DEW Development Aims at UAS Swarms

Under development by ThinKom Solutions Inc., Alecto is a high-power-microwave (HPM) directed-energy weapon (DEW) built to stop uncrewed aerial system (UAS) swarms.

The mobile system (see image above) employs phased-array antennas based on the firm’s variable inclination continuous transverse stub (VICTS) technology for rapid tracking. A VICTS antenna relies on multiple lightweight platters to rotate a center axis to control polarization and steer its beam. Alecto is being developed for the U.S. Department of War (DoW) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

In addition to its advanced antenna technology, Alecto employs traditional high-frequency vacuum electronics to achieve the high peak power densities needed to counter rapidly evolving uncrewed aerial system (UAS) technologies — higher than solid-state gallium-nitride (GaN) power transistors at comparable frequency ranges.

The Alecto system provides horizon-to-horizon coverage in a low-profile architecture. It enables reduced size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) compared to traditional HPM systems. 

Dan Roman, vice president of ThinKom’s EW/HPM group, said, “With Alecto, ThinKom demonstrates its dedication to equipping the warfighter with critical, enabling solutions needed on the modern battlefield.” Regarding the company’s investment in the technology, he added, “By investing our own capital, we have been able to greatly accelerate the development cycles, embodying the agility required by the Department of War.”