AIM Defence wins Canadian Army CD 1 million prize by neutralising drone swarm with laser

Canada’s AIM Defence has won a CAD1 million competition from the Canadian Army during a three-week contest that ended in mid-June for its Fractl:1 high powered laser counter UAS system. The system is integrated with an in-house developed AI tracking system and can neutralise 30 drones at distances up to 1.5km away, according to the company.

According to the company’s website:

“Fractl has been designed to detect and defeat the intrusion of unwanted drones in a multi-domain environment. By using the world’s most advanced tracking and optics system, Fractl’s laser beam can hit a drone moving at 100 kilometres an hour a kilometre away with a beam the size of a 10-cent piece. Able to target a drone’s rotor, wiring, camera or other key operating area means the device can be retrieved from the field for forensic analysis to enhance operational awareness. Fractl’s advanced operating system is easily integrated into existing systems to effectively reduce operator load and enhance engagement response time.

“Fractl is highly deployable, offering battery and AC power options while the entire field ready unit weighs less than 50 kilograms.”