The next chapter in the U.S. Army's warfighting capabilities is being written at the Leidos facility in Huntsville.

The company unveiled the Enduring Shield Rocket System, a ground-based technology that can eliminate fast-moving airborne threats. Successfully completed an important milestone Delivered worldwide.

Days later, members of the Leidos team who helped design, develop and build the system piecemeal were recognized for their dedication to a project that addresses a technical and fundamental need for the U.S. military: adaptability.

“The potential for multiple threats and the need to overcome these threats is built into the Enduring Shield architecture and the Army's defense-in-depth architecture,” said Alex, division manager for the Enduring Shield team. Burns said. Yellow Hammer News.

“The Enduring Shield has a larger magazine capacity than comparable systems, and each launcher works in conjunction with the others, so the protected area is fully defended. We are also cooperating with the Army's air defense system. “This allows us to use the best launcher and the best missile for each threat,” Burns said.

Related: Leidos Announces Successful Key Tests of Enduring Shield System

Enduring Shield can target and eliminate three different complex threats: unmanned aerial systems (UAS), fixed-wing aircraft such as attack helicopters, and cruise missiles. All of these are heavily relied upon by enemy combat forces. .

“Enduring Shield’s ability to protect against cruise missile threats is a much-needed capability to protect warfighters, critical infrastructure, and other critical assets. It is designed to have quick installation times and be fully operational within a short time frame,” Burns said.

“The breakthrough that Leidos Dynetics brings is the ability to extend this solution with future interceptors. This allows our air defense solutions to change and adapt as the threat demands.”

A key aspect of this breakthrough occurs long before the rocket leaves the canister and eliminates the threat.

Among those present in Huntsville to mark the occasion were Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, U.S. Army Program Executive Officer (PEO) for Missiles and Space.

“We intentionally spent a lot of time designing this system to have a modular, open system architecture,” General Lozano told the facility, which was filled with employees from across the company. .

“This is important because in the future, we may want to adapt the interceptors we have onboard the system. The command and control functions that communicate with this system may also be improved. And kill As we make all these adaptations within the chain, the system itself must be flexible and adaptable to respond to those changes in such a way that it can destroy threats that never stand still. .”

“That's the nature of this system,” Lozano said.

Related: Leidos unveils Enduring Shield launcher 'essential' to future US Army capabilities

Leidos' Dynetics team was selected in September 2021 as the prime contractor to develop the Enduring Shield System as part of the Army's IFPC Inc 2 program. The original launcher delivery date was scheduled for March 2023, but was postponed due to supply chain problems and technical challenges. This will lead to delays in physical delivery.

However, Leidos and the Army worked closely to integrate and test various aspects of the program, mitigating any potential adverse impact on the schedule for the system's production and deployment goals.

The team responded to that call of urgency. Burns said this also speaks to the company's adaptability.

“Leidos Dynetics has grown by every metric through this program.

“In addition to growth, this program has allowed us to mature and commercialize our technology and bring this critical capability into the hands of warfighters. We are seeing the strategy take shape in Huntsville.

“Leidos Dynetics has a long history in the field of rapid technology development and enhancements for customers. From the beginning, the company has always been prepared to shift and adjust as needed. For example, in the post-Cold War era, Although it was strongly believed that from now on there was no real need for government contractors, Dynetics still invested in the construction of a headquarters with a highly sensitive compartment intelligence facility when it moved to the research park. '' Burns said.

He said the move worked because it was able to assist MSIC with the surge of information that flowed in after the fall of the Berlin Wall. More recently, the company has proven this with two of his other programs, Small Glide Gun (SGM) and Lonestar. Lonestar in particular is an example of high quality with fast delivery times.

Americans don't have to look far to see the benefits of technology like Enduring Shield. In recent months, news reports and viral videos about Israel's Iron Dome technology have garnered attention for its ability to eliminate incoming rocket attacks while in the air.

Burns said the system is highly effective in protecting mainland Israel from the seemingly constant threat of attacks.

“The technology and military approaches used by Israel are constantly being improved to protect Israel. Similarly, the Enduring Shield will become more capable through the integration of new missiles and will be a major addition to the Army's U.S. operational plans. It will expand on the adaptation methods and continued evolution enabled by the Army's IBCS network,” Burns said.

“The Enduring Shield is a ground-based, yet mobile system that can be deployed wherever needed on the battlefield. Combined, the four units can secure anything from a company of soldiers to a hospital or school building. It can provide 360 ​​degree protection. This protection range covers up to 16 square kilometers and provided much needed cover when defending fixed and immovable assets. THAAD) and Patriot Forces, the Enduring Shield fills a critical gap between these and other short-range air and strategic defense systems. It means finding ways to protect and defend military and civilian infrastructure.”

The next phase of the program is the developmental testing phase, where the Army will collect more data on top of the successful reduced-risk flight tests. What they learn through that phase will provide Leidos with further information on its next launch plan, expected in 2025.

The Alabama-made system is a source of great pride for the Leidos Dynetics team. It was on full display with a room full of experts working on the nuts and bolts. literally.

“The technology developed in the Enduring Shield originates from the Multi-Mission Launcher program developed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center (CCDC AvMC) at Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal.” he said. yellow hammer.

“This program involved many military and industry experts from across this engineering community. It's exciting to see world-class engineering moving into the warfighter, and Leidos Dynetics is a big part of that. Huntsville creates this unique environment that allows for rapid development through partnerships and relationships to advance our technology in support of the warfighter.”

At Huntsville, Brig. Gen. Lozano said the difference he witnessed at the Chase facility during this visit and his first visit a year ago was “remarkable,” and said the hundreds of people who sacrificed their time and dedication to see the project through to completion. He said that this was an achievement. Through.

“Congratulations to all of you for what you have accomplished this past year, and in fact last week. These accomplishments are the result of everyone's hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to making this program a success. It's the culmination of your hard work. We wouldn't be here without you.”

“There is no one in this factory, in this facility, in this company, in my government team, who is of insignificant or lesser value. Because you have to ride and dig deep and row hard and focus on being successful. Fulfilling their mission and being successful,” Lozano said.

“Because they have an unparalleled, unparalleled fighting ability – the best fighting ability the world has ever seen.”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270