Lasers in warfare: From sci‑fi fantasy to battlefield reality
Laser weaponry stirs a variety of emotions. It is often associated with science fiction films, such as the "Star Wars" universe or "Star Trek." However, it is gradually becoming a part of everyday military life.
Laser weaponry is a type of directed-energy weapon, alongside microwave, plasma, or sonic weapons. A laser itself is a device that emits an electromagnetic beam utilising the phenomenon of stimulated emission, with a beam of low divergence.
In a brief period, it can release a beam at the speed of light, offering remarkable accuracy for military purposes. Lasers have been present in the military for decades, initially used for weapon targeting (via various methods) or for measuring the distance to a target (laser rangefinders). Today, with devices having power in the range of several kilowatts and more, it is possible to create laser "cannons."
Such devices are capable of blinding the enemy's electro-optics, and in the case of higher power systems, even destroying lightly constructed devices such as drones. Increased military laser power will eventually enable them to combat increasingly "hardened" targets, such as aeroplanes or lighter vehicles.
The advantages of laser weaponry include extremely high accuracy, essentially guaranteeing a hit as long as the target is within range and the fire control system and laser guidance function correctly. Moreover, a "shot" from a laser is remarkably inexpensive.
Lasers, however, are not yet fully mature solutions and are sensitive to weather conditions, thus having a limited effective range (hence they will not replace rockets anytime soon). The beam cannot overcome terrain obstacles, and the "shot" requires storing and transferring relatively large amounts of energy, which remains a challenging task. This does not mean it's impossible.
The debut of the Trident
Recently, the Armed Forces of Ukraine boasted of using what is supposedly their own Trident system. This system reportedly combats low-flying targets effectively, which experts believe refers to flying bombs from the Shahed family, various types of drones, and so forth.
Col. Vadim Sukharevskyi, who provided information about the Trident and is the commander of drone units in the Ukrainian army, offered scant information on the subject. The existence of the weapon was revealed in December last year, and since then, the Trident has supposedly been used in combat. However, it's unclear whether it is a single prototype or if there are more units. Most importantly, it's uncertain if it's Ukrainian-manufactured weaponry at all.
Contemporary laser weaponry
The notion of using lasers as a weapon is not new and is not confined solely to science fiction. Some of the most known examples include the Soviet mobile system 1K17 on the chassis of the self-propelled 2S19 Msta-S gun (a 12-channel laser optical system using an artificial ruby weighing about 30 kg) or the American airborne YAL-1 (which used a Boeing 747-400F as its platform). Today's lasers, of course, differ greatly from these early systems, as well as from devices known from pop culture, resembling more old anti-aircraft searchlights or optoelectronic heads: they are therefore not particularly captivating to look at.
Currently, many countries are working on "laser cannons." The term itself is very imprecise as these "cannons" can have power from several kilowatts to several hundred and more. Ultimately, they may be integrated onto platforms used in all domains. Lasers are initially expected mainly to serve defensive roles, destroying everything that comes from beyond the front line: rockets, drones, artillery shells, mortars… In this role, they are expected eventually (at least partially) to replace low-calibre cannons of limited effectiveness, for which destroying a target is relatively costly.
It's no surprise that one of the primary development directions is the installation of lasers on ships, as they (at least theoretically) offer substantial space and energy reserves. One of the better-described programmes is the British DragonFire, developed by a consortium including MBDA UK, Leonardo, and QinetiQ, operating under the auspices of the government DSTL centre. According to MBDA declarations, DragonFire can track and hit an object the size of a one-pound coin from a distance of about 1 kilometre.
The main component of the system is a 50 kW laser, intensively tested over several years. The cost of firing (lasting about 10 seconds) is estimated at about 10 British pounds. The laser is intended for Type 45 destroyers and Type 23, 26, and 31 frigates. In 2024, media speculated about the possibility of delivering one DragonFire unit (in a land configuration) to Ukraine as military aid – it is possible that indeed Trident is simply the British "DragonFire."
In Germany, a similar device was tested on the Sachsen-class frigate 124. Tests conducted in 2022-2023 demonstrated the capacity of a device developed by MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition to neutralise aerodynamic targets. The entire system was housed in a 6-metre container temporarily installed amidships.
Meanwhile, the US Navy was running the HELIOS programme, which initially produced a laser with power up to 60 kW (with the option to enhance to 150 kW), then to 150-300 kW, and ultimately above 500 kW. The first was a demonstrative device tested, for instance, on the Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyer; however, future production versions are intended to serve for the self-defence of American ships.
On land, Americans are also making progress, albeit inconsistently. In the summer of 2024, successful efforts were reported towards developing a 50 kW DE M-SHORAD laser on a Stryker vehicle platform and a palletised P-HEL with a power of 20 kW. Interestingly, the lighter system had shown slightly higher effectiveness earlier. Ultimately, the primary carrier of defensive lasers for the US Army is to be the JLTV tactical vehicle due to its widespread use. In the future, Americans aim to have a device with power sufficient to destroy a target from a distance of even 10 kilometres (requiring effectiveness on the target with power of 4 kW per cm²).
Other countries don't want to lag behind; for example, China is developing the Laser Arrow system on a 6x6 tactical vehicle chassis, and Israel is working on the 100 kW (ultimately 300 kW) Iron Beam at a "shot" cost of approximately 3.5 dollars, with development accelerated after the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Lasers are also expected to return to the air. On one hand, they are to be standalone and primary armament components mounted on unmanned platforms (e.g., MQ-9 Reaper) and, in this form, intended to combat enemy missiles or drones. On the other hand, some experts propose that lasers might constitute a kind of active protection system for 5th and 6th generation fighter aircraft. They would then focus on destroying anti-aircraft missiles.
