THOR counter-UAS system will be equipped with new drone “hammer”
NewsAugust 04, 2021
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate is seeking partners to build a new counter electronics weapon system to defend against the threat of adversarial drone activity.
Building upon the Tactical High-Power Operational Responder (THOR) technology demonstrator, AFRL officials claim that it is developing an advanced high-power microwave weapon system to help their newest technology keep pace with the threat from unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
According to the AFRL team, the THOR demonstrator uses bursts of intense radio waves to disable small UAS instantly. The Mjolnir prototype will use the same technology, but will add advances in capability and manufacturing readiness. AFRL is also working with cross-service partners in the Joint Counter sUAS Office and the Army’s Rapid Capability and Critical Technologies Office.
Officials claim that a request for proposals from companies interested in working with AFRL to develop this prototype will be posted on SAM.gov, an official site for companies seeking federal contract opportunities.
