“Discover the intriguing history of the world’s first laser-equipped tank, a Soviet invention from the Cold War era that promised to revolutionize warfare with cutting-edge technology”
The idea of a tank armed with laser weapons may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie, but during the Cold War, the Soviet Union was already experimenting with this advanced technology. Between the 1970s and late 1990s, an ultra-secret project aimed at developing a combat vehicle with Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) was underway. So secretive was this project that the Pentagon could only get hold of a few sketches. This narrative unveils the world’s first laser tank—a mix of Soviet ambition, technological innovation, and the real-world hurdles of military development.
Development and Early Prototypes
The initial prototype, designated as the 1K11 Stilet, was among several laser-based systems devised by the Soviet Union in its quest to build a “Self-Propelled Laser Complex” (SLK). The concept for such a vehicle emerged in the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually leading to the construction of two 1K11 prototypes by the Central Design Bureau Luch in 1982. The Stilet was succeeded by another prototype named “Sangvin,” which was based on the chassis of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka, a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The Shilka’s cannons were removed and replaced with a singular laser emitter designed to disrupt the sensors and optics of enemy aircraft. Remarkably, Sangvin could potentially disable helicopters from a range of 8 to 9.65 kilometers.
In 1989, the most sophisticated version of the SLK, the 1K17 Szhatie, was developed. Although the Russian military continued the project for a brief period, it was eventually shelved due to the exorbitant costs and the questionable need for such a system. The 1K17 was assembled in December 1990 and underwent testing until 1992, but despite promising results, it never advanced to mass production or active deployment.
Design and Functionality of the 1K17
The 1K17 Szhatie is particularly notable for the wealth of detailed images available, which distinguish it from earlier models like the Stilet and Sangvin. The 1K17 was constructed on the chassis of the 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzer. The gun was removed, and the turret was extensively modified to accommodate a solid-state laser system. The vehicle also featured a generator and auxiliary batteries to power the laser emitter.
The laser system of the 1K17 comprised 13 lenses, including a central lens surrounded by 12 others arranged in two rows. Each laser tube housed a cylindrical ruby crystal, which served as the medium for generating a laser beam when energized. The ruby crystals were encased in xenon gas, with lamps installed within the chambers. When these lamps illuminated the xenon gas, it emitted a broad spectrum of light, which the ruby crystals absorbed and then emitted as a laser beam.
This powerful laser had the capability to disable the electro-optical equipment on enemy vehicles. However, the system was extremely costly to produce, as each synthetic ruby crystal weighed 30 kilograms. Although the 1K17 was not intended for direct combat, it was armed with a 12.7 mm NSVT heavy machine gun mounted on the commander’s turret and equipped with six smoke grenade launchers for defense against ground and air threats.
A Cold War Relic
Had the 1K17 Szhatie been deployed in warfare, it might have significantly influenced military tactics. As a defensive weapon, its laser was highly effective in neutralizing enemy vehicles, weapons, and surveillance systems. The 1K17’s laser could also cause immediate blindness, making it a formidable asset.
Today, only one prototype of the 1K17 remains, preserved at the Military Technical Museum near Moscow. This surviving model is a relic of an era when military engineers dared to envision the future of warfare through beams of light. The older Stilet and Sangvin prototypes have been dismantled, with the last known image of Sangvin taken at a scrapyard in St. Petersburg.
The story of the 1K17 Szhatie and its predecessors is a fascinating glimpse into a time when the Soviet Union sought to reshape the battlefield with revolutionary technology. Although these vehicles never entered combat, their development sheds light on the complexities and potential of laser weaponry. As these Cold War artifacts stand silent in a museum, they serve as reminders of an era when the future of military conflict was being shaped by beams of light.
