MTHEL THEL Mobile / Tactical High Energy Laser

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

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• SAM
• MTHEL
• THEL
• Defense
• USA
• US
• Israel
• Intercept
• Mobile
• Tactical
• High
• Energy
• Laser

[Mistermuggz]

What if the mortars and missiles were made with a mirror-like reflective coating? Would the laser still work?

[ATFSCrash]

Mistermuggz: It was already discussed, if you bothered to read the comments your question was already answered. In a childish cartoon world a mirror coating would be effective and reliable and practical; however in the real world it would be much less effective and it would be debatable whether it could be made reliable or practical and whether the effectivity would be worth the costs and support/logistics.

[gabydewilde]

fake

[ATFSCrash]

Japaneseboy1112: Apparently youre too busy promoting fake and misrepresented videos that you dont recognize an authentic one. Youre the typical unscientific and uneducated person; that thinks Hollyweird is more realistic than real life.

[SmokeyTheBanditNL]

If you're not impressed, think about it this way:

It shot down mortar rounds.

Several mortar rounds.

When fully developed it could basically be a SAM umbrella against artillery instead of planes. Denying the enemy use of indirect fire weapons is a huge advantage.

[f38stingray]

Once lasers get into more widespread use, "Light 'em up!" will have a whole new meaning.

[davidatheist]

No it would not. Common mirrors are only about 98% efficient and the reflective layer is thin the left over 2% turns into heat it would make no difference to a powerful laser. Dielectric mirrors (ones made from layers of crystal) would work as they are used to direct lasers however to mount them to mortar and artillery shells would be so hugely expensive it would not be worth thinking about.

[alexrcory]

Good question, it would depend on the spectrum of the frequencies of the laser. When they are showing the different color pictures of the laser, they are essentially showing how much the laser reflects in the atmosphere.. or how much energy is lost before reaching the target. I am sure they classified the spectrum and intensity of the laser so that enemies will have a hard time producing an effective mirror.

[nay1978miles]

The thing that gets me is that they are telling us about these weapons now...what other things do they have in the pipeline that they aren't telling us about? That's what I'd like to know....

[NameNotAlreadyTaken2]

PhoenixEvo:

No, Judgement1337 is right. the THEL project was cancelled because, being a chemical laser, it is beyond impractical. we're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars per shot. and no hope of improvement -- bound by the chemical reactions.

but *eventually* solid-state lasers will reach THEL's power output, and then it will be game-on. an honest-to-goodness revolution in warfare. what happens from then is anyone's guess.

[badboyyz50]

It's testing in order to repel attacks incoming from Hamas militants in Gaza.

[rasmasyean]

How long does a mortal stay in the air?

[WadeDanielSmith]

WAsn't discontinued at all. Only an idiot would discontinue this, as this is one of the greatest military weapons ever invented.

"That's Impossible" showed hypothetical versions of this mounted on Destroyers and other naval vessels, as well as even space craft.

Versions of various scales could be placed w/ overlapping coverage as a missile defense network on the east and west coast. The version seen here is a 100,000 kilowatt system, but they could scale it up by a factor of 10 or even 100

[Termi87ITA]

Yes. This laser works on infrared. Infrared wavelenght is absorbed by metals, glass and plastic...

[knollik]

no he is development