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Laser turrets for combat aircraft

01.02.2013

It is possible that in the near future, hanging on the tail of an enemy aircraft for a fighter pilot will become a deadly occupation. Defense science agency DARPA has signed a $9,5 million contract with Lockheed Martin to develop a defensive laser system for aircraft. As part of the Aero-Adaptive / Aero-Optic Beam Control (ABC) project, the US military wants to get high-energy lasers to protect tactical aircraft from enemy aircraft and missiles attacking from the rear hemisphere.

Currently, some bombers and military transport aircraft are equipped with stern gun mounts designed to protect against enemy fighters. A similar defensive system based on a laser emitter promises to be much more effective: "unlimited" ammunition, the highest accuracy of fire, the ability to intercept missiles, and low collateral damage. At the same time, it will be possible to equip with a laser not only heavy aircraft, but also light ones - fighters and attack aircraft. Initial tests of the turret are generally planned to be carried out on a business jet.

The defensive laser will be equipped with adaptive optics, that is, an optical system that can, by controlling the shape of lenses and mirrors, maintain the maximum efficiency of the laser beam, despite atmospheric conditions. Under the current contract, it is planned to develop a prototype turret, an optical system, conduct tests in a wind tunnel and install a prototype defensive laser on board the aircraft.

A laser turret to protect the aircraft from attacks from the rear hemisphere will significantly increase the survivability of military aircraft. Ground-based lasers have already proven effective in intercepting missiles and UAVs, and there is no doubt about their ability to blind the optical sensors of enemy aircraft and missiles. At the same time, the high-energy laser of the new defensive turret will be able not only to blind the pilot or infrared homing head, but also to damage the skin of an enemy fighter or missile.

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