Synergia Counter-Drone Research and Development Programme

The UK Ministry of Defence, through the Royal Air Force and Defence Equipment & Support, has contracted Leonardo for the Synergia Counter-Drone Research and Development Programme to procure counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) equipment, including the modular ORCUS system with advanced radar, sensors, and electronic countermeasures. This is for researching and developing capabilities to detect, track, identify, and defeat hostile drones, informing future RAF force protection at UK air bases while serving as a national standby for emergency services. The programme addresses the high national security threat from rogue drones, with demonstrated use at Gatwick and Heathrow airports and UK-US collaboration integrating NINJA technology.