The US Department of Defense's Advanced Defense Research Programs or DARPA, announced that the testing of a new laser beam gun has been successfully completed.
The new weapon system will be tested further this summer in real-world conditions in New Mexico. The objectives of his tests will be ground or aerial (rockets, artillery missiles, vehicles, etc.).
Το πρόγραμμα HELLADS από τα αρχικά High-Energy Liquid Laser Area System, developed by General Atomics in collaboration with DARPA.
Unlike other guided weapons energy, HELLADS units can be powered by lithium-ion batteries, which makes it possible to mount them in vehicles and aircraft.
His goal project HELLADS was the creation of a 150 kilowatt laser, which would weigh less than 750 kg, and its size would be less than 3 cubic meters.
In mid-April, the contractor DARPA, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), presented the 3rd generation HEL laser. It meets exactly those size specifications and is equipped with a generator which allows the production of 75 to 300 kilowatts.
Developers believe they can fit into GA-ASI's new Avenger drone. The drone's Jet engine reaches enough energy to charge the laser battery in flight. So it will essentially be a weapon without ammunition as reported by RT.
DARPA's ultimate goal is to incorporate the new weapon system into ships, land vehicles, small or larger aircraft,
According to DARPA, the new weapon system is ten times smaller and lighter than today's lasers of the same power.