Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Defeat Systems (LIDS) are complex networks of sensors, cameras, electronic warfare equipment, radios and radar designed to counter small- to medium-sized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

The LIDS family of systems is deployable as either mobile units (M-LIDS) or from fixed, relocatable platforms (FS-LIDS), enabling it to provide stationary support for an installation, asset or site as well as a mobile configuration.

The systems included in LIDS enable them to detect, identify and intercept incoming unmanned systems.

LIDS achieve detection and tracking through multiple radar systems, and by using optical infrared cameras, which have confirmation and classification abilities up to 10km away.

LIDS also possess a comprehensive communication system, enabling command-and-control to receive input from sensors and execute appropriate mitigation techniques, ranging from electronic warfare to kinetic intercepts.

More specifically, they include the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2), a command-and-control software application that provides air picture and airspace coordination.

FAAD C2 is equipped with access to the Link-16 communication system, a tactical military data network employed by the United States, NATO and other allies to communicate relevant air and missile threat data to defense systems.

Electronic warfare, kinetic intercepts

After identification is complete, LIDS deploy Coyote Block 2+ interceptors -- jet-engine powered expendable drones with an effective range of up to 15km -- as one of their interception options.

The 13-pound (10kg) Coyotes, which are 26 inches (66cm) long and have a 58-inch (147cm) wingspan, can fly netted together in swarms or deployed as individual aircraft.

It can carry a proximity warhead -- a fuse that detonates automatically when within a certain distance of its target -- able to destroy an enemy drone.

When it uses its radar frequency seeker, the Coyote is able to identify and eliminate hostile UAS, and can intercept and destroy enemy drones through collisions or targeted explosions.

LIDS can also employ Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Electronic Warfare Systems (CUAEWS) against enemy UAS at a range of up to 8km.

The 30mm chain gun XM914 provides final protective defense for mobile units.

The innovative modular, open architecture of LIDS enables them to detect and defeat a variety of UAS ranging from light Group 1 UAS to large Group 3 aircraft, the latter of which is capable of carrying large explosives and payloads.

Group 3 aircraft include vessels such as the Integrator -- a modular, multi-mission capable UAS with a 16-foot (4.8-meter) wingspan designed for both land and maritime operations -- and the Shadow low- to medium-altitude tactical aircraft with a 20.4-foot (6.2-meter) wingspan.

International interest

The US Army initially deployed LIDS to the US Central Command area of responsibility in 2017.

Since then, the efficacy of LIDS in combat has drawn international interest as a deterrent to small UAS.

In August 2021 the US Army conducted a series of demonstrations involving various LIDS technologies to demonstrate their range of uses in combat.

The demonstrations included eight scenarios: three used CUAEWS, two used the XM914 30mm cannon with proximity fused ammunition, and three used the Coyote Block 2 Interceptor. Threats included single flights and swarms in multiple configurations.

The Army underscored the importance of LIDS technology in combating adversaries' abilities to deploy high numbers of low cost drones.

Last November, the US State Department approved a $1 billion sale of the FS-LIDS including 200 Coyote Block 2 interceptors as well as Coyote launchers, anti-drone technology CUAEWS, 360-degree KuMRFS Multi Mission Radars and other drone-defense and support technologies to Qatar.

"The proposed sale will improve Qatar's capability to meet current and future threats by providing electronic and kinetic defeat capabilities against [UASs]," the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement.