Schematic diagram of two small air-to-air missiles mounted on the "low-cost air defense system". According to foreign media reports, at the unmanned systems exhibition held in Bonn, Germany recently, Airbus Europe launched a "low-cost air defense system" for the first time. This system is modified by adding small air-to-air missiles to active target drones, mainly used to deal with unmanned aerial vehicles. Airbus has stated that it plans to test the prototype before the end of the year. Low cost air defense systems pursue low-cost and rapid production. For this reason, Airbus chose to modify the Do-DT25 target drone developed by the European Aerospace Defense Group as the prototype. The Do-DT25 target drone is equipped with dual turbojet engines and a backpack style air intake. It is 3.1 meters long, has a wingspan of 2.5 meters, a maximum takeoff weight of 144 kilograms, a maximum flight speed of 556 kilometers per hour, a maximum flight altitude of 10000 meters, and a range of 60 minutes. Due to the modular design of the target drone, the modification work is relatively simple. Low cost air defense systems are launched through pneumatic catapults on fixed or vehicle mounted platform launchers, recovered using parachutes, and can be reused. According to Airbus' design plan, the "low-cost air defense system" can carry 2 to 3 small air-to-air missiles. The alternative air-to-air missile may be a small missile developed by the European Missile Group based on anti tank missiles. The missile is 1 meter long and weighs about 9 kilograms. It uses an infrared seeker and proximity/trigger fuse, and can strike unprotected infantry and light armored vehicles, as well as targets behind cover through airburst. The missile has a range of 2 to 6 kilometers and features high strike accuracy and minimal collateral damage. In addition, the missile can also be used in various combat scenarios by replacing different warheads and targeting systems. According to the introduction, the "low-cost air defense system" will autonomously search and detect targets by receiving radar data and air situation images from ground control stations, and receive strike commands from operators during use. This system is mainly used to intercept suicide drones, which have strong anti-interference ability and good flight concealment. They often operate in a cluster mode and have been intercepted by anti-aircraft missiles in the past, but the interception effect is average and the cost is high. If a "low-cost air defense system" is used to mount missiles for aerial interception, it can expand the interception range and relatively save costs. The tactical concept of "low-cost air defense system" using drones to "defeat" drones has attracted attention from the outside world. In fact, the modification cost of this system is not low, and compared to some suicide drones that have already appeared, it does not have obvious combat advantages, but the design concept is worth paying attention to. (New Society)