A platoon of four laser Strykers prototypes will end up in the hands of an actual combat unit some time in 2022, according to Breaking Defense, with the laser system integrated into the vehicles’ existing hardware as soon as this December.
The service is also working to field a 300 kw Indirect Fires Protection Capability – High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) truck-mounted laser by 2024, according to Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, director for Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army
The 50kw Stryker will deploy primarily to swat unmanned aerial systems and incoming artillery rockets out of the sky, while the 300 kw version IFPC-HEL system could potentially channel enough power to counter incoming cruise missiles.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member