The CROSSBOW MINI 3 kW HEL was optimised to neutralise Group 1 and 2 drones with precision and operated for up to 12 hours on internal battery power. The CROSSBOW product line also included the 500 W Dazzler, which was available, and pre-orders were being taken for the higher-power 8 kW HEL system.
The system was designed to function as a stand-alone laser defence solution with advanced tracking and engagement capabilities. It could also integrate with existing command and control networks and radar platforms, allowing distributed protection of critical assets.
IPG stated that CROSSBOW had already neutralised over 100 drones in realistic field scenarios, including single and swarm attacks. The systems featured stowable beam directors, rapid deployment capability and required minimal operator training compared with more complex alternatives.
“The CROSSBOW product line establishes IPG as a complete laser defense systems provider,” said Ben Allison, VP of IPG Defense Products. “It transitions us from a component supplier to a full solution partner, delivering top-tier software, optics, and lasers in a single operational package while leveraging our extensive manufacturing capabilities and laser expertise.”
Lockheed Martin integrated CROSSBOW into its Sanctum counter-UAS architecture and demonstrated its effectiveness at four separate field exercises. “The modern battlespace demands integrated and layered defense against small UAS,” said Tyler Griffin, Lockheed Martin’s C-UAS Director. “To address this need, Lockheed Martin developed the Sanctum C-UAS ecosystem with end-to-end capability to detect, track, identify and defeat small UAS. Sanctum features a scalable, modular architecture, and these core design principles were proven during our recent integration with IPG’s CROSSBOW.”
IPG Photonics, headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, is a global leader in high-power fibre lasers and amplifiers. The company operates more than 30 facilities worldwide and focuses on delivering innovative laser solutions with superior performance and reliability.
