FLASH - Scaling Fiber Arrays at Near Perfect Beam Quality
Abstract
The goal of the FLASH program is to demonstrate a transportable, ultra-low size, weight, and power (SWaP), packaged laser system by coherently combining the outputs of an array of ultra-lightweight, flight-worthy high-power fiber lasers. The packaged FLASH laser system will project a >30-kW-class beam with near perfect beam quality and very high electrical-to-optical efficiency. The SWaP will be consistent with weight and volume densities needed to support the integration of laser weapons on a broad range of military platforms, including 4th and 5th generation aircraft and UAVs. To accomplish these objectives, FLASH will: (1) greatly reduce the overall size and weight of packaged coherently-combinable high-power fiber laser amplifiers while greatly simplifying the demands they make on support systems such as cabling, cooling lines and support structures while increasing their efficiency and resistance to shock, vibration and acoustics; and (2) fabricate an array of these ultralight fiber-laser amplifiers and integrate them with advanced battery power, thermal management and coherent-beam combination sub-systems into a transportable, fully packaged, ultra-low SWaP laser system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- fa7f0d645725e9d9f24ef6bd5d27fef0