THE ISRAELI ARMED forces plan to deploy the Nautilus laser weapon in northern Israel for testing against simulated artillery rockets, and also potentially against BM-21 rockets, if fired by guerilla groups in southern Lebanon.
The US Department of Defense is funding the bulk of the joint development of a tactical high-energy laser-based weapon based on the Nautilus prototype. Two tests were conducted in February at White Sands in New Mexico.
The joint programme is aimed at developing a laser weapon capable of destroying short-range rockets, ballistic missiles in their re-entry phase, and combat aircraft.
During the first test on 6 February, the laser was locked on to an incoming unarmed BM-21 artillery rocket for 15s, destroying it. In the second test, the laser hit an armed BM-21 and destroyed that.
Three Israeli companies will be involved in the project. Rafael will concentrate on developing a compact carbon-dioxide laser generator, the MBT weapon division of Israel Aircraft Industries will develop sensors and fire-control elements and Tadiran will work on command and control units.
Source: Flight International