The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has set up the Air Force’s first high-energy laser weapon system overseas for a 12-month field assessment. The Air Force Strategic Development Planning & Experimentation (SDPE) Office located here is leading the project. During the 12-month field assessment, the Air Force will be evaluating five systems. Field assessments began in January 2018 when the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Stephen Wilson, asked the Air Force to experiment with directed energy systems as an effort to transition game changing capability to the warfighter.
The Air Force will be evaluating the Raytheon High Energy Laser (HELWS), Raytheon High Power Microwave (PHASER), and the AFRL Tactical High Power Operational Responder (THOR) drone killer. AFRL is especially excited about the THOR field assessment, since it was developed in house. THOR is a directed energy game-changer. Drones are becoming more and more pervasive and can be used as weapons intended to cause harm to AFRL military bases at long standoff ranges. AFRL built the THOR weapon system as a deterrent against these type threats. THOR with its counter electronic technology can take down swarms of drones in rapid fire.Leading up to the current field assessment.
Raytheon’s High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS).
The overseas field assessments are allowing us to understand directed energy as a capability against drones. This gives us a better picture of the military utility, reliability and sustainability, training requirements and implementation with existing base defense. The next 12 months will allow the Air Force Research Laboratory to shape how the Air Force wants to move forward with both high energy lasers and high power microwaves against small drones. The intent of these systems are to be operationally used by the combatant commanders for the duration of the 12 months.
