Leidos subsidiary Dynetics has unveiled a new system it is pitching for the US Army’s Indirect Fires Protection Capability (IFPC), which aims to counter cruise missile and drone threats.
The system presented by Dynetics is called Enduring Shield, and is a mobile ground-based weapon system designed to acquire, track, engage and defeat unmanned aircraft systems, cruise missiles, and rockets, artillery and mortars.
Derived from Dynetics technology and modified around previous Army science and technology programs, the Enduring Shield solution has been bid to meet the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 program needs. The company said it redesigned the launcher, reduced complexity and refined capabilities to create Enduring Shield.
The system is capable of firing a range of missiles while and has the ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. It can also be integrated with the army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System, and offers both cyber resiliency and electronic warfare protections.
“The Enduring Shield solution leverages Dynetics’ experience with ground-based launcher systems for the Army, including hypersonic missiles and other programs. We are eager to offer this all American solution to the Army’s cruise missile and other air defense needs,” said Ronnie Chronister, senior vice president for Weapons Technology and Manufacturing at Dynetics.
Dynetics is also working with the US Army on developing a directed energy weapon that will have its power increased from a 100 kW-class system to a 300kW-class system, as part of the indirect fires protection capability – high energy laser (IFPC-HEL) endeavor.
Another known contender for the US Army’s IFPC program, which held a shoot off event in April this year, is the Rafael and Raytheon duo, who are offering the Iron Dome solution with Tamir interceptors.
