Directed Energy Research

Abstract

Directed Energy Research funds two promising laser technologies: LLNL's DPAL and MIT/LL's FCL. Each technology takes a unique approach to attaining high power. The DPAL scales in power by increasing the size of a single laser gain cell. This approach has the benefit of simplicity of design, but must address very high energy levels within the single cell. LLNL successfully demonstrated over 16 kilowatts (kW) in FY 2016; will demonstrate 30 kWs in FY 2018. MDA's key fiber laser investments are targeted at driving the weight per kilowatt of power in the fiber amplifier system down while increasing the individual fiber amplifier power output. MDA joined with DARPA and the Air Force to demonstrate 44 kWs in a room-sized, 40 kilogram per kilowatt configuration in FY 2015, to a packaged 7 kilograms per kilowatt 30 kW system in FY 2018. Specific and/or unique accomplishments to each FY are as follows:

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2019
Source ID
4433bee0897afdcb8c13a00dd11eeb63

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Missile Defense Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy

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