Successful EXCALIBUR Test Brings DARPA Closer to Compact High Energy Lasers
DARPA successfully tested an optical phased array (OPA) combining 21 laser beams, as part of the Excalibur program. With each of the 21 array elements driven by fiber laser amplifiers the low power array was able to precisely hit a target at a distance of 7 kilometers (4.3 miles). In three years the agency expects to scale up the design,...
10Kw laser demonstrates directed energy weapons’ role in force protection
Area Defense Anti-Munitions (ADAM) system is a high-power, solid-state laser system developed by Lockheed Martin as a near-term laser weapon system, designed to defeat close-in improvised rocket and unmanned aerial system (UAS) threats. The weapon is design to provide short-range defense of high-value areas including forward operating bases. The system can precisely track moving targets at a range of...
Lifting the Veil of Israel’s Classified Laser Weapon Program
Israel’s Ministry of Defense revealed today a major achievement in a high energy laser program undergoing with the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D). Investments in laser technology made by the department have led to the ability to precisely focus laser beams on long-range targets, overcoming atmospheric disturbances.
RAFAEL Develops a New High Energy Laser Weapon
Israel plans to implement a fifth ‘active defense’ layer in its national multi-layered air and missile defense system, aimed to provide an affordable countermeasure against threats at ‘very short range. The new capability will be able to protect border communities and military installations, offering point defense against various aerial threats. These elements could consist of the new ‘Iron Beam’ system,...
USAF Selects Boeing to deliver podded High Energy Laser
The Boeing Company has been awarded an estimated $90 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract for the development and delivery of an experimental laser pod. The contractor will provide research and development of high energy laser technologies through the next five years. The laser pod referred to in this award is likely to be the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD). In...
Israeli DIRCM laser to protect German A400M transport planes
Diehl Defence signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with Elbit Systems, to equip the Bundeswehr´s Airbus A400M transport aircraft with the Israeli developed J-MUSIC self-protection system. Set to receive the first systems by 2015, the German Atlas would be the first A400M to fly with a DIRCM system
High-energy laser weapon burns through a running engine from a mile away
A 30-kilowatt electric fiber laser weapon system successfully disabled the engine of a pickup truck during a recent field test, demonstrating how such weapon grade lasers could be used to protect military forces and critical infrastructure.
Raytheon, Dynetics are is Building 100kW Tactical Lasers for the US Army
The Raytheon Company and Dynetics are both developing laser weapon prototypes that will utilize 100 kW class laser weapons. One of the prototypes will be tested by the Army in 2022. Each company received $10 million from the U.S. Army recently, to build a High Energy Laser Tactical Vehicle Demonstrator (HEL TVD) prototype based on the Army Oshkosh tactical FMTV truck.
Royal Navy Set to Test the DragonFire Laser Weapon by 2019
A new laser weapon demonstrator being built for the UK Ministry of Defence has been unveiled today by the UK Dragonfire consortium at DSEI 2017 in London. Known as the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) the weapon offers a range of different engagement solutions depending on the tactical scenario, these include tracking, deterring, dazzling the sensors of a potential threat, up to damaging or destroying it.
50kW High Energy Laser Successfully Demonstrated in Switzerland
Rheinmetall has successfully tested a new 50kW high-energy weapon technology demonstrator.The test was conducted at the end of November, at the company’s Ochsenboden Proving Ground (EZO) in Switzerland. The test comprised three types of targets representing hardened targets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and ballistic threats. and successful A steel ball representing a mortar round target, travelling at approximately 50 m/sec was also intercepted.
US Navy evaluates laser weapons to augment ground-based air defense counter-UAS capability
The US Office of Naval Research (ONR) is evaluating the integration of laser weapons as an enhancement for the US Marine Corps’ existing low-altitude air-defense capability, which currently lacks reliable CounterUAS (C-UAS) and Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (CRAM) capabilities. An innovative radar system from RADA is providing surveillance, detection and target acquisition for the laser weapon system
MBDA Debuts High Power Laser Effector
MBDA Deutschand unveiled a new laser effector for land and naval applications at the ILA 2016 airshow in Berlin. In the naval sector, laser effector systems could feature in both on board ship and port protection. Photo: MBDA
‘Skyshield’ – Counter MANPADS Laser Countermeasure Completes Testing
The Israeli C-MUSIC laser-based Directional InfraRed CounterMeasure (DIRCM) system has recently passed a major milestone, following the completion of a qualification test series, an essential part of the systems' certification process. In 2009 the system was selected by the Israel Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Transportation to defend commercial airplanes operated by Israel's three commercial airlines. Designated 'Skyshield', the...
First Israeli Boeing 737 Flys C-MUSIC DIRCM Self-Protection System
Elbit Systems is presenting the newest member of the MUSIC Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) systems at the 2013 Paris Airshow. Defense-Update reports. The new, compact system dubbed ‘mini-MUSIC’ is designed to protect small rotary and fixed-wing aircraft against heat seeking Ground to Air Missiles (MANPADS) threats. In 2012 the company has demonstrated the C-MUSIC pod system in flight, mounted on...
