DSEI UK 2025: Securis C-UAS system unveiled

Allen-Vanguard has brought together a team of leading counter-UAS (C-UAS) specialists to develop Securis, a trailer-based C-UAS capability that will be presented at DSEI UK 2025, from 9-12 September in London. 

Securis is the result of a collaboration between Allen-Vanguard, which provided its Ancile radio-frequency (RF) defeat system, Metis with its Skyperion RF detection system, the A400 series radar from Blighter, and the Vision Flex optical suite from OpenWorks Engineering. All of these components are carried on a trailer from EdeyFX.

“As specialists, with operationally proven products within our own areas of expertise, we have come together to produce exactly what the customer base has been demanding, a best of breed collaboration of capable systems packaged into a scalable and highly mobile package,” Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard said in the September 3 press release. Allen-Vanguard announced that it was teaming with Metis back in November 2024 with the intent of developing new C-UAS solutions; this announcement suggests that the two companies have worked together quickly and successfully. 

You might wonder why there are so many different forms of detection included in Securis; the reasoning is actually very sound. UAVs present a unique challenge to air defence because of their size and the way they are built. Most make extensive use of plastic, with only small amounts of metal that can reflect radar energy. They are also often very small, or if larger like the Orlan-10, will fly at between 3,000 and 5,000 metres altitude, making it unlikely that the naked eye will detect them. So, layered detection for UAS is as important as layered interception capabilities. 

The combination of sensors in several different segments of the electromagnetic spectrum, from the visible light and thermal infrared capabilities of the Vision Flex suite, to the ultra high frequency of the A400 Ku band radar, and the comparatively low frequency RF detection of Skyperion, Securis is able to provide a much higher chance of detection and tracking than any one of these systems on their own. The option to passively detect drones (detect them without sending out any of your own signals) using the optical and RF suite is also a valuable addition. 

The graphic illustrates the vast difference in frequency between these technologies: Electro-Optical Suite (MWIR): Operates in the Mid-Wave Infrared region, which is part of the infrared spectrum and has a very high frequency. Ku-band Radar: This is in the microwave region of the spectrum, with frequencies in the GHz range, which is significantly lower than infrared. RF Detection System (2.4-5.2 GHz): This is also in the microwave/radio wave region, and as the graphic shows, its frequencies are lower than the Ku-band, placing it further to the right on the spectrum.

The Securis trailer will be displayed on the Allen-Vanguard stand S5-540 during DSEI UK 2025. 

Tech profile: Securis

Securis is mounted on a bespoke trailer from EdeyFX, a Canadian company that has an established history of providing trailers for military applications. It has supporting legs and an elevating mast that carries the sensor and effector suite. This additional height helps to improve the detection and defeat range by elevating the sensors above surrounding clutter. 

• Ancile: Ancile is a mobile or fixed RF defeat system designed to counter commercial drones. It is a non-kinetic solution that creates a “no-fly zone” by disrupting the communication between a drone and its operator. The system is designed to jam a wide variety of commercial drone command-and-control protocols. While specific frequencies are not publicly disclosed, such systems typically target common unlicensed bands used by drones, such as 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, and GPS frequencies.

• A400 Series Radars: These radars operate in the Ku band, with a specific frequency range of 15.7 to 17.2 GHz. The use of this higher frequency band allows for the detection of smaller, plastic-bodied drones. The instrumented maximum range is 20 km. The typical detection range for small drones (like a DJI Phantom) is up to 3.6 km, while larger drones and aircraft can be detected out to 10 km or more.

• • Skyperion: A passive RF detection and classification system that identifies and locates drones by their radio frequency emissions. The system operates as a wide-band RF sensor, capturing emissions across a vast array of frequencies to detect and analyze drone and controller signals. It uses both a library database and a self-learning algorithm to identify new threats. Skyperion can detect a drone signature out to 2.5 km and, in optimal conditions, successfully identify a rogue drone out to 10 km. It can also detect the drone’s ground controller at ranges exceeding 5 km. Detecting the ground control station is helpful for policing, but in defence can be critical, as targeting the operator will tend to have more impact on an adversary than the drone itself. 
• Vision Flex: A modular optical sensor suite designed for the detection and tracking of drones using cameras. The system operates in the visible light spectrum and the Medium-Wave Infrared (MWIR) portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The MWIR capability, with wavelengths from 3 to 5 micrometers, allows for thermal imaging in all light conditions. It has been demonstrated to autonomously detect, classify, and track Class 1 UAS targets at a range of up to 2 km.

The press release adds that Securis is being offered as “protection-as-a-services,” which includes through-life software updates as standard. This is vital in the fight against drones. One element that has been demonstrated repeatedly in Ukraine is the use of new frequencies, and now some drones are even using frequencies meant for completely different uses. This requires drone detection companies to work constantly, monitoring changes in frequency use and adjusting their systems on a daily basis.  

Calibre comment

It seems safe to say that most of the defence ecosystem is now aware of the need for layered C-UAS solutions. There is no magic bullet, as a recent set of US-UK exercises have demonstrated, and the likelihood is that a range of solutions and systems will be needed. Securis appears to provide a solid mobile solution that could be easily moved with a command post or logistics formation to provide cover when they come to a stop. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on September 3, 2025. Credit for the lead image is Allen-Vanguard, it is a concept image of the Securis trailer system.