Against UAVs, Ships and Winged Missiles: How the US is equipped with fleet with battle lasers (video)
The initiative includes the development of solid-state laser technology (SSL-TM), the development of an optical blinding interdictor (ODIN), the development of a Laser Weapon System (HELIOS), and the Helcap anti-rope counterpart (HelCap). According to the portal, SSL-TM has already undergone successful tests. In particular, a laser weapon system was tested, which failed the UAV in 2020.
The eight destroyers of the Arleigh Burke class have received ODIN systems to counteract intelligence and observation, and Helios is currently operating on the USS PREBLE vessel. According to the article, the US opponents, including China, have a large number of drones and anti -ship missiles, including advanced models. At the same time, American fleet defense systems depend on the lands of the Earth-Air Class and melee systems.
Among their disadvantages is a limited ammunition and a disadvantageous cost ratio. SSL is expected to solve these problems, as they can be used repeatedly while there is electricity and the cost of one shot is much lower (from $ 1 to $ 10). The first SSL prototype capable of affecting excess ships and drones was created in 2014. Since then, the US Air Force has advanced in this field, developing and unfolding new prototypes of lasers with improved capabilities.
New models are expected to protect ships from threats such as anti -ship winged missiles. We will remind, in March last year it was reported that the US Navy appealed to 7 US companies to develop a prototype of solid state high -energy laser weapons for surface ships in accordance with the terms of a contract worth $ 75 million. Laser prototypes would have 100 to 300 kilowers. Light to control thermal regime, short exposure time, rapid redundancy and long range.