ThinKom Secures OTA with U.S. Army to Provide Alecto™ High-Power Microwave System for Maneuver C-UAS

Key Takeaways

The U.S. Army has awarded ThinKom Solutions Inc. a $49M contract for a prototype mobile high-power microwave system to counter drones.
The project includes initial funding for one of four prototypes, with field testing slated for 2027.
The Alecto system aims to provide a cost-effective, non-kinetic solution against Group 1 and Group 2 unmanned aerial threats.

Project Overview

The U.S. Army, through its Program Manager for Advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System Effects (PM ACE), has awarded ThinKom Solutions Inc. an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement worth up to $49 million. This initiative is aimed at developing and evaluating a mobile high-power microwave (HPM) capability to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

As part of the agreement, initial funding has been allocated for one of four prototype systems requested by PM ACE. This funding will also facilitate field testing scheduled for 2027. The project involves the delivery of ThinKom’s Alecto high-power microwave effector, which will be integrated with specified government sensors and fire-control capabilities, based on a mobile platform.

In a statement, Dan Roman, ThinKom’s vice president for electronic warfare and high-power microwave programs, emphasized the urgent requirement for mobile and scalable counter-UAS capabilities due to the rapid increase in unmanned aircraft usage. He noted that the Alecto system, supported by their patented VICTS antenna, aims to provide soldiers with a high-capacity and economical option that can operate while on the move, effectively addressing threats from Group 1 and Group 2 drones.

The prototype’s development will be complemented by government-led integration, testing, and evaluation processes. The outcomes will guide the Army’s future decisions regarding this technology; however, it’s important to note that this agreement does not entail a commitment to produce any specific quantity of systems.

PAE Fires, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, manages a comprehensive portfolio focused on both offensive and defensive capabilities in support of Army transformation and operational objectives. This project is part of the Army’s broader strategy to enhance its defensive measures against emerging drone threats.

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