en.Wedoany.com Reported - German defense electronics specialist Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG officially unveiled its first laser-based anti-drone system—the Tactical High-Energy Opponent Response & Interception System (THORIS)—at the ILA Berlin Air Show in early June 2026. The system employs a layered defense architecture, integrating radio frequency detection, electro-optical/infrared sensors, jamming technology, and a Laser Combat System (LCS), designed to counter the growing threat of drones.
Rohde & Schwarz, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is a globally leading manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment and communication devices. Founded in 1933 by Lothar Rohde and Hermann Schwarz, the company established its industry position early on with high-precision radio frequency measurement technology. Since 1968, it has gradually expanded into the military avionics sector, currently employing approximately 14,000 people and operating in over 70 countries worldwide. Its three divisions—Test & Measurement, Technology Systems, and Networks & Cybersecurity—provide technical support to industrial, regulatory, and government sectors.
The THORIS system is built around the core concept of layered defense: the first layer identifies and continuously tracks drone targets using radio frequency detection equipment and electro-optical/infrared sensors; the second layer employs Rohde & Schwarz's proprietary jamming technology to disrupt the drone's radio communication links, achieving soft-kill interception; when jamming measures fail, the third layer activates the Laser Combat System, which uses high-energy pulsed laser directed attacks to destroy the target's electronic equipment or propulsion system. All data is integrated through a unified command and control system for information fusion and tactical decision-making.
The system's high-energy laser is provided by Germany's TRUMPF Group, a privately held technology company headquartered in Ditzingen, Germany, founded in 1923, with a global leading position in industrial lasers and machine tool manufacturing. This Laser Combat System marks the first substantive collaboration between the two companies in the defense sector. Rohde & Schwarz stated that the THORIS system offers dual flexibility for mobile deployment and fixed installation, suitable for field escort protection on mobile vehicles as well as base fixed defense for critical infrastructure.
The THORIS system is expected to be officially launched by the end of 2028. According to a 2026 report by market research firm Research and Markets, the global laser weapon system market has grown from $6.66 billion in 2025 to $7.27 billion in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 9.2%. Defense analysts point out that laser weapons offer significant tactical advantages over traditional interception methods, including lower cost per shot, shorter ammunition supply chains, and faster multi-target engagement speeds. Through its ARDRONIS series, Rohde & Schwarz has already built a comprehensive anti-drone product portfolio covering detection, identification, and jamming. The introduction of laser hard-kill capabilities marks a key transition for the company from electronic warfare to directed energy weapons.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
