Presented Stryker BMP with laser weapons to intercept drones at a speed of up to 463 km/h

Leonardo DRS and BlueHalo have revealed a new variant of the Stryker 8×8 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (ICV) with Stryker's Directed Energy (DE) Anti-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS). This version, unveiled at AUSA 2024, is equipped with laser-guided energy weapons, 70mm laser-guided missiles, a 30mm autocannon, and various radars and sensors.

The companies recently demonstrated the C-UAS DE Stryker live fire, successfully neutralizing entire groups of drones. This demonstration took place last month in Socorro, New Mexico, in front of US Army officials. During the demonstration, the mobile C-UAS system used BlueHalo's 26kW Locust laser weapon system to destroy drones for two days. The demonstration highlighted the DE Stryker's C-UAS capabilities through near-simultaneous C-UAS engagement and ground engagement using both laser weapons and a 30mm Remote Weapon Station (RWS).

According to Leonardo DRS, this directed energy weapon, mounted on a retractable platform in the back of the Stryker, can engage Group 1, 2 and 3 unmanned aerial systems, countering drones weighing up to 600 kilograms, reaching an altitude of 5,486 meters and reaching speeds of up to 463 kilometers per hour. Locust laser weapon system — is a 26 kW laser developed by ATA, which has mobility and rapid deployment among its advantages. The Locust system integrates controls, alignment, power and thermal regulation within a compact, skid-mounted design that allows it to be moved by standard vehicles such as forklifts and pickups.

Locust LWS is up and running within 15 minutes of deployment, controlled by a single operator via a network interface. Its modular design allows for quick replacement of individual components, keeping downtime to a minimum. With a scalable power output range from 2 to 20 kW, the system defends against multiple air threats using electronically scanned pulse-Doppler radar for 360-degree coverage, supporting counter-UAV operations, air defense and enemy fire detection.

The system's SWIR camera provides a frame rate of 500 to 2500 Hz with 3x magnification, and includes an eye-safe laser range finder for precise tracking. An illuminator with adjustable spot size improves imaging in a variety of conditions. The data collection sensors operate at 120 Hz with a resolution of 1280 x 720, covering both the visible and MWIR spectrum, providing a wide field of tracking of small targets.

The adaptive power system can use battery, generator or shore power configurations and includes an integrated cooling system that provides over 100 seconds of continuous generation with a 25% duty cycle. The gimbal provides 360-degree azimuth rotation and an elevation range from -30 to +90 degrees, which creates wide tracking capabilities.

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Aaron Hankins, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS Land Systems, highlighted the rapid development schedule of the system, as Leonardo DRS collaborated with seven other industry partners (BlueHalo, EOS Defense Systems USA, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Arnold Defense, AMPEX, and Digital Systems Engineering) to develop a prototype in approximately eight months. It is now being showcased at AUSA 2024 as a potential option for the US Army, which is particularly interested in new laser weapon solutions to enhance its short-range air defense (SHORAD) capabilities.

The Stryker C-UAS DE also includes two main kinetic effectors:

• remote weapons station (RWS) R400S from EOS Defense Systems USA, which is armed with a 30 mm XM914 cannon from Northrop Grumman;
• 70 mm laser-guided Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems from BAE Systems.

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APKWS II missiles installed in the rear left part of the hull. These missiles are launched from Arnold Defense's quadruple launcher, equipped with proximity detonator warheads optimized for counter-drone missions. In addition, the C-UAS DE Stryker integrates RPS-92 Next-Gen Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radars (nMHR) and a 360° camera, providing long-range detection and continuous tracking to improve the effectiveness of targeting air and ground threats.

The R400S RWS uses a 30 x 113 mm gun with a range of up to 2 km. It has a reduced weight compared to similar systems. The XM914 Bushmaster Chain Gun used in this setup is a 30mm automatic cannon based on the M230. It can fire 30×113mm percussion projectiles as well as electrically charged projectiles such as the M788 and M789. The XM914 achieves a rate of fire of 200 rounds per minute, and additional medium-caliber projectiles and guided projectiles are being developed to expand its capabilities against various threats.

The R400S system includes daytime and thermal imaging sensors with a detection range of over 13,700 meters and an identification range of up to 4,700 meters. Its 4-axis stabilized gimbal ensures precision engagement of targets, even while moving, and is equipped to engage a range of targets, including small and medium UAVs. It can be configured for single or dual weapons, such as machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, or missile systems such as the Javelin missile launcher, allowing for configuration changes within an hour.

Complementing the Locust system, the Titan C-UAS and Titan non-kinetic technologies -SV by BlueHalo. They improve 360-degree threat detection and threat mitigation for Group 1 and 2 drones.

Designed for interoperability, the DE Stryker C-UAS integrates with the US Army's Forward Air Defense Command (FAAD C2) network, ensuring interoperability with other air defense systems. This platform brings together a range of technology capabilities from industry partners aimed at providing soldiers with the necessary mobility, firepower and protection to operate effectively in challenging environments.

Ed House, Senior Director of Business Development for Leonardo DRS, emphasized, that directed energy weapons reduce reliance on conventional munitions and offer virtually unlimited magazine depth due to lower operational costs compared to traditional surface-to-air interceptor missiles. House noted that these systems have fewer logistical constraints, although they require time to cool down and recharge between engagements. According to Leonardo DRS, this capability aligns with the U.S. Army's goals of minimizing reliance on disposable munitions.