American Air Force to begin assembly of airborne laser - by Nathan Strout for C4ISRNET 23.02.21

This article begins as follows:

Lockheed Martin is developing one of three subsystems for the Air Force Research Laboratory's Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD), a laser weapon to be installed on a fighter jet.

WASHINGTON — The Air Force Research Laboratory is set to receive the first major assembly of one subsystem needed for its airborne laser, although it’s pushed back the first test to fiscal 2024.

The Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) Advanced Technology Demonstration Program’s goal is to build a laser weapon that can be installed on fighter jets to take out incoming missiles. The weapons system includes the laser under development by Lockheed Martin, a beam control system being developed by Northrop Grumman, and a pod to encase it all made by Boeing. Lockheed Martin was awarded a $26.3 million contract to design and build the laser.

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Article for C4ISRNET by Nathan Strout 23.

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