Directed Energy Demonstrator Development
Abstract
The Directed Energy Demonstrator 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 (LPLD) builds on tracking technology developed under the Discrimination Sensor Technology Program Element (0603117C) with laser technology developed under the Weapons Technology Program Element (0603178C) and industry concepts for a cost-effective demonstrator. The demonstrator will integrate the lasers, detectors, beam control system, processors, power supplies and thermal management systems into a high altitude airborne platform for missile defense laser applications. MDA will test the laser platform under realistic conditions in conjunction with on-going BMDS tests. This approach informs a missile defense laser concept of operations under realistic BMDS scenarios. The Directed Energy Demonstrator Development project provides the necessary technology, test data, and operations familiarity to successfully transition to a higher power directed energy weapon capable of destroying a boosting missile before payloads deploy, complicating kill. The technology, individually and jointly developed and tested by MDA, the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Weapons Technology program element, underpins multiple LPLD Industry concepts. This LPLD 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, 2018
- Source ID
- MD98_0604115C_4_0400_PB_2018
Related Documents
- Root: Technology Maturation Initiatives
- Child Accomplishment: Directed Energy Demonstrator Development
- Child Cost Item: 99bcd431ccf81a0343f686bfe560f426
- Child Cost Item: 0fa99b7a3eefca66bdd9fe3cd61170bc
- Child Cost Item: 655c5aab2d27e3207e1b549910db16ee
- Child Cost Item: 232195db61df7535de69c3f06873eea7
- Child Cost Item: 1829aa24d42583f79269394aae8a4bfe
- Child Cost Item: b04edd9e987ad0d223f63a6113ddbf51
- Child Cost Item: d4475dde365a1ada3229e9a39be7dc58