Peresvet is a new Russian laser weapon. It's named after Alexander Peresvet (a medieval Orthodox monk, and warrior), who was killed in a battle against Temir-murza the Mongol champion.
The weapon is expected to be used by the Russian air force in an effort to counter a wide range of threats. It's a point defense system that can track, shoot down, and even destroy satellites and aircraft.
It is also expected that it will "blind", preventing sophisticated enemy systems from operating. It is said to be designed to operate in conjunction with a network of space surveillance radars and optical telescopes across the country, forwarding data to Peresvet laser combat units.
Russia is the first to create a ground-based fully-functional laser system capable of blinding or dazzling satellites in orbit. It will be integrated with the Kalina and Sokol-Eshelon satellite dazzler systems, which have been in development for many years.
While there are many theories regarding what it will do, the primary goal for any laser weapon will be to disable or eliminate any sensor on the target. This is not the only way that lasers can be used, but it is the most common approach.
A laser can not only destroy the satellite's sensors but also blind them to stop their communication or camera functioning. They are a great tool to block hostile parties from accessing the space environment.
The Peresvet could also be used to attack enemy planes, according to some reports. This would allow the Russian air force to have more lethal options against various types of aircraft, including the MiG-29 and F-22 made by the US.
In 2018, President Vladimir Putin first announced the Peresvet. It will be an air-defence system capable of tracking and shooting down drones and missiles.
Although the exact weapon is still unknown, it can be seen mounted to a special wheeled chassis. It is very similar to the one used for many other artillery or missile vehicles.
This vehicle was found near Sibirskiy military town, Altai Region of Russia. A video released on YouTube shows the Peresvet, or "overexposure," laser weapon slowly emerge from behind a barrier and fire.
The video also shows the Peresvet firing multiple laser beams at once and a small amount of debris being launched from the weapon. This video does not show the Peresvet as being capable of functioning as an anti aircraft weapon.
However, this is a promising start for Russia to develop a highly-effective laser system that can be used to defend against air-to-air missiles and other weapons. It will be a valuable asset to any Russian campaign and help protect Russia against air-to-air missile attacks.
This is an interesting development that should be closely studied. The weapon is expected to be in service by 2022, when the next round of conflict begins.