News Background: Recently, in the UK Farnborough International Air Show, Raytheon Company unveiled its latest laser air defense weapon system, saying the weapons in a weapons test site in the U.S. Navy, will be 3.2 km from the four non- Human burned. This, once again raised the concern of the world on laser weapons. August, India, Russia and other developing countries have also spread airborne laser anti-missile or the news. In response, some people suspected of Raytheon is a commercial speculation, some people screamed danger. The laser has long trial in the military field is an indisputable fact, people are more concerned about laser weapons, how far away from actual combat? On this topic, the reporter has interviewed the deputy director of the National Defense University military science and technology teaching Professor Li Lifu.
Have been calling for 50 years, laser weapons, get Sha to attract the eye today?
Q: Not long ago, the U.S. laser weapons in the Farnborough International air show extravaganza, so why so much movement, so interesting?
A: The development and testing of laser weapons even counting from 1960, it has been half a century. But this exhibition of laser weapons the United States there are three “bright spot”: one out of the new products exhibited carrier solid-state laser; second means of high publicity, the pilot announced opponent is no robust in much of the battlefield in Iraq machine; third consecutive shot down, indicating a short response time of adjustment and stabilization of energy provision. These three points allow experts and laymen are interested.
The overall feel, it does have new breakthroughs in technology, but even if all the development work can proceed smoothly, still take several years or even longer to achieve the goal.
Q: More simply what you have achieved a breakthrough in where?
A: In the past, most countries in the study of chemical lasers, large volume, high energy consumption, this approach is too cumbersome. This time, the United States uses a solid-state lasers, is to use glass, ceramic materials such as work, the mechanism produces a qualitative leap, I think that is the technology to provide the support.
In addition, its volume suddenly drop down into only two refrigerators from the monster size. This is for military purposes, the significant development of tactical laser weapons for the future foundation.
The test uses a parallel structure with six sets of laser energy is not particularly connect equipment, installed in warships, the synthesis of a bunch of high-energy laser, destroying unmanned drone. We know that the past is difficult on laser weapons, ships, naval vessels because of their energy is mainly used for its own power, it is difficult to give sufficient energy laser weapons. But the test results, the United States should be made corresponding technical progress.
Q: can play UAV, it can mean to attack other weapons and equipment?
A: Of course you can attack similar to the UAV’s small ships, high-speed flight of mortar shells, missiles and rockets, etc.. However, this test Flight relatively slow, relatively close distance. UAV production of materials with a real fighter and is worse than this as testing opponents, not enough to say anything.
Q: laser weapons, arms with unusual compared to what advantage?
A: It’s combat speed, high accuracy. Laser as a weapon, do not beat the amount in advance, can the speed of 300,000 kilometers per second moment to hit the target, and can cause structural damage. It does not require expensive ammunition, in addition to consumption of electricity, almost no other material losses. It’s like digital cameras, the one-time investment costs more, but not after the film, and “unlimited ammunition.” And there is no pollution, no chemical charge and fragmentation, barely can be considered “green”.
After 40 years of traveling, laser weapons can finally loaded combat aircraft
Q: In 1983, the United States had already made “Star Wars” program, but later stopped the development of laser weapons, but has not been stagnant?
A: The United States has never given up the study of laser weapons. It should be said, since the inception of laser, the United States has sought to put into military use. In 1973, the U.S. Air Force shot down the drone with a chemical laser. In 1976, the U.S. Air Force launched a space-based laser weapons programs, the next 11 years of trial, had shot down five missiles and a drone. Also been used to blinding laser operating in the satellite. Currently, the U.S. military also has a huge laser weapons development program.
Q: In recent years, the United States in the development of laser weapons, what progress has been achieved?
A: data from the public view, U.S. companies conducting solid-state laser development work has now been applied to field test are:
First, Raytheon’s laser “Phalanx.” Some U.S. Navy ships have the system installed to use the high rate of fire of the “barrage” to destroy incoming targets.
Second, Boeing’s “Laser Avenger.” September 2007, Boeing announced that its developed and installed solid-state lasers Avenger car fired several successful tests, destroyed five improvised explosive devices and two UAV ground.
The third is “Zeus” Hummer laser ammunition disposal system is mainly used to destroy unexploded ordnance, the maximum distance of 300 meters initiation, through the adjustment of the laser energy to achieve effective control of the blast.
Q: have a lot of people think that laser weapons could only be the leading science fiction, is what makes laser weapons “re-airs” of?
A: As mentioned above, chemical lasers are too cumbersome, too, in 2005, the United States basically abandoned the research on chemical lasers, solid state lasers is timely “Jiu Jia.” Prior to that, because solid-state laser energy conversion efficiency is not high, has been difficult to use. Until recent years, technology was able to achieve for solid laser devices and chemical reaction produces the same amount of energy. The major issues to resolve, once the development of solid-state lasers will be sent to the fast lane.
Q: The landmark, the most significant progress was made when?
A: March 2009, the U.S. military-industrial giant Northrop Grumman announced that they have successfully developed a power of 100 kW solid-state laser, laser weapons in the construction and use of the road taken extremely important step. Because of this power laser weapons, enough to destroy rockets, mortars, unmanned aerial vehicles and so on.
Meanwhile, the results of the project include: system start time is less than 1 second, continuous working time of 5 minutes, the power required by the supply of aircraft engines or tanks. This means that the future of laser weapons will not only remain in the level of strategic weapons, is moving to the tactical level.
Can be said that, after more than 40 years after the development of laser weapons may finally have equipment in combat aircraft, tanks and warships on the. Under the current progress, if not unexpected, I guess F-35 will be the first choice.
If put into use, at the earliest after 2016
Q: Now everyone’s views on laser weapons are not the same, how do you think?
A: I feel that laser weapons in the existing circumstances, to the relatively “weak” UAV destroyed, as technology development, including the constant improvement of the corresponding auxiliary systems, future fighter is not fighting the impossible. There are two voices: one that has a long way from actual combat, and another that the threat has been great. Personally, I think, at least for the air defense laser weapons and space warfare can already see a clue.
Q: laser weapons, on the future battlefield will be the impact?
A: The impact will be a series. For example, it challenges the existing concept of offensive and defensive operations. The other is to destroy the missile’s boost phase, which can be considered offensive or defensive? Standards difficult to define. Again, laser weapons before it will replace the existing missiles, some of the tasks and functions, including air defense, long-range strike, and other. Moreover, the energy of laser weapons is adjustable, can be hard to destroy the implementation, but also can interfere with, suppress, disrupt each other, showing a “intermediate” state.
Q: aircraft, missiles have a method to intercept a super laser weapon exist?
A: As a weapon, of course, vary, but nothing can be “invincible there.” All will have a reflection of light hitting the mirror, the laser is no exception. Missiles outside layer of white paint coating, laser combat effectiveness may be compromised. Moreover, the laser can only go straight, if the middle block, we can not reach the “mountain side of the goal.” More importantly, the laser is not “all-weather weapons”, by the very large weather. Especially in the rain, fog, snow or dust large areas of laser damage would be significant, the power will be greatly reduced.
Development of laser weapons on the negative attitude of those who have a point: there is a shield with spears, all their efforts, developed a laser weapons, there may be a little protective measures can be resolved laser attack.
In addition, laser contains common operational platform to platform is very easy to attack by conventional weapons, the viability of the battlefield to be tested.
Q: In order to overcome the weather effects, whether the deployment of laser weapons in space as well?
A: If the deployment of laser weapons in space, its combat effectiveness will play much better. However, the cost is enormous, and how to provide energy is also a problem.
Q: Please tell us again the future direction of laser weapons.
A: It will further enhance the efficiency of energy conversion to the “2″ extension, that is, strategic and tactical applications has good application prospect. With the development of technology, laser weapons become smaller size, power will increase the range of use will be expanded.
Q: Finally, what laser weapons what should be a sign of maturity?
A: I think at least three things: First, technology is relatively mature, and can not be laboratory conditions, but to produce a laser beam under battlefield conditions, to meet operational needs. Second, the cost must be reduced, to mass production, mass and equipment. Third, in the real weapons systems, have relatively fixed, the prominence of the combat mission must be clear. This is to say into the actual state.
This time, Raytheon also announced that this new weapon, even by a subsequent series of successful tests, it will be possible after 2016 formally put into use. It can be said to be towards the actual laser weapons, a long road ahead. However, the rapid development of technology, really go up, perhaps not far away.
