MDA Seeking HALE UCAV to be Armed With High Energy Laser

The United States is looking to field a laser-armed unmanned aircraft to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) towards the middle of the next decade, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) disclosed on 13 June.

In a solicitation posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website, the MDA Advanced Technology Directorate said it requires a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the payload capacity needed to carry a high-energy laser system payload to high altitudes for Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) of ICBMs in the 2023 timeframe.

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Performance specifications listed in the RFI call for the HALE UAV to be able to fly higher than 63,000 ft; to have an endurance of greater than 36 hours on-station (plus flight time for notional 3,000 km transit to station); to be able to fly at a cruise speed of less than Mach 0.45 at on-station altitude; to have a payload capacity of at least 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) and as much as 12,500 lb (5,670 kg); have power available for the payload of at least 140 kW and as much as 280 kW for greater than 30 minutes with no loss in platform altitude; to support a one- to two-metre aperture optical payload; have low vibration at altitude, with angular displacements of less than 50 µrad; and to maintain continuous positive ground control.

www.janes.com...


I am unaware of ANY UAV that can produce and sustain that much power. That's a LOT for the smaller turbines used by the UAVs.

Brought to you by L&M fusion generators perhaps.

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

No, not necessary. An M-1 tank's turbine puts out 1.5 MW, frex. 20% of that power output can be put out in a much, much smaller package.

a reply to: anzha

And how much will it weigh and the fuel needed weigh?

a reply to: OccamsRazor04

A GE T64 could easily supply the power, actually, if used just as a generator. In fact, even if there was a 10% efficiency from the horsepower to the beam energy using the T64, you would have the MDA's high end needs. Energy generation has not been the problem for a long time now.

People don't realize just how powerful these engines are.

Wouldnt have the speed to get to an intercept trajectory for an ICBM.

a reply to: Blackfinger

Apparently the performance specs are close to what the U-2 has and unmatchable by any (known) existing system.

www.flightglobal.com...

RQ-180?

a reply to: Blackfinger

LQ-180, or would that be QL?

a reply to: Badgermole42

I doubt the L designation will last. However, the 180 might be possible. The problem is the power generation for a laser. The turbine on it was not designed that way for the 180 probably.

a reply to: anzha

Mr. Beeblebrox had mentioned some rumored designation changes with the "-180" so I just latched on once I saw Blackfinger's post mentioning the RQ-180.

LQ would be the appropriate guess for an unmanned lazer platform I think....of course engagimg something that is in boost phase would be air-to-air so, perhaps "FQ"? Nah, they couldn't do that.