Spain has deployed its Crow counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) to Lithuania to enhance the detection, monitoring, and neutralization of drones posing risks to military forces and critical infrastructure.
The systems are positioned at Šiauliai Air Base in northern Lithuania and are operated by the Spanish Air and Space Force’s “Lobo” Tactical Unit. A nine-person team at the base maintains round-the-clock airspace surveillance, providing protection along NATO’s eastern flank against unauthorized drones and aerial objects such as balloons.
Crow integrates radar, electro-optical sensors, surveillance cameras, and electronic warfare capabilities, creating a layered defensive shield over sensitive locations.
Designed with a modular architecture, the system can be adapted to varying operational needs, including the protection of fixed installations, semi-permanent sites, and mobile platforms on land or at sea.
Central to Crow is a command-and-control module that fuses data from multiple sensors and manages the appropriate response. All sensor inputs are combined into a single, real-time operational picture, enabling operators to detect, classify, and track aerial targets efficiently.
Advanced algorithms and AI-enabled classification tools help reduce false alarms and support accurate threat evaluation. Once a target is confirmed, Crow can deploy a range of countermeasures, including radio-frequency and satellite-navigation jamming, as well as kinetic solutions such as remotely operated weapon stations. Additional effectors, including laser and electromagnetic systems, can be integrated based on mission requirements.
