The U.S. Air Force awarded Leidos Inc. a contract worth $27 million to develop a counter unmanned aerial system (cUAS) prototype. The U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) completed a successful Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) program developing a counter-drone technology for airbase defense. Leidos staff led the design, development, and testing of the HPM source for this system, and supported the source operation and maintenance throughout the THOR system test and evaluation. This contract calls for the development of a mature prototype based on the first-generation technology demonstrator, high-power microwave (HPM) cUAS prototype.
Leidos has supported the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate for over 30 years. The company scientists and engineers are instrumental in the development of numerous laser and high power microwave (HPM) weapons technologies for the laboratory and continue to contribute key research and engineering expertise in these areas. Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) provides non-kinetic defeat of multiple targets in a compact a system that is easily transportable to the theater by ground or by air in a Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
AFRL recently completed a successful Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) program developing a counter-drone technology for airbase defense. Leidos staff led the design, development, and testing of the HPM source for this system, and we support the source operation and maintenance throughout the THOR system test and evaluation. Upon placement, THOR is operational in a matter of hours and requires minimal training. System advantages include low operating costs, a deep magazine, and connectivity with existing base C2 systems to work in conjunction with other defensive measures.
Leidos, formerly known as Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), is an American defense, aviation, information technology (Lockheed Martin IS&GS), and biomedical research company headquartered in Reston, Virginia, that provides scientific, engineering, systems integration, and technical services. The Leidos-Lockheed Martin merger is one of the biggest transactions thus far in the consolidation of a defense sector. Leidos works extensively with the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Intelligence Community, including the NSA, as well as other U.S. government civil agencies and selected commercial markets.