The US Army and the Israeli defence ministry have selected a Northrop Grumman design concept for the Mobile Tactical High-Energy Laser (MTHEL) prototype. Development of the concept will take place in fiscal years 2004-7.
MTHEL is a laser weapon capable of shooting down short-range rockets and artillery projectiles. Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) and Rafael will be partners in the full-scale development of the system.
Laser weapons project a highly focused, high-power beam of light that delivers enough energy on a rocket or artillery projectile to cause it to explode in mid-air.
The cost per shot is expected to be in thousands of dollars, far less expensive than the cost of kinetic energy defence systems, in which a sophisticated rocket or projectile collides with a target in flight.
Source: Flight International