US Air Force takes delivery of new anti-drone H4 laser weapon

The US Air Force has taken delivery of a new anti-drone laser weapon that will be used to protect ground troops against short-range aerial threats.

The DE M-SHORAD, known as the H4, is a 10-kilowatt laser, built to US military specifications by aerospace and defence firm Raytheon Technologies.

Small enough to fit in the bed of a pickup truck, the laser weapon system comprises a high-energy laser weapon module, a long-range electro-optical/infrared sensor that also serves as the beam director, thermal control, internal electrical power, and targeting software – all packaged together for use in tough combat environments.

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It is operated with a laptop and a video game-style controller, and it can plug into a long list of existing air defence, and command and control systems.

Prior to delivery, the laser weapon passed the air force's test and assessment plan, which included multiple days of live-fire exercises to acquire, target, track and destroy drone targets in short-range attack, swarm attack, and long-range threat scenarios.

Michael Hofle, senior director of High-Energy Lasers at Raytheon Technologies, said: "Anywhere the air force sees a threat from drones, they now have four proven laser weapons that can be deployed to stop asymmetrical threats.

"Whether it's on a fixed location, a flatbed or even a pickup, these laser weapons are compact, rugged and ready to go."