Lockheed Martin ground-based laser successfully demonstrated
Lockheed Martin has successfully demonstrated its portable, ground-based Area Defense Anti-Munitions (ADAM) military laser system in a series of tests against representative airborne targets. The system uses directed energy to provide a defence against short-range threats, such as rockets and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
This demonstration is the latest in a series of tests conducted since August, which has seen the ADAM system has successfully engage a UAS target in flight at a range of approximately 1.5 km (0.9 miles) and has destroyed four small-calibre rocket targets in simulated flight at a range of approximately 2 km (1.2 miles).
ADAM is designed for the short-range defence of high-value areas including forward operating bases. The system uses a 10-kilowatt fibre laser to destroy targets up to 2 km (1.2 miles) away, and can precisely track targets in cluttered optical environments with a tracking range of more than 5 km (3.1 miles). The system has been designed to be flexible enough to operate against rockets as a standalone system and to UAS with an external radar cue. Its modular architecture combines commercial hardware components with the company's proprietary software in an integrated and user friendly system.
Paul Shattuck, Lockheed Martin's director of directed energy systems for Strategic and Missile Defense Systems, said: ‘Lockheed Martin has applied its expertise as a laser weapon system integrator to provide a practical and affordable defence against serious threats to military forces and installations. In developing the ADAM system, we combined our proven laser beam control architecture with commercial hardware to create a capable, integrated laser weapon system’.
More from Land Warfare
-
![USMC narrows down field for light loitering munition requirement]()
USMC narrows down field for light loitering munition requirement
The US Marine Corps selected a team of UVision and Mistral to meet a requirement for Organic Precision Fires Mounted (OPF-M) loitering munition in 2021. It has now awarded contracts for the soldier carried light (OPF-L) version after the success of similar systems in Ukraine highlighted the potential for such weapons.
-
![The Netherlands orders more GM200 compact tactical radars]()
The Netherlands orders more GM200 compact tactical radars
The Ground Master 200 (GM200), a medium range tactical radar, is part of the Ground Master family architecture, which shares common hardware, software building blocks and interfaces. As a multi-mission radar, it can carry out air surveillance, air defence, CRAM and surface vessel detection.
-
![British Army to overhaul dismounted close combat capabilities]()
British Army to overhaul dismounted close combat capabilities
The future of the British Army’s DCC capabilities will include replacement equipment for female personnel and a new procurement framework.
-
![US approves support of Ukrainian Hawk missile systems]()
US approves support of Ukrainian Hawk missile systems
The decades-old HAWK system has undergone substantial improvements since its introduction into service.
-
![Rheinmetall to supply 20 more Marder IFVs to Ukraine]()
Rheinmetall to supply 20 more Marder IFVs to Ukraine
From 1970, 2,136 Marders were produced, with the latest German Army standard being the 1A5 which was upgraded for use in Afghanistan. Ex-German Marders have been in service in Chile and Ukraine, while Argentina uses the locally built VCTP, a derivative of the Marder.
-
![Contracts awarded for US Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle]()
Contracts awarded for US Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle
The US Marine Corps (USMC) will procure the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) from prime contractor BAE Systems to replace the legacy Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV7) platform. BAE Systems received the initial $1.1 billion contract to produce 204 ACVs in June 2018.
