WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Lockheed Martin successfully tested a laser weapon system known as ATHENA to disable a truck from more than a mile away, the US defense contractor said in a statement.
“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,” the statement, issued on Tuesday, said.
Lockheed Martin explained that the demonstration marked the first field testing of laser weapon system prototype.
“Through a technique called spectral beam combining, multiple fiber laser modules form a single, powerful, high-quality beam that provides greater efficiency and lethality than multiple individual 10-kilowatt lasers used in other systems,” the statement said.
Lockheed Martin is investing in the development of high-powered fiber-optic laser weapon systems to provide to US aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks, the statement added.
