Thales unveils SkyDefender an AI-powered integrated air and missile defence dome
Thales has unveiled SkyDefender, a new integrated air and missile defence system designed to protect against the full spectrum of airborne threats, from drones to hypersonic missiles. The system combines a network of advanced sensors, effectors and a command-and-control platform to provide multi-layer protection across land, naval and space domains.
SkyDefender integrates several defence layers:
- Short-range protection with ForceShield, designed to defend forces, critical infrastructure and sensitive sites against low-altitude threats such as drones.
- Medium-range defence with SAMP-T NG by Eurosam, supported by Thales’ Ground Fire radar, capable of detecting targets up to 350 km away.
- Long-range early warning, using SMART-L MM and UHF radars able to detect threats at distances of up to 5,000 km, complemented by infrared early-warning satellites developed by Thales Alenia Space.
All capabilities are coordinated through SkyView, Thales’ command-and-control system, enhanced with artificial intelligence through the cortAIx AI accelerator. Built on an open and modular architecture, SkyDefender is designed to integrate with existing defence systems, including NATO and allied platforms. According to Thales, the system is available today for global deployment and can be further developed through partnerships with other industrial players.
