ROKETSAN's ALKA Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) has taken down an FPV drone in a recent test.
The test video shared by ROKETSAN shows the target FPV drone being tracked by the METEKSAN Retinar FAR radar and onboard optics before the engagement.
After the optics locked on the FPV drone, the laser weapon was focused for three seconds, resulting in a successful downing. An important part of the laser weapon is that it damages the drone structurally and blinds the optics, the only way of acquiring a target for the drone operator.
While ALKA's main weapon is its laser, which has a range of 1.5 km and five kilowatts of power, its arsenal also includes a jammer to attack the communication functions of UAVs and IEDs at longer ranges. Thus, the system can perform both soft-kill and hard-kill. Depending on needs, ALKA's module can be transported by trucks or placed down for static use. Additionally, the weapon can be installed on observation towers. Alongside ASELSAN's İHTAR jammer, GÖKBERK laser weapon, and ŞAHİN remote-controlled 40 mm airburst grenade launcher, ALKA will serve as a part of Çelik Kubbe (Steel Dome) integrated air defence system's C-UAS layer.
