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The National Interest magazine reported that current U.S. laser systems are incapable of hitting hypersonic missiles.
An article published by the magazine stated: “Despite the advancements made in developing systems such as the U.S. Navy’s HELIOS system and the Army’s IFPC-HEL system, modern laser devices are currently unable to reliably counter the threats posed by hypersonic weapons. While the U.S. is searching for a real solution to the myriad challenges presented by modern hypersonic weapons, lasers or directed energy weapons are not yet capable of serving as an effective means.”
The magazine, citing the U.S. Department of Defense, noted that stopping a hypersonic missile on its way to its target would require a laser with a power of at least 1 megawatt—three times the power of the most advanced tactical laser systems. However, even such a laser would likely struggle to burn through the warhead of a hypersonic missile.
The article further explained that water vapor, sand, salt, smoke, air pollution, and other substances present in the atmosphere could have a scattering effect on laser beams.
This atmospheric disturbance presents such a significant issue that the Pentagon currently considers lasers viable for distances of no more than one mile. Even the most optimistic forecasts for the near future suggest that lasers will only be effective at distances under five miles.
In late June, the forces of the Sana’a government announced that they possessed a “locally-made” hypersonic missile named “Hatim 2,” which was used for the first time against an Israeli ship.
Source: RT
