Weapons Technology

Developing technologies to enable next-generation weapon systems

We have been a trusted partner to Department of Defense (DoD) agencies and contractors in undertaking many of the most challenging scientific and engineering problems. This experience has established Leidos as a leader in weapons systems research and development.

Learn more about our Weapons Technology capabilities

Warhead and fuzing solutions

With more than 25 years of experience in the research, development, and evaluation of warhead designs, we understand every aspect of warhead development from concept exploration through production. We have experience in the warhead design and assessment of tactical missiles and lethal mechanisms to include the following:

Shaped charges
Explosively formed penetrators
Blast fragmentation
Low-collateral damage
Multipurpose munitions

We performs numerical analysis of lethal mechanisms using hydrocodes such as CTH and LS-DYNA. We perform lethality assessments using in-house tools such as WOLVES, SCRAMBLE, and Engage_Threat as well as standard JCTG-ME models, AJEM and MUVES, to assess effectiveness against targets of interest.

We have experience with many of the leading test facilities in the nation supplying test support and planning; defining test data requirements, test procedures, test data reduction and analysis, and instrumentation requirements; and providing test oversight for multiple warhead programs.

For over 15 years, we have been supporting R&D programs for tactical missile fuzing systems. We have the technical expertise to design, analyze, test, and qualify fuzes and fuzing systems to meet customer requirements. We provide fuze design support from concept exploration and arming requirements definition through development and production.

We have experience designing architectures for MIL-STD 1316 E compliance and multi-service fuze board acceptances, understanding safety, reliability, and performance requirements.

Test and training solutions

We have a rich history as an airborne test and evaluation company. We have provided quality hardware and software solutions to support the DoD test and training community. Over the last decade, we have become a leader in providing high-fidelity time-space position information (TSPI) solutions, high-quality ground support equipment, and custom test equipment to support all types of open air ranges on platforms ranging from the latest generation of fighter jets to sophisticated ground combat weapon systems and advanced radars. We develop engineering instrumentation, data acquisition systems, radars, and data processing tools, as well as perform post-processing of data on the range. Some of our combat test and training solutions include the following:

Advanced data acquisition systems for rugged environments
Specialized launchers and other support equipment
Secure radio frequency data link transmitters and receivers
Electronic warfare systems and simulators
Electro-optics/infrared evaluation systems
High-fidelity targets
Directed energy evaluation systems
Modeling and simulation
Specialized ground support equipment aircraft, rotorcraft, and unmanned systems

Test and Training Solutions

Delivering the latest technology

Our test and training solutions enable ranges to test fifth- and sixth-generation fighter aircraft, directed energy weapons, and advanced hypersonic technologies. We deliver range radars, advanced TSPI solutions, electronic warfare, and EO/IR simulators; upgrade range networking infrastructure; and provide advanced missile data links and other technologies to support secure communications. The solutions ensure our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines always hold the advantage.

Learn more about our Avionics test solutions

Electronics manufacturing

Our customers often need tailored electronic solutions in a short timeframe. We work with our customers to jointly create solutions customized to meet their requirements and budget, whether they have well-defined requirements or need our experts to guide them to the right solution.

We provide comprehensive design, development, and fabrication services, from initial prototyping through low-volume production, with the agility to adapt to changing customer requirements throughout the life cycle. We specialize in rapid design and product development: our design-phase and first-article production of complex products is measured in weeks or months rather than years.

We create electronic devices and systems utilizing a broad range of technologies, including analog, digital, RF, and specialized EO. We are also experts in the operation of military systems, including missile and radar systems, so we understand how to test and analyze system performance.

Electronic design, analysis, and fabrication applications

Our broad range of applications includes the following:

Miniaturization of electronics
Missile instrumentation
Special-purpose test equipment
Instrumentation and telemetry
Laser designators/laser warning receivers
Miniature/modular instrumentation for rugged applications
Low-phase noise exciters
RF/radar target generators
Waveform synthesis
Prototypes
Wideband receivers
Hardware-in-the-loop simulators
Custom calibration equipment
Radiometry

Specialty machined parts manufacturing

Our in-house machining center offers a robust combination of highly skilled personnel, state-of-the-art machinery, and high-end software, capable of rapidly developing hardware for R&D prototyping. Capabilities also include precision machining and fabrication, as well as limited production.

We provide services for aerospace, defense, automotive, medical, and other industries using ISO-compliant management information systems to track, in real time, all aspects of a project. Our facilities are fully capable of operating in a DoD classified environment.

Combat Environment Instrumentation System

The Combat Environment Instrumentation System (CEIS) contract was awarded by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCD) in 2017. We provide threat system research, development, sustainment and upgrades; range instrumentation for GPS-based instrumentation; Electronic Attach/Active Emitter (EA/AE) pods; Warning/Countermeasure Systems; RF & Electro-Optical (EO) tracking systems; multi-spectral threat/target systems; and Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV) instrumentation support.

Prime Power Generation

Our ground vehicle prime power source provides an uninterrupted supply of reliable power for extended periods of time. This compact, modular system with mild hybrid capability ensures failsafe performance—vehicles remain mobile even if the attachment fails.

Modular Instrumentation System

Our Modular Instrumentation System (MIS) systems offer a compact, comprehensive suite of solutions for the testing and evaluation of weapons systems. Flight proven in numerous missile environments, our highly configurable, compact design can often be installed without removing the warhead. The MIS offers a comprehensive array of interchangeable and expandable modules that can be configured to meet customers' unique requirements. We also offer off-the-shelf solutions for encryption, flight data recorders, controllers, TSPI, and ground support equipment.