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Boeing Laser Systems Destroy UAVs In Tests
Albuquerque NM (SPX) Nov 24, 2009 Boeing in May demonstrated the ability of mobile laser weapon systems to perform a unique mission: track and destroy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). During the U.S. Air Force-sponsored tests at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, Calif., the Mobile Active Targeting Resource for Integrated eXperiments (MATRIX), which was developed by Boeing under contract to the Air Force Research Laboratory, used a single, high-brightness laser beam to shoot down five UAVs at various ranges. Laser Avenger, a Boeing-funded initiative, also shot down a UAV. Representatives of the Air Force and Army observed the tests. "The Air Force and Boeing achieved a directed-energy breakthrough with these tests," said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Missile Defense Systems' Directed Energy Systems unit. "MATRIX's performance is especially noteworthy because it demonstrated unprecedented, ultra-precise and lethal acquisition, pointing and tracking at long ranges using relatively low laser power." Bill Baker, chief scientist of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate, praised his team and Boeing for these successful UAV shootdowns. "These tests validate the use of directed energy to negate potential hostile threats against the homeland," Baker said. "The team effort of Boeing and the Air Force in developing MATRIX will pay major dividends for the warfighter now and in the years ahead." As part of the overall counter-UAV demonstration, Boeing also successfully test-fired a lightweight 25mm machine gun from the Laser Avenger platform to potentially further the hybrid directed energy/kinetic energy capability against UAV threats. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Boeing Learn about laser weapon technology at SpaceWar.com
Mounted laser weapon passes two key testsAlbuquerque (UPI) Oct 27, 2009 A laser weapon mounted on a vehicle that is set to enter U.S. Army service in a few years passed two key tests at the Boeing Co.'s review sites, the company announced. The High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator program is part of a U.S. Army plan to give its fighting capability an edge over adversaries and also to better protect soldiers in a battlefront environment. ... read more |
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