ATHENA defeats airborne targets
Lockheed Martin has demonstrated its prototype Advanced Test High Energy Asset (ATHENA) laser weapon system at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
During testing with the US Army's Space and Missile Defense Command, the 30kW class ATHENA laser system brought down five 10.8ft wingspan Outlaw UAS. The weapon employed advanced beam control technology and an efficient fibre laser.
The test saw the laser system defeating airborne targets in flight by causing loss of control and structural failure.
Lockheed Martin and the army are now conducting post mission reviews, and data collected will be used to further refine the system, improve model predictions and inform development of future laser systems.
ATHENA is a transportable ground-based system powered by a compact Rolls-Royce turbo generator. It is currently being used as a test-bed for demonstrating technologies required for the development of military laser weapon systems.
Keoki Jackson, chief technology officer, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘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.
‘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.’
More from Land Warfare
-
First locally built KF41 Lynx IFV handed over to Hungary
The KF41 procurement is part of Hungary’s Zrínyi 2026 development plan and is one of several efforts to procure modern, NATO-standard platforms that will supersede legacy equipment received from the Soviet Union by 2026.
-
How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence
Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.
-
MBDA announces new VSHORAD system at Farnborough International Airshow 2024
The VSHORAD supersonic single-operator interceptor air defence system was unveiled at Farnborough.
-
Raytheon notes CUAS laser success and pushes for faster air defence manufacture
Raytheon’s Patriot air defence system has been in high demand with orders and commitment coming in from Germany, Romania and Spain.
-
BAE Tridon MK2 fitted with Chess Dynamics fire control system
The collaboration between the defence giant and the gunfire control specialist will help deliver a modular anti-drone solution.