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PTB Industry News |
May 3 , 1999 | ||||||
Boeing Completes Testing of | |||||||
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CANOGA PARK, CA, Apr. 21 -- The Boeing Company has completed proof-of-concept testing of a new high-energy chemical laser designed for tactical weapons applications. The new device is derived from the chemical-oxygen iodine laser (COIL) technology originally developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and now in development for the U.S. Air Force Airborne Laser Program by TRW. Boeing said that unlike current COIL technology, the new Tactical COIL is optimized for power levels of 100-500 kW, operates at ground level, and emits no exhaust. "Tactical COIL technology permits, for the first time, highly mobile, self-contained laser weapons with significant lethality at engagement ranges up to 10 km for ground-to-air defense systems, and over 20 km for air-to-ground or air-to-air systems," said Mike Skolnick, vice president of Boeing's Laser & Electro Optical Systems unit. "Packaging concept studies show complete weapons systems in roll-on, roll-off installations for rotorcraft [V-22, CH-47], aircraft [AC-130], and ground vehicles." According to the company, application studies have focused on the Airborne Tactical Laser (ATL) system under development by Boeing. The ATL puts a 300 kW laser into a V-22 Osprey platform with an onboard optical sensor suite. Operating below the cloud ceiling, ATLs are designed to provide a fast-response defensive screen against low-altitude, anti-ship or overland cruise missiles in high-threat environments. A ground-based Tactical COIL sized to counter short-range tactical rockets could be fully contained in one or two vehicles, said Boeing. The ATL is also designed for ultra-precise strike capability in non-wartime operations, in which pinpoint accuracy, tactical standoff, and no collateral damage are major considerations. The company added that a recent Boeing proof-of-concept demonstration laser operated routinely at approximately 20 kW during the test series. According to Boeing, these tests explored performance over a wide range conditions, showing exceptional reliability. For several tests, the laser exhaust gases were completely captured within a small, sealed exhaust system. Data confirmed overall laser efficiency and the exhaust system's ability to meet the requirements for a scaled-up tactical COIL system. "This innovative COIL technology is capable of tactical mobile operations
and fills a gap between the existing, very large chemical lasers planned
for the Airborne Laser and the Space-Based Laser and the electrically
powered solid state lasers which could be available in the future,"
said Skolnick. "A portable tactical COIL device of 100 to 300 kW,
packaged into a standard shipping container, or carried aboard a rotorcraft,
could be built in about two years." |