DefenceTalkDefenceTalkThe Defense Department is developing directed energy weapons – high-powered lasers and microwaves – in concert with industry in a way designed to achieve optimal outcomes. Two DOD officials discussed the importance of developing an efficient and effective modular open system architecture, or MOSA, at the Booz Allen Hamilton-sponsored Directed Energy Series today: Chris Behre, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-defense-officials-discuss-framework-for-advancing-directed-energy-weapons-76165/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkFurther evaluation of new air defense capabilities is currently underway, including the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System and directed energy weapons, as the Army aims to empower units against near-peer threats. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and 3rd Bn., 6th Air Defense Artillery Air Missile Defense Test Detachment […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-gets-closer-to-fielding-new-air-defense-systems-76157/

DefenceTalkDynetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leidos (NYSE:LDOS), is playing an integral role in the U.S. Army’s weapon modernization initiatives, where the latest directed energy weapon is increasing its power from a 100 kW-class system to a 300kW-class system. Marking the official transition to the Indirect Fires Protection Capability – High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) endeavor, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dynetics-to-build-and-increase-power-of-us-army-laser-weapons-75486/

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE: The Air Force Research Laboratory has developed a unique directed energy weapon demonstrator called the High-power Adaptive Directed Energy System, or HADES, that completed field testing in 2019. “HADES technology was designed with the warfighter in mind,” said the AFRL program manager Dan Marker. “The system works by combining a large […]

Jerusalem: The Israeli defence ministry has hailed a “breakthrough” in the development of cheaper laser-based air defences, as tensions soar in the region after Iran hit US targets in retaliation for a high-profile assassination. The lasers, still under development, would be capable of intercepting “everything” fired at Israel, including long and medium range missiles, rockets, […]

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) likely wants to mount a laser weapon on its aircraft in the next few years, judging from some recently published procurement requests. On Saturday, the PLAAF said it was looking for bidders for developing systems that would support an airborne, offensive laser weapon. While the details are scant, […]

DefenceTalkThe Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) awarded Lockheed Martin a $26.3 million for the design, development and production of a high-power fiber laser. AFRL plans to test the laser on a tactical fighter jet by 2021. The contract is part of AFRL’s Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) program, and is a major step forward […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-to-develop-compact-airborne-high-energy-laser-70754/

DefenceTalkA Stryker combat vehicle equipped with a 5kW laser and an array of sensors spent several minutes scanning the horizon for a wayward “enemy” drone. On a television screen in a nearby tent off Thompson Hill — a range used during the 10-day Maneuver Fires Integrated Experiment here — observers watched the black and white […]https://www.defencetalk.com/with-no-bullets-mobile-high-energy-laser-shoots-drones-from-sky-69777/

DefenceTalkU.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command team members are laser focused on the future of high energy lasers. Members of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Technical Center’s Air and Missile Defense Directorate participated in the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Organization, or JIDO, UAS Hard-Kill Challenge at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, from Feb. 27 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-demonstrates-integration-of-laser-weapon-on-combat-vehicle-69542/

DefenceTalkDirected energy weapons have been on the Air Force’s horizon for decades. Defined as a device such as a high energy laser or a high power microwave developmental system, the Air Force has a 40-year history of demonstrating the lethality of directed energy. In the ’70s, an Air Force Research Laboratory team went from testing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-experts-say-lasers-can-increase-survivability-69339/