U.S. Army orders development of 250-300 kW combat laser
In the future, the US Army intends to adopt a new combat laser, which will be used as an air defense system. As transmits "NPlus1" referring to Jane's, the development of such a device with a capacity of 250-300 kilowatts was launched by the American company Lockheed Martin.
In May of this year, the American company Dynetics, usually carrying out orders for the Pentagon and NASA, received a contract to create a combat laser with an 100 kW power for the needs of the American army. The project of the laser placed on FMTV (medium tactical truck with the wheel formula 6x6) is being implemented as part of the HEL TVD program (high-energy laser armament in a vehicle). However, the command decided not to dwell on this project and order the development of a more powerful combat laser with an output of 250-300 kW.
It is reported that the basis of the laser installation created by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Army is a fiber laser with spectral alignment technology, in which several low-power laser beams are combined in a special device, resulting in a higher power beam. Several lasers combined together according to this technology and should make up an installation with power up to 300 kW. It is assumed that the installation itself will be created on a modular basis, and its capacity will be regulated by adding new modules.
Development will be carried out as part of the IFPC program, which involves the development of means of protecting objects from fire from closed positions - missiles, shells and mortar mines.
As previously reported, a hybrid power plant introduced by Rolls-Royce, a British company, will be used to provide the 100 kW combat laser energy developed by the HEL TVD program.
In May of this year, the American company Dynetics, usually carrying out orders for the Pentagon and NASA, received a contract to create a combat laser with an 100 kW power for the needs of the American army. The project of the laser placed on FMTV (medium tactical truck with the wheel formula 6x6) is being implemented as part of the HEL TVD program (high-energy laser armament in a vehicle). However, the command decided not to dwell on this project and order the development of a more powerful combat laser with an output of 250-300 kW.
It is reported that the basis of the laser installation created by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Army is a fiber laser with spectral alignment technology, in which several low-power laser beams are combined in a special device, resulting in a higher power beam. Several lasers combined together according to this technology and should make up an installation with power up to 300 kW. It is assumed that the installation itself will be created on a modular basis, and its capacity will be regulated by adding new modules.
Development will be carried out as part of the IFPC program, which involves the development of means of protecting objects from fire from closed positions - missiles, shells and mortar mines.
As previously reported, a hybrid power plant introduced by Rolls-Royce, a British company, will be used to provide the 100 kW combat laser energy developed by the HEL TVD program.
- Dynetics
Information