Israel Matzav

Rafael, General Dynamics develop laser to destroy roadside bombs

Israel's Rafael Armament Development Authority, together with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS), a leading provider of ammunition, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and ordnance DEMIL products and services, have produced and deployed a dual mode, standoff ordnance neutralization system to defuse and destroy roadside bombs, which have killed hundreds of US and Israeli soldiers in Iraq and Lebanon. The system, which is called Thor, uses the concentrated energy of a high-powered laser to clear unexploded bombs and improvised explosive devices. According to SPACEWAR.com,

Thor combines a high-energy laser and M2 12.7mm machine gun on a stabilized weapons pedestal with a remote operator control station and day/night sighting sensors to provide a general purpose, standoff ordnance neutralization capability. Thor provides a wide range of combat utility and freedom of movement capabilities that the maneuver force commander requires.

Thor has demonstrated combat effectiveness in operational engagements bringing an additional precision fire gun platform to the fight, while at the same time filling a unique tactical mission role. The system will be used by military combat engineers and EOD teams to neutralize explosive hazards.

Thor is modular, designed for field installation on tactical vehicles and powered by vehicle prime power. The directed energy from the laser is capable of rapidly clearing unexploded ordnance and defeating IEDs by inducing a low-order burning or deflagration reaction in the explosive fill at significant safe stand-off ranges.

The directed energy from the laser may also be used to ignite combustible materials, as a standoff cutting torch, and for other combat purposes. The kinetic energy from the 12.7mm bullet fired by the M2 functions as a standoff disrupter, destroying fuzing, thick-cased munitions and booby traps, also enabling distancing explosive hazards away from the force route. The M2 machine gun ultimately provides accurate, direct fire upon enemy forces and targets in either an offensive or defensive role.

Arutz Sheva notes that

The developers report that the Thor system has already been deployed in combat operations. “Thor has demonstrated combat effectiveness in operational engagements bringing an additional precision fire gun platform to the fight, while at the same time filling a unique tactical mission role,” Rafael announced.

Rafael is supported by Israel’s Ministry of Defense and designs, develops, manufactures and supplies a wide range of advanced defense systems.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:43 AM