Laser Warning Systems
Platform-Integrated Laser Warning System
The Platform-Integrated Laser Warning System provides 360° laser threat detection for vehicles and mission platforms. It detects laser-based targeting and designation threats in real time and supports data exchange with onboard systems. Its integrated architecture enhances crew situational awareness and improves response capability.
Technical Specifications
| Detection Wavelength Range | 700 – 1700 nm (optional: 525 – 1700 nm) |
| Field of View | 360 ° |
| Detected Laser Types | LRF, LTD, LBR |
| Detection Classification | Friend-foe and threat-type (NATO STANAG 3733) |
| Response Time | < 1 ms |
| Directional Accuracy | < 10 ° |
| Communication Interfaces | RS485 / RS422 / CAN Bus / Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit) / MIL-STD-1553 B |
| Dimensions | 120 × 130 × 124 mm |
| Weight | < 2.9 kg |
| Operating Temperature | −32 °C … +55 °C |
| Protection Class (IP) | IP68 |
| Standards | MIL-STD-810 H, MIL-STD-461 G, MIL-STD-1275 F |
Technical Documents
The Vehicle-Mounted Laser Warning System is a platform-class laser warning receiver (LWR) solution designed for main battle tanks, armored fighting vehicles and wheeled armored personnel carriers, offering panoramic 360° threat detection. The greatest threats modern armored systems face — anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), laser-guided tank rounds, laser-ranged small arms such as the RPG-29 — all begin with laser illumination or range-finding; the Vehicle-Mounted Laser Warning System captures exactly this first signal.
Why It Matters for Armored Vehicles
For a main battle tank, the time between an enemy ATGM's laser guidance pulse and missile impact is no more than a few seconds. In this window, the crew needs a millisecond-scale warning in order to:
- Change the vehicle's maneuver position
- Deploy a smoke screen (integration with smoke launcher systems)
- Trigger the active protection system
- Return fire with the counter-turret
The Vehicle-Mounted Laser Warning System delivers this warning through a multi-sensor array distributed around the turret; laser beams from any direction are detected, the bearing is determined and the information is relayed to the crew compartment both audibly and visually.
Technical Specifications
- Sensor array: Typically 4–8 head sensors (around the turret)
- Coverage: 360° horizontal + wide vertical angle
- Bearing accuracy: ≤11.25° (high-resolution configuration)
- Threat classification: LRF, LTD, LBR and coded pulse patterns
- Response time: <1 ms
- Wavelength: 0.5 – 1.6 μm
- Alert output: Crew compartment console display + audible alarm
- Integration: Vehicle battle management system (BMS), smoke launcher and active protection systems
- Power: 28V DC (vehicle bus, MIL-STD-1275F compliant)
- Environmental: MIL-STD-810H (vibration, shock, temperature, humidity, IP67)
- EMC: MIL-STD-461G
Countermeasure Chain Integration
Beyond a standalone "warning" device, the system is positioned as the opening link of the full defence chain at the vehicle level:
1. Detection: The Vehicle-Mounted sensor array captures the laser illumination 2. Classification: Threat type and bearing are determined 3. Broadcast: The information is relayed to the vehicle BMS and command network 4. Countermeasure: The smoke launcher system is triggered automatically or manually; the counter-turret is slewed onto the target 5. Recording: The event is logged for subsequent analysis
Applications
- Main battle tanks (MBTs)
- Armored fighting vehicles (IFVs)
- Armored personnel carriers (APCs)
- Wheeled armored vehicles (WAVs)
- Armored command and control platforms
- Armored intelligence/reconnaissance vehicles
Integration and Modernization
The system can be offered as both an integrated solution in new vehicle designs and as a retrofit in modernization packages for existing platforms. It has been successfully integrated into various armored vehicle families in the inventories of the Turkish Armed Forces and friendly nations. For platform-specific sensor layouts, BMS integration schematics and retrofit planning, please contact our engineering team via our contact form.