American military-industrial corporation Lockheed Martin this week showed that a laser with a capacity of 50 kW, developed for air defense, can be part of military vehicles and used in combat conditions
It is expected that a directed energy interceptor with a capacity of 50 kW for a small-range maneuverable air defense system called Deimos will be integrated into the Stryker combat vehicle for ZRPK M-SHORAD.
Lockheed Martin Laser concept
last February, Lockeed Martin and the US Naval Research Department tested a stationary laser battery with a capacity of 100 kV, during which the laser destroyed the cruise missile. Lockheed Martin Vice President Rick Cordaro said Deimos can provide US Army with multi-level air defense capabilities.
It is worth noting that for the development of weapons of directed energy in 2023, the Pentagon requested at least $ 669 million for the development of weapons of directed energy and $ 345 million for the purchase of such weapons. One of the justifications of such expenses is that weapons of directed energy can cost less than kinetic weapons, and will not require reloading.
According to the company, lasers are used to defeat drones, rockets and shells. The laser delivers energy directly to the target, causing the desired effect of damage. The same type of software that is used in fighter guidance systems identifies and monitors goals. This technology guarantees that the laser will hit the target even after passing through atmospheric conditions that can refract light, such as rain and cloud cover.
Recall that last year Lockheed Martin received a state contract from the US Department of Defense to study 17,000 remote civil servants of the US Army on the issues of ensuring cybersecurity on its own training platform.