Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a $26,907,358 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the development of a mature prototype based on the first generation technology demonstrator, high-power microwave (HPM) counter unmanned aerial system (cUAS) prototype.
Work will be performed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is expected to be completed by Feb. 28, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $2,000,000 will be obligated at the time of award.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) selected Leidos to develop and build a new high-power microwave (HPM) weapon system prototype, building upon the existing Tactical High-Power Operational Responder (THOR) technology demonstrator.
Given the name Mjolnir – after the mythical Norse god Thor’s hammer – the new system is intended to demonstrate advances in HPM technology for counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) missions.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Tactical High Power Operational Responder (THOR)
The THOR system was developed by BAE Systems in partnership with Leidos, Verus Research, and AFRL. Designed to disable the electronics in multiple unmanned aerial vehicles, it provides a capability against swarm attacks. The system is housed in two standard 20 ft containers that can be deployed by air and assembled by a crew of two.
Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the contracting activity (FA9451-22-C-0002).
Photo: US Air Force Research Laboratory
Source: DoD