The development of energy weapons in the United States and China is worth paying attention to
In leading foreign countries, along with the development of traditional means of armed struggle, weapons based on new physical principles, in particular energy weapons, are being actively developed. It is designed to destroy or disable weapons, military and special equipment by exposing them to powerful directed laser radiation.
American achievements
In the United States, the laws – Laser Weapon System and HELIOS – High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance systems are being developed. They are a powerful semiconductor laser designed to combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), anti-ship cruise missiles (RCC) and small enemy boats. Its advantages are the low cost of a shot, which is comparable to the price of fuel spent on electricity production, fast reaction speed and unlimited ammunition. The disadvantages include a short range (approximately 1.5 to 3.5 km), atmospheric absorption, scattering and turbulence, which do not allow the use of lasers in all weather conditions, and the risk of collateral damage – the defeat of their own aircraft, spacecraft and ship crews.
The development and use of this type of weapons within the framework of the Navy is primarily due to the presence on surface ships (NC) of the necessary source of electricity and sufficient space to place the corresponding weapons on board (prototypes have large weight and size indicators).
The development of laser combat systems in the United States has gone through several stages. From 2009 to 2012, the Navy conducted a series of land and sea tests of the prototype semiconductor laser "lavs" against UAVs. It was announced that the radiation power of 30 kilowatts was reached. In 2010-2011, the MLD (MLD – Maritime Laser Demonstration) combat laser was tested, during which a small boat was hit. From August 2014 to September 2017, the combat semiconductor laser "lavs "was installed on the front bridge of the converted landing ship" Ponce " (Ponce) of the US Navy and was used to combat small boats and swarms of UAVs. After that, the system was dismantled and sent for maintenance and further testing under the HELIOS program as a ground-based sample.
“ The fire control system of the laser installation has the highest possible level of automation. The operator only has to press the open fire button when the target hits the laser beam target area. ”
Subsequent work with the lavs and MLD systems is carried out within the framework of the SSL-TM (Solid-State Lasers – Technology Maturation) project. It is attended by corporations "BAE Systems" (BAE Systems), " Northrop Grumman "(Northrop Grumman) and "Raytheon" (Raytheon). Currently, the development of a ship laser with a radiation power of 100-150 kilowatts has been carried out.
In October 2015, the US Department of Defense announced the conclusion of a contract with Northrop Grumman for the production of a new combat semiconductor laser under the SSL-TM project. In January 2018, it was announced that it was installed on the landing ship "Portland" (Portland) of the US Navy.
In parallel, in 2018, the development of the HELIOS laser combat system was started under the SNLWS project (SNLWS-Surface Navy Laser Weapon System). During the implementation of the project, it is planned to achieve a radiation power of 60 kilowatts with the possibility of increasing to 150 kilowatts. The contract for the development, production and delivery of the two systems was signed with Lockheed Martin. One system is planned to be installed on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer (DDG-51). The second is intended for further ground tests of laser weapons. The total value of the contract is estimated at $ 150 million.
The technical level of development of laser weapons achieved in the United States makes it possible to effectively combat UAVs and small boats,but it is not sufficient to combat existing and promising RCC. However, several laser weapon systems can be placed on board the ship, which will provide the required total power. Funding for advanced research, including the SNLVS project, related to the creation of laser combat systems, is made within the framework of the program element 0603925N "Directed Energy and Electric Weapon System" (Directed Energy and Electric Weapon System). It includes three projects: "Development of a powerful anti-missile defense laser" (High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project – HELCAP), SNLVS and" Application of lasers in the Navy " (Lasers for Navy application). Within the framework of the project "Development of a powerful missile defense laser", research is being conducted on the processes of generation and propagation of laser radiation, and technical solutions are being sought to increase the radiation power, target guidance accuracy, and other characteristics of laser systems.
The project "Application of lasers in the Navy" includes the development of methods of combat use of laser systems, the development of requirements, recommendations and restrictions on their distribution and operation in the Navy, taking into account the nature of the tasks performed.
The US Army has developed and is testing a combat laser complex "MEHEL" (MEHEL-Mobile Expeditionary High Energy Laser). It is designed to combat enemy UAVs that cannot be destroyed by existing air defense systems.
The carrier of the laser complex is the M1131 "Stryker" fire support vehicle, which is in service with the US Army. The installation with a laser emitter is mounted on the roof of the hull at a certain distance from the main combat module.
Various units of the complex are attached both inside the machine and on its surface. So, on the frontal armor on the starboard side, several rectangular shrouds with antenna devices are placed. Several more antennas with telescopic masts are located on the sides and aft of the armored vehicle. Also, the outdoor equipment includes an optoelectronic station and a combat laser itself.
Detection and surveillance equipment is proposed to be mounted in the stern of the Stryker, while the device with a laser is located directly behind the control compartment on the roof of the hull. Inside the armored vehicle are placed controls and auxiliary equipment. Control over the operation of the laser and other systems is carried out using a remote control. Power supply - from regular sources of the carrier platform. All stages of preparation for combat work and subsequent "shooting" are carried out by means of remote control, leaving the car is not required.
As a means of search and guidance, its own radar station (RADAR) and an optoelectronic system are used. They provide round-the-clock all-weather monitoring of the air situation. According to the data from these means, laser guidance and tracking or target defeat are carried out. Means of communication provide reception of target designation from external sources. The received data about the target is transmitted to the fire control system.
Together with the MECHEL laser combat system, a complex of radio-electronic suppression of UAV control and data transmission channels is installed, which increases the effectiveness of the fight against them.
The first tests of the complex took place in early 2016. The radiation power of the laser installation was about two kilowatts. During them, its ability to hit light UAVs made of plastic with a low flight speed was confirmed. After the upgrade, the power was increased to five kilowatts. It is expected that in the near future the power will reach 18 kilowatts, which will allow you to deal with larger UAVs, unguided missiles and artillery shells. To defeat such targets, it is necessary to reduce the reaction time of the complex. This is planned to be achieved by improving the characteristics of its radar, ECO and software.
Chinese Lasers
In China, the development of its own laser combat systems "LAG I" (LAG I – Low Altitude Guard I) and "Silent Hunter" (Silent Hunter) is being completed. The laser combat system "LAG I" is a joint development carried out by specialists of the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics (Chinese Academy of Physics Engineering) and the company "JHTEC" (JHTEC – Jiuyuan Hi-Tech Equipment Corporation). It is based on a solid-state laser with a power of 10 kilowatts. The installation ensures the defeat of high-speed low-flying targets at a distance of up to two kilometers.
The fire control system of the laser installation has the highest possible level of automation. The radio-electronic equipment of the installation performs independent detection, identification and tracking of the target. The operator just needs to press the button to open fire when the target gets into range of the laser beam.
The compact size of the LAG I installation allows it to be secretly installed on the roofs of high-rise buildings and placed around the infrastructure of protected objects, near nuclear power plants, industrial enterprises, airfields and military bases.
The mobile laser combat system "Silent Hunter" is designed to defeat UAVs and small manned aircraft. For the first time, the complex was demonstrated at the International Aerospace Show in China in 2018. It is placed in the back of a truck.
According to Chinese representatives, the radiation power is from 50 to 70 kilowatts, the maximum range of destruction is four thousand meters. The radiation power is sufficient to burn a steel sheet with a thickness of five millimeters at a range of 800 meters, and a sheet with a thickness of two millimeters at a range of 1000 meters.
Thus, at present, the technological groundwork created in the United States and China allows us to start mass production of laser combat systems in the near future. The stated results make it possible to effectively use these systems to combat small UAVs, which pose an increased danger, since they cannot be hit by existing air defense systems, and their electronic suppression is not always possible.
Other advantages of this type of weapon over traditional means of destruction are the lack of ammunition and the low cost of a shot. Disadvantages – short range and dependence on weather conditions.
In the period up to 2040, laser combat systems are expected to be able to reach a radiation power of 500 kilowatts, which will ensure the effective defeat of UAVs of all types, guided missiles, including cruise missiles, and small boats. One of the promising areas for improving the defense capabilities of States is the deployment of appropriate weapons systems in space in the interests of missile defense to protect against intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Ruslan Polonchuk
The newspaper "Military-Industrial Courier", published in issue No. 50 (863) for December 29, 2020