Russia Likely Pursuing Laser Weapons to Disrupt Satellites - US Defense Intel Report
Russia is likely pursuing directed energy weapons including lasers that could take out enemy satellites, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said in a new assessment
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th February, 2019) Russia is likely pursuing directed energy weapons including lasers that could take out enemy satellites, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said in a new assessment.
"Russia likely is pursuing laser weapons to disrupt, degrade, or damage satellites and their sensors," the report said on Monday.
Prior to July 2018, the report added, Russia began delivering a laser weapon system to the Aerospace Forces that is likely intended for an antisatellite (ASAT) mission.
The report also claimed that China and Russia view space as important to modern warfare and counterspace capabilities as a means to reduce US and allied military effectiveness.
In addition, according to the intelligence assessment, Iran and North Korea are developing threatening space-based technologies evidenced by jamming capabilities. Both countries, the report said, maintain independent space launch capabilities that can be used for testing ballistic missile technologies.
The 1967 Outer Space Treaty bans placing weapons of mass destruction into space or installing such weapons on celestial bodies. The treaty has been ratified by more than 100 countries including the United States, Russia, China, and North Korea.