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Air Force's THOR drone killer wins Popular Science 'Best of' award

THOR is a counter-swarm electromagnetic weapon the Air Force Research Laboratory developed for defense of airbases. The system provides non-kinetic defeat of multiple targets. It operates from a wall plug and uses energy to disable drones. [Credit: USAFRL]

 

 

 

 

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is celebrating the success of its counter-drone weapon, the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR), after being named the Popular Science "Best of What's New" in the security category.

Each year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and innovations to choose the top 100 winners across 10 categories. To win, the technology must represent a significant advancement in its category.

In 2019, scientists and engineers, working in AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate in New Mexico, were tasked with the challenge of creating a technology that would provide additional layers of base defense -- a system that was portable and could be easily operated by service members in an operational setting.

The system was designed and built in record time with a source that uses high-power electromagnetic bursts to instantly disable swarms of small drones. They named the system THOR.

THOR is a counter-swarm electromagnetic weapon the Air Force Research Laboratory developed for defense of airbases. The system provides non-kinetic defeat of multiple targets. It operates from a wall plug and uses energy to disable drones.

A first-of-its-kind system, THOR stows completely in a 20-ft transport container, which can be transported in a C-130 easily. The system can be set up within 3 hours and has a user interface that has been designed to require minimal user training. The overall cost to develop the technology was approximately $15 million dollars.

The system uses high-power microwaves to cause a counter-electronic effect. A target is identified, the silent weapon discharges in a nanosecond, and the impact is instantaneous.

"THOR is nearing completion of an operational assessment after being put through the rigors of operating in a variety of challenging conditions," said Adrian Lucero, THOR program manager.

Speaking to the effectiveness of the system, Capt. James Wymer, THOR deputy program manager, said, "Our recent field assessment had an almost 90% effectiveness by operators in the field who had just been trained on the system," Wymer said. "THOR is an early demonstrator, and we are confident we can approach a 100% kill rate by refining the hardware and improving operator training."

Air Force Research Laboratory's THOR team, pictured with the portable counter-UAS system, capable of destroying drones at the speed of light, at long range, in its base defense mission.[Credit: USAFRL]

 

 

 

 

As the dangers from drone swarms evolve, leaders from across the Department of Defense are working closely to ensure emerging technologies like THOR will be ready to support the needs of warfighters already engaged against these threats.

While AFRL celebrates the success of the technology, leaders at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico are recognizing the hard work of their team, who have decades of research in high-power electromagnetic technologies.

"We couldn't have come this far without the perseverance and professionalism of the entire THOR team," said Dr. Jeffry Heggemeier, who leads AFRL's High Power Electromagnetics Division. "Our scientists, Airmen, and contractors worked nights and weekends to make this all possible, and they're still doing it every day. The real reward will be when we see a THOR defending our service members on the front lines."

See the full list of Popular Science "Best of What's New" winners at popsci.com/best-of-whats-new/.

Source: U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory

Published December 2021

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