Posted on 05/07/2004 12:26:39 PM PDT by 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)
Of course. Anyone following your posts would know that you'd have a problem dealing with an Israeli/American defense project ;).
This is a tactical laser, not space. I believe it has yet to miss. I've also read Air Force One is equipped with it. You appear to be correct regarding the movement of the unit, however, I believe the missle detonations in flight are actual footage. Not sure why you would consider this a "con".
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