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諾斯羅普•格魯門公司研製的聯合高功率固體雷射器持續發射
2010-12-16
[美國諾斯羅普•格魯門公司2010年12月8日消息]自2009年固體雷射器首次達到100千瓦這一功率大關以來,諾•格公司不斷推動“聯合高功率固體雷射器”(JHPSSL)的性能參數。公司的工程師和技術人員累計操作時間已超過6個小時(這6小時功率都在100千瓦以上)。諾•格公司正準備將JHPSSL與指示和跟蹤系統集成在一起,以進行靶場試驗。
諾•格公司宇航系統分部先進概念空間與定向能系統副主任史蒂夫•海克森表示,該公司不知道還有那家公司已擁有可持續運行超過幾秒鐘的100千瓦級固體雷射器。JHPSSL累計6小時的運行時間並不包括其日常維護時的低功率運行時間。海克森認為,在雷射器領域,JHPSSL的性能是最優的,這種可靠的系統將不斷發射鐳射。
JHPSSL的主要軍事贊助商也同樣談到了該雷射器的可靠性和可信任性。國防部長辦公室,高能鐳射聯合技術辦公室主任馬克•尼斯表示,諾•格公司以其JHPSSL系統創建了高能固體雷射器的最高標準。該系統不僅驗證了固體鐳射武器所要求的全套性能品質,同時還保持著18個月無以倫比的成績。
諾•格公司正加快發射鐳射的步伐以推動JHPSSL項目,為把雷射器從諾•格公司位於加州的實驗室轉置到位於新墨西哥州白沙導彈靶場的專用高能鐳射試驗靶場做好準備。高能鐳射系統試驗設施(HELSTF)用於野外試驗。
一旦佈置到試驗靶場,JHPSSL就會與現有的光束控制、指揮與控制系統集成在一起,形成美國陸軍固體雷射器試驗台試驗的核心。
諾•格公司定向能系統副主任丹•威爾特表示,該公司正在進行JHPSSL的運行,為與試驗地點環境、限定時間、程式相關的操作做好準備。諾•格公司正在收集最新資訊以支援與指示-跟蹤系統的集成,進一步的集成試驗還包括機動地基鐳射武器。
威爾特強調,隨著部署部隊的挑戰持續改變,JHPSSL近期就可能為裝備軍用鐳射武器能力提供已驗證並可承受的躍升。諾•格公司已顯示了固體雷射器技術的可用與成熟,並已準備好開始為部隊提供防護。
JHPSSL專案經理馬丁•維克斯認為,JHPSSL正在形成中的可靠性和魯棒性是該項目團隊集成這一革命性能力的實證。由於業內、業外都已認識到固體雷射器遠期軍事應用的潛力,因此諾•格公司在固體雷射器技術方面的成就獲得廣泛認可。
美國陸軍負責採辦、後勤與技術副部長辦公室為JHPSSL專案提供資金支援。美國陸軍空間與導彈防禦司令部/陸軍戰略司令部委派國防部長辦公室-高能鐳射聯合技術辦公室、美國空軍試驗室以及海軍研究實驗室負責項目的執行。(中國航空工業發展研究中心 王曉鶴)
http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=208551
Northrop Grumman-Built Joint High Power Solid State Laser Keeps Lasing ... and Lasing ... and Lasing ...
REDONDO BEACH, Calif., Dec. 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The beat goes on for the world's most powerful and reliable solid-state military laser.
Since becoming the first to reach the 100-kilowatt power level threshold for a solid-state laser in 2009, Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has continued to push the performance parameters of the Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL). Company engineers and technicians have logged more than six hours of operating time -- all at power levels greater than 100kW -- with the JHPSSL system as they prepare to integrate it with a pointing and tracking system for field testing.
"We don't know of another 100kW solid-state laser anywhere that has operated continuously for more than a few seconds," said Steve Hixson, vice president of Advanced Concepts - Space and Directed Energy Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. The six hours of run time for JHPSSL doesn't include low-power operations used for routine maintenance, he added.
"That kind of performance is unparalleled in the world of high-energy lasers," Hixson continued. "The very reliable JHPSSL system just keeps lasing … and lasing … and lasing."
A major military sponsor for JHPSSL likewise noted the laser's reliability and dependability.
"Northrop Grumman has created the gold standard for high-power, solid-state lasers with its JHPSSL system," said Mark Neice, director, Office of the Secretary of Defense, High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office. "Not only did the company demonstrate the full set of performance qualities required for a solid-state laser weapon, but its achievements during the last 18 months remained unmatched in the community."
Northrop Grumman is putting JHPSSL through its lasing paces to prepare for its relocation from the company's laser factory in Redondo Beach, Calif., to a specialized, high-energy laser test range at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., the High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF) for field tests.
Once there, JHPSSL will be integrated with existing beam control and command and control systems to form the core of the U.S. Army's Solid State Laser Testbed Experiment.
"We are operating JHPSSL to prepare for operations associated with the test site environment, timelines and procedures," said Dan Wildt, vice president of Directed Energy Systems for Northrop Grumman. "We also are collecting new information to support integration with a pointer-tracker system and a future integration experiment involving a mobile, ground-based laser weapon."
"As the challenges to our deployed forces continue to change, JHPSSL can provide a proven, affordable transition to fielding a military laser weapon capability in the near-term. We've shown time and again that this solid-state laser technology is capable, mature and ready to begin defending our forces," Wildt emphasized.
Martin Wacks, JHPSSL program manager, said JHPSSL's ongoing reliability and robustness is a testament to the team that put together the revolutionary capability. "This achievement in solid-state laser technology has received wide recognition because those inside and outside the industry realize its potential for near-term military uses."
The JHPSSL program is funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, Washington, D.C.; Office of the Secretary of Defense - High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office, Albuquerque, N.M.; Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.; and the Office of Naval Research, Arlington, Va. Responsibility for program execution is assigned to the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command in Huntsville, Ala.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.