Latest Evolution Of Lockheed Martin Laser Weapon System Stops Truck In Field Test

Lockheed Martin ATHENA laser weapon system defeats a truck target by disabling the engine, demonstrating its military effectiveness against enemy ground vehicles. (Source: Lockheed Martin)

BETHESDA, Md., March 3, 2015 – Lockheed Martin’s  30-kilowatt fiber laser weapon system successfully disabled the engine of a small truck during a recent field test, demonstrating the rapidly evolving precision capability to protect military forces and critical infrastructure.

Known as ATHENA, for Advanced Test High Energy Asset, the ground-based prototype system burned through the engine manifold in a matter of seconds from more than a mile away. The truck was mounted on a test platform with its engine and drive train running to simulate an operationally-relevant test scenario.

Science fiction is now a reality; Laser Weapon System Deployed and Operated in Arabian Gulf

Laser Weapon System LaWS (Source: US DoD)

The naval future is not only coming, but is here. Laser weapon capability is now allowing operation aboard ships at sea. The Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce (ASB(I) 15) conducts an operational demonstration of the Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored Laser Weapon System (LaWS) while deployed to the Arabian Gulf.