NAVAL STATION LEOVIGILDO GANTIOQUI, Zambales — The United States Marines Corps (USMC) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday conducted joint drills showing precise capability in intercepting drones and other aerial targets as part of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IADM) over the waters of San Antonio for this year’s Exercise Balikatan.
The main objective of the drills is to enhance interoperability amongst participating countries particularly the US and the Philippines. It also aims to increase the PAF’s capability to patrol and defend Philippine airspace.
During the exercise, three scenarios were played out, each featuring three different drones: the quadcopter, outlaw and banshee.
The USMC showcased firepower with its Maritime Air Defense Integrated System (Madis), Vampire Laser System and the Avenger Air Defense System. The PAF meanwhile supported through system integration while Japanese forces observed the activity.
The Madis is a short-range, surface-to-air defense system designed to detect and destroy low-altitude threats such as unmanned aerial systems (drones), helicopters and fixed-wing aircrafts.
The short-range missile-mounted Avenger provided protection to ground troops against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters while the Vampire laser system also detects, engages and destroys small drones.
“The scenario started with a detection of unknown tracks through our early detection sensor, like the radars we have behind. Then the tracks will be reviewed and correlated through our tactical air control element,” Maj. Richmond Cayabyab, battery commander of the PAF’s Spyder Air Defense.
“Once we detect it's hostile, then it will be distributed to our Spider defense system then [weapons such as] our MADIS, Vampire [and] Avengers and these weapon systems will shoot down the threat,” Cayabyab added.
The first two drones were hit by the Madis’.30 caliber machine guns while the bigger Banshee was destroyed by its.50 caliber stringer missile.