The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has officially awarded Munich-based defense technology firm TYTAN Technologies a contract to deliver six mobile Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS).
Published via the European Union’s Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) procurement portal under the project title “SMoK3D” (Schutz mobiler Kräfte gegen UAS — Protection of Mobile Forces Against UAS), the contract mandates the delivery of six “TYTAN Drone Defender 2 TYTAN C2-Van” systems. Developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and unveiled at ILA 2026 and Eurosatory 2026, the vehicle-bound C-UAS capability utilizes a heavily modified Mercedes-Benz G 350 d (W464 Series) long-wheelbase 4×4 chassis. Designed to protect maneuvering ground forces and convoys against Class 1 micro/mini UAVs and Class 2 loitering munitions, the mobile system integrates a 3D surveillance radar on a retractable mast alongside a modular multi-canister launcher housing AI-guided kinetic interceptor drones.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: BUNDESWEHR SMoK3D TYTAN DRONE DEFENDER 2 MOBILE C-UAS
Developer, Manufacturer & Procurement Authority
⚡ Lead Integrator & C-UAS Suite Developer: TYTAN Technologies GmbH (Munich, Germany)
⚡ Base Vehicle OEM: Mercedes-Benz AG / Special Trucks (Graz, Austria / Wörth, Germany)
⚡ Sponsoring Procurement Authority: BAAINBw (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr)
⚡ Project Framework: SMoK3D (Schutz mobiler Kräfte gegen UAS) | Quantity: 6 Operational Units 
Base Carrier Vehicle Specifications (Mercedes-Benz G 350 d W464)
💥 Platform Variant: Mercedes-Benz G 350 d (BR 464) Chassis-Cab with Extended Wheelbase
💥 Weight Parameters: Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): 4.9 tonnes (4,900 kg) | Maximum Payload Capacity: up to 2.5 tonnes (2,500 kg) | Towing Capacity: 3.5 tonnes
💥 Cab & Crew Accommodation: 2-person armored/hardened crew cab with integrated command console storage and communications equipment
💥 Power Supply Architecture: Dedicated high-output auxiliary alternator system feeding high-voltage C4I and C-UAS battery banks
Radar & Sensor Suite
🚀 Primary Search Radar: Robin Radar Systems “IRIS” 3D C-UAS Radar mounted on a pneumatic retractable mast
🚀 Radar Detection Performance: 360-degree azimuth coverage providing 3D micro-Doppler tracking and target classification up to 10 km
🚀 Electro-Optical Tracking: High-resolution thermal EO/IR gimbal camera for visual target identification and kill-chain verification
🚀 Command & Control (C2): Driver-cab C2 workstation featuring AI-assisted automated engagement queuing and target allocation
Modular Launch Container & Interceptor Drone Suite
🚀 Launcher Architecture: Modular multi-cell launch container featuring automated elevation controls and rapid multi-cell reload capabilities
🚀 Interceptor Option 1 — TI-1 METIS (NATO Class II Threat Interdictor):
• Flight Kinematics: Max speed >350–375 km/h | Operational range: up to 60 km | Service ceiling: 5,000 m
• Payload & Guidance: 1.1–1.2 kg fragmentation warhead | Guidance: Ground radar mid-course vectoring + AI optical terminal homing
🚀 Interceptor Option 2 — TI-2 EOS (NATO Class I Threat Interdictor):
• Flight Kinematics: Max speed >200 km/h | Operational range: up to 20 km | Service ceiling: 3,000 m
• Payload & Engagement: Pure kinetic impact/ramming mechanism (no warhead) for low-cost C-UAS interdiction
🚀 Specialized Military Derivative — HYPERION Interceptor Concept:
• Propulsion Architecture: Rocket booster-assisted launch for rapid high-altitude climb profile, followed by parachute separation of booster
• Effect & Payload: Integrated high-explosive pre-fragmentation warhead with proximity fuze for extended-range Class I & II swarm interdiction
TIMES OF DEFENCE ASSESSMENT
The BAAINBw’s award of six TYTAN Drone Defender 2 systems under the SMoK3D initiative demonstrates the Bundeswehr’s accelerated effort to address the threat posed by small unmanned aerial systems and FPV loitering munitions against maneuvering land forces. Following the reinstatement of the Army Air Defence Corps (Heeresflugabwehrtruppe), providing escort air-defense for mechanized columns has become a top priority.
From an engineering perspective, the TYTAN Drone Defender 2 offers an efficient approach to mobile counter-drone operations. By combining a high-payload Mercedes-Benz G-Class chassis (W464) with Robin Radar 3D detection and AI-guided interceptor drones, the system establishes a mobile engagement zone capable of accompanying forward combat units. Replacing traditional multi-million-dollar surface-to-air missiles or heavy automatic cannons with low-cost kinetic/fragmentation interceptor drones (such as METIS and EOS) provides a scalable, cost-effective counter-swarm capability against Class 1 and Class 2 aerial threats.
