Raytheon Intelligence & Space delivers another Air Force laser system ready for operational use (sponsored)
This article is brought to you by Raytheon Technologies
Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, recently delivered the next high-energy laser weapon system to the U.S. Air Force.
The HELWS technology will also be deployed in key regions outside the United States for operator training and experimental testing and evaluation. Following the completion of the Directed Energy Weapon Initial Operational Employment Review and Approval Process, HELWS is now certified for use in combat.
“HELWS builds directly on the feedback we received from operators in the field,” said Annabel Flores, vice president of Electronic Warfare Systems at RI&S. “We’ve made the system more rugged. We improved its accuracy and overall efficiency based on real-world lessons learned in an operational environment.”
This system features a number of improvements, including ruggedized enhancements to ensure transportability and survivability in a wide range of operational environments; a new beam director for more accurate targeting; and a robust power system for additional magazine depth – the ability to fire the laser for a longer period of time.
“You can take down dozens of drones on a single charge,” said Flores. “And if you are plugged into a generator, you have deep, rechargeable magazines.”
Mounted on a Polaris MRZR all-terrain vehicle, HELWS uses a variant of RI&S’ Multi-spectral Targeting System, an electro-optical/infrared sensor that detects, identifies and tracks unmanned aerial threats.
A prior version of HELWS was deployed in a forward operating environment earlier last year and recently passed 1,000 hours of operations. RI&S is contracted to deliver another further improved system to the Air Force later this year.
Learn more about RI&S’ Advanced Technologies.
More from Industry Spotlights
-
![“Adversaries have adapted”: how counter-UAS and space control will decide future conflicts]()
“Adversaries have adapted”: how counter-UAS and space control will decide future conflicts
In conversation... EOS's Andreas Schwer talks to Shephard's Ben Watts about how the Australian company is shifting its strategic focus to two technologies it sees as essential for success on the modern battlefield - C-UAS and space control.
-
![Tiltrotor: The Long-Range Maneuver Solution]()
Tiltrotor: The Long-Range Maneuver Solution
If competition turns to conflict, the United States, along with its allies and partners, must be prepared to confront peer and near-peer competitors capable of achieving parity in military capability.
-
![Introducing the MITR-M1 Half Mask: Tactical respiratory protection for every scenario]()
Introducing the MITR-M1 Half Mask: Tactical respiratory protection for every scenario
Counter terrorism, specialist firearms officers, special forces, explosive breaching, drug interdiction, riot control, indoor/outdoor shooting, environmental disaster response, first response, prisons and corrections: tactical operators across law enforcement, first responders, and the military face a vast array of low-mid level respiratory threats in their day-to-day operations.
-
![Need to develop AI-powered red pictures for battlefield situational awareness?]()
Need to develop AI-powered red pictures for battlefield situational awareness?
Leverage Systematic's SitaWare suite to fuse intelligence and share awareness of your opponent’s deployments and capabilities.
-
![Sustain capabilities and secure advantage with advanced Digital Engineering]()
Sustain capabilities and secure advantage with advanced Digital Engineering
CDS Defence & Security optimises defence systems with Digital Engineering and MBPS for peak performance. Learn more today!
-
![Solving production & supply chain challenges with additive manufacturing]()
Solving production & supply chain challenges with additive manufacturing
Boosting supply chain resilience with additive manufacturing: exploring solutions to production and logistics challenges.
