Germany has unveiled the “SCILT Naval” active counter-drone system, envisioned as a new way for maritime forces to defend against close-range threats.
Made by Fulda-based firm Mehler Protection, the system is positioned as a last line of defense against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that larger air defense solutions cannot immediately respond to.
It utilizes three alert levels spanning detection, approach, and engagement, and is capable of deploying a wide range of armor-piercing, fragmentation, or shotgun rounds to take down inbound threats.
SCILT Naval is also integrated with a suite of sensors and operating controls, with various electro-optical systems available for more immediate threat detections.
The company said the system is compatible with existing command-and-control networks but can also autonomously use its own detection and engagement capabilities if no suitable interface is available.
Naval crews can install additional control and display methods in multiple locations inside a vessel, giving them the versatility to access tactical information and command whenever required.
While initially offered as a human-in-the-loop system, Mehler Protection is said to be planning an automated variant compliant with the certification and operational requirements of the German military.
Improving Legacy Systems
SCILT Naval is a maritime-based configuration of the legacy SCILT system, originally produced for engagements on land.
Similar to the naval variant, the land variant protects ground platforms from close-range drones attacking in lateral, frontal, and low angles.
It features effectors strategically placed at different points to effectively provide complete 360-degree protection from UAVs.
Mehler Protection introduced SCILT Naval at the 2026 Shipbuilding, Machinery, and Maritime Technology expo held in Hamburg, Germany.
