Improve the cost exchange
Designed around lower-cost, scalable defensive systems for missions where expensive traditional air-defense effects may be poorly matched to inexpensive UAS threats.
WEST SOUND DEFENSE / COUNTER-UAS
Hive Modular
Counter-UAS Platform
Modular sensing and autonomous interception architecture for low-altitude air defense.
HIVE / SENSOR FUSION
DETECTTRACKCUEINTERCEPT
THE MISSION
Built around the low-altitude UAS challenge.
Hive is being developed as an affordable, modular counter-UAS architecture for detecting, tracking, cueing, and intercepting low-altitude unmanned aircraft while supporting rapid deployment, scalable production, and future technology insertion.
Field-focused architecture
Modular sensing, ground, and interceptor elements are intended to support flexible deployment and mission-specific configurations.
Technology can move forward
Replaceable hardware modules and software-defined functions support continued upgrades without forcing a complete platform redesign.
ONE PLATFORM / MODULAR ARCHITECTURE
From sensing to autonomous interception.
Hive separates major sensing, mission-processing, flight-control, and effector functions so each part of the architecture can be developed and upgraded around a common mission chain.
Build the air picture
Radar, thermal, electro-optical, and future sensor modules support low-altitude detection and track generation.
Fuse mission data
Distributed computing separates deterministic flight control from perception, sensor fusion, autonomy, and mission processing.
Hand off the track
Sensor and ground components provide track and mission cueing to compatible Hive systems through the platform architecture.
Execute the mission
Bumblebee interceptors provide the autonomous airborne component of the Hive counter-UAS architecture.
SYSTEM PORTFOLIO
Hive system portfolio.
West Sound Defense systems organized around sensing, track generation, cueing, and autonomous interception.
01 / INTERCEPTORS
Interceptors
INTERCEPTOR COMPARISON
Interceptor Capability Matrix
CapabilityBumblebee Mk IIBumblebee Mk I
Primary roleAutonomous interceptorAutonomous interceptor
Effector typeNon-explosive effectorExplosive effector
Mission focusLow-collateral interceptionCost-effective interception
Estimated unit costNot Public<6K
Max rangeNot PublicNot Public
Max altitudeNot PublicNot Public
Deployment timeNot PublicNot Public
Onboard / supporting sensorsNot PublicNot Public
Guidance architectureAutonomous guidance & controlAutonomous guidance & control
Mission cueingHive sensor / track cueingHive sensor / track cueing
Target classesClass 1–3 evaluation: Not PublicClass 1–3 evaluation: Not Public
Detect / Track / NeutralizeDetect: Hive sensors · Track: Hive track cueing · Neutralize: Mk IIDetect: Hive sensors · Track: Hive track cueing · Neutralize: Mk I
02 / SENSOR & GROUND SYSTEMS
Sensor & Ground Systems
SENSOR & GROUND SYSTEMS
Sensor & Ground Capability Matrix
CapabilityHive Sentinel
Primary roleDistributed low-altitude detection, tracking & interceptor cueing
Max detection rangeNot Public
Max tracking rangeNot Public
Deployment timeNot Public
Sensor architectureModular radar + electro-optical / LWIR sensing architecture
Protocol roleDetect → Track → Cue
Target classesClass 1 micro-UAS through Class 3 tactical UAS evaluation: Not Public
Network roleDistributed node within the Hive architecture
System handoffTrack / cue handoff to Hive interceptor systems
Quick data sheetNot Public
MISSION CHAIN
01DETECTDistributed sensing
→02TRACKTrack generation
→03CUESystem handoff
→04INTERCEPTAutonomous effector
WHY HIVE
A platform architecture, not a single fixed configuration.
The Hive design philosophy emphasizes modularity, autonomous operation, maintainability, manufacturability, and long-term technology evolution.
Modular Open Architecture
Independent subsystem boundaries and common interfaces support technology insertion and parallel development.
Distributed Computing
Flight-critical control is separated from computationally intensive mission, perception, and autonomy functions.
Multi-Sensor Approach
The architecture supports radar, thermal, electro-optical, and future sensing options as mission requirements evolve.
Autonomous Operation
Mission software is designed to support autonomous navigation, target processing, guidance, and mission execution.
Manufacturing & Sustainment
Modular electronics and rapid manufacturing methods are intended to simplify production, maintenance, and replacement.
Technology Refresh
Processors, sensors, communications, and mission software can evolve independently instead of forcing whole-system replacement.
UPGRADEABILITY / FUTURE GROWTH
Designed for future threats.
Hive is engineered as a continuously evolving platform rather than a fixed product.
Upgradeability
Hive uses a modular architecture designed to support subsystem upgrades without requiring a complete aircraft redesign.
Radar moduleCompute moduleCamera / EO-IR moduleNavigation & sensing modulesCommunications hardwareMission software
Key components can be replaced or upgraded as requirements and technology evolve while retaining the core vehicle and system architecture.
Designed for Future Threats
New processors, radar technologies, navigation sensors, mission sensors, and software capabilities can be integrated as technology advances, helping the platform remain operationally relevant throughout its service life.
Respond through software when possible.
When a new UAS threat, behavior, or operating profile emerges, applicable detection, classification, tracking, guidance, or mission-logic updates can be developed and deployed to fielded systems without necessarily requiring changes to the aircraft hardware.
Hive supports two paths for capability growth: software updates when existing hardware can address the threat, and modular hardware upgrades when new sensing, processing, communications, or other physical capabilities are required.
DEVELOPMENT STATUS
Engineering development is ongoing.
Hive is progressing from system architecture and subsystem maturation toward integrated prototype development. Public website information describes the program architecture and intended capabilities; performance values that are not released are shown as Not Public.
PROGRAM ENGAGEMENT
Contact the Team