The first phase of the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL-TD) contract will involve the design of a rugged Beam Control System designed to be mounted on a truck.
The objective is to demonstrate that a mobile, solid-state laser weapon system can effectively counter rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles.
Boeing will then have the option of building and testing the Beam Control System integrated on a vehicle platform, and refining the requirements for the entire HEL-TD system.
These developments will increase the total programme contract cost to around US$50m and will support the transition to a fully-fledged Army acquisition programme.
"We consider this programme an important win for Boeing because it supports a cornerstone of the Army's high-energy laser programme," said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems.
"We believe this is the next step for developing a weapons system that can change the face of the battlefield."
Boeing is already involved in developing high-energy laser systems for a variety of applications such as the Airborne Laser, the Advanced Tactical Laser and the Tactical Relay Mirror System.
US Army orders truck mounted laser cannons
By
Staff Writers
on Jul 25, 2007 3:11PM
Boeing is to develop a truck-mounted laser weapon system that destroys rockets, artillery shells and mortar rounds as part of a US$7m contract awarded by the US Army.
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