Leonardo DRS, in partnership with BlueHalo, has introduced an innovative laser air defense system, mounted on the Stryker armored vehicle, designed to counter UAV (drone) threats.
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The announcement was made through the official website of Leonardo DRS.
The new system, created to destroy drones from groups 1 to 3, utilizes a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic technologies, making it a modern and multifunctional solution for addressing aerial threats. Among its key armaments, the system includes a high-powered laser, a 30 mm Northrop Grumman XN914 cannon, and 70 mm APKWS 2 guided missiles from BAE Systems.
To detect and track targets, the system uses the DRS RPS-92 nMHR radar along with BlueHalo’s electronic intelligence platforms, Titan C-UAS and Titan-SV, ensuring comprehensive coverage against hostile drones.
During a demonstration last month in Socorro, New Mexico, for U.S. Army officials, the system successfully destroyed several drones using BlueHalo’s 26-kilowatt LOCUST laser.
The demonstration also highlighted the system’s ability to simultaneously eliminate drones and ground targets using the laser and the 30 mm cannon, underscoring its versatility in combat scenarios.
Aaron Hankins, senior vice president of Leonardo DRS Land Systems, emphasized the speed of the prototype’s development: “In just eight months, Leonardo DRS and our outstanding industry partners designed, built, and tested this Stryker-based directed air defense system.”
“We rapidly advanced, leveraging our expertise and collaboration to quickly deliver air defense capabilities to the Army,” Hankins added.
Leonardo’s laser-based air defense system marks a significant step in protecting against modern aerial threats such as drones and reinforces the company’s commitment to developing advanced technological solutions for the military.
Source: leonardodrs. Images: X @LeonardoDRSnews. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.