The U.S. Army has awarded ThinKom Solutions an Other Transaction prototype project to deliver and evaluate a mobile high-power microwave counter-UAS capability. The agreement has a ceiling of $49 million and includes initial funding for the first of four prototypes requested by the Army.
The ThinKom Alecto counter UAS system will be integrated with government-designated sensors, fire-control capabilities and a mobile platform, with field testing planned for 2027.
ThinKom Alecto Counter UAS Prototype Selected by Army
The award was issued through Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires’ Program Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Effects, or PM ACE.
Under the agreement, ThinKom will provide its Alecto high-power microwave effector for government-led integration, testing and evaluation.
The prototype will combine:
- Alecto high-power microwave effector
- Government-designated sensors
- Fire-control capabilities
- Mobile platform integration
According to the announcement, the prototype program will allow the Army to evaluate non-kinetic directed-energy technology for emerging unmanned aircraft threats.
$49 Million Agreement Includes Four Requested Prototypes
The Other Transaction agreement has a ceiling value of $49 million.
Initial funding covers one of four prototypes requested by PM ACE and will also support field testing scheduled for 2027.
“The rapid proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems is creating an urgent need for mobile and scalable counter-UAS capabilities,” said Dan Roman, ThinKom’s vice president for electronic warfare and high-power microwave programs.
“Alecto, enabled by our patented VICTS antenna, is designed to give soldiers a high-capacity and low-cost per-engagement option that can fire while moving and protect against Group 1 and Group 2 drone threats. We are proud to support the Army’s rapid-prototyping efforts and its work to deliver effective capabilities to soldiers.”
High-Power Microwave System Targets Group 1 and Group 2 Drones
According to ThinKom, Alecto is designed to provide a mobile counter-UAS capability capable of operating while moving.
The company said the system uses its patented VICTS antenna and is intended to provide:
- High-capacity counter-UAS operations
- Low cost per engagement
- Mobile operation
- Protection against Group 1 drone threats
- Protection against Group 2 drone threats
The Army will lead the integration, testing and evaluation of the prototype.
Testing Will Inform Future Army Decisions
Results from the government-led testing program will be used to inform future U.S. Army decisions regarding the capability.
The current agreement does not represent a production decision or a commitment by the Army to purchase a specific quantity of Alecto systems.
Portfolio Acquisition Executive Fires, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, manages an integrated portfolio of offensive, defensive and integrated fires capabilities supporting Army transformation and operational requirements.
The ThinKom Alecto counter UAS prototype program will now move toward government integration and evaluation, with field testing planned for 2027 under the initial phase of the agreement.
Source: Press release from ThinKom Solutions
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