Counter-UAS Laser Delivered to US Air Force
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The American defense contractor, Raytheon, has recently delivered the first high-energy laser counter UAS to the United States Air Force. Throughout the years, the United States Department of Defense has looked more into directed energy weapons as a cheaper alternative to keeping enemy drones from stalking and attacking military bases and troops on the ground.
The counter UAS system will be shipped overseas, where the Air Force plans to experiment with the system over a year long period. Defence-blog.com mentions that the Air Force will train operators and test the system’s effectiveness in realistic conditions.
The system utilizes an advanced version of the Raytheon’s Multi-Spectral Targeting System. The Multi-Spectral Targeting System is an electro-optical and infrared sensor that can detect, identify, and track drones. Once a drone has been targeted, the system can fire directed energy to neutralize the unmanned aircraft in just a few seconds.
The High-Energy Laser Weapon System, or HELWS, is mounted on the back of a Polaris MRZR, a small all terrain vehicle. On a single charge the system can fire dozens of laser shots. The system can also be paired with a generator to increase the amount of shots it could take.
JUST IN: Raytheon announces delivery of first laser counter-UAS system to @usairforce. https://t.co/ANKxCl8HcW pic.twitter.com/hrL7v0paKm
— Raytheon (@Raytheon) October 22, 2019
