The Ship Model Forum

[url=https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2022/04/04/laser-weapons-development-should-involve-multiple-suppliers-says-northrop/]Defense News[/url]

[quote][b][size=200]Laser weapons development should involve multiple suppliers, says Northrop[/size][/b]
By Megan Eckstein
Apr 4, 08:00 AM

WASHINGTON — Northrop Grumman has been in talks with the Pentagon and the military services on a modular approach to building laser weapons that could engage a greater number of suppliers.

The Defense Department is considering a modular open-system approach, or MOSA, and sent the company a request for information in October. Donna Howland, Northrop’s business development director for directed energy, told Defense News that the approach would allow some companies to specialize in laser generation and beam control, while others focus on the cooling module, the batteries and the fire control subsystem.

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Article from last year, but previously unposted:

[url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a36066191/navy-laser-weapons-on-destroyers/]Popular Mechanics[/url]


[quote][b][size=200]The Navy Is Getting Really Into Lasers[/size][/b]
Soon, nine destroyers will carry directed energy weapons.

BY KYLE MIZOKAMI
APR 9, 2021

The U.S. Navy is installing laser weapon systems on nine destroyers as part of an evaluation of the weapons’ potential.
Eight of the lasers are lower power weapons designed to dazzle or blind enemy sensors and drones.
The remaining weapon, HELIOS, has the potential to become an anti-missile defense system.

The U.S. Navy is expanding its deployment of a new laser weapon while simultaneously preparing to utilize a more powerful laser.

The Navy is arming more destroyers with the nonlethal Optical Dazzling Interdictor, Navy (ODIN) system. Meanwhile, the service will install a stronger laser, the High Energy Laser and Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS), on the destroyer USS Preble (seen above) later this year.
Three Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers carry the ODIN. By the end of 2021, six destroyers will adopt the laser, with two more to follow in subsequent years, per U.S. Naval Institute News.

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[url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/12/15/us-navy-fires-laser-weapon-mideast-amid-drone-boat-threat.html]Military.com[/url]


[quote] [b][size=200] US Navy Fires Laser Weapon in Mideast Amid Drone Boat Threat[/size][/b]

15 Dec 2021
Associated Press | By Jon Gambrell
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The U.S. Navy announced Wednesday it tested a laser weapon and destroyed a floating target in the Mideast, a system that could be used to counter bomb-laden drone boats deployed by Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
The test Tuesday saw [b][u]the USS Portland test-fire its Laser Weapon System Demonstrator at the target in the Gulf of Aden, the body of water separating East Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.[/u][/b]

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[url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2019/march/6954-us-navy-to-arm-its-destroyers-with-helios-laser-weapons-by-2021.html?fbclid=IwAR31pAgWojooBJbaHgoATEDubjLmRzUlA9PfWCkP1EkIRAd-zx1iA5Pc7io]Navy Recognition[/url]

[quote] [b][size=200]US Navy to arm its destroyers with HELIOS Laser Weapons by 2021[/size][/b]
Posted On Friday, 29 March 2019 10:23
Recently, the U.S. Navy has shown an increased interest for the development of Laser Weapon Systems and now intends to mount such systems aboard guided-missile destroyers. [b]The U.S. Navy has indeed awarded Lockheed Martin a $US 150 million contract in January for the procurement of two [u]High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) systems[/u].[/b]
The U.S. Navy plans to mount laser weapons aboard warships by 2021. Such High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) systems are defensive weapons designed to either burn small boats or shoot down unmanned aerial drones. The HELIOS system ordered by the U.S. Navy is scheduled to be mounted aboard guided missile destroyers of the Pacific Fleet within two years.
Recently, the U.S. Navy has shown an increased interest for the development of Laser Weapon Systems and now intends to mount such systems aboard guided missile destroyers.[b] The Navy has indeed awarded Lockheed Martin a $US 150 million contract in January for the procurement of two High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) systems. As for the other one, it is expected to be installed on a Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer.[/b]
HELIOS is a 60-kilowatt laser system, meaning it has twice the power of the AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System, or LaWS installed on the USS Ponce in 2014. HELIOS is billed as a weapon that can burn small speed boats of the type Iran deploys in armed swarms, and can torch unmanned aerial vehicles out of the sky. HELIOS has a long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability.
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This is like the first quick firing gun, which I think was a 37mm. The technology had a greater impact later so don't be put off by a humble beginning.

..

[quote="Seasick"]This laser is defensive in nature.[/quote]

Indeed, as far as I understand and read, it will more or less replace the Phalanx ADA weapon at least. For the moment I'm sceptic how effective this laser weapon is, but in future it will be for sure in my opinion.
on the other hand ... as my 12 year old son told when he read it ... enemy must only pack his weapons full in mirrors / mirror like stuff around and a laser will not work. ;-)

This laser is defensive in nature.

I'm not sure that it will replace missles. I think the cost difference in the article is therefore a bit of a red herring.

[quote="Seasick"]I wonder if they could use it to etch obscenities onto Chinese warships[/quote]
I do it with a Benchmade.

[quote="Seasick"]I wonder if they could use it to etch obscenities onto Chinese warships[/quote]

lol

I wonder if they could use it to etch obscenities onto Chinese warships

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=73234

Includes 5 close-up photos of the test laser they installed onboard DDG 105 last year.

A unit will be deployed onboard USS Ponce next year - very exciting.