Researchers at The University of Alabama in Huntsville are showcasing a high-speed autonomous attack drone developed in Huntsville as part of a major U.S. Department of Defense technology demonstration focused on next-generation battlefield systems.
The university’s Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center, known as RSESC, recently presented the latest version of its Skyspear™ aerial defense platform during the Department of Defense Technology Readiness Experimentation, or T-REX 26-2, event at Camp Atterbury in Indiana.
Developed by UAH staff and students, Skyspear™ is designed as a counter-uncrewed aerial systems platform capable of intercepting hostile drones in combat environments.
Constructed with lightweight additive-manufactured components, the drone can exceed speeds of 130 miles per hour and supports both air and ground launch operations. The system incorporates autonomous targeting algorithms, RF-silent guidance systems, resilient mesh communications and modular payload configurations.
“Version 1 of the system was developed initially under a research application for the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces,” said RSESC Director Jerry Hendrix. “Once that program ended, the university invested funding to extend the program. We’re now up to Version 5, and the system has four patents pending, with the largest part of the extended initiative funded internally by UAH.”
The system is undergoing operational stress testing during the T-REX event, where defense technologies are evaluated in simulated battlefield conditions.
According to Hendrix, the drone has demonstrated a success rate greater than 90% against smaller hostile drone systems classified by the Department of Defense as Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned aerial systems.
“It’s a low-cost, viable solution, with a greater than 90% success rate against threat UAS Group 1 and 2 systems,” Hendrix said.
The Department of Defense categorizes drones into Groups 1 through 5 based on factors including weight, speed and operating altitude. Group 1 and 2 systems typically refer to smaller unmanned aircraft that could pose surveillance or attack threats.
Hendrix said soldier feedback has played a significant role in the platform’s development.
“Its ease of usability means it can be put in the field right now,” Hendrix said. “Our soldiers are using it already, and we’re getting feedback. It was built with soldier input from an emerging U.S. Army customer need and won an award at the end of the program recognizing the effectiveness of our system.”
The Skyspear system is designed to integrate directly into military tactical networks. Using radar cues and onboard computer vision technology, the drone can autonomously identify and engage airborne targets.
“The Skyspear system is fully integrated and operates within the tactical network,” Hendrix said. “It is given an instruction on what to do, it gets to a location and then uses computer vision software to attack aircraft in the air.”
The drone also includes a first-person-view capability that allows operators to manually take control for missions involving ground targets.
Payload options range from non-kinetic systems such as smoke deployment and entanglement devices to direct-impact strike capabilities.
UAH researchers have participated in multiple T-REX events and other military testing programs, including “Dirt Days,” which places systems into varying operational environments including deserts, mountainous terrain and heavily wooded areas.
The university said future development plans include swarming capabilities and simultaneous multi-launch operations.
“Looking to the future, we have plans to extend both the system’s lethality as well as its mission capabilities,” Hendrix said. “For example, upcoming enhancements would include a swarming capability and a multiple simultaneous launch capacity. UAH has four patents pending, and the item is ready for commercialization and receiving keen interest.”
Autonomous interceptor system designed in Huntsville exceeds 130 mph and targets hostile drones.
