High-Energy Laser Weapon Integration with Ground Vehicles

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High-Energy Laser Weapon Integration with Ground Vehicles

M. Hafften / R. Stratton

There is potential for the near-term development and demonstration of a new ground vehicle based weapon system that integrates an electric solid- state high-energy laser (HEL) as the primary armament. This weapon system promises to provide revolutionary warfighting capabilities with a small logistics footprint. The benefits of this weapon system are significant; however, there are several significant technical and integration challenges to address before such a system can be fielded. The architecture of an electric, solid-state HEL weapon system would likely be based upon a hybrid electric vehicle that provides a common electrical power source for the propulsion and weapon subsystems. The demands of the weapon subsystem on the power source are substantial for a weapon-class HEL. Also, the electro-optical efficiency of the weapon subsystem is inherently low, resulting in significant heat levels that must be effectively removed from the system. Practical solutions to these challenges are further complicated by the severe size and weight constraints imposed upon future-force ground vehicle weapon systems.