Leidos’ Enduring Shield successfully intercepts drone, cruise missile in tests

A Virginia-based defense company successfully conducted tests of Enduring Shield, a ground-based, mobile system that aims to combat cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems.

Leidos successfully conducted intercepts of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and Cruise Missile (CM) test targets with the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) system.

Part of the Enduring Indirect Fire Protection Capability program (IFPC), the Enduring Shield protects and defends civilian and military infrastructure and bridges the gap between tactical short range air defense systems and our strategic systems.

The demonstration by Leidos and the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Missiles and Space (MS) highlighted the system’s ability to detect, track, engage and intercept UAS and CM targets in a missile flight test with a surface launched AIM-9X.

The test also involved integrating the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), Sentinel A3 and Missile Datalink, showcasing the capability to neutralize UAS and CM targets through a live fire, according to Leidos.

Major step forward in evaluating lethality of the system

Dino Pusinsky, Leidos Enduring Shield Product Area Vice President, stated that this event was a testament to our commitment to deliver products critical to supporting our customer stays ahead of our adversaries.

“It marks another major step forward in evaluating the overall operational capability and lethality of the system,” said Pusinsky.

The Fortune 500 innovation company that claims to be rapidly addressing the world’s most vexing challenges in national security and health was recently awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Contracting Command.

Hardware includes upgrades to missile remote communications link

The contract was granted for additional hardware assets in support of the Army’s Enduring Indirect Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E).

The hardware includes upgrades to the missile remote communications link and software, in support of the Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense architecture, according to the company.

IFPC Inc 2 system to transform warfighting capabilities

Larry Barisciano, senior vice president and business area manager for Land Systems at Leidos, stated that this award will let the company showcase the ability of the IFPC Inc 2 system to transform warfighting capabilities as it progresses toward being declared operationally ready for our warfighters.

Developed to be the key part of the solution to protect and defend critical civilian and military infrastructure, IFPC Inc 2 is a ground-based, mobile system that aims to combat CMs and UASs.

It also is designed to bridge the gap between tactical short range air defense and strategic systems, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot forces, according to researchers.

The company claims that Enduring Shield supports a range of new interceptor options using technology that warfighters are already familiar with, requiring minimal additional training. It effectively counters threats while being more cost-efficient.