Fighting fiber laser for the US Army

61
As the "Lenta.RU", the command of the American army signed a contract with Lockheed Martin, providing for the development and production of combat fiber laser power 60 kilowatts. In the future, like weapon will be used to destroy unguided rockets, mortar shells, artillery shells and unmanned aerial vehicles.

A new laser facility is being integrated into the HEL MD experimental platform (mobile high-energy laser demonstrator. ”According to company representatives, the facility will be equipped with several fiber lasers to produce a high-power beam using spectral alignment technology.

So far these are all details about the development of a promising 60-kilowatt fiber laser.

It should be noted that the presentation of the technology of spectral alignment of fiber lasers was held in January 2014. Then the company Lockheed Martin demonstrated laser power 30 kilowatts, which used several generators. Optical fiber was used to transmit rays to a special combining device.

In the new installation, each laser beam will have a different wavelength. The device combines laser beams from various optical lines into one powerful high-quality beam. It is noted that the company's specialists managed to reduce energy consumption by 50% compared to solid-state lasers.
  • http://lenta.ru/
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  1. +3
    April 29 2014 10: 34
    Why do we have lasers there? The Amer’s news about the use of lasers there, lasers themselves is annoying something ... And one should not think that this is just a dumb cut of dough in the American way.
    1. +4
      April 29 2014 10: 38
      For every trick we have a bolt with a left-hand thread - for each weapon a corresponding "antidote" is being developed very quickly - here most likely it will be a smoke generator or something similar on a rocket - to scatter the beam. A beam is not a shell for you - you don't need armor ...
      1. WKS
        +4
        April 29 2014 11: 13
        Quote: zeleznijdorojnik
        here most likely it will become a smoke generator or something similar on a rocket - to disperse the beam

        a). Natural water vapor in the atmosphere; b) mirror polished surface; in). artificial dense clouds of any opaque aerosols or vapors - etc. etc.
        The laser beam is effective only in laboratory conditions.
        1. MBA78
          +1
          April 29 2014 11: 22
          and mirrored warheads
        2. 0
          April 29 2014 11: 24
          But what about laser targeting, which is already 20 years old?
          1. +1
            April 29 2014 12: 44
            The laser pointer does not need to burn the target. Therefore, it is important there that the beam simply reaches the object, and not carries all its energy to it.

            Protection: in addition to the mirror surface, it is easy to apply the rotation of the rocket around its axis and the ablation coating. If such a coating on the spacecraft descent device saves the device for 10-15 minutes of descent at several thousand degrees, then during this time the rocket will certainly reach the target or leave the laser efficiency zone.
            1. 0
              April 29 2014 12: 53
              The trajectories of the descent vehicle and the warhead are somewhat different, therefore, the speeds are different, and the heating temperatures, too.
    2. Mr.Advokat
      +1
      April 29 2014 13: 49
      Yes, and for the effective operation of a laser that can hit fast-moving targets in a matter of seconds at great distances, each needs its own nuclear power plant.
  2. johnsnz
    +6
    April 29 2014 10: 35
    I understand this is a stationary installation? She eats at times more than gives out. Consequently, not quite mobile.
    1. johnsnz
      0
      April 29 2014 11: 03
      No, still mobile, found.
      The HEL MD laser system (High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator) is designed for installation on self-propelled vehicles with the ability to fire round-robin (360 degrees)
      1. johnsnz
        +5
        April 29 2014 11: 16
        And now some calculations (from the site of KB "Khimavtomatika")
        The wavelength of a carbon dioxide laser is known exactly - 10,6 microns. The size of the output aperture of the radiator can be “by eye” defined in 15, see. This, by the way, is an excellent result - usually the dimensions of the active zone of gas-dynamic lasers are measured in units of centimeters. Further simple arithmetic shows that already at a distance in 10 km the base of the radiation cone will have (at best, with a divergence equal to the diffraction) diameter in 1,5 m and area in 18 thousand square meters. cm. At a distance in 100 km - 15 m in diameter and 1,8 million square meters. cm square. It is on this huge “spot” that 100 KW of laser output power will be spread.


        At a distance in 100 km, the power density in 0,06 W per square meter is obtained. see. Such a "sizzling beam" can be obtained from a flashlight. At a distance of 10 km, 5,6 W per square meter is obtained. see. This is already quite noticeable - but we need not to warm up, but to break the design of the enemy’s aircraft or cruise missile. There are various estimates of the thermal energy required to destroy a target; they all fall within the range from 1 to 20 KJ per square meter. cm.


        For example, for the complete evaporation of 1 sq. cm sheet of 3 mm thick need to be “pumped” into it 8 – 10 KJ. The bullet on departure from the barrel AKM carries about 4,4 KJ per square. see. But even the smallest of the mentioned figures (1 KJ) means that laser “shooting” at a distance of 10 km will require holding the radiation spot on the target for 160 seconds. During this time, the subsonic cruise missile will fly 45 km - unless it is shot down on the way from the good old ShKAS.
        1. 0
          April 29 2014 11: 23
          What about TDL lasers? There is less energy required at times.
          1. johnsnz
            +3
            April 29 2014 12: 07
            Self-propelled laser system (SLK) 1K17 "Compression"
            In the early 1990s, a prototype of a mobile laser gun was assembled in our country, which was deployed on the basis of the Msta-S self-propelled guns. The project received the designation 1K17 “Compression”. The basis of this unique complex was a multi-channel solid-state laser. According to unconfirmed information, an artificial cylindrical ruby ​​crystal with a total mass of 30 kg was specially grown for the Compression plant. According to another version, yttrium aluminum garnet, in which neodymium was added, could serve as the laser body.

            Self-propelled laser complex (SLK) 1K17 "Compression" was ready in 1992 year. Its main purpose is to fight a potential adversary with optical-electronic devices. It used a multichannel laser. There were a total of 12 optical channels (2 series of lenses), each of which had an individual guidance system. The use of a multichannel scheme allowed us to perform multi-band SLK. As a counter to such systems, the adversary could try to protect the optics by installing light filters that would block the radiation of a certain frequency. However, against simultaneous damage by laser beams having different wavelengths, light filters are useless.

            Moreover, the main problem of any laser today is their very low efficiency. Even in the most complex and most advanced installations, it reaches only 20%. Installation "eats" a lot of electricity. For this reason, high-power generators and an auxiliary power unit (APU) occupied most of the increased cabin of the Msta-S self-propelled guns (which was rather big in itself), on the basis of which the Compression Complex was located.
            Unfortunately, everything turned off with the collapse of the USSR
        2. +1
          April 29 2014 12: 04
          A research team at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Princeton University (USA) has discovered and investigated a new mechanism for generating coherent (laser) radiation. The discovery was made almost by accident.

          Studying the properties of a semiconductor cascade laser, scientists recorded the phenomenon of their generation of a second beam of photons slightly less than the main beam of energy. Such radiation was distinguished by a number of interesting properties. In particular, the same power value was achieved at a lower current value than the main beam.

          The laser could operate at higher temperatures, and was characterized by higher temperature stability. It is expected that new lasers will be able to operate at higher temperatures than existing analogues, which will expand their scope.

          That was in 2009. In five years, much could have changed.
        3. 0
          April 29 2014 12: 49
          For example, for the complete evaporation of 1 sq. cm sheet of 3 mm thick need to be “pumped” into it 8 – 10 KJ. The bullet on departure from the barrel AKM carries about 4,4 KJ per square. see. But even the smallest of the mentioned figures (1 KJ) means that laser “shooting” at a distance of 10 km will require holding the radiation spot on the target for 160 seconds. During this time, the subsonic cruise missile will fly 45 km - unless it is shot down on the way from the good old ShKAS.
          And this is still without taking into account losses due to heating of the atmosphere during the passage of the beam, a change in the divergence of the beam for the same reason, for a subsonic rocket, there is also cooling of the rocket's body from airflow. And if you give the surface the character of corner reflectors, as in all known reflectors ... Or slow rotation in the longitudinal axis. Yes, with an ablative coating ...
        4. +1
          April 29 2014 15: 50
          I completely agree ! It is also necessary to take into account atmospheric interference. The creator of the laser, when he was closing the topic of research on combat lasers, said that he was completely sure that no one could create a combat laser (working to destroy a target) that worked normally in the atmosphere. In general, these articles appear very often and describe the same thing, only the view from the side. There’s only one meaning, give me money, we’re almost ...
  3. +5
    April 29 2014 10: 36
    Now you have to polish mines, drones and other gifts to a mirror shine request
    1. +1
      April 29 2014 11: 25
      You polish a lot of mines and shells, which will lose all this specularity when passing through the barrel. And the warhead of "Satan" will approach the target with such speed that all this polishing kirdyk will come.
      1. +2
        April 29 2014 11: 36
        If the warhead can withstand prolonged exposure to high temperature and plasma, the laser will never care for it. wink
        1. +2
          April 29 2014 12: 03
          You can avoid it as much as you like, but polishing shells and mines is an even more stupid cut of money.
          1. 0
            April 29 2014 13: 37
            Why polish? Do you want to return the beam to the emitter?
            The task is to dispel! It can be any rough, rough but reflective surface (foil, spraying, coloring).
            And if spot heating is prevented by rotation, uneven movement or rocking, then the thermal effect will spread across the surface and in time, which will prevent destruction.
            1. 0
              April 29 2014 14: 27
              polish - so that there is minimal heat. any unpolished surface heats more than polished. and on a curved surface, the reflection will not work exactly back.
  4. +1
    April 29 2014 10: 37
    The Americans are working on this topic, they are working .... You can’t lag! A combat laser is the weapon of the future! A few years ago, few people believed in tanks, and the planes were considered only as reconnaissance! What happened in the end, no need to tell anyone ...
    1. Adzhimushkay
      +3
      April 29 2014 10: 40
      The weapon of the future in space, in a vacuum. In the Atmosphere, sho will come out.
      1. RND
        +1
        April 29 2014 11: 19
        Quote: Adzhimushkay
        The weapon of the future in space, in a vacuum. In the Atmosphere, sho will come out.

        In the atmosphere, presumably, a kui will come out. Another blaster against aliens. 60 kilowatts will only heat a bucket of water. Will they be able to heat such a pot? laughing
    2. 0
      April 29 2014 11: 18
      Quote: Magic Archer
      Amerikosy work on this topic, work .... We must not lag! A combat laser is the weapon of the future!


      Perhaps, but ... so far unlikely. Too much energy is needed. Pointing to one point for some time to burn through. There are many unsolved and unsolvable problems at the present level.
  5. lord
    +1
    April 29 2014 10: 39
    ours will come up with measures against their lazars for each ass there will be its own awl
  6. tnship2
    +7
    April 29 2014 10: 42
    Hitler before the capture of Berlin also lived with illusions about superweapons. No carded fiber tsatski will save your empire of lies. The Americans have no truth behind you. Just .... did you all bequeathed to you by the founding fathers.
  7. -7
    April 29 2014 10: 45
    Quote: Adzhimushkay
    Weapons of the future in space, in a vacuum

    It is not possible to create a high power beam in a vacuum. only the glare of optics is enough.
    And in the atmosphere, the beam is scattered and extinguished by fog / dust / smoke.
    1. 0
      April 29 2014 10: 57
      It is not possible to create a high power beam in a vacuum

      Verbal nonsense. About a dozen years ago, kilowatt beams emitted to the moon
      1. -1
        April 29 2014 14: 04
        yes, radiated. for the purpose of measuring the distance to the moon. It could have been just a light beam, but the opening angle would be such that a spot of light would be larger than the moon itself. And how successfully were experiments on combat lasers in space?
    2. 0
      April 29 2014 14: 45
      Quote: e_krendel
      Quote: Adzhimushkay
      Weapons of the future in space, in a vacuum

      It is not possible to create a high power beam in a vacuum. only the glare of optics is enough.
      And in the atmosphere, the beam is scattered and extinguished by fog / dust / smoke.

      In space, a small nuclear explosion can be used as a pump. And any pump spectrum: from optical to x-ray and gamma radiation. And the power is huge. The working fluid is disposable. Positioned the battery above and shoot at missiles good
  8. +1
    April 29 2014 10: 49
    Quote: johnsnz
    I understand this is a stationary installation? She eats at times more than gives out. Consequently, not quite mobile.

    Not mobile at all!
  9. -4
    April 29 2014 10: 50
    Quote: fzr1000
    Why do we have lasers there? The Amer’s news about the use of lasers there, lasers themselves is annoying something ... And one should not think that this is just a dumb cut of dough in the American way.


    Well, what do you think? Or do you believe that they have a real laser weapon - just another release of a generator of crazy ideas ai.
    1. +1
      April 29 2014 11: 34
      I believe that if you do not deal with it, then it will not be. We have. And the United States will, because they are doing it.
  10. 0
    April 29 2014 10: 52
    probably both for a house gun and for a pulsed laser an explosive MHD generator is suitable
  11. -1
    April 29 2014 10: 54
    Let them not rely on their "sluggish" laser. Power is in the truth. In general, in my opinion, the presence of some kind of weapon, in itself, is not the main thing. The Germans were not saved by their achievements, the USSR was ahead of the states in many programs, the same did not save, and it will not help the Yankees either.
  12. 0
    April 29 2014 10: 56
    Good directions, but again - binding to weather conditions ...
  13. +1
    April 29 2014 10: 56
    Are there technologies that can track a mortar mine? The speed of reloading or continuous operation must be substantial for the laser, otherwise it will be difficult to stop the volley of hail. Let one or two missiles intercept, but a dozen at a time? It will require AI and the simultaneous use of multiple lasers. The price will go through the roof.
    1. 0
      April 29 2014 13: 29
      The technology for intercepting unguided missiles and shells is as follows:
      receiving data from the radar, calculating the trajectory, checking the trajectory, aiming the striking element at the next section of the trajectory, a shot with a lead ahead of the flight time of the striking element.
  14. Gagarin
    +5
    April 29 2014 10: 58
    IN THE NEAR SHOWING FUTURE, THE AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES DO NOT ALLOW THE LASER TO BE EFFECTIVE IN THE ATMOSPHERE.
    Everything else is PR and dough cut.
    Russia is not idle, it is also working.
    1. tnship2
      +1
      April 29 2014 11: 09
      A beast machine. In this technique, almost a ten-kilogram ruby ​​is installed as a laser element in this technique? They probably don’t even understand how to make it.
  15. Gagarin
    +3
    April 29 2014 10: 59
    I will add a photo with a bit of humor.
  16. 0
    April 29 2014 11: 13
    I don’t understand the railgun for what? If its range and effectiveness in the average parameters do not exceed the existing artillery systems, why should the garden be fenced?
    Gigawatts of energy spend on 1 shot. It seems that the United States in the framework of the current crisis and the collapse of nowhere to loot invest.
  17. +1
    April 29 2014 11: 13
    All talk about effective laser systems comes across a power source and the frequency of use of equipment. So in the foreseeable future we will not see how many existing systems.
  18. +1
    April 29 2014 11: 19
    Quote: Deff
    kilowatts to the moon

    - from the atmosphere;
    - and not in order to burn a hole in it the thickness of a needle.
    Clarification: not power, but density (per unit surface)
  19. +1
    April 29 2014 11: 31
    A mirrored surface is one thing, but do not forget about the rotation of the rocket around its axis. Read the book "SOI and its Earthly Dilemma" There are developments in the 80s, but they are relevant now
  20. -2
    April 29 2014 11: 32
    Mattress mats try to tear themselves away from us in military technology, but we, too, are not born.
    1. 0
      April 29 2014 12: 33
      They are trying to save the lives of soldiers and civilians.
  21. -2
    April 29 2014 11: 36
    Another bullshit of the Americans pour such loot into the development, but they can’t bring it to mind. So they will shoot with this laser when the rocket stops, or rather in the field at targets standing.
  22. kot007
    0
    April 29 2014 11: 40
    Bullshit all this, just wasting money ...
  23. Pasus
    0
    April 29 2014 11: 43
    I propose a measure of counteraction to combat lasers - to manufacture the outer shells of unguided missiles, mortar mines, artillery shells and unmanned aerial vehicles using materials with a high reflection and refraction coefficient.
  24. HAM
    0
    April 29 2014 12: 10
    Quote: "Optical fiber was used to transmit the beams to a special alignment device."
    So all the same, this is not a "fiber laser", but some other: gas, solid-state, semiconductor. So the title of the article is incorrect.
  25. Leha leha
    +1
    April 29 2014 12: 37
    These are our Soviet technologies that the Americans received in the 90s. So that the laser does not hit the rocket, it can still be twisted along its axis.
  26. 0
    April 29 2014 12: 48
    As I understand it, the idea is something like this. Use a laser property such as rate of fire. I mean, there are no moving parts for firing a shot, so theoretically the speed is close to light. This, of course, is not so, but still shooting with the help of powder charges rests. So we raise the laser power and data processing speed, after which we try to bring down the enemy’s charge somewhere at a distance of up to a kilometer. No, somehow it’s weak anyway, warming is still long ...
    But against drones, at least modern ones, that's not bad! Against many small, cheap and obnoxious drones. Against a whole cloud of nimble, "smart" and equipped with small explosive charges. Exploding on periscopes. Rubbing into the viewing slots. Striving to tear off the officer's head with an explosion. I don't know about lasers, but some conclusions can be drawn about the direction of the most promising American research.
  27. sergeybulkin
    0
    April 29 2014 13: 31
    Combat lasers - the last century! Ineffective, incredibly difficult, depending on the weather ... There are beam weapons more effective than a laser, cheaper at times.
  28. -1
    April 29 2014 13: 35
    Lasers must be developed in our country. Lasers from fiction have become very serious instruments today. Actually, your computer has a laser, and it cuts exactly the mirror surface of the disk. So the mirror surface is not a panacea. Smoke will weaken a little but not quite. Well, you also heard about the green laser. Even on the page of this forum offers to buy it pop up. So already at a distance of 2 km it poses a serious problem for vision, do you remember the attacks on landing aircraft? Does he have food? Well, not a gas generator.
  29. 0
    April 29 2014 13: 36
    So far, the laser is only effective against optical guidance systems.
    It takes a lot of energy to create order out of chaos. For application under atmospheric conditions, other spectral (gamma, X-ray) and energy characteristics are needed. Below are excerpts from the article (there is also a video)

    High Power Laser Testing

    The above demonstration tests did not really include shooting a real mortar shot, but rather something that could very accurately reproduce the physical and ballistic characteristics of this type of weapon in shape. These were steel balls 82 mm in diameter, shot from a pipe with compressed air and filled with explosives so that they could be seen from a great distance. For the same reason, a small explosive charge was installed in the bow of jet drones (and in fact Chinese radio-controlled models of the Hawk attack aircraft).

    http://www.arms-expo.ru/055057052124051053052054051.html
  30. 0
    April 29 2014 14: 11
    When the future was specified by who ...
  31. 0
    April 30 2014 00: 09
    Hyperboloid engineer Garin.
  32. 0
    April 30 2014 06: 40
    The laser is good, but in their fields. And obviously not as a weapon. Guidance, target designation, detection, transmission of information ... but not a means of destruction.

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