Last month, MBDA Deutschland used a laser effector to shoot down a free-flying mini-drone, the first test of its kind anywhere. Conducted at the company’s Schrobenhausen, Germany range, the drone was engaged while maneuvering at a range of about 1,600 feet/500 meters. The drone was acquired, tracked and defeated in a matter of seconds.
A dramatic rise in small drones for civilian use has also introduced a new threat to political and other public figures, as well as strategic installations. This was evidenced by a 2013 incident in which one crashed just feet away from German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and by cases this year when drones have been flown in the vicinity of the White House. More than 60 overflights of strategically significant locations have been recorded in France since October.
Defeating such threats with traditional ballistics brings unacceptable complications, but the laser effectively reduces the chances of collateral damage to that caused by the falling vehicle and its components. Precise and scalable laser systems could be permanently deployed to protect high-value locations or temporarily placed for event protection.
From a technology point of view, MBDA’s system employs a multi-stage tracking procedure and a laser effector that combines numerous laser sources into a single beam using geometric coupling.
In 2012, MBDA Deutschland first demonstrated end-to-end laser acquisition, tracking and engagement against an aerial target by defeating dummy mortar rounds at ranges of up to 1.5 miles/2.5 km. The company has been studying laser systems for both maritime and land-based use to provide protection against both military UAVs as well as rocket and mortar threats. The demonstration and expansion of capability against a small, agile civilian UAV was an obvious step.