In step with the times. The use of lasers in the military sphere
In the modern world it is almost impossible to imagine an industry where laser technology was not even partially used. And the military industry is no exception. Today, there are a number of areas in which the introduction of laser equipment into the military industry follows: airborne, ground and underground location, communications, navigation systems, weapons, anti-missile defense systems.
The largest funding and government support is given to this implementation in the USA, UK, France, Switzerland and Germany.
Laser location - This is a part of optical electronics that deals with the detection of various objects using electromagnetic waves emitted by lasers. The objects of detection, as a rule, become Tanks, missiles, ships, industrial and armed structures, as well as satellites. It is based on several basic features: such waves are able to bounce off objects, and also have great detection ability. They can also propagate in a straight line, that is, a laser beam is capable of bearing a target. The laser beam propagates at the same speed, which allows you to determine the distance to the target.
Ground-based laser locators were the first of all laser equipment, which was introduced in the military industry. Their first tests were conducted in 1961 year in Vietnam. It was XM-23, which was later adopted by the American forces. This locator is designed for deployment in the ground forces.
The Swedish laser range finder is intended for introduction into onboard naval and coastal artillery. It has a special strength, which makes it possible to use this rangefinder in difficult conditions.
Not less successful is the sample of the Norwegian laser range finder LP-4, which is capable of operating at a distance from 200 meters to 3 kilometers.
There is also a large number of portable range finders for infantry and artillery troops. Especially popular among them is the range finder in the form of binoculars, the electronic components of which are made on integrated circuits. Thus, the total weight of it, along with the battery is about 2 kilograms.
Of great interest to the US military is the range finder for tanks. In the USA, even the AN / VVS-1 laser for the M60 tank was developed. Its main feature is that it can be entered into the fire control system of a combat vehicle, and thus the range can be measured not only by the gunner, but also by the tank commander.
There are also active development of ground-based laser systems, which are designed to monitor missiles at the initial stage of flight, as well as satellites and aircraft. Great importance is given to locators included in the missile defense system. Thus, the laser locator "OPDAR" was created with the purpose of tracking missiles that are in the active part of the flight. A gas laser is installed on this locator, which operates continuously. The locator can operate at a distance from 30 meters to 30 kilometers. As a rule, it is located at a distance 1 kilometers from the rocket. The use of this locator in connection with the possibility of accurate measurements of the characteristics of the movement of rockets allows you to calculate the exact place of its fall.
Specially commissioned by NASA, a laser was developed to track satellites and worked in conjunction with radars, which provided inaccurate coordinates. They were then used for the primary guidance of the laser, which gave accurate data. In order to establish the degree of deviation of the satellite orbit from the given one, "Explorer-22" was developed.
Often began to use laser locators and in aviation United States and NATO countries. With their help, a more accurate measurement of height and range is made. Typically, such lasers are small in size, and therefore are integrated into the fire control system. With their help, a number of other tasks are also carried out: guidance and target indication. Such lasers are commonly used in airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. They can be active and semi-active. Laser systems are used in such types of ammunition as ground-to-air missiles, bombs and sea torpedoes.
It is clear that for the right to possession of such developments an active struggle will be introduced among the developed countries. Several years ago, in America, it was announced that one of the American companies called Rocky Mountain Instrument is selling military secrets to foreign countries, in particular Russia, Turkey, China and South Korea. This company in the 2005-2007 years engaged in the export of optics, prisms, as well as technical military information without the appropriate permission of the United States Department of State.
The investigation was conducted by a special commission, which was established under the Department of Defense of America and dealt with cases of espionage and terrorism. In the event of a guilty plea, the company will have to pay a million dollars as a fine to 1. Its purpose was to determine the possible consequences of such activities and to clarify the possible ways of using the information obtained by these states.
Another unpleasant event happened recently. It became known that the USA, after 15 years of development, closed the project of the ALTB airborne laser system. 5 billions of dollars have already been spent on its development. Critics were quite skeptical about its development, calling the most expensive useless labor, citing the fact that for 14 for years the plane equipped with this laser could not prove its combat ability, and the laser itself would never be fully developed. ALTB is a system consisting of two solid-propellant lasers and one powerful oxygen oxygen laser that is installed on board a Boeing-747-400F.
Despite the fact that the laser machine passed a series of tests in the 2010 year, related to the detection, maintenance and destruction of missiles, its further development faced a number of problems. Its implementation and use in the armed forces was considered too expensive and difficult.
However, according to representatives of the United States Missile Defense Agency, in particular, Lieutenant General P. O'Reilly, some of the most successful developments will be used in other developments, and the new laser flying platform itself will be ready over the next ten years.
Be careful, laser!
Just a small magnifying glass, and the sun’s energy becomes formidable. weapons. And if you increase the power of the beam, increase the distance of destruction, come up with the design of combat vehicles, the era of the new weapon will begin - the era of lasers.
Just a small magnifying glass, and the sun’s energy becomes formidable. weapons. And if you increase the power of the beam, increase the distance of destruction, come up with the design of combat vehicles, the era of the new weapon will begin - the era of lasers.
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