This post is also available in:
עברית (Hebrew)
Leidos, a Virginia-based defense company, has successfully demonstrated the capabilities of its Enduring Shield system, conducting successful intercept tests against both unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and cruise missiles. This ground-based, mobile defense solution is designed to enhance protection for both civilian and military infrastructures, positioning itself as a critical component in modern air defense.
The tests were part of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) program, which seeks to address emerging threats from drones and missiles. Leidos showcased the system’s proficiency in detecting, tracking, engaging, and intercepting targets during a live missile flight test using a surface-launched AIM-9X missile. The integration of advanced technologies such as the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), Sentinel A3, and Missile Datalink further underscored the system’s robust capabilities.
Dino Pusinsky, Leidos’ Enduring Shield Product Area Vice President, highlighted the significance of these tests. “(This event) marks another major step forward in evaluating the overall operational capability and lethality of the system,” he stated. The successful intercepts reinforce Leidos’ commitment to providing critical technologies that keep military forces ahead of their adversaries.
Recently, Leidos was awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command for additional hardware assets to support the IFPC program’s Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E). This contract includes upgrades to the missile remote communications link and software enhancements aimed at improving the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture.
Enduring Shield is designed to fill the operational gap between tactical short-range air defense systems and more strategic assets such as the Patriot systems. By leveraging familiar technologies that require minimal additional training, the Enduring Shield offers a cost-effective solution for countering a range of aerial threats.
As global threats continue to evolve, the advancements demonstrated by Leidos could play a vital role in shaping the future of air defense strategies, ensuring that both military and civilian assets remain secure in an increasingly complex threat landscape.
