic missiles; of course, this is a more cost-effective approach than having to buy a separate system.

前者需要一种新型发射器来容纳更大的导弹，这些导弹甚至可能具备对抗战术弹道导弹的能力；当然，与购买单独的系统相比，这是一种更具成本效益的方法。

 

Fry noted that, whilst missiles are not suited to shooting down small UAVs, their networked radars are ideal for cueing data to other effectors. Fry said Kongsberg is looking at integrating a C-UAS capability into its fire distribution centre (FDC) and using it as a decision tool for other gun-type air defence systems.

弗莱指出，虽然导弹不适合击落小型无人机，但其联网雷达系统能高效向其他作战单元传递指令数据。弗莱表示，康斯伯格公司正考虑将C- UAS 能力整合至其火炮分配中心（FDC），并将其作为其他枪式防空系统的决策工具。

 

NASAMS has been around 30 years, but upgraded FDCs and launchers able to fire multiple missile types – the AMRAAM, AMRAAM-ER and AIM-9X Block II – keep it relevant. One major improvement has been in the introduction of a multi-missile threat evaluation and weapon allocation capability in the FDC within the past few years.

NASAMS已有约30年的历史，但经过升级的火控装置（FDC）和能够发射多种导弹类型（AMRAAM、AMRAAM-ER和AIM-9X Block II）的发射器使其仍然具有相关性。过去几年中，NASAMS的一项重大改进是在火控装置中引入了多导弹威胁评估和武器分配能力。

 

“That’s where the FDC makes a recommendation for an operator to make a decision around what missile they may want to use against a particular target,” Fry said. “Having multiple missiles is great, but when the system’s clever enough to make recommendations on what the best choice is for that target set, I think that’s been one of the real significant enhancements that’s come into the system.”

“这就是FDC（火力决策计算机）为操作员提供建议，以便其决定针对特定目标使用哪种导弹的地方，”弗莱（Fry）说。“拥有多种导弹当然很好，但当系统足够智能，能够针对特定目标集提出最佳选择建议时，我认为这是该系统真正重大的改进之一。”

 

Future directions

未来方向

 

Asked about future trends, the EOS spokesperson predicted “greater integration” of AI for improved target detection and recognition, including simultaneous tracking of multiple targets such as small, high-speed drones in low-contrast conditions. Another expectation is “more autonomy” in systems to enable faster engagement time, particularly against drone swarms.

在被问及未来趋势时，EOS发言人预测，人工智能将“进一步融合”，以改进目标检测和识别，包括在低对比度条件下同时跟踪多个目标，如小型高速无人机。另一个预期是系统将“更加自主”，以实现更快的交战时间，尤其是针对无人机群。

 

Posing the same question to MBDA, a spokesperson told Global Defence Technology that “collaboration and cooperation is key to the future of air defence”, citing examples like ESSI and the Timely Warning and Interception with Space-based TheatER Surveillance (TWISTER) counter-hypersonic project.

当向MBDA（导弹防御局）提出同样的问题时，一位发言人告诉《全球防务技术》杂志，“协作与合作是防空未来的关键”，并列举了欧洲防空系统（ESSI）和天基战区监视及时预警与拦截（TWISTER）反高超声速项目等例子。

 

EOS also offers a high-energy laser weapon for C-UAS. Credit: EOS

EOS还为反无人机系统（C-UAS）提供了一种高能激光武器。资料来源：EOS

 

New effectors in the form of directed energy weapon systems are appearing too. As MBDA said: “Directed-energy weapons are already a direction that air defence is taking, becoming complimentary effectors systems.”

以定向能武器系统形式出现的新型效应器也正在涌现。正如MBDA所言：“定向能武器已成为防空领域的发展方向，正成为补充效应器系统。”

 

MBDA noted that laser-directed energy weapons and radio frequency directed-energy weapons are already modular options in its Sky Warden C-UAS system.

MBDA指出，激光定向能武器和射频定向能武器已成为其“天空守望者”C-UAS系统的模块化选项。