An Israeli drone defense system fit for “Star Wars” has shot down multiple maneuvering targets with a high-powered laser beam, according to reports.
“The system achieved 100 percent success in all test scenarios,” defense technology company Rafael said in a statement about its Drone Dome C-UAS, or Counter-Unmanned Aerial System, the Times of Israel reported.
“The stages of the interception included target detection, identification and interception” with the laser beam, it said in a video of a recent demo of the system.
In the footage, a vehicle-mounted system is shown engaging the targets, including zigzagging drones. In one test, three drones flying in formation were downed in rapid succession.
“Drone Dome is designed to address threats posed by hostile drones both in military and civilian sites,” Rafael said.
The system offers “advanced solutions for maneuvering forces and military facilities, critical border protection, as well as civilian targets such as airports, public facilities, or any other sites that might be vulnerable to the increasing threat of both terror and criminal drones,” the company said.
Previous reports have said the system can melt drones for “hard kills,” but also carry out “soft kills” by using high-tech electronic systems that enable operators to interfere with the signals of hostile drones — and even take control of them.
Drone Dome refers to a package that includes a search radar, drone radio command detector, an electro-optical sensor, and command-and-control system, according to Popular Mechanics.
The system can detect objects as small as 0.021 square feet at 2.1 miles.
Once detected, it locks onto the drone, keeping it in its cross hairs as it maneuvers in any direction. When the laser is blasted, it melts away the drone’s plastic housing and destroys its electronics, sending it to the ground.
The video shows seven destroyed drones, three of which appear to have had limbs burned off while the others have burn marks in their centers.
Source: Nypost
