The Boeing Company announced on June 24, 2010 that it has received the Laser Beam Collection Manager Unit for the US Army's High Intensity Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) program, advancing the project another step toward the planned 2011 system test date.
Brashear Integrated Optical Systems, a division of L-3 Communications, brought the component to Pittsburgh for transfer to Boeing facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where it will be integrated with the rest of the laser beam control system. After its assembly, the laser system will be integrated into a tactical truck (HEMTT of the Oshkosh company, at the Boeing factory in Huntsville, Alabama.
The laser beam control system will enable target acquisition, while tracking and pointing to a specific point on the target. At the same time, the system will receive a laser beam from the HEL TD device, reshape it, align it and focus it on the target. The system includes mirrors, processors and extremely fast optical sensors.
"This innovative capability, which builds skin and tendons thanks to the joint efforts of Boeing employees, the partner companies and the customer - the US Army, reinforces the recognition that this technology is very close to being available and helping warriors in the field," said Blaine Beardsley, HEL TD project manager at Boeing.
The revolutionary weapon system from a solid laser will enable high accuracy, at the speed of light, which will dramatically improve the ability of fighters to intercept missiles, shells and mortars.
"We believe that we will be able to begin testing against tangible targets at the White Sands Proving Ground as early as next year," said Mike Rinne, Boeing's vice president of Directed Energy Systems. "The use of a low-powered replacement for the high-powered laser will illustrate the revolutionary capability of the system and its potential on the battlefield."
The low intensity tests will demonstrate the ability of the HEL TD system to acquire, track and mark a target on missiles while in the air. Later, the tactical truck will be equipped with a high-intensity laser that will be able to destroy these targets.
Boeing develops laser systems for a variety of applications of the US air, land and sea forces. Besides the HEL TD, these systems include free electron laser systems, a tactical relay sight system and the state-of-the-art Compact 3-D imaging camera.
Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, a division of the Boeing Company, is one of the largest defense and space systems divisions in the world that specializes in providing innovative solutions to customers based on innovative capabilities, and is one of the largest manufacturers of various military aircraft in the world. Its main offices are located in St. Louis, its value is about 34 billion dollars and it employs 68,000 people worldwide.
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To commenter 6 Tamir, do you have an explanation of how the weapon will work against a missile coated with reflective material? .
Not true Max Power. A laser hit like that is equivalent to a bullet hit and even more - I suggest you delve into the details...
responder (4),
You are just a genius. what do you want to say
A laser beam is ineffective as a weapon, it is known that mirrors are able to deflect a laser beam, all that is necessary is to cover the missile with a mirror-like material that will deflect the laser beam.
For a solid state laser with high dispersion and low range
Ami, a wise man
This is not new