Boeing’s laser weapon system proves itself in the Army’s latest round of testing.
A newly developed high-energy laser weapons system proved it is capable of taking out mortars and UAVs midflight during recent Army tests.
Named the HEL-MD, the Boeing developed system is one of a number of laser weapon demonstrators being tested by the US military. Armed with a 10-kW laser, the HEL-MD will eventually be stepped up to produce a 50 and then a 100kW beam as it’s developed into a mature weapon system.
According to the Army during recent tests that took place between November 18 and December 10 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the HEL-MD system successfully engaged more than 90 mortar rounds and a number of UAVs.
Built to be mobile, the HEL-MD’s newest configuration sees the laser and its beam directed mounted atop a military vehicle. Inside the massive machine, traditional radar and Enhanced Multi Mode Radar helped the weapon system queue the laser between targets.
While the Army is still developing laser weapons systems, future incarnations of the system will be built around solid-state lasers – requiring more power but significantly reducing the time a laser needs to contact a target.
The Army believes laser systems like the HEL-MD could one day be used to protect troops and ships from rockets, artillery, UAVS and cruise missile attacks. As of now, no offensive schemes for the HEL-MS have been floated by the military, but I wouldn’t be surprised if one were in the works.
Images Courtesy of US Army
