Lockheed Martin, a prominent player in the defense industry, is about to set the battlefield alight with its latest breakthrough. Armed with a cutting-edge contract from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD (R&E)), the aerospace giant is now taking its laser weapon system to an extraordinary new level – a staggering 500 kW! This leap in power will empower the system to tackle even more significant, mysterious, and formidable threats that previously seemed out of reach.
The heart of this advanced weapon lies in the innovative technology of optical fibers doped with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, capable of generating the mighty laser. These visual wonders are skillfully integrated into a comprehensive system, complemented by the target illuminator laser (TILL) that locks onto and tracks potential threats and the beacon illuminator laser (BILL) that compensates for atmospheric distortions using adaptive optics. Together, these components are orchestrated by a battle management system, ever-vigilant in monitoring the terrain, identifying targets, and assessing threat levels.
Yet, the challenge lies in this daring pursuit of increased power without compromising precision. The system must seamlessly combine multiple beams across the spectrum, generating a high-quality output laser. All this must be achieved while strictly adhering to the Department of Defense Modular Open System Approach standards, guaranteeing seamless interoperability and integration across diverse missions.
Rick Cordaro, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Mission Systems & Weapons, highlighted the gravity of this endeavor: “OUSD (R&E) has invested to mature high energy lasers in support of America’s war-fighters.
At the same time, Lockheed Martin has invested in our production infrastructure in anticipation of the Department of Defense’s demand for laser weapons with additional layers of protection with deep magazines, low cost per engagement, high speed of light delivery, and high precision response, reducing logistics requirements. The 500-kW laser will incorporate our successes from the 300-kW system and lessons learned from legacy programs to further prove the capability to defend against various threats.”
With this audacious move to escalate the potency of laser weaponry, Lockheed Martin stands at the forefront of developing next-gen defense systems. The success of this venture could unleash a new era of battlefield dominance, where the power of light reigns supreme in safeguarding nations and their military forces.
Source: Lockheed Martin
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