Lockheed Martin unveils counter-drone system that can ‘neutralize up to 50 enemy drones in a single mission’ — sensor-agnostic system uses High Power Microwave to purge enemies from the sky

Lockheed Martin Unveils MORFIUS X-Rotor
(Image credit: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a counter-drone system that can “neutralize up to 50 enemy drones in a single mission.” The new Morfius X-Rotor is a ground-launched one-to-many drone-kill system designed to be sent up to neutralize large enemy drone swarms. This reusable and field‑recoverable drone utilizes a high‑power microwave to disable drones without explosives, reducing collateral damage. It boasts a “significantly low cost per kill.”

The video shared on social media looks impressive, with a trio of Morfius X-Rotor drones sent into the skies, the video of the target acquisition HUD, and then several microwave blasts. We don’t know whether the video contains any live-action test footage or is just a rendered animation.

The U.S. defense tech company notes that swarms of hostile drones are fast becoming the biggest threat to allied forces on today's battlefields, and this is why the Morfius X-Rotor was created. It also fits into the U.S. Department of War's 2025-2028 Rapid Response Counter-UAS Roadmap.

Latest Videos FromTom's Hardware

Lockheed claims the Morfius X-Rotor is also remarkable for being “the only ground-launched, field-reusable airborne HPM system capable of delivering more than 50 drone kills per flight using any command and control system and no dependence on fire control radars.” So, it doesn’t need dedicated radar or guidance sensors to acquire and take down targets, which could be a winning quality in heavy EW environments.

Another feather in this one-to-many drone-kill system’s cap is that it is built on a proven platform of Morfius variants which have been flying since 2017, with recent field tests taking place across several U.S. states. A Lockheed VP sums up that what we see in the video demo represents “a new benchmark for counter-drone capability - delivering a high kill rate while keeping the cost per kill low.”

We have reported on microwave anti-drone and weaponry systems before. Among the former was the ground vehicle-based Epirus Leonidas system, which "neutralized 61-of-61 drones" during a recent live fire trial in Indiana last year. We've also reported on an incredibly powerful 20-gigawatt microwave weapon designed in China, dubbed the TPG1000C, and described as “Starlink’s worst nightmare.”

Google Preferred Source

Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.

Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

  • coolitic
    So it's a drone-mounted EMP?
    Reply
  • SteJBorchard
    The only thing I can think of in response to this is Zach star himself: Death star.

    " who do you work for, oh Lockheed Martin, gotcha "

    7gb6kfSonN8View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gb6kfSonN8
    Reply
  • chaos215bar2
    Only 50, max?

    How much does it cost, and how long does it last when drones start blowing themselves up in its vicinity in response to being attacked?
    Reply
  • USAFRet
    chaos215bar2 said:
    Only 50, max?

    How much does it cost, and how long does it last when drones start blowing themselves up in its vicinity in response to being attacked?
    Just like with every other offense and defense,....it is a game of cat and mouse.

    Better offense means upgrading your defense, which means upgrading your offense, etc, etc, etc....

    Is this perfect, and the final answer? No, of course not.
    Reply
  • PEnns
    I guess the great minds of Drone Mania Dept. at Lockheed think along the lines, "Just like in the movies....drone swarms fly within a few inches of each other, like shooting fish in a barrel!"

    Not maybe miles apart and at different altitudes.....but hey, it's not their money.
    Reply
  • PEnns
    chaos215bar2 said:
    Only 50, max?

    How much does it cost, and how long does it last when drones start blowing themselves up in its vicinity in response to being attacked?

    Please don't ruin their dreams....of making billions out of another "well thought out" money machine.
    Reply
  • PEnns
    SteJBorchard said:
    The only thing I can think of in response to this is Zach star himself: Death star.

    " who do you work for, oh Lockheed Martin, gotcha "

    7gb6kfSonN8View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gb6kfSonN8

    Hilarious!!
    Reply
  • SteJBorchard
    PEnns said:
    Hilarious!!

    Ya, Ryan George and Zach Star. Saying things we all shoulda a long time ago. :D
    Reply