Scale rockets and UAVs in seconds: what is known about the "secret" laser weapon

Extend: Coherent Aerospace & Defense is developing a next generation laser weapon for the US naval forces as part of the Sengbow Seed. This week, Coherent Aerospace & Defense concluded a $ 29. 9 million contract with the US Navy (ONR). The purpose of the agreement is to create a laser for the destruction of drones, rockets and other air purposes, writes Interesting Engineering with reference to the US Department of Defense.

The company is tasked with the development, integration and testing of a powerful directional energy subsystem that could be deployed on board warships and potentially terrestrial platforms. The US Air Force is expected to receive 400-kilowatted laser weapons, which brings together several 50-kilot laser modules into a single ray supported by the precision control unit. This design is convenient for scaling weapons to higher capacity without sacrificing quality or accuracy.

Most modern lasers used by the US Navy, such as laser weapons (LAWS), have an output capacity of about 30-100 kilowatts. In this way, the new system can be a serious jump in the industry. "The 400 kilowatt system will potentially allow the US forces to intercept faster and more reliable targets at greater distances, burning drones or rockets in seconds after contact," the publication said.