Verus Research

What Verus Research does

Verus Research (legally XL Scientific, LLC), founded in 2014 and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a defense-focused research and development company that delivers advanced electromagnetic, directed energy, electronic warfare, and nuclear-effects solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and federal national laboratories. The company is composed of an elite team of scientists and research engineers holding deep domain expertise in high-power microwave (HPM) system design, dense plasma focus neutron sources, computational electromagnetics, radiation-effects testing, and machine-learning-driven autonomous systems. Verus maintains testing facilities including the HERMES multi-role RF enclosure, the ACE anechoic chamber at EMLab, and the RAD-C radiation crypt, and operates a 27,000-square-foot combined office and laboratory footprint supplemented by a Colorado Springs employee site.

The company sells through competitive government contracting — SBIR/STTR Phase I/II awards, Other Transaction Authorities, IDIQ vehicles, and prime or subcontractor roles on defense programs — generating revenue primarily from technical services, hardware product sales, test and evaluation, and systems integration. Notable contractual assets include the $203 million ceiling TEN-K IDIQ through 2029, the 56-month $52 million ORTHRUS contract with NSWC Crane, the $37.5 million TEAMS autonomous multi-satellite contract with AFRL, and ongoing Phase II and DARPA awards for the proprietary WARDEN agile waveforms, Sat-SAM satellite anomaly monitoring, DEMER directed energy database, PINACLE plasma limiter, and dense plasma focus systems. Verus also develops hardware products including the AirHi airborne HPM instrumentation, HDS/HF-HDS diagnostic suites, HAPP, JANUS, RRAE, and STES high-power systems.

Since June 2, 2025, Verus Research has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Radiance Technologies, an Alabama-based, 100 percent employee-owned prime contractor, gaining access to new capabilities in hypersonics, cyber, and high-energy lasers while retaining its Albuquerque operating base. The company ranks #16 on the 2025 New Mexico Top Private Companies list and #3,947 on the Inc. 5000 with 93 percent three-year revenue growth, and operates within a network of academic partners including UNM, CU Boulder, Georgia Tech, Purdue, and others.

Name

Verus Research

Legal name

XL Scientific, LLC

Website

https://verusresearch.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Verus Research is an Albuquerque-based defense R&D firm specializing in high-power microwave systems, directed energy test and evaluation, radiation-effects testing, and AI-enabled space autonomy for the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, and federal national laboratories, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Radiance Technologies since June 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Research and Development Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Defense R&D, Test, Evaluation & Innovation (BPAIAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ), Military Aerospace Ground Support Equipment (GSE) & Test Systems (IMABAMAL), Space-Based Defense Systems (SSA, Missile Warning, Protected SATCOM) (IMABAOAH), Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

Keywords

• Directed energy research
• High-power microwave systems
• Electronic warfare solutions
• Nuclear effects testing
• Defense research development

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Defense Contracts: Verus Research generates revenue primarily through competitive government contracting with the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and federal agencies. Contracts include SBIR/STTR Phase I/II awards, Other Transaction Authorities, IDIQ contracts, and direct awards for specific R&D programs. Revenue is generated from technical services, product development, testing and evaluation, and systems integration across directed energy, electronic warfare, nuclear effects, and space systems domains.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Verus Research provides scientific and engineering R&D services and specialized hardware products to the U.S. Department of Defense, intelligence community, defense prime contractors, and national laboratories. Its work spans high-power microwave systems, directed energy test and evaluation, nuclear effects and radiation testing, electronic warfare, space autonomy, and applied electronics — delivered through government contracts, SBIR/STTR awards, and subcontracts. The company pairs these services with purpose-built hardware such as the HDS/HF-HDS diagnostic suites, AirHi airborne instrumentation, JANUS non-kinetic system, PINACLE plasma limiter, and dedicated test facilities (HERMES, ACE, RAD-C).

Product overview

Verus Research is a defense-focused research and development company offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialized products and technical services. The core offerings include six integrated service areas: Directed Energy Test and Evaluation, System Engineering and Development, Applied Nuclear Research, Applied Electronics, Electronic Warfare, Space and Autonomy, and Software Development and Applications. The company delivers both specialized hardware products (such as the AirHi airborne HPM instrumentation, HDS/HF-HDS diagnostic suites, HAPP, JANUS, RRAE, STES, and PINACLE high-power systems) and testing facilities (Hermes, ACE, RAD-C). These products work together within Verus Research's service ecosystem to provide end-to-end capabilities in high-power microwave technologies, electronic warfare systems, radiation effects testing, and autonomous space systems. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Radiance Technologies since 2025, the company maintains operations in Albuquerque, NM while expanding its market reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Directed Energy Test and Evaluation Comprehensive test and evaluation services for directed energy systems including target development, predictive effects analysis, HPM system and antenna assessment, and field testing (planning, execution, reporting) — supported by the proprietary DEMER database. Intended for U.S. DoD agencies, test ranges, and defense program offices.
• System Engineering and Development Systems engineering and tailored hardware development services spanning system integration, plasma physics applied research, high-power microwave hardware, antenna research and development, and weapon system controls — designed to accelerate deployment of custom defense technologies.
• Applied Nuclear Research Nuclear test capability development and modernization, nuclear effects modeling, simulation, assessment, and testing, and space system radiation assessment services for defense and aerospace programs requiring survivability in radiation environments.
• Applied Electronics Specialized electronic systems development including RF design, embedded systems, sensor systems, and mechanical packaging for defense and aerospace applications.
• Electronic Warfare Cognitive sensor and telemetry systems, covert communications, RF-enabled cyber systems, and phased array antenna systems integrating electronic warfare, cyber, and directed energy domains for warfighters operating in contested spectrum environments.
• Space and Autonomy Machine learning and AI-based solutions for verification and monitoring of software-controlled systems, satellite anomaly detection and recovery, autonomous system control design, and space communications.
• Software Development and Applications Electromagnetic modeling and simulation capabilities including directed energy weapons engagement modeling, computational electromagnetics, and M&S architectures for mission optimization.
• AirHi (Airborne HPM Instrumentation) Airborne HPM instrumentation system used to test high-power microwave effects on unmanned aerial systems during counter-UAS weapon system testing on DoD test ranges.
• FAETS (Fast Acquisition Effects Testing System) Fast acquisition effects testing system used for rapid assessment of high-power microwave engagement effectiveness.
• HBET (HPM Beam Evaluation Tool) High-power microwave beam evaluation tool for assessing HPM system performance and effects.
• HDS (High Power Microwave Diagnostic Suite) Diagnostic suite for characterization and assessment of high-power microwave systems including indoor and outdoor evaluations.
• HF-HDS (High Frequency HPM Diagnostic Suite) High-frequency diagnostic suite for specialized HPM system assessment at elevated frequency ranges.
• HAPP (High Average Power Pulse) High average power pulse system for sustained HPM operations requiring elevated duty cycles.
• JANUS (Joint Agile Non-Kinetic Upgradeable System) Joint agile non-kinetic upgradeable system for flexible electronic warfare and directed energy applications.
• RRAE (Recoverable, Reusable Air Engagement) Recoverable, reusable airborne engagement system for air-to-ground HPM test and evaluation on recoverable platforms.
• STES (S-Band Threat and Evaluation Source) S-Band threat and evaluation source for test and evaluation of systems in the S-band frequency range.
• PINACLE (Plasma-based Inline Active Cavity Limiter with Electronic-tuning) Plasma-based inline active cavity limiter with electronic-tuning capability for advanced plasma control and RF protection applications.
• Hermes (High-Entropy, Reflective, Multi-role Enclosure for System-testing) Multi-role RF testing enclosure with reconfigurable internal paneling and antenna fixtures supporting mWatts to kWatts power levels for multiple application use-cases.
• ACE (Anechoic Chamber at EMLab) Anechoic chamber capability integrated with EMLab for low power and high power RF testing including direct HPM source feed for system characterization.
• RAD-C (Radiation Crypt) Specially designed test facility for high-power microwave systems adjacent to an anechoic chamber, allowing full system operation through the output antenna.

Quantifiable outcome

• Three-year revenue growth of 93 percent (2021-2024), ranking No. 3,947 on Inc. 5000
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Radiance TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVerus Research became a wholly owned subsidiary of Radiance Technologies in June 2025. The acquisition allows Verus Research to leverage new capabilities in hypersonics, cyber, and high-energy lasers while maintaining operations in Albuquerque. Radiance is an Alabama-based, 100 percent employee-owned prime contractor serving the DoD and intelligence community.
• University of New MexicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership including UNM School of Engineering, COSMIAC research center, and Center for High Technology Materials. Dr. Sameer Hemmady serves as research professor in Applied Electromagnetics group at UNM.
• Naval Research LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on WARDEN (Waveform Agile RF Directed Energy) project for DARPA, developing agile waveform techniques for operational HPM use.
• Air Force Research LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership across multiple directorates including Directed Energy, Sensors, Space Vehicles, and Wright Research Site for HPM, directed energy, and autonomy programs.
• University of Colorado BoulderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner on STTR Phase II for Sat-SAM satellite anomaly monitoring software, working on model-based fault identification algorithms.
• Georgia Tech Research CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on TEAMS autonomous satellite program and large deployable parametric antenna project.
• Purdue UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership in electromagnetic technology development.
• University of Texas at AustinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership in advanced technology development.
• Missouri University of Science and TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner on electromagnetic compatibility technology development for Navy.
• University of IllinoisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner on electromagnetic interactions research with University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
• The Pennsylvania State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership.
• University of MarylandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership in applied electromagnetics research.
• Florida Institute of TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership.
• University of RochesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership.
• University of Hawaii – Marine Mammal Research ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership in marine mammal research.
• LoadPath (Redwire Corporation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on large deployable parametric antenna design for AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate.
• Trusted SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on TEAMS autonomous satellite program.
• IDEAS Engineering & TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on TEAMS autonomous satellite program.
• Booz Allen HamiltonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership for technology development.
• LeidosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership for technology development.
• Dynetics, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership.
• L3 Applied Defense SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership.
• General AtomicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership.
• Lockheed MartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership.
• AEgis TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense R&D technology partnership.
• American Systems CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense contractor partnership.
• Cummings AerospaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense aerospace partnership.
• Dynamic Systems & Research Corp.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense research partnership.
• New Mexico Institute of Mining & TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with New Mexico Tech.
• Riverside ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense research partnership.
• Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch association partnership.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership in oceanographic systems.
• Utah State University Space Dynamics LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpace research partnership.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Leidos: Large DoD prime contractor with substantial defense R&D and test & evaluation portfolio; listed as both customer and partner of Verus, competes for the same T&E and DE/EW program dollars and is the parent of Dynetics.
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Large defense and intelligence consulting prime with significant EW, cyber, and DE advisory practice; competes for and partners on DoD T&E and SBIR/STTR work with AFRL and NRL.

Direct peers

• SAIC: Scientific and engineering services prime with deep HPM modeling & simulation legacy; multiple Verus leaders came from SAIC's directed energy groups, and SAIC pursues the same DoD lab and SBIR/STTR customers.
• Riverside Research: Nonprofit defense research organization with parallel electromagnetics, sensor, and directed-energy test capabilities serving DARPA, AFRL, and the intelligence community.
• Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA): Defense R&D firm specializing in directed energy, HPM sources, and effects testing — directly comparable niche with overlapping customer base and product line.
• Applied Research Associates (ARA): Employee-owned defense R&D company with a strong electromagnetic, directed energy, and survivability/vulnerability testing practice serving DoD and national labs.
• Torch Technologies: Alabama-based defense R&D contractor (close geographic and customer proximity to Radiance) providing advanced sensor, EW, and modeling & simulation work for AFRL, DARPA, and MDA.
• Dynetics (Leidos): Defense R&D and systems integrator with directed-energy, HPM, and hypersonic test capabilities; now part of Leidos, competing in adjacent test infrastructure programs.
• Cummings Aerospace: Small-business defense contractor providing advanced electromagnetic, EW, and high-power microwave engineering; competes in the same small-business DE/EW T&E space.
• AEgis Technologies (now part of HavocAI/Anduril ecosystem): Modeling, simulation, and directed-energy T&E contractor; listed partner of Verus on DE and EW programs and shares much of the same DoD lab customer base.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/category/Defense-Company/Verus-Research-112390603816465
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/xl-scientific-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Verus Research