Huntsville, Alabama. 15 August 2019. The US Army has sealed an agreement with Northrop Grumman for Maneuver Short Range Air Defence (M-SHORAD) directed energy prototyping initiative, the initiative will provide complete protection to frontline combat units which include integrating a directed energy weapon system on a Stryker vehicle. Company will develop and integrate a directed energy prototype solution on a US Army Stryker Combat vehicle, the effort will culminate in a competitive performance checkout leading into a range demonstration that informs Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) requirements, US Army directed energy M-SHORAD initiative is part of the progression of an Army technology maturation drive known as the Multi-Mission High Energy Laser (MMHEL). The initiative is managed by the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
“Northrop Grumman is eager to leverage its portfolio of innovative, proven technologies and integration expertise to accelerate delivery of next-generation protection to our maneuver forces. Our flexible, open systems approach offers an end-to-end solution for the Army’s growing and ever-changing mission requirements in today’s complex threat environment,” commented Dan Verwiel, Vice-President and General Manager of Missile Defence and Protective Systems at Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman, under a contract from Kord Technologies and the initiative from Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, will manufacture and integrate an advanced sensor suite, target acquisition and tracking, a 50-KW class laser system and battle-tested command-and-control on Stryker vehicle. The M-SHORAD system with laser weapon will complement to kinetic capabilities in countering artillery, rockets, mortars, UAVs and other aerial threats.
