Northrop Grumman to develop laser pod to protect USAF fighters

Jane's ^ | August 24, 2016 | Gareth Jennings

[C19fan]

Northrop Grumman has been awarded a USD39.3 million contract related to the development of a laser-based self-defence system for the US Air Force (USAF).

The contract, which was awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on 23 August, is for the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Turret Research in Aero-Effects (STRAFE) programme.

Northrop Grumman will develop and deliver an advanced beam control system for integration as part of a complete laser weapons system into a tactical pod for USAF fighter aircraft.

[C19fan]

Also useful against alien invaders. :0

[BenLurkin]

I would ping Sukhoi if

[PapaBear3625]

A laser powerful enough to kill a missile, is likely to be powerful enough to kill an aircraft. Also effective against many potential ground targets.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I wonder what the effective range would be and would clouds or smoke reduce the range.

[MarchonDC09122009]

Thanks for posting this.
Think of the power this laser pod will require from fighter aircraft?!

Fighter aircraft have got to be maxed out for electrical generation considering all the avionic, fly-by-wire systems they currently support.

Would love to know how many spare kilowatt capacity fighter power systems currently have, and what the power input requirements of the laser weapon pod requires.

But I suppose that’s classified...

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yes, but it appears this is a defensive weapon. As such, I would deduce that it has a fairly limited range.

[null and void]

Ping

[SoCal Pubbie]

Why not just strap a frickin laser beam to the pilot’s head?

[MRadtke]

Limited range, also probably a very limited number of times the weapon can be used before the power supply is depleted.

[TalonDJ]

Gas turbine engines have power to spare.
Take and F-35, put a generator on the power takeoff in place of lift fan and you will have a crud load of electrical power.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I would imagine that power is supplied by the fighter’s generator. It will probably take several seconds between shots to recharge the capacitor banks.

[gaijin]

good post, but technically this isn’t news.

I heard about this....6 years ago..?

More.

[PapaBear3625]

Yes, but it appears this is a defensive weapon. As such, I would deduce that it has a fairly limited range.

In a dogfight at gun range, it might be interesting.

[ak267]

xwing ping

[Nifster]

Actually there exists such a system for larger aircraft already. It has been extremely successful

[Nifster]

The laser in fact does not have to kill a missle

[MRadtke]

That is possible. I was thinking perhaps some sort of fuel cell to supply the energy.

[Reily]

What no photon torpedoes!

[Oztrich Boy]

“It means someone really wanted our initials to spell out ‘shield’”