One of the biggest protection corporations on the planet has simply examined a game-changing laser that may simply fry rogue drones in midair.
Lockheed Martin launched a check video yesterday showcasing its 30-kilowatt class ATHENA (Advanced Test High Energy Asset) system splashing 5 fixed-wing Outlaw drones on the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
In partnership with the Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command, Lockheed Martin funded the anti-drone program to defeat “airborne targets in flight by causing loss of control and structural failure,” in response to a company assertion.
“The tests at White Sands against aerial targets validated our lethality models and replicated the results we’ve seen against static targets at our own test range,” mentioned Keoki Jackson, Lockheed Martin’s Chief Technology Officer. “As we mature the technology behind laser weapon systems, we’re making the entire system more effective and moving closer to a laser weapon that will provide greater protection to our warfighters by taking on more sophisticated threats from a longer range.”
Powered by a Rolls-Royce turbo generator, ATHENA is vaunted as a transportable, ground-based system that serves as a low-cost check mattress for demonstrating laser-weapon programs. The firm’s laser known as ALADIN (Accelerated Laser Demonstration Initiative) identified for “speed, flexibility, precision and low cost per engagement.”
The most up-to-date check will likely be in contrast with additional demonstrations to dial in the very best defensive methods for defeating hostile, weaponized drones that would threaten navy bases, infrastructure amenities or delicate protection installations throughout peace and warfare time.
When it involves drone expertise, Lockheed Martin is properly enjoying either side of the road with new UAV tech and advances in drone mitigation.
Earlier this week, the corporate introduced the discharge of the OUTRIDER, a canister-launched drone sporting a excessive diploma of wind tolerance and designed to “provide enhanced Situational Awareness (SA) in environments where launching a conventional UAV is not practical.”
In 2015, the corporate demonstrated an air site visitors management system for drones in a fire-fighting situation. By working in tandem two drones had been capable of struggle a simulate fireplace whereas sustaining contact with common air-traffic programs. One drone situated the hearth and processed information whereas the opposite doused the flames utilizing water or firefighting chemical at exact places.
Here is a video courtesy of Lockheed Martin.