The US Air Force has teamed up with Parsons Corporation to equip the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) with a cutting-edge directed energy bomb disposal system.
Part of the service’s push to modernize Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) capabilities, the system leverages high-energy lasers to neutralize unexploded ordnance across airfields and other hazardous environments.
Under the partnership, Parsons will supply its Zeus 4 high-energy weapon, capable of clearing over 50 types of ordnance, from landmines to general-purpose bombs.
Using artificial intelligence-driven targeting, Zeus 4 identifies and eliminates threats from 25 to 300 meters (82 to 984 feet) away.
Its “palletized, bolt-on design” ensures adaptability across multiple RADBO platforms.
Smarter, More Agile RADBO Solution
Mounting Zeus 4 on the JLTV gives the Air Force a lower-profile, more agile alternative to larger RADBO platforms like Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles.
This combination is expected to improve the military’s “operational readiness and mission success” on future RADBO tasks.
The lightweight system operates day and night without requiring firing consumables, boosting operational readiness.
“As we unveil the ZEUS 4 Directed Energy System on the JLTV platform, we reaffirm Parsons’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge defense technologies that empower our warfighters with safe standoff neutralization capabilities,” Parsons Defense and Intelligence President Mike Kushin stated.
“This integration not only enhances operational capabilities but also ensures our armed forces are equipped to confront the evolving challenges of tomorrow.”
