Lockheed Martin demonstrates new weapon effective against Shahed-type threats

US defence contractor Lockheed Martin has successfully intercepted an attack drone in a live-fire test using a missile system designed to counter threats similar to Iran's widely used Shahed drones.

The target drone, intentionally built to replicate the characteristics of a Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle, was destroyed by a Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launched from Lockheed Martin's containerized Grizzly launcher system, the US outlet Axios first reported.

The test integrated multiple technologies, including the AI-enabled Sanctum counter-drone system, which served as the battle manager, and R40 radars developed by Fortem Technologies for target tracking.

According to the company, the entire system was assembled and deployed at Arizona's Yuma Proving Ground in less than 45 days.

“When we show these things, we have the ability to produce them, develop them, get them out there at scale,” Dan Tenney, Senior Vice President for Global Business Development and Strategy at Lockheed Martin, told Axios.

Tenney said the US military continues to prioritize efficient and cost-effective air defence technologies, particularly systems that can be rapidly deployed and assembled when needed.

Developed in just six months, the Grizzly launcher is designed for both land- and sea-based operations. Lockheed Martin says the system's containerized design enhances mobility and concealment by allowing missiles to remain hidden until launch.

The company has also invested $25 million in Fortem Technologies, known for its AI-powered SkyDome drone-detection platform, and has partnered with the firm to help secure critical infrastructure.

Tenney added that the system could significantly reduce the “cost per kill” by employing a relatively low-cost missile with a proven ability to track and engage aerial targets.

By Nazrin Sadigova