Olga Koval17:56, 05.05.26
The FLEX exercises practiced the integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence technologies.
The BRAWLR air defense system, which was previously combat-tested in Ukraine, is being considered by the US military for installation on naval unmanned platforms to intercept Shahed attack drones, Defense Express reports .
According to the publication, at the Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) exercises, held from April 24 to 30 under the auspices of the US Navy Southern Command and the US 4th Fleet, a CUSV (Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle) naval drone from Textron Systems with the BRAWLR system developed by Sierra Nevada Corporation was demonstrated.
The exercises practiced the integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence technologies with the participation of both manned and autonomous platforms, including the littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13).
The material notes that the developer company previously reported on the deployment of the BRAWLR complex in one of the countries, where it destroyed over 400 drones over a certain period. We may be talking about the use of the system in Ukraine.
According to the publication, the BRAWLR system involves the use of various types of missiles, including APKWS, AIM-120 and P-27. In the version presented on the naval drone, the complex was equipped with a Multiple Launch Hydra System (MLHS) launcher for 23 APKWS II missiles and two AIM-9 missiles.
It is also noted that it is possible to install two MLHS launchers, which allows increasing the ammunition load to 46 missiles. In this version, the naval drone can be used to intercept a significant number of air targets in one mission.
According to the manufacturer, training operators of the complex takes about a week, and deploying the system takes up to 10 minutes.
US air defense problems
It should be noted that cheap Iranian “Shaheeds” have effectively paralyzed modern American air defense systems. The US Army was not ready for the “war economy”, where it takes a $4 million missile to eliminate one $20,000 drone.
Previously, a 60-year-old Iranian Northrop F-5 fighter was able to paralyze a modern US air defense system and strike one of the largest American bases in Kuwait – Camp Buehring.
(C)UNIAN 2026