The Skyperion Lightweight drone detector from Metis is mounted on a tripod and elevated staff to improve its light of sight and detection range.

Metis releases Skyperion Lightweight drone detector

Frontline drone detection is an important factor for modern forces. However, emitting radar signals to do it can be deadly. So, this makes the Skyperion Lightweight from Metis an interesting proposition. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on February 2, 2026. 

BLUF: 

  • Metis has released a new SWaP optimised version of its Skyperion passive drone detector, which is designed for mobile and frontline applications. 
  • Metis is growing into a powerful player in the field of drone detection, with several recent successes and developments underway.  

Metis has released details of Skyperion Lightweight, a new version of its Skyperion Rugged passive drone detector that is built for more mobile applications, according to a January 29 press release. 

The new system employs “virtually all the same passive counter-uncrewed air systems (C-UAS) detect, track and identify,” capabilities as Skyperion Rugged, but has been re-engineered so that it is a smaller and less power-hungry package that can be used by mobile formations. 

The original Skyperion is integrated into the RAF’s ORCUS counter-drone system, which is designed for protection of fixed infrastructure like airbases and airports.

Metis has also teamed with Allen-Vanguard to develop specialized counter-drone solutions for vehicles. This partnership combines Metis’s RF detection expertise with Allen-Vanguard’s counter-RF capabilities, such as the Ancile vehicle and convoy protection system.

More recently, Metis also announced its THEIA AI-enabled drone detection system, which is compatible with Skyperion and was developed to consolidate complex RF data into a single, user-friendly graphical interface. The aim is to provide operators with rapid situational awareness, reduce their cognitive burden, and streamline workflows for faster and more accurate decision-making.

NATO Skyperion contract 

Metis Aerospace recently secured a significant contract to provide its Skyperion drone detection system to an undisclosed NATO member state. The Skyperion system is a passive RF detection solution that works by analysing RF signals in a given area to identify the types of drones nearby and provide a bearing for the detected threats. This recent delivery adds to the company’s growing international footprint, with more than 80 Metis systems currently in use with NATO states globally.

In that application, Skyperion will integrate into the customer’s existing Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (C-UAS) capabilities, bolstering their ability to safeguard their airspace, installations, and infrastructure against drone threats.

That country is the 4th NATO user of Skyperion and this latest iteration suggests that there may be more on the horizon with more mobile demands. 

Calibre comment: Drone detection in Ukraine 

Both sides in Ukraine use large quantities of small man-portable radars for drone detection. They are positioned to give an indication of threats moving in a given area and help shape the response of forces on the ground. However, radars emit their own signals, which allows them to be targeted if an appropriate sensor is deployed. Passive sensors like Skyperion would not – or should not – emit their own radio frequency signal, which would make them harder to find. So, developing sensors that can be easily deployed and operated on a frontline, and that do not emit, will likely be an important area of growth in the next five years. 

The lead image shows the Skyperion Lightweight drone detection system from Metis. Credit: Metis.

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