Directed Energy Prototype Development
Abstract
The Directed Energy Prototype Development project develops, integrates and tests the technologies required to demonstrate the complete acquisition, tracking and lethality engagement sequence of a high energy laser system for boost-phase missile defense. The low power laser demonstrator combines tracking technology developed under the Discriminating Sensor Technology Program Element (PE) with laser technology developed under the Weapons Technology program element with industry concepts for a cost-effective demonstrator. The low power laser demonstrator integrates the lasers, detectors, beam control system, processors, power supplies and thermal management systems into a high altitude, long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for boost phase ballistic missile defense applications. The MDA will test the low power laser platform under realistic conditions in conjunction with on-going Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) tests. The MDA will use a low power surrogate high energy laser (HEL) to verify pointing and stability accuracy and develop a laser concept of operations under realistic BMDS scenarios. The Directed Energy Prototype Development project provides the necessary technology, test data, and operations familiarity to successfully transition to a high power directed energy weapon capable of destroying a boosting missile before it can deploy countermeasures. In FY 2016, the Agency is funding the design of an UAV-borne low power laser demonstrator selected from the five Industry defined concepts competitively awarded in FY 2015 under the Weapons Technology PE (0603178C). The $19.870 million request funds systems engineering, component trade studies and aircraft modifications required for a low power laser demonstrator Preliminary Design Review in FY 2016, leading to a Critical Design Review in FY 2017 and eventually a BMDS flight test in FY 2020. The technology, individually and jointly developed and tested by the MDA, the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under the Weapons Technology PE, underpins multiple low power laser demonstrator Industry concepts. This low power laser demonstrator provides additional collaborative development and test opportunities to investigate laser beam pointing, stability and jitter effects under various altitude and flight conditions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2016
- Source ID
- MD98_0604115C_4_0400_PB_2016
Related Documents
- Root: Technology Maturation Initiatives
- Child Accomplishment: Directed Energy Prototype Development
- Child Cost Item: 3c4d467533963f3b02bbfbc43cd2820f
- Child Cost Item: 06d8e04437768b16273e44145d379f6e
- Child Cost Item: 3b75df7904cfb75bb7e669ca04a8fbc4