Leidos is taking its counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) technology to a new level, introducing AirShield as the latest iteration of its proven system. The company says the new name signifies the system’s expanded capabilities, designed to meet the ever-evolving threat posed by drones.
The threat from unmanned systems is constantly growing and changing. AirShield is positioned to be integrated into current systems and adapt as technology develops. AirShield stands out with its sophisticated threat assessment and multi-layered approach, capable of delivering robust air defence both when stationary and while on the move. At the heart of the system lies its ability to detect, track, classify, identify, prioritise, assess, and ultimately neutralise threats. This comprehensive kill-chain solution seamlessly integrates into existing air defences, offering a formidable layer of protection.
Derrick Birdsell, the programme manager for AirShield at Leidos, emphasises the system’s adaptability, stating, “We’re excited to be able to offer our AirShield architecture’s ability to integrate additional effectors for a variety of customers. It really highlights the versatility our team can bring to advance this technology into an adaptable system as the threat changes.”
Further demonstrating this adaptability, AirShield™ is not restricted to a single type of effector, providing flexibility in neutralising drone threats. Currently utilising the Co-axial Unmanned Guided Autonomous Rotorcraft (CUGAR) effector, Leidos plans to enhance its effectiveness by incorporating the APKWS (Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System) missile system. This integration showcases the system’s potential to employ a diverse range of effectors, including high-energy lasers, turret-mounted guns, and high-powered microwave systems.
A key aspect of AirShield lies in Leidos’s integration of its Trusted Mission AI into the system’s hardware. This approach ensures human oversight, data transparency, and full auditability of operations. AI is employed for weapon-to-threat pairing, a task previously managed by a rule-based algorithm. Ongoing research is exploring further enhancements through AI and Machine Learning, pushing the boundaries of the system’s capabilities. Leidos’s commitment to trusted AI is evident in their combined technology and methodology approach. Their AI technology operates within a framework prioritising AI resilience and security, ensuring AI’s role as a reliable partner for secure technology at scale and speed.
Cybersecurity is another critical element in the AirShield system. Leidos has prioritised cyber resilience, with future developments set to include both offensive and defensive cyber strategies. This proactive approach aims to offensively target and neutralise threats while defensively countering cyber intrusions and attacks, ensuring the system’s integrity and robustness.
The genesis of AirShield can be traced back to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Mobile Force Protection (MFP) program. The MFP program arose from DARPA’s recognition of the growing threat posed by the proliferation of small unmanned aircraft systems, encompassing both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, which present a continually evolving spectrum of dangers to U.S. ground and maritime convoys. The MFP program focused on developing scalable, modular, and affordable solutions to combat these threats from small unmanned aircraft systems. Crucially, these solutions were required to be deployable within a few years and capable of adapting to advancements in threats, tactics, and technology. Following a successful demonstration last year, the program transitioned to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center.
Having undergone rigorous testing, multiple prototypes of AirShield have been built and demonstrated in live-fire exercises. Deployment by U.S. Southern Command is scheduled for 2025. Leidos is also establishing a dedicated production line with the aim of delivering systems to future customers as early as 2025. AirShield represents Leidos’ ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions in an era of increasingly complex and dynamic threats.
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