The US Army has awarded TRW an additional $43 million to field-test the Tactical High Energy Laser (THEL).
The THEL, which is a joint US/Israeli project, is also known as the Nautilus, and it would be used to neutralise short-range rockets. Nearly $132 million was previously allocated for the research programme.
The field trials of a fully deployable system will take place at the US Army's High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility, with possibly further tests in Israel. The Nautilus, which was previously successfully tested at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, uses a continuous megawatt-class mid-infra-red advanced chemical laser.
THEL technology may be used to defeat other threats, including cruise missiles.
Source: Flight International