Airbus unveils LOAD, a low-cost missile-armed drone designed to neutralize enemy drones and strengthen air defense.
Airbus recently unveiled the LOAD (Low-Cost Air Defense) concept, a drone designed to intercept and destroy enemy drones. Based on the Do-DT25 target drone, LOAD is equipped with small air-to-air missiles, offering a cost-effective solution to reinforce existing air defense systems. This drone is designed to be reusable, with catapult launch and parachute recovery.
The LOAD concept
The LOAD concept, an acronym for Low-Cost Air Defense, was unveiled by Airbus at the DWT Unbemannte Systeme X trade fair in Bonn, Germany, on March 25, 2025. This system is based on a modification of the Do-DT25 target drone, initially developed to simulate attack aircraft during short-range missile training. The main objective of LOAD is to provide an economical and effective solution to counter enemy drones, especially kamikaze drones, by intercepting them with small air-to-air missiles. Airbus plans to test an armed prototype by the end of the year, with series production envisaged for 2027.
Technical characteristics of the Do-DT25 drone
The Do-DT25, the basis of the LOAD system, is a medium-speed target drone used for training in short-range infrared missiles. It measures 3.1 meters in length with a wingspan of 2.5 meters. Its maximum speed reaches 555 km/h (300 knots), with a flight endurance of approximately 60 minutes. The drone is launched using a mobile pneumatic catapult and can be recovered by parachute, allowing it to be reused. These characteristics make it an ideal platform for the LOAD concept, combining performance and reduced cost.
Armament and operational capabilities
The LOAD drone is designed to be equipped with up to three air-to-air guided missiles, specially adapted to neutralize enemy drones. These missiles, although their exact type has not been specified, are envisaged to be small and low-cost, in order to ensure maximum effectiveness against targets such as kamikaze drones. The system is supervised from a ground control station, which coordinates the drones based on radar data or images of the air situation. After authorization, the drone can autonomously engage the identified enemy drones. Once the mission is accomplished, LOAD returns to its base and lands by parachute, ready for future reuse.
Integration into existing defense systems
The LOAD system is designed to complement traditional air defense systems such as IRIS-T, Patriot or the German NNbS. Thanks to its low cost and its ability to engage multiple targets, LOAD offers an effective solution to counter massive drone attacks, which can overwhelm and pose challenges even for the most advanced defense systems. In combination with reconnaissance drones such as the Eurodrone, LOAD can also be deployed in areas not covered by ground-based air defense radars, thus offering increased flexibility in the face of emerging threats.
Consequences and outlook
Airbus’ development of LOAD addresses the growing threat posed by the use of drones in modern warfare. Kamikaze drones, in particular, represent a significant challenge for traditional defense systems due to their low cost and their ability to be deployed in large numbers. By offering an economical and reusable solution, LOAD reduces the cost per interception, providing a suitable response to swarm drone attacks. Furthermore, LOAD’s design without components subject to US ITAR regulations facilitates its export to other countries, thus strengthening European strategic autonomy in the field of defense.
Airbus’ LOAD concept represents a significant step forward in the field of anti-drone defense. By relying on a proven platform and integrating adapted weapon technologies, LOAD offers an effective and economical solution to deal with the growing threats posed by drones in contemporary conflicts. Its development and future integration into existing defense systems demonstrate Airbus’s desire to respond to current security challenges with innovative and pragmatic solutions.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.