Raytheon Successfully Tests New Solid-State Laser Area Defense System

PRNewswire ^ | Jan. 9, 2007 | Raytheon Company

[holymoly]

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) successfully tested a prototype solid-state laser weapon that combines the proven capabilities of the Phalanx weapon system with the power and effectiveness of lasers to defeat rockets, mortars and missiles at an operationally significant range.

The prototype solid-state Laser Area Defense System (LADS) successfully detonated 60-millimeter mortars at a range greater than 550 yards within the tactical timeline in static ground testing conducted in partnership with the United States government. This government-industry team accomplished these groundbreaking prototype tests in less than six months.

The LADS demonstration used a proven, existing, off-the-shelf solid-state laser, coupled with commercially available optics technology. The goal of the demonstration was to rapidly prove that lasers can yield military utility now by demonstrating that such a system could protect warfighters against mortars. Secondary goals of the demonstration were to offer a near-term alternative to chemical lasers, which may create logistics challenges for the warfighter, and to prove that existing optical and targeting components can significantly lower total laser system costs and speed their ultimate transition to the warfighter.

Solid-state laser technology makes LADS safe to the environment, does away with the need for caustic chemicals and radically reduces the life-cycle cost. LADS is highly mobile and has the operational capability to simultaneously engage multiple targets at tactically relevant ranges. The laser system is powered by a commercially available generator or grid electricity and provides an extremely inexpensive, almost infinite magazine for countering mortar and rocket threats.

"In just six short months, Raytheon and government engineers went from an idea to operational field testing of a solid-state laser system that offers the potential of near-term protection for our troops," said Mike Booen, vice president of Advanced Missile Defense and Directed Energy Weapons at Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz. "Our solid-state LADS proves you don't have to wait another three to five years for solid-state lasers to have military utility on the battlefield. They are ready now, with no chemicals required."

LADS builds on the Phalanx weapon system to provide fast and precise search, track and engage capabilities for directing the laser energy on target. The next logical step for LADS is dynamic field testing in 2007. Raytheon has produced more than 900 Phalanx systems that fire 20-millimeter armor piercing rounds for 24 nations.

Raytheon Company, with 2005 sales of $21.9 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.

[holymoly]

The LADS demonstration used a proven, existing, off-the-shelf solid-state laser, coupled with commercially available optics technology.

No, this does not mean you can cannibalize the lasers from CD-ROM drives, get a telescope, and build your own. ;o)

[theDentist]

What happens if you aim one at a DUmmie Server?

[bamahead]

IATZ?

:)

[Bosco]

If this could be used on IEDs it would be a Godsend for our troops in Iraq.

[GAB-1955]

Congrats to Raytheon. Northrop Grumman already has its laser defense system built. 2007 will be the make-or-break year for the terrorist states; Hezbollah and Hamas will find their toys broken next year.

[ozaukeemom]

ping

[MeanWestTexan]

But it does mean that Israel will shortly have a defense against nuisance attacks from the savages on the other side of the wall.

[puppypusher]

If this system can be implemented on our Destroyers and Guided Missile Cruisers the threat of anti-ship missiles will be significantly reduced.

[TChris]

Very cool technology! As China begins to enter the realm of American technology of the 1970's, it's comforting to know we're still ahead.

[MeanWestTexan]

Not really, unless the IEDs were airborne.

This is radar-dependant.

[ElkGroveDan]

Raytheon Successfully Tests New Solid-State Laser Area Defense System

Solid-state? Does this mean it has no vacuum tubes? Congratulations Raytheon on this incredible technological leap forward!

[Red6]

They are already looking for IED's with aircraft. Once found, why not vaporize or disable them from an airborne platform?

Actually this does sound reasonable.

[GAB-1955]

Using these on IEDs is the next thing on the list of the defense contractors. Personally, I want the death-ray from the War of the Worlds movie; can you imagine a Hezbollah rally ending in green scarfs, battle fatigues, and grey dust everywhere?

However, I don't think anyone is working on a Model I Tripod for the U.S. Army. Even if they did, they'd have to build a shorter, faster variant for the Marine Corps, and the Air Force would want a one too.

But wouldn't it be cool?

[doorgunner69]

What makes you think this has not been in the pipe for a long time now?

[newguy357]

The problem with IEDs is detection, not disposal.

[massgopguy]

This is typical of the success stories that Sen. Harkin does not want reported before they Senate debates the failure of SDI.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

No, this does not mean you can cannibalize the lasers from CD-ROM drives, get a telescope, and build your own. ;o)

ROFL!

[Robert A Cook PE]

Solid-state laser technology makes LADS safe to the environment, does away with the need for caustic chemicals and radically reduces the life-cycle cost.


Just for info: The previous large defense lasers made y Raytheon used H2O2 (and a few other nasty "wet" chemicals to chemically power the laser. The tanks (while they could be refilled) added a lot of problems trying to get the THEL (and other airborne laser installations) "mobile." To run the THEL for example, you really needed about 10 permently-mounted containers on concrete hard-mounts.

So the laser defense installation becomes an expensive fixed target itself.

I figure they used the tracking and control programs and hardware from the THEL for this smaller laser, with the mount from the Phalanx.

Good they can kill mortar rounds - probably artillery rounds too? - but that "small target" success indicates also that bigger missiles (which need to get hit further out and with more power) or gas/biological warheads (which need to get destroyed further away) are still too hard to kill.

[Robert A Cook PE]

See my explanation in nbr 18. previous high energy lasers were chemically powered.

[patton]

THEL has killed 155 rds in flight.