Alpine Eagle GmbH, a leading European defense technology startup, has announced its commitment to fortifying European security through the development of cutting-edge, AI-powered Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS).
Following a recent funding round and a feature on Bloomberg TV, Alpine Eagle is positioned to address the critical need for robust defense against the rapidly evolving threat of drone warfare.
In a recent interview, Alpine Eagle’s CEO highlighted the company’s strategic focus on air-to-air C-UAS, a crucial capability often overlooked in the rush to develop offensive drone technologies. “Our founding principle was recognizing the gap in defense against the escalating drone threat,” stated Jan-Hendrik Boelens, Alpine Eagle, Co-Founder & CEO. “As drone warfare scales, a scalable, AI-powered solution that operates on the edge is essential for effective defense.”
Alpine Eagle’s innovative approach leverages advanced artificial intelligence to provide autonomous, air-to-air interception of hostile drones. This solution, exemplified by their Sentinel system, is designed to be rapidly deployable and highly effective in dynamic threat environments.
The Sentinel is a highly adaptable solution for defense and security applications, leveraging commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to deliver cost-effective yet cutting-edge performance. Designed as a modular platform, Sentinel provides comprehensive threat detection and neutralization capabilities by interfacing seamlessly with a range of command-and-control (C2) systems and kinetic or non-kinetic effectors.
This flexibility ensures its suitability for diverse operational scenarios, from mobile convoy protection to critical infrastructure security. Sentinel utilizes multiple swarming UAVs equipped with active radar sensors and optional EO/IR cameras to overcome the limitations of ground-based systems. Each UAV provides a 120-degree radar field of view, but the coordinated operation of the swarm achieves full 360-degree coverage, enabling persistent overwatch in complex environments such as urban terrain, mountainous regions, or GNSS-denied zones. The system reliably detects and classifies Group 1-2 UAS, loitering munitions, and ground targets at ranges of up to 4 km, allowing early warning and interception at stand-off distances.
Alpine Eagle is dedicated to building critical defense solutions, recognizing the paramount need to protect against emerging aerial threats. The company is actively collaborating with various Ministries of Defense globally, including Germany, and has deployed systems in Ukraine for real-world verification, demonstrating the efficacy of its technology.
Jan-Hendrik Boelens acknowledges the significant rise in defense spending across Europe and emphasizes the necessity for the industry to rapidly scale its capabilities to meet evolving security demands. Addressing the complexities of global supply chains, the company is committed to making strategic sourcing decisions to ensure reliable and resilient production.
Whilst acknowledging the significant rise in defense spending across Europe Jan-Hendrik Boelens advocates for streamlined procurement processes to enable startups to thrive, calling for faster procurement and easier access to markets. The Alpine Eagle CEO has highlighted the impact of ESG regulations on defense investment in Europe, suggesting a need for adjustments to facilitate the development of critical defense technologies commenting, “Europe needs to invest in its own defense capabilities, and startups like ours can lead the way, swiftly building the technologies needed to ensure our security and stability”.
