 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Northrop Grumman To Develop Illuminator Laser For Missile Defense
Redondo Beach - Sep 18, 2003 Northrop Grumman's Space Technology sector will develop the Strategic Illuminator Laser (SILL) for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), providing a crucial component for systems such as the Airborne Laser (ABL) and future space-based programs. The MDA chose Space Technology for Phase 2 of the next generation of illuminator laser under an $18 million, 18-month contract managed by the U.S. Air Force. The SILL is a four-kilowatt-class, solid-state, pulsed laser with excellent beam quality. "SILL is the next step toward the generation of high-power, pulsed illuminator lasers," said Jackie Gish, director of DE technology for the sector. "Because of SILL's high power, excellent beam quality and environmental specifications, it will yield an enhancement over existing illuminators. We are very pleased and excited about being chosen for this important step." Space Technology performed trade studies and produced a conceptual design for the SILL earlier this year under the contract's phase one. Two other companies also received phase one contracts, but Space Technology was the only one selected for phase two. This phase will demonstrate a full power breadboard and perform the design of the flight-qualifiable laser. A third phase will culminate in 2006 with delivery to the government of a rugged, flight-qualifiable laser with a development path for space applications, such as long-range illumination. The SILL program builds on Space Technology's legacy of delivered solid-state lasers, including the Beacon Illuminator Laser for the ABL and others for the Air Force and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The sector delivered a flight-qualified Beacon Illuminator, containing two-kilowatt-class solid-state lasers, to the ABL program in 2002. This work under the SILL contract complements Space Technology's work on the Joint High Power Solid-State Laser program awarded in December 2002, when the sector won a Joint Technology Office and Air Force contract to develop the high-power, solid-state laser, a program that will result in demonstration at the end of 2004 of a 25-kilowatt electric-powered laser. Northrop Grumman also specializes in fully militarized, lower-power lasers and has produced and fielded more than 25,000 laser systems, including several that have flown in space. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Northrop Grumman Space Technology SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com All about missiles at SpaceWar.com Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com
Missile Defense Program Moves Forward
Washington DC (AFPS) Jan 12, 2006The Missile Defense Agency continues to move forward in its efforts to protect the nation against a ballistic missile attack. The eighth ground-based interceptor missile was lowered into its underground silo at Fort Greely, Alaska, Dec. 18, 2005. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
