Raytheon has delivered a high-energy laser counter-UAS system to the US Air Force, the company announced on 22 October.
The system is now set for an overseas deployment as part of a year-long air force experiment to train operators and test the system's effectiveness in real-world conditions.
Raytheon's high-energy laser weapon system uses an advanced variant of the company's multi-spectral targeting system, an electro-optical/infrared sensor, to detect, identify and track rogue drones. Once targeted, the system engages the threat and neutralises the UAS.
The company installed its high-energy laser weapon system on a small all-terrain vehicle. On a single charge from a standard 220-volt outlet, the system can deliver ISR capability and multiple precise laser shots. It can also be paired with a generator to provide a nearly infinite number of shots.
Roy Azevedo, president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, said: ‘Five years ago, few people worried about the drone threat. Now, we hear about attacks or incursions all the time. Our customers saw this coming and asked us to develop a ready-now counter-UAS capability. We did just that by going from the drawing board to delivery in less than 24 months.’
The new Bushmasters will be used by the Australian Army’s second long-range fires regiment, to be based at the Edinburgh Defence Precinct in South Australia as part of the 10th Fires Brigade.
The British Army’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) has struggled to make it to competition but there are hopes progress will be made this year.
The aid stations are designed to be mounted onto trucks, such as the Rheinnetall HX family of vehicles, and will be in ballistic protected and unprotected versions.
The contract is for transmissions for the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima, Ohio for new tanks and overhaul and repair activities at Anniston Army Depot.
Jerusalem’s air defence capabilities procurement efforts will receive up to $190 million.
In the medium-term Lithuania has committed US$1.3 billion which includes Javelin ant-tank missiles, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs), Black Hawk helicopters, missile systems and missiles.
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