Laser Weapon System Of Lockheed Tested

Laser Weapon

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An earlier report revealed the plan of the US Navy in deploying a ship-based solid-state laser weapon at the Persian Gulf. Recently a series of tests were conducted by Lockheed using a new directed-energy system that was dubbed as ADAM or Area Defense Anti-Munitions system.

The ADAM weapon system was tested against targets similar to the Qassam rockets used by in Palestine. The system destroyed the targets at a distance of around 1.5 kilometers or just under a mile.

The laser system produces 10kw of power, which limits its range and makes it more suitable for use against targets with light armor. Although the range of the laser weapon is limited around two kilometers, Lockheed indicated that the system can effectively track targets over five kilometers away, even in cluttered visual situations.

The weapons system heats up the side of a projectile for a few seconds using a high-energy beam whenever it is used against a missile or a rocket. For science fiction enthusiasts, the ADAM system does not appear to be their idea of a laser weapon system. In fact it has a similar design as a generator that is often used by Army battalions for field operations.

However, the design is not on top of the priority list since laser weapon advocates are focusing on the cost-effectiveness of the entire system. Since it only requires electricity, it basically has an unlimited supply of “ammunition,” unless the battery runs out. The cost of the system is minimal compared to the conventional anti-missile system.

Strategic and Missile Defense Systems president Tory Bruno of Lockheed Martin Space Systems said the results of the test show the cost-effectiveness of the ADAM weapons system. It also offers a convenient directed-energy system that can be used against close-in threats in real-world situations.

With the release of the video, it appears that weapons developers are gradually showing the value of a laser weapon system to deal with any given real-world situation.

Deployment Of A Solid-State Laser Weapon System Prepared By The US Navy

Solid-State Laser Weapon

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The US Navy is considering the deployment of a solid-state laser weapon on the USS Ponce by 2014. Although no details were revealed on the capabilities or the performance of the laser weapon system, the Navy discussed the benefits of using laser weapons as a countermeasure against airborne or water-borne threats.

The deployment of the solid-state laser weapon system will be an at-sea demonstration, which shows the ongoing effort of the Pentagon in using directed energy weapons for US Navy ships. The Navy indicated that the Department of Defense will continue studying the integration of laser weapon systems into the fleet after the USS Ponce demonstration.

It may be possible that the demonstration of the solid-state laser system on the USS Ponce may have another objective. Since the warship will be deployed in the Persian Gulf, it may be possible that it may give Iran a glimpse of the capabilities of the US Navy in dealing with threats. The maximum price tag of the prototype will reportedly be $32 million.

It may even be used to show Congress that such a weapon system will hardly put a dent on the budget. The cost-effectiveness of the laser weapon was highlighted by the Navy when compared to conventional missile systems. According to Rear Admiral Matthew Klunder, Naval Research Head, conservative data shows that one shot from the laser weapon will cost under $1. In comparison a missile costs thousands of dollars each.

A video was released by the US Navy that showed a demonstration of the capabilities of a solid-state laser weapon system against a drone.