Anti-drone laser Perun: Russia trials Svarog laser system in field test

The anti-drone laser Perun has proven highly effective against drones in field tests. The Svarog Scientific and Production Centre told the Russian news agency TASS. The statement reads:

The newest laser defence system Perun against all types of drones is currently being tested in Russia. The system is designed to protect stationary sites – military-industrial facilities, fuel and energy facilities, as well as transport and critical infrastructure, including ports and so on. However, Perun can also be used as part of mobile groups— Statement by the Svarog Scientific and Production Centre

According to the organisation, the battery allows up to 15 minutes of continuous operation; in combat, the operating time is up to five hours. The Svarog Scientific and Production Centre added:

The target engagement range is up to 5 kilometres. The system is inexpensive to operate; the cost of one shot – 10 seconds of continuous laser emission – is estimated at the equivalent of around two euros— Svarog Scientific and Production Centre

The stationary variant is based on a 20-foot shipping container, while the mobile version sits on a chassis with a payload capacity of up to 5 tonnes. On the design, the centre explained:

The system comprises a two-axis rotating turret with an associated control module, detection and target acquisition cameras, and a thermal imaging camera. Perun is equipped with an image processing and targeting system based on artificial intelligence. This system uses neural networks and analytical data processing methods for target detection, classification and guidance— Svarog Scientific and Production Centre

Where the anti-drone laser reaches its limits

Russian analyst Mikhail Timoshenko points to a successful demonstration of functionality over a distance of about two kilometres. He sees the enormous power demand as the main problem: a sufficiently powerful beam is hard to generate – that remains the biggest hurdle. In principle, all laser systems have to contend with the natural defocusing of the beam. The key question is therefore at what distance a target can be acquired and destroyed. The principle “What I see, I destroy” does not yet work fully, Timoshenko said.

Other laser projects in Russia

Russia already uses anti-drone laser systems with up to 90 kilowatts of power, First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said in May. Peresvet, for its part, was presented in 2018 as the first Russian laser system in service with the Russian Armed Forces.

Pochech is the name of a compact laser system said to be under development to counter first-person view (FPV) drones. It is meant to destroy targets at up to one kilometre.

A laser system called Slepysh is designed to disable the optical systems of drones. It disrupts both the image sent to the operator and the images used by the drones' automatic control algorithms. Similar capabilities are attributed to Luchezar, a system from the Era technology centre.

The Rat system from Ruselectronics combines radar detection, electronic warfare, microwave jamming and laser target engagement. All laser systems share one weakness: their effectiveness drops in adverse weather.