Air Defense

MORFIUS

Also known as
  • Mobile Radio Frequency-Integrated UAS Suppressor
  • Mobile Radio Frequency-Integrated Unmanned Aerial Systems Suppressor
  • MoRFIUS

MORFIUS is Lockheed Martin's reusable, tube-launched counter-UAS interceptor built around a high-power microwave payload and an ALTIUS-derived airframe. Public sources identify it as a developmental and demonstration system: Lockheed describes land, air, and sea launch integration, The War Zone reported DARPA Mobile Force Protection testing, and DefenseScoop reported a Joint Counter-small UAS Office evaluation at Yuma Proving Ground.

MORFIUS, Reusable high-power microwave counter-UAS interceptor, Air Defense
Image source: Lockheed Martin MORFIUS product page
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Reusable high-power microwave counter-UAS interceptor
Service note
2020s-present
Designer
Lockheed Martin / Area-I
Designed
Test events reported since 2018; publicly unveiled in 2021

Specifications

Launch method
Tube-launched from fixed or mobile platforms
Airframe
Based on Area-I's ALTIUS UAS airframe
Effector
High-power microwave (HPM) payload for non-kinetic defeat
Launcher size
Fits inside a six-inch diameter launch tube
Weight
Less than 30 pounds
Platform options
Ground vehicles, aircraft, and vessels
Guidance and integration
Onboard seeker with open interfaces for command-and-control integration
Documented testing
More than 15 Lockheed Martin test events since 2018 plus DARPA MFP and JCO Yuma demonstrations
Timeline

MORFIUS Key Events

  1. Lockheed test-event history begins

    Lockheed Martin said MORFIUS had completed more than 15 test events since 2018, including lab and flight-test takedowns.

    Sources: Counter-Swarm Technology Combats Threats, MoRFIUS: an airborne HPM counter-UAS asset by Lockheed Martin

  2. Public debut as a counter-swarm interceptor

    Breaking Defense reported MORFIUS at Lockheed Martin's AUSA Global Force Next presentation as a reusable high-power microwave drone intended to defeat swarms and other hostile UAVs.

    Sources: Drones Vs. Drones: Lockheed MORFIUS Uses Microwaves To Kill Swarms

  3. DARPA Mobile Force Protection reporting

    The War Zone reported that DARPA's Mobile Force Protection demonstrations included MORFIUS as a high-power microwave interceptor option integrated with a modular counter-drone system.

    Sources: Drone Used High Power Microwaves To Knock Down Other Drones In DARPA Demo

  4. JCO Yuma one-way attack drone evaluation

    DefenseScoop reported that the Joint Counter-small UAS Office's Yuma demonstration ran from May 30 to June 23, 2023, and evaluated MORFIUS against Group 3 one-way attack UAS at four kilometers or more.

    Sources: DOD tests airborne microwave weapon's ability to defeat kamikaze drones

Test And Integration Context

Public reporting places MORFIUS in development and demonstration programs, with the strongest evidence around its ALTIUS-derived airframe, HPM payload, command-and-control integration, and U.S. counter-UAS test events.

ContextDocumented detail
Airframe and payloadLockheed Martin describes MORFIUS as an ALTIUS-derived airborne HPM interceptor with an onboard seeker, open interfaces, and fixed or mobile launch options across land, air, and sea platforms.
Development maturityLockheed Martin and EDR describe laboratory and flight-test takedowns and more than 15 test events since 2018, while leaving detailed performance figures undisclosed.
Modular counter-drone integrationThe War Zone reported MORFIUS in DARPA Mobile Force Protection demonstrations as one of multiple interceptor types for a modular counter-UAS architecture.
Yuma evaluation limitsDefenseScoop reported that JCO officials discussed a 2023 Yuma demonstration against Group 3 one-way attack UAS and that Lockheed said MORFIUS had previously defeated Group 1 and 2 targets at Yuma.

Source labels used here: Counter-Swarm Technology Combats Threats; MoRFIUS: an airborne HPM counter-UAS asset by Lockheed Martin; Drone Used High Power Microwaves To Knock Down Other Drones In DARPA Demo; DOD tests airborne microwave weapon's ability to defeat kamikaze drones.

Media

MORFIUS Images

MORFIUS, Reusable high-power microwave counter-UAS interceptor, Air Defense - view 1
Source: Lockheed Martin MORFIUS product page
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Sources

Lockheed Martin MORFIUS product pagePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports official MORFIUS background, the reusable high-power microwave interceptor description, and the product-page image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Counter-Swarm Technology Combats ThreatsPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Lockheed Martin's description of MORFIUS launch flexibility, ALTIUS-derived airframe, onboard seeker, open command-and-control interfaces, test-event history, and the feature-page masthead image. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Drones Vs. Drones: Lockheed MORFIUS Uses Microwaves To Kill SwarmsPublisher: Breaking Defense | Note: Supports the six-inch launch tube, less-than-30-pounds weight, and close-in HPM counter-swarm role described at MORFIUS's AUSA debut. | Accessed: 2026-06-29MoRFIUS: an airborne HPM counter-UAS asset by Lockheed MartinPublisher: EDR Magazine | Note: Supports ALTIUS-600 airframe dimensions, HPM payload context, C2 integration notes, test-event history, and reported single and multiple takedown demonstrations. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Drone Used High Power Microwaves To Knock Down Other Drones In DARPA DemoPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports DARPA Mobile Force Protection demonstration context, MORFIUS integration into a modular counter-UAS architecture, and ALTIUS-600 relationship background. | Accessed: 2026-06-29DOD tests airborne microwave weapon's ability to defeat kamikaze dronesPublisher: DefenseScoop | Note: Supports the 2023 JCO Yuma Proving Ground evaluation, the tube-launched fixed-wing UAS description, the Group 3 one-way attack UAS test scenario, and the limitation that performance details were not released. | Accessed: 2026-06-29