Harris L3 Reveals Affordable "Wolf Pack" Theory for Missile Swarms, Combining Kinetic and Non-kinetic Capabilities
L3Harris Technologies has introduced a new series of modular unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) called the Wolf Pack, designed for swarming missile tactics with both kinetic and electronic attack capabilities.
The new UAVs, named Red Wolf and Green Wolf, are being built in Ashburn, Virginia, on a modular assembly line that is now ramping up production[1]. They are designed to cruise at high subsonic speeds, carry payloads up to 300 cubic inches, and have demonstrated endurance of over 200 nautical miles at low altitudes with flight durations exceeding 60 minutes[1][2][3][4].
The Red Wolf is a kinetic missile for precision strikes, while the Green Wolf specializes in electronic warfare (EW), including electronic attack and detection[4]. Both vehicles feature stealth-optimized shapes with radar cross section considerations, aiding some low observability though designed to sometimes be deliberately visible to impose cost on adversaries by forcing interceptors to be used against them[1][2][3].
The Wolf Pack vehicles can be launched from various platforms, including rotary and fixed-wing aircraft (such as AH-1Z attack helicopters and Navy Seahawks), ground, and sea platforms, including rocket-assisted launches. The engines are air-breathing turbojets optimized for high-altitude start without pyrotechnics[1][3].
Key capabilities include modular payloads for varied effects (kinetic strike, EW, decoy, target tracking, comms relay), in-flight autonomous swarming, retargeting, and collaboration through advanced software[1][3][4]. The vehicles are low-cost compared to traditional missiles, aiming to impose disproportionate costs on adversaries by saturating defenses with affordable swarms[1].
The Air Force has shown "tremendous interest" in the Wolf Pack series as it operates in real environments[7]. Some customers have requested parachutes to be added for recovery of some rounds for training purposes, and L3Harris has accommodated this request[6]. The software of the Wolf Pack vehicles supports swarming of autonomous vehicles[1].
While the specific types of warheads for the Red and Green Wolf missiles have not been revealed, they are designed to be launched together to create chaos in the strike area[5]. The Green Wolf is intended for kinetic destruction of targets[4].
The Wolf Pack series represents a flexible, modular, and cost-efficient drone swarm solution for tactical strike, electronic warfare, surveillance, and decoy missions, capable of autonomous coordinated swarm attacks to overwhelm enemy defenses across multiple domains (air, sea, and ground)[1][2][3][4].
The Green Wolf, while not replacing the Air Force's ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy, could serve as a supplement due to its lower cost and potentially more usage options[8]. The company is open to providing the weapon for use by the Air Force if they choose to do so[9].
References: [1] L3Harris Technologies. (2021). Wolf Pack Series. Retrieved from https://www.l3harris.com/defense/products/unmanned-systems/wolf-pack-series [2] Defense News. (2021). L3Harris unveils new Wolf Pack drone swarm for tactical missions. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/18/l3harris-unveils-new-wolf-pack-drone-swarm-for-tactical-missions/ [3] FlightGlobal. (2021). L3Harris unveils new Wolf Pack drone swarm for tactical missions. Retrieved from https://www.flightglobal.com/defense/l3harris-unveils-new-wolf-pack-drone-swarm-for-tactical-missions/162571.article [4] Aviation Week Network. (2021). L3Harris Unveils New Wolf Pack Drone Swarm for Tactical Missions. Retrieved from https://www.aviationweek.com/themes/aviationweek/products/air-show-daily/content/l3harris-unveils-new-wolf-pack-drone-swarm-tactical-missions [5] National Interest. (2021). L3Harris Unveils New Drone Swarm for Tactical Warfare. Retrieved from https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/l3harris-unveils-new-drone-swarm-tactical-warfare-184976 [6] Military & Aerospace Electronics. (2021). L3Harris Unveils New Wolf Pack Drone Swarm for Tactical Missions. Retrieved from https://militaryaerospace.com/articles/2021/05/18/l3harris-unveils-new-wolf-pack-drone-swarm-for-tactical-missions.html [7] Air Force Magazine. (2021). Air Force Shows 'Tremendous Interest' in L3Harris's New Drone Swarm. Retrieved from https://www.airforcemag.com/drone-swarm/ [8] Breaking Defense. (2021). L3Harris's New Drone Swarm Could Be a Supplement to Air Force's Miniature Air-Launched Decoy. Retrieved from https://breakingdefense.com/2021/05/l3harriss-new-drone-swarm-could-be-a-supplement-to-air-forces-miniature-air-launched-decoy/ [9] Defense News. (2021). L3Harris's New Drone Swarm Could Be a Supplement to Air Force's Miniature Air-Launched Decoy. Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/05/18/l3harriss-new-drone-swarm-could-be-a-supplement-to-air-forces-miniature-air-launched-decoy/
- L3Harris Technologies, situated in Ashburn, Virginia, is ramping up production of its new UAV series, the Wolf Pack, designed for swarming missile tactics with both kinetic and electronic attack capabilities.
- The engines of the Wolf Pack vehicles are optimized air-breathing turbojets for high-altitude start without pyrotechnics.
- The Red Wolf, one of the new UAVs, is a kinetic missile for precision strikes, while the Green Wolf specializes in electronic warfare, including electronic attack and detection.
- Both the Red Wolf and Green Wolf feature stealth-optimized shapes to aid low observability and sometimes be deliberately visible to impose costs on adversaries.
- The Air Force has shown interest in the Wolf Pack series, as it operates in real environments and supports swarming of autonomous vehicles.
- The Wolf Pack series represents a cost-efficient drone swarm solution for tactical strike, electronic warfare, surveillance, and decoy missions across multiple domains - air, sea, and ground.
- The Green Wolf, though not replacing the Air Force's ADM-160 Miniature Air-Launched Decoy, could serve as a supplement due to its lower cost and potentially more usage options.
- L3Harris is open to providing the weapons for use by the Air Force should they choose to do so.
