Laser Weapons in Space and Countermeasures ICBM missiles Space Weapons

Space-Based Laser (SBL) Technology

WE.41.04 Multimission Space-Based Laser. This DTO will develop and demonstrate space-based laser (SBL) technology to support a system development decision for a multimission SBL (theater missile defense, national missile defense, ASAT, surveillance, target designation, and active and passive target discrimination). Previously demonstrated technologies--MW-class Alpha HF chemical laser, Large Aperture Mirror Program (LAMP) 4-m segmented telescope, and Large Optics Demonstration Experiment (LODE) outgoing wave beam control technologies--will be integrated in the Alpha/LAMP Integration (ALI) demonstration to be completed in FY98. The High-Altitude Balloon Experiment (HABE) will demonstrate, at low power in the target environment, a complete acquisition, tracking, and pointing suite scaleable to SBL operational requirements. The primary remaining technical issues for SBL involve integration of hardware components into a lightweight, flight-ready configuration for final ground tests and an optional space flight/demonstration (SHIELD/Readiness Demonstration program), and integration of the target acquisition and tracking system which will have been demonstrated in the HABE program. LAMP and LODE technologies are currently being integrated in a vacuum chamber (for space simulation) adjacent to the current Alpha vacuum chamber. In FY98, ALI will demonstrate integrated generation, stabilization, and projection of a megawatt-class high-power laser beam. Critical parameters of beam quality, wavefront error, and jitter will achieve near-weapon-scale performance with power and aperture area at one-fourth the scale of an operational SBL system. Advanced technology demonstrations to increase brightness, such as phase conjugation and operation at HF overtone, will be conducted in FY03. An uncooled remotely aligned Alpha laser resonator will be completed in FY00 and tested in FY01.

WE.42.08 Laser Aircraft Self-Protect Missile Countermeasures. This DTO will develop and demonstrate laser system technologies for a damage/destroy (D2) laser weapon to counter the next generation of advanced guided surface-to-air and air-to-air threats. Moderate-power laser device and beam control technology will be used to demonstrate a robust capability to negate guided missiles by damaging/destroying the seeker. A FY99 field demonstration will be conducted initially against static missiles. The program will demonstrate, by FY01, a D2 prototype laser/beam control system on a large aircraft platform. This program will be a coordinated Army/Navy/Air Force effort to address self-protection for large aircraft and helicopters against next-generation advanced missiles. This will provide a more robust countermeasure than conventional jamming, but requires a higher power laser and necessary effects database.

The program also will develop, by FY01, Fotofighter laser technology by combining technology development for semiconductor laser diodes, coherent laser diode array architectures, and electronic beam steering into a demonstration of moderate- to high-power laser systems which can be constructed as conformal arrays of phased, electronically steerable diode lasers in the skin of an advanced aircraft. This demonstration will establish the technology for low-drag, compact, high-efficiency laser weapons for use in both offensive and defensive roles. Fotofighter provides an all-aspect capability for air-to-air and air-to-surface engagements. Technology advances needed include wide-angle beam steering, high-power thermal control of laser arrays, and wavelength versatile semiconductor laser materials. The criterion for success is demonstration of a building-block, kilowatt-class, phased-array-laser module for scaling to multikilowatt applications. The program will demonstrate, by FY05, kilowatt-level, short-wavelength, phased-laser arrays and by FY06, 100-W IR phased laser arrays.

WE.43.08 Advanced Multiband Infrared Countermeasures Laser Source Solution Technology. Countermeasures against the current threat of advanced IR-guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles will require laser sources to provide the precisely directed, high-intensity beams of coherent mid-IR jamming energy. Current incoherent IR jamming sources (lamps) are relatively large, heavy, and inefficient and can only be installed on larger fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Nearer term laser sources now under development offer higher jamming intensities, but require relatively inefficient optical conversion into some of the required mid-IR bands; and their size, weight, and power requirements are still too large for installation in tactical fixed-wing aircraft and smaller rotary-wing aircraft. However, semiconductor laser diode technologies offer the potential of very high electrical efficiency and brightness, light weight, and compact packaging that can make advanced laser countermeasures readily packageable for installation in tactical fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

This program will develop and demonstrate a three-band, packaged mid-infrared semiconductor laser system. The focus of the Multiband IRCM Laser Source Solution (MISS) effort will be fixed-wing and rotary-wing IRCM programs. The principal technology issues are development of high-brightness, high-operating-temperature Band IV laser diodes, and development of novel resonator configurations for current-generation Band I and II laser diodes. The metrics for this program will be far-field brightness in the mid-IR bands of interest and weight/volume and electrical power requirements of the IRCM system. Specific performance goals are a factor of three improvement in the brightness over current generation Band IV semiconductor lasers and a 50 K increase in the operating temperature for Band IV laser output. This program will be a coordinated Army/Navy/Air Force effort to develop and demonstrate semiconductor laser technology for advanced IR missile threats.