Boeing's Compact Laser Weapons System tracks, irradiates, and disables drones (VIDEO)

Aug. 31, 2015
A battery-operated 2 kW fiber laser and other components are easily set up in the field.

Boeing's portable Compact Laser Weapons System (emitting aperture is seen at left; laser module aimed at ground target, right) can shoot down drones via a 2 kW beam from its fiber laser. (Images: Boeing)

Boeing has developed and tested a portable, battery-operated laser system that can shoot down small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones. The system, simply called the Compact Laser Weapons System, was successfully tested at an exercise at Point Mugu, CA where it tracked and disabled a moving, untethered drone. The system is a "little brother" to Boeing's High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator.

(Video: Boeing)

The Compact Laser Weapons System consists of four portable box-sized components containing a 2 kW fiber laser, the battery power supply, a water-cooled chiller, and a beam director. The system can be quickly set up in the field due to its simple interconnects. Boeing notes that the new beam director is 40% lighter than the previous version.

In operation, the laser beam is focused at a single point on the drone, with the tracking system causing the beam to dwell on that one spot. Drones are disabled in about 15 seconds.

Source: Boeing

Sponsored Recommendations

Advancing Neuroscience Using High-Precision 3D Printing

March 7, 2025
Learn how Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Used High-Precision 3D Printing to Advance Neuroscience Research using 3D Printed Optical Drives.

From Prototyping to Production: How High-Precision 3D Printing is Reinventing Electronics Manufacturing

March 7, 2025
Learn how micro 3D printing is enabling miniaturization. As products get smaller the challenge to manufacture small parts increases.

Sputtered Thin-film Coatings

Feb. 27, 2025
Optical thin-film coatings can be deposited by a variety of methods. Learn about 2 traditional methods and a deposition process called sputtering.

What are Notch Filters?

Feb. 27, 2025
Notch filters are ideal for applications that require nearly complete rejection of a laser line while passing as much non-laser light as possible.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!