In the United States, the response is being prepared to face the advance of the Russians and the Chinese in terms of hypersonic missiles. The US Navy is developing directed energy systems to protect itself in the event of an attack, Admiral Michael Gilday, the US Navy’s chief of naval operations, announced on CNN.
To intercept and destroy these weapons, which can reach more than five times the speed of sound to reach a target thousands of miles away in minutes, the US military is working on high-energy lasers or high-power microwave systems. These devices will be intended to destroy missiles in mid-flight or disrupt their electronics to cut off the connection to the energy that uses them.
Americans and Europeans have taken the threat of hypersonic weapons very seriously since the use of the Kinjal last March against a Ukrainian siege. Russia also announced that the Zirkon missile, capable of reaching a speed of 9,000 km/h, should equip Russian surface and submarine ships before the end of the year.
A French laser for the French Navy
But directed energy systems could be more precise, more efficient and less expensive. They are already at the heart of the US Navy’s anti-drone defense. The US Navy has announced that Lockheed Martin’s Helios (high-energy laser with integrated optical dazzle and surveillance) will equip destroyers .
In Europe, France is also preparing a defense against hypersonic weapons. Testing of a missile capable of reaching Mach 3 was unveiled in July. According to a military source, it only took a few seconds to detect and destroy a missile. Directed energy weapons are also at the center of defense innovations serving armies.
The French Navy is testing Helma-XP, a naval version of Helma-P, the anti-drone laser already used by the French military and law enforcement agencies such as the GIGN. Developed by the French company Cilas, this new system presented at the Eurosatory fair will have a power of 100 kW. It will be tested this year to equip French frigates from 2027.
Source: BFM TV
