US successfully tests airborne laser on missile

[pkd]

US successfully tests airborne laser on missile
Updated at: 1325 PST, Friday, February 12, 2010
WASHINGTON: A U.S. high-powered airborne laser weapon shot down a ballistic missile in the first successful test of a futuristic directed energy weapon, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency said on Friday.

The agency said in a statement the test took place at 8:44p.m. PST (11:44 p.m. EST) on Thursday /0444 GMT on Friday) at Point Mugu's Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Sea Range off Ventura in central California.

"The Missile Defense Agency demonstrated the potential use of directed energy to defend against ballistic missiles when the Airborne Laser Test bed (ALTB) successfully destroyed a boosting ballistic missile" the agency said.

The high-powered Airborne Laser system is being developed by Boeing Co., the prime contractor, and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

Boeing produces the airframe, a modified 747 jumbo jet, while Northrop Grumman supplies the higher-energy laser and Lockheed Martin is developing the beam and fire control systems.

 

[su-47]

Damn, i wish India could get or develop these in the future. It would significantly boost the defence of our nation.

 

[Metallic]

US successfully tests airborne laser on missile
UNITED STATES - 12 FEBRUARY 2010

The Missile Defense Agency demonstrated the potential use of directed energy to defend against ballistic missiles when the Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) successfully destroyed a boosting ballistic missile.

The experiment, conducted at Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center-Weapons Division Sea Range off the central California coast, serves as a proof-of-concept demonstration for directed energy technology. The ALTB is a pathfinder for the nation’s directed energy program and its potential application for missile defense technology.

At 8:44 p.m. (PST), February 11, 2010, a short-range threat-representative ballistic missile was launched from an at-sea mobile launch platform.

Within seconds, the ALTB used onboard sensors to detect the boosting missile and used a low-energy laser to track the target. The ALTB then fired a second low-energy laser to measure and compensate for atmospheric disturbance.

Finally, the ALTB fired its megawatt-class High Energy Laser, heating the boosting ballistic missile to critical structural failure. The entire engagement occurred within two minutes of the target missile launch, while its rocket motors were still thrusting.

This was the first directed energy lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform. The revolutionary use of directed energy is very attractive for missile defense, with the potential to attack multiple targets at the speed of light, at a range of hundreds of kilometers, and at a low cost per intercept attempt compared to current technologies.

Less than one hour later, a second solid fuel short-range missile was launched from a ground location on San Nicolas Island, Calif. and the ALTB successfully engaged the boosting target with its High Energy Laser, met all its test criteria, and terminated lasing prior to destroying the second target.

The ALTB destroyed a solid fuel missile, identical to the second target, in flight on February 3, 2010.

The Airborne Laser Test Bed shot down two ballistic missile targets this month, one of them less than 2 minutes after it was launched.

 

[jagjitnatt]

I can bet India and Russia are already working on an energy weapon. India also working on weaponising the KALI, although it is still at least a decade or two away.

 

[Metallic]

Two Northrop Grumman Laser Systems Help Airborne Laser Testbed Turn Science Fiction Into Fact
UNITED STATES - 12 FEBRUARY 2010

The Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) transitioned from science fiction to directed energy fact Feb. 11 when it put a lethal amount of 'light on target' to destroy a boosting ballistic missile with help from a megawatt-class laser developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC).

While ballistic missiles like the one ALTB destroyed move at speeds of about 4,000 miles per hour, they are no match for a super-heated, high-energy laser beam racing towards it at 670 million mph. The basketball-sized beam was focused on the foreign military asset, as the missile is called officially, for only a few seconds before a stress fracture developed, causing the target to catastrophically split into multiple pieces.

"This experiment shows the incredible potential for directed energy as a premier element in early or ascent phase missile defense," said Steve Hixson, vice president of Space and Directed Energy Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "The demonstration leaves no doubt whatsoever about ALTB's unprecedented mobility, precision and lethality," he added. Hixson is a former ALTB program manager for the company.

Northrop Grumman executives said the high-energy Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser the company provides – the most powerful laser ever developed for an airborne environment – performed reliably once again with other critical capabilities onboard the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's ALTB. This includes the low-power, solid-state Beacon Illuminator Laser for atmospheric compensation, a targeting laser Northrop Grumman also supplies for the ALTB system.

"The continued dependable and consistent performance of both laser systems is the result of our dedicated team and its unwavering commitment to develop game-changing technology for our military forces," said Guy Renard, Northrop Grumman's ALTB program manager. "The impressive progress made by the government and industry team during the last three-and-a-half years could not have culminated any more dramatically than this successful experiment."

The experiment, a proof-of-concept demonstration, was the first directed energy lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform.

Northrop Grumman is under contract to The Boeing Company, ALTB's prime contractor, for the two laser systems. The ALTB is a modified Boeing 747-400F whose back half holds the high-energy laser. The front section of the aircraft contains the beam control/fire control system, developed by Lockheed Martin, and the battle management system, provided by Boeing.


Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation

 

[no_name]

"This experiment shows the incredible potential for directed energy as a premier element in early or ascent phase missile defense," [/I]

Ascent phase is preferred because although laser can heat and cause material failure. It does not alter significantly the ballistic trajectory of the missile once it is outside atmosphere or re-entering. It is used to target rocket fuel/engine structure rather than the hardened warhead.

This means that aerial laser platform will need to be reasonably close to launch site (at most prob within 1000 km) to have a line of sight engagement position and reduce electromagnetic attenuation of the laser beam travelling through atmosphere.

This means overseas bases are required (like Japan, South Korea). Air superiority needs to be guaranteed. (like F-22 deployment to Kaneda airbase). I actually think F-22 will be part of US's strategic platform rather than mainly for tactical purposes.

A new chapter on weapon is in the process of being written.

regards,

 

[no_name]

This means overseas bases are required (like Japan, South Korea)

Actually, depends on flight endurance of 747 and how large a fleet they are planning to have.

 

[Thomas]

where this weapon can really come into play is taking out S300/400/500 missiles as they are launched. With it's range it could stay outside SAM range.

 

[gambit]

This means that aerial laser platform will need to be reasonably close to launch site (at most prob within 1000 km) to have a line of sight engagement position and reduce electromagnetic attenuation of the laser beam travelling through atmosphere.

Not that difficult to deploy. We have plenty of experience at maintaining long duration airborne systems. Look up National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP), aka 'kneecap'. This aircraft will have its own radar system and will be able to detect, track and target anything else airborne other than a missile, in other words, any interceptor could be shot down. Keep in mind that a missile is essentially a throwaway weapon with no guarantees of return on investment. The fact that an airborne laser system is orbiting outside of territorial airspace capable of shooting down any ICBM during its ascent will give pause to any decision to launch said ICBMs.

 

[no_name]

where this weapon can really come into play is taking out S300/400/500 missiles as they are launched. With it's range it could stay outside SAM range.

You have a point. A possible counter might be a ground based laser, which have no weight and size constraint. Those can be placed near strategic lunch site for an even cover zone.

 

[no_name]

With hundreds Km range it can even be used to provide fleet protection if it can be used to target smaller non-ballistic missiles.

 

[no_name]

I still think SSBN is the most important strategic nuclear asset

 

[Thomas]

You have a point. A possible counter might be a ground based laser, which have no weight and size constraint. Those can be placed near strategic lunch site for an even cover zone.

I agree, we are coming to a point where high energy weapons will completely change warfare. It is wishful thinking though that Russia, China, India and others are anywhere near the the capabilities of the U.S. in this technology. It is one area that just like stealth the U.S. has pioneered and holds a Huge lead. The other areas that the U.S. is pioneering huge advantages in is rail guns, drones, and A.I. (artificial intelligence).

 

[Thomas]

With hundreds Km range it can even be used to provide fleet protection if it can be used to target smaller non-ballistic missiles.

Future navy ships are already being designed with this in mind. The next generation carrier U.S.S. Gerald Ford which is due to be finished around 2015. It has 2 1/2 times the power output of the Nimitz class. The DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer is due to be commissioned in 2015.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]