REDONDO BEACH, Calif., June 17 -- TRW has delivered and installed at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, a solid-state laser brassboard that utilizes technology required for next-generation electronic warfare systems. TRW developed the new DARPA/Tri-Service Mid IR II Laser with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In laboratory testing at TRW's Space Park complex, the laser has produced 20 W of output power at mid-infrared wavelengths (3.7-4.9 mm), which is about four times more power than previously recorded for a laser of this type in this spectral range. The TRW laser also features high beam quality and a pulse repetition frequency of 20 kHz.
By generating record output power and beam quality with a single mid-IR laser, TRW has demonstrated that it's now possible to build solid-state lasers that can meet the performance requirements of next-generation surface ship protection systems, said Dr. Paul Mak, manager of NRL's Mid-IR II program. This mid-IR technology could likely be transitioned, for example, into Navy programs such as the Advanced Integrated Electronic Warfare System.