Slinger is an anti-drone weapon system developed by Electro Optic Systems (EOS) of Symonston, Australia. It was introduced in May 2023.[1][2]
It consists of:
- a remote controlled weapon station (RCWS) based on the EOS model R400 RCWS that uses a lightweight Bushmaster M230LF autocannon which is fully stabilised and capable of on-the-move operation. 150 radio frequency proximity fused, high-explosive/fragmentation 30x113 mm rounds are carried. Rate of fire is selectable at single-shot, 100 rpm, or 200 rpm.
- a secondary MAG 58 coaxial machine gun.
- an Echodyne EchoGuard 4D multi mission surveillance radar is integrated into the system providing detection ranges of more than 3.5 km for vehicles and more than 2.2 km for individuals, while small drones can be detected out to 1-1.4 km and engaged at beyond 800 m.
- the sensor unit includes a day camera and thermal imager which can identify objects at 12 km and 13.7 km respectively.
The turret system weighs 355 kg and has a height of 90 cm, so it can be mounted on the roofs of vehicles or even the flatbed of a pickup truck. It can elevate the guns up to +70° and depress them down to -10°. An operator controls the turret using a joystick from inside the vehicle; it is capable of tracking a target on its own for the controller to engage.
The Slinger is designed for low-cost counter-drone interception. Compared to traditional missiles that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars being used against drones costing in the low tens of thousands or less, Slinger has a cost per engagement ranging from $155-$1,550; unit cost is less than $1.55 million.[3][4][5][6][7][8]
In September 2023, it was announced that 160 Slingers would be provided to Ukraine by EOS for use in that country's defence during the ongoing invasion by Russia. 110 will be mounted on M113 armored personnel carriers and 50 will be integrated onto Practika 4x4 light MRAPs.[9][6][7][8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Kinetic Counter-Drone Capability Launched". C.UAS hub. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ^ EOS launches new "Slinger" Counter-Drone Capability. Electro Optic Systems. 23 May 2023.
- ^ Blenkin, Max (18 May 2023). "More on EOS' new counter-UAS weapon system". www.australiandefence.com.au. Australian Defence Magazine. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
- ^ "Defence Slinger". eos-aus.com. Elecro Optic Systems. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ^ Australia’s EOS Launches C-UAS with Hard-Kill Capabilities. UAS Vision. 17 May 2023.
- ^ a b EOS conducts live fire showcase for counter-UAV Slinger. Electro Optic Systems. 29 August 2023.
- ^ a b Ukraine Gets Unique Slinger Anti-Drone Weapon Station From Australian EOS. Defense Express. 2 September 2023.
- ^ a b Australian EOS Slinger anti-drone system ready to destroy Russian drones in Ukraine. Army Recognition. 4 October 2023.
- ^ Voichuk, Iryna (1 September 2023). "Ukraine to receive 160 Slinger anti-drone systems". Euromaidan Press. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
