Lockheed Martin unveils MORFIUS airborne microwave counter-drone at Farnborough

Lockheed Martin unveiled MORFIUS, an airborne counter-drone system, at this year's Farnborough International Airshow, New Atlas reported. The platform uses a high-power microwave directed-energy weapon and is intended to neutralize hostile drones by disrupting their electronics over an area rather than only at a fixed point. Unlike large ground-based microwave systems that often rely on radio valves and radar, MORFIUS is described as an X-rotor aircraft that hunts drones while airborne. Lockheed Martin claims a single charge can take out more than 50 drones per flight, and that the aircraft is recoverable so it can be recharged, refueled, and reused. The company said the system does not require dedicated ground sensors or command-and-control systems, which it argues simplifies integration into existing defenses. Randy Crites, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Advanced Programs, said MORFIUS is meant to deliver a high kill rate at low cost per kill through a lightweight, field-reusable high-power microwave architecture. New Atlas cited Lockheed Martin as the source.