Japan to step-up research on high-output military laser weapons

TOKYO – The Defense Ministry of Japan will crank into high gear its research to develop high-output military laser weapons that can intercept mortar rounds and enemy drones flying at low altitudes. The Japan Times reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

3 Jan. 2019 -- The ministry included development outlays of 8.7 billion yen for laser weapons research in the fiscal 2018 budget. Ministry officials say they plan to open bidding soon for the building of a prototype land-based laser weapon for research use and expect to complete a technical evaluation by fiscal 2023, sources say.

Many countries, including the U.S. and China, have begun to develop laser weapons. The U.S. military has already started operating such weapons installed on landing ships.

The time available to intercept missiles and similar weapons has become increasingly short due to improvements in the stealth capabilities of fighter jets, the lowering of missile flight altitudes and increasing missile speeds.

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Related: At long last, laser weapons are nearing deployment

Related: Northrop Grumman moving Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) capabilities to brigade combat teams

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

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