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Poland's Anti-Drone Laser System ASBL Faces Long Wait for Production
🇵🇱 Poland /Technology

Poland's Anti-Drone Laser System ASBL Faces Long Wait for Production

From Rzeczpospolita · () Polish

Translated from Polish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Poland is developing an anti-drone laser system called ASBL, with initial technical parameters indicating a range of 1.5 km and a 10-20 second target destruction time.
  • The system weighs 300-400 kg, allowing for mounting on vehicles, ships, or ground stations, with an estimated cost of 100 Polish zloty per shot.
  • Full production readiness is projected for 2032-2035, with current development focusing on component validation and prototype creation.

Poland is advancing its domestic anti-drone laser system, ASBL, with the Military University of Technology releasing initial technical specifications. The system is designed to detect, track, and destroy drones, including FPV and loitering munitions, at distances up to 1.5 kilometers. Each engagement is expected to take between 10 to 20 seconds.

The ASBL system is designed to be relatively lightweight, weighing between 300 to 400 kilograms. This portability allows for its deployment on various platforms, such as SUV-class vehicles, ships, or fixed ground positions. The estimated cost per shot is approximately 100 Polish zloty. The laser's destructive effect is thermal, aiming to burn through drone components or ignite internal materials.

The system is designed to detect, track, and destroy drones, including FPV and loitering munitions, at distances up to 1.5 kilometers.

— Military University of TechnologyDescribing the capabilities of the ASBL anti-drone laser system.

While the exact power output remains undisclosed, comparisons to international systems suggest a required power of 20-50 kW for the stated range, with 30 kW being a likely figure. For context, Israel's Iron Beam system operates at 100 kW and has a range of 7-10 km, while the U.S. HELIOS system uses 60 kW for similar ranges to the ASBL.

The estimated cost per shot is approximately 100 Polish zloty.

— Military University of TechnologyDetailing the operational cost of the ASBL system.

Development is progressing from a technological readiness level of four, involving laboratory validation of key components. The current phase will last 36 months, culminating in a model for prototype development. The Military University of Technology estimates that a fully production-ready system will take six to nine years to develop, placing its availability between 2032 and 2035. This timeline indicates a significant wait for the Polish anti-drone laser.

Separately, the Armaments Agency is seeking laser systems capable of ranges of at least 1 km and 3 km, with the latter also intended to counter artillery and mortar shells, a capability known as C-RAM. The ASBL's initial designation as an "Autonomous laser weapon system for the protection of military objects and critical infrastructure against UAVs" suggests a focus on stationary defense rather than battlefield deployment, unlike other anti-drone systems being procured.

Full production readiness is projected for 2032-2035.

— Military University of TechnologyIndicating the timeline for the ASBL system's availability.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Rzeczpospolita in Polish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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