The US military has successfully tested a prototype short-range laser air defense system designed to destroy drones. This was reported by Defense News, citing Robert Rash, head of the United States Army’s Office of Accelerated Capabilities and Critical Technologies.
During the live firing of prototypes of the Stryker short-range air defense system with 50-kilowatt lasers on the base (armored personnel carriers. – Gazeta.RU), unmanned aerial vehicles shot down in Arizona filled the training ground ”, the article says.
The publication notes that tests of the laser chosen to equip Stryker combat vehicles were conducted at the large Yuma training ground in Arizona.
Rash said lasers are good at neutralizing drones, but there are still problems with missiles, as well as artillery and mortar shells.
In his opinion, although the cost of developing these air defense systems is high, but a single shot from it is cheaper than using conventional shells.
Former Doctor of Military Sciences Konstantin Sivkov compared to Russian hypersonic missile “Dagger” from the American AGM-183A ARRW. Tests of the latter took place on March 13.