1 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation Laser Weapon

1 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Laser Weapon Systems Paradigm Shift in Future Warfare H. Injeyan Northrop Grumman Corporation 2 2 – 20 - 2009 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Historical Perspective § Chemically propelled projectiles have dominated tactical warfare for centuries. 3 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

A New Paradigm? § Laser weapons may challenge the primacy of projectile weapons. 4 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Capability Demonstrated by THEL § Tactical High Energy Laser has shot down: § Rockets § 122 mm-Katyusha § Short range ballistic missile § Artillery § Mortars 5 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Airborne Laser (ABL) Will Further Enhance This Capability High Power Laser: § World’s First MWClass COIL Laser § World’s First MWClass Airborne Laser § Demonstrated 6 Module System Operation, Nov. 2004 6 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Currently the Only Option is Chemical HF Laser COIL Laser 7 DF Laser Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Solid-state Lasers are the Next Frontier in Weapon Class Lasers § Solid- State Lasers are approaching militarily significant power levels § All electric, they do not require highly reactive chemicals 25 k. W Breadboard 100 k. W Class, Compact Brassboard 8 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Laser Weapons Systems May Be Integrated in Mobile Platforms Retractable Beam Director Ancillary Equipment Laser Gain Generator System Controller 9 Electrical Generator Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Modular Architecture Enables Platform. Specific Weapon Variants Joint Strike Fighter AC-130 Gunship Fighter Aircraft Pod B-2 Bomber Army Tactical Trucks 25 – 100 k. W Solid State Lasers Satellites Submarines Surface Ships Airships Small Air Vehicles Require Fiber Lasers 10 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Navy is Betting on Free-electron Lasers Free Electron Lasers § Tunable to different wavelengths § Electrically powered § Systems are very large relative to SSL and require liquid He cooling 11 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Navy Ships Have Lots of Room Free Electron Laser on Navy Destroyer FEL Supporting Facilities 12 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Defensive Operations on Battleground Ground Air Sea 13 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Defense of Critical Infrastructure § Protect critical infrastructure against range of threats § § 14 Airports, shipyards Industrial sites Nuclear plants Bridges, highways etc. . Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation

Conclusion § By making many of the chemically propelled destructive weapons obsolete, laser weapons have the potential to change the makeup of warfare in the near future § The capability has already been demonstrated and recent advances in solid state lasers promise to make these weapon systems more compact and practical § As defensive weapons become more effective, the hope is that it will dramatically reduce aggressive action from nations or terrorist groups 15 Copyright 2005 Northrop Grumman Corporation