Placing laser weapons on smaller aerial test platforms is a whole new challenge. Robert Afzal, senior researcher of Lockheed Martin’s laser weapons, said. According to Lockheed Martin, the United States has developed the green laser pointer weapon for more than 40 years. At the current level, laser weapons can be used in Destroy small missiles, artillery shells, rockets, drones, small attack boats, light combat vehicles, etc. within 1 mile (1.6 km).
The company has also previously tested 10-kilowatt and 30-kilowatt laser weapons. Compared with traditional weapons, laser weapons have the unique advantages of fastness, accuracy, immunity to electromagnetic interference, and high cost-effectiveness. They are regarded as “future weapons that change the rules of war.” .
The U.S. Navy, Air Force and Air Force all have their own laser weapon development programs. In 2013, the U.S. Navy demonstrated the ability to shoot down enemy drones with ship-based tactical lasers; in November 2014, the U.S. Navy used the Green Laser Pointer weapon to hit enemy dinghies for the first time at sea. At present, the United States is in the process of developing a sixth-generation fighter, which will be equipped with laser and microwave directional energy weapons for short-range self-defense. It is said that it can achieve close-range “seckill” to enemy aircraft.