Textron Achieves Over 100 kW with Laser

Textron Defense Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, announced today that its Directed Energy Weapons business line has successfully tested its Joint High-Power Solid State Laser (J-HPSSL) laboratory demonstration device at average power levels in excess of 100 kilowatts.

The J-HPSSL program, which is funded by the Joint Technology Office under contract with the US Army Space & Missile Defense Command, was awarded to Textron Defense Systems in late December 2005.

Textron Defense Systems’ J-HPSSL leverages the company’s proprietary Thinzag solid state laser technology. As a single-aperture power oscillator, the Thinzag optical configuration provides a unique path for scaling solid state lasers to high average power for use in the most stressing mission applications and severe environmental battlefield conditions, said the company.

“Our Thinzag technology enables us to achieve and sustain high laser power and beam quality in a compact, ruggedized configuration suitable for the operational environment,” said Dr. John Boness, Textron Defense Systems vice president, Directed Energy Weapons. “As a result, this technology offers the promise of bringing reliable and precise directed energy weapons from the laboratory to the field — from an exciting possibility to a confidence-building reality for warfighters.”

“Our Directed Energy Weapons group has a broad base of laser expertise, firmly grounded in the company’s long history of laser technology research and development,” said Mark Catizone, senior vice president and general manager of Textron Defense Systems. “Having reached this high average power goal, we enthusiastically look forward to additional successes as our Thinzag technology continues to mature.”

For more information, visit: www.textrondefense.com