In modern conflict, where small drones pose an ever-increasing threat, getting cutting-edge technology into soldiers’ hands quickly is paramount. L3Harris did exactly that during the British Army’s VANAHEIM exercise, showcasing its CORVUS-RAVEN counter-small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) directly to troops for real-world evaluation.
VANAHEIM, a collaborative U.S. and British Army initiative held at Germany’s Hohenfels Training Area, serves as a critical proving ground. Its goal is to identify and accelerate new counter-drone solutions, ensuring forces can counter evolving UAS threats with modern tactics and technology. The exercise specifically sought systems that are portable, user-friendly for all soldiers, and effective against the prevalent Class 1 drone category.
L3Harris’s CORVUS-RAVEN system was a perfect fit for these demands. This lightweight, portable system is designed to provide enhanced situational awareness by rapidly detecting and identifying rogue drones at distances of up to four kilometers. It integrates jamming functionality to neutralize threats and can display data on familiar battle management apps like ATAK.
During the dynamic field demonstrations, British soldiers had the chance to operate CORVUS-RAVEN in two distinct configurations: one integrated onto a Coyote tactical vehicle and a dismounted, wearable variant for maximum mobility on foot. This hands-on experience in realistic mission scenarios provided L3Harris experts with immediate, invaluable feedback from the end-users, which will directly shape the system’s future development.
“VANAHEIM provided an invaluable opportunity to get L3Harris CORVUS-RAVEN capability into the hands of users,” said Ian Menzies, General Manager of L3Harris’ Intelligence and Cyber International division. “This close collaboration with the customer will inform further development of the capability, ensuring our technology is fully aligned to their needs and ready for the future.”
At the core of CORVUS-RAVEN is the software-defined Individual CORVUS Node (ICN), a compact electronic warfare system. This technology allows forces to swiftly detect, locate, classify, and defeat a wide spectrum of drone threats, offering a critical and adaptable layer of defense for the future battlespace.
