Anti-aircraft and blinding. Projects of naval combat lasers for the US Navy

LaWS laser complex aboard USS Ponce (AFSB (I) -15), 2014 Photo by US Navy

In recent years, the US naval forces have shown great interest in promising laser arms, suitable for installation on warships. Several samples of this kind have already been developed and tested, and new products should appear in the future. With the help of combat lasers, the Navy is going to fight surface targets, as well as carry out anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense.

Notable successes

Since 2010, the Kratos Defense & Security Solutions company, commissioned by the Navy, has been developing a Laser Weapon System (LaWS) laser combat complex. Its main element was an infrared solid-state laser with a power of 30 kW, capable of hitting optoelectronic systems and destroying structural elements of surface or air objects. It was noted that the complex, for all its complexity, is extremely cheap to operate. One laser "shot" cost less than 60 cents.

In 2012, testing of the AN / SEQ-3 LaWS product began in the conditions of a ground test site, which confirmed the calculated characteristics. In 2014, the complex was installed on the USS Ponce (AFSB (I) -15) landing ship for tests at sea. In the future, the prototype has repeatedly demonstrated its capabilities to combat various targets.

USS Portland uses LWSD laser, May 2020 Photo by US Navy

Tests on the USS Ponce continued until 2017, when this ship was withdrawn from the fleet... The LaWS product was transferred to another carrier, the landing ship USS Portland (LPD-27) became it. Also, soon there was an order for the second and third complexes with delivery in 2020. One was planned to be installed on a land range, and the second was intended for the USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) destroyer.

In the future, it was planned to develop the LaWS project in order to increase the laser power. These plans were successfully completed as part of the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) project. In the recent past, an experimental LWSD Mk 2 Mod 0 laser system was installed on the USS Portland for testing. The calculated power of the solid-state IR laser has reached 150 kW.

On May 16, 2020, the LWSD was successfully tested on the high seas. The laser complex successfully detected and escorted an unmanned target, after which it “fired a shot”. The high power of the laser made it possible to burn through the body of the target in a minimal time and disable it. This confirmed the high performance of the solid-state combat laser.

Non-lethal agent

The first samples of laser weapons for the US Navy were intended to destroy targets by causing structural damage. Recently, work has begun in the "non-lethal" direction. The new combat laser, with limited power, will not be able to destroy the target. At the same time, he must suppress the enemy's optical means - ship, aviation or mounted on guided weapons.

An unmanned target hit by the LWSD complex. Photo by US Navy

The first project of this kind was designated Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN). It was developed by the Dahlgren Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) and has now been put into testing. The first experimental laser was installed on the USS Dewey (DDG-105) destroyer in 2019.By the end of the year, a second carrier was expected to be tested, and in 2020 it was planned to deploy six more complexes.

According to various sources, tests of the ODIN product have already begun, but the Navy is in no hurry to disclose their details. In addition, the exact tactical and technical characteristics of the complex remain unknown. In the coming years, the fleet plans to conduct full-scale tests and pilot operation, the results of which will make final conclusions about the prospects and the need for limited-power lasers.

Universal novelty

Several projects of shipborne laser weapons are now in their early stages and will reach testing only in the future. The most famous project at the moment is the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) project from Lockheed Martin. It offers a comprehensive solution to the problem of air defense and missile defense, optoelectronic suppression and reconnaissance.

ODIN laser housing. Photo by US Navy

In terms of architecture and design, the HELIOS product should not fundamentally differ from other shipborne lasers. At the same time, a more advantageous combination of components is proposed, which provides a solution to a number of basic problems. A fiber laser with a power of 60 kW or more has been created for the HELIOS complex. It also offers advanced optoelectronic surveillance and digital control system.

The main task of the HELIOS complex will be to protect ships from attacks from the air or from the water. Taking target designation from other ship systems or using its own cameras, the complex will be able to detect dangerous objects, take them for tracking and strike with a high-power beam. A mode of lower power is also provided, at which the laser can suppress the optics, without wasting power on the destruction of structures.

It is proposed to use a more advanced optical system with an increased observation range. The complex should be able to output data to the ship's CIUS. This will make it possible to more fully integrate HELIOS into the ship's systems and expand the range of fully solvable tasks.

Product ODIN on the destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105). Photo Navysite.de

According to known data, individual HELIOS components have already been tested. In the near future, the finished complex will be installed on an experimental vessel, which will be one of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The first "shooting" from the carrier can take place as early as 2021.

Development prospects

The idea of ​​creating a laser combat complex for installation on ships received the support of the US Navy and is now being implemented in the form of several promising projects. Ready-made and projected samples of this kind are intended to carry out the defense of ships in the near zone, both by hitting the target, and by suppressing its optical means. In the future, the emergence of new complexes with other capabilities is expected.

In the near future, the Navy, scientific organizations and commercial contractors should complete the development of relevant projects and test ready-made samples. First of all, the LWSD combat laser is of interest to the fleet, which is planned to be brought to series and deployed on ships as soon as possible. Full-scale testing of the newer HELIOS will also begin soon.

All these complexes are considered as an addition to the existing near-field protection systems. Combat lasers with a power of 30 to 150 kW or more will have to work together with artillery and missile systems of various types. This will make the defense of the ship formation more flexible, and also optimize the financial component of its application.

Also, the US Navy pays great attention to the "blinding" ODIN complex. In the near future, almost a dozen ships will receive such equipment, which will be involved in trial operation. Then conclusions will be drawn about the real prospects of such a system. It is possible that the production and installation of lasers on ships will continue.

Combat work of the HELIOS complex. Lockheed Martin Graphics

The concept behind the HELIOS project is of great interest. At the expense of one complex, it is proposed to attack, suppress and conduct surveillance. In addition, it recently became known that both HELIOS and ODIN in the future may be included in the information and control circuits of the ship as full-fledged surveillance, detection and target designation systems.

In the future, the Navy wants to get new laser systems with higher range and power characteristics. So, the possibility of creating a shipborne laser for air defense / missile defense of increased range is being considered. Also, the development of powerful ship-based systems suitable for use in strategic missile defense is not ruled out.

Development continues

In recent decades, the Pentagon has paid great attention to the so-called. directed energy weapons, and this has already led to notable advances in the field of combat lasers. Several new projects of this kind are being developed for the US Navy, and some of them have already been brought to trial operation - with very interesting results.

It should be noted that so far, successes are being demonstrated only in tests, and production is limited to a small series for equipping individual ships. Not a single combat laser has yet been recommended for service and for full-scale rearmament of ships. However, all of this is expected to happen over the next few years. Time will tell whether we will be able to fulfill these plans and meet a reasonable deadline.

Comments

[Konnick]

The problem with laser weapons is the atmosphere, perhaps for the vacuum of space, combat lasers will prove to be very effective. And the tests are being conducted with the prospect of transferring these weapons into space. There, laser weapons, due to the speed of destruction, will be very effective in missile defense. But in my opinion, the transfer of any weapons into outer space is prohibited by treaties, therefore tests are being conducted in the earth's atmosphere. The transfer of the combat laser into space is also postponed due to the large weight of the installations.

[KCA]

The transfer of laser installations into space is postponed for an indefinite period of time due to the lack of an energy source, the American segment of the ISS, due to solar panels with an area of ​​300 square meters, generates only 33 kW, and this is the maximum, and in fact the angle of inclination to the sun of the batteries changes, not to mention the fact that that half of the loop they are generally in the shadows, so the Americans have a tremor in their knees and other parts of the body caused by our project "Nuclon" and its various applications, and he is ready, build, launch and assemble

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: KCA

The transfer of laser installations into space is postponed for an indefinite period of time due to the lack of an energy source, the American segment of the ISS, due to solar panels with an area of ​​300 square meters, generates only 33 kW, and this is the maximum, and in fact the angle of inclination to the sun of the batteries changes, not to mention the fact that that half of the loop they are generally in the shadows, so the Americans have a tremor in their knees and other parts of the body caused by our project "Nuclon" and its various applications, and he is ready, build, launch and assemble

The main problem in space is cooling, I looked at this topic:
https://topwar.ru/171444-lazernoe-oruzhie-v-kosmose-osobennosti-jekspluatacii-i-tehnicheskie-problemy.html

[KCA]

The heat sink is understandable, but this problem, theoretically, we have solved, the reactor itself and the electricity generator have already been tested on the ground, I am waiting for the Angara A5 series and the assembly of the structure in space, most likely, the rudiments of development have been going on since the 1960s, now they have brought to reality, almost

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: KCA

The heat sink is understandable, but this problem, theoretically, we have solved, the reactor itself and the electricity generator have already been tested on the ground, I am waiting for the Angara A5 series and the assembly of the structure in space, most likely, the rudiments of development have been going on since the 1960s, now they have brought to reality, almost

Not really, a highly efficient drip refrigerator should have been installed on Nuclon, but something does not grow together with it, so they will use panel refrigerators, because of this, the reactor power will be limited.

[Drago]

Did the Americans themselves tell you about the trembling of body parts?

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: Konnick

The problem with laser weapons is the atmosphere, perhaps for the vacuum of space, combat lasers will prove to be very effective. And the tests are being conducted with the prospect of transferring these weapons into space. There, laser weapons, due to the speed of destruction, will be very effective in missile defense. But in my opinion, the transfer of any weapons into outer space is prohibited by treaties, therefore tests are being conducted in the earth's atmosphere. The transfer of the combat laser into space is also postponed due to the large weight of the installations.

Every time it comes to lasers, someone will immediately remember the atmosphere.

https://topwar.ru/167342-sekrety-kompleksa-peresvet-kak-ustroen-rossijskij-lazernyj-mech.html

PS In order to exclude questions and disputes about the influence of the atmosphere and weather on the operation of lasers, it is highly recommended to study the book by A. S. Boreisho “Powerful mobile chemical lasers”, at least chapter 6 entitled “Propagation of laser radiation at operational distances”.

The book itself:
http://www.mathnet.ru/php/archive.phtml?wshow=paper&jrnid=qe&paperid=2828&option_lang=rus

Read and understand, the influence of the atmosphere is not as critical as it seems.

[KCA]

Already from the discovery of coherent light radiation, all its problems were clear, one hope was a laser with an X-ray frequency, but this is not there, or is there? I look at the video "Peresvet" and think about something, why the hell is he standing on a huge van? "Compression", jamming satellites was placed on the chassis of the tank, and here at least 5 times more

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: KCA

Already from the discovery of coherent light radiation, all its problems were clear, one hope was a laser with an X-ray frequency, but this is not there, or is there? I look at the video "Peresvet" and think about something, why the hell is he standing on a huge van? "Compression", jamming satellites was placed on the chassis of the tank, and here at least 5 times more

"Compression" maximum could blind the enemy's optical devices from a distance of several kilometers, and there was no question of any satellites.

"Peresvet" is most likely a chemical laser - I considered its possible options in the article:
Secrets of the "Peresvet" complex: how is the Russian laser sword arranged? https://topwar.ru/167342-sekrety-kompleksa-peresvet-kak-ustroen-rossijskij-lazernyj-mech.html

And something tells me that a miracle has not happened, and there is no nuclear-pumped laser there.

X-ray lasers are still in the experimental stage, and their efficiency is scanty.

Now the most promising are solid-state disk lasers, their efficiency can reach 50% (maybe even higher), they are convenient for cooling, and the wavelength is selected based on the transparency windows of the atmosphere. However, the transparency of the atmosphere is not critical, since their focus is primarily defensive - the interception of attacking ammunition, i.e. enough damage ranges of 2-5 km.

[Yuri V.A]

the attacking ammunition is actively mastering hypersound, and therefore have increased thermal protection. What power should a laser system be for a range of 5 km?

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: Yuri V.A.

the attacking ammunition is actively mastering hypersound, and therefore have increased thermal protection. What power should a laser system be for a range of 5 km?

I thought about it. But here the question is - thermal protection is focused on protecting the product from the incoming air flow, it will not be easy anyway. And suddenly another 150-300 kW is added to the heat load, this may well become a crowbar breaking the back of a camel.

However, I have not argued and will not argue that the LO will be able to shoot down all high-precision and unguided ammunition, I only claim that it will greatly affect their appearance and scenarios of use:

1. It is practically impossible to protect optical GOS from high-power lasers in their current form. This is what I considered here: The Great Extinction. Why can certain types of weapons disappear? https://topwar.ru/173207-velikoe-vymiranie-pochemu-mogut-ischeznut-otdelnye-tipy-vooruzhenij.html
It is possible that some solutions will appear - the GOS, which move forward for a short period of time, most of the time hidden in the hull - moved out - took a photo - hid, in any case, the effectiveness will be reduced, and the probability of the GOS being hit will remain.

2. The security of the RLGSN is questionable.

3. Due to thermal protection, reinforced controls, etc. all anti-laser protection ammunition will become more complex, larger, heavier, and therefore less maneuverable and more expensive. I considered protection against LR here: Resist light: protection against laser weapons. Part 5 https://topwar.ru/156366-protivostojat-svetu-zaschita-ot-lazernogo-oruzhija-chast-5.html (at the end there are links to other articles in the series).

4. An increase in mass and size leads to a decrease in maneuverability, which makes attacking ammunition more vulnerable to missiles and anti-missiles. There is such a situation - the attacking ammunition must be protected from the LO, since they will need to overcome the close defense of the attacked object, protected by the LO. Anti-missiles and missiles designed to intercept attacking ammunition do not need anti-laser protection, since they do not enter the close range of the attacking aircraft / ship, and they can remain light, fast and highly maneuverable.

[psiho117]

Quote: AVM

X-ray lasers are still in the experimental stage, and their efficiency is scanty.

X-ray lasers at this stage cannot be considered "lasers" at all, in the sense that is considered in this article - because there are successes there at the level of a dozen quanta, there is no talk of any laser installation, and cannot go - until effective reflectors of gamma radiation. And with this, while everything is deaf

[Monar]

Well, let's. Just about X-rays. We take the lowest in the range. You will receive an awesome dose. But a maximum of a couple of centimeters STE will shoot. Air however.
We take the other extreme. Highest frequencies. Will fly to Mars with Jupiter. But only this is absorbed by the irradiated body (you want to hit it) to a minimum.

[bk0010]

Quote: KCA

laser with the frequency of X-ray radiation, but this is not, or is there?

Yes, but only with nuclear pumping: to obtain an X-ray laser, it is necessary to excite not the electrons in the atom, but the nuclei of the atoms.

[psiho117]

Quote: bk0010

Yes, but only with nuclear pumping

Don't care about the pumping method - there are no reflectors. Therefore, it will radiate in all directions, just in one direction - a coherent stream.

[Nikolaevich I]

"Garbage war, the main thing is maneuvers!" You don't have to puff up the launch of lasers into space! Moreover, the problems with power sources in space are not yet resolvable! Where on earth are power sources less harsh? Right! On ships and stationary objects with power plants "nearby"! Moreover, "objects" can have their own power plants! The idea of ​​"reanimation" of "armored trains" appears! Well, the "armor" can be removed ... let there be trains with laser "cannons" and electric generators ... maybe even, such as MHD generators ... Back in the days of the USSR, a project of a "laser" aircraft with a combat laser was proposed and an MHD generator weighing 20 tons ... Hence, the possibility of creating "road trains" with 20 tons MHD generators ...

[Kerensky]

What's all about the power of the talk? Tell us about stabilization systems!
It's one thing to mount the rig screwed tightly to a huge concrete slab on the ground.
The other is to the hull of the ship, which:
1. Swings
2. Performs a maneuver (and he always does it)
3. It vibrates with its machines and mechanisms at different intervals (the compressor of the refrigerating chamber turned on, a certain sump pump turned off)
How does it all stabilize and keep your head on target? A millimeter per mile deflection of the beam will give a guaranteed miss? A?

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: Kerensky

What's all about the power of the talk? Tell us about stabilization systems!
It's one thing to mount the rig screwed tightly to a huge concrete slab on the ground.
The other is to the hull of the ship, which:
1. Swings
2. Performs a maneuver (and he always does it)
3. It vibrates with its machines and mechanisms at different intervals (the compressor of the refrigerating chamber turned on, a certain sump pump turned off)
How does it all stabilize and keep your head on target? A millimeter per mile deflection of the beam will give a guaranteed miss? A?

So it is stabilized - with gyroscopes, electronics and drives. Have you seen a tank driving with a beer on the barrel of the gun?

Roll stabilization is far from the main problem.

[Kerensky]

So it is stabilized - with gyroscopes, electronics and drives. Have you seen a tank driving with a beer on the barrel of the gun?

Andrei! Here is a little different .. The tank, how to say it, rests on the earthly firmament - everything is clear here. The ship is for some "jelly".
Second. After the projectile has left the bore, this projectile is no longer connected with the tank's gun. The ship's system has an "instant channel".

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: Kerensky

So it is stabilized - with gyroscopes, electronics and drives. Have you seen a tank driving with a beer on the barrel of the gun?

Andrei! Here is a little different .. The tank, how to say it, rests on the earthly firmament - everything is clear here. The ship is for some "jelly".
Second. After the projectile has left the bore, this projectile is no longer connected with the tank's gun. The ship's system has an "instant channel".

The laser takes up to 10 seconds to kill, most likely it is less or comparable to the aiming time of a tanker. And to some extent the tank is also on "jelly" - the suspension works in motion.

I have been seriously interested in laser weapons for a long time, I consider this area to be one of the most breakthrough, and the problem of stabilization has not been raised anywhere. The most difficult ones are heat removal and convergence of rays from several blocks into a single beam (and the need for several blocks is just a consequence of the heat removal problem).

[Kerensky]

and the problem of stabilization was not mentioned anywhere

Andrei. We believe that it exists. What do the pros say?

I have a long and serious interest in laser weapons

[Kerensky]

Roll stabilization is far from the main problem.

Stabilizing pitching so you don't spill soup on yourself? It'll be enough?

[arkadiyssk]

Stabilization is not a problem, it seems - it's the same as with a DSLR lens - without any problems the lenses move relative to the matrix. The technology has been developed for a long time.

[Kerensky]

Stabilization is not a problem, it seems - it's the same as with a DSLR lens - without any problems the lenses move relative to the matrix. The technology has been developed for a long time.

The question is exactly. The camera must hold the picture in the shaking hands of the hungover photographer.
Here we need to at least somehow keep the point of impact in ONE place of the target.
Gyroscopes themselves give vibration - after all, a mechanical device with shafts.
This vibration is superimposed on the "noises" of ship installations, which "jerk" the hull in completely different directions.

[The eye of the crying]

Quote: Kerensky

Gyroscopes themselves give vibration - after all, a mechanical device with shafts.

There are laser gyroscopes.

[psiho117]

Quote: Kerensky

Here we need to at least somehow keep the point of impact in ONE place of the target.

This is an exaggeration - anyway, at an effective defeat range (2-3 km) - the laser beam spot will be in tens of centimeters (scattering, however) - and the optics lenses / receiver of the seeker will be overlapped with a margin.
"Hold the point" is required in direct intercept systems in order to shoot down missiles - but there the power is much higher (150-300 kW), and the effective range is much less. And in general, it's too early to talk about direct interception - everyone is gradually changing their shoes to "blinding", tk. with interception while there is a lot of crap.

[SHURUM -BURUM]

... without wasting power to destroy structures... It is said very slyly)).
I suppose that this expression hides the division of the main beam into several autonomously directed beams of low power for the simultaneous blinding of several targets from different directions.

[Thrifty]

Even the photo shows that the laser beam expands when the target is fired. The Yankees can lie at least about a gigawatt laser, but so far no one in the world has solved the main problem - this is the selection of excess heat arising in the circuit of the laser working fluid, without forced cooling of the working circuit itself! Remove excess heat, focus all the energy into a pulse or salvo, without expanding it at the output, and you will have a laser with a high output power of 100 kW or more! Until that moment, fairy tales about a laser with a power of 150 kW or more are just bullshit! !!

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: Thrifty

Even the photo shows that the laser beam expands when the target is fired. The Yankees can lie at least about a gigawatt laser, but so far no one in the world has solved the main problem - this is the selection of excess heat arising in the circuit of the laser working fluid, without forced cooling of the working circuit itself! Remove excess heat, focus all the energy into a pulse or salvo, without expanding it at the output, and you will have a laser with a high output power of 100 kW or more! Until that moment, fairy tales about a laser with a power of 150 kW or more are just bullshit! !!

All talk about "Yankees Can Lie" will end at the moment when it becomes clear that an aircraft protected by "nonexistent" lasers with a power of 150-300 kW is almost impossible to shoot down, since the laser defensive system in combination with stealth, electronic warfare and small-sized anti-missiles will allow intercepting all attacking missiles in-in, and you have to trade planes 8 to 1, throwing missiles at the enemy in the hope that at least one will slip through.

It will be lucky if you have to learn from someone else's experience, as in the case of Armenia / Azerbaijan, and not from your own.

PS Almost all combat lasers are in the IR range, i.e. the beam is not visible, but the photo is most likely photoshop. For the best lasers, they provide divergence at the level of the diffraction limit. But even this is not the limit, it is believed that this limitation can be circumvented using optics made of metamaterials.

[voyaka uh]

"Even the photo shows that the laser beam is expanding" ///
----
The beam is invisible. It is "highlighted" for visual illustration.
Calmly reduce 5-10 rays into a spot with a diameter of 1 cm at a distance
3 km and keep such a spot on a moving target.

[psiho117]

Quote: voyaka uh

reduce 5-10 rays into a spot with a diameter of 1 cm at a distance
3 km

Fairy tales. And storytellers replicate it. Give the formula for the process, according to which the diameter of the focusing spot will be 1 cm by 3 km. And there is no need for fairy tales that this is some kind of secret Jewish physics, optics as a branch of physics that considers the phenomena associated with the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the visible, infrared and ultraviolet ranges of the spectrum we all have one
There, Rayleigh scattering alone, even without taking into account the scattering of radiation in atmospheric gases and aerosols, as well as the influence of atmospheric turbulences, will give a spot more than 6 cm, and taking them into account, in ideal (read-unattainable) conditions, more than 10 cm in any case.

No, research has confirmed the possibility of creating a self-focusing
multibeam inertialess homing atmospheric laser system, with compensation for phase distortions on the path between moving transmitting and receiving stations - but, damn it, this is for laser communication in and in the UV range! There was no talk of combat lasers there, this is a completely different order of powers and wavelength!

[Pashhenko Nikolay]

One trouble. Fog, rain, snow and about lasers forget and use classic weapons. Unless the economy of rockets in good weather.

[SHOPPING MALL]

Quote: Pashhenko Nikolay

One trouble. Fog, rain, snow and about lasers forget and use classic weapons. Unless the economy of rockets in good weather.

Don't forget, we just lose 15-30 percent of the power.

[SHURUM -BURUM]

Don't forget, we just lose 15-30 percent of power
When the ray path passes along the surface of the earth in a layer of "dirty" air. Top - down or bottom - up, through a thin layer of "dirty" air above the ground, so much less.

[Konnick]

Quote: AVM

Don't forget, we just lose 15-30 percent of the power.

Don't forget about distance

[voyaka uh]

3-5-7 km, necessary for short-range air defense, lasers with powers of 100-150 kV are able to cover
at sea, even in salt haze and fog.

[Konnick]

Quote: voyaka uh

3-5-7 km, necessary for short-range air defense, lasers with powers of 100-150 kV are able to cover
at sea, even in salt haze and fog.

At such a distance, and artillery systems can work, the problem is in target detection. And the speed of destruction by a laser should be used in space for missile defense.

[Drago]

About 60 cents, passed you by?

[The eye of the crying]

Quote: Konnick

At this distance, and artillery systems can work

How much does one shot of an artillery system cost?

One laser "shot" cost less than 60 cents.

[Konnick]

Quote: Drago

About 60 cents, passed you by?

Yes, I read it. A scorching laser is one beam of energy and charge a day. It's only in Star Wars that the bullet is continuous. Is the energy for one "shot" worth 60 cents?

[Vadim237]

To use superionistors - one shot one discharged superionistor.

[rica1952]

Another cut of money. In the 90s it was shown that it was not spent many billions to create a thermal club from a solid-state continuous laser, according to various estimates, we are about 33 billion. The Americans also understood this. You can solve the problem with a pulsed laser with a power of 25-30 mgW. Then there are no problems to hit the air - space goals. But for this it is necessary to solve two theoretical problems, they have not been solved. And the fact that the enemy is not solving these problems is trying to shoot down air targets with a 150 kW laser, this is a repetition of what we have already passed - a dead end. For example, to destroy a carbon-fiber UAV body, you need to invest 4 -5 kJ. There is no such laser and it will not be soon. Our effective managers from science also want to cut it. That is, the lesson of the 90s is being repeated.

[Vadim237]

"Another cut of money. In 90 it was shown that a thermal club from a solid-state continuous laser was not spent many billions" It was 20 years ago, lasers continue to be improved, including solid-state ones. " 4-5 kJ. There is no such laser and it won't be soon. " Did you count it yourself? - They forgot to add the thickness of the case and the time of exposure to the beam.

[rica1952]

The indicator of the resistance of a structure to laser exposure is expressed in joules, so it is customary if you want to translate it into cotton wool, but there the exposure time. With continuous exposure to the laser, the material evaporates, thereby screening the beam. It became clear that the continuous laser is a dead end, and the Americans understood this. We need a pulsed laser but power. kollosalnye.Vobschem the fact that the enemy raises this topic is a dead end.Our effective managers in the person of Krivoruchko apparently want to drink. Time of amateurs space is commanded by a journalist, an aviation producer, a deputy of the RF Ministry of Defense lawyer such is the reality.