Raytheon Intelligence & Space está produciendo un Sistema de Arma Dirigida (DEW) Láser de 50kW, que puede detectar, adquirir y neutralizar drones, proyectiles de artillería y morteros, así como cohetes de baja velocidad. Este sistema, montado en un VC Stryker del US Army, fue sometido a ensayos operativos durante 4 semanas, donde mostró su capacidad para destruir gran cantidad de proyectiles de mortero de 60mm. Se prevé que cuatro de estas unidades serán provistas antes de fin del 2022, para ser desplegadas en elementos operativos, como parte del programa integral “DE M-SHORAD”(Direct Energy Mobile Short Range Air Defense).
Raytheon Intelligence & Space is producing 50kW-class high-energy laser systems that can track and defeat enemy drones, mortar rounds, and other dangerous targets right out of the sky. The directed energy weapon system mounted on a U.S. Army Stryker combat vehicle was recently successfully tested at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
During the four weeks of continuous live-fire tests, the team led by Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Kord defeated multiple 60 mm mortar rounds with the directed energy weapon system. The high-energy laser acquired, tracked, targeted, and defeated multiple 60 mm mortars and successfully accomplished multiple tests simulating real-world scenarios.
The 50kW-class high energy laser weapon is a part of the U.S. Army’s Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD. Continuing to put the DE M-SHORAD system to the test, the recent operational assessment also included defeating several small, medium, and large drones.
“Soldiers in the field face increasingly complex threats, and our combat-proven sensors, software, and lasers are ready to give them a new level of protection,” said Annabel Flores, president of Electronic Warfare Systems for Raytheon Intelligence & Space. “The Army gave us our toughest challenge yet – countering rockets, artillery, and mortars – and we took an essential step on the path to providing the maneuverable, short-range air defense Soldiers need.”
The DE M-SHORAD effort aims to protect soldiers against various aerial threats, including unmanned aircraft systems, rotary-wing aircraft, rockets, artillery, and mortars. Kord serves as the primary integrator of the system on the Stryker combat vehicle, while Raytheon Intelligence and Space provides the 50kW-class high energy laser weapon module, a specialized radar acquisition system, a beam control system, and a targeting sensor.
The high-energy weapon systems work on the land, in the air, and at sea, providing 360-degree coverage that can protect bases, airports, stadiums, and other high-value military or civilian assets. It can be used as a standalone system or rapidly installed on a variety of platforms. The team is preparing to deliver four DE M-SHORAD units to Army Brigade Combat Teams in 2022.
Fuente: https://www.inceptivemind.com
