MILEX-2025 – Belarus LEMT presents the Phoenix C-UAS laser system
At the MILEX-2025 arms exhibition the Belarusian “Scientific and Technical Centre” (LEMT) presented a working prototype of the mobile laser weapon Phoenix
The Russian-Ukrainian military conflict is characterized by the large-scale use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Along with traditional means of air defence, such as anti-aircraft missile systems, man-portable air defence systems, rapid-fire anti-aircraft mounts, a number of countries are currently developing counter unmanned air systems (C-UAS) based on new physical principles. Such work is also underway in Belarus where LEMT developed a mobile laser weapon, the Phoenix, meant for neutralising UAVs at a range of up to 1.5 km. As a company representative told EDR On-Line, this laser C-UAS system is mounted on the chassis of a commercial trailer. All auxiliary equipment, including an autonomous electric generator and a control system, are located in the container and cabin of the trailer, which also hosts the two-man crew of two.
The main module is the high-precision laser emitter installed on an extendable rotating platform equipped, which works in conjunction with a sensor suite capable to autonomously detect and identify UAVs. This suite includes the ZORKI-R 3D radar, operating in the X range (9.2-9.6 GHz), which is capable to track up to 50 targets simultaneously, and an optoelectronic surveillance and target designation system. The ZORKI-O optoelectronic system is made of a cooled thermal imaging camera with a 640×512 pixels sensor, and a daylight Full HD TV camera with a 1920×1080 pixels sensor. The optronic suite is completed by a laser rangefinder with a measurement range of 150 m to 18 km.
The radar scans objects, acquires their trajectories and target parameters, while the algorithms of the optoelectronic module provide automatic target detection and tracking. Identification and recognition of the type of drone, combat, kamikaze, reconnaissance, is provided by optical channels.
The current system capacities of 3 and 10 kW ensure successful destruction of small UAV targets at ranges of up to 1.5 km. LEMT is developing a stationary laser system with a 100 kW power output for destroying UAVs at long distances.
A representative of LEMT demonstrated to EDR On-Line a video footage of the Phoenix during a test at a proofing ground, the laser-based system intercepting an unmanned quadcopter drone. As shown in the video images, after directing the laser beam at the quadcopter, the drone caught fire in 2.5-3 seconds.
As reported to EDR On-Line at the LEMT stand, the prototype on show was developed based of a project that the developed for one of its Middle Eastern customers.
Photos by N. Novichkov and LEMT
