The US Air Force plans to flight test an aircraft-borne laser defence system designed to counter anti-aircraft missiles.
The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate has awarded contracts totalling $23 million to four companies to begin development of a laser weapon. Textron Systems was awarded $13 million while ITT Industries and Raytheon each received $4.5 million. Georgia Institute of Technology's Applied Research Corp received $1 million.
Each company will undertake specific tasks as part of the five-year Aircraft Directed Energy Laser Applications programme. ITT is to determine the effectiveness of laser defences against anti-aircraft missiles. Applied Research will develop missile performance computer models to assess missile defence technologies. Textron will design, develop and test lasers and beam control systems, and Raytheon will integrate the weapon system for field tests that are expected by 2004, says the USAF.
This research and development work is separate from the USAF's YAL-1A Airborne Laser (ABL) project to develop a Boeing 747-mounted chemical oxygen-iodine laser weapon for use against theatre ballistic missiles
Source: Flight International