The threat of supersonic missiles is a serious threat to the U.S. army and its allies. These missiles, capable of traveling at speeds five times faster than sound, can overcome most missile defenses. Lasers can be used to disable these missiles so they don't reach their target.
Lasers are the best weapon against hypersonic rockets. Because they fire at light speed, they can't lose momentum. They are also capable of hitting targets thousands of miles away. They can also be used to protect against unpredictable weapons like drones. While lower-powered lasers have the ability to fool drones' optical senses, high-powered ones can destroy them. They are also not dependent on ammunition, unlike traditional rockets.
Lockheed Martin has developed a 100-watt laser system that can kill cruise missiles in flight. Rolls Royce and Lockheed Martin have also created it. This system is currently being tested in the Porton Down defence laboratory. It's also being fielded on some destroyers. In the coming years, the Navy will have its own tactical radar weapon. According to a new report, clouds of tiny particles in the skies can help protect against hypersonic threats.
The Pentagon has begun developing directed energy technologies, which will allow them to counter hypersonic missiles. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) will supervise this process. Michael Griffin, undersecretary at the Missile Defense Agency for research and technology, anticipates that future budgets would include funding for laser tech.
A key component of a laser weapon is the ability to overcome the effects of atmospheric disturbances. In addition to temperature gradients, the atmosphere can affect the propagation of the beam. For example, a cold airstream could make it hard for a laser to reach a target. Stabilizing the beam is essential to solve this problem. LLD's beam management system uses adaptive optics in order to keep the laser beam on target. Using these techniques, the laser will be able to maintain its focus through atmospheric disturbances.
Another key capability of a laser is that it doesn't explode when it hits a target. Contrary to conventional missiles, a laser is capable of hitting a target from thousands of kilometres away and firing thousands of times. The laser's power can destroy a hypersonic weapon before it reaches its target.
The Pentagon estimates that it would take a 1-megawatt light source to bring down a hypersonic rocket. Hypersonic missiles can be so fast that they require a precise target in order to be defeated. As a result, the Pentagon is looking at ways to develop a laser capable of destroying these hypersonic missiles.
The Pentagon has pulled out of research on guided projectiles that can be launched from specialized guns, but it still hopes to develop laser defense technology. Lasers have been shown to be more precise than rail guns. Because a laser does not lose velocity or intensity over distance, it is more precise than rail guns.
Four prototypes and two versions of the lasers will now be available for testing by the end OFY24. The Airborne High Energy Laser will become part of the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. It is expected to make a significant contribution to the Navy's arsenal missile defenses. As a counter to hypersonic weapons, the Army's Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is being studied.