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U.S., Israel study mobile laser weapon Israel and the United States have launched a study to explore the feasibility of a mobile tactical high-energy laser weapon. Israeli and U.S. officials said the study will assess whether there is sufficient technology to develop a mobile system as well as areas for development and validation tests. The study is being conducted by TRW, the prime contractor for the current Tactical High-Energy Laser program. A non-mobile THEL system has been developed and has intercepted short-range rockets and mortars in tests at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. But the system is regarded as too bulky for operational use. "I can't say this is operational," Defense Ministry director-general Amos Yaron said. "But in light of recent successes, this system has a promising future. It will, however, take a few years until this will be deployed in the field." Officials said the mobile THEL feasibility study will last for about a year. If the study concludes that a mobile THEL can be produced with available technology, such a project could begin next year. One prospect being explored is that of an airborne tactical laser system . Officials said TRW would examine whether a tactical laser weapon could be reduced to a size that could be installed on a battle vehicle. "Another path is to package a laser weapon system that is much like the mobile THEL on an airborne platform to extend its operational range and effectiveness," a joint report by TRW scientists as well as U.S. and Israeli defense officials said. The report, submitted to a space conference at Israel's Technion in February, was authored by TRW scientists Josef Shwartz and Alvin Schnurr. The report's authors also included Gerald Wilson and John Wachs of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the Israeli Defense Ministry's Lt. Col. Zev Gross and Maj. Ori Raviv of the directorate of defense research and development. The paper said that so far "no significant engineering effort was expended to date in defining these two concepts." The U.S. Army hopes to receive significant funding for a mobile system in fiscal 2002 in a project estimated at $150 million. Israel could then procure up to six mobile THELs. The THEL began in 1995 and has so far cost both countries about $200 million. ============================================================= Israel, U.S. developing airborne tactical laser In the next war, an Israeli attack helicopter might not fire a missile. It might beam a high-energy laser. Israel and the United States are discussing the prospect of deploying a tactical laser system on an airborne platform in a move that could change modern warfare. Officials from the two countries have been meeting to discuss the future of the Tactical High Energy Laser, or THEL, a joint project meant to destroy incoming enemy rockets by a deuterium-flouride laser beam. A stationary system has been developed but Israel and the United States plan to build a mobile version. The stationary system is regarded as too bulky for operational use. Still, in a series of tests last year, the THEL destroyed incoming short-range rockets and mortars. The THEL began in 1995 and has so far cost both countries about $200 million. A feasibility study on the mobile THEL has already been launched. The deadlines set are tight. The U.S. Army hopes to receive significant funding for a mobile system in fiscal 2002 in a project estimated at $150 million. Israel could then procure up to six mobile THELs. The two countries are not only thinking about a laser helicopter. They also envision a laser small enough to fit on a battle vehicle or tank. |
