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Meet SlimBeam: Ukraine’s Lightweight Laser System to Neutralize FPV Drones on the Frontline
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Ukrainian defense company Fulltime Robotics is advancing the development of its SlimBeam portable laser system—designed to neutralize Russian FPV drones on the battlefield. The prototype was unveiled during IRON DEMO 2025, where it was presented as a lightweight, high-powered tool for frontline defense, according to Oboronka on August 6.
SlimBeam delivers 1.5 kW of power and can engage aerial targets at distances of up to 1 kilometer. The system also features a dedicated mode for blinding Russian optics, including those on drones and stationary surveillance systems, with an effective range of around 2 kilometers.
According to one of the engineers at Fulltime Robotics, SlimBeam is one of the lightest systems of its kind globally, weighing under 50 kilograms. It is intended for deployment on stationary platforms and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).
One of the key challenges, he noted, remains the ability to maintain target lock on moving drones for long enough to destroy them mid-flight.
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“We’re working on target tracking. Right now, we can’t keep a lock on moving drones for long. We need to hold the beam on target for 5 to 15 seconds to destroy it, and achieving that accuracy is still a work in progress,” he said.
According to Oboronka, the system is currently being tested on stationary targets using manual beam control. An automated targeting module is still in development, with Ihor confirming that the team is actively working to refine it for more reliable autonomous engagement in future deployments.
SlimBeam is optimized for use against small UAVs. While developers have considered adapting it to counter Iranian-Russian Shahed drones, they acknowledge that greater power would be required.
According to their estimates, neutralizing a Shahed would require 10–12 seconds of continuous exposure to the laser beam, Oboronka reported.
Fulltime Robotics also plans to develop a handheld, rifle-style version of the system, intended for infantry use to bolster point defense against reconnaissance and FPV drones.
Beyond military use, the company notes SlimBeam could serve civilian applications—such as clearing obstacles from power lines, high-rise structures, and trimming branches in hard-to-reach areas.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukraine is rapidly advancing the development of low-cost aerial interceptor drones to counter the growing threat of Russian UAVs.
The country aims to ramp up production to 1,000 interceptor drones per day, strengthening its air defense capabilities while easing the burden on its limited supply of air defense missiles amid continued Russian attacks.
