USAF calls down power of ZEUS to destroy explosives
Parsons is claiming to be the first company to receive a production contract from the US DoD for a ground-based directed-energy system, with a $50.6 million award for the Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance (RADBO) system.
The USAF will receive 13 RADBO systems under the six-year contract.
Parsons will make, integrate and sustain the RADBO units, each of which comprises the ZEUS laser and an interrogation arm assembly mounted on an MRAP vehicle.
ZEUS is designed to destroy unexploded ordnance with extreme accuracy in previously denied areas at ranges of up to 300m to improve the safety of deployed warfighters, Parsons noted in a 1 October statement.
It added that the laser is powerful enough to detonate small submunitions from cluster bombs, landmines, general-purpose bombs and thick-cased artillery rounds.
RADBO will therefore ‘greatly increase safe and effective explosive ordnance disposal operations’, said Hector Cuevas, Parsons executive vice president of missile defence and C5ISR.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan]()
Spain unveils new multi-billion euro defence investment plan
The new plan outlined how Spain would reach 2% of its GDP spend on defence by 2025, with €1.9 billion earmarked for new equipment acquisition with several land, naval and air platforms disclosed to be replaced or upgraded.
-
![New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia]()
New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees]()
Avalon 2025: Australian defence budget meets the low expectations of show attendees
The Australian Budget was marked by tax cuts and a looming general election which led to little hope that there would be a substantial defence boost even with a big bill for nuclear submarines due.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
