World’s most powerful mobile laser can zap a coin half a mile away

Australia tested its first laser weapon, which could knock down drones with unprecedented accuracy.

The system, which was also claimed to be the world’s most powerful portable, high-energy laser, was tested in May at the country’s Puckapunyal range, one of its army training facilities.

According to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Fractl Portable High Energy Laser, its first directed-energy weapon, can track things as small as a 10-cent piece traveling 62 mph (100 km/h) at a distance and has enough power to burn through steel.

The weapon is a major part of ADF’s efforts to develop its counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAS) arsenal.

High-energy laser tech

AIM Defence, a Melbourne-based company, designed the suitcase-sized laser, which functions like a blowtorch moving at the speed of light.

The company claims that its Fractl laser utilizes the world’s most advanced tracking and optics system, allowing its laser beam to hit a drone moving at 62 mph (100 km/h) from 0.62 miles (1 kilometer) away with pinpoint accuracy.

The beam, as small as a dime, can target critical drone components such as the rotor, wiring, and camera, enabling the retrieval of the device for forensic analysis and operational insights.

“You push a button to track the drone and the computer takes over, then you push another button to ‘pull the trigger’ just like a video game,” said Corporal Patrick Flanagan of the ADF in a statement.

According to ADF, using an index finger, the operator can quickly switch aim between the drone’s video camera, center mass, or one of the propellers. It takes only seconds to disable the camera and two or three seconds to incapacitate the rotor.

The system is also designed for seamless integration into existing frameworks, reducing operator load and enhancing response times. Highly deployable, Fractl offers both battery and AC power options. The entire field-ready unit weighs under 110 pounds (50 kilograms), making it extremely portable and easy to use in various operational scenarios.

AIM claims that Fractl is one-tenth the size and cost of other laser systems available on the market, making it one of the most capable and cost-effective solutions for drone defense.

Advanced drone neutralizer

During the demonstration, the system’s deployable prototype showcased its capabilities by ‘hard killing’ a drone at 500 meters. Although the laser’s effectiveness is limited by its power supply, it has previously engaged drones at 0.62 miles (1 kilometer).

The company officials highlighted the significance of the Puckapunyal demonstration, indicating it as a step towards achieving ranges similar to their one-micron system, which reaches 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers) for counter-sensor and approximately 0.62 miles (1 kilometer) for hard kill engagements.

The silent, stationary laser offers a stark contrast to conventional weapons. During a side-by-side demonstration with armored crews, directed-energy counter-UAS weapons proved highly effective, whereas traditional methods consumed substantial ammunition with little margin for error.

ADF officials highlight the advantage of laser weapons’ virtually unlimited ammunition, as long as there is power, and modern fire control systems need to track and engage drones.

Since drones can take many different forms, armies will need to use a range of tools to neutralize the threat.

“Shooting small multi-rotor UAS out of the sky is particularly challenging. A directed-energy weapon that can detect, track and engage those types of targets is a part of that tool set,” said Eli Lea, Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office’s Warrant Officer Class Two.