The US Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is to integrate a 20KW laser weapon on its Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISV) according to reports by Defense Daily and Defense News.
The aim of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) programme is to deliver a counter-drone laser capability to help protect Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, RCCTO Director Lt. Gen. Neil Thurgood is reported to have said at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. The ISV-mounted 20kw laser for AMP-HEL would specifically be focused on the ability to take out Group 1 and 2-sized drones.
Thurgood is also reported to have said the Army expects to take delivery of its first Stryker-mounted 50-kilowatt lasers in the coming weeks destined for a unit at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. This is part of the Directed Energy Manoeuvre-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) programme to develop a mobile counter drone capability.
(Image: IM-SHORAD)
For more information visit:
