The US Air Force is expanding simulated exercises involving fighters equipped with virtual laser weapons to include its bomber and gunship fleets, while the US Navy's tactical fighter community is also showing interest.
Two immediate goals are to refine tactics for using air-to-air laser cannons in fighters and air-to-ground defensive laser cannons for bombers, especially the Boeing B-1B Lancer. A nationwide "Advanced Concepts Event" conducted in late October by the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate is now in a two-month evaluation phase, says Rudy Martinez, director of the high energy laser (HEL) fighter project office.
Four networked Lockheed Martin F-16 simulators equipped with the HEL fighter software programme were used in the exercise, along with a Northrop Grumman B-2 simulator, which acted as a surrogate for the B-1. The HEL fighter is designed with a turreted 100kW-class laser cannon. Design assumptions include a weight of 544kg (1,200lb) and a 20s laser magazine. Pilots are penalised with a 1min cool-down period each time the magazine is exhausted.
Martinez says the Naval Air Systems Command is using the programme to run simulations of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets using defensive tactics against small boats. In early 2005, US Special Operations Command plans to adopt the same model to run simulations of advanced tactical lasers and active denial systems for its Lockheed Martin AC-130 gunships, he says.
Stephen Trimble / Washington DC
Source: Flight International
