Solid-State Laser Ready For On-Board Tests

Solid-State Laser Ready For On-Board Tests

www.aviationweek.com

A U.S. Navy plan to test a high-power laser against the small-boat threat to its warships provides the first real opportunity to transition electric lasers from the laboratory to the field, says Northrop Grumman, which has won a $98-million contract for the Maritime Laser Demonstration (MLD).

(visit the link for the full news article)

I read about the solid state lasers for awhile now, but this is the first thing that I heard about actually being mounted on a ship and testing.

This is right out of buck rogers.

I think that would take the wind out of the sales for the pirates of Somali also. Imagine being able to accurately target just the engine on a small boat.

That's how our tax dollars are being spent.

www.aviationweek.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

wow wonder how it will be before we have satellite based ion canon style lasers ?

I have to ask though, why is a laser needed to destroy small boats ? What's wrong with the phalanx which is fitted to pretty much all the navy ships ? Or can a phalanx not be used for surface to surface, only surface to air interceptions ?

*russian accent [color=limegreen]Gotcha! foiled by your own weapon. silly americans.

[edit on 16-7-2009 by MR BOB]

Originally posted by Discotech
wow wonder how [long] it will be before we have satellite based ion canon style lasers ?

From a hidden camera at a DEW symposium 2004

Deployment schedule SBL=Space Based Laser




[edit on 16-7-2009 by zorgon]

reply to post by MR BOB


A powerful laser would burn through the coating on the back of a mirror.

It's not a sci fi movie where the hero can use a mirror to foil the villain.

reply to post by Wildbob77


But light is fast, would the beam not bounce back before the glass melted?

reply to post by Zoopedia


Depends on the kind of mirror, the kind of laser, and other environmental conditions.

Manufacturers have lasers used specifically to cut mirrors exactly like the one in that picture, so it can definitely be done.

It all depends on the conditions of the experiment, though.

Edit to add: I believe this is an example of such a laser:

[edit on 16-7-2009 by Kaytagg]

reply to post by Wildbob77


yes it is. *fingers in ears lalalalalalalalalala!

maybe if the glass was a foot thick, and the silver coating was 3 feet thick?

Originally posted by MR BOB
yes it is. *fingers in ears lalalalalalalalalala!

Laser Mirrors Pocket Size



Laser Mirror beam focus for SBL's
4 meter diameter



Power core for NAVY laser
Alpha High Energy Laser (HEL)

Megawatt class power levels were first achieved by the Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL) originally sponsored by the Navy, later by DARPA, and then by BMDO. Because the design was intended for sea level operation, the MIRACL laser does not achieve the optimum efficiency necessary for space-based operation. DARPA launched the Alpha laser program, with the goal of developing a megawatt level SBL that was scaleable to more powerful weapon levels and optimized for space operation. In this design, stacked cylindrical rings of nozzles are used for reactant mixing. The gain generation assembly achieves higher power by simply stacking more rings. In 1991, the Alpha laser demonstrated megawatt class power levels similar to MIRACL, but in a low pressure, space operation environment. Alpha demonstrates that multi-megawatt, space-compatible lasers can be built and operated.

Meh old tech

Okay the image in the OP article is a MTHEL Mobile Tacticle Highe Enrgy Laser developed at White Sands New Mexico

MTHEL - Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser



Been following the development for some time







Can be ship mounted or on trucks




www.thelivingmoon.com...

reply to post by zorgon


Great video.

I haven't seen that one before.

Kind of reminds me of the big guns on the death star.

You haven't seen anything yet

One thing I like about the NAVY, unlike NASA they are more 'liberal' with their information

reply to post by zorgon


So we have the GDI ion canon on the way

How long until we see a NOD Obelisk of Light ?




[edit on 16/7/09 by Discotech]