USA has strengthened the protection of the residence of donald trump in Mar-a-LagoFlorida, with a combination of anti-aircraft missiles, a laser weapon, and drone detection and jamming equipment. The deployment has been carried out at the request of the Secret servicewith the participation of North American Aerospace Defense Command and the Northern Command United States.
anti-aircraft systems AN/TWQ-1 Avenger They have been there since mid-October, with photographs documenting their presence next to the property taken on the 16th, and at the Donald J. Trump Airport, just five kilometers away, on the 15th. The images show two units on a floating platform in the Lake Worth lagoon and another on the beach, in addition to at least two at the airport.
Mounted on a military SUV Humveethe Avenger is designed to combat low-flying threats, including aircraft, helicopters and drones. Its turret incorporates two launchers with capacity for four missiles FIM-92 Stinger each, a thermal camera to track objectives day and night and a laser rangefinder to measure distances.
The Stingers carry an explosive charge and use infrared and ultraviolet sensors to follow the target autonomously after launchthrough the principle of ‘fire and forget’. The most modern versions incorporate a proximity fusea device that allows it to detonate close to the target without having to hit directly, which improves its effectiveness against small drones.
The Avenger’s usual armament is completed with a machine gun 12.7 millimeter M3P for upcoming threats. This combination allows you to respond with different weapons, although each vehicle can only carry eight Stingers ready to fire before needing a reload.
The newest addition is at least a LOCUST of AeroVironmentinstalled on a light tactical vehicle JLTV 4×4 traction. It appears in images taken on October 31 by Getty’s Andrew Harnik, according to The War Zone, but it is unknown when it arrived at Mar-a-Lago.
LOCUST uses a laser beam to concentrate energy on an area of the drone and heat it until causing damage that renders it useless. Its turret combines the emitter with electro-optical and infrared cameras to locate and track targets, and can receive indications from external sensors.
The system requires electrical generation and cooling equipment, essential to power the laser and evacuate the heat it produces. In December of last year, AeroVironment delivered versions of JLTV from the 20 kilowatt class, a power that places it among high energy lasers, although in the lower range of this category.
Its main advantage is that it does not consume projectiles and can continue firing as long as it has sufficient energy and cooling, with a cost per interception much lower than that of a missile. However, can only attack one target at a time and you need to keep the beam on him for the time needed to damage itwhich limits its response to numerous simultaneous drones.
Fog, smoke and dust can reduce its effectiveness, and the beam loses intensity as it passes through the atmosphere. That’s why, The laser complements the missiles and anti-drone equipment deployed in the area, which include radars, cameras and electronic jammers..
Reinforcement occurs in a context of Iran’s repeated threats against Trump and concern for their safety. The authorities have confirmed the operation, but have not identified a specific threat as a trigger or detailed its capabilities for operational security reasons.