File image.
The Russian military has reportedly began using laser-based air defense systems against Ukrainian long-range, fixed-wing suicide drone.
Video footage showing a FP-1 drone being shot down by one such air defense system was posted to social networks on August 12. The laser reportedly burned the drone from a distance between two and two and a half kilometers within around ten seconds.
The FP-1 is one of the largest suicide drones currently in service with Kiev forces. The drone, which is guided via GPS-aided inertial navigation system, has a range of up to 1,600 kilometers and carries a warhead weighing around 120 kilograms.
The Russian military was documenting using laser-based air defense systems in the special military operation zone in the past. However, the systems observed before had a shorter range and were used against smaller fixed-wing suicide or reconnaissance drones.
Laser-based air defense systems offer several key advantages, including high accuracy, speed, low cost per engagement, and reduced reliance on ammunition. They can also provide a silent and invisible defense, with the potential for integration with other air defense systems.
In June, Russia announced that it had conducted large-scale tests of new laser-based systems designed to counter drones.
Eight different systems, from compact mobile units to powerful stationary ones, were tested against various types of unmanned aerial systems, including suicide and reconnaissance drones. First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov attended the tests.
“These technologies will form one of the key elements of the universal air defense system President Vladimir Putin recently called for,” the Board of the Military-Industrial Complex said.
The Ministry of Defense said at the time that tests confirmed the effectiveness of the systems, which were developed by companies under the Rostec and Rosatom state corporations. It also stated that the system had been validated for use in protecting critical infrastructure from drone attacks.
Following the successful tests, plans to begin serial production and wider deployment of these laser-based air defenses were put in place.
The interception seen in the recent footage was very likely carried out by one of the systems tested earlier in the year. More information on these systems will likely emerge in the near future.
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wow , it seems that the russian military improves or adds capability every day
why don’t you serve in first frontline?
low cost of engagement is the key -large drones cost $1 million each as per the usa,s own military media. laser weapons pay for themselves quickly in time of war.
but lasers have short ranges and thus, are ineffective against fast targets.
but you are never useful, is that what you’re saying?