Global security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin has developed a laser weapon that can stop or disable engine of a small truck dead in its tracks from over a mile, or 1.6 kilometers, away.
The company made the announcement about the development of the new laser system, called ATHENA (Advanced Test High Energy Asset), this week.
Briefing about the new development, Lockheed Martin representatives said that ATHENA is designed in such a way to offer protection to the military forces and major infrastructures.
The new laser successfully burnt through and disabled the engine of a small truck during a recent field test. According to the Lockheed Martin officials, the truck was unable to drive normally and it was on a platform along with its engine.
The company said that this is the highest power which has been ever documented by a laser weapon of its type.
“Fiber-optic lasers are revolutionizing directed energy systems. This test represents the next step to providing lightweight and rugged laser-weapon systems for military aircraft, helicopters, ships and trucks,” Keoki Jackson, chief technology officer of Lockheed Martin, said in a statement.
As per the reports, the company is expected to conduct some additional tests of ATHENA.
The ATHENA system could serve as a big advantage for the military as it has the potential to stop ground-based adversaries from interrupting with the army operations long before they actually reach the front lines.
