U.S.-Made Counter-Drone Trucks Head for Ukraine.

• Author: Gourley, Scott R.

KINGMAN, Arizona -- Ukraine will soon receive a limited number of "gun truck" systems to enhance the nation's counter-drone capabilities.

A Northrop Grumman-led team developed the "Agnostic Gun Truck," which incorporates a lightweight 30mm M230 cannon currently used on Apache helicopters.

The order to send the trucks to Ukraine was confirmed in an April 4 Defense Department announcement regarding new security assistance for that country.

In addition to a continuing presidential drawdown on some existing equipment, the announcement noted that Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative funds would be used to provide a number of systems, including, "Nine counter-Unmanned Aerial System 30mm gun trucks."

According to an industry source, the nine gun trucks will be delivered as three battery sets, with each battery consisting of three of the trucks and one Mobile Acquisition, Cueing and Effector (M-ACE) system.

M-ACE incorporates a mix of mast-mounted 3D radar with drone detection to 10 kilometers, tracking and identification cameras and other electronic capabilities.

"M-ACE provides the ability to detect, identify, track and defeat enemy UAS," said Rob Menti, senior manager for business development at Northrop Grumman Armament Systems.

The system is able to provide a cue...