Just recently, Lockheed Martin revealed that it delivered a 300-kilowatt laser to the Defense Department, as reported by Interesting Engineering. The laser will be for future use in Army high-energy laser demonstrations. So far, the new laser is the highest-powered one to date.
High Energy Laser Scaling Initiative (HELSI)
The laser was developed as part of the Pentagon's HELSI, which aims to expand the directed energy industrial base and boost laser beams' caliber. Lockheed was chosen by Pentagon in 2019 to scale its spectrum beam combined high energy laser structure to the 300 kW-class level as part of the HELSI project.
The new laser will be used in a number of demo projects, such as the US Army's Indirect Fires Protection Capability-High Energy Laser (IFPC-HEL) Demonstrator laser weapon system. It is expected that the laboratory and field testing will be conducted later this year.
Rick Cordaro, Lockheed Martin's Advanced Product Solutions VP, said, "Lockheed Martin increased the power and efficiency and reduced the weight and volume of continuous-wave high energy lasers, which reduces the risk for future fielding efforts of high power laser weapon system."
The laser comes with a higher energy capacity that can engage targets are more extended ranges. Additionally, it is more cost-effective as Lockheed Martin focuses on reducing the size and weight of the laser, so it becomes deployable on the ground, sea, and other air platforms.
The company was picked among several vendors, and they were able to deliver within the given timeline.
Also Read: Lockheed Martin Tests Layered Laser Weapon That Protects Soldiers From Large Enemy Attacks
The Need for Laser Weapons
Nowadays, the US military is working on achieving laser-centric warfare to keep pace with the adversarial states. Lasers are a key technology for laser weapon systems, and the Pentagon is aiming to fund directed energy weapons. The whole point of this venture is to expand the industrial base of companies that can enter into key markets in the future that deal with directed energy weapons and technologies. The US Army has also been discussing deploying laser weapons in the future.
Lasers are vital for a number of futuristic battlefield operations. A laser weapon can be used to jam or disrupt enemy sensors and weapon systems. One of the major applications of laser weapons is to shoot down incoming missiles and drones.
Among the advantages are that laser weapons can fire at a much faster rate compared to conventional projectiles. Hence, the laser can fire more rounds in a shorter period of time with higher accuracy.
More importantly, it can take out the target without causing collateral damage to nearby structures or civilians. Lasers are also accurate and can be used for long-distance targeting.
Related Article: Lockheed Martin Successfully Delivers HELIOS, US Navy Gains New Tactical Advantage
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Written by April Fowell
