Indian Laser and Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Thread

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DRDO developing high energy beam weapons; project likely to be completed by 2017

[Representative Image] India's DRDO is developing directed energy weapons that can beam high energy (laser, electromagnetic, microwaves) to take on a UAV or ballistic missiles. In Picture: An Indian army soldier stands guard next to an Indian army's communications and radar facility at the India-Pakistan border near Amritsar, May 25, 2002.Reuters
In what is being dubbed as Star Wars-like weapons, India's premier defence research lab Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is said to be developing Directed Energy Weapons (DEW). This could include the use of high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves as weapons of the future.
Countries like the U.S., Russia, China and others are far ahead of India in the research and development of DEW, and India too is "trying to make some headway towards such futuristic weapons," theTimes of India reported.
DRDO is currently working on a 10-kilowatt DEW that will enable the armed forces to take down targets like UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). It is also working on the "establishment of critical technologies of precision tracking/pointing and laser beam combination," the report said.
DRDO has already tested the "system" for a range of 800 meters at its Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS). It was reportedly shown to the armed forces at Ramgarh, Haryana, based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in 2015.
DRDO has also developed smaller systems like laser-based ordnance disposal of IEDs and mines, hand-held laser dazzlers for use against terrorist and vehicle-mounted laser dazzlers to control mobs.
The New Delhi-based Laser Science and Technology Centre, a DRDO lab, is said to be working on a variety of weapon systems ranging from "chemical oxygen iodine lasers" to "high-power fiber lasers" for strategic applications. One of the projects in development is a 25-kilowatt laser that is being designed to target a "terminal phase" ballistic missile, at a range of 5 to 7 kms.
The government released Rs 115 crore in February 2014 to CHESS in order to develop "experimental technology modules for directed energy laser systems," and this added impetus to the project, which is scheduled to be completed by July 2017.
The DEW is not new to the defence ministry's planners, since the development of DEWs and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons was classified as "top-priority area" in the 15-year "technology perspective and capability roadmap" that was prepared by the ministry.
The TOI report also noted the operational significance of such weapon systems -- cost-effective and flexible, can engage multiple targets, silent and stealthy, no limitation on stock or magazine capacity and has pinpoint accuracy.
However, one of the challenges for the DRDO scientists is to have a solid-state laser DEWs that can be used from aircraft and warships, and which can destroy enemy ballistic missiles in their "boost phase" itself and not wait until the "terminal phase."
 

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10kW for taking down UAVs. Future Destroyers will use 100kW solid state laser weapon, both for offence and defence. Firing for 1st time will consume much energy, reload time depends on that and cooling quickly. First Railgun by US was able to burst only once. But ours will be different from theirs. It will happen as missiles will be toys of past.
 

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DRDO beings testing of Gas dynamic laser-based Aditya technology demonstrator

DRDO’s Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC) which have been tasked to build India’s Star Wars-like weapon systems for the Indian Armed forces in the near future have finally begun testing a vehicle-mounted “gas dynamic laser-based DEW system dubbed ” Aditya” which is a technology demonstrator to prove beam control technology.
Above image tweeted by prominent defence journalist Saurav Jha courtesy of DRDO is a directed energy weapons (DEWs) technology demonstrator dubbed Aditya which is mounted on a truck.
The directed energy weapons (DEWs) technology uses subatomic particles or electromagnetic waves at the speed of sound to cripple or destroys their targets. DRDO’s LASTEC has been tasked to develop a slew of DEWs which can be used by Armed forces to control rioting crowds to high-powered lasers to destroy incoming missiles.
LASTEC will be developing Lethal and Non-Lethal variants of which in Non-lethal variants hand-held DEWs have been developed which are easy to carry and can be used in disorienting single adversaries, LASTEC will develop DEWs which can be used as Crowd-control dazzlers mounted on vehicles to dispel rioting mobs and another variant planned will be development of Laser-based ordnance disposal system which can be used to neutralise IEDs and other explosives from a distance.
In lethal variants, LASTEC will develop Air-defence variant of DEWs which can be used against UAVs, Helicopters at a range of 5-10kms which can guard airspace of an area of 10 km with a 360° view,
other key development will be of a 25-kilowatt laser systems to destroy missiles during their terminal phase under 10km range, where the missile skin will be heated to 200-300 degree leading to warhead inside the missile to detonate mid-air and ultimate DEWs which will be developed over a period of few year will be that of 100-kilowatt solid-state laser systems, mounted on aircraft and ships, to destroy missiles in their boost phase itself .
 

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Awesome, Simply awesome. It is tested fro 800 M. Next one shall have a range of 7 km.
It is great. We must use these lasers to dig a hole in the bodies of Porki intruders.
Or important task is to catch up with US, Russia and China.
Come on man, ignore porkis, they can't make a simple laser pointer. :rolleyes:
We have much important things instead of wasting time on them.
 

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Or important task is to catch up with US, Russia and China.
Come on man, ignore porkis, they can't make a simple laser pointer. :rolleyes:
We have much important things instead of wasting time on them.
I am not telling to compete with porkies but I simply tell that we should use it against terrorist to neutralize them to a greater distance without bullet.
 

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@HariPrasad-1 Anyway, if you want something against terrorists,
DRDO's Active Denial System(ADS)
‘Active denial systems to smoke terrorists out of hideouts’ - The Hindu
Active Denial System - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Directed-energy weapon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Directed Energy Weapons, India’s Strategic Game Changer? |
‘Active denial systems to smoke terrorists out of hideouts’


The active denial systems (ADS) being developed by the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) can freeze terrorists without causing any physical harm. It can create an uncomfortable pain-like feeling in terrorists taking shelter at a safe zone and force them to come out from their hideout.

This system works with High Power Electro Magnetic Waves which is part of developing Electromagnetic Warfare.

Disclosing these details at a lecture on ‘Opportunities for Research in DRDO’ held at GITAM, Hyderabad campus, on Friday, V. Bhujanga Rao, Director General (Naval Systems and Materials), DRDO, said that the defence organisation has also been developing microprocessors – Anurag and Anupama – to meet the requirements. Informing that Rs. 15,000 crore is being released annually by the Union Government to take up research by 52 establishments across the nation, Dr. Bhujanga Rao said that it took Rs. 20,000-crore investment and two decades of struggle involving 500 industries to develop Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Stating that the engines of LCA need to be developed indigenously, he said that the process is on. Dr. Bhujanga Rao also explained radar technologies covering different radius, 3D mobile range surveillance radar systems that are being used at border areas, array radar systems, weapon locating radars, airborne radar system and aerostat technology. Informing about Lakshya, Nishant and Rustum, he said even a man walking on the road or any vehicle can be identified through these systems.

“It is costing about $20,000 to take a payload of one kilogram into the space and we want to reduce it to $200 by 2050,” he said.

GITAM Pro-Vice-Chancellor R. Shiva Kumar, Director N. Shiva Prasad and others were present.

System is part of developing Electromagnetic Warfare, says DRDO Director General Bhujanga Rao
 

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India is currently working upon a series of DEWs to improve its anti-ballistic missile capability. According to officials at the Laser Science and Technology Center (LASTEC), a laboratory developing lasers and related technologies, belonging to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) – an agency under India’s Ministry of Defence working on various areas of military technology while striving to meet cutting edge weapons technology requirements – a laser weapon (one among the DEWs pack) could fire a beam with a potency of 25 kilowatts to intercept and destruct an incoming ballistic missile in its terminal phase within the range of seven kilometers (4.3 miles). The targeting laser beam raises the shell temperature of the ballistic missile to 400+ degrees Fahrenheit, as a consequence of which the ballistic missile would explode.

Work is also in progress for a 100-kilowatt solid-state laser system to eliminate missiles that are in their boost phase. Besides, LASTEC, functioning under the DRDO, with a mandate to develop DEWs for the Indian Armed Forces, announced in 2010 that it was developing a vehicle-mounted gas dynamic laser-based DEW system under its Aditya project, slated for completion by 2013. Having already overshot its time stipulation, this project is still a work in progress. Once ready, the Aditya project will be a technology demonstrator to prove beam control technology. Last, LASTEC will commence developing solid-state lasers, for which no timeline has yet been set, at least in the public domain.

The Ray of Death: Directed-Energy Weapons » Indian Defence Review
Saurav Jha's Blog : Interview with the Chief of DRDO, Avinash Chander -Part II
 

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DEW's Programme Update -

DRDO has confirmed that it has recently undertaken a project for the development of a self-contained HMV-mounted laser weapon system for detection/tracking and physical destruction of UAVs up to a range of 5 km under normal environmental conditions.​

Preliminary system design architecture and technology gaps have been identified and efforts are being made for international collaborations for fast-track development in the project.

100 kW Class Directed Energy Laser Weapon System is very powerful Laser which DRDO is developing said Defence Expert Vinayak Shetty when he first heard about it and it will have ability to take down much more then UAV’s thanks to such a powerful Laser said Shetty. he further explained that only Last year U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin to design, build and test a 60-kilowatt electric laser to be integrated and tested in a truck-mounted weapon system demonstrator which will have ability to counter rockets, artillery, mortars and unmanned aerial threats.

Chinese companies recently developed a powerful anti-drone laser for use in urban areas. 10 kilowatt lasers has ability to target mini-UAVs like quad copters and hand launched drones which could be used by terrorists to scout out attacks, or act as impromptu bombers on Urban areas. Laser has a range of 2km and a 50 metre altitudes.

US Navy is currently fielding the Laser Weapons System (LaWS), a 15-50kW laser on board USS Ponce which is an Austin-class amphibious transport dock of the United States Navy which has ability to target drones and enemy missiles .​
From the Indian Defence Expo 2014 -





DRDO's Counter IED 1 KW Laser - enables remote disposal of surface laid unexploded ordnances, mines, directional mines and IEDs. The laser is mounted on a Light Security Vehicle made by TATA Motors. The system’s effective range is 30-250 meters. The smaller aperture adjacent to the main laser unit is a rangefinder, designed to determine the exact distance to target. The system also employs a target sighting camera.

Range 50 to 250 meters.
 

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It's for Targeting Drones as well.
Link from TOI.
DRDO working on Star Wars-like weapons








A stormtrooper in front of a to-scale 'Star Wars' TIE fighter. DRDO is working on Star Wars-like weapons. (AP photo for representation purpose)
New Delhi: From "heat rays" in H G Wells' science fiction novel 'The War of the Worlds' of 1898 to galactic super-lasers in George Lucas' continuing 'Star Wars' film saga, concentrated energy weapons have been fantasised about for long without them becoming operationally viable.
But advanced militaries now think directed energy weapons (DEWs) like high-energy lasers and high-powered microwaves will become strategic game-changers in the not-too-distant a future. While the US, Russia, China and others are leagues ahead in the race to develop advanced DEWs, though their actual operational deployment is still some distance away, India is also trying to make some headway towards such futuristic weapons.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already tom-tomming its ongoing development of a 10-kilowatt DEW against UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) like targets, with "the establishment of critical technologies of precision tracking/pointing and laser beam combination".
The "system" has been tested up to a range of 800 meters at its Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), and was also demonstrated to the armed forces at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory's firing range at Ramgarh (Haryana) in September last year.

Development of DEWs and electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons has been identified as a top-priority area in the 15-year "technology perspective and capability roadmap" chalked out by the defence ministry, as reported by TOI earlier.
The DRDO, often criticised for huge time and cost overruns in its projects, says smaller systems like laser-based ordnance disposal of IEDs and mines, hand-held laser dazzlers to overpower armed terrorists and vehicle-mounted laser dazzlers for controlling unruly mobs have already been developed.
But the real challenge will be in achieving the declared aim to develop solid-state laser DEWs for aircraft and warships, which can destroy enemy ballistic missiles in their "boost phase itself", somewhat akin to what is already being tested by the US.
The DRDO's Laser Science & Technology Centre is working on an array of systems from "chemical oxygen iodine lasers" to "high-power fiber lasers" for st-rategic uses, which includes a 25-kilowatt laser to take on a ballistic missile du-ring its "terminal phase" at a distance of 5-7 km.
All this has gained momentum after the government in February 2014 sanctioned Rs 115 crore for de-velopment of "experimental technology modules for directed energy laser syst-ems" by CHESS, with the project completion date being set for July 2017.
 

Navnit Kundu

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The Dazzler weapon and this Aditya technology demonstrator are technologically different, although both are DEWs. Dazzler causes temporary optical obfuscation of cameras, optics and eyes so an exception has been made by the 1995 UN resolution on blinding weapons. Dazzler can be used, at the most on cameras and protesters, rioters, without burning or permanent damage. Aditya and Kali are the real DEW in the true sense of the word. Different types of weapons for different types of enemies.

Basically, Aditya is meant for Raheel Sharif, Dazzler is meant for Barkha Dirt.
 

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This weapon is truly a beauty.
Isn't it? :biggrin2:
DRDO's Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Program & LASTEC's Aditya Project



DRDO's CHESS (Center for High Energy Systems and Science), Hyderabad is developing Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems for use by the Indian Armed Forces (AFs).

Laser Science and Technology Center (LASTEC) is developing laser source technologies for Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), as also for dazzling and imaging applications.

LASTEC Capability Development

LASTEC has developed core technologies including Gas Dynamic Laser (GDL) and Chemical Oxygen Iodine Lasers (COIL) and demonstrated 100 kW (multi mode) GDL and 20 kW (single mode) COIL sources.

LASTEC's Aditya Gas Dynamic High Power Laser based Directed Energy System

LASTEC's Aditya project was an experimental test bed to seed the critical DEW technologies. The Gas Dynamic High Power laser based Directed Energy System can be broadly divided into two major subsystems:


  1. Laser Power Source
  2. Beam Delivery System






The Laser beam used in a DEW is subject to attenuation (loss of intensity) due to atmospheric air and jitter due to the turbulence within the atmospheric air. The damage caused by the beam progressively reduces with target distance.

In order to cause the stipulated damages at 0.8 km and 2.5 km distance using a 0.7 m aperture telescope, laser power of the order of 100 kW is required . The beam delivery system has to simultaneously perform several roles. It acquires and tracks the distant static and moving target in real time and points and focuses the laser beam on the target. The adaptive optical system has to compensate for the jitter and wave front distortion of the laser beam from the source.



The technology related to laser source, beam delivery and issues related to system integration on mobile platforms were addressed during the execution of the Aditya project which will provide useful input to future laser weapon programs of DRDO



You can read more about the Aditya project here.
DEW for Use Against UAVs

One of the DEW weapon systems being developed would target UAV's.

Project Progress

In July 2015, CHESS invited tenders for 3 radio control (RC) aero models with minimum wingspan of 1600-mm, min. wing area of 800 sq in., and min fuselage length of 1200-mm. The aero-models should be able to fly at altitudes in excess of 400-m.

It's likely that the procurement is aimed at field testing the IIR sight CHESS has developed for its anti UAV weapon. Typically battlefield mini UAVs fly at around 1000-ft AGL in order to stay clear of small arm fire.


Earlier on March 2, 2015 CHESS invited tenders for Off-axis concave and convex parabolic mirrors.

The concave mirror is required to have a parent focal length of 2000mm and mirror diameter of 150mm, while the convex mirror is required to have a parent focal length of 200mm and a mirror diameter of 25mm.

In early July 2015, DRDO's IRDE (Instruments Research & Development Establishment), Dehradun invited tenders for supply of High Resolution thermal imager for CHESS platform.

The IRDE tender seeks a Thermal Imager based on Pelican-D 640x512 MWIR IDDCA with 14.5X zoom capability. The Imager is required to have recognition range capability of 5-km against a 1.5m x 3m UAV target.

IDDCA (Interleaved Double Dynamical Clustering Analysis) is a sampling algorithm based on clustering.

It appears that the imager being sought by IRDE would be used to aim a DEW developed by CHESS for use against UAVs.

Indian Navy's Interest in DEW

An HT report dated July 20, 2015 quoted a senior navy officer as saying that the Navy plans to develop and deploy high-energy lasers and high-power microwave weapons on Navy ships.

"The navy’s policy and plans wing has identified directed-energy weapons as a key long-term development project. We are sharpening focus on it,” said another officer familiar with the plan.
 

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