This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(April 2013)
The High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS), is a counter-RAM system under development that will use a powerful (150 kW) laser to shoot down rockets, missiles, artillery and mortar shells. The initial system will be demonstrated from a static ground-based installation, but in order to eventually be integrated on an aircraft, the final design would require a maximum weight of 750 kg (1,650 lb) and a maximum envelope of 2 cubic meters (70.6 feet3).
Liquid lasers that have large cooling systems can fire continuous beams, while solid state laser beams are more intense but generally must be fired in pulses to stop them from overheating. (As long as the heat transfer requirements are met solid state lasers can run continuously.) In the past, both types of lasers were very bulky because of their need for these huge cooling systems. The only aircraft in which they could fit were the size of jumbo jets.
Need for such a system was reinforced during the 2006 Lebanon War. Israel had participated in similar work in the past by funding the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (MTHEL). This system was tested on August 24, 2004, and was found to be effective at neutralizing mortar threats under an actual scenario. However, this test was administered with short, 20 km range missiles.
Development
For the first few years of the program the Photonics Division of General Atomics was the prime contractor. The design combined the high energy density of a solid-state laser with the thermal management of a liquid laser. Dubbed the "HEL weapon", the initial prototype demonstrated firing a mild one kilowatt (kW) beam. Phase 3 of the program in 2007 demonstrated 15 kW power in a laboratory setting, and at the end of 2008 under the General Atomics bid, Lockheed Martin was selected as the weapon system integrator.
In September 2007, DARPA contracted Textron Systems to supply an alternate laser module using its proprietary "ThinZag" ceramic solid-state technology. Unlike the GA/Lockheed partnership, Textron will also perform the system integration function for their device. DARPA planned a "shoot-off" between the two contenders in 2009 to determine which would be funded to continue the program to further phases.
The more powerful version will produce a 150-kW beam capable of knocking down missiles with the weight and size requirements for fitting onto fighter aircraft or a Humvee. In mid 2008, Jane's International Defence Review quoted the US military that the program is on schedule to meet this ground test. Phase 4 of the program, involving outdoor testing of a weapon-power laser against tactical targets, was planned for 2010.
A prototype was expected to be available by the end of 2012. DARPA planned to use the completed prototypes against targets at White Sands Missile Range in early 2013. This included ground testing against rockets, mortars, and surface-to-air missiles.[1]
DARPA planned for General Atomics to produce a second HELLADS system in January 2013 for use by the Office of Naval Research to test against targets "relevant to surface ships." The first example is committed to Air Force use and cannot be made available for the Navy. Fabrication of the system was planned to be completed in 2012, with power, thermal management, beam control, and command-and-control subsystem integration planned through 2013. The system has a weight goal of 5 kg (11 lb) per kW of power. Both services plan for demonstrations in 2014.[2]
General Atomics revealed in April 2015 that its Gen 3 High Energy Laser (HEL) completed beam quality and power measurements tests. The Gen 3 laser has a number of upgrades that provide improved beam quality, increased electrical to optical efficiency, and reduced size and weight; the assembly is small at only 1.3 by 0.4 by 0.5 metres (4.3 ft × 1.3 ft × 1.6 ft), and is powered by a compact Lithium-ion battery to demonstrate deployability on tactical platforms. Beam quality remained constant through the 30-second demonstration, proving that the beam quality of electrically-pumped lasers can be maintained above 50 kilowatts. General Atomics plans to have the laser module deployable on their Avengerunmanned aerial vehicle by 2018.[3] Demonstrating sufficient laser power and beam quality ended the program's laboratory development phase and achieved acceptance for field trials. Ground-based field testing will assess its effects against rockets, mortars, vehicles, and surrogate surface-to-air missiles.[4]
HELLADS was to be tested during summer 2015 at White Sands. General Atomics has also proposed its Gen 3 HEL to the Navy after an ONR solicitation for a 150 kW laser weapon suitable for installation on Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, to be tested in 2018. The company has displayed the laser as a Tactical Laser Weapon Module which includes high-power-density lithium-ion batteries, liquid cooling, one or more laser unit cells, and optics to clean up and stabilize the beam before it enters the beam-director telescope; a unit cell produces a 75 kW beam, and modules can be combined to create beams of 150-300 kW in power with no beam combining like low-power fiber lasers. General Atomics also plans to offer the Gen 3 to the U.S. Army for their High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL-MD) when its power levels increase to 120 kW in the early 2020s.[5]
^Neal Ungerleider, "DARPA Unveils Drone-Slaying War Laser", Fastcompany.com, March 8, 2012
^Graham Warwick, "Navy to Test-Fire DARPA's Hellads Laser", Aviation Week & Space Technology, 24 January 2013
^John McHale, "High energy laser from General Atomics finishes beam quality test", Mil-embedded.com, 9 April 2015
^"HELLADS Laser Achieves Acceptance For Field Testing", DARPA, 21 May 2015
^Graham Warwick, "General Atomics: Third-Gen Electric Laser Weapon Now Ready", Aviation Week & Space Technology, 20 April 2015
Notes
New Scientist: US on course for shrink-to-fit laser
DARPA's 'Star Wars'-style Laser Cannon
Lockheed Martin Chosen as Weapon System Integrator for DARPA Laser Program from Spaceref.com
US military pinpoints date for HELLADS ground test from Janes Defence (extract - full text requires account)
Lockheed Martin Chosen as Weapon System Integrator for DARPA Laser Program from Spaceref.com
March 03, 2023
high, energy, liquid, laser, area, defense, system, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, factual, accuracy, compromised, date, information, pl. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article s factual accuracy may be compromised due to out of date information Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information April 2013 This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations February 2010 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message The High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System HELLADS is a counter RAM system under development that will use a powerful 150 kW laser to shoot down rockets missiles artillery and mortar shells The initial system will be demonstrated from a static ground based installation but in order to eventually be integrated on an aircraft the final design would require a maximum weight of 750 kg 1 650 lb and a maximum envelope of 2 cubic meters 70 6 feet3 Development is being funded by the Pentagon s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA Contents 1 History 2 Development 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory EditLiquid lasers that have large cooling systems can fire continuous beams while solid state laser beams are more intense but generally must be fired in pulses to stop them from overheating As long as the heat transfer requirements are met solid state lasers can run continuously In the past both types of lasers were very bulky because of their need for these huge cooling systems The only aircraft in which they could fit were the size of jumbo jets Need for such a system was reinforced during the 2006 Lebanon War Israel had participated in similar work in the past by funding the Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser MTHEL This system was tested on August 24 2004 and was found to be effective at neutralizing mortar threats under an actual scenario However this test was administered with short 20 km range missiles Development EditFor the first few years of the program the Photonics Division of General Atomics was the prime contractor The design combined the high energy density of a solid state laser with the thermal management of a liquid laser Dubbed the HEL weapon the initial prototype demonstrated firing a mild one kilowatt kW beam Phase 3 of the program in 2007 demonstrated 15 kW power in a laboratory setting and at the end of 2008 under the General Atomics bid Lockheed Martin was selected as the weapon system integrator In September 2007 DARPA contracted Textron Systems to supply an alternate laser module using its proprietary ThinZag ceramic solid state technology Unlike the GA Lockheed partnership Textron will also perform the system integration function for their device DARPA planned a shoot off between the two contenders in 2009 to determine which would be funded to continue the program to further phases The more powerful version will produce a 150 kW beam capable of knocking down missiles with the weight and size requirements for fitting onto fighter aircraft or a Humvee In mid 2008 Jane s International Defence Review quoted the US military that the program is on schedule to meet this ground test Phase 4 of the program involving outdoor testing of a weapon power laser against tactical targets was planned for 2010 A prototype was expected to be available by the end of 2012 DARPA planned to use the completed prototypes against targets at White Sands Missile Range in early 2013 This included ground testing against rockets mortars and surface to air missiles 1 DARPA planned for General Atomics to produce a second HELLADS system in January 2013 for use by the Office of Naval Research to test against targets relevant to surface ships The first example is committed to Air Force use and cannot be made available for the Navy Fabrication of the system was planned to be completed in 2012 with power thermal management beam control and command and control subsystem integration planned through 2013 The system has a weight goal of 5 kg 11 lb per kW of power Both services plan for demonstrations in 2014 2 General Atomics revealed in April 2015 that its Gen 3 High Energy Laser HEL completed beam quality and power measurements tests The Gen 3 laser has a number of upgrades that provide improved beam quality increased electrical to optical efficiency and reduced size and weight the assembly is small at only 1 3 by 0 4 by 0 5 metres 4 3 ft 1 3 ft 1 6 ft and is powered by a compact Lithium ion battery to demonstrate deployability on tactical platforms Beam quality remained constant through the 30 second demonstration proving that the beam quality of electrically pumped lasers can be maintained above 50 kilowatts General Atomics plans to have the laser module deployable on their Avenger unmanned aerial vehicle by 2018 3 Demonstrating sufficient laser power and beam quality ended the program s laboratory development phase and achieved acceptance for field trials Ground based field testing will assess its effects against rockets mortars vehicles and surrogate surface to air missiles 4 HELLADS was to be tested during summer 2015 at White Sands General Atomics has also proposed its Gen 3 HEL to the Navy after an ONR solicitation for a 150 kW laser weapon suitable for installation on Arleigh Burke class destroyers to be tested in 2018 The company has displayed the laser as a Tactical Laser Weapon Module which includes high power density lithium ion batteries liquid cooling one or more laser unit cells and optics to clean up and stabilize the beam before it enters the beam director telescope a unit cell produces a 75 kW beam and modules can be combined to create beams of 150 300 kW in power with no beam combining like low power fiber lasers General Atomics also plans to offer the Gen 3 to the U S Army for their High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator HEL MD when its power levels increase to 120 kW in the early 2020s 5 See also EditAirborne Laser Advanced Tactical Laser Tactical High Energy LaserReferences Edit Neal Ungerleider DARPA Unveils Drone Slaying War Laser Fastcompany com March 8 2012 Graham Warwick Navy to Test Fire DARPA s Hellads Laser Aviation Week amp Space Technology 24 January 2013 John McHale High energy laser from General Atomics finishes beam quality test Mil embedded com 9 April 2015 HELLADS Laser Achieves Acceptance For Field Testing DARPA 21 May 2015 Graham Warwick General Atomics Third Gen Electric Laser Weapon Now Ready Aviation Week amp Space Technology 20 April 2015 NotesNew Scientist US on course for shrink to fit laser High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System HELLADS DARPA s Star Wars style Laser Cannon Lockheed Martin Chosen as Weapon System Integrator for DARPA Laser Program from Spaceref com Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser M THEL US military pinpoints date for HELLADS ground test from Janes Defence extract full text requires account Lockheed Martin Chosen as Weapon System Integrator for DARPA Laser Program from Spaceref com Textron Defense Systems Awarded Funding for the DARPA HELLADS Program from PR inside com General Atomics Photonics Request for Information document DARPA High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System HELLADS Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System amp oldid 1042024724, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
