Science

US Air Force acquires a new anti-drone laser that can fire 'a nearly infinite number of shots'


US Air Force acquires new anti-drone lasers that can fire ‘a nearly infinite number of shots’ and can be powered by a standard electrical outlet for $23.8 million

  • Made by Raytheon, the new weapon will go into Air Force testing for one year
  • The laser is highly energy efficient and can fire ‘a nearly infinite number of shots’
  • The weapon can run on a standard 220-volt outlet or a generator

Raytheon has delivered an experimental new anti-drone weapon to the Air Force.

The High Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS) prototypes will be put through a year of testing and training by Air Force personnel overseas before finally being ready for live use on the battlefield.

The HELWS can be powered by either a standard 220-volt outlet or a generator.

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The High Energy Laser Weapon Systems from Raytheon (pictured above) can be powered by a generator or standard 220-volt electrical outlet

The High Energy Laser Weapon Systems from Raytheon (pictured above) can be powered by a generator or standard 220-volt electrical outlet

Operators that aren’t great shots can take comfort in the fact that the energy efficient device can fire ‘a nearly infinite number of shots.’

The laser also comes with a sophisticated targeting system, with an infrared sensor to track and identify enemy drones, according to a report from Gizmodo.

‘Laser weapon systems work on land, in the air and at sea, providing 360-degree coverage in a rugged package that can scale to the demands of the mission,’ Raytheon’s website says of the weapon. 

‘Their open architecture means they can be installed immediately on a variety of military platforms.’

‘They have already been tested on small Army vehicles and the Apache attack helicopter.’

The value of the contract for two HELWS prototypes is $23,817,657. 

Armed drones have become a growing threat around the world due to their relatively inexpensive price and their ability to travel into territory that would be inaccessible by foot.

The anti-drone laser can be controlled from a laptop using Raytheon's software suite Windshear

The anti-drone laser can be controlled from a laptop using Raytheon’s software suite Windshear

Raytheon's anti-drone lasers can he equipped to a number of different vehicles to expand their range, including RQ-1 Predator drones (pictured above)

Raytheon’s anti-drone lasers can he equipped to a number of different vehicles to expand their range, including RQ-1 Predator drones (pictured above)

HOW DOES RAYTHEON’S HIGH ENERGY LASER WEAPON WORK?

Raytheon has developed a high-powered laser capable of immobilizing drones in mid-flight.

Its high energy laser works by sending out a concentrated beam of energy at light speed toward a target.

The HELWS can fire between 20 and 30 times and run its tracking system for up to four hours on a single charge.

If connected to a generator it can fire a virtually infinite number of times. 

The HELWS can be fastened to a number of vehicles, including attack helicopters, drones, and dune buggies.

The cost for developing two prototypes for the US Air Force was $23,817,657. 

The weapon also utilizes several technologies that help it track UAVs, including: windshear  tracking software.

Windshear is a software interface that allows rapid ‘plug and play’ detection of multiple kinds of drone detecting sensors, including radio, radar, acoustic, electro-optical, and infrared.

Windshear uses data from the sensors connected to it to lock on the drone as it moves.

The high-powered laser fires at the drone based on tracking software data.

The laser damage disrupts the drone’s flight systems and causes it to crash.

Last year, ISIS was found promoting a plan to use drones to bomb fans at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Last month, the Air Force announced an investment in another anti-drone technology, a $16.28 million microwave weapon that would disrupt drone functioning.

Called PHASER, this military owned device uses electromagnetic pulse to take down swarms of enemy drones.

The weapon is mounted on a 20-ft. trailer, and can detect and track threats using its own radar or be ‘plugged in’ to other sensors. 

Raytheon has developed an entire ecosystem of anti-drone technologies to sell the US military.

The company also sells a Coyote brand of drones that can seek and attack other drones.

It offers a special Stinger missile designed to detonate on contact with, or in the vicinity of, an enemy drone.

Raytheon also provides a suite of sensor software called Windshear, that allows military personnel to operate all their different anti-drone devices from a laptop or mobile command station. 

‘Five years ago, few people worried about the drone threat,’ Raytheon’s president Roy Azevedo said.

‘Now, we hear about attacks or incursions all the time. Our customers saw this coming and asked us to develop a ready-now counter-UAS capability.

‘We did just that by going from the drawing board to delivery in less than 24 months.’



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