As Paris seeks to use this type of weapon in the 2024 Olympic Games, the laser weapons system is considered one of the most cost-effective ways to deal with the growing threat of drones in residential areas, according to CNN.
This comes after the French Ministry of the Armed Forces announced last June that it had ordered a prototype of the HELMA-P anti-drone laser weapon system for deployment at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. .
“The HELMA-P system provides a UAV threat response from UAV surveillance tools to neutralize a small or precision UAV (from 100g to 25kg) by changing its structure and causing it to crash in seconds.”
According to the statement, the prototype will also help “deepen the army’s understanding of its deployment”, as the anti-drone campaign is a priority set by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces for the period 2019-2025.
The International Olympic Committee told CNN that security for the Games is the responsibility of local authorities.
The HELMA-P system can fire powerful lasers that heat drones to the point where they either burn out or overheat and fail, according to Jain, a senior weapons engineer at the ministry’s General Weapons Directorate, which is responsible for development and procurement. weapons
The French ministry refused to reveal the name of Jean’s family for security reasons.
According to Philippe Gros, a senior expert at the French Strategic Research Foundation for Security and Defense, drone threats have increased significantly in recent years, including during major events such as the Olympics.
One of the reasons lasers are interesting is that, compared to interceptor missiles, there are no explosives, and even if the drone explodes, only debris falls, Gross said.
He added: In general, it causes less collateral damage.
The use of such a powerful weapon in densely populated Paris, where visitors from around the world gather for the Olympics, raises safety concerns.
The HELMA-P system was developed by CILAS, which is owned by French defense giant Ariane.
An important part of the anti-drone laser program is the safe operation of this weapon, Jain said.
It will be up to the task force on the ground to decide whether or not they should shoot down a drone.
He added: “This decision takes into account the fact that the downing of the damaged drone may lead to dangers.”
He noted that this system is completely invisible because it does not emit light, due to the invisibility of the laser, it does not make any sound and is actually a very secretive weapon.
Source: Lebanon Debate
