ARGUS-23
C-AUS autonomous targeting and coordination system.
OVERVIEW
ARGUS-23 is an autonomous targeting, tracking and engagement system designed to modernise legacy anti-aircraft weapons—particularly the ZU-23-2—into a fast, accurate and survivable counter-UAS solution.
The system combines AI-driven optical tracking, real-time ballistic calculation and full servo-motor mount automation to deliver precision alignment and engagement at speeds unattainable by human operators. By converting manual gun systems into autonomous engagement platforms, ARGUS-23 closes critical defensive gaps against Shahed-type drones and other low-flying UAS threats.
The system is currently in final development.
The Problem
Legacy anti-aircraft systems such as the ZU-23-2 were never designed to counter modern Shahed-type drones. When operated manually, their traverse speed, elevation rate and reaction time are far too slow to acquire, track and engage small, fast, and low-altitude threats. Their effectiveness relies entirely on the skill and endurance of a human operator who must visually identify a target, estimate range, lead, movement and ballistic trajectory while under pressure.
Because these guns fire point-contact ammunition without airburst effects, accuracy and tracking precision are critical. Yet human operators cannot calculate ballistic trajectories, lead angles or target vectors at the speed required to defeat modern drones. As a result, the ZU-23-2 remains widely deployed but is increasingly ineffective against contemporary UAS threats, leaving units exposed and defensive gaps unaddressed.
The challenge is not the weapon itself, but the human limitations at the heart of its operation.
The Solution
ARGUS-23 replaces slow, manual operation with autonomous tracking, servo-motor mount automation and rapid ballistic computation. The system continuously identifies and tracks threats, calculates lead angles and elevation adjustments, and moves the weapon mount autonomously for accurate engagement.
Operating without radar or GPS inputs, ARGUS-23 avoids the vulnerabilities of emitting systems and maintains full effectiveness in EW-dense environments. Its optical-based autonomy ensures survivability against jamming and anti-radiation threats while delivering faster response times than any human operator.
Multiple ARGUS-23 units can be networked via fibre-optic cable to create a coordinated defensive grid capable of covering large areas and sharing target information. This transforms ageing air-defence guns into a modern, integrated counter-UAS kill chain.
Mission Roles
Autonomous Target Tracking
Continuous optical tracking of UAS threats with no operator input.
Automated Weapon Alignment
Servo-motor mount automation delivers rapid, precise traverse and elevation movements.
Ballistic Calculation
Real-time firing solutions based on target movement, speed, distance and trajectory.
UAS / Shahed Defence
Designed to defeat low-altitude, one-way attack drones and fast-moving aerial threats.
Area Defence Integration
Once launched, WIDOWSWARM assets follow their mission profiles without direct operator input.
Survivable Engagement in EW Conditions
Operates without radar or GPS, reducing detection risk and improving resilience.
Core Capabilities
AI-Driven Tracking
Identifies and follows aerial threats using visual intelligence without relying on radar.
Legacy Retrofit
Transforms widely deployed ZU-23-2 systems into modern counter-UAS platforms at low cost.
Ballistic Computation
Autonomous calculation of lead, elevation and trajectory for accurate firing solutions.
Powered by the Sentricon Sovereign Autonomy Platform
ARGUS-23 leverages the Sentricon autonomy engine for tracking, perception, targeting logic and shared data integration. This ensures interoperability with other Sentricon systems and supports scalable, multi-domain defensive architecture.
Development
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