Directed Energy Weapon Advances to High-Power Testing

Boeing will continue to develop a truck-mounted 10-kW laser system under Phase II of an Army contract, the defense contractor announced recently.

Under the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD) Phase II high-power testing contract, Boeing will incorporate a 10-kW solid-state laser with the HEL MD system. There is an option to add a more powerful laser, which reduces the risk for future high-power laser integration. The system improves a soldier’s ability to counter rockets, artillery, mortars and unmanned aerial threats.

The contract from Army Space and Missile Defense Command supports development and testing for the next three years; field tests to determine the system’s effectiveness against threats will be conducted over the next year.

For more information, visit: www.boeing.com