The Future of Europe's Air Defence? Airbus’ New LOAD Drone Takes on Shaheds and FPVs

Bonn, Germany – As modern warfare increasingly revolves around drones, Airbus has introduced a cost-effective countermeasure—an anti-drone drone. Dubbed LOAD (Low-Cost Air Defence), the European aerospace giant’s latest innovation aims to tackle one of the biggest challenges in contemporary air defence: the high cost of intercepting cheap, mass-produced threats.

Announced at an unmanned systems trade show in Bonn on March 26, the LOAD drone is based on the Do-DT25, a target drone first developed in the early 2000s for training purposes. By repurposing this cost-efficient platform, Airbus has created a low-cost UAV designed for intercepting hostile drones. Unlike expensive missile-based air defence systems, LOAD will be able to launch from a catapult, carry three guided missiles, and return via parachute for reuse. A prototype with two missiles is expected to fly by the end of 2025, with full operational deployment targeted for 2027.

How Does LOAD Work?

According to Airbus, LOAD will operate semi-autonomously, detecting and engaging enemy drones based on radar and battlefield data. However, a human operator will approve all attack decisions, addressing ethical concerns over autonomous kill capabilities. The drone's mission is to hunt down and neutralize kamikaze drones, loitering munitions, and other aerial threats before they can reach their targets.

The technical specifications of LOAD are based on the Do-DT25 platform. With these specifications, LOAD will straddle the line between loitering munitions and air combat drones, providing an alternative to traditional surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

Fast Response Time in Modern Battlefields

One of LOAD’s key advantages is its ability to autonomously search for and detect threats, significantly reducing response times. In traditional air defence, human intervention at multiple levels delays reaction times—a vulnerability exposed in recent conflicts.

The 2023 Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict demonstrated how loitering munitions like the Harop drone could strike radar installations before operators had a chance to respond. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war has showcased the devastating effect of Lancet-3 kamikaze drones and FPV drones in overwhelming air defences.

By leveraging autonomous target acquisition and real-time battlefield data, LOAD ensures rapid engagement of enemy drones, enhancing overall air defence efficiency.  

Addressing the Cost Asymmetry in Air Defence

Modern air defences are facing an asymmetrical challenge: low-cost drones are being used to exhaust expensive interceptor systems. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the effectiveness of swarms of low-cost FPV and Shahed-136 drones in overwhelming enemy air defences. Similarly, conflicts involving the Houthis and Hamas have showcased how cheap drone attacks can force adversaries to waste multi-million-dollar missiles.

LOAD provides a cost-efficient alternative. Instead of launching a missile costing hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of dollars, militaries can deploy a low-cost UAV carrying guided missiles to intercept drones at a fraction of the cost. This approach ensures that air defences can sustain prolonged engagements without quickly depleting resources.

Integrating with European Defence Networks

The autonomous capabilities of LOAD are built on Airbus' previous work with the Do-DT25. In March 2023, Airbus successfully demonstrated the autonomous guidance of multiple DT-25 drones from an A310 MRTT tanker aircraft, marking a major advancement in cooperative drone control and precision navigation.

Future plans include integrating LOAD with other unmanned platforms, such as the Eurodrone project, enabling it to operate in regions beyond the coverage of ground-based air defence radars.

Europe’s Aspirations for Defence Autonomy

In a bid to reduce reliance on American military exports, Airbus has designed LOAD to be ITAR-free—meaning it contains no U.S. technology. This ensures that European nations can independently regulate its production, export, and deployment without restrictions imposed by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). With Europe seeking greater defence autonomy, LOAD represents an important milestone in the continent’s independent military capabilities.

The LOAD drone marks a paradigm shift in air defence, moving away from expensive missile-based interceptors toward a low-cost, reusable UAV platform. By addressing cost asymmetry, improving reaction times, and ensuring European defence independence, Airbus has positioned LOAD as a game-changer in counter-drone warfare. With its first flight scheduled for late 2025 and full deployment expected by 2027, the question remains: Will other nations follow Airbus’ lead in adopting drone-on-drone air defence strategies?