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Laser tanks—yes, you heard it right, laser tanks—are not just a product of fiction. In fact, they have been a reality for over 40 years. So, what happened to this concept during the height of the Cold War and Reagan's Star Wars initiative? Surprisingly, the Soviets delved into the realm of science fiction, developing tanks armed with laser weapons under a cloak of utmost secrecy.
Fast forward to 1991, when the CIA received reports of a revolutionary tank rolling out in Soviet Army positions. This tank, known as the 1K 17 Szhatie translated to "compression" in English, was colossal, based on the framework of an artillery tank. Rather than being offensive, its design was purely defensive, featuring 12 powerful lasers capable of individually targeting enemy machines—such as helicopters, jets, and tanks—and disabling them by overwhelming their optics.
The 1K 17 could also track and neutralize incoming missiles, rendering the shoot-and-forget air force tactics of NATO obsolete overnight. This development sent shockwaves through the Western powers, as the Soviets had turned a fantasy into a tangible weapon.
However, the story of laser tanks goes back a few years. In the 1960s, as Western armed forces embraced optical innovations like night vision and thermal imaging, the Soviets took a different approach. They countered these advancements by developing powerful lasers to disable optics and blind operators. This led to the creation of the Scientific Development Center, OKB Raduga, which later became NPO Astrophysics in 1978, under the leadership of Chief Designer Nicolay Yusov.
The first laser tank, the 1K 11 Stiletto, emerged in 1982, based on an engineering vehicle. Its purpose was to detect glare from enemy optics at long ranges and automatically emit a laser to counter them. This concept evolved into the SAG Vin, built on the Shika chassis, featuring a radar and a more potent laser emitter with a range of up to 10 km.
By 1991, breakthroughs in energy technology led to the development of the ultimate laser tank, based on the 2S9 MRS chassis. The 1K 17 boasted 12 different laser channels, rendering countermeasures obsolete. Equipped with a target detector, night vision, and thermal vision, it could engage multiple targets simultaneously.
Despite its formidable capabilities, the laser tank faced several challenges. The range was restricted by obstacles such as trees and mountains, and advancements in thermal optic technology made it more susceptible to detection. Additionally, its design flaw of firing lasers only in the direction of the turret hindered its combat effectiveness.
Ultimately, the 1K 17 laser tank came into service at a financially challenging time for post-Soviet Russia, leading to the abandonment of its development in 1992. The prototypes were scrapped, but the 1K 17 remains listed in service with the Russian army, its technology guarded fiercely.
The Soviet pursuit of laser weaponry didn't stop with tanks; they developed another laser weapon called Alavon in the 1980s for ship defense. Additionally, an Airborne Laser (LS) platform called SoCal Echelon was used in 2009 to illuminate a Japanese satellite successfully.
The true power and capabilities of these laser tanks remain shrouded in secrecy, raising questions about whether the Soviets developed a secret superweapon or if these projects were Cold War-era endeavors destined for books, movies, Share your thoughts in the comments. If you enjoyed this content, be sure to subscribe for more intriguing projects on Military times.
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