Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
The USA is to start testing the feasibility of a tactical aircraft-sized high-energy laser weapon, and a loitering electronic warfare "killer" unmanned air vehicle (UAV) as part of a wide ranging technology demonstration programme.
Fourteen of the 60 projects proposed for the US Defense Department's Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) programme, which aids rapid fielding of advanced weaponry, have been selected for testing during fiscal year 2001.
They include an Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) in which a Lockheed Martin C-130 turboprop, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor or US military helicopter will attempt to precisely direct laser fire on targets. The Department of Defense says the demonstration will focus on the feasibility of using laser weapons for military or law enforcement operations in an urban environment. The laser ACTD, which is sponsored by the US Special Operations Command, is expected to run until the end of fiscal 2005.
Boeing is the prime contractor for the US Air Force's Boeing 747-based Airborne Laser (ABL) project. It believes scaled-down chemical-oxygen iodine laser (COIL) devices derived from the ABL programme permit development of highly mobile, self-contained ground-to-air, air-to- ground and air-to-air weaponry with ranges up to 20km (11nm).
In 1999, Boeing successfully conducted proof-of-concept testing of a new high-energy chemical laser designed by TRW for directed-energy tactical weapons applications. A proof-of-concept demonstration laser was operated routinely at about 20kW. It exhibited reliable performance over a wide range of conditions.
Boeing studies show that a 300kW laser could attack anti-ship and cruise missiles. A ground-based variant might be used to counter short-range tactical rockets. TRW and several Israeli companies tested a tactical laser against Katyusha rockets last year.
Boeing says an ATL weapon could have an unrefueled capacity of 100 shots, and that a ground-based air defence weapon could be electrically-powered and capable of taking one shot every 2.5min.
The Loitering Electronic Warfare Killer (LEWK) will be a recoverable 295kg (650lb) air, sea or ground-launched unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) providing low-cost EW jamming. At a unit cost of $40,000, LEWK would carry a 91kg payload, fly for up to 8h and incorporate novel inflatable airfoils.
Meanwhile, the US Army is to flight test an operational concept to attack high-value, time-critical moving targets.
The ACTD will demonstrate whether a field commander in an airborne command post can direct air-to-ground operations using data from a USAF Northrop Grumman E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System or a US Army TRW/IAI Hunter UAV linked to US Army Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters.
The commander would order air strikes, using either an Apache gunship or a US Navy Boeing F/A-18 Hornet strike aircraft launching a Raytheon AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon that would receive target position updates via a Link 16 datalink.
The Hunter UAV would carry a Topart laser radar. The ACTD will leverage off the Airborne Manned/ Unmanned System Technology and the Rotorcraft Pilot's Associate projects.
Source: Flight International
