EDM4S SkyWiper
TypePortable anti-drone weapon
Place of origin Lithuania
Service history
In service2021–present
Used by Lithuanian Armed Forces
 Ukrainian Armed Forces
Romanian Armed Forces
WarsRusso-Ukrainian War
Production history
DesignerNT Service UAB
Designedc. 2018
Unit costaround $15,000
VariantsEDM4S-UA
Skylock Skybeam
Specifications
Mass5.5 kg (12 lb)
Length1,050 mm (41 in)
Width220 mm (8.7 in)
Height360 mm (14 in)
Effective firing range3–5 km (1.9–3.1 mi)

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]

History

The 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

Ukrainian soldier with an EDM4S anti-drone rifle during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

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 5.5kg 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

The 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

 Lithuania
 Ukraine
 Romania

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "NT Service UAB EDM4S (Sky Wiper)". www.militaryfactory.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  2. 1 2 "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.
  3. 1 2 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.
  4. ↑ "Skybeam Counter Drone Gun". skylock1.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
  5. ↑ Joseph Trevithick (9 May 2022). "Ukraine Situation Report: "We're Staying In This" Biden Says As He Signs Lend-Lease Bill". theDrive.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "Дайджест подій на Близькому Сході. 9 травня 2022 року". mil.in.ua (in Ukrainian). 9 May 2022.
  9. 1 2 "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.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ Livex Angajament total 23 (video) (in Romanian). Studioul Multimedia - Observatorul militar. 16 June 2023. Event occurs at 2:31 – via YouTube.
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