Leonardo DRS and BlueHalo Successfully Demonstrate New Counter-UAS Directed Energy Stryker, Shooting Down Drones in Live-Fire Engagement
Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) and BlueHalo announced today the successful live-fire demonstration of a new Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Directed Energy (DE) Stryker designed to defeat Group 1-3 UAS with multiple kinetic and non-kinetic defeat technologies.
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The Counter-UAS Directed Energy Stryker (Photo Courtesy: Leonardo DRS)
During last month’s demonstration for U.S. Army officials in Socorro, N.M., the mobile C-UAS capability successfully destroyed numerous drones using BlueHalo’s 26kW LOCUST Laser Weapon System. Additionally, the demonstration included near-simultaneous C-UAS and ground engagements with the laser and a 30mm remote weapon station (RWS). The C-UAS DE Stryker successfully destroyed every drone over the two-day demonstration.
Leonardo DRS has deep experience in developing, integrating, and fielding mobile air defense and C-UAS solutions for the U.S. Army, The demonstration is the latest step in a process that started with the company identifying the need for a directed energy multi-layered mobile C-UAS system built around best of breed technologies from strong partners.
“In just eight months, Leonardo DRS and our outstanding industry partners designed, built, and tested this Stryker-based Directed Energy Counter-UAS prototype. We were able to move quickly by leveraging DRS’s proven experience building a cohesive team of partners to rapidly deliver air defense capabilities to the Army,” said Aaron Hankins, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Leonardo DRS Land Systems. “Our C-UAS Directed Energy Stryker is a future capability available to warfighters today, and we’re excited to display it during the 2024 AUSA Annual meeting.”
The Stryker includes two primary kinetic effectors - EOS Defense Systems’ USA R400 30mm RWS with Northrop Grumman’s XM914 cannon and BAE Systems’ 2.75” Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System fired from an Arnold Defense launcher. The on-board radar is DRS’ RPS-92 nMHR which provides long-range detection, continuous tracking, and weapon system cueing. As the lead vehicle integrator, DRS Land Systems worked across the coalition to integrate these capabilities.