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| MTHEL THEL Mobile / Tactical High Energy Laser |
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Mobile / Tactical High Energy Laser
(M-THEL) Technology Demonstration Program
Developer: Northrop Grumman Corp.
The fixed-site version Advanced Concept
Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Tactical High
Energy Laser (THEL) THEL, was developed by
TRW Inc. under a $89 million contract. During
several tests in the USA, the system has shot
down 25 Katyusha rockets, but has not been
deployed.
The system also known as Nautilus, has not
progressed much since the end of the
demonstration program, since the lack of
mobility and the fixed base limitations of
the system made in insufficient to counter
long range rockets currently employed by
Hezbulla at the Israeli northern border with
Lebanon. While Katyusha rockets had a range
of 20 kilometers, and could hit only a few
urban targets, the long range rockets have a
range of 70 kilometers and can hit strategic
facilities and large urban areas in the Haifa
bay. A laser-based defense against such
weapons must rely on more systems, which
could be rapidly mobilized to protect a much
larger area. Such design is currently being
implemented under the MTHEL program. Similar
threats could face US contingencies in other
parts of the world. This requirement is
driving the need for an air-mobile version of
the beam weapon. In July 2006, Northrop
Grumman unveiled the SkyGuard system, based
on the THEL, designed to protect airfields
and fixed sites from rocket, artillery and
mortar (RAM) attacks.
Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (MTHEL)
A study completed in 2001 concluded that the
rocket interceptor has "lots of promise" and
further development should be pursued,
primarily in enabling system's mobility.
Mobility considerations for the future mobile
systems include system mobility (road and off
road capabilities) and air transportability,
including the type of transport aircraft it
should fit on (C-130, C-17 or C-5).
Conclusions of these studies will define the
necessary size- reduction technologies
required for the future version.Further
studies of the system include the use of such
laser beam weapons to provide "hard kill"
defenses against artillery projectiles, UAVs
and cruise missiles.
During a recent test conducted on Aug. 24,
2004 the system shot down multiple mortar
rounds, demonstrating potential its
battlefield application for to protection
against common threats. The test represented
actual mortar threat scenarios. Targets were
intercepted by the THEL testbed and
destroyed; both single mortar rounds and
salvo were tested.
Keep in mind that this type of system is
still in the R&D phase and is only capable of
area defense. (a few miles).
www.defense-update.com/directory/THEL.htm
Tags : SAM MTHEL THEL Defense USA US Israel Intercept Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser |
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Affichage : 50250
Durée : 184 s |
| MTHEL |
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MTHEL
Tags : MTHEL |
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Affichage : 13154
Durée : 116 s |
| thel directed energy lazer weapon |
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http://robin-hoode.blogspot.com/
The Tactical High-Energy Laser, or THEL, is a
laser developed for military use, also known
as the Nautilus laser system. The mobile
version is the Mobile Tactical High-Energy
Laser, or MTHEL.
The cooperative Tactical High Energy Laser
(THEL) Demonstrator ACTD was designed and
built by the Israeli government on July 18,
1996.The project was later funded by the
United States. The THEL is a high-energy
laser weapon system that uses proven laser
beam generation technologies, proven
beam-pointing technologies, and existing
sensors and communication networks to provide
a new active defense capability in counter
air missions. The goal of THEL is to provide
a different solution than other systems or
technologies for the acquisition and close-in
engagement problems associated with short- to
medium-range threats, thereby significantly
enhancing coverage of combat forces and
theater-level assets. The THEL low
cost-per-kill (about $3,000 per kill) could
also provide a cost-effective defense against
low-cost air threats. It features up to 60
shots without reloading and if it meets
design goals, a probability of kill of nearly
100% at a range of 5 km.
An Israeli designed, U.S funded program has
been initiated to develop a THEL demonstrator
using deuterium fluoride laser (chemical
laser) technologies. Israeli THEL team
members have completed a Concept Design
Review in Israel for the demonstrator.
Approximately 21 months will be required to
design and build the system, followed by 12
to 18 months of field testing at the High
Energy Laser Systems Test Facility in Israel.
This program will deliver a THEL Demonstrator
by March 1998 with a limited operational
capability to defend against short-range
rockets. The THEL weapon system concept
definition studies using advanced
technologies were awarded to four contractors
on September 30, 1996. The prime contractor
for THEL is Northrop Grumman (formerly TRW.)
THEL conducted test firing in FY1998, and
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was
planned in FY1999. However this has been
significantly delayed due to reorienting the
project as a mobile, not fixed design, called
Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser (MTHEL).
The original fixed location design eliminates
most weight, size and power restrictions, but
is not compatible with the fluid, mobile
nature of modern combat. The initial MTHEL
goal was a mobile version the size of three
large semi trailers. Ideally it would be
further downsized to a single semi trailer
size. However doing this while maintaining
the original performance characteristics is
difficult. Furthermore the Israeli government
which had been providing significant funding
decreased their financial support in 2004,
stretching out the IOC date to at least 2010.
In 2000 and 2001 THEL shot down 28 Katyusha
artillery rockets and 5 artillery shells. On
November 4, 2002, THEL shot down an incoming
artillery shell. A mobile version has
completed successful testing. During a test
conducted on Aug. 24, 2004 the system
successfully shot down multiple mortar
rounds. The test represented actual mortar
threat scenarios. Targets were intercepted by
the THEL testbed and destroyed; both single
mortar rounds and salvo were tested.
Even though military experts such as the
former head of the Administration for the
Development of Weapons and the Technological
Industry, Aluf Yitzhak Ben Yisrael, were
calling for the implementation of the THEL,
the project was discontinued. During the 2006
Israel-Lebanon conflict, Ben Yisrael,
currently the chairman of the Israeli Space
Agency, renewed his calls to implement the
THEL against high-trajectory fire.
[edit] Possible countermeasures
In theory certain countermeasures could
reduce the effectiveness of THEL. These could
include heat hardening and reflective coating
of the projectiles, which would increase the
necessary laser exposure time. However THEL
has primarily been developed to intercept
relatively primitive threats such as homemade
Qassam rockets and World War II-era Katyusha
rockets, which thus far have not incorporated
sophisticated countermeasures.
The challenge will be to split the THEL
system into transportable pieces, each
capable of inflicting only a part of the
needed heat. While netted with the base
center, several (small) units could respond
to the same threat; this may be a way to
overcome 1) the danger of system destruction,
2) the need for chemical lasers and
associated transportation problems, and 3) y
a part of the needed heat. While netted with
the base center, several (small) units could
respond to the same threat; this may be a way
to overcome 1) the danger of system
destruction, 2) the need for chemical lasers
and associated transportation problems, and
3) eventual light countermeasures.
Tags : thel directed energy lazer weapon |
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Affichage : 49014
Durée : 485 s |
| 9/11 Laser weapons (1) |
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Part 1 showing video evidence of high tech
laser weapons used in the 9/11 attack. The
full video is here
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=32015
40151094365312
Tags : 911 9/11 laser weapons mthel |
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Affichage : 50187
Durée : 482 s |
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