General Atomics Gets Contract for Mounting Laser on an Avenger UCAV, Delivery for 2017

GA-ASI got the Pentagon to pay for its HEL Avenger. They are stating 5 to 6 shots by the HELLADS laser before needing to recharge. FWIW, the standard Avenger's engine can put out 40 kw sustained. That would mean a 4 second charge for every one second of firing (assuming best case charging). Assuming 6 ten second firings, then you are looking at a six minute recharge for a full 'magazine' again.

a reply to: anzha
Yeah, 2017 is the absolutely earliest that such tech could get a HELLADS down to the weight needed for an Avenger - and that's an aggressive stance for sure.

A directed energy drone would be great in a high-threat environment to watch the back of fighter/bombers, utilizing lightspeed to zap AA missiles.