MBDA laser effector defeats mini drone
MBDA Deutschland conducted a test in which it deployed a laser effector for the first time to find, track and defeat a mini drone, the company announced on 17 June.
According to the company, the unmanned aerial system (UAS) was destroyed at a range of 500m within seconds of the start of the test at the MBDA testing area in Schrobenhausen, Germany.
The laser effector bundles multiple laser sources into a single beam in order to combat small, agile targets. The laser effector technology has previously demonstrated its ability to acquire and engage dummy mortar targets up to 2.5km away.
MBDA Deutschland is also looking into waterborne laser armament options as well as ground-based laser effector concepts to target small UAS and rocket and mortar targets.
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