SCI-FI [CONTINUED FROM PAGE 65]
collected in static engagement and to anchor models and simulations,” Da Fatta continues. The SSLT’s current focus is the
Boeing-designed High-Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD), which uses a modified 10 kW commercial laser mounted on a customized heavy expanded mo- bility tactical truck. That would have been impossible for earlier chemical-laser systems, such as the tactical high-energy laser, which required three large semitrailers to contain all the necessary equip- ment. What’s more, the system is operated by a Panasonic Toughbook laptop and can be controlled by a Microsoft Xbox game controller. “In 2014, the HEL MD was used to shoot down 69 of 94 small-cali- ber mortars and a target UAV,” says Da Fatta. “We will integrate a high- er-power laser source and support- ing subsystems at the 50 kW level in 2017 and at 100 kW in 2020.” Those higher-powered lasers now
are being developed by Lockheed Martin Space Systems as part of the company’s accelerated laser- demonstration initiative, which has resulted in a laser demonstra- tor known as the Advanced Test High-Energy Asset (ATHENA). The current prototype grew out of the earlier Area Defense Anti-Muni- tions (ADAM) system, which used a laser weapon designed to defeat close-in rocket, unmanned aerial system, and small-boat threats. “ADAM used a 10 kW com-
mercial laser,” explains Paul Shat- tuck, Lockheed Martin’s director of directed-energy systems. “For ATHENA, we’re using a 30 kW Lockheed-developed laser. The dif- ference between most of the other systems and this one is that ATHE- NA uses a single fiber-optic laser, versus multiple 10 kW lasers that
PHOTO: LOCKHEED MARTIN
In tests off the California coast, the Lockheed Martin Area Defense Anti- Munitions laser system burns through the hull of a military-grade boat.
must converge on a target.” By the end of 2016, Lockheed Martin plans to deliver a laser system that will double ATHENA’s power.
The benefits of beaming Despite the time, energy, and money being expended on the de- velopment of laser weapon systems, the service branches doggedly pur- sue them because they offer several important advantages over tradi- tional kinetic weapons. “The first is that they offer an
extremely deep magazine,” says Chernesky. “As long as you can gen- erate electricity, there’s no resupply [and] no ammunition required for la- sers other than fuel.” He explains that traditional artillery shells aren’t as accurate due to windage and tumbling problems, which create the danger of collateral damage. Lasers, on the other hand, can be directed exactly where they can do the most to nullify a threat. Chernesky notes most modern laser systems also can be used as high- powered telescopes, giving users an observational advantage as well. Da Fatta points out another big
advantage: cost. “A high-energy laser weapons system reduces the logistics
chain and offers a very affordable counter to UAV, rocket, artillery, and mortar threats in terms of cost-per- kill,” he says. A single Excalibur artil- lery shell costs more than $100,000, while laser weapons eventually will be able to do just as much damage “for tens of dollars per engagement.” On the other hand, lasers can’t do
everything. Although exceedingly ac- curate against incoming threats such as UAVs, they require a clear line of sight to the target and can’t be used for hidden or over-the-horizon tar- gets. “They’re not an end-all system,” says Shattuck. “They’ll be used to complement the current kinetic en- ergy munitions we now have.” As with any new weapon system,
there has been some internal resis- tance in the services, says Chernesky. “People grew up with the promise of lasers, and until recently, that promise had not been kept. We’re trying to overcome that organizational inertia and bring people around to the reality that lasers are here, they work, and they’re already militarily useful.”
MO
— Mark Cantrell is a North Carolina- based freelance writer. His last feature article for Military Officer was “Service- member Superheroes,” December 2016.
JANUARY 2017 MILITARY OFFICER 75
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