Blighter Surveillance Systems’ A800 ground-based radar is expected to detect UAVs within a radius of 20 km.
The UK Army is combining 3D radars with laser weapons to fight drones more effectively. This became known with the Army Technology publication.
Raytheon UK has contracted with Blighter Surveillance Systems to supply A800 3D scanning radars to the UK Ministry of Defense as part of the Directed Laser Energy Weapons Programme. These ground complexes can detect and identify unmanned aerial vehicles within a radius of 20 km using multi-mode surveillance technology often used by large radar systems.
The military and developers will conduct tests at the UK Ministry of Defense test site to assess the equipment’s capabilities. Two A800 radars will identify targets and transmit information about them to a vehicle-mounted high-energy laser system, which is then expected to shoot down rogue enemy drones.
“Our A800 electronic scanning radar can work in sync with next-generation technologies to gain an advantage on the battlefield,” said James Long, CEO of Blighter. “We are proud to be able to share our experience in detecting threats when it comes to anti-UAV operations.”
Army Technology states that after years of research, directed energy weapons are now rapidly moving from experimental designs to actual use. According to GlobalData analysts, global spending on directed energy weapons is estimated at $4.1 billion in 2020, and developed countries are now dedicating more and more money to such technologies. In the last few years, energy weapons directed by the USA, Britain, China, Israel and even Russia have begun to be used. Experts note the high efficiency and accuracy of such systems, as well as ease of transportation.
In February, they wrote that the latest laser air defense system was tested in Israel. They will be able to shoot down Iranian-made missiles and drones, according to the Israeli military.
Shortly after, American companies Lockheed Martin and Raytheon presented laser systems for destroying drones at the IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Both fire high-energy beams that UAVs can’t dodge.
Source: Focus
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