Russian military-industrial sector resumes the development of combat lasers in accordance with the order of Russian Ministry of Defense, Izvestiya reports.

A source close to the military-industrial sector reported that three enterprises: Almaz-Antey, Beriev Company and Voronezh-based  Khimpromavtomatika, will receive the performance specifications for development of combat laser able to burn through the bodies of aircraft, satellites and ballistic missiles in 2013.

According to the source, Beriev Company has started the upgrading of A-60 test-bed aircraft developed on the basis of Il-76 aircraft. The jet is based at the enterprise’s airfield located near Taganrog. This test-bed aircraft was manufactured in 1991 and it is the only one left since the Soviet era. It participated in the experiments in the area of blinding the light homing heads of the enemy missile, however, the work was suspended in 2011 due to lack of financing. The equipment was partially dismounted.

At present the funds have been allocated and the optical rig will be equipped with more powerful laser, while the test-bed aircraft will be upgraded.

«The jet has not been performing any flights in two years, so it needs maintenance. Approximately the upgrading of the jet will be performed in 2013 provided that the financing will be stable. In parallel we will start mounting the new components of the laser device. We hope to start the flight testing next year», — a representative of the Beriev Company said.

According to him, the research and development work is being resumed at the higher technical level. One of the main objectives of the previous modification (1LK222) was blinding and temporary incapacitation of optical systems of satellites on all the orbits. Its development has been completed in 2009 and the product’s viability was acknowledged during state testing. Now the new system with the improved laser able to destroy air targets has been developed on its basis.