Boeing truck-mounted laser continues testing
Boeing has announced that it will continue developing a truck-mounted directed energy system under a follow-on contractual effort from the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC). The system aims to provide critical defence capabilities against projectile and airborne threats, improving warfighters' ability to counter rockets, artillery, mortars and unmanned aerial threats.
As part of the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) Phase II High-Power Testing follow-on contract, Boeing will incorporate a 10-kilowatt, solid-state laser with the HEL MD system. There is an option to subsequently incorporate a more powerful laser. The effort reduces the risk for future high-power laser integration.
HEL MD is a joint development effort involving Boeing and the US Army. This follow-on contract will support development and testing for the next three years. The team will conduct field tests of the HEL MD system using the high-power, solid-state laser during the next year. These tests will demonstrate the system's ability to acquire, track, damage and defeat threat-representative targets.
Mike Rinn, Boeing Directed Energy Systems vice president and programme director, said: ‘The Boeing HEL MD programme is applying the best of solid-state laser technology to ensure the army has speed-of-light capability to defend against rockets, artillery, mortars, and unmanned aerial threats - both today and into the future. High power testing represents a critical step forward for this innovative directed energy system.’
Blaine Beardsley, HEL MD programme manager for Boeing, added: ‘Phase II will allow us to build on the great work we have accomplished over the past several years with SMDC. Our team is eager to demonstrate that this revolutionary system is capable of saving lives and ready for the battlefield.’
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy]()
Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy
Some of the missiles ordered can be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F35-A Lightning.
-
![Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline]()
Armies turn to armour and self-defence as support vehicles near the frontline
Combat losses of support and logistics vehicles in recent conflicts have highlighted the need for greater protection and even self-defence capabilities. What options are available to turn a basic truck into a survivor on the battlefield?
-
![German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year]()
German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year
More than 1,200 Dingo 1 and Dingo 2 models have been built and deployed by some 10 countries. The latest Dingo 3 pulls through from user inputs and, like earlier versions, is also based on a UNIMOG chassis.
-
![Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range]()
Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range
The company’s new variants of 4×6 and 6×6 vehicles are designed to be modular for a greater variety of missions and also flexibility at a subsystem level, for example transmission and engine.
-
![US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities]()
US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities
The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.
-
![Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role]()
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?
