DE M-SHORAD Guardian A1 50 kW-class laser weapon

Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense 8x8 Stryker armored vehicle - United States

The Stryker Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or DE M-SHORAD, the weapon system is a program launched by the U.S. Army to integrate a 50-kilowatt class high-energy laser weapon system on the Stryker A1 8x8 armored vehicle. The integration of a 50 kW-class laser on a Stryker A1 combat vehicle is part of the MMHEL (Multi-Mission High Energy Laser) program. The MMHEL is a technology integration and demonstration effort with a solid-state laser system, agile beam control system, and supporting laser subsystems, integrated into a combat platform. The Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense system, or DE M-SHORAD, is a 50kW-class laser designed to protect divisions and brigade combat teams against unmanned aircraft systems, rotary and fixed-wing threats, rockets, artillery, and mortars, said Marcia Holmes, the deputy director of hypersonics, directed energy, space, and rapid acquisition. In September 2021, U.S. Army selected Redstone, Alabama-based Kord Technologies and McKinney, Texas-based Raytheon in a $123.9 million contract to supply three more 50-kilowatt high-energy laser energy weapon systems for three Stryker A1 vehicles. Kord is the prime on the contract, lead integrator and is providing the power management and cooling system. Raytheon provides the 50-kW class high-energy laser, a beam director, an electro-optical/infrared target acquisition and tracking system, and a Ku720 multi-mission radar. The addition of the Ku720 multi-mission, advanced electronically scanned array, persistent 360-degree radar—a scaled-down, highly-mobile version of Raytheon’s Ku-Band Radio Frequency System—provides sensing capabilities for the emerging threats and at a greater distance than other battlefield sensors. In August 2021, The US Army tested its first high-energy laser weapon prototype on Stryker armored fighting vehicles during a “combat shoot-off” at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During the shoot-off, the laser-equipped Strykers faced various scenarios to test the Directed Energy-Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) system. In January 2022, the Defense News website has announced that the first set of Stryker 8x8 armored vehicles equipped with 50-kilowatt laser weapons will be delivered to a unit of U.S. Army soldiers at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, by the end of September 2022. The U.S. Army has dubbed its Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense system “Guardian.” According to information reported by the "Defense News" website on March 2024, three DE M-SHORAD of the U.S. Army have been deployed in Iraq to test the new laser weapon vehicles in real combat environments. 

Stryker DE M-SHORAD variants:

No variants at this time

Armament

The Stryker SHORAD 8x8 armored vehicle, part of the Directed Energy-Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD) is armed with a 50 kW-class high-energy laser weapon that is mounted externally at the rear of the hull. The DE M-SHORAD weapon system combines a 50kW-class high-energy laser, a beam director, an electro-optic/infrared target acquisition and tracking system, and a Ku720 multi-mission radar. To support the laser and beam control system, the DE M-SHORAD has power and thermal management systems that power and cool all the subsystems and provide sufficient magazines to defeat many targets. The onboard Battle Management, Communications, Command, and Control subsystem will process cues and target engagements. The large-aperture optical system for the laser also provides an excellent system for long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. The precision pointing of the laser system also enables the DE M-SHORAD to conduct precision targeting missions against ground targets.

Close view of the 50 kW-class high energy laser weapon mounted on the Stryker 8x8 armored vehicle

Design and protection

The Stryker DE M-SHORAD laser weapon is based on a Stryker A1 8x8 armored vehicle which is an improved version of the original Stryker vehicle manufactured by the American company General Dynamics. This version of the Stryker is also called Stryker Double-V Hull (DVH). The Stryker is based on the LAV III light-armored vehicle, which in turn was based on the LAV-25 series. The hull of the vehicle is constructed from high-hardness steel which offers a basic level of protection against 14.5 mm rounds on the frontal arc, and all-around protection against 7.62 mm ball ammunition. The Stryker A1 builds upon the combat-proven Double-V Hull (DVH) configuration, providing unprecedented survivability against mines and improvised explosive devices. The Stryker A1 armed with the 50 kW-class laser weapon has a crew of three including a driver, commander, and a laser gunner.

Mobility

The Stryker A1 DE M-SHORAD is powered by a new Caterpillar C9 engine developing 450 hp offering more mobility. The original version of the Stryker was motorized with a Caterpillar 3126 diesel engine developing 350 hp. The vehicle is equipped with a more powerful 910 amp alternator capable of supporting the electrical power required for future network upgrades and 20 percent growth. The Stryker A1 is also fitted with an optimized driveline to match the new mechanical power upgrade. The vehicle has eight tires offering superior mobility and increased speed in all-terrain conditions. The vehicle can reach a maximum road speed of 92 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 550 km.

Accessories

The Stryker A1 DE M-SHORAD with the 50-kilowatt laser weapon provides a low cost-per-engagement Maneuver – Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system. It protects maneuvering forces from rockets, artillery and mortar; unmanned aerial systems, and fixed- and rotary-wing manned aircraft. It also gives soldiers an effective counter-UAS system as well as provides counterintelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The radar on the DE M-SHORAD detects an enemy drone about 8 kilometers in the distance. The laser locks onto the drone, tracking it as it moves closer to the vehicle. When the DE M-SHORAD detects incoming mortar fire, the laser quickly moves to intercept the incoming rounds and fires, instantaneously sending heated energy at the round, which is destroyed in seconds. The laser then returns to the drone, destroying it several seconds later. The DE M-SHORAD 50kW-class laser is powered by high-capacity batteries that are charged by Stryker’s diesel engine. The vehicle is also fitted with Battle Management System and computerized communication system including manual/semi-automatic/ automatic target acquisition, aim-point selection, and aim-point management systems connected to the U.S. Army battle management system. The acquisition and tracking sensors consist of Infrared-based wide field-of-view (FOV) components for target acquisition and IR-based narrow FOV fine target tracker. Standard equipment also includes thermal management systems that control laser cooling systems and standard heating, venting, and air conditioning for all other subsystems.

Beam director similar to the one used in the DE M-SHORAD system