A striking feature of today’s security landscape is the sheer pace at which uncrewed threats are evolving. Drones are becoming faster, cheaper, more autonomous, more adaptable, and the way they are deployed is constantly changing.
This rapid development isn’t confined to one region or one type of actor - it’s happening across multiple geographies, driven by both commercial innovation and hostile intent. For organisations trying to protect people, assets, and national infrastructure, this creates a shifting target. The challenge isn’t just detecting something in the sky; it’s understanding what it is, what it can do, and how to respond before it becomes a problem.
Having served on the front line in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army Reservist, I know how critical that understanding is. When you’re deployed, you rely on the systems around you to give you clarity in moments where uncertainty can be dangerous. Technology that helps you identify threats quickly and accurately isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. That’s why I believe in the importance of developing capabilities that counter hostile threats, especially drones.
"Technology that helps you identify threats quickly and accurately isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. That’s why I believe in the importance of developing capabilities that counter hostile threats, especially drones."Louise Heywood, Head of Strategy, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
A team at BAE Systems has recognised the urgency of this challenge and is responding at pace by working on a new development. The BAE Systems Anti‑Threat System (BATS) will be a modular, scalable, interoperable system designed to adapt as uncrewed technology evolves. Its open architecture is a crucial part of that philosophy. Customers won’t be locked into a fixed configuration; they will be able to integrate new sensors, new effectors, and new software updates as threats change. In a world where drone capabilities can shift in months rather than years, that adaptability is essential.
BATS will provide operators with the ability to detect, classify, and understand different types of drones - giving them the information they need to deliver the right effect at the right time. Whether it’s protecting multiple airfields across a country, monitoring a long and complex border, supporting critical national infrastructure security, or enhancing force protection for troops on the ground, the system is being built to scale and flex to the mission.
Ultimately, this is about giving customers the Power of Perspective: the ability to understand the threat, make a decision, and take action with confidence. As drone development accelerates, that perspective becomes even more vital. Knowing that we are responding with urgency and agility to keep people safe, both on the front line and at home, matters deeply to me.
Learn more about the BAE Systems Anti Threat System