US military receives laser air defense weapons (photo)
The United States Army received the first four prototypes of the DE M-SHORAD laser air defense system based on Striker armored personnel carriers.
The DE M-SHORAD short-range directed energy air defense system is designed to destroy drones, missiles, artillery shells and aircraft. At least, that’s what the developer, Raytheon, says.
Defense News wrote that the system performed well at the Arizona test site and “littered the field with downed UAVs,” although there were some problems with countering missiles, artillery shells and mortar shells.
The DE M-SHORAD itself consists of a 50-kW laser warhead, radar system, beam control and guidance sensors. Its advantage is that the system does not require a special support vehicle – everything you need is built into Striker. This air defense system is also cost-effective and does not require expensive ammunition.
Currently, the four prototypes are being evaluated for effectiveness in the 4th Battalion of the 60th Artillery Regiment of the Air Defense Forces located in Fort Sill.
