DEFENSE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
NATO PARTNER
FALCON 23-4M LIGHTNING Short-Range Air Defense System
Available

FALCON 23-4M LIGHTNING Short-Range Air Defense System

Artillery-based SHORAD system designed for the final defensive layer against mass low-altitude aerial threats.

NATO Certified
Classified

Specifications

System Role

  • Final defensive layer within a layered air defense architecture
  • Optimized for countering mass UAV and saturation attacks

Technical Specifications

  • Engagement altitude up to 1,000 m
  • Target speed up to 650 km/h
  • 360° azimuth and wide vertical coverage

Firepower

  • Up to four synchronized artillery weapon units
  • Sustained high fire density for effective interception

Fire Control System

  • Passive electro-optical detection without active emissions
  • AI-assisted detection, classification, and tracking

Operational Capacity

  • Simultaneous engagement coordination of multiple aerial targets

Interoperability

  • Compatible with NATO-standard command and control environments

Crew and Training

  • Minimal crew requirement with high automation level
  • Rapid operator training cycle measured in days

Applications

  • Protection of military bases, airfields, and critical infrastructure

Sustainment

  • Designed for prolonged and repeated combat engagements

Threat Environment

  • Designed to counter low-cost, mass-produced aerial threats including kamikaze UAVs and loitering munitions

Engagement Phases

  • Detection, classification, tracking, engagement, and kill assessment conducted within an integrated fire control loop

Sensor Suite

  • Daylight and thermal electro-optical sensors optimized for low-signature aerial targets

AI and Automation

  • Artificial intelligence supports operator decision-making without removing human authority over weapon release

Survivability

  • Distributed system architecture reduces vulnerability to counter-battery fire and precision strikes

EW Resistance

  • Passive sensing and autonomous fire control logic ensure resilience in electronic warfare environments

Deployment Modes

  • Suitable for fixed-site defense, mobile deployment, and rapid redeployment operations

Logistics

  • Utilizes widely available artillery ammunition to ensure supply chain continuity

Lifecycle

  • Engineered for long-term service life with modular upgrades

Compliance

  • Designed in accordance with NATO standards and International Humanitarian Law principles

Export and ToT

  • Supports localization, technology transfer, and joint production frameworks

Strategic Value

  • Provides economically sustainable air defense capability against prolonged asymmetric threats