DRDO’s 30 kW directed-energy weapon to be ready within a year to counter swarm drones

New Delhi, September 20 The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO’s) first-of-production model (FOPM) for the 30 kW-class directed-energy weapon (DEW) — a strong arm of ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ comprehensive air defence system announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier, will be available within a year to counter swarm drones and UAVs . The truck-mounted DEW uses electromagnetic energy for destroying targets either by way of soft kill or hard kill. “Having demonstrated the technology, DRDO will issue an express of interest in the next six months to select a production partner for the new 30 kW high energy laser beam…