Rapid Fire 2011-11-24: 10kW Lasers

Nov 24, 2011 00:01 UTC by Defense Industry Daily staff

  • Vietnamese pilots have begun flight training in Canada for their new DHC-6 Twin Otters.

  • Rheinmetall begins deliveries of their AEV-3 Kodiak Armored Engineering Vehicles to Sweden & the Netherlands.

  • VTUAV heli-drones have landed on ships, but can they do it in high waves and low-visibility, using the same harpoon and winch-down system used in naval helicopters? Thales (UAV interfaces, positioning) and DCNS (ship integration and motion prediction, harpoon system) are working on it, using a Boeing H-6U Little Bird.

  • Rheinmetall has used a 10kW laser in a Skyshield 3 turret, coupled with its Skyguard system, to engage mortar rounds, and kill a UAV. They, too, are pushing toward the 100 kW goal, but add that even current systems have proven to be useful. Could lasers show up in a future MANTIS upgrade?

    • Categories: Americas - Other, Asia - Central, Asia - Other, Boeing, Daily Rapid Fire, Europe - Other, France, Laser & EM Weapons, Other Corporation, Thales, Transport & Utility, UAVs, Warfare - Lessons

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