New DroneLight from Esh-Tech Delivers Hard-Kill Laser Defense to the Tactical Edge, Neutralizing Drones in 1-2 Seconds
AI Analysis
Esh-Tech has launched 'DroneLight,' a new pulsed-laser hard-kill counter-UAS system designed for tactical deployment. The system boasts rapid neutralization times (1-2 seconds) and lower energy consumption (4kW) compared to existing laser-based defenses. DroneLight is currently undergoing evaluation with international customers.
Key Takeaways
- DroneLight utilizes a pulsed-laser architecture for rapid target neutralization via material ablation.
- The system can neutralize drones at a rate of up to 5Hz (30 per minute), effective against swarms.
- DroneLight requires significantly less power (4kW) than comparable continuous-wave laser systems (20kW+), enabling mobile deployment.
- The system is designed for a 1km defensive layer with 360° coverage and single-operator functionality.
- Esh-Tech claims DroneLight is approximately 25% the cost of legacy continuous-wave laser systems.
Why It Matters
The development of lower-cost, more energy-efficient hard-kill laser systems like DroneLight expands the accessibility of advanced counter-UAS capabilities to a wider range of military units. This shifts the paradigm from protecting only high-value assets to providing broader area denial and force protection against drone threats, particularly in complex urban environments. The rapid engagement time is critical for countering explosive drone threats.
As the threat of hostile drones continues to grow on the modern battlefield, Esh-Tech today announced the launch of DroneLight, a game-changing pulsed-laser hard-kill system that provides ground forces with rapid, affordable, and mobile counter-drone protection. DroneLight is designed to address a wide range of aerial threats, including explosive-laden drones, which have become one of the most urgent and widely encountered challenges in current operational environments. The system is undergoing customer evaluations in multiple markets worldwide.
Developed specifically for maneuvering and stationary land units operating in complex and high-threat environments, DroneLight introduces a breakthrough pulsed laser architecture that uses short, high-intensity pulses to physically remove material from thetarget through a drilling effect, enabling neutralization within 1-2 seconds – compared to more than 15 seconds in legacy continuous-wave laser systems.
With energy consumption of approximately 4 kW, significantly lower than the 20 kW or more required by other systems, DroneLight operates efficiently from vehicle power sources, making it fully mobile and suitable for installation on military vehicles without the need for heavy dedicated power infrastructure.
The system supports engagement rates of up to 5Hz, translating into approximately 30 neutralizations per minute, makingit highly effective against drone swarm scenarios. Its narrow field of view, absence of side lobes (energy scattering in other directions) and extremely short dwell time make it particularly suitable for urban environments where precision and reduced collateral risk are critical. Designed for the 1-km defensive layer with 360° coverage and single-operator functionality, DroneLight incorporates an automatic tracking system and synchronized pulsed modules to ensure consistent performance under real operational conditions.
“DroneLight was developed to to enhance operational effectiveness and mission readiness in counter-drone defense,” said Erez Riahi, CEO of Esh-Tech. “By combining high effectivity with very low energy consumption and a cost structure that is dramatically lower than traditional laser systems, we enable armed forces to deploy effective hard-kill protection at scale, not just at select strategic sites. Our pulsed-laser architecture delivers interception within seconds, giving maneuvering forces the speed and operational flexibility they require on today’s battlefield.”
By combining powerful pulsed-laser performance, low energy demand, rapid engagement time and affordability at approximately 25% of the cost of legacy continuous-wave laser systems, DroneLight establishes a new standard for tactical counter-drone protection and enables forces to equip a significantly larger number of units with effective laser-based defense capabilities.
Esh-Tech develops advanced innovative laser-based defense technologies designed to provide agile, scalable, and operationally proven solutions for modern security challenges.
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