The Army recently conducted a successful evaluation of the new Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense system, a 50kW-class laser designed to protect against unmanned aircraft systems, rotary and fixed-wing threats, rockets, artillery, and mortars.
The Pentagon is betting big that laser weapons, once firmly confined to the realm of science fiction, will prove to be critical battlefield technology.
A strong partnership between the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office and science and technology industry leaders led to the development and implementation of the first prototype in 24 months.
