American manufacturing’s foundation lies in finding innovative solutions to challenging problems. And when it comes to answering the call in support of our soldiers, that means American manufacturers also get to do really cool things – like mounting lasers on ATVs for taking down enemy drones.
Last week at the Association of the United States Army Expo in Washington, D.C., Raytheon rolled out a new high-energy laser based on its Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS), which was mounted to a Polaris MRZR for rapid, forward-area deployment.
The laser combines optical and infrared sensors in acquiring and shooting down airborne targets. Raytheon, which invented the first working laser in 1960, has installed variations of the MTS on Apache attack helicopters.
However, in going after drones, Raytheon had to modify the system to accommodate targets under 55 pounds. These modifications meant adjusting the tracking for smaller targets and manipulating the laser discharge for destroying the target without consuming excessive amounts of power.
The tracking element uses separate sensors to scan the environment, and then acquire and identify enemy aircraft. A human operator verifies the data and fires the laser. Currently, a separate generator provides up to four hours of power per charge, or 30 shots.
In addition to saving money on spent munitions, lasers offer better tracking that allows for re-acquiring targets quicker. They re-aim as the drone flies across the sky, thus ensuring more accurate and reliable results.
Raytheon dubs the ATV-laser combo the HELWS MRZR. The company is reportedly placing a significant amount of its resources on laser technology, and weaponry – not only because of the performance benefits but also as being powered by electricity essentially means that as long as there’s power, the soldier never runs out of bullets.
Next steps for the system are improving the ATV’s ability to shoot on the move, as currently it can only be fired from a stationary position. The Army will begin full testing in December.