Optics.org July 10, 2019 The UK’s Ministry of Defence plans to spend up to £130 million developing three new directed-energy weapons – including both laser and radio-frequency systems. The plan is to trial the technologies at sea and on-board army vehicles in 2023. Similar programs to the UK’s are already under way elsewhere and appear to be at a significantly more advanced stage in the US. Following earlier tests of a 30-kilowatt system on the USS Ponce, the USS Preble is now set to become the first US Navy destroyer to be equipped with a high-energy laser, with installation expected […]
Tag Archives: Laser weapons
Air Force Research Laboratory completes successful shoot down of air-launched missiles
Robins Air Force Base May 3, 2019 During a series of tests at the High Energy Laser System Test Facility at White Sands Missile Range, the Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS), acting as a ground-based test surrogate for the SHiELD system, was able to engage and shoot down several air launched missiles in flight validating laser effectiveness against the target missiles. The final SHiELD system, however, will be much smaller and lighter, as well as ruggedized for an airborne environment. The SHiELD program is developing a directed energy laser system on an aircraft pod that will serve to demonstrate self-defense […]