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Laser Weapon Laser Weapon SystemsSystems
Paradigm Shift in Paradigm Shift in Future WarfareFuture Warfare
Laser Weapon Laser Weapon SystemsSystems
Paradigm Shift in Paradigm Shift in Future WarfareFuture Warfare
H. InjeyanH. Injeyan
Northrop Grumman CorporationNorthrop Grumman Corporation
2 – 20 - 20092 – 20 - 2009
H. InjeyanH. Injeyan
Northrop Grumman CorporationNorthrop Grumman Corporation
2 – 20 - 20092 – 20 - 2009
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Historical Perspective Chemically propelled projectiles have dominated tactical warfare Chemically propelled projectiles have dominated tactical warfare
for centuries.for centuries.
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A New Paradigm?
Laser weapons may challenge the primacy of projectile weapons.Laser weapons may challenge the primacy of projectile weapons.
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Tactical High Energy Laser has shot Tactical High Energy Laser has shot down:down:
RocketsRockets
122mm-Katyusha122mm-Katyusha
Short range ballistic missileShort range ballistic missile
ArtilleryArtillery
MortarsMortars
Capability Demonstrated by THELCapability Demonstrated by THEL
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Airborne Laser (ABL) Will Further Enhance This Capability
High Power Laser:High Power Laser:
World’s First MW-World’s First MW-Class COIL LaserClass COIL Laser
World’s First MW-World’s First MW-Class Airborne LaserClass Airborne Laser
Demonstrated 6-Demonstrated 6-Module System Module System Operation, Nov. 2004Operation, Nov. 2004
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Currently the Only Option is Chemical
HF HF LaserLaser
DF LaserDF Laser
COIL LaserCOIL Laser
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Solid-state Lasers are the Next Frontier in Weapon Class Lasers
Solid- State Lasers are Solid- State Lasers are approaching militarily approaching militarily significant power levelssignificant power levels
All electric, they do not require All electric, they do not require highly reactive chemicalshighly reactive chemicals
100 kW Class, 100 kW Class, Compact Compact BrassboardBrassboard
25 kW Breadboard25 kW Breadboard
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Laser Weapons Systems May Be Integrated in Mobile Platforms
Laser Gain Generator
System Controller
Ancillary Equipment
Retractable Beam Director
Electrical Generator
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Joint Strike FighterJoint Strike Fighter B-2 BomberB-2 Bomber
Modular Architecture Enables Platform-Specific Weapon Variants
SatellitesSatellites
AirshipsAirships
Fighter Aircraft PodFighter Aircraft Pod
AC-130 GunshipAC-130 Gunship
Surface ShipsSurface Ships
Small Air Vehicles Require Fiber Lasers
Army Tactical TrucksArmy Tactical Trucks
SubmarinesSubmarines
25 – 100 kW Solid State
Lasers
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Navy is Betting on Free-electron Lasers
Free Electron Lasers Tunable to different wavelengthsTunable to different wavelengths Electrically poweredElectrically powered Systems are very large relative Systems are very large relative
to SSL and require liquid He to SSL and require liquid He coolingcooling
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Navy Ships Have Lots of Room
Free Electron Laser on Navy Destroyer
FELFEL
Supporting Supporting FacilitiesFacilities
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Defensive Operations on Battleground
AirAir
SeaSea
GroundGround
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Defense of Critical Infrastructure
Protect critical infrastructure against range of threatsProtect critical infrastructure against range of threats Airports, shipyardsAirports, shipyards Industrial sitesIndustrial sites Nuclear plantsNuclear plants Bridges, highways etc..Bridges, highways etc..
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Conclusion
By making many of the chemically propelled destructive By making many of the chemically propelled destructive weapons obsolete, laser weapons have the potential to weapons obsolete, laser weapons have the potential to change the makeup of warfare in the near futurechange the makeup of warfare in the near future
The capability has already been demonstrated and recent The capability has already been demonstrated and recent advances in solid state lasers promise to make these advances in solid state lasers promise to make these weapon systems more compact and practicalweapon systems more compact and practical
As defensive weapons become more effective, the hope is As defensive weapons become more effective, the hope is that it will dramatically reduce aggressive action from that it will dramatically reduce aggressive action from nations or terrorist groupsnations or terrorist groups
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