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Air Force

Air Force Testing THOR Base Defense System in Africa, Chief Scientist Says

Frank Wolfe

Thursday, December 17th, 2020

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Air Force Testing THOR Base Defense System in Africa, Chief Scientist Says

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Tactical High Power Operational Responder developed for airbase defense. (AFRL Directed Energy Directorate Photo)

The U.S. Air Force is conducting operational testing in Africa of the Tactical High-Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) electromagnetic weapon to protect air bases by disabling drones or swarms of drones, a top service official said. "We have recently deployed a test system to Africa for base defense," Richard Joseph, the Air Force chief scientist, told the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Aerospace Nation forum on Dec. 17. "It has been tested extensively and works remarkably well. I was told…

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