Directed Energy Research
Abstract
Following the planned Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) testing in FY 2010, the Director of Defense Research and Engineering determined the ALTB aircraft is cost effective as a science and technology test bed for high power laser research and development. The agency will maintain the ALTB aircraft as a test bed for flight and ground tests to characterize lethality, high energy laser beam propagation, anchor system models for both Air Force and Missile Defense applications and a Diode Pumped Alkali Laser System (DPALS) and other directed energy tests. MDA will also test the operation and lethality of lasers in the atmosphere. The Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) aircraft has two laser mounts and optical beam paths on the aircraft. The Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) occupies one mount while the Surrogate High Energy Laser (sHEL) occupies the other. The sHEL bench can be replaced with other high efficiency, electrically-pumped laser systems; advanced technologies that the program is currently investigating. MDA will place new laser systems, such as DPALS, on the mount formerly used for the sHEL.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- MD69_0603901C_3_0400_PB_2012
Related Documents
- Root: DIRECTED ENERGY RESEARCH
- Child Accomplishment: Directed Energy Research