WASHINGTON — The Army recently conducted a successful evaluation of a new directed-energy capability, moving the Service one step closer to fielding a platoon of four laser-equipped Stryker combat vehicle prototypes next fiscal year, program leads said Wednesday.
“The Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense system, or DE M-SHORAD, is a 50-kW-class laser designed to protect divisions and brigade combat teams against unmanned aircraft systems, rotary and fixed-wing threats, rockets, artillery, and mortars,” said Marcia Holmes, the Deputy Director of Hypersonics, Directed Energy, Space, and Rapid Acquisition.