Search
Menu
Gentec Electro-Optics Inc   - Measure With Gentec Accuracy LB

Mobile Laser Takes On Mortars, UAVs

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., Dec. 17, 2013 — Boeing's vehicle-mounted 10-kW class laser recently engaged more than 90 mortar rounds and several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in flight, the US Army has announced.

Testing of the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD), conducted by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC)/Army Forces Strategic Command, took place between Nov. 18 and Dec. 10 at the High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility in White Sands. It represented the first demonstration of the HEL MD in the configuration that included the laser and beam director mounted in the vehicle, the Army said. A surrogate radar (Enhanced Multi Mode Radar) system supported the engagement by queuing the laser.


The High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) successfully engaged more than 90 mortar rounds and several unmanned aerial vehicles in flight during testing between Nov. 18 and Dec. 10 at White Sands Missile Range. The HEL MD program is managed by the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Technical Center and Boeing is the prime contractor.


The HEL MD is being developed to defend against rockets, artillery, mortars, UAVs and cruise missiles and is managed by SMDC's Technical Center. Low- and medium-power tests took place in 2011 and showed initial effectiveness of the system, and the demonstration and testing at high-power levels "confirms the capability of a mobile solid-state laser weapon system to counter mortars, UAVs, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance sensors mounted on the UAVs," the Army said.

Although the recent test system by prime contractor Boeing was equipped with a 10-kW class laser, in the future, a 50-kW class laser will be integrated into the HEL MD platform. The latter laser eventually will be upgraded to 100 kW, along with the supporting thermal and power subsystems. These upgrades increase the effective range of the laser or decrease required lase time on target.

For more information, visit: www.boeing.com/boeing/defense-space/ic/des/

Rocky Mountain Instruments - Custom Assemblies MR

Published: December 2013
Glossary
directed energy
Directed energy refers to a type of energy that is emitted and transferred in a controlled direction. The term is often associated with military and technological applications where energy, typically in the form of electromagnetic radiation, is focused and directed toward a specific target. Directed energy systems can take various forms, including lasers and high-power microwaves. The key characteristic is the intentional concentration of energy to achieve a desired effect on a target. In...
10 kW laserAmericasBoeingBusinessdefenseDirected EnergyHEL MDhigh energy laserImagingmissile defense commandUAVLasers

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.