At AUSA 2025, Parsons Corporation showcased the JLTV-integrated ZEUS 4 laser system, developed under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Air Force. The high-energy laser technology neutralizes explosive threats rapidly and safely, offering a mobile alternative to conventional disposal methods.
Mounted on a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), ZEUS 4 provides a compact platform for clearing unexploded ordnance using focused light energy. Developed in collaboration with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Readiness Directorate, the system replaces traditional explosive charges by heating and safely neutralizing mines and other munitions from a distance, enabling faster and more flexible clearance of airfields, routes, and post-strike zones.
The system directs a focused fiber laser beam onto the casing of unexploded ordnance, heating it until the explosive filler is safely combusted or deflagrated. This controlled process prevents high-order detonations, minimizing risk to personnel and surrounding equipment. ZEUS 4 operates at standoff ranges between 25 and 300 meters and is fully qualified to MIL-SPEC standards for extreme temperatures, dust, sand, rain, fog, and vibration, allowing continuous day-and-night operations in all weather conditions.
Compared to earlier models, ZEUS 4 offers improvements in size, weight, and power efficiency, and integrates AI-powered targeting sensors for faster and more accurate ordnance detection and classification. Its “palletized, bolt-on” design allows easy integration on multiple vehicles, enhancing operational flexibility. The JLTV platform, lighter and more maneuverable than MRAP-based RADBO systems, expands mission potential while enabling rapid deployment in confined or contested environments.
Throughout its development, ZEUS systems have been tested against more than 50 types of ordnance, successfully neutralizing over 5,000 explosive items. The laser requires no consumables, lowering operational costs and simplifying training. The technology is effective in airfield recovery, route clearance, and humanitarian demining operations.
Laser-based explosive disposal systems offer significant advantages over conventional methods, including near-instant engagement, precision targeting, and reduced logistical burdens. Drawing on Parsons’ operational experience from the RADBO program, ZEUS 4 enhances safety, efficiency, and speed for explosive ordnance disposal teams in diverse operational settings.
