Announced recently, the U.S. air force research laboratory, the laboratory developed “the protection of high energy laser demonstration unit” in the end of April trial successfully shot down a number of air-to-air missile in flight, marks a milestone progress was made in this type of high energy laser demonstration, at the same time it also shows that contracts for this type of laser weapon lockheed Martin, Boeing and northrop grumman three big arms will soon laser weapon system from the demonstration into practical deployment phase, the sixth generation machine is developing will pick up the laser weapons.
The development of the lasaer pointer weapon system of the us air force is divided into two stages. The first stage is the “self-protection high-energy laser demonstration verifier” project led by the us air force laboratory. In demonstration phase, the U.S. air force research laboratory will integrate the three major arms giant laser weapon subsystem (energy, laser pod, laser beam control system), a phased in ground and air demo “self protection high-energy laser demonstration unit”, the ground part of the test is nearing completion, the next step will be to carry out the laser pod air test, scheduled for completion in fiscal 2021.
The second phase is practical laser weapon development, research and development work will be dominated by lockheed Martin, Boeing and northrop grumman also involved, responsible for providing the subsystem of the laser weapon, the development results will be installed in the high value of military aircraft (awacs, tankers, VIP special plane) and fighter jets, if the technical problems, solve the energy and thermal management laser weapon will also become standard of American fighter, there is no doubt that are developing the next generation fighter will take the lead in carrying laser weapons. According to lockheed Martin’s plan, a miniaturized laser weapon system that can be mounted on fighter jets will be on air by 2021.