Latest news with #Mk-II(A
Russia Today
14-04-2025
- Science
- Russia Today
India tests its first anti-drone laser weapon
India has joined an elite group of countries, including Russia, the US, and China, in having the capability to deploy high-energy laser weapons to neutralize drones and other aerial threats, officials have said. On Sunday, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a state-owned entity, successfully demonstrated its domestically-developed Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system with a test conducted at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. 'The lightning speed of engagement, the precision and the lethality delivered at the target within few seconds made it the most potent counter-drone system,' the DRDO said in a statement. According to DRDO officials quoted by news agency ANI, the system utilizes a 30-kilowatt laser beam to engage and destroy various targets, including fixed-wing drones, swarm drones, surveillance sensors, and antennae, with high speed and precision. The Mk-II(A) DEW system was developed by the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories, as well as academic institutions and Indian industries. The system features a 360-degree Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor, which enables precise targeting of aerial threats. CHESS DRDO conducted a successful field demonstration of the Land version of Vehicle mounted Laser Directed Weapon(DEW) MK-II(A) at Kurnool today. It defeated the fixed wing UAV and Swarm Drones successfully causing structural damage and disable the surveillance sensors. With… — DRDO (@DRDO_India) April 13, 2025 It has a range of five kilometers (3.1 miles) and is equipped with advanced electronic warfare capabilities, including communication and satellite signal jamming, allowing it to effectively neutralize aerial targets. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat told ANI that India has joined the US, Russia, and China in demonstrating a laser weapon system. Israel is currently working on similar technology. READ MORE: India to launch base for nuclear subs – media Kamat emphasized that the achievement is just the first step toward attaining an even greater goal. He also mentioned that DRDO is working on other advanced technologies, such as high-energy microwaves and electromagnetic pulses, with the goal of developing 'Star Wars-like' capabilities, of which the demonstrated laser system is just one component. Last week, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, drones have virtually emerged as a new combat arm, if not a transformative science. 'The majority of losses of soldiers and equipment have been attributed neither to traditional artillery nor to armor, but to drones.' 'Similarly, capacities in low earth orbit are transforming military intelligence, surveillance, positioning, targeting, and communications, taking combat to a new high,' he was cited by the Hindustan Times as saying. DRDO is currently developing a more advanced laser system, known as 'Surya', which will have a power output of 300 kilowatts and an operational range of 20 kilometers. This next-generation weapon is being designed to counter high-speed aerial threats, including missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), according to officials.
Times of Oman
13-04-2025
- Science
- Times of Oman
India demonstrates "Star Wars" capability to shoot down fixed-wing drones, swarm drones using high-power laser weapons
Kurnool: In a major success for the country, India on Sunday joined the select League of Nations, including the US, China and Russia, with the capability of shooting down fixed-wing drones and swarm drones using a high-energy 30-kilowatt laser beam. The successful trial of the Mk-II(A) Laser- Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system was showcased at the National Open Air Range (NOAR), Kurnool, mastering the technology of disabling missiles, drones and smaller projectiles, Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials told ANI here. Success has put India in the exclusive and limited club of nations that possess the high-power Laser-DEW. Speaking with ANI, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said, "As far as I know, it is the United States, Russia and China that have demonstrated this capability. Israel is also working on similar capabilities, I would say we are the fourth or fifth country in the world to demonstrate this system." Kamat said that this is just the "beginning of the journey", adding that DRDO is working on a number of technologies "that will give us Star Wars capability." "This is just the beginning of the journey. The synergy that this lab has achieved with other DRDO labs, industry and academia, I am sure we will reach our destination soon... We are also working on other high energy systems like high energy microwaves, electromagnetic pulse. So we are working on a number of technologies that will give us Star Wars capability. What you saw today was one of the components of Star Wars technologies," Kamat said. Indigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system was demonstrated in its entire spectrum of capability by engaging the fixed-wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae. The lightning speed of engagement, the precision and the lethality delivered to the target within few seconds made it the most potent Counter Drone System. DRDO's Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad, developed the system along with LRDE, IRDE, DLRL and academic institutions and Indian industries. Once detected by a radar or by its inbuilt Electro Optic (EO) system, laser-DEW can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of powerful light (Laser Beam) to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted. This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionize the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition while also lowering the risk of collateral damage. The proliferation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and the emergence of drone swarms as asymmetric threats are driving the demand for directed energy weapons with counter-UAS and counter-swarm capabilities. The DEW will soon be replacing traditional kinetic weapons and missile defence systems due to its ease of operation and cost-effectiveness. The requirement for cost-effective defence solutions to offset the low-cost drone attacks is driving the adoption of DEWs by military organisations worldwide. The cost of firing it for a few seconds is equivalent to the cost of a couple of litres of petrol. Therefore, it has the potential to be a long-term & low-cost alternative to defeat the target. Today's demonstration of the DEW System was witnessed by Secretary DDR&D and Chairman, DRDO. He congratulated the DRDO team and said that the inclusion of DEW Mk-II(A) in the services will boost their layered air defence capability. The Director General (ECS), along with the Directors and officers of DRDO Labs, were also present during the trial.
