German High Energy Laser Takes Down UAV

German company Rheinmetall Defense successfully combined a powerful laser weapon with an advanced air defense system and downed an unmanned aerial vehicle. One weapon system -- two 5-kilowatt laser weapon modules -- was integrated into an air defense system using an Oerlikon Skyguard 3 fire control unit and a Skyshield gun turret. The second, a 1-kW laser weapon module, was mounted on a TM 170-type vehicle. Both laser weapon demonstrators were used in different scenarios: protecting against asymmetric, terrorist-type threats; countering incoming rockets, artillery and mortar rounds; and defending against an aircraft target. The 10-kW weapon in the anti-aircraft scenario successfully detected, tracked, engaged and destroyed a UAV in flight. Read more at http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Rheinmetall_demonstrates_laser_weapon…