Unmanned Air Vehicle with Laser Capability?

Unmanned Air Vehicle with Laser Capability?

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The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) moved one step closer to their laser-equipped unmanned air vehicle with a plan to compete a low power laser demonstrator for missile defense.

MDA is aiming for a low-power flight test by 2020 and beam stability testing by 2021, Richard Matlock, MDA’s advanced technology program executive said to FlightGlobal.

As MDA forges ahead with its laser UAV, the agency is taking cues from the defunct US Air Force airborne laser system (ABL) programme. While ABL proved beam control, MDA is looking to integrate electric lasers on a smaller platform rather than house chemical lasers on a gargantuan Boeing 747-200.

Matlock said: “We’re looking to do a low power laser demonstrator to understand the concept of operations for using high altitude aircraft to do this, as well as the need to point the beam at long range and keep that beam very stable on its target.”

Besides MDA’s decision to use an electric, solid-state laser, the BAA will help inform what type of laser, package or platform could be used for the eventual UAV concept.

Under an MDA contract, General Atomics recently completed precision tracking demonstrations on its MQ-9 Reaper.

Following the precision tracking demonstrations with passive sensors, MDA plans to move onto laser tracking in fiscal 2019, Matlock says.

Today, the US missile defense system works primarily in the mid-course phase of the target’s trajectory but the agency does not have the ability to destroy a ballistic missile in the boost phase. But a layered system, including a boost phase kill option, would improve missile defense, Matlock says.