00:00Laser weapons, long relegated to science fiction, are now an integral part of modern military innovation.
00:08Offering extreme precision, unparalleled speed, and the ability to neutralize targets without conventional munitions,
00:15these systems are revolutionizing defense and offense.
00:19Military powers around the world are investing in the development of lasers capable of destroying drones, missiles, or even aircraft in mid-flight.
00:27That's why in this video, we invite you to discover the best military laser weapons.
00:35Ready? Well, let's go!
00:40Number 1, Dragonfire
00:42The Dragonfire is a laser-directed energy weapon system developed by the United Kingdom.
00:51It was first unveiled in 2017 at the Defense and Security Equipment International Conference in London
00:57and is currently under development by the UK Dragonfire Consortium, comprising MBDA UK, Leonardo UK Kinetic, and the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory.
01:11Its objective is to provide short-range air defense and to be used by the British Army and the Royal Navy.
01:16This device uses laser beams to intercept and destroy aerial targets such as drones, missiles, and other floating objects.
01:28The system is capable of firing lasers with exceptional accuracy, equivalent to hitting a 1LB.
01:3423M coin at 1 km.
01:36Initial low-power tests took place in 2022, followed by high-power tests in November 2022.
01:46In January 2024, Dragonfire was tested against aerial targets in Scotland.
01:54Each Dragonfire unit includes a high-power laser mounted on vehicles or ships, along with an advanced guidance and tracking system.
02:00The system is designed to be cost-effective, with each shot costing approximately $12.50.
02:08It is expected to enter service on Royal Navy ships starting in 2027.
02:14Number 2, Iron Beam
02:15Iron Beam is a directed-energy missile defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in collaboration with Lockett Martin.
02:25It was first demonstrated at the 2014 Singapore Air Show and is expected to enter service in 2025.
02:37Designed to intercept and destroy rockets, artillery shells, mortars, and drones at short-range,
02:42the Iron Beam system uses a 100 kW high-energy laser to neutralize threats.
02:47It is capable of engaging targets at a range of up to 7 km and at an altitude of 3 to 15 km.
02:58It uses advanced radar systems and optical sensors to detect, track, and engage threats.
03:04The laser beam generated by the system destroys targets through a combination of intense heat and pressure.
03:10Each of these units includes a high-power laser mounted on a vehicle or fixed platform as well as an advanced guidance and tracking system.
03:21The system is designed to be cost-effective, with each shot costing approximately $2 to $5.
03:26In addition, it can operate day or night, regardless of weather conditions.
03:31Thus, the Iron Beam complements Israel's other missile defense systems, such as the Iron Dew, David Sling, and Arrow missiles,
03:40providing multi-layered protection against a variety of aerial threats.
03:47Number 3, the High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, aka ILEOS,
03:53is a directed energy defense system developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Navy.
03:57This system combines a high-energy laser with optical surveillance capabilities.
04:08Designed to intercept aerial threats such as drones, missiles, and small craft,
04:12it uses a high-power fiber optic laser combining multiple lasers to achieve an output of 60 kW.
04:21Furthermore, the system is also modular and can be upgraded to higher laser power levels,
04:25potentially reaching 120 kW.
04:30And beyond that, ILEOS is integrated into the IGUS combat system,
04:34which is a naval defense system that integrates advanced radars and missiles to detect,
04:38track, and destroy enemy targets.
04:42The latter is capable of managing more than 100 tracks simultaneously at a range of over 100 nautical miles.
04:49Returning to the ILEOS, it should be noted that it can be mounted on
04:52Harley Burke-class destroyers like the U.S. SPR Bell.
04:57In addition, it offers long-range surveillance, reconnaissance, and counter-surveillance capabilities
05:02for unmanned aerial systems.
05:05It should also be noted that it is designed for continuous operations without the need
05:09for additional energy storage using the ship's available power.
05:12It therefore offers a rapid and accurate response to threats with a very low cost per target.
05:20Number 4, Peresvet
05:24The Peresvet is a mobile military laser system developed by Russia for air defense and anti-satellite warfare.
05:29It was first unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2018 and entered active service in December 2019.
05:40The system is named after Alexander Peresvet, a 14th century Russian warrior monk.
05:48It uses a high-energy laser mounted on a semi-trailer vehicle to target and disorient enemy electronic optical systems,
05:55including drones, missiles, and satellites. The system is capable of operating in a variety of weather conditions,
06:02although it is most effective in clear weather. Furthermore, it can be used day or night.
06:10It is primarily used to protect strategic missile divisions and other strategic installations.
06:17Each of these units includes a high-power laser, a surveillance radar, an advanced guidance and tracking system,
06:23and a command post. The system can also be moved quickly. It is thus capable of shooting down drones at a range of 5 kilometers.
06:35Number 5, LMAP
06:38The high-energy laser for multiple applications power, also known as LMAP, is a directed energy defense
06:44system developed by the French company Compagnie Industrielle des Lasers, also known as CILAS.
06:49The project was supported by the Defense Innovation Agency and began testing in 2020.
06:58This system is designed to detect, identify, track, and neutralize aerial targets such as drones,
07:04robots, radars, improvised explosive devices, as well as rockets, artillery shells, and mortars.
07:13It does this by using a high-energy laser that can be deployed permanently on the ground,
07:17mounted on land vehicles, or mounted on ships.
07:22The system offers an extended range of one to several kilometers and can have progressive effects
07:26ranging from optical jamming to neutralization or destruction of targets.
07:32It is also known for being extremely discreet, invisible, and silent.
07:38Each of these units includes a high-power laser, a surveillance radar,
07:42an advanced guidance and tracking system, and a command post.
07:47The system is capable of operating day and night and is immune to jamming.
07:53It has already been tested on land and at sea, demonstrating its ability to engage
07:57moving drones at a distance of one kilometer.
08:00It should be noted that it is still in the testing phase.
08:05In June 2023, the French Navy conducted a new series of tests of the system aboard the destroyer horizon
08:11in the Mediterranean Sea.
08:14These tests aim to assess its effectiveness against drone threats in a maritime environment.
08:20It is expected to be integrated into the French Army by 2025.
08:23However, the Ministry of the Armed Forces had already planned to deploy it to secure major events
08:29such as the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
08:32Number 6, LWD
08:36The laser weapon demonstrator, also known as LWD, is a directed energy defense system developed by
08:42Germany in collaboration with MBDA, Dutchland, GmbH, and Rain Metal.
08:47Testing began in June 2022 and ended in September 2023.
08:54This system was notably tested aboard the German warship Sarsen and was designed to
08:58demonstrate the effectiveness of lasers in a maritime environment.
09:04Following the successful completion of sea trials in September 2023,
09:08the LWD is currently undergoing a detailed examination phase.
09:12The results of these trials will be used to minimize risks and prepare for a possible
09:16development phase of an operational laser weapon system.
09:21It is therefore expected to join the German Army around 2027.
09:25It uses a high-energy laser to engage and destroy targets such as drones, missiles, and small boats.
09:32The system was tested in various complex and realistic scenarios
09:36and conducted more than 100 firings during these trials.
09:39It has thus proven its ability to neutralize targets in a maritime environment.
09:43Each of these units includes a high-power laser, a surveillance radar, an advanced guidance and
09:50tracking system, and a command post.
09:54The system is designed to be integrated into existing combat systems such as the AGIS system
09:59and offers a rapid and precise response to threats.
10:01It is therefore clear that military laser weapons represent a major technological advancement offering
10:10effective and cost-effective solutions to modern threats.
10:15Their ability to operate continuously without traditional munitions and to strike targets at
10:19the speed of light makes them a decisive asset.
10:23However, these systems are still evolving and still pose many strategic technical and ethical challenges.
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