ATLA’s latest laser cannon: Visit the inside of the control room!
-DSEI exhibits the mechanism by which lasers intercept drones
-10kW output requires a power supply of 300kW or more
Summary from an article published on itmedia.
“DSEI Japan 2025”:
On May 21, the Japanese defense and security exhibition “DSEI Japan” opened at Makuhari Messe.
Exhibition by the Defense Acquisition Agency: Large vehicle equipped with a laser:
Japan’s ATLA exhibits a vehicle-mounted laser demonstration vehicle.
1. It is intended to intercept drones (UAVs: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and drones.
2. DSEI visitors were also able to enter the control room of the ATLA vehicle.
Functional overview of the laser oscillator:
As long as there is a power source, there is no need to worry about running out of ammunition, and the advantage is the low cost of interception.
1. Equipped with a radar and two cameras (one of which is a heat-sensing camera).
2. The radar and camera automatically detect unmanned aerial vehicles and drones.
3. The laser is fired by a human being when the user presses a switch.
Published on YouTube by the Defense Acquisition Agency:
The video shows a drone being hit by the laser and bursting into flames and crashing.
A hole was made in the side of the drone, and the surrounding area was melted.
Specifications of the demonstration model:
The demonstration model is an eight-wheeled truck equipped with various radars and a laser oscillator.
The laser output is 10kW. The laser oscillator installed on the top of the truck can rotate 360 degrees.
Development technology for high output and power supply is important:
The demonstration model had a generator to supply power to the laser next to the control room.
1. It has already been demonstrated that it can “intercept small unmanned aerial vehicles and 81mm mortar shells.”
2. To achieve an output of 10kW, a power supply of 300kW or more is required.
Free entry to the control room:
At the venue, we were able to enter the control room.
1. Inside the room, there are a row of radar and camera screens.
2. An external small radar was added to improve detection accuracy.
The control room has a low ceiling, so if you don’t lower your body, you’ll hit your head.
The generator is in the foreground of the photo.
The control room is located behind it.
Heat-sensing camera:
Images of captured enemy aircraft are displayed on a display for confirmation.
Detailed location of enemy targets:
The radar obtains the location and displays it in real time.
Explanation of ground-mounted small radar:
Performance specifications are displayed on the display.
A view of the ground-mounted small radar installation:
Adding a small radar to improve detection accuracy.
https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/2505/22/news137.html