With drones becoming more accessible for common warfare and surveillance technologies, several government contractors and agencies are backing projects that explore new ways to take down aerial vehicles. The latest among them is BAE Systems that is using a modified rocket featuring a laser-guided system to shoot down drones without costing a huge price.
The recent testing was done at Yuma Proving Grounds, BAE Systems announced recently. The test involved APKWS laser-guided rockets that shot airborne drones, which can be tricky to target, as they move quickly. BAE explains that its rockets were fitted with Mk66 motors and M151 warheads.
New system makes targeting more precise
These new rockets are ideal for taking down small tactical drones used for military purposes, as per the company. BAE says the motor and warheads are the keys to this new ability, bestowing rockets with point detonation and detecting the proximity of the drones.
With the help of the new technology, the rockets aren’t required to hit the drones in order to take them out. They can be deployed within the proximity of the aerial vehicles to take them down. The system costs less than the C-UAS missiles, as per the company, and they come with another benefit: the laser guidance system means the rockets aren’t locked on to the target before they’re launched.
Killer robots on the rise
The APKWS guidance kits will allow the military to use existing rockets to take down new kinds of threats, making them a cheaper option. BAE Systems says its current engineering tests and test fires are a part of a much bigger mission to create an anti-drone system for the US military and its allies.
Besides, a military robot-making firm Ghost Robotics has built a robot with a sniper gun strapped on the top. It’s basically a death machine designed to kill with precision on the battlefield. It’s unclear what level of autonomy the robot has or can be controlled remotely. Besides, the main motive for creating this robot is also unknown. All in all, it’s a worrisome invention and can be scary if not controlled properly.
