GLADIATR

GUN LAUNCHED AREA DEFENSE INTERCEPTOR AGAINST THREATS AND RAIDS (GLADIATR) OFFERS LOWER-COST, HIGH-MOBILITY BASE DEFENSE

The Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) Office evaluated low-cost, high-technology-readiness-level capabilities that could provide near-term air defense against cruise missiles.

In the summer of 2020, the Hypervelocity Gun Weapon System (HGWS) demonstrated effectiveness against cruise missile threats at the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) On-Ramp 2 Event.

As a follow on, the SDPE Air Base Defense team to initiated a Rapid Prototype fielding (<2 years) of the HGWS, which includes significant updates and enhancements to the system.

This SDPE effort is called the Gun Launched Area Defense Interceptor Against Threats and Raids (GLADIATR).

The GLADIATR system will address a larger threat space of missile threats than existing missile defense systems, provide cost curve flipping (~$100K per shot) interceptors, have a deep magazine and be rapidly deployable/relocatable.

Additionally, SDPE, with partnership from the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), is working to reduce additional risk for the system, augment the system for a more tactical configuration to include C-130 transportability and field an initial prototype of the system to an operational location in FY23.

 

The rapid prototype fielding of GLADIATR will allow for an extended operational field assessment (12 months) to evaluate the system’s operational utility, suitability, maintainability, reliability and sustainability to inform strategic investment decisions for the USAF and other Services.