U.S. developing laser defense against SA-7 attacks

WorldTribune ^ | November 3, 2003 | Special to WorldTribune

[LSUfan]

The United States is developing a laser weapon to defend against terror attacks like the shoulder-fired missile attack on an American helicopter Sunday.

U.S. officials said Iraqi insurgents have been trained in the use of shoulder-fired SA-7 surface to air missiles which destroyed a Chinook helicopter over the weekend, killing 16 U.S. soldiers.

The U.S. Air Force has been briefed on a system that could automatically detect an infrared surface-to-air missile launch and emit a laser beam to destroy the projectile. The system would be based on the Tactical High Energy Laser developed by Israel and the United States in 2001.

[.cnI redruM]

That would be great. Either shoot it down, or just jam it's sensors.

[mallardx]

Where did the insurgent terrorists get the missiles?

[U S Army EOD]

When they started using the SA7 missiles against us in Vietnam in 1972, the defence for the AC130's and C130's was the loadmaster standing on the ramp of the aircraft while it was airborn armed with a flare pistol to shoot and try to deflect in incoming SA7's. Our helicopters had nothing.

A lot of helicopters and C130's were shot down by SA7's that year.

[truthandjustice1]

"Where did the insurgent terrorists get the missiles?"

France gets my vote.

[U S Army EOD]

They already had plenty. SA7's have been around at least since 1971 or earier.

[truthandjustice1]

"Where did the insurgent terrorists get the missiles?"

France gets my vote.

[Laserman]

An even more effective weapon would shoot back at the sight of the launcher taking out the operators vision before launch. That would certainly deter future would be SA-7 launching terrorists!

[battlecry]

How long are the missiles good for? Do they last indefinitely or do the batteries run out after some time?

[truthandjustice1]

Guess I voted twice.

[hnorris]

The program has come under the authority of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Israel's Defense Ministry and the U.S. army have agreed on the requirements of a mobile laser system that can be transported on a truck.

The two countries intend to allocate nearly $100 million for the development of the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser, or M-THEL.

The agreement on the funding came last month during meetings between an Israeli parliamentarian delegation and Congress. Congress agreed to approve $56 million for M-THEL and Israel pledged to allocate about $30 million.

M-THEL is expected to be completed in 2007. Congress has allocated $56 million for the project in fiscal 2004.

[Ben Hecks]

"An even more effective weapon would shoot back at the sight of the launcher taking out the operators vision before launch"

Wonder if an area could be hit by an EMP to fry the electronics in launchers? Better yet, develop the capability to cause "work accidents" with RPGs, SA-7s, etc..

[Tommyjo]

Iraq had thousands of Soviet supplied MANPADS. Everything from the standard SA-7s GRAIL to the more sophisticated later Soviet types. Spent SA-7 launchers have been found near to Basra airport in the past couple of months and numerous attempts have been to target everything from civilian aid agency IL-76s through to C-17s. The US and UK forces have a current buy back policy for these type of MANPADS, but the vast amounts that were present in the Iraqi inventories means that there is still a sustantial number of these weapons either in the hands of the bad guys or in the hands of the Iraqi black market dealers.

[U S Army EOD]

The batteries are seperate. Your battery goes bad so you just replace the battery. They are in the laucher. The missiles should last for a long, long time if they are stored properly.

[U S Army EOD]

If you ever saw the movie Congo you will see SA7's at work. These things are everywhere.

[U S Army EOD]

What was the vehicle mounted one that had multiple lauchers for a SA7 type missile? Seems like it was SA9 or something like that. It could use radar or IR.

[U S Army EOD]

You can't shoot "back" if you shoot first. The problem with something like an SA7 is it can be consiled and fired from in the back of a pickup truck or something simular. They are less bulky that a RPG7.