Layered Laser Defense Demonstration by OSD, ONR and Lockheed Martin
In February, the US Navy used an all-electric, high-energy laser weapon to defeat a target emulating a subsonic cruise missile in flight, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced on 13 April.
Known as the Layered Laser Defense (LLD), the Lockheed Martin-developed weapon was designed as a multi-domain, multi-platform demonstrator, countering UAS and fast-attack boats with a high-power laser. Its high-resolution telescope tracks inbound air threats, supports combat identification and conducts battle damage assessment. The LLD’s drone shoot-down by the LLD was part of a recent test sponsored by ONR and was a partnership between ONR, OSD (R&D) and Lockheed Martin.
“Innovative laser systems like the LLD have the potential to redefine the future of naval combat operations,” said Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm Lorin C Selby. “They present transformational capabilities to the fleet, address diverse threats, and provide precision engagements with a deep magazine to complement existing defensive systems and enhance sustained lethality in high-intensity conflict.”
The test supports a broader effort to mature technologies and field a family of laser weapons that can address multiple threats, using a range of escalating options that range from non-lethal measures to target destruction. Laser weapons provide new precision and speed of engagement for naval combatants, and offer simplified logistics that increase vessel and crew safety due to the lack of traditional propellants or explosives. Running on electricity, lasers offer very low cost-per-engagement for operators, as well as a persistent weapon system.
DoD continues to prioritise directed energy, with Heidi Shyu, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, recently affirming it remains one of the Department’s critical technology areas. ONR plays an important role in developing technologies for laser weapons, and has fielded demonstration systems for operational experimentation. Notably, in 2014 ONR saw the Laser Weapon System tested successfully aboard the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf. More recently, ONR fielded the Laser Weapon System Demonstrator aboard the USS Portland in 2021.
Although there are no plans to field the LLD, it offers a glimpse into the future of laser weapons. Compact and powerful, it is more efficient than previous systems, has specialised optics to observe a target and focus laser beams to maximum effect, and incorporates AI to improve tracking and targeting. “LLD is an example of what a very advanced laser system can do to defeat significant threats to naval forces,” explained David Kiel, an ONR program officer. “And we have ongoing efforts, both at ONR and in other Navy programs, to keep building on these results in the near future.”
Dr Frank Peterkin, ONR’s directed energy portfolio manager, observed, “The Navy performed similar tests during the 1980s but with chemical-based laser technologies that presented significant logistics barriers for fielding in an operational environment. And, ultimately, those types of lasers did not transition to the fleet or any other Service […] Today, ONR coordinates closely with the Navy’s resourcing and acquisition communities to make sure we develop laser weapon technologies that make sense for the Navy’s requirements to defend the fleet and for operations in the rough maritime environment at sea. It’s a challenging problem, but Navy leadership at all levels see potential for laser weapons to really make a difference. The next few years are going to be very exciting as we work with the Navy and joint partners to make the capability we just saw demonstrated by the LLD a reality for the naval warfighter.”
