Lockheed Martin Unveils MORFIUS™ X-Rotor: The New Drone‑Killer Set to Power America’s Fight Against Swarms
New airborne high power microwave counter-drone system can neutralize more than 50 enemy drones in a single flight and be reused in the field.
FARNBOROUGH, England, July 20, 2026 — As commercial swarms of hostile drones become a significant threat to allied forces on modern battlefields, Lockheed Martin has introduced the MORFIUS™ X-Rotor. This innovative “one‑to‑many” airborne High Power Microwave (HPM) counter-drone system boasts the capacity to neutralize over 50 enemy drones in just one flight.
Designed with field recovery and reuse in mind, the MORFIUS system maintains a notably low cost per kill, safeguarding defense budgets while ensuring sustained firepower. MORFIUS is also sensor and command and control agnostic, allowing it to operate without the need for a unique sensor to engage targets.
Lockheed Martin is focusing on accelerating the prototype production of the MORFIUS system and its HPM payload, with upcoming flight tests planned to build upon successful trials conducted in Arizona, California, and Oklahoma. These tests are aimed at evaluating flight, interception, and lethality capabilities.
Why It Matters
- Strategic Alignment: The development of MORFIUS aligns directly with the U.S. Department of War’s 2025-2028 Rapid Response Counter-UAS Roadmap, offering affordable, efficient solutions for defense forces.
- Unmatched Competitive Edge: As the only ground-launched, field-reusable airborne HPM system, MORFIUS can achieve over 50 drone kills per flight using any command and control system, without reliance on fire control radars, serving as a true force multiplier for protected assets and troops.
- Reducing Risk: Building on previous variants operational since 2017, MORFIUS utilizes a proven family of HPM effectors, capable of neutralizing difficult targets while minimizing collateral damage, making it exceptionally suited for the modern battlefield environment.
Expert Perspective
Randy Crites, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Advanced Programs, stated, “MORFIUS sets a new benchmark for counter-drone capability – delivering a high kill rate while keeping the cost per kill low. By utilizing a lightweight, field-reusable high-power microwave architecture, we provide the most effective, low-cost solution available today, demonstrating Lockheed Martin’s commitment to delivering innovative, affordable technologies rapidly to our American and allied forces.”
About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology firm dedicated to driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Through its all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision, the company aims to deliver transformative technologies to maintain readiness for those it serves. More information can be found at Lockheedmartin.com.
Source: Lockheed Martin (2026-07-20 06:00:00)
