Another key highlight of the AUSA 2024 exhibition is the Anduril Industries stand, where the company has showcased a wide range of its unmanned systems, in addition to air defense systems. Among the new products on display are the Roadrunner VTOL AAV (officially unveiled last December), the Lattice air defense system, and the Ghost X and Pulsar drones.
The Roadrunner-M is a variant of the Roadrunner model, specifically designed as an interceptor equipped with explosive payloads. Its primary mission is to detect, intercept, and neutralize various threats in the airspace quickly and efficiently. If it fails to intercept a target, the vehicle can return to its predefined base for recovery and reuse. This near-costless relaunch capability significantly sets it apart from other autonomous aerial vehicles (AAVs), increasing its operational versatility.
On the other hand, Lattice is an artificial intelligence-based air defense platform designed to detect, track, and neutralize multiple aerial threats in real time. Through advanced sensors and neural networks, it optimizes autonomous decision-making, providing field units with a significant advantage against enemy drones and missiles.
Another product, the Ghost X, is a stealth drone with high endurance, designed for covert surveillance missions. The system provides the Ground Forces Commander with an expeditionary and rapid-response capability to support decision-making in the immediate tactical environment. It has a flight endurance of 90 minutes, an operational range of up to 25 kilometers, and a payload capacity of 11.3 kg (25 pounds). Additionally, it is designed to operate in a wide variety of adverse environments, thanks to its resistance to extreme weather conditions. The Ghost-X stands out for its adaptability, allowing it to evolve after deployment through continuous hardware and software upgrades, in line with experiences gained in contested regions such as Ukraine and INDOPACOM.
The Pulsar, on the other hand, operates as an airborne communications and electronic warfare station, extending connectivity in infrastructure-less environments and providing support for command and control operations. Pulsar is also capable of jamming enemy signals, expanding electronic warfare capabilities in contested environments.
In parallel with these presentations, Anduril Industries recently announced a $249,978,466 contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. The agreement includes the delivery of over 500 units of the Roadrunner-M along with additional electronic warfare capabilities through the Pulsar system. These deliveries address the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) attacks against U.S. forces.
The first deliveries are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2024 and will continue until the end of 2025, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of these advanced capabilities. This deployment aims to strengthen air defenses and enhance the operational response to emerging threats that jeopardize the safety of troops on the ground.
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