In a press release released Monday, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a division of Raytheon Technologies, and Kord, a subsidiary of KBR, talked about new weapons they believe could revolutionize hostilities. Stryker’s new high-energy laser struck several 2.3-inch (60 mm) mortars and several small, medium and large drones in four weeks of continuous combat training.

The new weapon system is part of the US Army’s Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD system.

Tackling increasingly sophisticated threats

“Soldiers in the field face increasingly sophisticated threats, and our battle-tested devices, software and lasers are poised to provide a new level of protection,” said Annabel Flores, head of electronic warfare systems division at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. “The armed forces faced the most difficult task – resisting missiles, artillery and mortars – and we took an important step towards providing the maneuverable, short-range air defense that soldiers need.”

The military is keen to develop weapons that can protect troops as they move around the country, but so far they have not been able to do so effectively. This is because there is a need for a system that can detect and plan future attacks to prevent drones, missiles, artillery or mortars from hitting ground troops and their accompanying vehicles.

The DE M-SHORAD system has so far been designed to protect soldiers from a variety of air threats “including drones, helicopters, missiles, artillery and mortars”. Two companies took part in the production of these weapons: Kord and Raytheon Intelligence & Space, as the main integrator of the system for Stryker combat vehicles, provided the 50 kW class high-energy laser weapon module, special radar capture system, beam control system. and guidance sensors.

The new weapon works on land as well as in the air and at sea. This provides 360-degree coverage that can protect bases, airports, stadiums and other valuable military or civilian facilities. The system can be used both autonomously and easily installed on different platforms.

Responding to asymmetric threats such as drones and mortars

“Our team has once again demonstrated that the HEL system is fully integrated and ready to protect against complex threats,” said Byron Bright, Head of KBR Government Solutions. “With a virtually endless store and virtually zero cost per shot, the HEL is a reliable response to asymmetric threats like drones and mortars.”

The four DE M-SHORADs will be delivered to the Army Brigade Combat Groups in 2022. Laser systems are the most affordable means of military protection, but their competent development requires a lot of work and effort.

Engineers must ensure that beam power is sufficient to hit targets quickly and efficiently, and that weapons are equipped with sensors that can detect and track approaching targets. Although laser systems use electricity instead of bullets, they provide a lower cost for each shot.

The US Department of Defense believes that such a new addition to combat groups will save money while effectively protecting the armed forces. As part of a similar initiative earlier this month, the Pentagon tested a powerful microwave technology called the Epirus System, which can disable several drones at once.