Science

US Air Force tests new ‘game changer’ LASERS to shoot down missiles


The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has developed the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) which saw them use a ground-based laser cut down lasers. During tests, the laser system shot down several missiles out of the air at the High Energy Laser System Test Facility at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The laser was developed by Lockheed Martin, which hopes to have the fully functioning weapons ready by 2021.

In 2017, Lockheed Martin won a contract with the AFRL worth a reported $26.3million (£20million) to develop a “high power fibre laser” which can be fitted to fighter jets.

Right now, the lasers are still large and heavy, but the hope for the future is that they will be able to fit SHiELD to fighter jets.

Kelly Hammett, director of AFRL’s Directed Energy Directorate, said: “This critical demonstration shows that our directed energy systems are on track to be a game changer for our warfighters.”

Major General William Cooley, AFRL commander, said: “The successful test is a big step ahead for directed energy systems and protection against adversarial threats.

“The ability to shoot down missiles with speed-of-light technology will enable air operation in denied environments.”

The US Air Force said in a statement: “During the series of tests at the High Energy Laser System Test Facility, the Demonstrator Laser Weapon System, acting as a ground-based test surrogate for the SHiELD system, was able to engage and shoot down several air launched missiles in flight.

“The demonstration is an important step of the SHiELD system development, by validating laser effectiveness against the target missiles.

“The final SHiELD system, however, will be much smaller and lighter, as well as ruggedised for an airborne environment.”





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