DIRECTED ENERGY AND EM GUNS (FORMERLY ELECTRIC WEAPONS)
Abstract
The goal of this activity is to develop Directed Energy (DE) and Electric Propulsion power weapons for Navy applications. The Directed Energy portion of this activity consists of two elements. The first element involves applied research and development of technologies supporting advanced accelerators with applications to directed energy weapons. The second portion of activity is the Free Electron Laser (FEL) Innovative Naval Prototype (INP) which if successful could be utilized for shipboard applications as a defensive weapon against advanced cruise missiles and asymmetric threats. The other major component in this activity is the Electro Magnetic (EM) railgun program that is focused on developing the technology to launch a long range projectile from Navy ships. This activity also includes NRL investment/performance in these research areas. Decrease from FY 2009 to FY 2010 is due to the reduction of 6.2 investment in the EM railgun and Direct Energy. The amount of the decrease was partially offset by the increase of the Free Electron Laser (FEL) investment in preparation for the FEL demonstration program. The increase in funding from FY10 to FY11 is primarily due to the start of the second contractural phase of the FEL INP program. As a result of the Phase 1A competition, a single contractor was awarded the contract in late FY10 and in FY11 begins the critical design, development and installation portion of the FEL INP 100kW test and demonstration program. In addition long lead item procurement for the 100 kW FEL will begin in FY11. These long lead items require approximately 15 to 18 months for manufacturing and delivery to the test facility. The other element influencing the funding increase is the additional S&T investment required to develop compact, high performance FEL components such as the high power injector (super conducting and normal conducting Radio Frequency), the mirror/optical components and oscillator system, and the high power amplifiers. Additional development of these components is extremely critical for operation at required INP power levels and also to minimize the footprint FEL in anticipation of eventual ship integration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 94958c2da87e3ebed443cb06bd58b965