The EDM4S or EDM4S SkyWiper (Electronic Drone Mitigation 4 - System), is a portable electronic warfare anti-drone device produced and developed by the Lithuanian company NT Service[1] It is designed to disrupt small and medium sized UAVs by jamming their communication and satellite navigation systems with an electromagnetic pulse.[2][3]
| EDM4S SkyWiper | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Portable anti-drone weapon |
| Place of origin |  Lithuania |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2021–present |
| Used by |  Lithuanian Armed Forces Armed Forces of UkraineRomanian Armed Forces |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | NT Service UAB |
| Designed | c. 2018 |
| Unit cost | around $15,000 |
| Variants | EDM4S-UA Skylock Skybeam |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 5.5 kg (12 lb) |
| Length | 1,050 mm (41 in) |
| Width | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Height | 360 mm (14 in) |
| Effective firing range | 3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi) |
History
editThe device was first shown by the company NT Service (based in Kaunas, Lithuania) in the 2019 Security and Counter Terror Exhibition in London.[1] In partnership with Israeli company Skylock, NT Service also produces the system under the name "Skybeam".[4]
Description
edit
The device can be carried by one person. The operator points the device at the UAV and activates it to disrupt the UAV's communications out to a range of 3–5 km (2–3 mi), as well as its satellite navigation capabilities. Depending on the UAV's level of autonomy, it may then fall out of the sky, make a controlled landing, return to an earlier waypoint, or continue operating normally.[1]
The device can have 4 or 6 antennas. By default there are two antennas for the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands, with a power of 10 W each, one antenna for the GPS 1.5 GHz band with a power of 10 W, and one antenna for the GLONASS 1.5 GHz band with a power of 10 W.[3]
The device is made of aluminium, with the "gun" portion being modelled after the Heckler & Koch G36 rifle[5] – including a trigger to activate the device and optics for sighting. It weighs 5.5 kg and measures 1050 × 220 × 360 mm with the stock extended (830 × 220 × 360 mm without the stock extended). It is powered by a 24 V battery, which can last for up to 60 minutes.[2][1]
Operational history
editThe EDM4S-UA version of the device – at a unit cost of US$15,000 – was first used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces against the Russian separatist drones in Donbas in 2021 as part of the Russo-Ukrainian War. It has since seen further use in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, neutralizing the Russian drones such as the Eleron-3.[6][7][8] In June 2022, Lithuania donated 110 units to Ukraine at a cost of €1.5 million (US$1.56 million).[9]
Operators
edit
- Ukrainian Armed Forces: EDM4S-UA[9]
- Romanian Armed Forces: Skylock Skybeam[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "NT Service UAB EDM4S (Sky Wiper)". www.militaryfactory.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ a b "Lithuanian anti-drone jammer EDM4S Sky Wiper (portable equipment REW) : Anti-drone Weapons". Armedconflicts.com. 21 January 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ a b Kadam, Tanmay (13 April 2022). "SkyWiper - Ukraine Flaunts Its Futuristic Counter-Drone Rifle That Can Identify, Track & Disrupt Enemy UAVs". Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Skybeam Counter Drone Gun". skylock1.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
- ^ Joseph Trevithick (9 May 2022). "Ukraine Situation Report: "We're Staying In This" Biden Says As He Signs Lend-Lease Bill". theDrive.
- ^ Trinko, Myroslav. "The Ukrainian armed forces used the EDM4S Sky Wiper anti-drone cannon to shoot down the Russian Eleron-3 reconnaissance UAV". gagadget.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "EDM4S-UA Anti-Drone Jammer – 5 pieces". Help Heroes Of Ukraine | Ukrainian World Charity Foundation. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Дайджест подій на Близькому Сході. 9 травня 2022 року". mil.in.ua (in Ukrainian). 9 May 2022.
- ^ a b "110 Lithuanian EDM4S anti-drone rifles for the Armed Forces • Mezha.Media". mezha.media. 13 June 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Lietuvos kariuomenei perkama įranga kovai su bepiločiais orlaiviais". Lietuvos Respublikos krašto apsaugos ministerija (in Lithuanian). 14 March 2022. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ^ Livex Angajament total 23 (video) (in Romanian). Studioul Multimedia - Observatorul militar. 16 June 2023. Event occurs at 2:31 – via YouTube.