Laser weapon systems have improved 5 power over the past year.

Currently, a number of organizations and companies in the Defense Industry are working on programs to develop high-energy laser weapons (High Energy Laser, HEL). Most of them, over the past year, have achieved great success in increasing the power of laser systems, but against the background of competitors, Rheinmetall takes a bright place. Some time ago, at the Ochsenboden Proving Ground test site, a new experimental model of an anti-artillery HEL system showed an increase in the power of a volley by 500%, which is 5 times higher than the installation of the previous generation.

Last year, Rheinmetall introduced the first unique laser HEL system, with a salvo capacity of 10 kW. Now this company shares leading positions with such well-known companies like Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman. The mission of these companies is to get the power of volley installations over 100 KW. The HEL station presented by Rheinmetall includes the 2 laser: one has a pulse power of 30 KW, the other 20 KW. The light of both lasers is connected at one point of the target, which gets all the total power - 50 KW.
During the presentation, the Rheinmetall laser system burned a steel sheet (15 mm) from a distance of 1km. The unmanned aerial vehicle was pierced from a distance of 2km, and the station found and accompanied the object another 1km to the distance of the defeat. But the most impressive was the demonstration of the defeat by the station of a metal ball, the diameter of which is 82 mm. This ball has been completely destroyed. The metal ball, which picked up speed in 180 km / h air, was copied from the C-RAM mortar shell and its flight plan.

Nowadays, Rheinmetall is actively engaged in adapting its HEL system in order to use it later in air defense, to neutralize ground-to-ground and air-to-ground missiles and to destroy artillery and mortar shells. The company's developers say that the special modular technology chosen by them, including an increase in the power of the laser system volley, will create new-generation HEL systems without any difficulties, their power will be able to reach the 100 KW level and even surpass it.

Comments

[Penzuck]

If they overtake us, in the laser systems of the years at 20-30, we may not be in time by the time when the American Pseudo-SOI will turn into a real one. On a block scale, NATO will be able to bury the SCO and the CSTO.

[FID]

But the Soviet academician Basov invented the laser .... But we pump oil ....

[Mavsik]

A semiconductor laser - Zhores Ivanovich Alferov

[alexng]

Until our industry, which is not tied to the military-industrial complex, does not switch to a long-term method of financing, nothing of this piano will come of it, and we will lag behind the leading world powers in the economy. It is just necessary to expel "effective managers" from all links and this will allow the production enterprises to function in one bundle, the financial and production wings in one team. And then, when a person who cannot distinguish a register from a dynamic trigger gets into the case of advanced technologies, from here, everything turns out to be done through one well-known place. The stove-maker has to build the ovens and the baker must bake the pies. Well, and "meneher" nervously smoking on the sidelines behind the fence.

[FID]

And we have "effective" everywhere. Serdyukov, Fursenko ... you can list for a long time. "Lord of winter time" - he is a lawyer by training, how he could dispose of time zones, and winter time. Already the IOC is asking Russia to return the winter time. With such "efficient" we look like a laughing stock in the world ....

[crazyrom]

500% increase in volley power, which is 5 times higher than the previous generation

Did the journalist write this? And he gets paid for it?

[Chaldon48]

Various rumors are circulating about Serdyukov, including on Runet, that he played the role of some walking disinformation-cover, specially, he was supposed to be instructed to play a certain destructive role in order to give our opponents the impression that even a little of our armed forces themselves without any external influence It’s about to fall apart, but in fact, under this smokescreen, secretly deep and useful reforms were underway, and indeed, with the advent of the Shaigu, suddenly it suddenly somehow began to change for the better. So there is a rumor, it seems, this is thanks to the backlog created under Serdyukov.

[mamba]

Quote: Mavsik

A semiconductor laser - Zhores Ivanovich Alferov

Academician Alferov did not invent a semiconductor laser, but heterojunctions and the technology of their manufacture by liquid-phase epitaxy. But already on this base it was possible to realize laser heterostructures with high efficiency and with threshold current densities so low that they managed to enter the continuous generation mode even at elevated temperatures. Subsequently, all types of transistors, thyristors and other semiconductor devices were sold on heterostructures. Only after this began rapid progress in microelectronics and computer technology.
Now Zhores Ivanovich is working on quantum-dimensional structures that are developing in the direction of nano-sizes. This will allow a new revolution in microelectronics. The first versions of quantum-dimensional laser structures are already leaving the laboratory in a series.

[FID]

I read your comment and I got the impression that you cursed everyone but fun and friendly. I highly respect specialists in their fields, it is always nice to read a good comment. Thank.

[mamba]

Quote: SSI

I read your comment and I got the impression that you all cursed obscenities wink, but fun and friendly.

Of course, I’m a cheerful person, but I swear at him, and even at the reputable forum ... No, no! I respect the participants in the forum, which is interesting to me as a reserve officer, as an engineer and just a curious person.

[FID]

Nevertheless thank you!

[valokordin]

Quote: mamba

Now Zhores Ivanovich is working on quantum-dimensional structures that are developing in the direction of nano-sizes. This will allow a new revolution in microelectronics. The first versions of quantum-dimensional laser structures are already leaving the laboratory in a series.

Then, and where is the director Chubais nano with his mega-box

[mamba]

Quote: valokordin

Then, and where is the director Chubais nano with his mega-box

As usual, on the side, but completely controls the cash flows, directing them past science into your pocket. As usual, no responsibility.

[military]

Quote: valokordin

Then, and where is the director Chubais nano with his mega-box

how is it where? ... the nanodirector is at his "post", the maga-recipient is in his personal bank accounts ...

[mamba]

Quote: SSI

laser was invented by the Soviet academician Basov

In 1954, Townes, Basov and Prokhorov invented the first microwave generator - an ammonia maser. They received the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics.
The optical laser appeared a little later. May 16, 1960 Meiman demonstrated the operation of the first pulsed solid-state optical quantum generator - a red ruby ​​laser. In December of the same year, a helium-neon laser was emitted that emitted in a continuous mode (Javan, Bennet, Harriot). Initially, the laser worked in the infrared range, then it was modified to emit visible red light.
These revolutionary discoveries were made not from scratch, but on the basis of the works of Einstein, Ladenburg, Kopfermann, Fabrikant, Butaeva, Brossel, Castler and Winter.

[Azat2005]

yours also seem to be starting experiments with combat lasers for missile defense on IL-76 aircraft of a special modification

[mamba]

Quote: azat2005

Ours also seem to be starting experiments with combat lasers for missile defense on IL-76 aircraft of a special modification

Our megawatt laser has been flying since the beginning of the 80s (the A-60 complex aboard the Il-76MD), firing at both ground targets and air targets: La-17 and stratospheric balloons.
The first of three test boards burned down in 1989. The other two are being tested jointly by the Almaz-Antey GSKB and the Beriev TANTK.
Unlike the Americans, our laser missile defense is not a priority from the very beginning, because physical destruction of the target using a laser is a more complex task, the solution of which is strongly influenced by the state of the atmosphere and the parameters of the target itself. In addition, it initially requires a lot of energy in the beam. Raising a sufficiently powerful laser into the air is more difficult than creating it on the ground or installing it on a ship. Disabling optical-electronic equipment does not require the accuracy of guidance that is needed for the mechanical destruction of the target. For this, accurate focusing on the object is not necessary, but rather a scanning mode.

[Mavsik]

I would like to hear about the power plants needed for these lasers and the cooling system.

[Averias]

Something like this.

NIF is part of the famous Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which looks like a small city from the air. And in this picture we see the building itself NIF, surpassing the size of a football stadium.
Bottom: General NIF Scheme. Two long halls with laser installations (1 and 2) generate a tremendous stream of radiant energy, finally reduced to a 10-meter-wide sphere camera (3), in the very center of which there is a miniature target (photo by NIF and from wikipedia.org )

[Mavsik]

Thank! It seems to me that the question of any practical use of these lasers for military purposes has disappeared by itself
... for the next 20 years ...

[Averias]

By my naivety, what I wanted to ask, and what prevents to establish a source of optical interference on the same air defense missiles (spraying of graphite particles, foil, and just a dense smoke screen). Provided that an air defense missile, let alone other missiles, can fly along a complex trajectory, and the beam strikes in a straight line, as the picture seems to me vaguely. Again, the pumping time, the size of the power source, the weather conditions. For example, when an MLRS fires a volley, it is impossible to shoot down missiles on demarche, the dust is a pillar. And the farther the distance, the greater the chances of a "lumbago" (discharge) of the ray, which meets on its way a section of denser air (a small cloud, a cloud). They have already installed the installation on Boeing, now it's worth collecting dust. The fact that scientific thought does not stand still is good, if only all this is for peaceful purposes.

[Eraser]

I don’t know how about anti-aircraft missiles, but a little thing is knocked down at a time.

[mamba]

Ground-based laser systems have been developed in the USSR since 1975 to refine tracking of space targets and ballistic missiles. The tests were carried out at the Sary-Shagan training ground in Kazakhstan: facility 2505 (Terra, NPO Astrophysics) for missile and anti-satellite defense, and facility 2506 (Omega, NPO Almaz) for conventional air defense.
Once "Terra" caused an international scandal. Marshal Ustinov proposed the use of a laser complex to accompany the American shuttle. And on October 10, 1984, during the 13th flight of the Challenger, when it flew over the Balkhash area, the 5N26 / LE-1 laser locator measured the parameters of the target when operating in the detection mode with a minimum radiation power. The ship’s orbit was 365 km, and the inclined detection and tracking range was 400-800 km. The shuttle suddenly disconnected, equipment malfunctions arose and astronauts felt unwell. When the Americans began to sort out what had happened, they realized that the crew had been subjected to some kind of artificial influence from the USSR. An official protest was made. In the future, a laser installation and radio engineering complexes having a high energy potential were not used to accompany the shuttles.
In the 90s, all work at the landfills was curtailed, equipment was transported to the territory of Russia, part of the facilities were blown up. However, the experience gained as a result of the program did not disappear. From the beginning of the XNUMXs, the commissioning of new complexes begins: “Window” - Mount Sanglok (Nurek in Tajikistan), and “Window-S” - Mount Lysaya (Spasko-Dalnee in the Far East). As well as Krona complexes in the North Caucasus and Krona-N complexes also in the Far East.
The functions of the complexes sound like purely peaceful ones - "control and measuring optical-electronic complexes for tracking space objects." The fact that the support is carried out by laser systems, which are a further development of the Terra program, does not at all speak of their combat mission. And since 2009, the complexes have been modernized and additional facilities have been built, which should increase their capabilities.
Work on Omega was also successful. After testing the stationary installations at the NPO Almaz, the 74T6 mobile complex was created. He successfully worked on the RUM-2B targets in flight. However, restrictions on atmospheric conditions of use also apply here.

And here is how Gazprom uses these developments:

[homosum20]

Averias, are we going to spray along the entire trajectory? Or do you think amers the place where they will shoot will be placed with a cross and written "spray here"? And who said that there will be one shot? Where will the rocket get so much graphite, given that the curtain must be dense enough?
It seems to me that the creation of a full-fledged laser weapon will produce changes in the geopolitical distance more than a nuclear bomb. All conventional weapons become obsolete in one day. Given that nuclear weapons are weapons of deterrence, the use of a laser is unlimited and does not cause a retaliatory nuclear strike. And what can an army do that no longer has artillery, missiles, aircraft?
Kirdyk, however, will, if not move. And it turns out that the missile defense system we have been arguing about for so long is just a distraction.

[nagi]

You do not fully understand apparently the problems of laser weapons apparently.
1) The laser requires a powerful source of energy. This increasingly less serious system makes it limited mobile.
2) In order for the laser to have an effect on the object, it must have contact with it for some time.
3) The laser beam can be scattered.
These 3 reasons do not when they do not make the laser the main military weapon. he can have only some niche.
If you saw a movie, you should have paid attention to the trajectory of the rocket and the weather. Since high-precision weapons estimate the distance to the target, there is no problem for the rocket to make a small maneuver in the last section. A laser entering different parts of the target will destroy it longer, to
the rocket will reach this moment.
The main problem is dispersion, that is, for a simple attack in the rain, they will carry out the shelling. About nuclear weapons you are completely bent. Undermining the nuclear block is done at an altitude of 4 km. The claimed range of US crafts 1 km.

[Averias]

Here, and there is also such an annoying factor as self-discharge (penetration) of the beam on the way to the target, about the same rain for example. So to speak, it was corny grounded, short circuit happened. And all these videos, advertisements, all the moving targets for which the laser works, have a strictly defined speed. It is understandable, you need to have time to heat up, and the rotary mechanism of the installation may not be in time. I saw a video, how they fired at a shell fired from the "Grad". They say that we are good fellows, we can shoot down the Grad. Yeah, this is one shell, and there are 40 of them, and a salvo is given by 20 installations. That's 800 shells - what a laser, you need to run fast. About "Tornado", "Typhoon" generally keep quiet.

[mamba]

Quote: Averias

and there is such an annoying factor as self-discharge (penetration) of the beam on the way to the target, about the same rain, for example. So to speak, it is corny grounded, a short circuit has occurred.

Do you think that air ionization occurs in the laser beam and an electric current flows? This is for what wavelengths of radiation and what powers is it valid? You are probably referring to the usual scattering of a beam on dust and raindrops. Then you do not need to use electrical terms such as "self-discharge, punching, grounded, short circuit".

[Averias]

Actually, I had in mind the option of using a laser channel to transmit a powerful electronic charge. This is one of the developments that the United States recently boasted of. The laser creates a conductive channel (ionization is implied by itself, but in another way). More questions?

[Averias]

Hypersound - a plasma cocoon - the sense of the laser is zero. A missile with a shared warhead is in the upper atmosphere, cloudiness is zero from the laser. There was a separation of warheads, each warhead has its own controlled flight path and false targets - the sense of the laser is zero. We add here the speed of pumping (reloading), as well as the fact that this installation itself is an excellent target, and laser non-jeweler to accompany the target will play the role of highlighting itself. I did not say that this is not real, just at the moment it looks like banal show-offs. I remember a long time ago we had developments in the field of solar energy transmission via microwave from a satellite. This thing, power is just wild, than not a weapon? According to rumors, in Yakutia a hefty piece of the tundra was burned when a beam from a satellite past the receiver missed.

[SHOGUN]

It is very bad that you all know only about the American laser systems. Although this is understandable. American commerce has spawned the most powerful “fake value system” and PROMOTION in the world ...

[Averias]

Here I am about the same. As far as I know, our experiments on lasers and plasma were carried out long ago. And it seems that they achieved not bad results, they just put it on the shelf for the time being. And the laser installation itself is vulnerable, it needs protection. What will she do against kinetic weapons?

[TSOOBER]

At the dawn of the appearance of firearms, not everything was smooth either - and it took a long time to charge, and the range was still the same, and the gunpowder was damp, I generally keep quiet about aiming, and heavy and uncomfortable bows are a fairy tale, only a little (historically) time has passed and where are the bows ? for lasers the future is unambiguous! let’s miss the time a very big chance that we’ll become forever. firstly, urgently develop and launch a laser into space to suppress enemy satellite groupings (the pretext is science, etc.), and secondly, to develop air defense (for a start, the "shilka" type ) to cover troops on the march (helicopters, high-precision bombs and missiles). Let lasers be inferior to conventional weapons for now, but take the future.

[Averias]

So with us, and so, in space, a grouping of satellites hangs to suppress enemy satellites (by the way, the only one in the world).

Here is the development of events: A group goal, high-speed, miscalculation of the trajectory is not possible, many false targets - the question is, where to shoot?

[shoroh]

But is it technically possible to create a channel with a laser in the atmosphere for a high-voltage discharge? then it would be possible to use electricity))

[Averias]

It is possible, earlier it was suggested to make lightning rods of this type, only there is a small BUT, it is possible to "break through" this channel in the atmosphere, and not in the right place. And the energy released through this channel can go back along the path of least resistance. There was an article on this topic, they say the United States came up with a cannon capable of hitting the enemy with a current. Just along the laser channel.

[mamba]

Quote: Averias

used to offer lightning rods of this type to do

I found a theoretical article on this topic: http://www.physics-online.ru/PaperLogos/15406/files/Full_text_Russian_version.pd
f
And its abbreviated and more popular version: http://www.laser-portal.ru/content_448
It talks about the theoretical possibility of creating a reproducible laser-plasma channel up to several kilometers long using a CO2 laser with an average radiation power of 100 kW and a pulse repetition rate of 10 - 50 kHz, which coincides with the frequency of resonant high-voltage circuits, between which a "laser spark" is created.

[shoroh]

hmm, so I thought correctly. Well, if I guessed, then our scientists are probably already developing such things.

[Averias]

The development of combat lasers in the USSR began in 1965. In 1973, a special design bureau was established for these purposes. The first airborne laser system was placed on an A-60 aircraft, created on the basis of the IL-76 transporter. He made his first laser flight aboard the A-60 in 1983. Already in 1984, Soviet pilots hit the first air target with a combat laser.

[mamba]

The deployment of combat lasers at sea also has its difficulties associated with the absorption of beam energy by water vapor and precipitation. In the 80s, we tested a combat laser aboard the Dixon ship (it was called "Admiral Gorshkov's hyperboloid"). The Aquilon shipborne laser complex was supposed to hit coastal targets. However, during tests in the summer of 1980, it turned out that its efficiency did not exceed 5 percent. The laser was only able to heat the coastal target at a distance of about 4 km. The program was canceled, considering more promising work with marine-based beam weapons.

[mamba]

Quote: Averias

The first airborne laser system was placed on an A-60 aircraft, created on the basis of the IL-76 transporter.

This plane looked peculiar. To power the laser and related equipment, two 2,1 MW turbo-generators were installed on the sides of the bow. Instead of a standard weather radar, a huge bulb-shaped fairing was installed on the nose on a special adapter, to which a smaller oblong fairing was attached below, where the antenna of the aiming system was located.
It was originally decided to place the laser gun: in order not to spoil the aerodynamics of the aircraft with another fairing, the gun was made retractable. The top of the fuselage between the wing and the keel was cut out and replaced with huge wings consisting of several segments. They cleaned the inside of the fuselage, and then a turret with a cannon climbed up. Behind the wing there were fairings protruding beyond the fuselage contour with a profile similar to that of the wing. The cargo ramp remained, but the doors of the cargo hatch were removed and the hatch was sewn with metal.

Work on the flying laboratory "1A2" continues to the present. Moreover, works on the A-60 topic, among the few Russian military promising projects, receive full funding from the state arms program.