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REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Nov. 9, 2005 -- A high-energy, solid-state laser developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) for the U.S. military has fired one of the most powerful beams yet produced by an electric laser of more than 27 kW with a run time of 350 seconds.
In posting those achievements, the company said it surpassed the power and run time requirements of the Joint High Power Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) Phase 2 demonstration program, a military effort to leap frog speed-of-light technology.
In a separate test, the laser demonstrated excellent beam quality at 19 kW, showing how well the beam can be focused and thus get to a target. The JHPSSL program was funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and the Office of the Secretary of Defense - Joint Technology Office, Albuquerque.
"The solid-state technology we've demonstrated will serve as the architectural foundation for a whole class of lasers that could be applied throughout much of the U.S. military," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector.
Potential uses include protective and strike capabilities for ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles.
In posting those achievements, the company said it surpassed the power and run time requirements of the Joint High Power Solid-State Laser (JHPSSL) Phase 2 demonstration program, a military effort to leap frog speed-of-light technology.
In a separate test, the laser demonstrated excellent beam quality at 19 kW, showing how well the beam can be focused and thus get to a target. The JHPSSL program was funded by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and the Office of the Secretary of Defense - Joint Technology Office, Albuquerque.
"The solid-state technology we've demonstrated will serve as the architectural foundation for a whole class of lasers that could be applied throughout much of the U.S. military," said Alexis Livanos, president of Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector.
Potential uses include protective and strike capabilities for ships, manned and unmanned aircraft, and ground vehicles.
Dr. Mordrid
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