The US Navy is making good progress in developing ship-based lasers as part of its broader strategy to strengthen the self-defense capabilities of surface ships.
Experts of the defense portal Army Recognition, who researched this issue, note that the Navy's interest in laser weapons arose back in 2014 year, when the first prototype capable of countering surface targets and unmanned aerial vehicles was installed devices, reports ArmyInform.
Since then, the Navy has made significant progress, developing and deploying additional laser prototypes with improved capabilities. Future developments are aimed at countering larger threats such as anti-ship cruise missiles.
Key programs under the Navy's laser development initiative include:
— development of solid-state laser technology (SSL-TM);
— optical blinding interdictor, (ODIN);
— navy laser weapon system (SNLWS), Increment 1, or HELIOS;
— High Energy Missile Defense Program (HELCAP).
The survivability of Navy surface ships against complex threats from adversaries, especially China, is a growing concern of Force Command. Opponents have a large number of UAVs and anti-ship missiles, including advanced models. Current defense systems of the Navy, which depend on surface-to-air missiles; and close combat systems, face constraints such as limited ammunition and unfavorable cost exchange ratios.
Laser weapons offer promising approaches to solving these problems. They run on electricity, which allows them to be used repeatedly as long as the ship's electrical systems are working. The cost of a shot is much lower and ranges from 1 to 10 dollars compared to the high cost of traditional rockets.
Operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since October 2023 have shown the limitations of modern defense systems. The Navy spent significant resources using more than 100 standard surface-to-air missiles; worth up to 4 dollars each to counter threats from Houthi forces in Yemen. This emphasizes the need for more cost-effective solutions.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, reported that Navy destroyers in the region successfully intercepted 14 anti-ship ballistic missiles, 7 cruise missiles and more than 70 drones. However, the financial burden of these operations was significant and amounted to more than a billion dollars.
The Navy is actively developing laser weapons with improved capabilities. ODIN systems were installed on eight Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to provide counterintelligence and surveillance capabilities. HELIOS, delivered in 2022 is currently in service on USS Preble (DDG-88).
Laser weapons offer promising approaches to solving these problems. They run on electricity, which allows them to be used repeatedly as long as the ship's electrical systems are working. The cost of a shot is much lower and ranges from 1 to 10 dollars compared to the high cost of traditional rockets.
Operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden since October 2023 have shown the limitations of modern defense systems. The Navy spent significant resources using more than 100 standard surface-to-air missiles; worth up to 4 dollars each to counter threats from Houthi forces in Yemen. This underlines the need for more cost-effective solutions.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Chief of Naval Operations, reported that Navy destroyers in the region successfully intercepted 14 anti-ship ballistic missiles, 7 missiles and over 70 drones. However, the financial burden of these operations was significant and amounted to more than a billion dollars.
The Navy is actively developing laser weapons with improved capabilities. ODIN systems were installed on eight Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to provide counterintelligence and surveillance capabilities. HELIOS, delivered in 2022 is currently in service on USS Preble (DDG-88).