NGC High-Energy Laser Could Protect U.S. Navy Ships At Sea From Small Attack Boats

[Metallic]

Northrop Grumman High-Energy Laser Could Protect U.S. Navy Ships At Sea From Small Attack Boats
UNITED STATES - 21 JULY 2009

The ultra-precision of high-energy lasers soon may be the pinpoint, measured response that will keep threats a safe distance from U.S. Navy ships.

Under a new Navy initiative called the Maritime Laser Demonstration, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) will apply its solid-state laser systems expertise and successes to demonstrate a laser weapon system to defeat a wide range of current threats.

"Naval forces face a wide range of challenges from small surface craft to advanced aerial threats. New solutions are required to meet these challenges within cost and force structure constraints," said Steve Hixson, vice president of Advanced Concepts - Space and Directed Energy Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "Northrop Grumman uniquely has proven its expertise in addressing key issues for laser power scaling so that the response meets the level of the threat. We will apply company-wide capabilities, from shipbuilding to systems integration, to meet the Navy's objectives for this program."

The Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va., has awarded the company an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for MLD with a ceiling value of $98 million, which has an expected completion date of June 2014. The Navy committed an initial amount of $499,999 through the end of the current government fiscal year that will enable Northrop Grumman to complete the critical design review for this demonstration.

Under the contract, Northrop Grumman will demonstrate an innovative laser weapon system suitable for operation in a marine environment and able to defeat small boat threats before the end of 2010.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

[Thomas]

Starting around 2012 on you will start to see a surge in Battlefield high energy weapon systems nearing deployment. In the past high energy systems required large vats of toxic chemicals to reach the required power outputs needed to shoot down missiles and projectiles. recently though quantum leaps have been made in solid state lasers. these do not require chemicals.

The F-35 is slated to become the first fighter to receive a laser capable of shooting down incoming missiles and other aircraft. The first airborne laser was delivered to the air force for testing in 2008. This system is capable of shooting down incoming ballistic missiles, aircraft, and satellites. The newest generation of nuclear naval surface ships are designed to have 3x the power output so they are able to field high energy weapons and rail guns.

Few people understand just how close the paradigm is about to shift in this area. They look at the F-22, SU-35, F-35, Euro fighter believing those systems will lead the way for decades. Which could not be further from the truth. What good is thrust vectoring if it is hit with a speed of light weapon. battles will be won by those who get the first shot. By those who can not be seen till it is to late. Look for pilotless aircraft with Meta material skins rendering them invisible to the eye and radar. And armed with high energy lasers.

Sound like to much science fiction? well I have not mentioned any technology here that is not already built and being tested. currently.