The heavily armored vehicles with laser cannons will be deployed by the US Army over the next three years, according to a Pentagon official.
Each of the future weapons systems generates enough energy to power several homes and can shoot down drones, helicopters and incoming missiles.
Officially known as "Directed-energy weapons" (DEWs), these combat lasers will hit the battlefield in 2022 in an experimental platoon of four vehicles, according to an official Army report.
“Now is the time to bring directed energy weapons to the battlefield,” wrote Lt. Gen. L. Neil Thurgood, director of advanced hypersonic and directed energy weapons projects, in a Pentagon report.
Lieutenant General L. Neil Thurgood continues:
“The Army recognizes the need to use directional energy lasers as part of the Army's modernization plan. This is no longer research development or demonstration of capabilities. This is a strategic combat capability and we are already on the way to deliver these weapons into the hands of our soldiers."
Army researchers have been working on this latest weapon for several years. High-energy lasers capable of attacking targets at the speed of light are one of the most promising ways to protect the army from growing air threats, according to the Army.
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Air threats of concern to the US military are a massive attack by low-tech missiles or UAVs loaded with explosives.
In recent years, such devices have often been used in various attacks and, although they could be destroyed with conventional weapons, even a simple air defense missile itself is too expensive compared to jet mines. Sometimes even an ordinary cannon cartridge will be more expensive than such a device.
Laser weapons eliminate this problem: a shot will cost nothing but energy. In addition, the energy cannons do not require reloading, there are no problems with barrel wear, cooling and rate of fire.
The new laser cannons will be installed on the standard vehicles of the US Army "Stryker" - eight-wheeled armored beasts capable of speeds up to 60 mph on any terrain. The extreme temperatures generated by these new cannons can instantly vaporize an enemy drone and even melt an enemy tank's armor.
The cannons look like a small rotating light source protruding from the back of vehicles. It is they who are supposed, for a start, to be used against air threats.
The cannons generate 50 kilowatts of electricity - about the same as three small buildings.
According to the army, along with drones and missiles, the laser can also be used to destroy helicopters and aircraft. In addition, if the selected target is sufficiently protected, the lasers have the option to aim at the target simultaneously, focusing already 200 kilowatts at one point.
It is not clear at this point how large the full DEW rollout will be, or where these new funds will go first. Nevertheless, it is known that the Russians are also working on similar projects, and the Royal Navy is testing sea-based combat lasers to protect our fleet from missiles. Program price is £ 30 million.