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Northrop Will Have 100kW Lasers by End of 2008 [effective against rockets and mortars in flight]
Daily Tech ^ | September 3, 2008 | Shane McGlaun

Posted on 09/03/2008 5:40:19 PM PDT by Mike Fieschko

Laser weapons may be a battlefield reality by the end of 2008

Laser weapons are an interesting subject that has been a staple of science fiction and movies for decades. Laser weapons will become a reality on the battlefield at some point -- though exactly when that point will be is a subject of debate.

When it comes to laser weapons there are two basic types: chemical and solid-state. The chemical lasers are powered by chemicals that would make them hazardous on most battlefields to the soldiers deploying the weapon systems. That makes the solid-state laser a more viable option for many weapon systems.

According to Wired, Northrop Grumman has told the Pentagon that it will have weapons grade lasers by the end of 2008. Northrop says that it will have a 100 kilowatt laser -- the strength widely considered the starting point for military grade weapons. That amount of power would be effective against rockets and mortars in flight.

To reach the 100-kilowatt threshold Northrop uses what it calls Laser Chains. The laser will use eight Laser Chains to achieve the full 100-kilowatt power. Northrop has tested the first two laser chains and was able to achieve a peak power of 30kW for over five minutes continuously and more than 40 minutes total. Northrop also reports that electrical-to-optical efficiency was greater than 19 percent.

A Northrop representative is quoted by Wired saying, "We are completely confident we will meet the 100 kW of power level and associated beam quality and runtime requirements of the JHPSSL Phase 3 program by the end of December, 2008."

DailyTech reported in August that Boeing had successfully ground tested the Advanced Tactical Laser aircraft's laser with a successful firing at a ground target.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Technical
KEYWORDS: lasers; miltech; solidstatelaser
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1 posted on 09/03/2008 5:40:20 PM PDT by Mike Fieschko
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To: Mike Fieschko

Northrop Grumman— we are defining the future!!!


2 posted on 09/03/2008 5:43:33 PM PDT by Lysandru
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To: Mike Fieschko

Nice.

Let Pooty-poot outrun a laser!


3 posted on 09/03/2008 5:45:13 PM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: Mike Fieschko

cool!


4 posted on 09/03/2008 5:46:43 PM PDT by ken21 (people die and you never hear from them again.)
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To: Mike Fieschko
will there be sharks with lasers?


5 posted on 09/03/2008 5:47:45 PM PDT by edzo4 (Vote McCain, Keep Your Change)
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To: Mike Fieschko

Is this one of those unproven missile defense systems that Obama wants to cut?

:>)


6 posted on 09/03/2008 5:47:52 PM PDT by boycott
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To: Mike Fieschko

Such weapons will redefine war at sea.


7 posted on 09/03/2008 5:48:45 PM PDT by SampleMan (We are a free and industrious people, socialist nannies do not become us.)
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To: boycott

No. Obama is not going to cut this weapons system until after he’s leaked it to the Chinese.


8 posted on 09/03/2008 5:51:40 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Mike Fieschko

If BHO is elected, his folks will have it converted to make really cool laser light shows.

We’ll ooh and Ah our enemies to the negotiating table.


9 posted on 09/03/2008 5:51:53 PM PDT by Wiseghy ("You want to break this army? Then break your word to it.")
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To: edzo4
>>>will there be sharks with lasers?<<<
Hey, mister, that's ‘freakin Giant lasers’ to you.

—Sincerely, Dr. Evil

10 posted on 09/03/2008 5:52:28 PM PDT by Shqipo (Palin for Veep...? The shot....SCORE!!!!!)
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To: edzo4

No, only ill-tempered sea bass.


11 posted on 09/03/2008 5:57:59 PM PDT by Carlucci (Online petitions aren't worth the paper they aren't printed on.)
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To: Mike Fieschko
Don't las' me, bro'!

12 posted on 09/03/2008 5:58:13 PM PDT by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: Wiseghy

Shows are best with Boston or Led Zepplin......


13 posted on 09/03/2008 6:00:31 PM PDT by homeguard (Join or Die)
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To: Mike Fieschko

You can have my laser rifle when you pry it from my cold dead hands!

When do I get mine?


14 posted on 09/03/2008 6:02:12 PM PDT by saganite (Obama is a political STD)
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To: Mike Fieschko

Ahh, the birth of the infinite repeater! (If you are not a fan of Keith Laumer you won’t understand)


15 posted on 09/03/2008 6:02:22 PM PDT by 6ppc (It's torch and pitchfork time)
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To: Mike Fieschko
Photobucket
16 posted on 09/03/2008 6:03:13 PM PDT by homeguard (Join or Die)
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To: Shqipo

throw me a freakin bone here


17 posted on 09/03/2008 6:04:54 PM PDT by edzo4 (Vote McCain, Keep Your Change)
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To: boycott
Is this one of those unproven missile defense systems that Obama wants to cut?

No weapon is proven until it is used successfully on the battle field against the enemy.

So under Obama there would never be a new weapon deployed.

18 posted on 09/03/2008 6:05:27 PM PDT by Pontiac (Your message here.)
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To: Mike Fieschko

The last time I looked at this, the laser required a system the size of about 2 diesel locomotives and required enough energy to power a medium sized city for about a month.

That said, the radars are getting much better and can target and fix mortar rounds and rockets in flight. A laser beam can destroy these projectiles in flight under controlled testing conditions. But, this is a long way from having a real combat capability that can be employed in a real combat environment.


19 posted on 09/03/2008 6:05:47 PM PDT by centurion316
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To: Shqipo

and I didn’t spend six years at evil medical school to be called mister, LOL


20 posted on 09/03/2008 6:06:34 PM PDT by edzo4 (Vote McCain, Keep Your Change)
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