Strykers at the forefront: Leonardo DRS unveils laser arsenal
The American division of Leonardo DRS showcased the latest iteration of its anti-aircraft and anti-drone Stryker at the AUSA 2024 trade show. This laser weapon can combat three targets simultaneously.
During the AUSA 2024 trade show, held on 14-16 October, the American company Leonardo DRS received a £59 million contract from General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) to integrate a new weapons package on the Stryker A1 IM-SHORAD anti-aircraft system, recently designated as SGT Stout.
The new weapons module will significantly increase effectiveness and reduce kill costs. The latter parameter is particularly important in the case of drones, which can cost even less than £800.
The future of anti-aircraft Stryker SGT Stout — three systems in one
Leonardo DRS is working on a new weapons package for the SGT Stout consisting of a Locoust laser weapon with a power of 26 kilowatts. It is capable of destroying small drones from a distance of approximately 1 kilometre or more. The weapon is equipped with an XM914 30 mm automatic cannon with a range of 2 kilometres and a launcher for laser-guided APKWS missiles, which can hit targets at a distance of up to 6 kilometres.
At the presentation, it was demonstrated how an FPV drone was eliminated by the laser within a few seconds. Despite the very high purchase cost and significant energy supply challenges, the greatest advantage of the laser weapon is the unit cost of shooting down a target, which is just a few pence.
In comparison, using, for example, programmable ammunition from the 30 mm automatic cannon costs £800 per round, while an APWKS missile is over £10,000 each. This is still very inexpensive compared to a single FIM-92 Stinger missile, which costs several hundred thousand pounds.
Powerful laser from the USA
This allows for layered protection in the case of a swarm of drones because the first to be used are rockets with a shrapnel range of up to 150 metres. Then, what survives is destroyed by the automatic cannon, and the remnants are finished off by the laser. In the case of a small-scale attack, all intruders can be destroyed with the low-cost laser, reserving more valuable weapons for more difficult targets.
It's worth noting that the SGT Stout is equipped with four fixed radar antennas made with AESA technology allowing for constant 360-degree airspace observation. These radars are designed to detect even the smallest drones, and the fire control system enables rapid categorisation of targets and assignment to optimal weapons systems.
