El Ejército de los EE. UU. Ha dicho que está en camino de desplegar su sistema de Defensa Aérea de Corto Alcance de Maniobra de Energía Dirigida (DE M-SHORAD), que estará equipado en los vehículos de transporte de infantería Stryker. El servicio realizó recientemente una prueba de una nueva capacidad DE M-SHORAD. Con esto, el servicio planea desplegar un pelotón de cuatro prototipos equipados con láser para el año 22.
The US Army has said it is on track to field its Directed Energy-Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) system, which will be equipped onto Stryker infantry carrier vehicles.
The service recently conducted a test of a new DE M-SHORAD capability. With this, the service plans to deploy a platoon of four laser-equipped Stryker combat vehicle prototypes by FY22.
During testing, DE M-SHORAD capability was evaluated on board a Stryker in a combat shoot-off at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
According to US Army hypersonics, directed energy, space and rapid acquisition deputy director Marcia Holmes, DE M-SHORAD is a 50kW-class laser that is designed to safeguard divisions and brigade combat teams against uncrewed aircraft systems (UASs), rotary and fixed-wing threats.
Holmes said: “Our goal is to deliver prototypes that soldiers can use as the mission requires and that the army can leverage as a baseline for a programme of record.
“A soldier-cantered design is a key part to reduce risk and to ensure an operationally effective weapon system.”
DE M-SHORAD’s design used Stryker’s gas-powered engine to power its batteries, cooling system, and laser.
Programme manager colonel Scott McLeod said the US Army plans to showcase the DE M-SHORAD capabilities during Project Convergence 21, where it would participate in a joint coalition exercise later this year.
‘Project Convergence 21’ is the military’s strategy aimed at modernising and transforming its operations, including future hoist requirements.
McLeod added: “We are delivering a brand-new capability, it is not a modification or an upgrade. It is unlike any other system the army has fielded to date.
“This event was a major step in the prototyping process and an informative waypoint as we move forward with building and delivering a prototype platoon in [fiscal year 2022].”
In July 2019, the US Army said it is working on rebuilding a SHORAD capability to defend manoeuvre units against aircraft, uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) and cruise missiles.
Fuente: https://www.army-technology.com
