Spain has stationed its Crow counter-UAS system in Lithuania to support NATO efforts in detecting, tracking, and countering hostile or unauthorized drones that could threaten military assets or critical infrastructure.
The deployment is based at Šiauliai Air Base in northern Lithuania, where the system is operated by the Spanish Air and Space Force’s “Lobo” Tactical Unit. A dedicated nine-member team provides continuous airspace monitoring, reinforcing surveillance and protection along NATO’s eastern border.
The Crow system combines radar, optical sensors, cameras, and electronic warfare technologies to provide comprehensive drone detection and response capabilities over protected areas.
Its modular design allows the system to be tailored for different operational scenarios, ranging from fixed-site protection and semi-static deployments to mobile land-based and naval platforms.
A centralized command-and-control element serves as the backbone of the system, integrating data from multiple sensors into a unified operational picture. This enables operators to identify, classify, and track aerial targets in real time.
AI-supported algorithms and classification tools are employed to minimize false detections and improve threat assessment. Once a drone is identified, Crow can apply various countermeasures, including jamming of radio and satellite-navigation signals or kinetic responses via remote weapon stations. The system can also incorporate additional effectors, such as laser or electromagnetic technologies, depending on configuration and mission needs.
