Kris Osborn
Security,
Here Comes the Heat: The army Wants New Laser Weapons to assassinate the Enemy
The army is can the process of arming its fleet of Stryker with laser weapons and little vehicle-launched “hunter killer” drones to cost a new invasion possibilities to the platform though it evolves into a contemporary dare environment.
Stryker maker joint Dynamics clay Systems has been testing an integrated sensor-shooter drone system mounted above the vehicle itself. A small, vertical receive off surveillance drone, called the Shrike 2, launches from the turret of the vehicle to sense, discover and pursue opponent targets. Then, using a measure video news link, it can profession can tandem with an invasion missile to break the targets it finds. The technique is intended to expedite the sensor-to-shooter loop and responsibility though its get “hunter-killer” system.
“A missile warhead can exist launched ago you emerge up can town. It has a sensor and killer crude can one platform. Let’s arrive out and assassinate the opponent ago we flat emerge up,” Michael Peck, Enterprise commerce Development, joint Dynamics clay Systems, told Warrior Maven can an interview final Fall.
Peck added that the Stryker-launched drone system could pattern a distinction can a broad range of tactical circumstances to contain attacking headmaster strength mechanized formations and finding terrorist enemies blended into civilian areas.
“It will proceed out can an urban surroundings and it will sensation and discover your shooter or incoming rpg,” Peck added.
The army is too developing a Mobile High-Energy Laser weapons system, which has been testing above Strykers can modern years. Firing a 5kw laser, a Stryker vehicle destroyed an opponent drone goal can preceding testing, raising faith that campaign vehicle-fired laser weapons could grow operational can coming years.
The laser weapon system uses its get Ku-band tracking radar to autonomously entertain targets can the accident that other sensors above the vehicle are disabled can combat. It too has an electrical battle jamming system intended to receive out the sign of opponent drones.
Lasers can too enable silent defense and attack, something which provides a substantial tactical entertain though it can furnish Stryker vehicles the occur to notice campaign missions without giving away their position.
A Congressional investigation Service interpret from earlier this year, called “U.S. army Weapons-Related Directed strength Programs,” details some of the key advantages and limitations of fast-evolving laser weapons.
“DE (directed energy) could exist used though both a sensor and a weapon, thereby shortening the sensor-to-shooter timeline to seconds. This fashion that U.S. weapon systems could notice multiple engagements against a goal ago an adversary could respond,” the Congressional interpret states.
Lasers too cost the substantial entertain of staying ahead of the “cost curve,” making them easier to employ repeatedly. can many instances, low-cost lasers could break targets instead of dear interceptor missiles.
Furthermore, mobile-power technology, targeting algorithms, grin control and thermal management technologies are crude progressing quickly, a scenario which increases prospects though successful laser applications.
Osborn previously served can the Pentagon though a Highly Qualified expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the army - Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has too worked though an anchor and on-air military specialist can national TV networks. He has a Masters can Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
This first appeared can Warrior Maven here.
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