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Basilisk Beam

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The Basilisk Beam is a directed-energy weapon air defense system that was unveiled by Javelin Industries, Neridia Defense Industries, and ESB Thermodynamics on 12.X.1699 AN. The system is the results of years of research underwritten by Nouvelle Alexandrie, based on decades of collective research and development in solid-state lasers by Natopian, New Alexandrian, and Constancian researchers.

The Basilisk Beam is designed to destroy short-range rockets, artillery, mortars, and unmanned aerial vehicles; and has a range of up to 100 kilometers (62.1 mi). The Basilisk Beam is the results of years of research and development that at first led to the development of the Vulcan laser system. As the project continued to develop and evolve, the group of companies and nations involved soon changed the program's name and continuing the work under the new name.

The Basilisk Beam, much like the Vulcan laser system, will be part of the integrated air defense system for Nouvelle Alexandrie, adding to the the Silver Hammer, the Geneva family of missiles, and other systems. The Basilisk Beam has also been designed to serve as a stand alone, continuing the development of the Vulcan in this regard, and allowing it to be versatile enough to be mounted on aircraft and ships. Basilisk Beam uses a fiber laser to destroy an airborne target within the first few seconds of firing. It contains a sophisticated surveillance system that can be connected to a larger air-defense system to provide it with further external cueing. The threat is detected by its surveillance system and tracked by vehicle platforms so it can engage the threat.

An Basilisk Beam battery is mobile and composed of an air defense radar, a command and control (C2) unit, and two High Energy Laser systems.

Potential

Currently, laser power levels are reported to be in the tens of kilowatts, but there are confirmed plans to increase the laser power to hundreds of kW. Scalable power levels allow it to be used on low-power to dazzle a person's eye to non-lethally make them turn away from a threatening posture, and increase to 30 thousand watts (30 kW) to fry sensors, burn out motors, and detonate explosive materials. Mounted on a ship, a Basilisk Beam battery in the thousands of kW can target a small craft's motor to disable it and make it "dead in the water," then repeating this against others in rapid succession, requiring only a few seconds of firing. Against a larger aircraft like a helicopter, the Basilisk Beam can burn through some vital components to cause it to fall and crash.

Deployment

The Basilisk Beam is expected to be installed on some ships and aircraft in late 1699 AN for a 12-month trial deployment. The Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie spent tens of millions of ecu over the past six years on research, development, and testing of the laser weapon, in coordination with Javelin Industries, Neridia Defense Industries, and ESB Thermodynamics. The exact level of power in initial deployment is not yet confirmed, but it is estimated between 15–50 kW for engaging small aircraft and high-speed boats. Directed-energy weapons are being pursued for economic reasons, as they can be fired for very little cost-wise, while conventional gun rounds and missiles can cost thousands of ecu each.

A modified Javelin Sojourner was utilised by Javelin Industries for a series of in-flight trials during the period 1699 AN1703 AN. Although credited with the destruction of a number of surplus target drones during the testing period, the successful destruction of a thermal target rocket, simulating an air-to-air missile, entering the field of engagement proved elusive. After consultation with independent evaluation teams provided by the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie and Trans-Euran Command of the Raspur Pact the air interception tests were deemed a partial success, which translated into a 90% effectiveness rating once subjected to statistical modelling by an analytical team at ESB Thermodynamics. The Basilisk Beam was accordingly selected as starting point for the point-defence system / directed-energy countermeasures suite of the Javelin F-18 Cyclone.

Basilisk Beam was subsequently incorporated into the F-10 Carnifex as part of its third iteration (1718 AN1723 AN) rebuild programme.

See also