High Energy Laser Research
Abstract
This program funds Department of Defense (DoD) high energy laser (HEL) applied research through the HEL Joint Technology Office (JTO). HEL weapon systems have many potential advantages, including speed-of-light delivery, precision target engagement, significant magazine depth, low-cost per kill, and reduced logistics requirements. HELs have the potential to perform a wide variety of military missions including interception of ballistic missiles in boost phase; defeat of high-speed, maneuvering anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles; and the ultra-precision negation of targets in urban environments with no/little collateral damage. This program is part of an overall DoD HEL Science and Technology program. In general, efforts funded under this program are chosen for their potential to have an impact on multiple HEL systems and multiple Service missions while complimenting Service/Agency programs that are directed at specific Service needs. A broad range of technologies are addressed in key areas such as chemical lasers, solid state lasers, free electron lasers, laser beam control, and laser lethality mechanisms. This program is in Budget Activity 2, Applied Research, since it develops and determines the technical feasibility and military utility of evolutionary and revolutionary technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 0602890F_2_3600_PB_2011
- Change Summary Explanation
- The FY 2010 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2011 through FY 2015 funding. A detailed explanation of changes between the two budget positions is not provided because it cannot be made in a relevant manner. Note: In FY 2010, Congress added $1.6 million for Advanced Deformable Mirrors for High Energy Laser Weapons, $2.8 million for High Bandwidth, High Energy Storage, Exawatt Laser Glass Development, and $2.4 million for Planar Lightwave Circuit Development for High Power Military Laser Applications. C. Performance Metrics Under Development.
- Service Agency Name
- Air Force
Entities
Organizations
- United States Air Force
Related Documents
- Child Project: High Energy Laser Research
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Advance solid-state laser development.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Mature solid state laser device technologies that will provide improve system level performance.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Investigate new technologies that have revolutionary potential for HEL applications.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Conduct system level technology development and trade studies to facilitate scaling free electron lasers (FELs) to weapons-class power levels and shipboard integration.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Conduct technology experiments to select promising diode-pumped alkali lasers and chemical laser technologies that can be scaled for strategic weapons application.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Develop technology to support high performance beam control systems and integrated demonstrations.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Conduct laser vulnerability experiments on materials, components, and targets. Develop a lethality database, and integrate into a systems-level architecture plan and lethality models.
- Child Accomplishment: MAJOR THRUST: Maintain and evaluate high-fidelity engineering models for HEL scenario evaluation. Provide for HEL system modeling for into mission-level wargaming activities.