by Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President News It’s a first for the US Army’s laser weapons. At Fort Sill, Okla., the Army conducted a live-fire exercise with the Directed Energy Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD). The weapon targeted a swarm of Group 1-3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS). “This live-fire exercise is the first of its kind,” said Col. Steven Gutierrez, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) project manager for directed energy. “Now that we have delivered directed energy capabilities to the Army we are developing and maturing the domains of policy, doctrine, organization, training and personnel to employ the capability optimally.” The Army says the test will yield crucial data that will shape the development of the Enduring High Energy Laser program. The DE M-SHORAD is a 50-kilowatt laser developed by Raytheon that is mounted on a Stryker 8 x 8 vehicle. The new weapon is being tested in conjunction with the existing M-SHORAD kinetic system. Experts believe lasers are a game-changer at a time when the game itself is changing. For decades, the Army has been developing directed energy weapons to defend against strategic missiles. But now, large swarms of relatively inexpensive drones have been fielded in battle, and that’s resulted in a new focus to short-range air defense. Lasers and microwaves have been proven to be effective against drones – plus, they are a lot cheaper than interceptors. Still, kinetic weapons aren’t being phased out. The web site Army Recognition notes, “The current approach envisions DE (directed energy) systems augmenting, not replacing, existing assets, thereby ensuring a redundant and fail-safe air defense network.” The testing is being conducted by the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment. The unit has been working with the DE M-SHORAD’s prototype team, starting with tests more than two years ago at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Meanwhile, in Japan in May, the country’s Ministry of Defense unveiled its Vehicle-Mounted High-Power Laser System, which is being developed by the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency. According to military officials who spoke to Defence Blog, the laser weapon is a “potential game-changer for layered air defense, with its ability to engage targets without relying on traditional kinetic interceptors.” It was also noted that the laser weapon is a lot cheaper than conventional munitions and leads to a smaller amount of collateral damage. The prototype has a 10 kilowatt laser that is capable of continuous 360-degree emission. It’s mounted on an 8 x 8 truck chassis. Japan is said to be putting more emphasis on air defense systems that are flexible, mobile and can intercept slower targets such as aerial drones. Army Recognition reported that during tests in February and March, the laser system successfully neutralized a small drone. At the same time, Japan is coming up with a more powerful laser, which is known as a directed energy weapons, designed to defend against missiles. The advantage to using lasers is the ability to counter fast-moving targets without having to use physical interceptors. At the same time, there is unlimited ammunition capacity – as long as there is enough power supply. Jim Morris is the Warrior Vice President, News. Morris has previously worked as an executive and writer for ABC News & Bloomberg TV
