Lockheed Martin has developed the ATHENA laser weapons. They are 30 kW fiber laser weapons that can target incoming rockets as well unmanned aerial vehicles. It can also defend against small ground vehicles like attack boats. According to the company, this weapon is capable of destroying flying drones at great distances. Athena is portable and can be deployed almost anywhere, which is a departure from traditional air defenses. The modular design of the ATHENA allows power to grow in a flexible manner.
The laser weapon of the company is intended to defeat low-value enemies such as unmanned aircraft vehicles and improvised Rockets. It is lightweight, compact, and easy to deploy in the field. This weapon would be a tactical advantage when fighting. It uses a specialized fiber optic cable to produce a powerful beam.
The US Air Force and the US Army successfully tested the laser weapon at Fort Sill in Oklahoma. The test environment mimicked real-world threat ranges, flight paths and was done in a controlled environment. Laser weapon system detected a small drone and used high-energy lasers to destroy it. The drone was tracked by the government's command & control system as it flew around the test range. The ATHENA weapon was also operated by US Air Force personnel. It brought down four flying drones and all four were destroyed during the test. It also defeated a military-type rocket in flight.
According to the company press release, ATHENA was able destroy multiple small drones flying. The ATHENA has the ability to shoot down incoming missiles. This is a major advantage for the military. The company states that the laser will be scaled up to 60 KW. However, the information in the press release is not detailed. They intend to install the laser weapon systems on military helicopters.
The modular design of ATHENA's weapon system is also innovative. It uses a number low-powered Lasers to create one high powered beam. This beam is made by combing fiber laser modules that have been twisted like a rope. Fiber laser modules consume 50% less electricity than traditional solid-state lasers. You can also use it to vaporize steel. The laser's point of contact is hot, and it can cause the metal cloud to dissipate in a fraction of a second.
Based on the company's Area Defense Anti-Munitions Laser Weapon System (ADAM), the ATHENA weapon uses the same laser weapon technology. The system was created in Sunnyvale California and has proved to be very effective against small airborne threats. It can also be field deployed and cost-effective. In addition to attacking drones, the system has also shown its effectiveness against small rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
To address the US Air Force's needs, the ATHENA laser has been developed. According to the company, the laser will serve as a low-cost testing ground for laser weapons and the data will be used in order to improve the system. The laser system can not only defeat drones but also destroy incoming artillery.