Roke launches CORTEXA GUARDIAN counter-drone system

Roke has launched its CORTEXA GUARDIAN counter-drone system, which is already being fielded by military customers in the UK and Northern Europe.

The system targets a persistent problem in counter-uncrewed aircraft operations: many existing tools require specialist operators and extensive training. CORTEXA GUARDIAN was designed so generalist soldiers can use it after training measured in days rather than months, with some users moving from receiving the kit to unsupervised operation in less than 48 hours.

The platform can detect, track and identify multiple low-cost aerial threats at the same time. Its modular design allows users to configure it for different missions and operating conditions.

Instead of relying on dedicated hardware, the interface runs in a web browser on standard devices including laptops, tablets and mobile phones. The physical set-up also avoids specialist equipment, with the system mounted on commercial camera tripods rather than military-specific masts.

That design reflects how the product was developed. Roke worked with armed forces and mission partners across the UK and Northern Europe, then refined the system in response to operational feedback rather than controlled testing alone.

Training focus

The approach is intended to reduce the burden on front-line personnel. Advanced sensing, tracking, prioritisation and classification functions run automatically in the background, leaving operators with only the information needed to make decisions.

This is significant as armed forces and public safety organisations face a growing number of incidents involving small, relatively cheap drones. Such aircraft are an increasing concern because they are easy to acquire, can be deployed quickly, and can complicate the protection of bases, troops and other sensitive sites.

The system is intended for use in layered air defence, giving commanders and operators earlier warning of threats in contested airspace. It is also aimed at dispersed units and forward operating bases where personnel may not have access to specialist counter-drone teams.

Operational use

CORTEXA GUARDIAN was first shown publicly at DSEI 2025 before moving into operational deployment. Early customers had already received and deployed units independently, which Roke described as evidence of the system’s ease of use.

The product is being marketed to government, defence and public safety organisations across NATO and Northern Europe. Border security and critical infrastructure protection are also identified as potential areas of demand.

Counter-drone technology has become a fast-moving segment of the defence market as armed forces seek systems that can keep pace with changing threats without adding major training and support burdens. Suppliers are increasingly focusing on systems that combine sensors and software in a single package and can be upgraded as new drone types and detection tools emerge.

Roke said its architecture was designed to evolve over time, allowing new sensors to be added without changing the operator experience. The company presents this as a way to keep systems usable for non-specialist personnel even as the threat picture changes.

Marc Overton, Managing Director, Roke, said: “Small unmanned systems are among the most disruptive threats facing defence and security forces today. Countering them effectively requires capability that can be integrated rapidly, adapted as threats evolve, and used by the people who need it most, not just specialists.

“CORTEXA GUARDIAN was developed to meet that requirement. It reflects close collaboration with military partners and a clear focus on operational reality. This launch marks an important step in making that capability available more widely.”