Using 50 kW high-energy laser weapons, a US Army Stryker combat vehicle captured, tracked, aimed and defeated multiple 60 mm mortar shells and other threats during a four week live fire exercise at the White Sands Missile Launch Site in New Mexico** Since the invention of the first club, a lasting trend in military technology has been the arms race between offensive weapons and the armor against them.
Because military assets are located behind complex defense networks, things become more and more complex with the development of dynamic defense such as anti missile system.
A potential major component of these defense systems is the laser weapon. Its bullet supply is almost unlimited. In addition to the equipment price, the cost of each bullet is about $1, and it can attack the target from a long distance at the literal speed of light.
The most recent test was conducted by a private enterprise team led by Raytheon intelligence and space, which provides laser weapon modules, and kord technologies, which is responsible for integration with Stryker combat vehicles. As part of the U.S. Army's directed energy maneuver short range air defense (de m-short), the high-energy laser is combined with a beam deflector, an EO / IR target acquisition and tracking system and a ku720 multi mission radar to provide 360 degree coverage of an area.
During the exercise, the solid-state laser competed with mortar shells and a mixture of small, medium and large UAVs. The team plans to deliver four de m-short units to the army brigade combat team later this year.
Annabel Flores, President of electronic warfare systems of Raytheon's intelligence and space Department, said: "Soldiers face increasingly complex threats on the battlefield, and our battle proven sensors, software and lasers are ready to provide them with a new level of protection. The army has given us the most difficult challenge - against rockets, artillery and mortars - and we have taken a crucial step in providing operational short-range air defense for soldiers."
Raytheon said that its high-energy laser weapon system manufactured in Texas can be used as a stand-alone system or installed on various platforms. It can provide 360 degree coverage not only for military assets, but also for high-value civilian assets, such as airports or stadiums.