MBDA expands partnership with Fortem Technologies on counter-drone protection

MBDA and Fortem Technologies have announced that they are extending their strategic partnership on counter-uncrewed aircraft systems (C-UAS) market solutions.

Their agreement builds on a technical collaboration dating back to 2024 that saw airspace security experts Fortem’s DroneHunter autonomous interceptor integrated into MBDA’s ground-based air defence system SKY WARDEN’s C-UAS architecture.

Under the expanded partnership, MBDA will now offer its customers Fortem's DroneHunter interceptors as a layer to their existing air defence networks.

MBDA and Fortem will also offer FireThorn, a fully autonomous interceptor, which they have co-developed. Designed to defeat one-way attack drones and other hostile uncrewed aircraft, including Shaheds/Gerans and Orlans, FireThorn pairs Fortem’s high-speed, radar-guided autonomous airframe with an MBDA NATO-approved warhead for kinetic defeat.

Together, Fortem’s solutions provide complementary defensive options, with FireThorn delivering a hard-kill effector for high-threat engagement scenarios while DroneHunter offers low-collateral net capture for high-density environments.

Commenting on the announcement, Jon Gruen, CEO of Fortem Technologies, said: “Working with MBDA puts Fortem’s systems inside one of Europe’s most established air defence ecosystems, and gives allied forces a faster route to protecting troops, bases, and critical infrastructure.”

FireThorn will be on display at MBDA’s booth 453 at AUSA 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition, taking place 12-14 October 2026 in Washington DC.

Find out more about SKYWARDEN here.

https://www.mbda-systems.com/mbda-expands-partnership-fortem-technologies-counter-drone-protection