US firm Talon Avionics is turning to AI and acoustic sensing to track and intercept small drone threats with its new SECTR system.
The solution is built around a modular 10×10 launch platform, known as the SECTR-IK-02 interceptor station, which can scale to as many as 100 launch tubes and is controlled from a single command station.
At the core of SECTR is a fully passive detection layer that relies on acoustic sensing rather than radar emissions, helping reduce the risk of exposing the location of protected assets.
It can be configured for either mobile or static deployment, supporting convoy escort operations, forward operating base defense, and protection of critical infrastructure.
The system is designed to operate in extreme conditions ranging from -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit) to 85 degrees Celsius (185 degrees Fahrenheit).
It is intended to counter small first-person view and camera-equipped drones weighing up to 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds).
Layered Sensing
According to Defence Blog, SECTR combines proprietary acoustic sensing with conventional radar in a multi-layered detection architecture.
The acoustic system can identify drone motor sound signatures at ranges of up to 100 meters (328 feet), including targets that may remain outside radar visibility.
Radar coverage extends between 200 and 1,000 meters (656 to 3,281 feet), with the maximum range expected to be available in mid-2027.
Both sensing layers feed a multi-modal fusion engine that processes acoustic and radar inputs to classify drone types, assess threat levels, and assign interception tasks.
Interceptor Profile
Each interceptor is equipped with a 16-microphone array that uses beamforming to isolate and track hostile sound signatures in real time.
Once a target is locked, the interceptor engages autonomously, with onboard AI filtering out wind noise and platform interference to maintain tracking accuracy during flight.
The system reaches speeds of up to 135 kilometers (85 miles) per hour and operates for around five minutes per engagement, with a reported single-shot hit probability of 95 percent.
From detection to engagement, the full sequence involving initial acoustic cue, classification, and interceptor launch is reportedly completed in under one second.
