A high-energy, solid-state laser developed by Northrop Grumman (E502) has fired one of the most powerful beams yet.
The laser, developed for the military’s Joint High Power Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) programme, blasted a 27kW beam of light for 350sec.
The laser has already proved effective in tests against a variety of in-flight rockets, artillery and mortars. Potential future uses also include protection for ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles.
Northrop Grumman says that to be effective a laser must have good beam quality and a long run time – how long the laser can fire. But, it says, above all the whole system must be reliable.
Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector, says: "The solid-state technology we've demonstrated will serve as the architectural foundation for a whole class of lasers that could be applied throughout much of the US military.
The laser, developed for the military’s Joint High Power Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) programme, blasted a 27kW beam of light for 350sec.
The laser has already proved effective in tests against a variety of in-flight rockets, artillery and mortars. Potential future uses also include protection for ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles.
Northrop Grumman says that to be effective a laser must have good beam quality and a long run time – how long the laser can fire. But, it says, above all the whole system must be reliable.
Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector, says: "The solid-state technology we've demonstrated will serve as the architectural foundation for a whole class of lasers that could be applied throughout much of the US military.
Source: Flight Daily News
