The United States has reached a turning point in directed energy technologies that will bring many concepts of science fiction closer to reality, in particular, the protection of objects with the help of so-called force fields, claims The Drive, referring to the materials of the Research Laboratory of the United States Air Force (Air Force), located at Kirtland Air Force Base (New Mexico).
According to the report Directed Energy Futures 2060, directed energy weapons by 2060 can be used to create "force fields" that allow you to protect military bases by repelling the attack of approaching drones and warheads, including forming a " missile defense umbrella as part of a multi-level defense system."
The Breaking Defense publication writes that the specific implementation of this concept involves, in particular, the use of laser weapons controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
The US Air Force Research Laboratory says that the available capabilities allow us to develop a laser weapon system with a power of 100 kilowatts, "which can create destructive effects at tactically important distances" of several kilometers.
The main problem of such systems is their limited ability to simultaneously hit several targets.
In April 2020, the Task & Purpose publication reported that the US Air Force sent High Energy Laser (HELWS), PHASER and Tactical High Power Operational Responder (THOR) weapons abroad for testing for the first time. The publication noted that the HELWS laser and the PHASER and THOR microwave guns are designed to destroy small drones.
In October 2018, the director of the Center for Analysis of the World Arms Trade, Igor Korotchenko , said that the Russian combat laser complex "Peresvet" effectively works against industrial and artisanal drones only in "ideal conditions".
Ivan Potapov
