Leidos reintroduces C-UAS system with new name, updated technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Leidos, a Fortune 500® innovation leader, has reintroduced its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution under the new name AirShield™. This advanced system is designed to provide robust air defense while on the move, featuring both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors. AirShield offers comprehensive protection against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in dynamic operational environments.

Key features of AirShield include:

• Multi-layered system capable of autonomous operation
• Advanced threat assessment and multiple defense mechanisms
• Integration of AI for weapon-to-threat pairing
• Emphasis on cyber resiliency

Leidos plans to field AirShield prototypes with U.S. Southern Command in 2025 and is building a production line for future customer deliveries starting the same year.

Positive

• Reintroduction of advanced C-UAS technology with expanded capabilities
• Successful testing and demonstration of AirShield in live fire exercises
• Planned integration with existing air defense systems
• Incorporation of AI and machine learning for improved performance
• Scheduled deployment with U.S. Southern Command in 2025
• Production line being established for future customer deliveries

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Analyst

The reintroduction of Leidos' C-UAS system as AirShield represents a significant advancement in counter-drone technology. Key features include:

• Multi-layered protection with both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors
• AI integration for weapon-to-threat pairing
• Cyber resilience with offensive and defensive capabilities
• Versatility to operate autonomously or on-the-move

The planned integration of APKWS missile systems and potential for high-energy lasers and microwave systems showcase AirShield's adaptability to evolving threats. With prototypes already demonstrated and a production line set for 2025, Leidos is positioning itself as a leader in the growing C-UAS market. This could potentially lead to substantial defense contracts, especially given the increasing global focus on drone threats. However, the impact on Leidos' financials will depend on the scale of adoption and competition in this space.

Military Strategy Expert

AirShield's development aligns with the evolving nature of modern warfare, where unmanned systems pose an increasing threat. The system's ability to integrate into existing air defenses and adapt to various operational environments makes it particularly valuable for military applications. Key strategic advantages include:

• Comprehensive threat assessment and neutralization capabilities
• Seamless integration with existing systems
• Potential for rapid deployment in diverse scenarios

The planned fielding by U.S. Southern Command in 2025 indicates strong military interest and could pave the way for wider adoption. However, the effectiveness of AirShield in real-world combat situations remains to be fully tested. The system's success could significantly enhance Leidos' position in the defense sector, potentially leading to long-term revenue streams from maintenance and upgrades. Investors should monitor the system's performance in upcoming deployments and any subsequent military contracts.

RESTON, Va., Oct. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Leidos, a Fortune 500® innovation leader, announced AirShield™, the new name for its latest solution for counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) missions.  The next step in the evolution of the system's architecture will include expanded capabilities featuring both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors.  The reintroduction comes amid the company's desire to highlight how its successfully tested technology stands out from other options already on the market.

AirShield is engineered to deliver robust air defense while on the move, providing capabilities among the most advanced in the industry. The system employs advanced threat assessment along with multiple mechanisms to provide a comprehensive air defense solution against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly in dynamic and fluid operational environments. 

"The threat from unmanned systems is constantly growing and evolving. AirShield is poised to integrate into existing systems and adapt as technology advances," said Derrick Birdsell, AirShield Program Manager for Leidos. "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."

AirShield is a multi-layered system that can operate autonomously in a single location or on the move to provide protection from UAS threats. It's designed to excel in detection, tracking, classification, identification, prioritization, assessment, and neutralization of threats, providing a kill-chain solution that can seamlessly integrate into existing air defenses. (To see an in-depth breakdown of how AirShield works, click here.)

"Our Co-axial Unmanned Guided Autonomous Rotorcraft (CUGAR) effector, showcased last year at the MFIX demo, is our current effector. We plan to augment it with the APKWS [Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System] missile system to boost its effectiveness. Additionally, we have the ability to easily integrate with other effectors including high-energy lasers, turret-mounted guns, and even high-powered microwave systems," added Birdsell.

As a leader in trusted mission AI, Leidos is also integrating its software innovations into the hardware development of AirShield. The system employs AI for weapon-to-threat pairing, previously managed by a rule-based algorithm. Ongoing research explores how further AI and Machine Learning enhancements can be integrated into the system. 

The company has also placed a high emphasis on cyber resiliency while developing the AirShield system. Future evolutions will integrate both offensive and defensive cyber strategies, offensively targeting and neutralizing threats while defensively combating any cyber intrusions and attacks.

The original C-UAS work for Leidos began under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Mobile Force Protection (MFP) program. Following last year's successful demonstration, the program transitioned to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center.

Multiple prototypes of AirShield have been built and demonstrated in live fire exercises, with plans for some to be fielded by U.S. Southern Command in 2025. Additionally, Leidos is building a production line that will begin delivering systems to future customers as early as 2025.

About Leidos
Leidos is a Fortune 500^® innovation company rapidly addressing the world's most vexing challenges in national security and health. The company's global workforce of 48,000 collaborates to create smarter technology solutions for customers in heavily regulated industries. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $15.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023. For more information, visit www.leidos.com. 

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2023, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Contact:

Alyssa Pettus (571) 526-6743  alyssa.t.pettus@leidos.com

Mackenzie Hicks (256) 964-4034 shawna.m.hicks@leidos.com

 

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SOURCE Leidos

FAQ

What is AirShield and when will it be deployed by Leidos (LDOS)?

AirShield is Leidos' advanced counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution. It is scheduled to be deployed with U.S. Southern Command in 2025, with production line deliveries to other customers also starting that year.

What are the key features of Leidos' (LDOS) AirShield C-UAS system?

AirShield features both kinetic and non-kinetic effectors, multi-layered autonomous operation, advanced threat assessment, AI integration for weapon-to-threat pairing, and emphasis on cyber resiliency.

How does Leidos (LDOS) plan to enhance AirShield's effectiveness?

Leidos plans to augment AirShield with the APKWS missile system and integrate other effectors like high-energy lasers, turret-mounted guns, and high-powered microwave systems. They are also exploring further AI and Machine Learning enhancements.

What is the origin of Leidos' (LDOS) AirShield C-UAS technology?

The original C-UAS work for Leidos began under the DARPA Mobile Force Protection (MFP) program and later transitioned to the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation and Missile Center.