The demonstration, held last month in Socorro, New Mexico, showcased the system’s ability to defeat Group 1-3 drones using multiple technologies, including BlueHalo’s 26kW LOCUST Laser Weapon System.
Over the two-day event, the mobile C-UAS capability destroyed numerous drones in front of U.S. Army officials, demonstrating both laser and kinetic engagements, including the use of a 30mm remote weapon station (RWS).
The Stryker-based system integrates various technologies, including radar for long-range detection and BlueHalo’s non-kinetic Titan C-UAS and Titan-SV systems for surveillance and drone mitigation.
Leonardo DRS highlighted the swift development process, completing the design, build, and testing phases in just eight months with the support of industry partners.
Aaron Hankins, Senior Vice President of Leonardo DRS Land Systems, emphasised the team’s rapid response to delivering cutting-edge air defence capabilities, expressing excitement ahead of showcasing the system at the 2024 AUSA Annual Meeting.
The system combines advanced kinetic and non-kinetic effectors, including the XM914 cannon, and BlueHalo’s modular LOCUST Laser Weapon System, which can be deployed from inside the Stryker to neutralise drone threats.
Mary Clum, BlueHalo’s Executive Vice President, praised the collaborative effort behind the development, emphasising the system’s operational effectiveness and readiness for deployment in contested environments.
The C-UAS DE Stryker is designed to provide U.S. Army personnel with the mobility and firepower required to address air and ground threats, fully integrated with the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) network.
The project represents a collaboration between several industry leaders, including Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, EOS Defense Systems USA, and Arnold Defense.