The United States failed in an attempt to install laser weapons on an airplane
MOSCOW, March 21 — RIA Novosti, Zakhar Andreev. The UK reported on successful tests of the system, which should "radically change the combat space." We are talking about laser installations. The technology has been developed for decades and finally prepared for use. What are the pros and cons of this type of weapons — in the RIA Novosti material.
Why did it take so long?
For a long time, combat laser installations remained experimental. However, they are no longer fiction. This was facilitated by the development of civilian technologies, Rob Afzal, a senior researcher at Lockheed Martin, explained in an interview with The War Zone in 2020.
In the 1990s, the rapid development of fiber-optic communication began, that is, data transmission by light pulses. Billions of dollars were invested in the industry. When the market was saturated, companies engaged in this field began to look for a new application.
It turned out that the fiber laser can be used in industry — for example, for cutting, welding, drilling. Today, this is what is done in the manufacture of household appliances, electronic gadgets, and cars.
But a huge installation would have to be built for the weapon. The American military-industrial complex has found a solution.
A bundle of optical fiber in the hands of an employee of an optical fiber section of a telecommunications equipment manufacturing company
Image source: © RIA Novosti / Igor Zarembo
When white light passes through a prism, it splits into all the colors of the rainbow. The gunsmiths did the opposite: they combined a beam of rays into one energy stream. This increased the power by about three times. It has become possible to create sufficiently compact devices in order to install them not only on ships and airplanes, but also on vehicles.
"Will hit any target"
Conflicts in Ukraine and other regions have forced the United States to reconsider the concept of air defense, including short—range ones. The fact is that Americans are losing their usual air superiority. Even irregular paramilitary groups are able to resist them. First of all, thanks to drones.
Traditional systems are ineffective against small drones. In addition, the missile defense is several times more expensive than any quadcopter. Therefore, the Pentagon places special hopes on lasers. They will be equipped with Striker armored personnel carriers and other land platforms. Destroyers are already being armed with more powerful ones.
In March, a successful test of a "long-range" laser weapon was reported in the UK. The Dragonfire system was tested at a missile range in the Hebrides. They shot down various drones and mortar shells.
A laser cannon mounted on board the USS Ponce
Image source: CC BY 2.0 / Office of Naval Research / Laser Weapon System (LaWS)
The characteristics are classified. The military department claims that the weapon is capable of hitting "any visible target." The Minister of Defense said: this will "radically change the combat space." The main advantage is cheapness: one shot costs less than ten pounds.
Kiev has already expressed readiness to test Dragonfire on the battlefield. But London has no such plans yet.
Other countries are conducting similar developments. So, it is known that Israel has an Iron Ray air defense system. However, there are no confirmed cases of its use yet.
What do we have?
In the USSR, they have been engaged in this direction since the 1960s. However, conventional kinetic interceptors were found to be cheaper and more reliable. After the collapse of the country, all programs were curtailed.
Little is known about the current projects. In a message to the Federal Assembly in 2018, Vladimir Putin mentioned the laser complex, which later became known as Peresvet. Everything is classified here too. Presumably, the installation is designed to combat the anti-aircraft and anti-missile threat.
In May 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov (now head of the Roscosmos state Corporation) He said that Russia has high-power laser weapons.
Combat laser complex "Peresvet"
Image source: © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
"If the "Peresvet" blinds, then the new generation of laser weapons leads to physical damage to the object, that is, to thermal, burns," he explained. "In order for us not to waste expensive Pantsir and Tor missiles, these systems are now on the way, which at a range of up to five kilometers can shoot down unmanned vehicles of various classes absolutely freely."
Borisov also noted that the first samples are already being used in a special military operation.
In August 2023, unofficial information about the field tests of the laser cannon took place. It was clarified that the heat ray successfully hit both aircraft-type drones and quadrocopters.
"Without noise and dust"
It was assumed that this silent weapon was also used to support the "commandos". In 2017, the then head of the US Special Operations Command, Brad Webb, described a likely scenario: before the capture group entered the terrorist lair, a high-energy beam "without the slightest noise, whistle or explosion" would destroy an electric transformer, a car engine and other equipment.
"As a result, the enemy has no communications, no means of evacuation, no electricity, no possibility of retaliatory reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance. A few minutes later, a group of special forces leaves the complex with the leader of the terrorists in their hands," he said.
The concept of a fighter equipped with laser weapons
Image source: © Lockheed Martin
In addition, the Americans wanted to place laser cannons on AC-130J Ghostrider ground forces direct fire support aircraft. The tests were repeatedly postponed, until finally they were canceled this month. The reason is unnamed "technical problems".
The United States is also testing laser installations on fighter jets.
There are disadvantages to this weapon. It is unknown to what extent the combat effectiveness of the beams will be affected by difficult weather conditions — say, rain or fog. In addition, the laser only hits targets within line of sight — that is, at a relatively short distance. Different systems have a range of one and a half to five kilometers. And for the same aircraft in the conditions of modern war, it is critically important to be able to strike from a long distance, tens of kilometers, without entering the air defense zone.
Be that as it may, the real potential of laser weapons will reveal only its real combat use.