Counter-swarm electromagnetic weapon developed by AFRL
NewsSeptember 24, 2019
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., has developed a counter-swarm, high-power weapon called the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR) to eliminate an enemy's unmanned systems.
THOR is a counter-swarm electromagnetic weapon that AFRL developed for airbase defense. The system provides non-kinetic defeat of multiple targets. It operates from ground power and uses energy to disable unmanned systems.
A demonstration system has been built and tested on military test ranges near Kirtland AFB where it has engaged multiple targets. Further testing against a larger set of unmanned systems in swarming configurations is being planned.
THOR stores completely in a 20-foot transport container, which can be transported in a C-130 aircraft. AFRL officials claim that the system can be set up within three hours and has a user interface designed to require very little user training.
