American military-industrial corporation Lockheed Martin this week showed that a 50 kW laser developed for air defense can be part of military vehicles and used in combat conditions

A 50 kW directed energy interceptor for a short-range maneuverable air defense system called DEIMOS is expected to be integrated into the Stryker combat vehicle for the M-SHORAD air defense system.

Lockheed Martin laser concept

Last February, Lockeed Martin and the US Office of Naval Research tested a 100 kV stationary laser battery, in which the laser destroyed a cruise missile. Lockheed Martin Vice President Rick Cordaro said DEIMOS could provide the US Army with multi-layered air defense capabilities.

Demo video of the laser

It is worth noting that for the development of directed energy weapons in 2023, the Pentagon requested at least $669 million for the development of directed energy weapons and $345 million for the purchase of such weapons. One rationale for this expense is that directed energy weapons can cost less than kinetic weapons and will not require reloading.

According to the company, lasers are used to destroy drones, missiles and projectiles. The laser delivers energy directly to the target, causing the desired damage effect. The same type of software used in fighter jet guidance systems identifies and tracks targets. This technology ensures that the laser will hit the target even after passing through atmospheric conditions that can refract light, such as rain and cloud cover.

Recall that last year Lockheed Martin received a government contract from the US Department of Defense for training 17,000 remote U.S. Army civilian employees on cybersecurity issues on their own training platform.