MDA seeks laser-armed HALE UAV for counter-ICBM role

Janes ^ | 14 June 2017 | Gareth Jennings

[TigerLikesRooster]

MDA seeks laser-armed HALE UAV for counter-ICBM role

Gareth Jennings
14 June 2017

The United States is looking to field a laser-armed unmanned aircraft to intercept intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) towards the middle of the next decade, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) disclosed on 13 June.

In a solicitation posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website, the MDA Advanced Technology Directorate said it requires a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with the payload capacity needed to carry a high-energy laser system payload to high altitudes for Boost Phase Intercept (BPI) of ICBMs in the 2023 timeframe.

"The results of this RFI [request for information] will inform future programme options for maturing BPI technology and capability following the current Low Power Laser Demonstrator (LPLD) effort. Proposed aircraft should be able to maintain continuous positive ground control and are expected to operate from the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii and Edwards Air Force Base in California," the solicitation read.

While the MDA said it was seeking a HALE UAV for this role, it did note that manned concepts will be considered "with the appropriate justification".

[Iron head mike]

un manned ABL?

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Oh, the Missile Defense Agency...for a minute there I thought Jerry's Kids had gone nuclear.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Now, that’s the sort of thing I used to imagine when I heard the term “Star Wars” applied to missile defense.

[billphx]

skynet?

[NorthMountain]

A story of missile defense ... from 1960.

[null and void]

COILs go ping!