copyright 2005 northrop grumman corporation 1. 2 laser weapon systems paradigm shift in future...


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


Historical Perspective Chemically propelled projectiles have dominated tactical warfare Chemically propelled projectiles have dominated tactical warfare

for centuries.for centuries.


A New Paradigm?

Laser weapons may challenge the primacy of projectile weapons.Laser weapons may challenge the primacy of projectile weapons.


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


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


Currently the Only Option is Chemical

HF HF LaserLaser

DF LaserDF Laser

COIL LaserCOIL Laser


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


Laser Weapons Systems May Be Integrated in Mobile Platforms

Laser Gain Generator

System Controller

Ancillary Equipment

Retractable Beam Director

Electrical Generator


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


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


Navy Ships Have Lots of Room

Free Electron Laser on Navy Destroyer

FELFEL

Supporting Supporting FacilitiesFacilities


Defensive Operations on Battleground

AirAir

SeaSea

GroundGround


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..


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

copyright 2005 northrop grumman corporation 1. 2 laser weapon systems paradigm shift in future...

Documents