The Venom targeting system has demonstrated an ability to identify and track unmanned aircraft systemsUAVs.
The ground-based system, normally used for designating ground targets, was used during the Army Maneuver-Fires Integrated Experiment (MFIX) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, according to an announcement by Venom manufacturer Northrop Grumman.
Venom "supported counter-UAS functions from two vehicles, providing precision target coordinates for fire support. The system received slew-to-cue messages and locked onto and tracked low-flying, small unmanned aircraft."
Venom, which features a Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR), also demonstrated precision targeting on-the-move capabilities as a vehicle-mounted mounted sensor under armor. More than 2,700 LLDR systems have been delivered.
"By continuing to invest in Venom, we have been able to repurpose our mature LLDR technology for additional missions," said Kay Burch, Northrop Grumman's vice president for communications, intelligence and networking solutions. "Adding counter-UAS and on-the-move targeting will give our war fighters greater flexibility in mission planning and execution."
