MatrixSpace Introduces Portable Counter-Drone Radar at Lithuanian Military Exercise
The U.S. Army’s Flytrap 5.0 Counter-Drone Exercise
MatrixSpace is participating in the U.S. Army’s Flytrap 5.0 counter-drone exercise, which is scheduled to take place from May 1 to May 15, 2026. The announcement was made on May 12, following MatrixSpace’s success in the previous Flytrap 4.5 exercise held in November 2025.
This iteration of Flytrap brings together U.S. and U.K. forces at the Pabradė training area in Lithuania. The exercise aims to evaluate low-cost, portable detection and defeat technologies against the evolving threats posed by battlefield drones.
Counter-Drone Radar Designed for Maneuver Forces
The current battlefield is increasingly influenced by low-altitude, small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) that are difficult to detect and track. These include radio frequency-silent first-person view (FPV) drones, loitering munitions, and pop-up drones, which can evade traditional sensors.
To address this challenge, MatrixSpace has developed man-portable radar systems that can be deployed quickly. These systems can be set up in under 10 minutes, providing distributed sensing capabilities that move alongside maneuvering forces.
The Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system, known as SGT Stout, is designed to protect units from various aerial threats, including UAS, rotary-wing, and fixed-wing aircraft. MatrixSpace’s radar technology enhances early detection and extends engagement times for M-SHORAD platforms. The initiative also aligns with Project ULTRA, which aims to normalize drone operations in shared airspace, highlighting the need for scalable airspace awareness.
MatrixSpace’s AiEdge processing enables real-time detection, classification, and tracking of aerial threats in environments contested by electronic warfare or lacking communication capabilities. At higher command levels, AiCloud integrates sensor data into a unified operational picture, facilitating rapid coordination between sensors and response units.
Overview of Flytrap 5.0 at Pabradė Training Area
Flytrap 5.0 is a significant U.S. Army-led counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) exercise. The schedule includes a force-on-force exercise between U.S. and U.K. forces from May 4 to May 8, followed by a live-fire exercise on May 9 and 10.
For fixed or semi-fixed positions, MatrixSpace will deploy 360-degree radar systems, which provide rapid coverage for critical assets while maintaining mobility for enhanced survivability.
The Flytrap initiative aims to assist the U.S. and its allies in addressing the increasing presence of battlefield drones. Various commercial solutions are being assessed for compatibility with NATO’s existing air defense frameworks.
Media observation opportunities will be available from May 1 to May 11, with a dedicated media day at the Pabradė Training Area on May 15.
MatrixSpace is focused on enhancing low airspace awareness through AI-powered sensing and edge-to-cloud intelligence, providing scalable counter-drone solutions for public safety, defense, and infrastructure security in complex environments.