Leidos [LDOS] on Monday successfully test fired its Enduring Shield air defense system, validating the “end-to-end launch functionality” ahead of the Army developmental test program that will begin in January.
The ground-based, mobile Enduring Shield system fired a test AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range missile from a simulated Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) interface to a designated target location. IBCS, which is built by Northrop Grumman [NOC], links sensors and effectors around the battlefield for air defense.
Enduring Shield is meant to protect civilian and military infrastructure by defeating cruise missiles and unmanned aircraft systems. The system bridges the gap between tactical short-range air defense systems and strategic systems such as the Terminal High Altitude Areas Defense and Patriot systems.
“This is a major milestone for the team to cross,” Larry Barisciano, weapon systems operations manager for Leidos’ Dynetics business unit, said in a statement. “Being able to say these protypes are ready for government testing by succeeding at this demonstration is a huge win for us as well as our warfighters.”
Following the risk reduction flight demonstration, the Army will begin the multi-phase development test program in January leading to flight-testing in the second quarter of 2024 and then an operational assessment currently planned for the third quarter, Barisciano told
Defense Daily on Tuesday. Enduring Shield is being developed under the Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 program.
Leidos in 2021 won the prototype contract, which runs through the operational assessment. The Army is buying 16 launchers as part of the contract, which will give them a “residual fielding capability if they choose to use it,” Barisciano said.
The formal initial operational test and evaluation phase of the program is slated for fiscal year 2025, he said.
Each Enduring Shield launch unit can carry up to 18 AIM-9X missiles and four launchers will provide 360 degrees of defensive coverage. The system is being designed with a modular open systems architecture to be able to fire other interceptors.