Having blithely gone along with the idea that a functioning high-energy (attack) laser would require a heavy lift aircraft on the order of a 747-400 to carry it, you can imagine my suprise when I read the following article from the just-published US DoD “FISCAL YEAR 2001 ADVANCED CONCEPT TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS” document:
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Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL)
ATL will integrate a moderate-power laser, uncooled optics, and existing fire-control systems onboard a V-22, H-53, C-130, or H-47 aircraft. This capability will focus on military or law
enforcement operations in an urban or suburban environment. The precision of the laser mitigates potential collateral damage, while delivering a non-lethal or lethal force up to 15 kilometers away. U.S. Special Operations Command is the operational sponsor. Planned completion will be in Fiscal Year 2005.
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Anyone have any further information on this? It states that the weapon is designed for an urban/sub-urban environment which intimates an air to ground role but the possibilities of such a weapon….?
The stated 15km range is a little short for many military missions, but, imagine the kind of SEAD mission an aircraft carrying one of these could perform. Even if the enemy where to fire SAMs at it, the laser would be able to intercept them and could go on to zap the launchers with impunity. If an interceptor fired BVR AAM’s the same eventuallity could result, the AAM’s being shot out of the sky, and lets face it what kind of intercepting pilot would attempt to close within the lasers firing range?
Anyone any thoughts?
Steve
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February 5, 2001 at 3:51 pm