Northrop-Built High-Energy Laser Destroys Large-Caliber Rocket in Test [VIDEO too]

IMRA ^ | May 6, 2004 | Northrop Grumman Corp

[yonif]

(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued May 6, 2004) [With thanks to www.defense-aerospace.com ]

REDONDO BEACH, Calif. --- The U.S. Army's Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (MTHEL) test bed destroyed a rocket on May 4 that's larger, faster and that flies higher than previous threats destroyed by the laser weapon demonstrator.

Northrop Grumman Corporation built the demonstrator for the Army and the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMoD).

Tuesday's successful intercept and destruction of the large-caliber rocket carrying a live warhead took place at 12:45 p.m. MDT during a live-fire test of the MTHEL test-bed at the Army's White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

The large-caliber rocket is capable of twice the range, achieves more than three times the altitude, and carries a much larger warhead than previous targets. Many countries already possess large-caliber rockets. The destroyed rocket is representative of threats faced by U.S. and Israeli forces.

"The destruction of a new threat type once again demonstrates the capability of the MTHEL test-bed," said Wes Bush, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector. "We are excited about the historic accomplishments and we are fully prepared to move to the next stage of building the MTHEL prototype."

The rocket shot down is faster and has more mass than Katyusha rockets the MTHEL test-bed has destroyed since testing began in 2000.

A more compact, mobile and easily transportable THEL, the MTHEL prototype will give the Army its first deployable laser weapon system. Northrop Grumman began work on the existing test-bed in 1996 when it was called the THEL/Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (ACTD).

MTHEL will be the first tactical and mobile, directed-energy weapon capable of shooting down rockets and other tactical targets in flight to protect deployed forces and civilians of the U.S. and its friends and allies.

The existing MTHEL test-bed was designed, developed and produced by a Northrop Grumman-led team of U.S. and Israeli contractors for the U.S. Space & Missile Defense Command, Huntsville, Ala., and for IMoD. In addition to Northrop Grumman's Space Technology and Mission Systems sectors, U.S. companies involved in testbed development are Ball Aerospace, Boulder, Colo., and Brashear LP, Pittsburgh, Pa. Israeli companies that supported THEL ACTD development are Electro-Optic Industries, Ltd., Rehovat; Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Yehud Industrial Zone; RAFAEL, Haifa; and Tadiran, Holon.

In testing to date, the MTHEL test-bed has destroyed 28 Katyusha rockets and five artillery shells in flight.

Northrop Grumman Space Technology, based in Redondo Beach, Calif., develops a broad range of systems at the leading edge of space, defense and electronics technology. The sector creates products for U.S. military and civilian customers that contribute to the nation's security and leadership in science and technology. (ends)

Click www.st.northropgrumman.com/media/VideoInfo.cfm?VideoID=18# to see videos of previous trials of the MTHEL prototype against Katyusha rockets, on the Northrop Grumman website (several formats available)

[ericthecurdog]

Devil's Advocate: I have to believe that this sort of defensive weapon, once deployed, will drive many countries towards asymmetrical offensive tools modeled after terrorism. That could be a scary downside.

[clamper1797]

I want one mounted on the hood of my car ... slow driver fast lane ......... you get the idea

[Shryke]

Very strange. I read about and posted some of this stuff, but it was TRW and Israel that built this. Did Northop buy TRW? I think I read TRW was selling its military section.

[richardtavor]

Israel has built a laser that's twice that size...

[Johnny Gage]

Yes, on top of my car, for lollygaggers, and tailgaters.

Would this work too?

[Cannoneer No. 4]

See also Israeli-U.S. Laser Downs Long-Range Missile in Test

Ship this thing to Wakkanai for OT II on Nodongs.

[ericthecurdog]

That video is SO freaking cool.

[CyberAnt]

TAKE THAT!! NORTH KOREA!!

[humblegunner]

Looks like the high-tech gimbals mounted spotlight thing fried the missiles!

I wonder if a Q-Beam model will come along...

[Bacon Man]

I wonder if a Q-Beam model will come along...

I could use it to barbecue steaks without leaving the couch! They'll have to come up with a mesquite filter for it though.

[subterfuge]

Yes, Northrop bought TRW last year along with Litton Industries and couple of other big companies. Northrop is now over 120,000 employees worldwide.

[subterfuge]

Israel didn't know anything about lasers until our gov. made their companies the second source on a few military programs. Now they just copy our stuff and sell it as their own.

[Shryke]

Was Israel needed for the laser, guidance, power (all three?)? Obviously there must have been a critical reason to bring another country in*.

[Vigilantcitizen]

Check this out.

[richardtavor]

Like every other country on earth--exactly how the NK, China, Russia etc. got their technology--from us, and saved all the R & D. However, I understand that they have been developing their own laser technology...I can't blame them--I have friends that lived in Israel in 1991 during the scud attacks, and after that they have pursued their own technology, and we have benefitted as well.

[Axenolith]

OMG! Fresh venison will never be the same!!!

[humblegunner]

OMG! Fresh venison will never be the same!!!

I could never use that thing, I already get in trouble for "scrambling the innards" as it is.

[Xenalyte]

Wouldn't the loveseat be in the way, or would y'all rearrange the living room?

[Bacon Man]

Wouldn't the loveseat be in the way, or would y'all rearrange the living room?

Oh no I'd just cook 'em right there in the living room. Kind of a mix of laser Floyd and Benihana.

[Nick Danger]

Looks like Reagan was right. And so were his detractors. It works, and it's right out of Star Wars.