Helix Defense emerged onto the tactical defense scene this week, bringing with it a new anti-aircraft ammunition to give soldiers an upper hand against drones.
Helix Defense began operations Monday, bringing together veterans and former MedTech innovators to tackle the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Helix Defense on Monday unveiled STING, a programmable and scalable airburst interceptor round that gives ground units a last-mile defense against drone swarms. Helix says STING will improve survivability by focusing on proactive threat denial instead of reactive defense.
“Warfighters at the tactical edge need tools that match their urgency, clarity and decisiveness,” said Eric Sanders, chief strategy and growth officer at Helix Defense. “STING is built for them — fast, modular and intelligent — to neutralize threats before they reach our forces.”
Airburst rounds are explosive ammunition, typically used to disable enemy aircraft or attack enemy personnel behind cover. Helix’s STING has a typical 40mm case, but allows for a customizable payload and a programmable deployment mechanism.
The company said STING can be integrated into several mission scenarios, but the system was designed to address the growing “demand for agile, close-quarters counter-UAS solutions.”
Defense contractors around the world are working to develop anti-drone tools as unmanned aerial vehicles become staples of modern battlefields.
Last year, U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman developed a 30mm airburst round built to combat drone swarms. The rounds are also meant to be used in conjunction with radar and other electronic warfare systems.
