"First Light" anti-missile laser test fired

[Dr Mordrid]

HELRAM a mini version of MTHEL (Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser), the stationary version of which has shot down salvo firings of 122mm Katyusha artillery rockets, whicih as far as I know they are solid fueled, as well as artillery shells and mortars.

The main difference is that HELRAM is smaller and more mobile than MTHEL but can't be used against the full range of larger targets that MTHEL can, but it can be delivered for service much quicker. According to Northop HELRAM can be delivered within 18 months. MTHEL goes to prototype design review in Q3 2005 and delivery is estimated around 2008.

Dr. Mordrid

[Wombat]

Last time I checked, they haven't figured out how they'll be able to keep the laser on long enough to do anything - the optical system melts.

[schmosef]

what's the name of that weapon in C&C that lets you drop a satellite based beam weapon on a enemy target? This weapon is like the first step in that direction. Maybe version 1 won't be that impressive. But the XP version will probably kick ass.

[Dr Mordrid]

I think they're now leaning in the direction of non-nuclear from orbit A bus platform carrying a bunch of penetrating projectiles could be launched on warning then hammer targets with mach 17 impactors.

As far as keeping lasers on target without the optics melting down that's outdated. The stuff they're testing now is way past that point;

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/laser-04r.html

In a recent "suprise attack" test THEL shot down a salvo of 28 Katyusha rockets. In another test it shot down a salvo of 5 incoming artillery shells. Needless to say its radar and targeting system is advanced.

Could hardly do those missions if the optics melted on firing

MTHEL's COIL lasers are mobile but not compact, but other researchers are developiong a very compact electrically powered solid state laser;

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in578998.shtml

CBS News

After 40 years of work, the Pentagon may have a solid-state laser in its arsenal within a decade, reports the Oakland Tribune.

Compared to the chemical lasers now in use by America's military, solid-state lasers would be compact and efficient — perhaps running off the engine of an Army Humvee or an Air Force F-16.

Solid-state lasers would also be deadly. In a recent demonstration at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory — one of three sites of research on a solid-state laser — a test-fired laser emitted 400 pulses of light in two seconds, drilling through an inch of steel, the Tribune reported.

Once fully developed, the Tribune reports, solid-state lasers could shoot down mortars and artillery shells, explode ordnance in enemy depots and even wipe out ballistic missiles 500 miles away. They would strike with incredible speed and could be retargeted instantly.

The new toy is called a solid-state heat-capacity laser (SSHCL).

More info here;

http://lfw.pennnet.com/Articles/Article_Display.cfm?Section=Articles&ARTICLE_ID=212412&VERSION_NUM=1

Dr. Mordrid