New Zealand boosts defence spend to US$6.6 billion and vows increased closeness with Australia
This budget will be spent over the next four years and nearly doubles the country’s defence spending as part of GDP to 2%.
Lockheed Martin advances laser weaponry
Critical defence systems could soon incorporate higher power laser weaponry, according to Lockheed Martin’s vice president of advanced programmes Doug Graham.
‘Fibre laser technology has matured to the point where it can deliver power levels sufficient to support key military missions,’ he explained to Shephard.
The ground-based ADAM prototype disabled two sea-based targets in tests off the Californian coast on 7 May.
The small military-grade rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) were successfully stopped from a distance of 1.6km and in less than 30 seconds. The tests follow Lockheed’s previous laser weapon demonstrations against small unmanned airborne vehicles (UAVs) and rockets.
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