NGC Surpasses Power, Run-Time Requirements Of Joint High Power Solid-State Laser Program

TECH SPACE

"To our knowledge, these achievements make the Northrop Grumman laser (pictured) the brightest, continuously operating, solid-state laser demonstrated to date," Livanos added.

Redondo Beach CA (SPX) Nov 09, 2005
A high-energy, solid-state laser developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. military has fired one of the most powerful beams yet produced by an electric laser of more than 27 kW with a run time of 350 seconds.

In posting those achievements, the company said it surpassed the power and run time requirements of the Joint High Power Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) Phase 2 demonstration program, a military effort to leap frog speed-of-light technology.

In a separate test, the laser demonstrated excellent beam quality at 19 kW, showing how well the beam can be focused and thus get to a target. The JHPSSL program was funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and the Office of the Secretary of Defense - Joint Technology Office, Albuquerque.

"The solid-state technology we've demonstrated will serve as the architectural foundation for a whole class of lasers that could be applied throughout much of the U.S. military," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. Potential uses include protective and strike capabilities for ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles.

"To our knowledge, these achievements make the Northrop Grumman laser the brightest, continuously operating, solid-state laser demonstrated to date," Livanos added.

"Solid-state lasers will add new force protection and joint warfighting capabilities across military services," said Art Stephenson, vice president of Directed Energy Systems at Northrop Grumman Space Technology.

"In addition to the JHPSSL success, Northrop Grumman has been leading the development and demonstration of complete laser systems. During the past five years, through the Tactical High Energy Laser program executed in conjunction with the U.S. Army, we've shown the effectiveness of a high-power laser system against a variety of in-flight rockets, artillery and mortars.

"We have also shown that the lethality of a laser results from much more than just the power level. The laser must have good beam quality and a long run time, which are proven hallmarks of our systems. Our solid-state laser approach has been shown to be 'scaleable' to high-power levels without stressing the components. That's why we believe it's time to take high-energy lasers out of the lab and begin integrating them onto the battlefield."

Stephenson noted that Northrop Grumman's low-power, solid-state lasers are being used daily by the U.S. military for target designation and range finding. In addition, a Northrop Grumman solid-state illuminator laser, the Beacon Illuminator Laser - the most powerful solid-state laser on the Airborne Laser (ABL) - is being used for ground testing now.

The company is also under contract to build a more capable follow-on illuminator, the Strategic Illuminator Laser, which is only a few years away, he added. Northrop Grumman built the megawatt-class laser for ABL, the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser.

MILTECH

EADS, DRS To Work On Laser-Based Obstacle Warning System For Helicopters

Friedrichshafen, Germany (SPX) Oct 06, 2005
EADS and DRS Technologies have agreed to collaborate on U.S. marketing and production of the EADS HELLAS laser-based obstacle warning system that offers unprecedented protection for helicopters against difficult-to-detect obstacles, such as power lines.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.