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400 kW Laser Developed by the U.S. Navy Can Neutralize Drones and Missiles in Seconds, Changing the Naval Defense Landscape.
The United States Navy has announced a significant advancement in the use of directed energy weapons. The new project, called SONGBOW, plans to develop a 400-kilowatt laser capable of destroying drones, missiles, and other aerial threats.
Confidential Project Receives Million-Dollar Funding
The SONGBOW program remained classified until recently. This week, the Department of Defense confirmed the signing of a contract worth US$ 29.9 million with Coherent Aerospace & Defense.
The contract was made by the Office of Naval Research of the U.S. (ONR), and aims to design, develop, and test advanced high-power laser systems.
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The agreement provides for the creation of a directed energy subsystem that can be installed on Navy vessels and, possibly, also on ground platforms.
400 kW Laser Promises New Era for Naval Defense
The heart of the project is the construction of a 400-kilowatt laser. This will be possible by combining individual 50-kilowatt modules into a single beam. This fusion will be controlled by a high-precision beam control system.
This approach allows the system to achieve higher power levels without losing precision or efficiency.
The goal is to ensure a weapon capable of intercepting and neutralizing faster and more resilient targets than current models.
Comparison with Current Systems and Military Uses
The new laser represents a leap over the systems currently in use. Today, weapons such as the LaWS (Laser Weapons System), also from the U.S. Navy, operate at power levels between 30 and 100 kilowatts.
A 400-kilowatt system significantly extends range and destructive capability. It will be able to efficiently target drones, ballistic missiles, and even hypersonic weapons, causing destruction in just a few seconds after firing.
In addition to its offensive function, the system may also be used for remote sensing and illuminating conflict areas.
Contracted Company and Project Timelines
The company responsible for developing the system is Coherent Aerospace & Defense, which has a history in photonic technologies and high-energy lasers. It already operates in both commercial and military markets and is now taking the lead in developing SONGBOW.
The contract is a “cost plus fixed fee” type and includes an initial phase of 20 months. There are also two additional extension options: one for 11 months and another for 18 months. If all stages are executed, the project will be completed by January 2027.
Resources and Execution Timeline
The initial funding already includes US$ 12.88 million for research, development, testing, and evaluation activities in the fiscal year 2024.
This amount is available immediately but must be utilized by the end of the fiscal year.
Therefore, Coherent and the Navy need to progress quickly through the development and testing phases to ensure that the resources are not wasted.
Layered Defense and Integration with Current Systems
The SONGBOW system is expected to work in conjunction with existing armaments. The U.S. Navy plans to integrate it with the Aegis Combat System and SM-6 interceptors, creating a more robust layered defense.
This strategy is designed to respond to modern challenges, such as swarm attacks by drones and missiles traveling at hypersonic speeds.
The laser offers a faster, more cost-effective, and continuous response to these attacks, reducing reliance on conventional ammunition.
There is no official confirmation yet on which vessels will receive the new system first. However, SONGBOW is considered strategic for ensuring U.S. naval superiority.
If the program achieves its objectives, the Navy may have a weapon capable of redefining the standards of maritime warfare.
The project represents a milestone in the adoption of directed energy weapons with sufficient power for real-world operations.
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