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Defending against drone swarms has become one of the biggest challenges facing modern militaries. Traditional counter-drone weapons often destroy one target at a time, meaning large attacks can quickly exhaust interceptor missiles while dramatically increasing defense costs. As swarms become larger and more coordinated, armed forces are looking for systems capable of defeating many drones with a single engagement.
Lockheed Martin has unveiled Morfius X-rotor, a reusable airborne counter-drone system designed to address exactly that problem. Instead of carrying conventional interceptors, the aircraft uses high-power microwave (HPM) technology to disable the electronics of multiple unmanned aerial vehicles during a single flight. According to the company, one Morfius mission can neutralize more than 50 drones before the platform is recovered, reloaded and flown again.
According to Interesting Engineering, the system attacks drones by directing concentrated bursts of electromagnetic energy toward their onboard electronics. These microwave pulses interfere with critical components such as flight controllers, processors and navigation systems, causing targeted drones to lose the ability to fly or complete their mission. Unlike kinetic interceptors that physically destroy each target, microwave weapons can affect several drones simultaneously if they are within the beam’s effective area, making them particularly well suited for swarm attacks.
One of the system’s distinguishing features is its reusability. After completing a mission, the aircraft returns for recovery rather than being expended like a missile. This significantly reduces the cost per engagement while allowing operators to prepare the same platform for additional missions.
Another advantage is its compatibility with existing military infrastructure. The system has been designed to operate with a wide range of sensors and command-and-control networks and does not require a dedicated fire-control radar. Instead, it can receive targeting information from sensors already deployed across the battlefield, simplifying integration with current air-defense architectures.
The latest version builds on the original technology, which has been undergoing flight testing since 2017. Recent trials conducted in Arizona, California and Oklahoma evaluated the aircraft’s flight performance, target engagement capabilities and overall effectiveness. The company is now increasing prototype production and preparing additional flight demonstrations.
High-power microwave systems are attracting growing interest because they offer a different approach to countering drones. Rather than intercepting each UAV individually, they aim to disable multiple threats electronically while minimizing collateral damage. As drone swarms become a standard feature of modern warfare, reusable directed-energy platforms such as this could provide militaries with a more scalable and cost-effective layer of air defense for protecting troops, bases and critical infrastructure.
