Lasers vs Small Boats–the Low Cost Solution? Will We Have the Power?

The Coast Guard has apparently recognized the need for systems to counter unmanned air and surface systems for the Ports, Waterways, and Coastal Security mission. Like every other services they are hoping to be able to do it with lasers or other systems that offer light weight, mobility, low per kill cost and infinite magazine depth. So they are asking what is available?

“This Request for Information (RFI) is part of an effort by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to determine the availability and technical readiness of directed energy technologies. The USCG is interested in systems or effectors that use high energy lasers (HEL) or comparable laser technology to incapacitate targets of interest (TOIs) in the maritime environment. The “maritime environment” refers to installation locations that include, but are not limited to, fixed sites such as piers, on the move (OTM) cutters, and OTM small boats. The unique challenges of the maritime environment may require packaging to protect against shock, vibration, sea spray, and airborne particulates, including smoke and fuel exhaust. Primary TOIs for this RFI are, but are not limited to, uncrewed systems, to include uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and uncrewed surface vessels (USV). Information is specifically requested regarding physical dimensions of the effector: its weight, power requirements, cooling requirements, and rough order of magnitude for cost of acquisition and installation. Responses should also include wavelength, output power, area of effect, and range information. Software load to include target profiles and targeting methods should be included as available.”

This is a long way from a fielded system, but it is at least encouraging that they have apparently recognized the need. Question is, if we find, we can’t do it cheaply, will we pursue hard kill systems and how urgent do we see this threat? Responses are due August 20.

Things we could do relatively quickly, put laser designators and APKWS on every Webber class WPB. Convert every 25mm Mk38 to 30mm so that they could fire airburst ammunition.