In a battlefield increasingly shaped by drone swarms, California’s ThinKom Solutions is responding with a new high-power microwave (HPM) system designed to counter coordinated unmanned threats.
The system, known as Alecto, blends Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub (VITCS) technology with high-power vacuum electronics to generate directed microwave energy.
VITCS is a steerable mechanical antenna system that enables precise beam control with minimal spillover, helping concentrate effects on targets while reducing the risk of collateral damage.
According to the company, this architecture delivers significantly higher peak power density compared to gallium nitride-based active electronically scanned array systems.
It also supports long-duration engagements, fast beam steering, and low cost per use, allowing more sustained responses against drone swarms.
For operators, Alecto uses a tablet-based interface and is designed to integrate with existing command-and-control networks.
“With Alecto, ThinKom demonstrates its dedication to equipping the warfighter with critical, enabling solutions needed on the modern battlefield,” said Dan Roman, vice president of electronic warfare and high-power microwave at ThinKom Solutions.
“By investing our own capital, we have been able to greatly accelerate the development cycles, embodying the agility required by the Department of War.”
Flexible Integration
Unlike traditional systems, Alecto is designed with reduced size, weight, and power requirements to support deployment on smaller platforms such as infantry squad vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles.
Its vehicle-mounted configuration supports “fire-on-the-move” capability, allowing operators to engage threats while in motion.
The system is built to cover a wide operating area while maintaining a compact, low-profile footprint, making it suitable for mobile deployment.
It also reportedly meets US military safety standards, ensuring controlled operation while protecting personnel, equipment, and fuel from electromagnetic effects.
