Boeing Completes Key Reviews for High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator Program — Press Release

October 26, 2009 by Matthew Potter · View Comments
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Events, Press Releases, S&T, development program, missile defense 

boeing laserBoeing Completes Key Reviews for High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator Program

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 26, 2009 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced the successful completion of two key reviews for the U.S. Army’s High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) program.

Completion of a critical design review in July allows Boeing to begin building a rugged beam control system on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), a widely used military tactical vehicle. A system functional review in June addressed key enablers for fielding a next-generation, solid-state laser weapon system.

“This demonstration program is making significant progress in developing a weapon system that will transform the way soldiers are protected on the battlefield,” said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Missile Defense Systems’ Directed Energy Systems unit. “HEL TD’s speed-of-light, ultra-precision capability will increase the warfighter’s ability to counter rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles.”

The Army in 2008 awarded Boeing a contract to develop the system-engineering requirements for the overall HEL TD system and to complete the design of, then build, test and evaluate, a rugged beam control system on a HEMTT.

HEL TD is a cornerstone of the Army’s high-energy laser program. The HEL TD demonstration program will support the transition to a full-fledged Army acquisition program.

Boeing leads the way in developing high-energy laser systems for a variety of warfighter applications. These systems include the Airborne Laser, Advanced Tactical Laser, Free Electron Laser, Laser Avenger and Tactical Relay Mirror System.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Contact:

Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-414-6138
marc.selinger@boeing.com

Chuck Cadena
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-872-4503
chuck.cadena@boeing.com

Photo courtesy of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.

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Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Fires High-Power Laser in Flight – Press Release

June 15, 2009 by Matthew Potter · View Comments
Filed under: Boeing, Business Line, Companies, Department of Defense, Events, Military Aviation, S&T, Services, U.S. Air Force, development program, missile defense 

Boeing Advanced Tactical Laser Fires High-Power Laser in Flight

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., June 15, 2009 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Air Force on June 13 successfully fired the high-power laser aboard the Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) aircraft for the first time in flight. During the test, ATL took off from Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., and fired its laser while flying over White Sands Missile Range, N.M., successfully hitting a target board located on the ground. ATL, which Boeing is developing for the U.S. Air Force, is a C-130H aircraft
equipped with a chemical laser, a beam control system, sensors and weapon-system consoles.

“This successful test is a major step toward bringing directed energy capability to the warfighter,” said Gary Fitzmire, vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems. “We have demonstrated that an airborne system can fire a high-power laser in flight and deliver laser beam energy to a ground target. ATL’s ultra-precision engagement capability will dramatically reduce collateral damage.”

More tests are planned to demonstrate ATL’s military utility. The system is designed to destroy, damage or disable targets with little to no collateral damage. These demonstrations support development of systems that will conduct missions on the battlefield and in urban operations. The Boeing-led ATL industry team includes L-3 Communications/Brashear,
which built the laser turret; HYTEC Inc., which made a variety of the weapon system’s structural elements; and J.B. Henderson, which provides mechanical integration support. Boeing leads the way in developing laser systems for a variety of Air Force, Army and Navy applications. These include the Airborne Laser, the Free Electron Laser, the High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator, Laser Avenger, the Re-deployable High Energy Laser System and the Tactical Relay Mirror System.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world’s largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32 billion business with 70,000 employees worldwide.

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Contact:
Marc Selinger
Boeing Missile Defense Systems
703-414-6138

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