The US Army received the first four DE M-SHORAD prototype systems

The United States Army has received the first four prototypes of the latest 50kW-class Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense systems, or DE M-SHORAD.

The US Army reported about this on its website.

The soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Sill received the Stryker-based Short-Range Air Defense system prototypes.

4-60th ADAR commenced training in fall 2022 to prepare for the integration of these groundbreaking laser weapon systems.

Drivers underwent rigorous training using a surrogate M-SHORAD vehicle specially constructed to replicate the DE M-SHORAD prototype’s size, weight, and power.

Additionally, the crews skillfully simulated the execution of the structure of an attack or “kill chain” on the Virtual Crew Trainer Operating Systems.

In March 2023 at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, crews from 4-60th ADAR and the DE M-SHORAD prototype team came together to conduct a highly successful capability demonstration during a Live Fire Exercise. The event demonstrated the remarkable potential of these prototypes.

“The delivery of DE M-SHORAD prototypes to the 4-60th ADAR represents a transformational milestone in the Army’s modernization campaign. It is an achievement that adds what was often thought of as a next-generation capability, now,” stated Col. Gutierrez.

He added that laser systems will be a game-changer on the contemporary battlefield, a critical component of an integrated, layered, and in-depth air missile defense for division and brigade maneuver formations.

The U.S. Air Force is also receiving its own laser weapons. In June, Militarnyi reported that Raytheon Technologies had delivered a 10-kilowatt H4 laser.

Germany and France are testing their own laser weapons for ships.

It was also reported that the UK is adopting a laser air defense system.